Chapter Eighteen
The ancient stones, glowing like pale gold in the sunlight, felt warm beneath Annie’s touch.
Little remained of the Roman ruin, and much of what did had been claimed by the relentless clutches of nature.
Still, it wasn’t too difficult for Annie to imagine the walls newly erected, and inhabited by those whose empire, at that time, had encompassed most of the known world.
She could certainly understand why the occupants had chosen this spot.
It was idyllic, romantic, and perhaps, these days, a little bit haunted by spirits of the past. Then again, the original inhabitants had likely placed more value on the proximity to the river.
A horse nickered, drawing Annie’s attention to where Julian stood talking to Molesworth, the coachman, who had steered the horses to a shady spot by the bridge.
The twins, meanwhile, were standing on the riverbank nearby, heads bent, chatting quietly about heaven knows what.
Julian would likely suspect them of plotting some wild escapade, though he’d already told them to behave themselves and more than once.
No, he hadn’t told them, exactly. He’d begged them, albeit with a threatening undertone.
Smiling to herself, Annie shifted her gaze back to the carriage to see Julian approaching. As their eyes met, he gave her his familiar smile, the one that seemed to be reserved solely for her.
“What do you think, Miss Fairfax?” He glanced around. “I’ve always liked this spot, personally.”
“It’s beautiful, sir,” she replied. “Worthy of being captured on canvas if it hasn’t been already. I don’t suppose you happen to know any artists, do you?”
Julian appeared to ponder. “Hmm, as it happens, I believe I do. I also have a suspicion he’s familiar with this place. In fact, if memory serves, he once fell in the river.” He gestured. “Over there, by the steppingstones.”
Annie laughed. “Really?”
“Really. Which reminds me, where are…?” Julian looked around again. “Oh, there they are. Plotting, by the looks of it. Lord help us.”
Annie chuckled. “If you don’t mind me asking, may I know their age? They’re so petite, it’s hard to guess.”
“They’ll be eighteen in January, but they were born several weeks earlier than expected and were, consequently, very small and fragile.
The attending physician was adamant they wouldn’t survive, but they proved him wrong, thank God.
My mother was born several weeks early as well, and she also survived against the odds.
There’s more to that story, actually, but I’ll save it for another time.
In any case, it seems they inherited Mama’s tenacity.
” He cast a fond glance at the twins. “They would try the patience of a saint, but I’ll always maintain the world is a better place with them in it. ”
“I don’t disagree,” she replied. “Have they ever fooled you into thinking one was the other?”
“No, and they never will. I always know which twin I’m talking to. That’s not to say they’re incapable of fooling someone else, mind you, though I don’t think they’ve ever attempted it.”
“Well, I think they’re wonderful.”
“They have their moments.” He gave her a wry smile. “I can’t decide whether I’m dreading this next Season or looking forward to it. It’ll be interesting, of that I have no doubt.”
“This will be their first?”
He nodded. “It was supposed to be last year, but other things took priority. Right now, however, my priority is to spend time with you and to not waste a minute of it. So, my dear Miss Fairfax, would a walk along the river be in order? To begin, anyway.”
“It would indeed, Mr. Northcott,” Annie replied, wondering vaguely what other things had taken priority.
Julian glanced back at the twins and presented his arm. “Come on. Let’s see how long it takes before they notice.”
Annie gave him a sideways glance. “I’m beginning to think you’re just as mischievous as they are, sir.”
“Worse actually.” He grinned. “I like to test them occasionally. Can’t help it.”
They hadn’t even taken a dozen steps before a couple of indignant shouts carried through the air.
“Most inappropriate,” Evie said, panting as she and Clara caught up.
“Yelling like that in public? Yes, I agree.” Julian scowled. “What must people think?”
“Not what Evie meant,” Clara said, her hand pressed to her chest.
“And there’s no one here except us,” Evie pointed out. “And Molesworth, of course, but he won’t care.”
“Miss Fairfax and I were never out of your sight,” Julian said. “Not for a moment.”
Clara huffed. “But you didn’t tell us you were leaving. We might not have noticed your absence till after you’d disappeared into the woods.”
Julian shook his head. “This chaperone business works both ways, Clara. I wouldn’t actually have gone off and left you by yourselves.”
“So you say, but we have no way of knowing that now, have we?” She pouted. “We’d have been quite alone.”
“Except for Molesworth,” Evie pointed out. “Not really fair on him, though.”
“God, give me strength,” Julian muttered.
