The easy banter continued as they wandered through Myddleton’s splendid gardens. Julian quietly calculated they hadn’t even spent two full days together, but there was no doubt in his mind. Being with Annie, simply put, feltright. It was effortless. Natural. A union of kindred souls, each one different and unique, yet perfectly matched to the other. Julian smiled to himself, amused and somewhat baffled by the fanciful thoughts drifting through his head. A new experience for him.
Later, as the stars twinkled overhead, they joined others on the terrace, where lamplight and candleflame already flickered. The general atmosphere seemed to reflect Julian’s mood, contented and just a little bit lazy. As the night chilled and people moved back indoors, Annie leaned over and whispered in his ear. “I’ve changed my mind, Julian,” she said. “Today hasn’t been wonderful. It’s been perfect.”
Chapter Twenty
Annie drew hershawl around her as the landau, with Molesworth once again at the reins, wound its way along the country lanes. The skies were a little less reassuring than the previous day, the air a little fresher. They’d left Myddleton House after a late breakfast, their destination being Freya’s Farewell. For Annie, it was something of a bitter-sweet excursion. After today, she didn’t know when she’d be seeing Julian again. Everything he’d said and done implied she had a place in his future, but he’d yet to say anything definitive. Consequently, she couldn’t help but wonder about it. And, deeming it inappropriate to do so, she hadn’t asked.
“We’re going to see the puppies first, right?” Clara asked.
Julian shook his head. “I don’t think we have time for that.”
“Of course we do,” Evie said. “Besides, you said we could.”
Clara nodded. “Yes, you did.”
Julian scratched his jaw. “As I recall, I believe I said ‘we’ll see’. Twice.”
Evie gave him a cocky smile. “Which isn’t a ‘no’.”
“It isn’t a ‘yes’ either,” Julian replied.
“I told Papa that we were going to see them today,” Clara said, “and he seemed quite accepting of the idea.”
Julian looked skeptical. “Was he reading his newspaper at the time?”
Clara frowned. “Um, actually, yes, he was.”
“Then he probably didn’t hear a word you said.”
“What do you think, Miss Fairfax?” Evie regarded her, eyes wide with obvious hope. “Do we have time to see the puppies?”
Annie feigned a moment of thought. “I’m inclined to say yes, but—”
Evie let out a squeak of obvious delight.
“But,” Annie glanced at the skies, “perhaps you might do so on your way back. The weather, at the moment, is fine, and I think we should make the most of it while we can. The climb to Freya’s Farewell would not be pleasant, or even possible, in the rain.”
“It seems we have a compromise.” Julian reached for Annie’s hand, linking his fingers through hers. “So we’ll visit the puppies on the way back.”
Another squeak, this time from both twins and in perfect unison.
Clara clapped her hands. “I cannot wait to see them.”
“And in the meantime,” Evie said, “we can think of some names.”
“Names for what?” Julian asked.
“The puppies, of course.”
Julian scoffed while giving Annie’s hand a surreptitious squeeze. “We’re merely going toseesome puppies, Evie, not actually acquire one. Names, therefore, are hardly necessary.”
Evie snorted. “Then what’s the point of going to see them?”
“That’s a good question. But there’ll be no more talk of puppies for now. As Miss Fairfax has pointed out, it’s a fine day for an outing and we should be enjoying the countryside.”
The twins’ subsequent scowls had Annie suppressing a smile.
“You are wicked,” she murmured.
