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“How is London, Michael?” their father asked as he settled his cloth napkin onto his lap.
“Busy and bustling, as usual,” Michael replied. “All of our accounts are healthy, so I would say that the trip was a success.” He sliced into his veal cutlet. Before he took a bite, he looked at his father. “How are the plans for the party going?”
“Almost complete,” Lord Thornbridge said, beaming at his only daughter. “It will be the perfect summer gathering. We’ll make sure to find our Dinah a proper gentleman husband.”
She blushed. Dinah had debuted three years ago, during the London Season. She had not found a husband the past several winters, but their father was determined to find a suitable one for her by the end of the summer. She would turn two-and-twenty in September. They all wanted Dinah to be happily married, thus the wait.
“Do you all recall the treasure hunts that I used to arrange for all of you while you were children?” their father asked. He took a bite of his veal, chewing with clear relish.
“How could we forget?” Silas asked, with a laugh. Lord Thornbridge had created epic hunts for his children, with a long list of clues that took them on wild adventures throughout the estate.
The door opened and the butler, Mr. Fort, barely had a moment to announce their guest when he entered himself, barging in as he usually did.
“Mr. Percy Stalton,” Mr. Fort said quickly.
Percy Stalton was the heir of a rich tobacco merchant, who had recently purchased a nearby estate. Silas and Levi had been spending time with him over the past year. He was tall, with dark hair and brown eyes; he thought himself handsome. Percy was a true rake. Silas merely dabbled.
“You’re early,” Silas said. He glanced around at the table. Everyone was smiling, though they all looked disappointed. The family didn’t particularly like Percy Stalton. They always treated him with politeness, as they treated everyone else—something he took advantage of.
“Naturally,” Percy replied. “I wouldn’t miss the party for the world.” His eyes went to Dinah, who looked down at her food. Silas’s own skin crawled at the thought of Percy Stalton attempting to woo his sister.
“Have a seat,” Lord Thornbridge said. “We’re just having luncheon.”
Percy grinned, and took his seat as the servants rushed to set a place for him. Everyone sat, eating their food, the sound of the cutlery clinking on the plates.
It’s going to be a very long weekend, Silas thought to himself.Especially since it’s already beginning.
