Today's Reading
Samuel chuckled, then tapped his glass against Lucian's. His gaze grew distant, a fond expression on his face. "I never would have believed I would be so content, Eldridge. Not with what we used to get up to," he added with a wink. "But Julia makes me want to be a better person—"
"I think you're just fine as you are," Lucian interrupted. He couldn't help but defend his friend, even if it was his friend who'd made the disparaging remark.
"And when I am with her, I feel fulfilled," Samuel continued, ignoring Lucian's words. "She and I—it's like we're two halves of a whole, and I never saw it, even though our sisters have been friends all this time."
Lucian gave Samuel a thoughtful look, biting back all of his usual quick, witty responses. That the marriage was good business, since Samuel's family had financial ties to a shipping business, while the bride's family came from a long line of merchants. That Samuel's title gave him entrée to a wealthy family with an appropriate marriageable daughter that other, lesser-titled gentlemen did not have.
Samuel meant what he said, and that...that was rare. Lucian wouldn't spoil the mood with a jaded comment that reflected his own attitude rather than his friend's.
"I am happy for you," he said instead in a low, quiet voice.
"I just hope you can find someone as perfect for you as Julia is for me," Samuel replied, tapping his glass once again to Lucian's.
The two men sipped, then his friend gave Lucian an assessing look. "This isn't the time, but I will be taking more of an interest in the business, now that Julia and I are wed. You could do worse than join me. Lord knows I will need the help."
"Me, work?" Lucian said, recoiling in mock horror. "But how could I possibly toil at a job and live up to my reputation as the most fun bachelor in London?"
Samuel gave him a knowing look. "I know that's not all that's going on in your brain, friend. Remember, I know you."
Samuel's words made Lucian feel uneasy, as though there was something he should be doing but hadn't yet. But that was a ridiculous thought. It must just be the general happy-couple atmosphere in the room.
Besides, he hadn't explored all the pleasures available to him yet. Whether such a task was even possible, given the scope of the world and Lucian being merely one man in it was another question entirely.
But he was very willing to try.
"Thank you," he replied. "I will consider it."
And he would; Lucian was nothing if not open to possibility.
"Now let's celebrate this marriage, shall we?" Samuel said in a louder voice. "Come see everyone. We've been waiting for you."
He led Lucian farther into the room, nodding and smiling to all the guests who clapped him on the back, wishing congratulations. Lucian, meanwhile, downed his glass of champagne and snatched another from the nearest footman, draining that one as well.
The bubbles tickled his nose, and the sparkling liquid slid down his throat with a welcome coolness. He felt a grin creeping back onto his face, and this time he allowed it, since he didn't want to hold back on any of the joy on offer this evening.
Though Samuel's words lingered in his mind—when I am with her, I feel fulfilled—and he had an unfamiliar pang, a feeling of...longing tighten his chest.
But another glass of champagne soon dispersed that, and he went to join Samuel and the rest of their friends.
"You just have to stay for a little while, wish your friend the best of luck, and you can be tucked into bed before one o'clock."
Diantha wasn't speaking to anyone but herself, but saying it aloud—albeit in a hushed whisper—made it seem more valid.
That she was here at all was a miracle.
...
