Smiling to herself, Annie shifted her gaze back to the carriage to see Julian approaching. As their eyes met, he gave her his familiar smile, the one that seemed to be reserved solely for her.
“What do you think, Miss Fairfax?” He glanced around. “I’ve always liked this spot, personally.”
“It’s beautiful, sir,” she replied. “Worthy of being captured on canvas if it hasn’t been already. I don’t suppose you happen to know any artists, do you?”
Julian appeared to ponder. “Hmm, as it happens, I believe I do. I also have a suspicion he’s familiar with this place. In fact, if memory serves, he once fell in the river.” He gestured. “Over there, by the steppingstones.”
Annie laughed. “Really?”
“Really. Which reminds me, where are…?” Julian looked around again. “Oh, there they are. Plotting, by the looks of it. Lord help us.”
Annie chuckled. “If you don’t mind me asking, may I know their age? They’re so petite, it’s hard to guess.”
“They’ll be eighteen in January, but they were born several weeks earlier than expected and were, consequently, very small and fragile. The attending physician was adamant they wouldn’t survive, but they proved him wrong, thank God. My mother was born several weeks early as well, and she also survived against the odds. There’s more to that story, actually, but I’ll save it for another time. In any case, it seems they inherited Mama’s tenacity.” He cast a fond glance at the twins. “They would try the patience of a saint, but I’ll always maintain the world is a better place with them in it.”
“I don’t disagree,” she replied. “Have they ever fooled you into thinking one was the other?”
“No, and they never will. I always know which twin I’m talking to. That’s not to say they’re incapable of fooling someone else, mind you, though I don’t think they’ve ever attempted it.”
“Well, I think they’re wonderful.”
“They have their moments.” He gave her a wry smile. “I can’t decide whether I’m dreading this next Season or looking forward to it. It’ll be interesting, of that I have no doubt.”
“This will be their first?”
He nodded. “It was supposed to be last year, but other things tookpriority. Right now, however, my priority is to spend time with you and to not waste a minute of it. So, my dear Miss Fairfax, would a walk along the river be in order? To begin, anyway.”
“It would indeed, Mr. Northcott,” Annie replied, wondering vaguely whatother thingshad taken priority.
Julian glanced back at the twins and presented his arm. “Come on. Let’s see how long it takes before they notice.”
Annie gave him a sideways glance. “I’m beginning to think you’re just as mischievous as they are, sir.”
“Worse actually.” He grinned. “I like to test them occasionally. Can’t help it.”
They hadn’t even taken a dozen steps before a couple of indignant shouts carried through the air.
“Most inappropriate,” Evie said, panting as she and Clara caught up.
“Yelling like that in public? Yes, I agree.” Julian scowled. “What must people think?”
“Not what Evie meant,” Clara said, her hand pressed to her chest.
“And there’s no one here except us,” Evie pointed out. “And Molesworth, of course, but he won’t care.”
“Miss Fairfax and I were never out of your sight,” Julian said. “Not for a moment.”
Clara huffed. “But you didn’t tell us you were leaving. We might not have noticed your absence till after you’d disappeared into the woods.”
Julian shook his head. “This chaperone business works both ways, Clara. I wouldn’t actually have gone off and left you by yourselves.”
“So you say, but we have no way of knowing that now, have we?” She pouted. “We’d have been quite alone.”
“Except for Molesworth,” Evie pointed out. “Not really fair on him, though.”
“God, give me strength,” Julian muttered.
“You started it, sir,” Annie said, before she could stop herself.
