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Chapter 15
When Silas arrived downstairs the next morning, he found both Miss Wilds and Lucy absent. Everyone else was there, however. He supposed that they might be running late, like he was. He sat down at the head of the table, grabbing a slice of toast from a nearby rack, then slathering it with butter and jam.
He rarely sat here, but given his father’s absence, he felt it his duty.
“Morning,” Levi said, smiling at him as he took a bite of his own toast.
“Where are both Miss Wilds?” Silas asked him as he took a bite. One of the footmen poured him a cup of tea. “Thank you,” he muttered, mixing in some sugar and cream before taking a sip.
“They both left early this morning,” Dinah said, answering for them. “I was able to see them off in the carriage.” She was frowning a little, as she placed a bite of her hard-boiled egg into her mouth.
“Why?” Silas demanded, setting his cup down with a clatter. Suddenly, he saw his forwardness in the woods from Lucy’s perspective. She must have told her aunt. Fear for her reputation must have frightened them both off.
“Apparently, Lucy was feeling unwell, and wanted to head home.” Dinah looked disappointed. “She did look very tired and pale.”
Silas’ mood was sinking into darkness. He had only himself to blame. He had forced himself on her, grabbing at her. He doubted that she’d much experience with amorous gentlemen. He should have approached her differently. He should have known to.
He finished his breakfast quickly and then left, heading for the study. He knew that he needed to speak with her—to explain everything. She needed to know that he was falling in love with her.
He cursed the fact that his father had seen fit to leave him in charge. If only he had left all of the hosting duties to Michael! If he had, then Silas would have been able to go after her, right that moment.
As soon as the final guest had gone, he would ride straight for London. Black Jack would get him there in less than two days. He would go to her house, and then prostrate himself before her and beg for her forgiveness. He would certainly tell her that he wanted to marry her. Of that, he was certain. Bet or no bet, he wanted the engagement.
But maybe he should just focus on a courtship. She wasn’t one to be pushed. Clearly, she was not above fleeing when overwhelmed. That was exactly what he’d do—a courtship. They could take their time! Fall in love.
As he reached it, the door to his father’s study opened and Percy stepped out. He froze when he saw Silas—a definite sign that he was slinking about, up to no good.
“What are you doing in there?” Silas demanded. He was still angry with Percy for cornering Lucy in the maze. He hadn’t given Silas a valid reason for doing so. Silas had wondered whether or not he’d been trying to thwart Silas’s engagement to Lucy.
“I was looking for ink, to write a letter,” Percy said, as slick as an eel. “I’ve run out.”
“You could have asked Mr. Fort, he would have gotten you anything that you need.”Or you could have gone home and gotten your own ink.
“I didn’t want to be a bother.” For Percy, this was beside the point. He was always a bother, though no one ever said it to his face. A slow smile was spreading across his face. Silas was trying to find something to say to him when he said, “It looks like you won’t be able to fulfil the bet.”
Silas sighed, then walked past him and into the study. He shut the door firmly, turning the key in the lock. He had no patience to be egged on by Percy Stalton. There, in the cool dark of the room, he felt devastated.
Why else would she leave without a word? I’ve driven her off.
Even though it was still morning, he poured himself a glass of brandy, sipping it slowly and cursing his own blindness. She wasn’t like any of the other women he’d pursued. She was different, and that was what he liked about her.
He had misjudged the way to get her to consider him. He would have to approach her in a different manner. He still had two days to figure out how.
