“Why do you still call him Mr. Kendall?”
The question surprised her. “Because we did not grow up together as you and I did.”
“I suppose.” Algenon drew out the words. “But if I recall, I introduced you to him when we were still quite young. One would think after a dozen years of friendship, you’d both forgo the formalities in private.”
Javenia brought the reed up to her eye and looked through it at the tops of the trees. When they were little, they used to pretend the hollow sticks were spy glasses. Did Algenon remember that?
“Are you going to answer my question?” He stepped up close to her side.
“I do not believe there was a question in your statement, only an observation.”
He looked sidelong at her, the set of his mouth making it clear he had not fallen for her diversion tactic. But what could she say? Shehadkept a certain amount of distance between her and Eddie. Not that Eddie had ever noticed—at least, she didn’t think he had.
“It is only proper, you know.” She lowered her reed and set to inspecting it like it somehow held all the answers to her troubles.“Frankly, I should be addressing all of you formally. We are children no longer.”
“Better not.” He tossed his pieces of reed into the water and watched them float down the stream. “I might think I’m always in the suds with you.”
She grinned. “Are you not?”
He chuckled. “More or less.”
Silence settled between them as they listened to the hum of morning life around them. Relief washed over her at having successfully dodged his question. Painful memories were better kept in the past where they belonged.
Algenon kicked at a rock and it skittered into the water. “Nate sent word that he plans to call this morning. His note was quite cryptic, but I have great hope that he brings good news.”
“Good news? Of what variety?”
“The kind that brings hope for the future.” He looked at her pointedly.
Her eyebrows pulled together as she sent her reed after Algenon’s down the stream. “What sort of future hope? Are they planning on expanding their estate or is this simply an elaborate way to say they have an extensive schedule planned for this season?”
“Neither, especially since I received a letter weeks ago saying they will not be traveling to London this year.”
A pit formed in Javenia’s stomach. She had depended on Nate’s wife, Melior, to be her one anchor in another season of disappointments. Especially since their friend Livy had already declared her intentions to stay in Maidstone to enjoy her new house and gardens. Why had Melior not mentioned it when she had visited her last week?
John and his wife would be in Town, but it wasn’t the same. They often kept to themselves for weeks at a time, and while shecould visit them, they wouldn’t be partaking in the social whirl to the extent that her father expected her to.
A gentle touch to her arm brought her eyes to Algenon’s. The compassion there pricked at her heart and chipped away at her resolve to keep her distance.
“Are you well? You look as if I’ve just delivered a blow to your head.”
“Not my head. My heart. I depended on Melior’s attendance this season. Who else will be my voice of reason in a room of chaos?”
Algenon’s finger made several slow circles on her arm, his head down and his brow knit together. His soft ministrations caused gooseflesh to rise on her arm, but a lump formed in her throat.
He’d always been gentle with her when they were away from prying eyes, even as children. The inconsistency had not seemed strange when she was young; it was just how things were. If John or Nate were around, he strutted around like a rooster, making certain to peck at her for good measure. She took it in stride, returning a few jabs of her own. Then the others would go home and his mask would eventually drop, much as it had now.
Gone was the peacock of a man he put on display for Society’s entertainment, but for how long?
“I can be that person,” he said softly.
A bark of disbelieving laughter burst from her before she could call it back. “You?”
He pulled away. “I do not see why such a suggestion is so shocking.”
“Forgive me, but other than the ball after you took a blow to the back of your head, you have never been a reliable companion at a social function. You are too busy collecting the hearts of every woman in attendance. Besides, as a gentleman, it would be inappropriate for you to stand by my side all evening. And evenif it were, can you imagine the peal your father would ring over your head?”
Algenon shoved his hands in his coat pockets, his shoulders bent forward. The corners of his mouth pulled down and she could see that she’d truly hurt him.
