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My chest swells. Mortal men don’t act with such chivalry. Perhaps that’s why I’ve never been inclined to give my all to one of them. Sacristan might have made me bold, but it wasn’t directing my actions. Julian has earned my trust and admiration in such a short time. I once believed it to be Stockholm syndrome, but it’s not. It never was. Something deep within me, an innate yearning, began the moment I saw him. It’s as if my soul recognized its counterpart, but the call was overshadowed by the circumstances. It’s been through his protection and candor that I’ve come to recognize my feelings for what they are. True. Deep. Everlasting.
Now to convince Julian that he belongs with a mere human.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The sun bathes me in its warm glow as I sit atop the bottom step of Julian’s porch.
“You should come under the shade,” Julian suggests from a rocking chair behind me. “Your fair skin is turning pink.”
I twist around to face him. “You can’t tell that from clear over there.”
“I can. Your cheeks are rosy.”
He’s not wrong. My entire face is warm, but I’m not ready to leave the sun. It’s been raining for the past four days and I’m desperate for as much vitamin D as I can get.
“You couldn’t see my cheeks before,” I say with a grin and a quirked brow.
“Must you always challenge me?” he says with a smile that turns my insides to goo.
“It would be boring any other way.”
Turning back around, I inhale deeply, basking in the fragrance of lavender that floats through the air. My eyes close and I just enjoy being still. All the worries of the world disappear for the moment. After a couple of minutes, I decide that Julian is right, and if I don’t get out of the sun, I will be dealing with a nasty sunburn.
“Ah, so now you listen,” he goads.
“You look like you could use some company.”
I want to spend time with Julian alone, and now is my chance. Stacey was with us all morning, but decided to head back to the estate for a nap. You know she was tired if she decided to scrap a shopping trip to take a nap.
I’m not upset. With her back at the main house, I have some time alone with Julian. An intense need to know more about him has me turning my chair toward him.
“Have you found out anything about Shannon?” I ask, needing to know. I’ve wanted to ask so many times, but I didn’t want to push. He said we’d have to be smart, and I’m trying to keep my promise of trusting him.
“I spoke to Marcellus. He doesn’t have her, Marina. She wasn’t at the auction.” His voice is sad. Regret radiates off of him. My heart stops for a moment. If they don’t have her, where is she?
“I’ll keep looking, Marina. She’s got to be out there somewhere. I’ll find her,” he promises. My heart breaks for my friend and what she might be going through—if she’s alive. Julian says he’ll continue to look for her, and that’s the best I can ask for. He’d find something before the police. I have to trust that he’ll uncover where she is. The need to change the subject presses on me.
“Tell me something about you,” I ask with the most pleasant smile I can conjure, hoping it’ll entice him to share.
“What would you like to know?” His shoulders push backward, chest puffing out.
“What was your favorite time period?”
I figure he’s been through so many different eras, he has to have a favorite. Living vicariously through him seems like a fun thing to do today.
His nose scrunches. “I’ve had many, Marina.”
“Indulge me,” I beg.
He rubs his head, eyes pointed toward the sky, seemingly contemplating his favorite era, while I internally make my own guess. I can picture him in the nineteenth century, at court, dancing with all of the prettiest debutantes. A smile graces my lips at the mental picture.
“Yes, I did enjoy those days, although the dancing—” he grimaces. “Ladies in those days would have you dancing until your feet wanted to fall off,” he says, causing goose bumps to rise on my arm. He’s responding directly to my thoughts. And he expects me to believe he can’t read my mind? Whatever it is, it’s unnerving.
“It sounds wonderful,” I muse. “I can picture it all. It’s hardly fair you’ve experienced all of these years.”
“They weren’t all great, Marina. I’ve lost many friends along the way to old age and illness. It’s hard to watch life move on while you’re standing still.”
I sigh. I don’t doubt his words. It had to feel lonely at times.
