Page 39 of Forget Me Not

“Nothingbeing a good summary of what we have at the moment.” He spoke as much to himself as he did to his friend.

Kes nodded knowingly. “Simply let me know if your efforts will be benefited or hindered by my staying.”

“I think, at least for the moment, you being here will help. Julia will have to emerge from isolation if we have a guest.” It was difficult to form a bond with a person one never actually saw. “And you can spend a little time telling her very flattering things about me so she’ll warm up a bit.”

“I don’t lie, even for you,” Kes said.

Again, that dry, subtle humor. Far too many people missed it.

“Don’t hesitate to tell me if my presence stops being useful.” Kes rose. “I won’t be offended. And it’s not so far of a journey home that I can’t manage it with little warning.”

“For now, settle in while I get Julia back to her room to rest. Tonight, I can take up the ‘Make Julia My Friend Again’ campaign in earnest.”

It took a little doing, but Lucas managed to slip off the sofa just enough to turn and slide an arm under Julia’s bent legs. Her head slipped a little from his shoulder. He adjusted his arm to support her as he slid it behind her back.

She stirred.

“Arms about my neck, sweeting.”

She made no objection to his instructions, just complied, leaning against his chest. He stood with her in his arms, taking a moment to be sure of his balance. With his armful secured, he made his way from the book room.

“I hope you’ll be willing to give me a chance,” he whispered, “because I don’t know how to salvage this otherwise, and I can’t live like this the rest of my life.”

She didn’t answer; he hadn’t expected her to. Her deep, slow breaths spoke of sleep, an impression only solidified by her stillness.

He carried her down the corridor, through the antechamber, and into her bedroom. The blanket that had been about her shoulders in the book room had all but fallen off during their short trek. He laid her on the bed, then spread the blanket over her.

He turned to go, but his eyes wandered to the door that he knew opened into the balcony room. The closed door. Closed and locked. Because he’d given her the impression that she wasn’t welcome. Because he wasn’t certain she was.

There was so much standing between them. What if even friendship was too ambitious a goal?

***

For the first time since their arrival at Brier Hill, Lucas and Julia ate dinner together. Kes staying had proven as beneficial as Lucas had predicted. Julia wasn’t likely to take up hermitry while they had a guest.

She had dressed for the occasion, donning a gown of green. The color brought out the hint of red that remained in her hair. He liked it.

“Does your brother’s home sit far from here?” Julia asked. She was conversing far more easily with Kes than she did with him.

“In Norfolk,” Kes said.

“That is a considerable distance.” Julia gave him a look of empathy. “Do you see him often?”

“As often as I can. Whenever I make the journey to Town, I do so by way of the family seat.”

Her smile was one of approval. Lucas couldn’t remember the last time he’d been the recipient of that particular expression. She’d come close in the book room earlier that day.

We’ll be friends again, he silently vowed.

“And is your brother married?”

“He is.” Kes cut into the boiled potato on his plate. “And he has two children, a son and a daughter.”

“Your niece and nephew.” Julia’s face lit. “Are you a run-about-the-gardens-playing-games uncle or the sit-together-quietly-reading type?”

Kes laughed lightly, something he didn’t often do. “What do you think?”

“Reading a book,” she answered, her delight matching his.

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