After a while, Cam cleared his throat. “Charlotte.”
She disentangled herself from Ellie’s embrace and Cam gave her a fierce hug. She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “It’s all right now,” she whispered, and gave his hand a hard squeeze. “Thank you, Cam.”
He kissed her forehead. “Thank Julian. He’s the one who brought you home at last.”
Charlotte looked over Cam’s shoulder. Julian had dismounted and now he stood silently beside his horse, one hand on the reins still, his face turned away, and in an instant everything else around her faded until there was only him, the sun limning his profile and the breeze tugging with playful fingers at his dark hair.
He must have felt her gaze on him because suddenly he raised his head and their eyes locked, and she’d never forget how lost, how desolate he looked in that moment. Everything inside her squeezed tight, and oh, she yearned for him then—yearned to brush his hair back from his face, to take away the hurt in his eyes so when she looked into those depths she saw not only the darkness, but the light.
He went stiff as she came toward him across the drive, and stiffer still when she took his hand, but she wouldn’t let him pull away. He didn’t want to speak to her, didn’t want her touch, but maybe someday he’d understand she couldn’t leave it this way between them. They’d both spent too much time living with regret.
Afterward she didn’t remember what she’d meant to say to him. Perhaps she wanted to thank him, or beg for his forgiveness, but in the end she simply said what was in her heart. “You’ll always be a hero to me.”
She didn’t give him a chance to reply, but only pressed his hand briefly between hers and then ran back to her sister before he could see the tears gathering in her eyes.
But Ellie saw them and she rushed forward, wrapped an arm around Charlotte’s shoulder, and led her up the walkway toward the house. “What did you say to Julian, Charlotte?”
I told him I was sorry. I told him I loved him.“I said good-bye.”
Ellie’s brows drew down in a puzzled frown. “Good-bye? What, you mean he’s not staying at Bellwood, even for a few days?”
“No.” Charlotte glanced back out to the drive just in time to see Julian mount his horse. Cam said something to him, but Julian shook his head. “He’s going on to London at once to see his betrothed.”
“I thought…that is, I’d hoped…” Ellie fell silent.
Charlotte took her sister’s hand. “I have so much to tell you, Ellie.”
Ellie searched her face, nodded, and led her toward the stairs.
Charlotte didn’t want to look back and see the empty space where Julian had been, but even as she promised herself she wouldn’t, her gaze was drawn toward the drive.
Julian was gone.
Chapter Twenty-five
“For God’s sakes, Jules. Why the infernal rush? If I didn’t know better, I’d think the Bow Street runners were after you. At least stay for luncheon.”
Cam’s voice was light, but he kept a firm grip on the horse’s reins, and Julian could feel his cousin’s penetrating green eyes on his face, assessing him, peeling back his layers.
“Sorry, cuz.” Julian tried to match Cam’s light tone and failed. “My betrothed is waiting for me in London. Remember?”
“Ah, yes. That. But surely this young lady would rather you didn’t collapse from hunger and fatigue on her doorstep. It’s another half day’s ride to London.”
“I’m cavalry. We’re used to long rides.”
“Jules.” Cam’s voice was soft.
Julian stared straight ahead. “I said I’d bring Charlotte to Bellwood, Cam, and I have. I never promised anything beyond that.”
“No, you didn’t,” Cam agreed. “You’ve fulfilled your promise. The one you made to me, that is.”
Julian let out a harsh laugh. “You think I made a promise to Charlotte? I assure you I didn’t. I told her just this morning I’d take her as far as Bellwood, and that’s all.”
And last night you told her you’d never let her go. Hadn’t that been a promise?
“I’m speaking of the promise you made to yourself, Julian. Before you left for Hampshire, you told me you wanted to be a man of your word.”
Julian blew out an irritated breath. “I suppose you’re saying I’m not.”
