The logical side of me didn’t trust the warmer temperatures, especially when so many leaves had already fallen from the trees. I kicked at a few of the ones beneath my feet. “A Saint Martin’s summer never lasts for long. Winter is still just around the corner.”
“Don’t hurry it along, Juliet. Let’s just enjoy it while we can.”
We walked in silence for some minutes. The sun washed over the chill in the air, warming our backs and bringing a flush to our faces as we headed east, out to the rolling meadows. The remaining leaves danced on the trees, their beautiful hues highlighted by the bright blue of the sky.
“Stop for a moment, will you? I want to take off my pelisse.” My breath was a little ragged from the gradual but steady incline of our path.
Robert stood behind me and pulled as I tugged on the sleeves. In a moment I was free. I turned to take the pelisse from him, only to find him much closer than I’d expected.
He looked at me, seemingly with no thought of catching up with the others. “Perhaps we should rest for a moment. Your cheeks nearly match the color of your hair.” He reached out and tugged at one of my curls.
The gesture took me off guard. “Oh no. Let’s join the others. I am famished.” Trying to be playful, I snatched my pelisse from his hands. But even as I dashed away, I scolded myself. Why hadn’t I allowed that moment to unfold naturally? Why did I always become so infernally awkward?
As we crested the hill, we met the barouche that rested at the top of it, where Halstead sat with Lord and Lady Wollerton, as well as the duchess and the dowager, who had apparently decided to come for the picnic after all. I didn’t allow my gaze to linger on Halstead for long, especially when Lady Margaret stepped forward and began to speak with him.
Several footmen had been recruited for the picnic, and one stood near the hack, helping the ladies down. Once everyone had alighted, the footmen set out two blankets—one large and one small—and unloaded the baskets.
The dowager quickly took control of the seating arrangements. She pointed to the large blanket. “Lady Margaret, take the open seat next to Halstead. Ah yes, and Lord Everdale and Ellen can join you. Lord Wollerton, perhaps you could sit next to the duchess.”
Which left Robert, myself, Lord Aberdeen, Lady Wollerton, and the dowager. How quaint.
In due time, the food was laid out. I could not have imagined a more lavish picnic. There were finger sandwiches and salads, puddings and jellies, meats and cheeses.
Once everyone had a full plate, conversation veered away from the selection of food. The dowager, who leaned against a large cushion, turned her attentions to Robert. “So, young man. You are a second son. What is your aim?”
Robert set down his sandwich. “I shall have a basic living from a small estate I have inherited from my mother, but I am afraid it isn’t adequate. I am leaning toward purchasing a commission in the army.”
I stared at Robert. “But you have always talked of taking a position in the church, the one at Lymington Park.”
“Yes, I considered it for a long while, but this new idea has taken hold of me, and I believe it will suit me better. The church has always sounded a bit tiresome, to be honest.”
A strange unease settled over me. I’d thought I knew everything there was to know about Robert. How had we not discussed the matter? Or rather, how had he never broached the matter with me?
Lady Wollerton bit into a grape. “I have always considered the army to be a noble profession.”
“My brother recently purchased a captaincy in the Navy,” Lord Aberdeen volunteered.
There was a moment of silence.
“The wife of an army man is guaranteed a great deal of solitude.” Halstead’s voice carried over to where we sat. I froze, fighting the blush that rose up my cheeks. I pursed my lips and turned away. He had no business listening in on and interrupting our conversation.
“Yes, the church is certainly more suited for family life,” the dowager observed, and for once our thoughts were in agreement.
Robert shrugged. “That may be, but let’s save that topic for another occasion. Discussing the living of a second son is a dreary prospect for such a fine day. Lady Wollerton, you must tell us more about life in Devon. You live near Exeter, do you not?”
The conversation moved on, and I did my best to join in, but it was difficult when so much of my attention was focused on whether Halstead was listening and what he might be thinking.
As everyone grew full, conversation began to languish. The brightness of the sun made my eyes heavy, and I was not alone in my drowsiness.
“Oh look, Juliet, some fresh orange slices. We were just admiring the orangery the other day,” he informed the dowager. He handed me the tray, and I put several slices on my plate.
The dowager lifted a haughty brow. “Yes, it’s quite stunning. Halstead insisted on it when he returned from his year touring the Continent. It seems they are quite common in Spain and Portugal.”
I engaged all my willpower to not look toward Halstead as I bit into one of the orange slices. My mouth was encompassed by a burst of tangy flavor. With the sun beating down, I could almost imagine myself somewhere exotic.
Lady Ellen called over from the other blanket. “Grandmother, I think Mother is going to head back, and perhaps Lord and Lady Wollerton. Would you like to join them?”
“Yes, I believe I will. It is well past the time of my afternoon nap.”
Once they’d been seen safely off, Robert stood quickly. “Who wants to play a game of battledore?” He grabbed the battledores and held one out to me. “Juliet?”
I took his hand and
