That was all he offered. He stepped away from the table, pausing only briefly as if expecting her to follow. Eleanor hesitated for half a second, then stood.
"Very well," she said. "I trust this is not an abduction."
"Is that to say you are happy to follow?"
"That depends entirely on where you intend to take me."
"You will see."
He continued briskly toward the doors, and Eleanor followed. There was not an ounce of hesitation in it, only curiosity at what she was about to see. He led her to a balcony, holding the door for her once again. It was strange to not have servants following them, but it was nice; more intimate.
The night air was cool, and the sky above them was clear and open. The stars covered the deep night, and for a moment Eleanor could not focus on anything but how bright it all was.
Julian moved to one side, where a telescope had been set, already positioned. Eleanor glanced at it, then at him.
"I did not know you entertained such interests."
"I do not," he said. "But I found it, and I thought it might be of interest."
"Then I am even more intrigued."
He adjusted it slightly, then stepped back.
"The sky is clearer here," he said. "There is less interference."
Eleanor stepped closer, bending slightly to see through it. For a moment, she said nothing. The moon filled her view, closer than it had any right to be, its surface sharp, and impossibly detailed.
"It is very clear tonight," Julian said.
"Yes," she replied, still looking. "It is."
She straightened slowly, turning back toward him.
"That is… it is all so lovely."
He did not respond immediately. Eleanor studied him, something lighter returning to her tone.
"I had not taken you for someone who brings people outside to admire the moon."
"I have made an exception."
She tilted her head slightly, watching him. "
Perhaps you are not quite as cold as you would like everyone to believe."
Julian did not deny it. Instead, his attention shifted away from the sky and to her.
"It is almost romantic," she added, softer now. "You should take care."
"Why?"
"You may develop a reputation, which of course would be devastating," she said lightly. "What would become of your carefully constructed image?"
Julian’s gaze remained on her.
"I imagine it would survive, if that was what I wanted."
A faint pause came as Eleanor waited for him to clarify that it was, indeed, not what he wanted, but the night stretched around them silently.