AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 48
Silas returned home after visiting the solicitor. All of his father’s estate was now settled. He was arranging for Michael’s house to be built out in the country.
The money was there, he just needed to hire someone to design it according to his brother’s wishes. In the spring, the two brothers would go there to get everything started. After Dinah’s wedding, and after the London Season was over.
Silas hoped that, by then, he would have asked Lucy to marry him. Perhaps, he would have both her and Miss Joan accompany him and Michael out to Thornbridge Manor. He was thinking of a spring wedding for himself and Lucy, at the little church in Shere. He could think of nothing better.
Silas, having nothing to do for once, sat down in the study. He had a glass of brandy, and was merely sitting, enjoying the warm fire. It was a cool November day. Outside, it was sunny, with a bit of a chill. He stared into the flames, which crackled merrily in the grate. As he sat, he thought about Lucy meeting him in the tiny country church. She would have flowers in her hair, and she might even wear her blue and cream striped dress.
He heard the sound of the front door opening and suspected that his sister was home, after visiting Lucy. Eager for any news of the woman he loved, Silas sat up a bit straighter.
The door opened and Dinah entered. She still had her bonnet, cloak, and gloves on, which should have been his first warning that something was wrong.
“Dinah!” he said, then paused. She was glowering at him, clearly enraged. Her hands were balled into fists at her sides. “What’s the matter?”
Dinah was so rarely angry. It took a lot to get her into a rage, and it was so very rare that Silas sat back. He was concerned—what could have happened?
“What’s the matter?” she demanded. “I was walking in the park with Miss Wilds and Lucy, and we ran into Percy Stalton, who told us all about the bet that you made with him last summer.”
“Oh.” As his sister spoke, he had a sinking feeling. He had hoped that this would never come to light. Everything had fallen apart while he had sat comfortably in front of the fire, making plans for his marriage to Lucy.
“Oh? So, it’s true, then?” she asked, her face dissolving into sadness. It seemed she had been hoping that he would be able to tell her that it wasn’t true.
He swallowed. Silas couldn’t lie to his sister. “Yes, it’s true.”
Dinah took a moment, nodding. She looked away from him. “I can hardly even look at you,” she said, covering her face with her hands. “I’m so disappointed in you. This is bad behaviour. Even for you.”
Silas waited, fully prepared to be given a dressing-down. Dinah lowered her hands, looking at them. She seemed to shrink where she stood, her rage having been spent.
“You’ve hurt Lucy most severely,” she told him. “I don’t know if she’ll ever see you again.” She finally raised her eyes, skewering him with a look that was equal parts anger and sadness. “I thought that you were maturing, the past several months.”
“I am,” he insisted. “I have. Please, Dinah, you must believe me when I say that I truly love Lucy.”
She studied him, as though there was no hope for him. “Then you will go to her, immediately,” she told him. “You owe her an explanation.”
“Yes. I do, and I will.”
Dinah nodded, turning away from him. Silas listened as she walked down the hall and he sighed, finishing his brandy in one gulp. She was right, of course. He needed to go straightaway, or risk losing Lucy forever.
***
Silas arrived at the house on Harley Street not long after his talk with Dinah. He felt sick. Of course, there were many things he should have done differently, and would have, if he could. As he had ridden over in the carriage, he had planned what he was going to say. He was going to reveal all to Lucy, then prostrate himself before her and beg for her forgiveness.
If she truly loved him, then maybe she could find it inside of herself to forgive him. He was sure that she would. She was so good, and he had done something horrible. And he would certainly never do it again. He was ready to prove his love for her, in any way that he could.
He would shower her with gifts—books, paints. Anything that would please her. He would prove himself by asking her to marry him, then and there, to show her just how committed he was to her. They could even marry the very next day, if she wished.
Facing the familiar black door, he raised his hand and knocked. It was a long while before the door opened, and Miss Wilds peered out. She didn’t seem surprised to see him. Her mouth was a thin line. She looked tired and sad. Not that he could blame her. He felt awful. Lucy was not the only one who he had harmed—those who loved her, Miss Wilds and Dinah, were upset, too.
“Lord Thornbridge,” Lucy’s aunt said carefully. She said nothing else. It was a greeting, and nothing more. Which meant that she was not to allow him inside. It was as certain as if she had slammed the door shut in his face. He was not ready to give up yet, however. The door was still open, and she seemed to be waiting.
“I’ve come to see Lucy,” he explained. “I owe her an explanation.”
“She’s not taking any visitors at the moment.” Miss Wilds was firm. Silas knew that if he was genuine, then perhaps she could persuade Lucy to see him.
“Miss Wilds,” he said. “There’s been a grave misunderstanding.”
“So, the bet didn’t happen? Mr Stalton lied?” she asked hopefully.
