Chapter Twenty
Annie drew her shawl around her as the landau, with Molesworth once again at the reins, wound its way along the country lanes.
The skies were a little less reassuring than the previous day, the air a little fresher.
They’d left Myddleton House after a late breakfast, their destination being Freya’s Farewell.
For Annie, it was something of a bitter-sweet excursion.
After today, she didn’t know when she’d be seeing Julian again.
Everything he’d said and done implied she had a place in his future, but he’d yet to say anything definitive.
Consequently, she couldn’t help but wonder about it.
And, deeming it inappropriate to do so, she hadn’t asked.
“We’re going to see the puppies first, right?” Clara asked.
Julian shook his head. “I don’t think we have time for that.”
“Of course we do,” Evie said. “Besides, you said we could.”
Clara nodded. “Yes, you did.”
Julian scratched his jaw. “As I recall, I believe I said ‘we’ll see’. Twice.”
Evie gave him a cocky smile. “Which isn’t a ‘no’.”
“It isn’t a ‘yes’ either,” Julian replied.
“I told Papa that we were going to see them today,” Clara said, “and he seemed quite accepting of the idea.”
Julian looked skeptical. “Was he reading his newspaper at the time?”
Clara frowned. “Um, actually, yes, he was.”
“Then he probably didn’t hear a word you said.”
“What do you think, Miss Fairfax?” Evie regarded her, eyes wide with obvious hope. “Do we have time to see the puppies?”
Annie feigned a moment of thought. “I’m inclined to say yes, but—”
Evie let out a squeak of obvious delight.
“But,” Annie glanced at the skies, “perhaps you might do so on your way back. The weather, at the moment, is fine, and I think we should make the most of it while we can. The climb to Freya’s Farewell would not be pleasant, or even possible, in the rain.”
“It seems we have a compromise.” Julian reached for Annie’s hand, linking his fingers through hers. “So we’ll visit the puppies on the way back.”
Another squeak, this time from both twins and in perfect unison.
Clara clapped her hands. “I cannot wait to see them.”
“And in the meantime,” Evie said, “we can think of some names.”
“Names for what?” Julian asked.
“The puppies, of course.”
Julian scoffed while giving Annie’s hand a surreptitious squeeze. “We’re merely going to see some puppies, Evie, not actually acquire one. Names, therefore, are hardly necessary.”
Evie snorted. “Then what’s the point of going to see them?”
“That’s a good question. But there’ll be no more talk of puppies for now. As Miss Fairfax has pointed out, it’s a fine day for an outing and we should be enjoying the countryside.”
The twins’ subsequent scowls had Annie suppressing a smile.
“You are wicked,” she murmured.
“I am.” Julian winced. “And what’s worse, I enjoy it.”
Annie chuckled. “I’ve noticed.”
A short while later, following Annie’s directions, Molesworth halted the landau in a sheltered spot by the woods.
From there, Annie led the way to the stile and then the path skirting the woods, where the crows provided their usual welcome.
Having been warned away from the stream, the twins went a little way ahead, their chatter audible but unclear.
Annie, meanwhile, had come to understand what “walking on air” actually felt like.
Simply being close to Julian, her hand tucked into his, was euphoric. As if reading her mind, he spoke.
“Happy, Annie?”
“Exceedingly,” she replied. “You?”
“Inordinately.” He lifted her hand and kissed it. “I’m already thinking about when I can return to Myddleton to spend more time with you. If you would be amenable to that, of course.”
“I believe I would be, sir.”
“Good. Then maybe in a fortnight or so. Perhaps a little longer. In the meantime, there are letters.”
“In the meantime, there is the rest of this day.” Annie gazed at the slope which lay ahead. “And a hill to climb.”
“Stay away from the edge,” Julian called to the twins, who had already begun to climb.
“We will,” they replied in unison and then laughed as they muttered something to each other.
“I mean it,” Julian went on. “To disobey will result in depriving a poor puppy of a rather splendid home.”
A couple of shrieks followed.
Annie laughed. “You’re really going to allow them to have a puppy?”
“Oh, probably, assuming they don’t do anything foolish in the meantime.” He released her hand as they approached the narrow path. “After you, my lady.”
They reached the top to find the twins waiting, both of them standing well back from the ledge. “This view is incredible,” Clara said. “We didn’t go anywhere near the edge and we’re going to name him Mr. Darcy.”
“Who?” Julian moved past them. “Good Lord, yes, this is incredible.”
“The puppy,” Evie replied.
