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brave enough to make the same promise?
Stephen gazed at his proffered hand, then down at the pen-and-ink sketch of a flock of
birds circling a wintry sky. You can't turn up unbidden with such an astonishing proposal and
expect an instant answer. I need to think. And I need to deal with family matters right now.
Peter could feel him slipping away. If he left here without extracting some kind of promise
for the future, Stephen would settle back into this life that had been dictated for him since his
birth, constrained by familiar ties which would fasten him down one by one until he was
entrapped in a web. He would never leave Perford or his father's business. He would also
probably never marry, for Stephen wouldn't condemn a woman to a loveless life, and he would
die alone and lonely as lonely as Peter was now.
But arguing and wheedling at this juncture weren't going to help, Peter felt certain. That
left him with one option.
He nodded. I understand. I won't press you today. I'll leave you to think about my offer.
You may reach me at my country estate in Stafford. It's less than a three-hour train journey from
here. He gazed into Stephen's eyes, willing him to believe the depth of his commitment. And I
will be there as long as it takes for you to come to a decision. If you should arrive unannounced
120 Bonnie Dee & Summer Devon
on any given night, you will find me alone and waiting for you. I will stand by my vow even if
you release me from it.
There. He couldn't make his intentions any clearer. Peter set the pages in his hand on top of
the other packet on the floor and rose slowly, for inside he was hoping Stephen would jump up,
throw his arms around him, and stop him from leaving.
But that didn't happen.
Peter paused at the drawing room door, taking a long last look at Stephen kneeling in the
snow of paper, memorizing his face and form. I pray for your father's return to good health, and
please give my kindest regards to your mother. If you need anything from me during this
difficult time, financial or otherwise, please don't hesitate to send a note.
With that he turned on his heel and walked out of Stephen's parents' home. As he left the
gloom of the place behind him, he fancied he was leaving Stephen's dying spirit in a tomb. But if
the young man would be free of it, he must come to that decision on his own.
Seducing Stephen 121
Chapter Thirteen
After Peter walked out, Stephen sat back on his heels, staring at the evidence of Peter's
youthful idealism spread out on his parlor floor. He only had a moment of such reverie before he
heard approaching footsteps and quickly stacked the papers and returned them to the satchel. He
didn't have a chance to look at Peter's work until later that evening in his room.
First he was summoned by his father, who wanted to know what Lord Northrup had
wanted, presumably either his mother or Mellon having told him about the earl's visit. Stephen
was forced to invent a reason on the fly, and since Peter's bridge proposition was on his mind, he
put forth that bit of truth, testing the waters of his father's flexibility.
His lordship is having a bridge built in his district. The engineer is in need of an assistant
to help on the project, and my name was put forth as a candidate.
Why would a nobleman be interested in such a minute detail as who is selected as the
engineer's assistant on a building project? And who put your name forth? You know nothing of
bridges. You build houses.
Stephen exhaled slowly. Actually sir, my more recent studies have leaned toward a
different aspect of architecture. Engineering, rather. He felt guilty and awful. He'd never
actually lied to his father, but he hadn't been open about the content of his coursework while
continuing to allow the man to pay his university bills.
Bridges? The rheumy eyes flicked back and forth, studying Stephen's as if searching for
someone he'd recognize in this stranger his son had become. You're interested in bridge
building?
Yes, sir. I am. And I have quite a talent for it. I could show you some sketches. I think
you'd be quite fascinated by the mechanics of bridge building if you'd like me to explain more
about what I've been doing.
122 Bonnie Dee & Summer Devon
Father lifted a liver-spotted hand. That's quite all right. I'd be a bit too tired to follow just
now.
The clock ticked as a silent moment slid by.
Bridges, the elder Peregrine repeated. That's quite a fanciful idea, isn't it? We already
have a good, solid family business building houses.
Yes, sir.
You must tell this Lord Northrup that you are extremely grateful for his interest but must
pass on his offer. Be certain to couch the note in the most polite and grateful terms. It's possible
we might make use of this connection some day to further the business.
Stephen wanted to add that it was also possible they could branch out the business to
include building projects greater than single family homes. If his father hadn't looked so
exhausted with those deep circles under his eyes, Stephen might have confronted him, and they
might have had an actual discussion. As it was, the old man's eyes were already drifting closed.
He lifted a hand, as imperious as a king bidding his subject to leave. That is all, Stephen. I
would like a report from you tomorrow on the status of the Gates project.
Yes, sir.
When that painful audience was finished, Stephen had to suffer through an interminable
dinner with his mother, followed by an evening spent reading aloud to her from a book of pious,
poorly written essays. After that, he continued to study his father's accounts to bring himself up-
to-date on the state of the business. He could hear his father's voice in his mind as he read the
brief notations that accompanied the facts and figures. He noticed there were increasing
references to Mr. Ballard's opinions and ideas on any given subject. For the first time, Stephen
realized his father may have been weak and tired for quite some time and had been slowly
releasing his tightfisted control of the business to his second-in-command.
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