"Eliza."
She stopped.
"I am trying."
She looked back. "I know."
That night, Julian could not sleep. Neither could she.
The next morning, he found her in the library. "I want to tell you why the engagement ended."
She closed her book. "I am listening."
"Catherine loved another man."
Eliza blinked. "While she was engaged to you?"
"Yes."
"Did you know?"
"I discovered letters."
"And you ended it?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell everyone?"
"Because humiliation is not justice."
She studied him. That was not the answer she expected. "You protected her. No... you protected her reputation."
"I protected mine."
She smiled. "That sounds more like you."
He smiled back. "Probably."
Something between them softened.
Then the library door opened. Henry stood there. "The bird is back."
Julian closed his eyes. Eliza laughed.
"Where?"
"In the breakfast room."
They ran. The bird had stolen a silver spoon. It sat on the breakfast table. Eliza stared. Julian stared. Henry stood behind them.
"I told you."
The bird dropped the spoon.
Eliza folded her arms. "You."
The bird flew.
Julian sighed. "Why does it hate us?"
"It doesn't hate us."
"It stole my cufflink yesterday."
Eliza turned. "You never told me."
"I was embarrassed."
She laughed. "You are a duke. I know you own half the county—not half. You are worried about a bird."
"It has defeated me repeatedly."
She laughed harder.
The bird flew through an open window. Julian followed. Eliza caught his arm.