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“Not entirely.”
Miss Wilds’ face fell, and she shook her head sadly. “Then I am sorry to say that I cannot allow you entry. I must say, Lord Thornbridge, I am thoroughly disappointed in your behaviour. Your parents would be sorely disheartened to know that you would treat a young woman of modest means in this manner. Good day, My Lord.” She closed the door gently. Silas stared at it for a long moment, feeling like he’d been slapped.
He had not expected this. To be turned away, without at least an explanation. Things were much worse than he’d thought. He didn’t know what to do. He was so upset that he could barely think.
Devastated, Silas turned away from the door. He began to walk towards the carriage. The coachman stood beside it, his face impassive.
I’ve ruined everything, Silas thought as he climbed inside. He sat back on the velvet seat as the coachman closed the door.
“Where to, My Lord?” he asked Silas from up on the box.
“I—I don’t know.” Where to go? What to do? His mind swam.
If Miss Wilds couldn’t be prevailed upon to allow him to explain, then his relationship with Lucy was surely doomed by what he had done.
He decided to head for Thornbridge Manor. Perhaps, with time, Lucy would begin to soften towards him. He reached into his pocket, finding that he still carried the paper with the coordinates.
It’s as good a time as anyto abscond to the countrysidefor a few days.
He didn’t want to face Dinah, or Michael, for that matter. This way, it would give everyone at least a week to reflect. Perhaps, with time, Lucy would find it in her heart to forgive him. Returning over and over again in the next few days would only serve to make her angrier.
“Home, please,” Silas ordered. The coachman urged the horse into a fast clip through the streets of London. Silas’ thoughts were disordered and upset, like a house of cards which had been knocked over. Percy Stalton had been the one to slam his hand into them.
If I see hide or hair of Percy, I don’t know what I’ll do to him. It was one thing to be angry with Percy. It was another to be mad at himself. It was, he knew, mostly his own fault. And he couldn’t get away from himself.
He returned home, where he packed a bag and ordered for Black Jack to be saddled. He made it back out the door before either of his siblings could come out and ask him what he was up to.
He accepted the reins from the groom, then climbed into the saddle. Within a few hours, he was on the road for Thornbridge Manor. It was a relief to be headed home. Silas loved the city, but his heart was in the green, rolling hills of the countryside. It was where he found the most peace. He wanted to be comforted, because his heart was in pieces.
If Lucy no longer loves, me I don’t know what I’ll do.
He could only hope that with time, she would find it within herself to allow him to explain. He was sure that once she had heard it, she would forgive him. But he feared the worst—that she would no longer love him. Not after this.
