He nodded. “Cole, Allaston, and Effington are,” he said. “Addington is not and it is time for her, so I can stop worrying about her. Let her be Ashton’s problem from now on.”
Lista smiled faintly. “You do not mean that.”
“Of course I do,” he said, looking at her. “With all of my sisters married, I will not have to worry any longer.”
Lista frowned. “Why is it your worry?” she said. “What does your mother say? She should be the one to worry.”
He turned for the vineyard, reaching out to take her hand as he went. “After my father’s death, I have more or less assumed his mantle,” he said. “My mother is strong, but it is my duty to help her any way I can.”
Lista was starting to feel giddy again as he held her hand. “What about your brother?” she said. “He is the eldest, is he not?”
“He is,” Julian said. “But Cole has Berwick and his own family to worry about. He has five small children, a wife, and a very strategic castle. He manages Berwick and I manage Pelinom, our family home.”
“Is that what you meant by understanding great responsibility thrust upon you?”
He glanced at her. “You were listening, were you?”
She grinned as they came to a halt because they were at the vineyard now, which was tiered because of the slope of the hill. Julian let go of her hand and reached out, grasping her around the waist and lifting her down to the next tier. Once he set her on her feet, he didn’t let her go. Lista found herself gazing up at him, feeling warmth and interest radiating from his eyes.
There was no mistake.
“I have listened to every word you have spoken since we first met,” she said sincerely. “Even when I was angry with you, I still listened to you because I think you are a man with a good deal to say, Julian. I would always like to listen to you if you will let me, so in answer to your question, I heard you. You spoke those words as if there were something more behind them, but I will not ask. If you want me to know, you will tell me.”
He looked at her, a smile playing on his lips, digesting every word. “You are much different from any woman I have ever known,” he finally said. “At least, any young women. You seem much wiser than your years.”
Lista cocked an eyebrow. “Is that a bad thing?”
He shook his head. “Not at all,” he said. “In fact, I rather like it. May I be perfectly honest with you?”
“Of course. As my friend, I would expect you to be.”
His smile broke through. “I admire you a great deal,” he said. “You have shouldered a difficult situation with your mother and aunt but you’ve not let it crush you. That is something to be applauded.”
“Thank you.”
“May I say something else?”
“You may.”
“You need to learn to laugh.”
She looked at him, surprised. “Why do you say that?”
“Because I’ve not seen you truly laugh out loud since I’ve known you.”
That was probably true. Lista paused to think about his statement. “I suppose I am so focused on what needs to be done to keep Felkington running smoothly and my mother placated that I’ve not found the time to laugh,” she said. “Unrestrained laughter is for people who do not have too much on their minds.”
Julian fought off a grin as they both heard Addington squealing with laughter when Ashton stole something from her and she ran after him.
“Addie will teach you how to laugh freely and often,” he said. “Spend time with her. Learn from her. She may not have your responsibilities, but she’s not as foolish as she seems.”
Lista cocked her head. “You will not teach me to laugh?”
He chuckled softly. “I am in need of lessons myself.”
“Can we not learn together?”
He looked at her, his dual-colored eyes glimmering. “I would like nothing better.”
