AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 55
Levi and Silas sat at the dining room table at Thornbridge Manor. Since the rest of the household was in London, they were being served by the butler, instead of footmen.
They had drunk until dinner was announced. Silas felt warm, buoyed by the wine. All of his pain had dulled, though there was still an ache which tugged at his heart.
Dinner was a quiet affair—in Mrs. Larson’s absence, a woman from in town had been hired to cook for them. It was simple fare, nothing like Mrs. Larson’s extravagant dinners. He was pouting, he knew.
“I’m not used to Thornbridge being so quiet,” Silas remarked as he sliced into his meat. He placed a bite into his mouth and chewed. He missed Mrs. Larson, the cook. She was, of course, in London with Michael and Dinah. The family went nowhere without her—she spoiled them with her talents.
“No,” Levi agreed, spearing a chunk of roasted potato on the end of his fork. “It’s usually brimming with life.” He popped it into his mouth and chewed.
“It was all my father’s doing,” Silas replied, sitting back in his seat. He should have been at the head of the table, but couldn’t bring himself to sit there, in his father’s seat. “He was so good at bringing people together.”
“You could be good at it, too,” Levi pointed out, before taking another bite.
Silas sighed, looking around at the dining room. It was decorated in dark colours. The curtains were drawn, and the candlelight flickered, throwing shadows into the corners.
“I’m not my father, Levi. The past week has shown me that,” he said soberly. “I thought that I could be, but alas, I am not.”
“Silas,” Levi said. “You can’t help who you used to be. You can do something about who you will be.”
“That is sage advice,” Silas commented, taking a sip of his wine. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to take it.” He was thinking of giving it all up. He could give the title to Michael, who would do far more with it than Silas ever could. Silas could build a hunting lodge out here, where he could remain, living quietly and out of the way.
“And here is why Michael sent me,” Levi stated, taking a sip of his wine. He cleared his throat. “From everything that I’ve seen, you want to do what’s best. And you try to. The moment that things become difficult, though, you run.”
Silas stared at his friend. He was right. Levi stared back at him, as though challenging him to argue. He was neither smiling nor frowning. He knew that he was right. What was more, Silas agreed with him.
Silas raised his glass to him. “You’re right, of course.”
“Thank you. Of course, I am. I’ve known you for ages.” Levi raised his own glass, clinking it against Silas’. They both drank in silence for a long moment.
“So, what do you propose that I do, my wise friend?” Silas asked, his chin in his hand, his elbow on the arm of his chair. He crossed his legs.
“Return to London,” Levi said. “Then go immediately to Miss Wilds. Do not leave until you see her. Beg for her forgiveness. Tell her that you’ve loved her from the first moment that you beheld her. Life is far too short to just give up. If you truly love her, which I believe you do, then you need to fight for her.” He paused. “Just think, Silas. You could be happy. You could live the life that you’ve seen with her.” Levi sighed. “Or, you could stay here and be alone. The choice is yours.”
Silas nodded. He didn’t think Lucy would want to see him. He had hurt her beyond repair. However, he would see if Dinah might be amenable to helping him. Perhaps she would be able to convince Lucy to allow him the chance to apologize. Perhaps, to explain, at the very least.
“We’ll leave tomorrow morning,” Silas said, the smallest bit of a grand scheme forming in his mind. He started to feel resolute. Levi was right. He had two choices: to fight for Lucy, or to let her go. He didn’t want to let her go. He loved her too much. “At first light.”
Levi smiled at him. “Good to hear.”
The two friends returned to their meal. For the first time in nearly a week, Silas felt better. He felt a lightening inside of himself. It was hope, he realized. And his love for Lucy. It buoyed him better than the wine ever could.
