AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 45
The evening had been a wonderful, bright array of dancing and talking. Lucy knew she was glowing. It had been the perfect party. She had divided her time between Dinah and Lady Violet and Lady Rosemary, and then dancing with Silas. She felt as though she were floating on a positively dreamy cloud, far above London, and that she was never going to return to the ground again.
She was in his arms, dancing slowly. Their eyes remained locked as he led her through the steps of the waltz, his hand on the small of her back, holding her close to him.
As the final dance ended, he leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Meet me in the foyer, before you and your aunt leave.”
“Of course.”
The music ended, and they parted ways as everyone left the dance floor. She paused to get a quick drink at the refreshments table before going to find Aunt Joan, who was talking.
“Are you ready to go home?” she asked.
“Oh, yes! Did you have a wonderful evening?” Aunt Joan was beaming.
“I did.”
They both walked out, following the long line of guests who were collecting their cloaks and jackets from the butler by the door.
Aunt Joan bid Silas farewell, then went to collect her and Lucy’s coats. Silas and Lucy were left alone, a short distance from the crowd by the door.
They grinned at each other.
“You truly look beautiful,” he said, bringing her hand to his lips and brushing them against her knuckles. She could feel his touch, even through her soft, lightweight gloves.
“Thank you,” she murmured. “It was a wonderful evening.”
“There you are,” came a familiar voice from behind Lucy. She froze, looking to Silas in confusion. He was glowering at Mr Stalton. Slowly, she turned towards him. She felt sick. There was a nasty gleam in his eyes, and he was smirking.
“So,” he said, “you followed through, after all.”
“What does that mean?” Lucy wondered aloud, turning toward Silas for an explanation. His face darkened.
“I think it’s time that you left, Percy.”
“You cannot order me about, My Lord,” Percy said, offended. “Just because you’re a viscount now does not mean that you can go back on a bet that you lost.”
Percy staggered off, clearly having partaken profusely of the punch. He made his way back into the ballroom, where some of the guests were still gathered, talking.
“What was he talking about?” Lucy asked, a sinking feeling in her stomach.
“Drunken babble, most likely,” Silas told her dismissively. “Come. I will hire a hansom cab to take you and your aunt home safely.”
“That’s very kind of you.” She wondered what Mr Stalton could have meant. She had seen Silas’ reaction, and it had been clear that he’d known exactly what Mr Stalton had spoken of—and had been displeased by it. She shook it off. It was the end of a wonderful evening—the best in all of her memory. She decided not to allow Mr Stalton ruin it.
