Page 43 of A Viscount's Bet of Seduction

Chapter 26

It was near the end of September when Dinah came to call on Lucy and Aunt Joan. Lucy was the one to answer the door and find her standing on the doorstep, dressed sombrely in black bombazine, though she still looked beautiful.

“Well-met, dear friend!” Dinah said, beaming at her. “I’ve missed you!”

“It’s so good to see you,” Lucy replied, stepping back to allow her entrance. “Come in. Aunt Joan and I have just set out the tea-things in the parlour.”

The both of them walked into the parlour, where Aunt Joan was pouring out cups of tea. Luckily, they had brought extra cups, on the off-chance that a visitor showed up (a regular occurrence, due to Aunt Joan’s wide array of friends).

“Miss Sweet!” Aunt Joan gushed. “It’s so good to see you.”

“I wanted to come sooner, but we had to wait for the first six weeks to be over before we could go out visiting. I still can’t believe he’s gone.”

“Neither can I,” Aunt Joan said.

“You two are my very first visit,” Dinah announced as they all sat down. “I wanted to tell you both the news.”

“What is it?” Lucy asked, wondering what it could be.

“Lord Browning—Reginald—has asked me to marry him.” It was clear that Dinah was pleased. Lucy was glad that her friend had good news to share, particularly after the devastating and sudden loss of her father.

“He asked during your mourning period?” Aunt Joan asked.

“Indeed,” she said. “He told Silas that he couldn’t wait six months. That he had to know we were promised to each other because he loves me.”

“How romantic,” Aunt Joan said. “It’s just like in a book, isn’t it, Lucy?”

“I’m so happy for you,” Lucy added.

“We both are.” Aunt Joan was clasping her hands.

“I knew you would be,” Dinah said. “But you must both keep it a secret, for we have to wait until it has been six months before we can wed.”

“For certain!” Aunt Joan agreed. “We will be as silent as mice.”

“How are your brothers doing?” Lucy asked. She was curious to know how Silas was faring, but she knew it would be suspicious if she asked only after his health.

“They’re both well, thank you,” Dinah assured her. “Although I worry about Silas. He’s definitely stepping into our father’s shoes, but he might be too focused on renovations of the burned wing and managing the family’s assets and public image. He never takes a moment’s break.”

“Well, he’ll learn,” Aunt Joan said. “I’m sure your father prepared him for it.”

“As much as he could,” Dinah agreed. “Although, Silas—we all did, to own the truth—thought that Papa would live for twenty more years, at the very least.” Dinah shook her head soberly. “None of us were prepared for such a loss.”

“How could you have been?” Aunt Joan asked. “We weren’t prepared to lose my brother and sister-in-law.”

“No,” Lucy agreed. That, too, had been unexpected. Lucy’s parents had been on their way to Bath for a few weeks when they were in an accident.

“How could we ever be? Life is too short. We must love those we have while we have them,” Aunt Joan said, sagely.

“I do have some happy news—Silas plans on throwing a party when the house is done,” Dinah said. “I hope that both of you can come. It will be a small affair, since we are still in mourning.”

“Of course, we’ll attend,” Aunt Joan said, answering for the both of them. Lucy’s heart rate sped up at the idea of running into Silas in a social setting. She knew, given her friendship with his sister, that it was bound to happen. She didn’t know, however, how she would be able to stand seeing him give attention to other females, particularly ones he would be bound to be more interested in—fine, genteel ladies.

They all talked a while longer. Even though they had met Dinah only recently, it seemed like she was a much older acquaintance. Lucy showed Dinah to the door when they were done. As Dinah tied the bow of her bonnet beneath her chin, she turned to Lucy.

“I hope that you’ll come and call on us at the house we’re renting while the other is under renovation,” Dinah said.

Spurred by Aunt Joan’s regrets, and her own desire to see Silas, Lucy beamed. “I’d be happy to. When will you be having visiting hours?”

“Every Monday and Wednesday, from one to four, starting this week.”

“I’ll be there on Wednesday, then.”

“Good.” Dinah grinned. “Bring your aunt.”

“I will certainly do so,” Lucy assured her. She stood at the door, waving to Dinah as her carriage pulled away from the curb. Dinah waved back. Lucy remained there, on the front step, watching until the carriage had disappeared around the corner.

She was going to see Silas again. She found herself both nervous and excited by the prospect.

I’ll have to see him some time, she reasoned, though she didn’t know what she hoped would happen. She wanted to be open to finding love, for the first time in several years. She was still nervous, though. With Silas, she wasn’t sure what to expect. He was always a surprise.

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