Page 13 of Forget Me Not

Julia did not often venturefrom the immediate vicinity of Farland Meadows, but she knew if she remained at home, her father would continue pressing the matter of the Lampton Park ball. She had agreed to attend—she wouldn’t wish to cause Lady Lampton any distress—but continuing to discuss the matter would not improve her outlook on her social obligations.

And so, three days after Lucas Jonquil’s return to the neighborhood, she took an overly long walk around the neighborhood, delaying the necessity of returning home.

She loved her father, and she knew he loved her, but they saw so differently on these matters. He viewed her tendency toward isolation as a hindrance to her happiness. She knew it to be a necessity. They’d debated the matter many times. While they had never come to be in agreement, she had attended the occasional gathering and he had kindly indulged her preferences. They’d found a peaceful existence at Farland Meadows. Then Lucas had returned and tossed it all into confusion.

Behind her on the road, she could hear the clop of hooves. She stepped onto the grass, allowing room to pass. A pony cart came to a stop beside her. She looked up at the driver. “Why, Mr. Barrington. Are you without your companion?”

“As you see.” He was a very direct sort of person. “What brings you out on the road?”

“I was taking a restorative walk,” she said. “My wanderings are, it seems, taking me the long way home.”

He nodded. “Would you prefer solitude, or may I offer to drive you back to Farland Meadows?”

She would most certainly have preferred solitude, but to say as much would be rude. “I will happily accept your offer, thank you.” A moment’s effort and she was sitting beside him on the cart bench.

“Lucas and Lord Lampton are in Collingham,” Mr. Barrington said. “Otherwise, he too would be enjoying your company.”

She, however, would not necessarily have enjoyed his. “I am not upset at Lucas’s absence.”

He glanced at her. “Why is that? It is my understanding the two of you are friends.”

“Were,” she said quietly.

“I confess I am surprised.” Mr. Barrington did not, however, sound upset. “Lucas has mentioned you often over the years.”

That was both surprising and concerning. “Did he say kind things?”

Mr. Barrington’s eyebrow inched up, though his expression didn’t wholly change. Still, she somehow knew from that small shift in his features that her question had caught him entirely off guard. Something about the spectacles he wore emphasized the pondering she saw in his face. “He has always spoken fondly of you.”

Julia realized she was wringing and fussing her hands. Mr. Barrington’s company was not unnerving. Why, then, was she so on edge? She used to be far more sure of herself.

“Lucas and I met at school,” Mr. Barrington said. “I knew your brother as well.”

Her heart dropped at the mention of Stanley. The grief she felt over her brother’s passing wasn’t as acute as it had once been, but she still missed him horribly, painfully. “Did Stanley speak fondly of me?”

“He adored you. No one who knew him could have possibly thought otherwise.”

Stanley had been a wonderful older brother. If only he had stayed at Farland Meadows with her.

A change of topic felt necessary. “I believe Lucas said you live in Cumberland.”

“You have an excellent memory, Miss Cummings.”

Her cheeks heated at the compliment. “My sister used to say my memory was infuriating. She never could fool me into believing any of the tales she wove.”

“I have often received similar complaints from my sister,” he said. “It is one of the difficulties of having a very logical mind.”

Julia tipped her head a bit. “Is that your way of saying you think I am clever?”

“Would I be incorrect to believe as much?”

Oh, she did like Mr. Barrington. With a bit of a laugh, something rare for her these past years, she said, “I certainly wouldn’t argue with you.”

“I won’t insult your intelligence, Miss Cummings, but will, rather, simply ask the question that is at the forefront of my mind at the moment.”

She watched him as he tooled the cart leisurely along the road to Lampton Park.

“Why do you no longer consider Lucas your friend?” he asked.

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