As she’d come to his bedroom freely.
“I’ll think about it,” she added a moment later. “My brother and sister used to tease me because I had a passion for drawing but very little natural talent.”
“That’s categorically untrue from what I saw in your aunt’s conservatory.”
“Oh, I’ve gotten better. In fact, their teasing probably pushed me to do so. A need to prove myself.”
James felt a resonance with that deep in his chest. “I understand.”
“Do you have beastly siblings too?”
“I don’t have any brothers or sisters.”
She sat forward, eyes wide. “I can’t imagine the freedom in that. Did it make you more independent?”
“Independence was a necessity.”
The softness in her eyes made him want to retreat. Even telling Blackwood this morning felt odd, yet somehow freeing. Still, he’d never divulged such maudlin details to any lady of his acquaintance. He couldn’t bear their pity or for a woman he desired to think of him as the frightened boy he’d once been. And it had always been simple because he’d never allowed himself close enough to be tempted to share his long-ago nightmare.
But Lucy wasn’t justanylady. Somehow, afteronly a few days of knowing her, his usual evasive tactics seemed wrong. He felt closer to her than he had to anyone in a very long time.
“I lost my parents when I was a boy.”
“I’m so sorry.” She reached across the distance between them and clasped his hand. He stilled, but she didn’t let go.
He finally clasped her hand in return, but he was saved from saying more when the carriage stopped, and the driver ushered them toward the small station’s platform.
“I’ll carry that.” James claimed her valise and found itwasfar lighter than on the journey to Edinburgh.
“Fine,” she called back to him. “Promise not to peek in my sketchbook.”
They obtained tickets and found they’d arrived with only minutes to spare before the morning train. There were only two carriages, and the seats were first come, first serve with no private cars.
James pointed to an open bench, allowing Lucy the window seat. When he reached up to put her valise on the rail above them, she made a little noise of protest, and he placed it on the seat next to her.
As soon as he slid onto the bench, she settled her valise near the window so that there was nothing between them. He happily closed the space until they were elbow to elbow.
“Tell me what’s on your list.”
“The castle, of course. Nelson’s monument. Calton Hill.”
James looked down as her finger traced the list she’d made.
“Camera Obscura? That sounds like something you’d like.”
“Yes. It sounds fascinating. It’s a mechanism that uses lenses and mirrors to give a view of the city.” She turned in her seat and laid a hand on his arm, gripping the fabric of his coat lightly. “It’s exactly the place I was thinking of suggesting, but I didn’t know if you’d prefer something more—”
“It’s your holiday, Lucy. You only need to please yourself.”
She smiled in a manner that in any other young woman he’d call shy. “That makes me feel terribly spoiled.” She settled back in her seat but wrapped her arm around his.
The simple gesture fired his blood and yet comforted him too. At least for this moment, she’d chosen him.
If making independent choices made her feel spoiled, he wondered at how strict and straitlaced her parents must be. This trip truly was an escape for her, and he hoped she could enjoy herself today, despite how things might change upon her aunt’s arrival. This might very well be his last chance to spend time alone with her.
When he fell quiet, Lucy turned her attention toward the window. She tapped her finger at the edge of her sketchbook, and James wondered if she also sensed that this outing together might be their last.
“Blackwood is an interesting character,” she said quietly. “What do you think of him?”
