“I agree, but he’s Archibald Mason’s brother-in-law.”
“Ah, I see. May I know the reason for this courtesy call?’
“Of course.” Annie then proceeded to recount all that had been discussed during the meeting. She attempted to keep the account somewhat light, but Julian’s expression had darkened a little as she continued. “And that was it, basically,” she finished. “He assured me, as he readied to leave, that he did not believe me to be in any danger.Just asked that I remain vigilant.”
Julian looked unconvinced. “Nevertheless, Miss Fairfax, I’m not sure returning to London is wise. I should imagine you’re safer here.”
She regarded him for a moment. “I’m curious about something, sir.”
“Which is?”
“Why I’m back to being Miss Fairfax, when I was Annabelle just a little while ago.”
Julian looked contrite. “The latter was an unconscious slip. I apologize.”
“You don’t have to,” she replied. “I didn’t mind it at all, actually.”
A smile appeared. “It’s a very pretty name.”
“Thank you. Those close to me, however, shorten it to Annie.”
“Annie,” he repeated, as if savoring the name on his lips. “Even prettier.”
“You have my permission to use it, sir, whenever we’re alone.” She glanced past him again to where the twins were now making their way across the steppingstones. “Unless, of course, you’d prefer to maintain our current accordance.”
“Then you shall be ‘Annie’ from now on,” he said, taking her hand in his again. “When we’re alone, at least. And hearing my Christian name on your lips, under those same circumstances, would give me great pleasure. I have been called other things, but that comes from having sibl—”
A sudden scream split the air, followed by a squeal of unladylike laughter and another scream.
“No, they didn’t!” Julian shot to his feet as did Annie, even as more squeals of laughter rang across the meadow. “Yes, they did. I told you. Did I not tell you? They fell in. They bloody well fell in!”
Annie gasped. “What,bothof them?”
“Oh, it’s never just one of them,” Julian said as he set off toward the river. “Never.”
Annie laughed, picked up her skirts, and hurried after him. “Looking on the bright side,” she said, “at least you won the bet.”
Chapter Nineteen
Julian got tothe river’s edge at the same time as Molesworth.
“One went in and then t’other, Mr. Northcott,” the coachman said, panting as he rolled down his shirt sleeves and pulled on his jacket. “Gave me a bit of a scare. They look to be all right though, other than being sopping wet.”
“Don’t worry, we’re fine,” Clara proclaimed, clutching her sodden skirts on one hand, the other arm outstretched as she waded toward the bank. “The stones were slippery. Evie fell in first, and I went in when I tried to save her.”
Julian heaved a sigh and held out a hand. “Any bruises?”
Clara took it and clambered onto dry land. “No, don’t think so.”
“What about you, Evie?” He held out his hand again. “Do you hurt anywhere?”
“My hair came loose,” she replied, as he hoisted her onto the bank. “And my shoes are ruined.”
Julian parted with yet another sigh. “Do either of those things cause you pain?”
“No.”
“So, are both of you uninjured? I’m not joking. I need to be sure.”
