Footsteps on the grass behind her made her pulse leap. She turned, half-expecting—half-fearing—to see Dominic's tall figure approaching through the darkness. Relief and an odd disappointment mingled when she recognized her brother's familiar silhouette.
"There you are," August said, coming to stand beside her. "Are you all right?"
June forced a smile. "Perfectly fine. Why do you ask?"
"Because most people attending a gathering choose to actually attend the gathering," he pointed out, his voice gentle with concern. "Yet here you stand, alone in the dark, staring at the sky as if it might provide answers to questions you haven't asked."
"The night is pleasant, and the stars are particularly bright," she countered. "Is that not reason enough?"
"Then why are you standing away from the merriment?" August persisted. "You've been avoiding company all evening."
Because every time I enter a room, I look for him first. Because when I find him, I can't look away. Because I'm afraid of what that means.
"Have you seen Mama and Aunt Agatha?" she asked instead, deflecting with the most plausible excuse. "They are determined to find me a husband at this party."
August laughed, the sound warm and familiar in the darkness. "And so you cower in the darkness, Junebug? Would finding a husband truly be that bad?"
June shook her head, grateful that the night concealed the flush warming her cheeks. "None of the gentlemen here is right for me."
"Is that so?" August raised an eyebrow, visible even in the dim light.
Something in his tone made June wary. "Would you beg to differ?"
"Certainly." August turned to face her fully. "In fact, I've noticed a particular gentleman whose company you seemed to enjoy quite thoroughly—until recently. Now you flee rooms the moment he enters them."
June's heart stuttered. Had she been so transparent? "I don't know what you mean."
"Don't you?" August's voice held no mockery, only gentle inquiry. "Dominic has asked after you, you know. He seems puzzled by your sudden aversion to his company."
"He's asked after me?" The words escaped before June could contain them. She quickly added, "I mean, that's absurd. We barely know each other."
"Strange," August mused. "I could have sworn I saw you two engaged in quite animated conversation in the library last week. And at the archery contest. And in the village bookshop. And?—"
"Those were chance encounters," June interrupted hastily. "Nothing of significance."
"If you say so." August's tone suggested he believed otherwise. "Though I must admit, I've never seen Blake so interested in a lady who wasn't actively pursuing him. It's rather refreshing."
June turned away, focusing again on the stars to hide her expression. "I believe Lord Blackwood was looking for you earlier. Something about a wager on tomorrow's race?"
August chuckled. "Changing the subject, June? How unlike you to retreat from a debate."
"I'm not retreating," she protested, though they both knew she was. "I simply have no interest in discussing the Duke of Icemere."
"As you wish." August reached over to tuck a stray curl behind her ear, a brotherly gesture from their childhood. "But remember, not all men are the same. And people change."
"Some things remain constant," June replied, thinking of Dominic's reputation, his determination never to marry, the inevitable heartbreak that would follow any foolish attachment to him.
"Perhaps." August's voice softened. "But consider this: the stars you're so fond of appear fixed and unchanging to us. Yet astronomers tell us they move constantly, burning with a passion we can barely comprehend from our distant vantage point."
Before June could formulate a suitable response to this unexpected philosophical turn, August kissed her cheek and straightened. "I'll leave you to your celestial contemplations. But don't stay out too long. Mother has already noticed your absence."
He walked away, his footsteps fading on the lawn. June sighed, grateful for the restored solitude yet missing her brother's comforting presence. August meant well, but he didn't understand. He couldn't know what it had cost her to overhear Dominic's dismissal years ago, or what it would cost her now to allow those feelings to resurface.
The night air seemed suddenly cooler. June drew her shawl tighter, turning her attention back to the heavens. The stars were indeed beautiful tonight, scattered across the sky in patterns she recognized from her books but always struggled to identify in reality. The vastness made her feel small, yet somehow more connected to the universe.
"The Great Bear is there."
The deep voice came from directly behind her, so close she felt the words as much as heard them. June startled, nearly stumbling as she whirled around.
