“Have you been well?” he asked.
“Yes, I’ve been very well.”
“All healed, then?” There was a small smile on his lips. Oh, how handsome he was. It almost pained her to look at him. Could she trust her own judgment? If so, she would say his expression was one of tenderness and concern. Her heart missed a beat.
“Yes, I thank you. And are your family all in good health?”
“Yes, thank you. My sister was happy to receive your letter. She sent a reply with me.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out not one but two letters and held them out to her. “There is a second letter from your friend Sarah Peck. Mr. Wilson asked me to bring it to you.”
Julia accepted the letters, wishing it were proper to clasp the hand that held them out to her. “I am most grateful to you.” She lifted her head and let herself be captured by his dark-brown gaze.
“You remember our mutual friend, Henry Lee, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“It seems he will be attending school.”
“School! Oh, that is wonderful.” Julia clasped her hands, unable to suppress her joyful smile.
“A benefactor has paid his tuition.”
“I am so pleased. Oh, that is just what he needs. And how is his family? Are they well?”
“His mother was well, last I heard, as was his sister. I shall tell them you asked about them when next I see them.”
“Oh, thank you. I would like that very much.”
Mr. Langdon was giving her such an intimate smile that her heart fluttered, stealing her breath. She tried not to stare.
“And your friend,” he said, lowering his voice a bit, “Miss Peck is well. If you would like to send her a letter, I will be very happy to take it to Mr. Wilson, who will see that she gets it.”
“That is so kind of you. I would like that above anything.”
“Mr. Wilson has been very impressed with her industry. She has been helping tend the sick in her, ah, special school, and now that it is becoming harder for her to do that, she has been making blankets and shawls to give to the poor.”
Sweet Sarah Peck. God was taking care of her, giving her something useful to do. What a blessing. “I am so glad. Thank you for telling me.”
“Yes, and from my knowledge of John Wilson, I am not so sure he hasn’t lost his heart to her.” He smiled and seemed to lean toward her. “He revealed to me two weeks ago that he intends to marry her.”
“Truly?” Julia’s heart lifted to the ceiling at the thought of Sarah happily married, and to a man of integrity and kindness like Mr. Wilson! “Oh, I do hope it is so. She is such a worthy girl.” She realized immediately that most people would see irony in her statement, but Nicholas Langdon did not seem to.
“And very pretty, as Mr. Wilson has told me.”
Oh, it was too wonderful to think of Sarah married and happy and taken care of. Oh God, let it be so.
A couple that Julia did not know walked by. When they had passed, Julia took up the subject again. “Mr. Wilson and Sarah Peck were together often, did you say, at the mission?”
“Not at the mission, but when they were helping the sick in the home where Miss Peck and several other young ladies are living. He was very impressed with her willingness to help. He said her gentle nature was evident and that she is the very sort of woman he could wish for in a wife, notwithstanding the mistake she made. And the fact that she has a friend like you, Miss Grey, is also a testament to her character.”
Mr. Langdon’s head was bent toward hers, and his gaze was unwavering from her eyes. His voice was gruff, barely above a whisper. “I understand it quite well, I’m afraid. He was captivated by her sweetness and beauty. He saw his future in her eyes.”
Julia suddenly found it hard to breathe. “Sarah is a very pretty girl with a . . . a good heart. She will make him a good wife.”
Julia’s heart was full to overflowing as she looked into Mr. Langdon’s handsome, smiling face. How kind, how good, he was. I love you, Nicholas Langdon.
“Why, Mr. Langdon! What are you doing out here?” Mrs. Tromburg rounded the end of the hedgerow. Another lady walked beside her.
Julia quickly hid her letters inside the canvas bag with the leaves and beetles the children had collected.
“Mrs. Tromburg.” Mr. Langdon acknowledged her, reluctantly it seemed—or perhaps Julia imagined it.
Mrs. Tromburg claimed his arm in a most possessive manner, as if she were entitled to have him escort her wherever she wanted to go.
One of the children was tugging on Julia’s velvet jacket, so Julia turned to Elizabeth.
“Is this a good leaf, Miss Grey?”
“Oh yes, that is a very fine leaf, Elizabeth.”
“And I found these as well.” The little girl showed her the contents of both her fists.
Behind her, Julia heard Mrs. Tromburg say, “I insist you let me show you my favorite spots in the Athertons’ gardens.” She led Mr. Langdon away.