Page 40 of Forget Me Not

How in heaven’s name was Kes bringing out her happier side when he, who had known her literally all her life, had managed a promise of nothing beyond contentment?

“You have taken my measure, Lady Jonquil.” Kes speared a piece of potato. “Which sort of uncle would Lucas be?”

Sadness touched her eye. “He won’t be. We are both all that is left of our brothers and sisters.” Her voice dropped. “There won’t ever be any nieces or nephews.”

Lucas reached over, setting his hand atop hers. This was a grief he knew well; it was one they shared. Julia didn’t pull her hand free, but neither did she weave her fingers through his or acknowledge the gesture. Her hand was stiff beneath his. Was he making any progress at all?

Kes managed to salvage the topic. “Lucas has visited my family a few times. Can you guess which uncle he is to them?”

“I would wager he was both.”

Lucas squeezed her fingers. “You know me well.”

She slipped from his touch and took up her fork. “I did once.”

Before even a fraction of frustration could settle on Lucas’s mind, Kes made a subtle yet pointed nod in Julia’s direction. He twitched his eyebrows as well. Ah, yes. Time for the Make Julia My Friend Again campaign.

“Have you any plans tomorrow midday?” Lucas asked her.

“Only the usual ones: reading and needlepoint and whatever other diversions I can find at home.” She fancied quiet domesticity. He could enjoy it in limited quantities, especially if they could find happiness and contentment between the two of them.

“I was telling Kes about the picnics we all used to have, and I realized how long it’s been since I’ve indulged in one.” He tried to sound both casual and eager. “I want to have a picnic tomorrow.”

She sat a moment in silence. A look of pondering and uncertainty flitted across her features. “Am I invited?”

How could she think otherwise? “I’ve never had a picnic without you, Julia. I don’t mean to change that now.”

She watched him, a crease forming between her brows. “You never have told me which of the gardens I’m welcome in.”

Lud, he’d made a mull of this. “Any of them.”

“You said that about the rooms in the house, and that proved untrue.”

He pushed out a breath. “One room, Julia. I’m claimingoneroom for myself. That’s not unreasonable.”

“I didn’t say that it was, only that I don’t know which of the gardens you’ve claimed for yourself.”

This was not going according to plan. “I haven’t claimed any. Even if I had, if I’m inviting you to join me in a particular garden, then obviously you’re welcome in it.”

“May I make the same assumption?” Kes asked. “Or would you rather I not join you?”

Eagerness touched Julia’s expression. “Please, do come.”

She was far more anxious for Kes’s company than for his. That was decidedly discouraging. What was he to do if his efforts at reclaiming her friendship didn’t prove fruitful? Kes couldn’t live with them, but without him there, they’d simply go back to ignoring each other.

“Will you join us, Julia?” Lucas asked, trying not to sound desperate or pressuring. “I think it’ll be a lark.”

“Will we have to steal our food like we used to?” There was an encouraging bit of a jest in her question.

“If we must,” Lucas answered quite seriously.

The first twitch of a smile formed on her lips, though she held it back. “I think I would enjoy a picnic, but only because I’d like to see the gardens.”

“I’m flattered.”

Again,almosta smile. So close to one. Perhaps in his pursuit of reclaiming her friendship, he needed to give himself the goal of bringing a full, sincere smile to her face.

Chapter Fifteen

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