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Chapter 11
Watching Percy dancing with Miss Wilds, Silas felt a flash of jealousy, which he bit back. He wondered what Percy was telling her. He kept up a steady stream of conversation, which she answered politely and briefly.
When it was over, he saw Percy gesture towards the garden terrace in what was clearly an invitation, which she politely declined. She curtsied and then made her escape.
She had turned Silas down. It was unthinkable. He wondered what to do. Pushing her was out of the question. He knew how he would react to something like that. He would need to approach her slowly, to prove to her that he could be trusted. Except…
Except I don’t think anyone in their right minds could vouch for my steadfastness in terms of female affections.
Levi found him standing by the punch bowl, drinking.
“How did it go?” his friend asked. Levi was looking debonair in a forest green frock coat with golden buttons. His chestnut hair was swept back from his youthful face.
“When I asked her if I could call on her when she returns to London, she turned me down.” Silas knew he was pouting. He couldn’t help it. He hadn’t thought that she would say no, particularly not after their kiss the night before.
“I see.” Levi sighed, patting him on the shoulder. “Sorry about that, old chap. It must be hard for you to have been turned down. It happens to all of us at least once.”
“I’m not giving up.”
Levi eyed him in surprise. “You’re not?”
“Not even close.”
“She’s given you an answer, old man. You have to accept it and move on,” Levi said, in a moment of perfect advice. However, it wasn’t advice that Silas planned to take.
“She’s wrong,” Silas whispered. He had met the woman of his dreams—his perfect counterpart, the other half of his soul! He needed to show her how perfect they were for each other.
“What happens when she finds out that it’s all a bet, Silas?” Levi asked, leaning in and whispering. “She’s going to be hurt—devastated.”
Oh, that. It was like a door slamming shut.
“Then I’ll just have to make sure that she never finds out. I won’t stop until I’ve won.”
Levi sighed, shaking his head sadly. The two friends stood side by side, deep in their own thoughts. Silas knew he sounded callous. He wondered if he should come clean to Levi, tell his friend the truth—that he was genuinely interested in Miss Wilds.
“I see that Dinah and Lord Browning are getting on well,” Levi commented. The two of them watched as Dinah and Lord Browning went out to the terrace, arm in arm. Silas noted the besotted look in both of their eyes.
“I imagine that he’ll ask Father for permission by the end of the weekend.” It seemed to be a given, at this point. After all, Dinah had never been so interested in any prospects. Not until Lord Browning. Her smile was so brilliant, it warmed her brother’s heart.
“Then the weekend has been a success,” Levi said.
“Indeed.” Silas held up his glass. “Cheers to that.” The two friends clinked glasses, then stood in silence. Silas found Miss Wilds in the crowd again, standing beside her aunt. Her look was unreadable.
I will convince her, he promised himself.By the end of the weekend.
