Chapter 20 #2
“You must not have met many young ladies such as myself then. Was there one lady in particular who made you think so poorly of us?” Lily’s mind instantly wandered to Eleanor.
She could not imagine her being able to spend a life in the country or even living in a cottage.
Someone like Eleanor would more than likely need the hustle of London Society to keep her occupied.
“Her name was Anne Sullivan.” His tone was grave when he finally looked up at her.
“I beg your pardon?” Lily frowned at him, lowering the bunch of grapes to her lap.
Shifting his position on the blanket, Julian sighed before drawing his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around his legs. “I was in love once; her name was Anne Sullivan. She meant the world to me, and I would have married her had things been different.”
He was in love?
Something deep within her chest clenched painfully as Lily suddenly grew uncomfortable. She had known that Eleanor had been in love with him, but to hear that he had been in love with somebody else made her slightly uneasy. “May I ask what happened?”
Julian nodded. “It is not much of a story. I came back from the war, hoping to settle down, but she left me for someone with a title. I was just Mr. Sinclair back then, no title and very little money.” He looked down at his boots as a hint of sadness danced in his eyes.
“Julian… I do not know what to say, I am so sorry…” Her heart broke for him despite the small pang of jealousy she had felt.
She had never considered the fact that Julian could have been in love with somebody else.
The thought twisted deep in her gut as she recalled the details of their arrangement.
Was Anne the reason he had been eager to accept her terms?
Did he still love her, or, like her feelings toward Oliver, had they changed?
All of the questions made her fidget as she struggled to grasp her own emotions. It should not matter if he still loved Anne, not when Lily had vowed never to love again.
His mouth curved into a sad smile. “That was many years ago, but I vowed I would never marry. And then…” his voice trailed off as he gazed out over the pasture.
“And then you suddenly became a destitute viscount in need of finances, and I stumbled into your life,” she finished for him, her tone teasing as she tried to lighten her own burdensome thoughts.
“Exactly, and I am glad of it. Not the destitute part, but the part where you stumbled into my life. One can hope for a good partner, but it is very seldom that one comes across a great one, and you, Lily Sinclair, are a man’s dream.”
Her heart skipped a beat as she averted her gaze. What did he mean by that? Did he have feelings for her, or did he just think of her as someone who would stand by his side? Another pang of something strange gripped her chest.
Why do I feel this way?
She felt her breathing deepen as she parted her lips. What would he say if she told him about Oliver and the fact that he was still threatening her?
“Julian, I must tell you…” Her voice trailed off when a man wearing a light green overall came striding toward them.
“Begging your pardon, my lord, but I heard tell in the village that our Lord Viscount was down by the creek with his bride.” The older man with weather-worn skin, graying hair, and kind blue eyes smiled at them.
Using his hands to push himself up, Julian came to his feet before dusting himself off. “And whom do we have the pleasure of addressing?” He held out his hand and offered the man a firm handshake.
“Folks around these parts call me Farmer Brown, my lord. But my full name is Billy Brown. I used to work these lands before your cousin, may he rest in peace, took over from your uncle.”
Pushing herself up, Lily quickly came to her feet and joined the conversation, forgetting everything that had just been said. “So, you are more familiar with these meadows than anyone else, I would presume?”
The man seemed a little shocked at the sudden address but nodded. “Yes, my lady, I know these meadows like the back of my own hand. Fine lands for grazing.”
Julian quickly exchanged a look with her before turning back to Mr. Brown. “And what kind of farming do you do at present?”
Taking off his hat, Mr. brown bowed his head solemnly.
“Well, that is just the matter I wished to discuss with you, my lord. My family and I used to be sheep and pig farmers until your cousin removed us from our portion of land. It was a profitable business, if I do say so myself, but the former viscount did not see the need to keep up with the maintenance.” He twirled his hat between his hands and sighed.
“And you have a family?” Lily asked, lowering her voice in sympathy.
“Yes, my lady, a wife and five children. It has been hard supporting them since we lost the farm, but I have always hoped and prayed that someone worthy of the title would come along and give us a second chance.”
Turning to Julian, Lily spoke without needing words.
They would keep the cottage and save the portion of the estate.