Page 93 of Forget Me Not

“Three months, probably.” Lucas tapped his fingers against the mantel shelf. “She knows I like to travel.Youknow I like to travel, and when I rightly told you that was one of many significant differences between Julia and I, you didn’t think it concerning enough to even hesitate with this match.”

Digby moved to stand near him. “What other arguments did you make?”

An odd question. “Several.”

His friend looked to Father. “What other reasons did he give?”

“Julia’s tendency toward being a hermit. Her lack of suitors compared with how desirable a catch Society considers him. That her dearth of experiences and connections would be something of a weight.”

Lucas winced to hear his arguments listed that way. He’d been desperate.

Father continued. “That her future titles and lands could be used as leverage to obtain another suitor. That we, and he specifically, would gain nothing by marrying her.”

“My dear chap.” Digby slapped a hand on his shoulder. “You are quite thoroughly sunk.”

“Sunk?”

“She told me during the carriage ride here that she overheard you telling your father all the reasons why you ought not be made to marry her.” Digby’s eyes darted to Father, then back to him. “I had assumed your arguments were centered on things like ‘We’ve not been given the opportunity to forge a relationship now that we are both grown’ or ‘Marriages are more likely to be happy if both individuals are in favor of the marriage.’ I hadn’t realized your reasons were insults.”

“I didn’t mean—” Merciful heavens. “I was only hoping to undo the mess our parents—I don’t actually think—They were exaggerations.”

Digby shook his head. “There was enough truth in your arguments for her to embrace them fully. The Gents are going to murder you for this, you know. Not only is she Our Julia, but she is—”

“Stanley’s sister,” Lucas finished for him. “He would be furious with me.”

Father spoke from his place on the nearby sofa. “Is that truly all she is to you: Stanley’s sister?”

Digby snorted in disagreement as he crossed to a nearby chair and sat elegantly. “Lord Lampton, your son is in love with his wife. Anyone who has spent any amount of time with them the past weeks could tell you that with certainty.”

Lucas was almost afraid to ask. “And Julia?”

“She came here to be forgotten, Lucas,” Digby said. “Give her enough time and she’ll disappear. Her heart will be tucked away somewhere safe and utterly unreachable.”

Father added his voice. “From all Farland said, I’d wager she’s nearly there already. She slipped far from reach during the years you were gone, son. I have no doubt she’ll do it again, permanently this time.”

Lucas stood fully straight. The thought of Julia’s vibrancy disappearing so completely, so permanently, gave him the push he needed. “I can’t let that happen.”

“Just what are you going to do?” Digby asked.

“Whatever I have to do to reach her.” Lucas stood solidly, jaw set, shoulders back, and repeated the words he’d heard his father say many times before: “I’m a Jonquil. Jonquils save people.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Lucas stood in front ofLord Farland for the tenth time in five days.

“She still has not emerged,” Lord Farland said. “I’m beginning to doubt she will any time soon.”

When something is important enough, one does what must be done.

“Please,” Lucas said. “I have to see her. I need to at least try to talk with her.”

“I cannot force her to leave her room.”

“That’s not what I’m asking.” He held his hands up in a show of supplication. “Could you not knock at her door? Ask if I could speak with her, even for only a moment?”

Lord Farland didn’t immediately agree, but neither did he refuse.

“Can you please ask her? If she’ll see me, even for a moment, I might be able to begin fixing this.”

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