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“I must go to London, immediately,” his father said. “I have received word that a fire on the block has damaged our town home.”
“You cannot leave in the middle of the party.” After all, he was the host. In his absence, Silas was going to have to step in. It would cut into his time to pursue Lucy.
“I am anxious to assess the severity of the damage for myself as soon as possible.” He looked at Silas. It was clear that he was concerned. “I trust that I can leave it to you to play the host in my absence?”
“Of course,” Silas agreed.
“Thank you. I knew that I could count on you to step in.” His father patted him on the shoulder. He cleared his throat and stepped forward to address the entire gathering. He grabbed an empty glass from beside the lemonade and clinked a spoon against it to get everyone’s attention. “Everyone! It has come to my attention that there has been a fire on the block where my London town home is located. Unfortunately, I must leave you all. In my stead, Silas will act as your host for the remainder of the weekend.”
There was an outpouring of grief, on his father’s behalf. He began to say his goodbyes to all those gathered. Silas stood by the door. He knew that accidents happened, and his father needed to attend to this.
Once he became viscount, he would have to be host all of the time. Not to mention, when something happened, he would be the one to take care of it. He just didn’t want to do it yet. He wanted to focus his attention on Lucy.
His eyes gravitated towards her. She was sitting on the blue velvet settee, and her eyes had a faraway look to them. He wondered what she was thinking. He hoped it was of their kiss in the woods. Her cheeks were red, and she was studiously avoiding his gaze.
“What was that all about?” Levi asked, coming to stand beside him.
“There was a fire in London, and our townhouse might have been destroyed.”
“Sounds serious. I hope no one was hurt.”
“He didn’t mention.” Several members of their staff dwelt there all year round—a housekeeper and a few maids. His father hadn’t mentioned them, so Silas had assumed that they were well.
“Do you still intend on making good on the bet?” Levi asked, drawing him from his thoughts. “It is not gentlemanly to toy with a woman’s affections and it would be understandable if you went back on your word to Percy because of it.”
This again. I should really give up and tell Levi the truth. After all, Levi could be trusted to keep a secret. But Silas decided to do so later, when the two of them were somewhere that they couldn’t be overheard by Percy.
“I would never hear the end of it from Percy. I mean to make him eat his hat when I walk to the altar beside her.” Silas was far too proud to admit in the midst of company that he took pleasure in the thought of convincing Lucy to marry him.
There was nothing that he wanted more. They suited each other well. Not to mention, there was passion there—such that he had never encountered before. He hungered for and desired her with his whole being.
Levi sighed, frowning in disapproval. “You always were a sore loser, Silas. It will be your own ruin.”
True, he thought to himself. He didn’t respond. His gaze met Lucy’s from across the room and he smiled at her, taking pleasure in the way her cheeks went red.
As always, she was the first to look away.
