“It is rather splendid,” Grace replied, glancing about. “It’s also eternally summer, which is probably why I enjoy it most in the winter, when the weather is miserable and the days short. Sitting in here at such times lifts the spirits. How are you finding the countryside, dear? Have you spent time outside of the city before?”
“I have, yes, and somewhere up here in the north, though I don’t remember the actual location,” Annabelle replied. “It was many years ago, when I was a child.”
Julian, sensing his father’s scrutiny, exchanged glances with him. Aldous raised a brow that implied he was equally impressed, and perhaps surprised, by Grace’s sweet response to Annabelle. Julian responded with a slight shrug and took his seat beside Evie. Then he watched and listened as his mother’s propensity for easy chit-chatproceeded to put Annabelle at ease. Within minutes, the tension on her face disappeared, the stiffness in her shoulders softened, and she settled back, obviously relaxed, into the cushions. Incredulity lifted its head once more. Not in a million years—at least, a few hours ago—could Julian have imagined Annabelle Fairfax would be seated beneath a palm tree in Myddleton’s conservatory, having a conversation with his mother. It truly beggared belief.
Evie leaned in. “Your lady friend is very pretty, Jules,” she muttered, ventriloquist-fashion through a stiff smile.
“Yes, she is,” he replied, quietly. “Why are you smiling like that? Is something wrong with your mouth?”
“You remind me of Jester, my old pony,” Arthur said. “Remember him? When it was close to feeding time, he’d stick his nose over the gate and show his teeth.”
Seated on the other side of Evie, Clara stifled a giggle. “Don’t worry, Evie,” she said. “The luncheon gong is going to sound any minute now.”
“I doubt they’ll have fresh hay on the menu, however,” Julian added, which drew another giggle from Clara.
Evie’s smile dissolved. “I was trying to be discreet,” she said, scowling.
Julian tutted. “Don’t know about discreet, but it was definitely amusing.”
Evie cocked her head, leaned in again, and peered at him through narrowed eyes. “I’m curious, dear brother,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, “does this mean the musical Miss Aitken has been set aside?”
Julian gave her a stern look. “That’s enough, Evie.”
A smug smile appeared. “Which meansyes,” she replied, sitting back. “Not that it’s a catastrophe, mind you. We’re not overly keen, right, Clara?”
Clara gave a nod. “Right.”
“What are you chittering about over there?” Grace asked. “Not ‘overly keen’ about what?”
Evie opened her mouth, but Julian interrupted. “Nothing of note, Mama. Evie is hungry, apparently, so we’re speculating about what’ll be on the luncheon menu.”
Arthur chuckled, Clara snorted, Evie scowled again, and Grace sighed as she turned back to Annabelle. “I understand you are an only child, Miss Fairfax.”
“I am, yes,” Annabelle replied, giving Julian an amused glance.
“Hmm.” Grace winced. “Then I should probably warn you about my children’s frequently questionable behavior.”
“Indeed,” Aldous added. “Please accept our apologies in advance.”
Annabelle laughed. “I’m sure they won’t be required, Captain. That is—Mr. Northcott—your eldest son speaks very highly of his siblings.”
“He does?” Evie leaned forward. “What does he say about me, Miss Fairfax?”
“Nothing at all,” Julian said. “I never speak of you individually, Evie. You and your sister are, in my opinion, one entity. When and if I voice an observation, it generally applies to both of you.”
“So, what did you tell Miss Fairfax aboutus, then, Julian?” Clara demanded.
“Hmm.” He frowned. “I believe I told Miss Fairfax the next Season will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable in Northcott history and that London will never be the same.”
Arthur sniggered, while the twins regarded each other for a moment and then looked at Julian. “You did not say that!” they exclaimed, in perfect unison.
There followed laughter all round. “No,” Annabelle said, with a shake of her head, “your brother did not say that. The truth is, he hasn’t told me anything specific about either of you, or any of his siblings for that matter. But I definitely get the impression he caresabout you all very much.”
“We quite like him as well.” Clara wrinkled her nose. “Most of the time, anyway.”
Evie snorted and was rewarded with a disapproving glance from Grace.
“You have no close family at all, Miss Fairfax?” Aldous asked.
