Page 100 of Forget Me Not

She pulled in a breath. “The bridge. We’re going to the bridge.”

He nodded. “We did have a great deal of fun there over the years.”

She took his hand and pulled him toward their destination. “I always thought this the most magical bridge in all the world,” she said. “You didn’t even laugh when I told you I thought there were fairies living inside it.”

“Perhaps I didn’t laugh, my dear, because I believed the same thing.” He motioned to the ancient structure. “Flowers grow right out of the side. I can think of no reason for that other than fairies.”

She preceded him onto the bridge. “You were never unkind about my childish interpretation of things, though you did tease me about it.”

“You were so much fun to tease. I couldn’t resist.” He joined her, looking out over the Trent. “I love Brier Hill, but no place will ever be home to me quite like this.”

She turned, leaning her back against the bridge wall. “Stanley endured such a lecture from Mother the morning after the three of us slept on the bridge. ‘What if Julia had been cold?’ ‘What if she’d fallen into the river?’”

Lucas adjusted his position so he looked at her rather than the river. “He didn’t tell me he’d gotten in trouble for that bit of mischief.”

A hint of nostalgia filled her eyes. “He rescued himself with three words.”

“Did he?” Intriguing. “What did he say?”

She looked at him. “He said, ‘Lucas was there.’ Mother wasn’t worried after that.”

“I wish I could say I was worthy of her faith in me.”

Julia looked away. “You weren’t so far off the mark as that.”

“But I’m far from it now.” He squared his shoulders, not allowing himself to drown in regrets. “I don’t intend to stop trying though. I want to be the sort of gentleman I ought to have been all along, the sort who very nearly deserves to have you in his life.”

“I don’t need anything overly fine or fancy,” she said. “I need you to want me in your life. I don’t wish for us to have the lonely marriage Their Graces do.”

He hated to follow that topic, but Digby was correct: she needed to hear the shocking and heartrending news from one who would tell her gently. “Digby sent me a missive as well, Julia, with some news he felt best you heard from me.”

Her complexion paled. “What is it?”

Lucas took her hands in his. “Word has come from Falstone Castle.”

“Has something happened to little Lord Falstone?” she asked quietly.

He shook his head no. “The duke has suffered a stroke. He’s dead.”

“Oh my heavens.” Her chin shook. “His little boy. Oh, he must be devastated.”

“I don’t know anything other than that the duke has passed away.”

Tears formed in her eyes. “He’s lost his father, and his mother is never home.” Her voice broke. “What will he do? He’ll be so alone.”

Lucas slipped his arms around her, holding her as she grieved on behalf of the tiny new duke. “I’m certain his mother won’t abandon him.”

“We live nearby,” Julia said. “We could look in on him now and then.”

We,she had said. How he hoped that meant she had some desire to return with him to Brier Hill.

“I could never countenance not reaching out to a lonely or hurting child,” Lucas said. “We will do whatever we can for him.”

She laid her head against him, holding fast to the collar of his coat. “I have always admired that about you, Lucas. You show such kindness to those who need it, especially children.”

“If I ever show you anything less than kindness, Julia, do not hesitate to reprimand me for it. I don’t ever want to hurt you again. Not ever.”

She brushed the heel of her hand over her cheek, wiping away moisture. She, too, had a soft spot in her heart for children, caring for them and worrying for them. Someday, he hoped, they might have children of their own they could care for and love and fill their home with. He could imagine nothing more magical than building a family with her.

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