I settled on my hip, knees bent with my feet tucked against my side, leaning toward him with the picnic basket between us. He settled with his legs in front of him, unaccountably stiff.
“Hugh?”
“Yes?”
“Is this your first picnic?”
He tucked a loose, overlong strand of hair behind his ear, shifting into a looser position. “… yes. Am I doing it wrong?”
“I don’t think there is a wrong way to picnic. You’ve really never done so?”
“No. I believe Michael and a few of the servants would occasionally. Obviously, my mother would never allow me to join.”
“And she never took you on one of your own? With Tom?”
A gentle breeze began, flipping one the ledgers open and flipping pages. He grabbed at the ledgers, answering me distractedly. “It is improper to eat with rodents and insects.” He lifted the basket to slip the ledgers underneath. Turning back to me, he froze. “I did not mean… That is what she always said.”
“But not what you think?”
“I do not know what I think, as I have not tried it yet.”
“Well, let’s gather the necessary data then.” I said, handing him a plate. “Sandwich?”
“Yes, please.” He took it from me, taking a hearty bite.
I turned to grab my own, and joined him in quiet munching. The breeze was pleasant, and the sun was warm. These days would be fewer and farther between as the days grew shorter.
“Do you remember that day in the park?” I asked.
“With your brother?”
“Yes.”
“I do,” he said.
“This feels like one of those days. The last truly pleasant weather before winter. I love these days.”
“Yes.” He considered his last bite of sandwich thoughtfully. “I am sorry about that day.”
“What for?”
“My mother was horribly rude. And I did not check her.”
“Ah… Yes. Do not be sorry. Lady Rycliffe had the most amusing things to say about her once you were out of earshot.”
That earned me a chuckle and a “fair.”
The breeze kicked up a bit, pulling a few of my curls from their pins and brushing them across my face. I tucked them back and away.
“I did have a thought I was wondering if we might consider,” I said.
“What was that?”
“Kit is a solicitor now. He and his partner, William Hart, own offices in town. One of them may be able to assist us in this endeavor.”
“No.” Hugh brokered no room for argument.
“All right then,” I said, tone hollow.
