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"I'm sure my sister does not care what I do or do not do," Silver replied. "That, however, is
neither here nor there. I thank you for indulging me in this discussion, Pierce."
"My pleasure; I'm glad someone at least believes that I have no designs upon your sister."
"I'm sure I should be displeased you are not enamored of her," Silver said, and Pierce almost
gawked to see the slight smile that curved his pale lips. "However, I grew up with her."
Silver was& making a jest? Pierce had to set his teacup down. "I'm grateful I could return to
Foxwood Manor at the end of the day, that is for certain."
Silver smiled again, and Pierce returned, pleased that they two had somehow managed to share a
jest - and wouldn't it annoy Cress to no end that they had been making it at her expense.
The moment faded, leaving them in a stark silence, and Pierce realized he did not want to
dismiss himself though he could and probably should. Silver was probably most anxious to get
back to his precious studies. Still& "Where are you going to study this summer, Silver? Is there
a monument to learning you have not yet had your wicked way with?"
The look he got was briefly startled, and almost& disbelieving, though he could not fathom why.
"I was considering visiting the eastern shore; the archives there are highly regarded and it would
help a paper I am hoping to present next year."
"Oh?" Pierce asked, surprised. "Well, if you ever feel like escaping your dusty tomes for a day or
two, you're welcome to join me on my yacht."
Again that disbelieving look, before Silver recovered his cool remoteness. "I will certainly
consider the offer, and likely take you up on it. I thank you."
"I will depend upon your visit," Pierce replied, wondering at himself. What the devil would he
do with Silver upon his yacht? To the best of his knowledge they had nothing in common.
Granted his knowledge of Silver was thin&
Oh, bugger it. He had made the invitation on impulse but he would not retract it, and if Silver
actually took him up on it he would figure out the rest then. Surely the man had a life beyond his
books.
Silence fell again, and Pierce was damned if he knew how to restart the lapsed conversation. He
realized suddenly just how thin his knowledge of Cressida's brother was.
"I never did offer my own congratulations on your victory," Silver said, startling him from his
thoughts. Blue eyes locked with his, and Pierce could see the books behind him just barely
reflected in Silver's monocle. "Your performance was most impressive, especially at the last.
Gifford prides himself on his skills, but he has never learned to curb his impulsive nature."
Pierce blinked and struggled hard not to gawk. "Thank you," he finally managed. "I did not note
your presence amongst the spectators."
Silver gave a slight shrug. "I was there only briefly, to pass the time before a meeting at the
Academy."
Oh. Well, that certainly made more sense than Silver wanting to watch him. "I hope I helped
pass the time sufficiently."
"Indeed," Silver said, reaching up to adjust his monocle.
A nervous gesture, Pierce realized abruptly. He wondered why Silver was anxious. Blue eyes
met his, then Silver dropped his gaze. They lifted again, and he saw Silver was about to speak.
"Pier-"
Below them the main doors to the library opened, the noise enough Pierce shifted his gaze
reflexively to the source. Nothing of import. He turned back to Silver - and realized that
whatever he'd been about to say, he was no longer going to say it.
"I am sorry to have kept you so long," Silver said. "I'm certain you've far more interesting things
to be doing. Thank you again for indulging me. If you will forgive me, I have delayed in my
day's work long enough."
"Of course," Pierce said, and stood up, sketching a brief bow before turning and taking his leave.
He left the library to go in search of food, but even when he ran into a group of friends and was
coerced into going down into the city, he could not leave behind that lost moment. It irked him
that he could not forget it, but he sensed it had been important.
What had Silver been about to say?
*~*~*
Pierce stormed into the sitting room ready to strangle her. Of all the things to do, and just barely
two hours away from the start of her ball - he was going to kill her. "Cress!" He snapped. "Just
what do you think-"
He stopped abruptly as he took in her ashen face. "Poppet, what's wrong?" [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]