Page 56 of A Viscount's Bet of Seduction

Chapter 33

Silas was out with Levi at the Spotted Dog, their usual haunt. It was a small pub in the London theatre district. Earlier, they had gone to see a Shakespeare play. Now, the two of them were drinking tankards of ale at a scarred wooden table in the corner, where they could remain unobserved while they drank.

The pub was crowded, and the loud hum of voices nearly drowned out their conversation. They both leaned forward so that the other could hear. It was a far better locale than the gentlemen’s club that they were both members of. For one, they could talk without anyone listening in.

“Well, welcome back to London,” Silas said, loud enough to be heard over the conversations. Levi had been at his grandfather’s estate for the past few months, only leaving to attend Silas’ father’s funeral.

“Thank you,” Levi replied, taking a sip of his drink. Foam adorned his upper lip. “It’s good to be back. I always miss London when I’m not here.” Levi then got lost in thought for a long moment. “The old gentleman believes that I’m letting the family down again.”

“I doubt it.”

Silas knew that Levi’s relationship with his grandfather was fraught with tension. The older gentleman expected more from his heir. Levi was easy-going and lacked the killer attitude of his grandfather.

Silas glanced around, allowing Levi a moment to think. The room was filled with students, for the most part. They were all grouped around the tables and the bar. It was a merry gathering.

“Well, he believes that I should be trying harder to find a wife,” Levi said. “Though, I cannot marry for anything less than love.”

“You’ll find her,” Silas said. “I know it.”

“Grandfather thinks that I should try harder,” Levi replied. “That she’ll just magically appear if I attend more balls or show up for more luncheons.”

“Only if the lady in question enjoys those things.” Silas knew, from current experience, that one never knew when the love of their life was going to show up. After all, Lucy had appeared as if by magic, in his father’s library, at three in the morning.

“What have I missed?” Levi asked, seeming to shake off whatever was bothering him. “Any good news?”

“I am courting Miss Lucy Wilds.” Silas beamed at his friend. He hadn’t mentioned it in any of his letters. He had wanted to tell Levi himself, in person.

Levi’s eyes widened and he grimaced in disappointment. “Silas, that’s poor form. You’re a viscount, now. You can’t toy with a woman’s affections in this manner.”

“That’s the thing, my dear friend,” he remarked. “I truly love her, and I fully intend on marrying her. She’s the love of my life.”

Levi studied him for a long moment, a slow smile coming to his lips. “Well, that’s different, then. Let’s drink to that.” They both raised their cups, clinking them, then each taking a long sip.

“I’ll be right back,” Levi said. “Lord Potsmore is over there. He owes me five shillings off a bet that I’m due to collect.”

“By all means.” Silas grinned, gesturing for him to go. Lord Potsmore was the father of one of Dinah’s friends from school. Silas wondered how acquainted Levi was with Lady Violet. She was witty and vivacious—the perfect complement to Levi’s steady, happy character.

Levi got up to go over to where Lord Potsmore sat, leaving Silas to his thoughts for a little while. Miss Worthington caught his eye. Miss Leonora Worthington, she of the brilliant red hair and green eyes, one of Silas’ old flames that had flickered out.

“Where have you been, Silas?” she asked, sitting down across from him. She was wearing a vibrant silk dress with a low neckline. The daughter of a rich merchant, she had aspirations to be an actress.

“I’ve been in mourning, Miss Worthington,” he replied, hoping it would be enticement enough for her to leave him be. Her eyes were sultry, and the old Silas would have had trouble telling her that he was no longer interested.

“Yes, but you knew where to find me,” she said, running her fingertip along the back of his hand, something which would have worked on the Silas of old. This was not the old Silas, however. He was Lucy’s Silas, and he wasn’t even the least bit tantalized by Leonora Worthington’s touch.

“I’ve been courting another woman,” he told her. “I’m in love with her.” He meant it, with all his heart. He could never pursue another woman. Not when he knew that Lucy existed, and she loved him back.

“No.” Her lips were quirked in a smile. She leaned forward to accentuate her already low décolletage.

“Yes,” he insisted, averting his eyes with ease. He turned his gaze towards the bar, already considering another ale, when Leonora spoke again.

“I suppose that’s almost over, by now,” she replied. “Your interest wanes, as it does.”

“No, it isn’t.” He gritted his teeth.How had I ever found her attractive? he wondered angrily. All women were now compared to Lucy, and always found wanting simply because they were not her.

“I see. Now that you’re Lord Thornbridge, you’re too good for me.” Her smile had fallen, and she pursed her lips, pouting a little. “She must be a very fine lady, indeed, to catch your eye and then hold it.”

“Not at all,” he insisted. “She’s an ordinary woman, whom I love very much.”

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