“Aha! There, see?” Clara’s face lit up. “Even Miss Fairfax is on our side.”
“Serves you right, brother,” Evie added, picking up her skirts and brushing past him. “Thank you, Miss Fairfax.”
Julian gave Annie an incredulous look. “I can’t believe you said that.”
Annie feigned a serious expression. “We women must stick together, Mr. Northcott.”
“Indeed we must,” Clara said, brushing by them as well to catch up with Evie. “Brava, Miss Fairfax.”
Julian’s expression softened and, for a few minutes, they carried on without speaking. Annie glanced at him, puzzled by his sudden silence. Surely he wasn’t upset because of what she’d said. But then he paused on the path and turned fully to look at her, the hint of a frown appearing. Annie felt a brief jolt of dismay and tried to read the expression in his eyes. Perhaps he was upset, after all.
His frown vanished. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, Miss Fairfax,” he said, taking her hand in his, “but bumping into you on the street that day was one of the best things I have ever done.”
All traces of dismay vanished, and a pleasant warmth came to Annie’s cheeks. “And I, sir, have never been so thankful to have been literally swept off my feet,” she replied.
Julian’s mouth curved into a smile as they set out once more, his hand still holding hers. Annie glanced down at their joined hands, then at the twins, and then back up at him in silent question.
“They’re not looking.” He squeezed her hand gently. “If they do, I shall release you. But should the opportunity again present itself, I will reach for your hand once more. Providing, of course, you have no objection.”
“None whatsoever, sir.” Annie’s heart fluttered, leaving her almost breathless.
The path wound its way through the woods, hugging the riverbank for the most part. It was a pleasant stroll through dappled sunlight, the air cooler beneath the forest canopy, the river’s gentle flow calming to the spirit. A few midges made their presence known here and there, but nothing too disagreeable. The twins carried on with their chatter while Annie listened, with fascination, to Julian’s tale of his uncle who, having been thought lost at Waterloo, had recently been discovered in a charitable house by Julian’s sister. It was a remarkable tale that drew tears to her eyes. That a man, so gravely wounded, had finally come home more than thirty years after riding off to war, was nothing less than a miracle.
“He was the reason the twins’ debut into society was delayed. Mama wasn’t happy being away from Highfield for long periods, so my parents were back and forth between London and Yorkshire a few times. My cousin Catherine has offered to take the twins under her wing this coming Season, for some of the time at least.”
“Do you enjoy it?” Annie asked.
“The Season?” Julian appeared to ponder a moment. “Yes, actually, I do. I’m always happy to return to Highfield, though.”
“Here’s the footbridge,” Clara called over her shoulder, prompting Julian to release Annie’s hand. “Are we crossing it?”
Annie eyed the rickety bridge with some consternation, but said nothing.
“No, I don’t think so,” Julian replied. “I’m not convinced the bridge is safe, and the path on the other side isn’t well suited to skirts and petticoats. It’s probably best we turn back.”
“Good,” Evie said, “because I’m starving.”
“Where do you walk, Miss Fairfax?” Clara asked, as they set off back. “Are there some pleasant footpaths to be explored in the vicinity of that charming house?”
“Yes, actually, there are,” Annie replied. “Freya’s Farewell is a favorite of mine. Perhaps you know of it? It’s a bit of a climb, but wellworth it. The view from the top is incredible. You can see Myddleton House way off in the distance. That was how I first saw the place, actually.”
“Freya’s Farewell,” Evie repeated, as she and Clara glanced at each other and then back at Annie. “No, never heard of it.”
“Neither have I,” Julian said. “An odd name. I suspect there’s a story there.”
“With a sad origin, I’m afraid, though Miss Caldridge said it’s probably untrue. There’s a rocky ledge on top of the hill and a young woman named Freya supposedly threw herself off it when the man she loved abandoned her.”
Evie’s eyes widened. “Oh, how tragic. We must visit it, Julian.”
Clara nodded her agreement. “How about tomorrow?”
“If you wish and weather permitting,” Julian said. “Though I cannot help but wonder if you’d be so keen if not for the tragedy attached to the place.”
“Of course we would,” Evie said, “but the story makes it all the more interesting.”
“Besides, Miss Fairfax said it’s probably made-up,” Clara added. “And we’re still going to see the puppies, yes?”
“We’ll see,” Julian replied, “but I believe I already said that.”
