Chapter 87
Just then, Eisen approached the two of them.
“It’s been a while, Lord Headington. You must be terribly busy—I haven’t seen you since that day.”
Eisen’s tone was so gentle that, unless you listened carefully, it almost sounded purely friendly.
“It’s good to see you again, Miss Frederick.”
“Actually, I have something to discuss with you, so this works out well. Next month, I’d like to invite Miss de Bermore to Frushburn. Would that be all right? Of course, since you’re always so busy, it’s fine if she comes alone.”
“Well, since Lilien’s family is about to change, I think she’ll need some time to adjust. Perhaps it would be best to decide on a trip to Frushburn later.”
“I’ve heard you’re quite thorough in all things, but when it comes to your wife’s personal life, wouldn’t it be better to have a more… relaxed approach?”
“A relaxed approach?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t a husband who tries to control every outing get a little exhausting?”
Listening from a step behind, Lilien felt her nerves tingle. Was it her imagination, or was there a subtle spark between the two?
“Perhaps Miss Frederick, as someone unmarried, wouldn’t understand, but that’s just how marriage is. It’s a shame you see affection as interference.”
“But aren’t you also unmarried, Lord Headington?”
“My wife is already Lilien Headington.”
“So the rumors were true, then.”
There was a charged tension between them, like two similar poles repelling each other. Their polite yet firm way of speaking only highlighted the similarity.
“Miss Frederick, what about the eldest son of Marquis Partman? I think you two, with your stubborn streaks, would make quite the pair.”
Eisen understood Cairn’s hint to drop the subject.
“I’m not thinking about marriage yet. I haven’t known anyone as long as you two, so I imagine I’ll be alone for now. Anyway, Lilien, you’re welcome to visit Frushburn anytime. It’s not as if you have to get your husband’s permission every time you go out, right?”
It wasn’t a strict rule, but social convention did say you should get your husband’s approval before traveling far. Eisen, however, just winked at Lilien as if none of that mattered.
“I’ve taken up enough of your time. I’ll get going now.”
“Yes, Eisen. Thank you so much for today.”
“No, thank you. And thank you again for the handkerchief with the heart—such a precious gift.”
Eisen shot Cairn a playful glance.
“I’ll treasure it, since it’s something Lili made with her own hands. Thank you again.”
* * *
Exhausted, Lilien leaned her head against Cairn’s shoulder. He subtly lowered it so she could rest more comfortably. The sound of evening church bells rang clear and bright, and the soft breeze coming in through the half-open window brushed over her skin.
Outside the carriage window, white smoke drifted up from the chimneys. The cozy, toasty smell of bread seemed to hang in the air, and Lilien found herself craving something sweet, like a pie.
“Lilien, I thought you said you didn’t embroider anything,” Cairn remarked.
Lilien, half-asleep as she gazed out the window, lifted her head from his shoulder.
“Getting a prick on the finger seemed better than feeling guilty, so I made at least one. It was too messy to sell, though.”
“So why’d you give it to Miss Frederick?”
Cairn reached over, took her hand from her lap, and inspected her fingers, as if checking for any pricks, before gently setting it back.
“She had ink on her hand, so I gave it to her to wipe it off.”
“And when did Miss Frederick become Eisen?”
“We ran into each other at a café last time, and I guess we just hit it off.”
Cairn let out a soft, skeptical hum.
“I was actually planning to give that handkerchief to you, but Eisen needed it in a pinch, so I just gave it to her.”
“If you say so.”
“I’m not making it up!”
“Okay, okay.”
“You act like you know everything…”
The truth was, Lilien had picked up a needle and thread to make a handkerchief for Cairn, hoping to stitch in an apology as a peace offering. But when she realized she couldn’t even manage a proper stem and leaves, she changed the design.
“Cairn, you know…”
Just from her tone, Cairn could tell she was about to say something strange.
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