“Yes, you did,” Evie said, and gave Clara what looked like a knowing smile.
Julian regarded Annie. “Well then, it appears we’ve sorted out the agenda for tomorrow.”
Annie nodded, her stomach doing a flip at the thought of spending another day in Julian’s company. “It would seem so.”
“Excuse us,” Evie said, as she and Clara moved past them again. “But we’ve decided it’s better if we walk ahead of you.”
Julian narrowed his eyes. “Dare I ask why?”
Clara parted with an exaggerated sigh. “Because that way, brother dear, we can pretend not to notice if you hold hands with Miss Fairfax.”
“Like you did almost all the way to the footbridge,” Evie added. “Don’t worry, we probably won’t tell anyone.”
Annie stifled a laugh. “They’re incorrigible,” she said, as the twins sauntered off down the path.
“Indeed. And since I’m now firmly inked onto their blackmail list, I suppose we needn’t be quite so discreet.” He took hold of Annie’s hand, lifted it briefly to his lips, and then threaded his fingers through hers. “Besides, it’s worth being blackmailed for.”
On the way back, their conversation wandered into a sharing of childhood likes and dislikes, favorite music, favorite foods, favorite books, and such like. Annie discovered they actually had much in common, especially when it came to art and music. The conversation flowed naturally, as if they shared something that went beyond mere likes and dislikes. It was notable, Annie thought, how at ease she was in Julian’s presence. Did he feel the same? It seemed so. She hoped so.
A short while later, they spread blankets on the grass, sat in the shadow of a Roman ruin, and shared more conversation while enjoying a splendid picnic. The hamper, packed in Myddleton’s kitchen, contained a veritable feast of roast duck, sliced ham, soft white bread-rolls, crisp lettuce and some local Stilton cheese. Annie barely managed to save some room for one of the treacle tarts, which was washed down by a glass of tangy lemonade.
Now, with the sun settling lower in the sky, Annie knew it would soon be time to return to Ferndale. As if reading her mind, Julian pulled his fob-watch from his pocket and glanced at it.
“Aww, we’re not leaving yet, are we?” Clara asked, the merest hint of a whine in her voice.
“In about a half hour,” Julian replied, pocketing his watch. “And no arguments.”
“Should give us enough time,” Evie said, brushing crumbs from her skirts as she got to her feet.
Julian frowned. “Enough time for what?”
“To cross the steppingstones.”
“No.” Julian shook his head. “Absolutely not.”
“Why not?”
“You know why not,” he replied. “You’ll fall in. And that’s not a guess, it’s a guarantee.”
Clara, on her feet also, scowled. “No, we won’t, Julian. We’ll be very careful. I mean, it’s not as if wewantto fall in.”
“But you will, whether you want to or not,” Julian said, making Annie laugh.
“I’ll wager a shilling we won’t,” Evie said.
“Make it a half-crown,’ Julian replied. “Times two.”
“You’ll lose,” they said, in gleeful unison as they wandered off toward the riverbank.
“Just a matter of time, I fear,” Julian said, and then assumed a serious expression. “So, tell me, Miss Fairfax, what is this development you mentioned?”
Annie cast a quick glance at the twins, assuring herself they were out of earshot. “I had a visitor,” she said, her voice low. “He was actually waiting for me when I got back to Ferndale on Thursday.”
“He?” Julian tensed visibly. “De Witte?”
“No.” Annie shook her head and gave a brief smile. “Believe me, Hattie would not have allowed him through the door. No, it was an Inspector Taggart from Scotland Yard, and more of a courtesy call than anything.”
Julian raised a brow. “A long way to come for a courtesy call.”
