Lily’s eyes widened slightly at that, something hopeful passing through her.
"When?"
"I do not know. We simply have to wait."
She seemed to accept that, at least for the moment, though she remained close to him, her small hand reaching to catch his sleeve lightly as though to ensure he did not leave again too quickly.
Julian did not move away. Instead, he remained there with her, his gaze shifting briefly toward the house in the distance, where the windows reflected the light.
He had restored order, he had done what was necessary, and yet standing there, with Lily beside him and the memory of Eleanor’s voice still too clear in his mind, it did not feel as settled as it should have.
If anything, it felt like something had been set into motion, and he had no clear sense of where it would end.
Lily did not let go of his sleeve. She stayed close to him as they walked a little further along the path, her attention fixed entirely on him in a way that always made it difficult to offer her anything less than the truth. Julian did not attempt to move away. He adjusted his pace without thinking, allowing her to remain beside him without needing to match him.
"Eleanor is very good," Lily said. "She is a good lady of the house."
The statement came simply, without preamble, as though it had been forming in her mind for some time and had only just found its way into words. Julian glanced down at her.
"She is. She is good to you, too, yes?"
Lily nodded, encouraged by the agreement, though her grip on his sleeve tightened slightly as she continued.
"She sits with me," she said. "And she listens. She does not tell me to be quiet when I speak too much, not like my governess."
Julian did not interrupt.
"She tells stories, too!" Lily went on. "And she lets me choose what happens next, even when it makes no sense at all. It is far more fun that way."
A faint pause followed, as though she were deciding whether to say more.
"I like her."
"I know," Julian said. "You have from the moment you saw her, and I have never quite been able to work out why."
Lily looked ahead again, her steps slowing just slightly.
"I do not know, either. Julian, I had an idea. She could stay. It could be like before."
"She is staying," he replied. "She lives here now. I told you that before I married her, if you recall."
Lily shook her head faintly, as though he had misunderstood again.
"No," she said. "Not like that."
Julian did not answer immediately. Lily glanced up at him, her voice quieter now, though no less certain.
"She could be likeher," she said.
Julian looked ahead, his gaze fixed somewhere beyond the path, though his thoughts had already shifted elsewhere.
"A good replacement," Lily added, as though clarifying something that needed no clarification at all. "That is what the staff say."
The word lingered. Julian drew in a slow breath.
"She is good with you," he said at last. "That is what matters."
Lily frowned slightly, her attention returning fully to him.