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Chapter 64
Lucy arrived at the Sweets’ town home in Mayfair just before nine of the clock in the morning. She had taken a hansom cab, so that the journey through the cold would only be fifteen minutes, rather than a half-hour walk. It was an expense that she could afford, particularly since she was acting as Dinah’s sister that day.
She had dressed in her finest muslin—the spring green one. She wore her simple grey bonnet, with her dark cloak to keep her out of the chill air.
She stood on the sidewalk for a long moment, looking up at the familiar façade. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She was plagued by memories of the party that had been held there. That had been the last time that she and Silas had spent together, both of them in love.
Now, were they still? She ached for him.No, it can never be, she thought.Not to mention, he’s out. I’m not going to see him.
She swallowed back her tears. She was here because Dinah needed her. Finally, she walked up the stairs, to the front door. When she reached the door, Mr Morton, the butler opened it for her.
“Miss Wilds,” he said, stepping back to allow her inside. “Welcome. It’s so good to see you. Miss Sweet is awaiting your arrival.”
“It’s good to see you, as well, Mr Morton,” she replied courteously. She was excited for Dinah. Though Lucy certainly no longer believed in love herself, it was always nice to be around Dinah, who wholeheartedly believed in love. “I’m very excited to see Dinah’s dress.”
“I’m sure she is, too. Right this way,” he said, holding out an arm to direct her down the hallway.
Dinah was walking towards them, dressed in a plain grey muslin. She was beaming in excitement. “Lucy! I’m so glad that you’re here,” she said, taking Lucy by the arm. “I’ll take it from here, Mr Morton!” She began to lead Lucy down the hallway, linking her arm with Lucy’s. “Before we go upstairs to see my dress, there’s something else you absolutelymustsee.”
“What is it?” Lucy couldn’t think of a thing that she hadn’t seen of the townhouse. She was overwhelmed by the familiar sight of it. She glanced into the ballroom as they passed. Inside, light spilled through the windows, making it glow. Then, they were past it, walking down the hall where Lucy had met up with Silas so that he could kiss her.
She swallowed the painful lump in her throat, wishing that she wasn’t so strongly affected by being there. But she was. She was suddenly overwhelmed by how much she wanted Silas to suddenly appear. To beg her to take him back.
She would give in.
“A new wing has been added to the house,” Dinah explained. “It was only finished this week.”
“Why haven’t you mentioned it before?” Lucy asked.
“It was all Silas’ doing,” Dinah explained. “I wasn’t sure how much you would want to hear about his schemes.”
Dinah led her down the hallway. Where before there had been a window, there was now a sleek red door with a brass knob. Dinah turned the knob and pushed it open, and it swung soundlessly on its new hinges.
Lucy gasped as they entered the new wing, which was one large room filled with natural light streaming through the large windows, which had red velvet curtains. Overhead was a glass cupola, allowing sunlight to stream down over the whole room in bright swathes.
There were large wooden shelves, filled with books, from the floor all of the way to the ceiling. There was a ladder, with wheels, which would allow immediate access to every title. It was, in many ways, just like the lending library, but better.
Towards the other side of the room, there were empty shelves, ones which hadn’t yet been filled. It hinted that there was still work to be done—books to be chosen.
“Silas had it built for you,” Dinah said in a hushed voice. The reveal caused goose bumps to rise all over Lucy’s arms. Her heart rate rose and she reached up to wipe away her tears.
“I can hardly believe it,” she whispered. “It’s so beautiful.” Silas had built Lucy her very own library. It moved her to tears. All of the books—it had to have cost him a fortune.I’m going to prove to you that I love you—his words rang in her mind, as clear as a bell.
Suddenly, everything made sense. Why two months had passed, without anything more than letters. Why Dinah came to call on her at her home, instead of asking her over here. She hadn’t wanted to ruin the surprise.
That was when Silas stepped out from behind one of the shelves. The look that he gave her was one of pure love. Dinah touched Lucy gently on the arm, smiling before slipping away. Taking Lucy’s hands, Silas knelt before her, on the black and white tile floor. He felt so solid, his hands warm, with the familiar callouses ridging his palms.
Lucy beamed at him, through her tears. “You did this for me,” she said, squeezing his hands in her own.
“I never knew love until I met you,” he replied, squeezing back. He kept his blue-eyed gaze on hers, never once wavering. “I deeply regret the bet that I took part in. I will do anything to make it up to you.” He sighed before going on. “Know that I will never do anything that will hurt you,” he swore, shaking his head firmly. “Never again.”
Silas seemed genuine, but Lucy was cautious. She didn’t ever want to be hurt again. She tried to come up with the words to tell him that she was sorry, but she couldn’t. It was a library, in his home.
“Silas,” she began, steeling herself to tell him that she couldn’t. As much as she wanted this beautiful fairy tale, she couldn’t trust him. She couldn’t let him court her again. “I—”
“Let me finish?” he asked, softly.
“Sorry. Do go on.” After all, what could he possibly say that would change anything?
