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a reluctant step back.
    “Very well. But you must report back the minute you can. I don’t wish to hide away up here forever.”
    Julia nodded as she left the room to find Mrs. Prescott’s shawl and descend into the unknown.

Chapter Three
    She knocked at the door, indicating her arrival. No need to walk in during a private conversation, as Mrs. Prescott was certain to have with her nephew as soon as she was able. Although Julia was privy to most everything that occurred within the Merriweather family, she still felt they needed their privacy. After Mrs. Prescott called to enter, Julia opened the door and walked into the fire lit room.
    Her gaze immediately fell to Basil. Suddenly, she felt her breath shorten with anticipation. He was real. This wasn’t a dream. Basil Merriweather was truly here.
    Julia listened attentively to the conversation between aunt and nephew. She knew very well how Mrs. Prescott doted on Basil and loved him. The poor woman missed him dreadfully.
    She wasn’t the only one. Basil’s sisters also adored him. His absence left a terrible hole in their family that none could fill, much like the hole in Julia’s heart.
    Julia tried not to think on that and instead focused on the fire, watching the flames dance rhythmically to a song none could hear. But, she wasn’t strong enough to resist sparing a few secretive glances at the man in question.
    Basil had changed much, in both appearance and character. His shoulders had filled out, broader than they were when she had seen him last. He looked more of a man now than the boy who left. His neatly trimmed hair appeared freshly cut. She yearned to run her fingers through the blond strands to see if they were as silky as she remembered. He possessed the body of a man well fit, not overly muscular, but a lean physical condition. He obviously kept active and was not prone to sitting in drawing rooms drinking brandy into the early hours of dawn. No, he appeared to keep physically active, keeping his body trim and fit and ready for action.
    “Auntie, perhaps we could speak further tomorrow.”
    This drew Julia’s attention back swiftly.
    “It’s late. I fear I’m fatigued from my journey.”
    Julia silently agreed. The circles beneath his eyes indicated a severe lack of sleep, despite his brief moments of unconsciousness upon his arrival. Comparing him to the image sustained in her memory, she could plainly see he looked older, tired, even exhausted from his world travels. But there was something more that she couldn’t quite comprehend. He looked like a man weary from not only his journey, but from carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
    What burden did he carry?
    And what of those moments of weakness after waking on the library floor? He could barely sit up without her assistance. Had it only been from a blow to the head? He appeared perfectly capable of standing on his own after Mrs. Prescott entered the room. Julia had stood by his side, ready to catch him if he should fall. Although he seemed to waver for a second or two, he gave no other outward indication of any physical distress.
    “Of course, dear boy. It is growing rather late, is it not? I suppose I should retire, as well.” Mrs. Prescott stood and leaned on the cane Parker had fetched for her. The woman’s knees popped loudly. Julia stood to lend an arm to her employer. Basil stood at the same instant, taking a step forward to lend his hand to his aunt. Ever the gentleman , Julia mused, noticing again that he stood without any assistance. It must have simply been the knock to his head that had done him in earlier.
    Mrs. Prescott waved him away and leaned on Julia’s arm instead.
    “Julia will see to me, Basil. And, I will see you at breakfast.”
    Basil grimaced. “Could I beg one day to sleep? I could use the rest, Auntie. You’ve no idea how long I traveled.”
    Again, Julia saw that weight hanging over him, dragging on his shoulders.
    Mrs. Prescott clucked her tongue.