“Julian?” I prompted. “You must have come for some reason?”
“Right,” he said, then rubbed his forehead. “That’s true.”
He cleared his throat again, then stood straighter. When he started forward once more, his usual smirk slipped back into place. Whatever weakness that had taken over him was long gone now.
“I thought we could utilize our time for more mental self-defense, but I had not considered you would be so indisposed.” As Julian approached, he glanced at Charlotte, who still held up the fabric like a shawl. “I’m not sure that works.”
“No,” Charlotte said, frowning. “But she might get cold with her arms bare. Even with the gloves.”
“Perhaps a lighter fabric. Or a white lace.”
“Lace? Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.” Charlotte nodded critically, then seemed to remember who she was t
