"Lord Harrowby."
She expected him to continue. He did not.
"Will you dine with me this evening?"
The question came plainly, and she immediately stopped.
"Is it for any particular reason?" she asked, not masking her surprise.
"No."
A small pause followed.
"I wish to dine with my wife," he continued. "Is that something requiring a reason?"
Eleanor considered him a moment longer. In most circumstances, she would have agreed that there was no need for an explanation, but it was unlike him. She might have pushed it further, if not for the fact that she rather liked such a shift.
"Very well," she said. "I will come."
"Thank you."
The exchange ended there. He inclined his head and moved past her, as though nothing unusual had occurred at all. Eleanor remained where she was for a moment, then continued on her way, though the question lingered far longer than she would have liked.
Dinner was laid for two that evening. The candles softened the room just enough to take the edge off its usual formality, though nothing about it felt casual.
Julian was already there, and he smiled at her when he saw her. He drew out her chair for her, and she looked at him curiously.
"Thank you."
She sat, smoothing her skirts lightly before looking up at him again.
"This still feels unnecessary."
"Then you are free to consider it so."
He took his seat opposite her. The distance between them remained, but it felt more noticeable now that there was no one else to fill the space.
"Did your friends enjoy their time here?" he asked as the first course was served.
"Indeed they did. They were quite surprised to see how well we are doing, given the circumstances, but they liked to see it all the same. They also adored your dear sister."
"And she was happy to see them. I do not– I do not know why she has changed so quickly since your arrival, but she has."
"Well," Eleanor noted, "she is growing up. One day, she shall be a lady too."
There was a pause then that stretched. Wine was poured, and Eleanor took a sip, then set the glass down again, her attention returning to him.
"You have made an impression on the household," Julian said.
"I had not realized I was being assessed."
"You are always being assessed."
"That sounds exhausting."
"It is necessary. It is vital that my staff are given the best possible circumstances to work in, and of course that means finding a good lady of the household."
Eleanor glanced at him over her glass.