“About marrying me?”
He shook his head and grazed his knuckle over her cheek. “About this unexpected turn with the company.”
“What does Teresa say to do?”
“Teresa does not know what I want for my life. I have not confided in her. She is very close to my parents.” He shrugged. “I don’t believe she would approve, actually, and I’m not sure she wouldn’t try to talk me out of my plans.”
“I see.” Julia bit her lip, confused by his thinking. “But you’ve told me.”
“If you are to be my wife, then there should not be any secrets between us or unpleasant surprises for you. You need to know that you’re not marrying an idle fop.” His lips lifted into a wide grin. “I trust you and you can trust me. Tell me about Anthony Linden.”
Julia blushed. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Are you in love with him?”
“That is a very personal question, sir.”
“I suppose it is, but can you blame me for wanting to know how you feel about him?”
Julia bit her lip and turned away. “I don’t know now how I feel about anything.”
“Is it simply the lure of his expedition or has he expressed affection for you?” Valentine moved to stand beside her. “He’d be mad not to fall for you, you know. You’re funny, charming, athletic.”
“Everything a proper woman isn’t,” Julia murmured.
He shrugged. “Proper has its time and place. If I hadn’t been improper with you, I’d never know so much about you now.”
“Such as?”
He caught her hand. “You smell of honeysuckle, you laugh and fight with your whole heart. You are quick-witted and very, very strong. You may be unconventional compared to other women but there is nothing unattractive about your interests.”
“Oh,” Julia whispered as a blush climbed her cheeks at the compliments. Thankfully the moon was behind the clouds now and Valentine couldn’t see how his words affected her. Those had been the nicest compliments she’d ever received. No one usually liked that she wasn’t the same as everyone else. “Thank you.”
“When I’m with you, I want to challenge you,” Valentine continued.
Julia glanced behind them. “You have. I’ve never run so far from home before alone.”
“We raced together. We could do a great many things together that challenge us both if you were my wife.” He kissed her, cupping her skull, and despite everything she’d assumed, she leaned into him for more.
He eased back and met her gaze. His hair was tousled by the breeze, pointing up at all angles, and he appeared unbelievably handsome to her suddenly. She couldn’t believe he still wanted to marry her and she glanced down to hide her reaction.
He caught her chin gently and raised her face again. “What do you want from me, Julia?”
“Nothing.” Julia shook her head, fighting the blush burning her cheeks at the direction her thoughts were taking her. “But I don’t mind kissing you.”
“I will court you properly. Your brother will expect it.” He kissed her soundly and then glanced toward their homes. “We have to go back.”
“True.”
He dug into his waistcoat pocket. “That reminds me. I have something for you. A token of my esteem and admiration.”
He handed over a gentleman’s silver pocket watch and she frowned at the unusual item. She held it until the moon shone strong again. It was beautiful; the heavy chain attached to it was cold silk in her fingers. “My brother would not approve of me accepting any gifts from you.”
“It’s not for him to know about if you don’t want him to yet.” Valentine turned the piece over, showing her the face.
In the moonlight, it seemed quite lovely, but she could not make out all the details. “Did you make this?”
“I did.” He nodded. “I hoped you might find a use for it in timing your daily exercise.”