“You started it, sir,” Annie said, before she could stop herself.
“Aha! There, see?” Clara’s face lit up. “Even Miss Fairfax is on our side.”
“Serves you right, brother,” Evie added, picking up her skirts and brushing past him. “Thank you, Miss Fairfax.”
Julian gave Annie an incredulous look. “I can’t believe you said that.”
Annie feigned a serious expression. “We women must stick together, Mr. Northcott.”
“Indeed we must,” Clara said, brushing by them as well to catch up with Evie. “Brava, Miss Fairfax.”
Julian’s expression softened and, for a few minutes, they carried on without speaking.
Annie glanced at him, puzzled by his sudden silence.
Surely he wasn’t upset because of what she’d said.
But then he paused on the path and turned fully to look at her, the hint of a frown appearing.
Annie felt a brief jolt of dismay and tried to read the expression in his eyes. Perhaps he was upset, after all.
His frown vanished. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, Miss Fairfax,” he said, taking her hand in his, “but bumping into you on the street that day was one of the best things I have ever done.”
All traces of dismay vanished, and a pleasant warmth came to Annie’s cheeks. “And I, sir, have never been so thankful to have been literally swept off my feet,” she replied.
Julian’s mouth curved into a smile as they set out once more, his hand still holding hers. Annie glanced down at their joined hands, then at the twins, and then back up at him in silent question.
“They’re not looking.” He squeezed her hand gently. “If they do, I shall release you. But should the opportunity again present itself, I will reach for your hand once more. Providing, of course, you have no objection.”
“None whatsoever, sir.” Annie’s heart fluttered, leaving her almost breathless.
The path wound its way through the woods, hugging the riverbank for the most part.
It was a pleasant stroll through dappled sunlight, the air cooler beneath the forest canopy, the river’s gentle flow calming to the spirit.
A few midges made their presence known here and there, but nothing too disagreeable.
The twins carried on with their chatter while Annie listened, with fascination, to Julian’s tale of his uncle who, having been thought lost at Waterloo, had recently been discovered in a charitable house by Julian’s sister.
It was a remarkable tale that drew tears to her eyes.
That a man, so gravely wounded, had finally come home more than thirty years after riding off to war, was nothing less than a miracle.
“He was the reason the twins’ debut into society was delayed.
Mama wasn’t happy being away from Highfield for long periods, so my parents were back and forth between London and Yorkshire a few times.
My cousin Catherine has offered to take the twins under her wing this coming Season, for some of the time at least.”
“Do you enjoy it?” Annie asked.
“The Season?” Julian appeared to ponder a moment. “Yes, actually, I do. I’m always happy to return to Highfield, though.”
“Here’s the footbridge,” Clara called over her shoulder, prompting Julian to release Annie’s hand. “Are we crossing it?”
Annie eyed the rickety bridge with some consternation, but said nothing.
“No, I don’t think so,” Julian replied. “I’m not convinced the bridge is safe, and the path on the other side isn’t well suited to skirts and petticoats. It’s probably best we turn back.”
“Good,” Evie said, “because I’m starving.”
“Where do you walk, Miss Fairfax?” Clara asked, as they set off back. “Are there some pleasant footpaths to be explored in the vicinity of that charming house?”
“Yes, actually, there are,” Annie replied. “Freya’s Farewell is a favorite of mine. Perhaps you know of it? It’s a bit of a climb, but well worth it. The view from the top is incredible. You can see Myddleton House way off in the distance. That was how I first saw the place, actually.”
“Freya’s Farewell,” Evie repeated, as she and Clara glanced at each other and then back at Annie. “No, never heard of it.”
“Neither have I,” Julian said. “An odd name. I suspect there’s a story there.”
“With a sad origin, I’m afraid, though Miss Caldridge said it’s probably untrue. There’s a rocky ledge on top of the hill and a young woman named Freya supposedly threw herself off it when the man she loved abandoned her.”
Evie’s eyes widened. “Oh, how tragic. We must visit it, Julian.”
Clara nodded her agreement. “How about tomorrow?”
“If you wish and weather permitting,” Julian said. “Though I cannot help but wonder if you’d be so keen if not for the tragedy attached to the place.”
“Of course we would,” Evie said, “but the story makes it all the more interesting.”
“Besides, Miss Fairfax said it’s probably made-up,” Clara added. “And we’re still going to see the puppies, yes?”
“We’ll see,” Julian replied, “but I believe I already said that.”