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“Not to worry,” she assured her. “Reginald and I slip off sometimes,” she admitted. “When you’re engaged, it’s permitted, even though everyone says it isn’t.” She patted Lucy on the arm.
The champagne was flowing through Lucy’s veins. Now that she knew carnal affection, she was hungry for more. She couldn’t believe that it would be months before her wedding to Silas.
Aunt Joan went home early, but Lucy stayed to say goodbye to all of their guests. Once they had gone, Silas accompanied her to her house in the Sweets’ carriage.
He pulled the curtains so they could have privacy. He kissed her, his fingertips playing over the outside of Lucy’s thigh.
“I was wondering if you might accompany me to the lending library tomorrow,” he said.
“Of course.” She loved the library, even though she now had one of her own.
“Good.” It felt like they were in their own little world, where no one else existed. She wanted to get lost there and never return. The carriage pulled up in front of the house on Harley Street, and Silas helped her out.
He walked her to the door, then bowed low before kissing her on the hand. He leaned in to whisper in her ear, “I won’t be able to stop thinking of tonight.”
He gave her a significant look, and her pulse raced as she smiled at him. “So will I.”
They shared one last gaze. Then, Silas turned back toward the carriage. She unlocked the door and went inside. It was true—she would be going over what they had done in the library until the next time that they found a moment to slip away again.
“I’m glad that you’re home.” Aunt Joan was in her dressing gown, her long hair streaked with grey hung loose over her shoulders.
“Good evening, Aunt Joan.” She hoped her aunt couldn’t read her thoughts, though at times it certainly felt as if she could.
“Are you happy, Lucy?”
“Yes, Aunt Joan.”
“I’m glad. I wish that your parents were here to see this. They would be so happy. His parents, as well.”
“You’re here,” she said. “I am happy that you’re here.”
“As am I, my dear. It won’t just be the two of us anymore.” Tears sparkled in Aunt Joan’s eyes.
“No,” Lucy agreed, swallowing back her own tears. “We’ll have a whole family. With Silas, and Dinah, and Michael.”
“All good things from here on out,” Aunt Joan said. “It will be very quiet, here on Harley Street, with you gone.”
A bigger lump formed in the back of Lucy’s throat. “Surely, you’ll come out to the countryside, Aunt Joan.”
Aunt Joan took both of her hands in hers. “Of course, I will. But you will be newly married and not want me around. I have my friends here. They can’t do without me.”
Lucy nodded. “I don’t think I’ll be able to do without you.” She had been hoping her aunt might be persuaded to live with them year-round.
“Things change, Lucy. They change for the better. We must keep moving forward, taking happiness where we can.”
“You said that you regretted not marrying.” Lucy knew it wasn’t her fault that her aunt had never married, but she couldn’t help but feel that if Aunt Joan hadn’t been so busy caring for her, then she might have been better able to find a husband.
“Certainly. But I love the life that I have. It’s a good one.” She winked at Lucy. “Now—I’ve not had so much champagne since Amelia and I were young and at Thornbridge Manor. It’s gone to my head and made me quite sleepy!”
“Goodnight, Aunt Joan.”
“Goodnight, my dear Lucy.” Her aunt smiled at her, then pulled her into a hug. Lucy hugged her back. Aunt Joan patted her on the cheek, then turned and walked upstairs.
She waited in the little foyer as her aunt’s footsteps travelled up to her room followed by the soft sound of the door, opening and closing. Then, Lucy went to her own room, closing the door after her.
She struck a match, lighting her candle, then went to the fireplace, where she lit the logs that she’d placed there earlier. She sat down on the floor in front of the fire, letting it warm her.
Lucy wrapped her arms around herself as she sat, thinking back over the evening. She was sad that she would be leaving her and Aunt Joan’s little world on Harley Street. But she knew, too—she was marrying the love of her life, something that she would never regret.
She thought of Silas, and how he loved her. She thought of what had happened in the library that evening. She was full of joy and love. Her veins sang with it, and her skin tingled at the thought of Silas’ touch.
Finally, she stood up and began to undress, imagining as she did that it was his fingers undoing her clothes and slowly removing them. She imagined his gaze on her, cherishing her, worshipping her.
