Page 76 of Snapdragons
“I would like that very much.” Another friend. She had another friend.
“And though it will feel odd to you, you ought to be on the same friendly terms with the Gents,” Julia said. “Anyone who is welcomed into this group remains one of us forever.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Niles sat beside Julia thenext day as a variety of outdoor games were set up on the back lawn. Lucas and Penelope, with the questionable “help” of little Philip, the Jonquils’ eldest boy, were in the midst of setting up the pins for a game of lawn bowls. The group would have enjoyed themselves either way, but having Julia there—Julia and the little boys—made them feel complete again. Whole.
Julia had joked the evening before that she was the one “in charge” of the Gents and their ladies, but there was actually some truth to the assertion. She wasn’t the leader of the group—there really wasn’t one—and she didn’t in any way dictate what they all did—everyone was granted full and intentional autonomy—but in the two years since Julia had married Lucas, she had come to be the thread that wove through them all, tying them together, much like Stanley had been.
“I must say, Niles,” Julia said, “I didn’t know quite what I would find when finally meeting Penelope.”
“And now that you have met her?” Posing the question made him a little nervous.
“I think she is wonderful. I deeply enjoyed talking with her last night. She fits so well and so easily in this group, which is decidedly a point in her favor.”
Relief trickled over him. “I am glad you like her. She was quite worried that you wouldn’t.”
“Truth be told,” Julia said, “Iwas worried that I wouldn’t. The most recent letter I received about the situation here led me to think our Puppy was growing a bit smitten. What was I to do if I arrived and discovered an adventuress had ensnared you?”
“Whatwouldyou have done?” he asked, suddenly very curious about the answer.
“Tossed her out on her ear, probably. I can get away with that, you know. The Gents have to behave when interacting with a lady, but I am under far less obligation to do so.”
“When have the Gents ever actually behaved?” He shook his head at the absurd mental image that conjured of them acting like sophisticated gentlemen.
“Never, I daresay,” she answered with a grin. But her expression turned almost immediately contemplative once more. “Early in my marriage, when I was drowning in rejection and dismissal and a future in which I felt certain I would be all but forgotten, the letters that you and the other Gents sent me were like my first lungful of air in ages.”
I don’t think the men of this country realize how chronically starved of air the women truly are.
“You gave me reason to hope,” Julia said. “And you helped Lucas and me find our way. I would never,couldnever stand idly by while any of you was rendered unhappy. I would try everything in my power to help you as you all helped me.”
At the time, he was ashamed to admit, he’d thought Julia was being a little petulant, not recognizing that Lucas was trying so hard and wanted things to be happy between them. Only after talking with Digby, who had been entrusted with Julia’s side of the situation, had the Gents realized how little of Lucas’s intentions and thoughts and feelings had been communicatedto her. Niles had, to an embarrassing extent, blamed Julia for not being able to read Lucas’s thoughts. She had been left to guess, and when one was required to fill in gaps after one had been deeply hurt, filling them in ways that protected against future pain was entirely understandable.
Niles’s significant misjudgment in that matter had only added to his reluctance to accept a marriage of his grandfather’s arranging. How very wrong it could all go, and he didn’t want himself or his future bride to be as miserable as Julia had beenby the time she had nearly given up on Lucas.
“Mama!” Philip’s little voice drew Julia’s attention. He was toddling toward them, Lucas close behind. Philip toppled onto his backside a few times, but with his parents’ encouragement and a bit of assistance from Lucas, he continued his slow journey through the short expanse of grass between himself and his mother.
Penelope skirted the little family and stood by Niles. He stood when she reached his side.
“I suspect this will not be the most competitive bout of bowls either of us has ever participated in,” she said.
“For my part, I intend to make certain Philip ends this game knowing how much better I am at it than he is.” Niles managed to keep his tone entirely serious right up until the last word, when Penelope’s silent laughter undid him.
“You intend to utterly trounce a one-year-old in lawn bowls?” She laughed all the way through the question.
“The sooner he learns to recognize my athletic superiority, the better.”
She bumped him with her shoulder. “How very cutthroat of you, Niles.”
“Intimidated?” he asked.
“On the contrary.” She offered a charmingly pert shrug. “I am now feeling extremely motivated to best you soundly.”
They lined up beside Lucas, Julia, and Philip as the game began. Their littlest competitor was delighted with literally everything any of them did but quite obviously didn’t understand what was happening.
Several throws into the game, Philip attempted to push the bowl and toppled over. Whether in frustration or surprise, he started to cry. Lucas scooped him up, kissing his round cheek, and encouraged him to try again. Julia watched the two of them with a look that spoke of absolute and utter peace.
My first lungful of air in ages.Julia had nearly missed out on this life she and Lucas were building because Lucas hadn’t recognized nor prioritized what she’d needed to be and feel safe, loved, valued, seen.
