Page 14 of Forget Me Not

The question was very direct. She suspected that was his nature.

Why do you no longer consider Lucas your friend?Literal pain radiated from her heart as the answers flooded over her, none of which was pleasant to ponder.

“He was very kind and indulgent when I was little,” she said after a long moment. “I suspect there is more of nostalgia between us now than actual friendship.”

“I do not believe he would agree with that assessment.”

Exasperation and exhaustion mingled in her mind. “I have not seen him or even heard from him in four years, Mr. Barrington, and seldom in the four years before that. And even before he took up residence at Brier Hill, he was often away. He was kind to me when I was a little girl, but that was years ago.”

Mr. Barrington’s eyebrow arched again, this time in a look of pondering. “Though I cannot reconcile the two, I will tell you that he speaks of you the way one does a dear friend, no matter that his neglect of you is apparently of somewhat long-standing.” He guided the cart off the road and onto the narrow drive that led to Farland Meadows. “I will further tell you this: Lucas is not precisely featherheaded, but he’s also wont to not think things through.”

“Are you saying that, unlike the two of us, he isnotclever?”

Mr. Barrington shook his head. “I wouldn’t say that. He tends to lead with his heart without allowing his mind adequate opportunity to give input.”

She didn’t like that explanation very much at all. “And his heart is in favor of his forgetting me for years on end?”

“I can see I am doing a poor job of explaining. I only meant that his intentions are generally good, but his execution is sometimes lacking.”

“Or missing entirely.”

Mr. Barrington smiled at that. “Though you were being humorous when you said it before, I truly do think you are quite clever.”

“And you don’t seem to think that a failing in me.”

He glanced at her again. “Are there people whodothink that?”

She shrugged. “I am female. Females aren’t meant to be much of anything beyond pleasant.”

“Only to gentlemen who have no desire to be anything other than obtuse.”

Julia laughed in spite of the heaviness of their topic. Mr. Barrington’s company was most certainly enjoyable.

He brought the cart to a stop just outside the stables. The staff were there in an instant. Julia was handed down while the stablehands saw to the pony and cart. Mr. Barrington arrived at her side a moment later and walked with her to the house, an easy silence settling between them.

He saw her as far as the entryway, then offered a bow. “Thank you for the honor of your company. I look forward to seeing you again soon.”

A moment later, he was gone.

Their conversation had been a touch more personal than she would have predicted. She’d told him more of her history with Lucas than she generally allowed. Somehow, though, she felt at ease over the matter.

Mr. Kes Barrington felt more reliable than most people of her acquaintance. Certainly more than Lucas.Farmore.

Chapter Six

Julia’s abigail stood opposite her,holding all she needed to powder Julia’s hair. “His lordship insists,” Jane said. “If I don’t do as he bids, I’ll be in trouble, miss.”

It was bad enough Julia was being required to attend the ball despite her preferences. She wasn’t even being permitted to choose how her hair would be styled. It was horribly unfair. Still, she didn’t want to land Jane in the suds.

“Not all of the other young people will have powdered hair,” Julia said. “It is beginning to go out of fashion.” If she could convince Jane to take her part, they might convince Father.

“I’ll not go against the wishes of my employer.”

The ball would begin in only a few hours. Julia had no desire to feel ridiculous as well as uncomfortable. “You know how much I dislike having my hair powdered.”

Jane’s expression grew empathetic, but she did not yield. Julia’s spirits fell further. She would be attending a ball she had no interest in, with hair powdered and no doubt styled in the shockingly high pompadour style she so disliked, in a dress she hadn’t even chosen, likely forced to dance when she would rather not, required to pretend she was perfectly pleased with the evening.

She sat for long moments as Jane added more and more powder, the weight growing atop her head. Maybe Mr. Barrington would dance with her. He was thoughtful and kind. She would enjoy his company for a set or two. And Lady Lampton would most certainly serve a delicious supper. Julia could look forward to that.

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