“What if he’s a she?” Annie asked.
“Mrs. Darcy?” Julian offered and Annie bit back a laugh.
“Georgie, if it’s a girl, short for Georgiana,” Clara said, “but we’d rather have a boy.”
“Just look at this view! You can see for miles.” Julian stepped onto the ledge. “And there’s Myddleton House. Magnificent.”
“Isn’t it splendid?” Annie went to stand beside him. “I was drawn to it immediately. I had no idea you were connected to it, of course. If I’m not mistaken, I think the room I stayed in would be the second window from the right.”
“Third window, actually,” Julian said. “It has the best view of this place, I’m told.”
Annie gasped. “Are you saying you arranged it?”
The hint of a smile came to his lips, though his gaze remained fixed on Myddleton. “I like making you happy, Annie,” he said, softly, and then turned to her and took her hand. “Come. Sit with me a while.”
He led her to a nearby outcrop of rock, where they sat side-by-side on a flat-topped boulder.
“You told me about Highfield, but what’s the history of Myddleton House?” Annie asked, untying her bonnet and lifting her face to the breeze. “Your uncle mentioned that Ferndale was once part of the old medieval estate, but Myddleton isn’t medieval, is it?”
“No, it isn’t,” Julian replied. “It was built in the seventeenth century by the fourth earl, I believe. The ruins of Myddleton Castle are about a mile to the east of the house, though not much is left. It was torn down centuries ago. Castles were originally built for defense, of course, and were big, drafty places. When society became more peaceful, castles were often abandoned and replaced with the homes you see today.”
“Fascinating,” Annie said. “To have all that history running through your veins is an honor.”
“It is,” he replied, “and I hope I never take it for granted.”
“Um, excuse me, brother dear,” Evie said, gesturing to the distant horizon as she approached, “but have you noticed those clouds over there? They’re heading this way, and I don’t think we should still be up here when they arrive.”
Annie and Julian glanced over at the ominous gray wall that loomed on the horizon.
“They’re still some way off, but it’s probably wise to start back,” Julian said, he and Annie rising. “You two got soaked yesterday. I don’t want to risk it again today.”
“But we’re still going to see the puppies, yes?” Clara asked.
Julian looked dubious. “Whereabouts is this house, Annie?”
“It’s not far from the church,” Annie replied. “Practically next door.”
“All right.” Julian turned to the twins, who were already sharing excited grins with each other. “Off you go. Just be careful on the way down and don’t get too far ahead.”
“Don’t get too far behind,” Evie countered, still grinning as she picked up her skirts and headed off to the path with Clara.
Annie went to follow, but Julian caught hold of her hand. “Wait, Annie, please.”
She gave him a questioning look.
“There’s something I…” He frowned, moved closer, and cupped his hand to her cheek, his gaze moving over her face before resting on her mouth. “Something I have been longing to do. That is, if you have no objection.”
He didn’t need to explain further. Annie’s breath caught and a flush of warmth arose in her cheeks. “Yes,” she said, and then shook her head. “I mean, no, Julian, I… I have no objection. Not at all.”
A smile turned into a slight frown appeared as his thumb stroked her cheek, while his fingers gently buried themselves in her curls.
His eyes met hers for a moment, his gaze so intense, it stirred something deep inside.
A flutter of desire, and not entirely unfamiliar.
Julian’s gaze then shifted to her mouth, his frown deepening as he tilted his head, tipped up her chin, and touched his lips to hers.
Tentative at first, cautious even, but the sensation sent tingles all the way down to Annie’s toes.
A soft sound of pleasure came from her throat as she closed her eyes, gripped his coat, and leaned into him.
Immediately, his arms folded around her, the kiss becoming more bold, more demanding, yet still gentle.
As Julian’s hands slid down to her waist, pulling her close, Annie’s hands crept upward, over his shoulders and around his neck, allowing her to move closer still, body to body.
Her heartbeat pulsed in her ears as his mouth continued to caress hers.
Something else, way down inside, also pulsed to life, demanding she press harder against him, needing, seeking.
She became aware of a stirring between them, a telling thickness that strained against her belly.
Julian parted with a groan and lifted his head, chest rising and falling against hers.
“Annie,” he muttered, between breaths, “we have to go.”
“Yes, of course.” Annie exhaled as her hands slid down his chest. Instinct told her their desire was mutually intense and, given the time and place, in need of taming.
She also realized what had stirred between them and what it meant.
The intensity of it, the want of it, shocked her. Was it wrong to be so affected?