As if he sensed something, he turned.
Lucas’s breath seized in his lungs—but not from the heat. In that very instant, he realised that he’dneverstopped loving his brother.
Silas stood stock still, eyes wide in disbelief.
Then he began to move forward, as did Lucas. Slow steps turned faster, two hearts thundered as they ran...and then two brothers held each other, hugged each other, and closed their eyes as their family reunited at last.
Chapter Eight
It had been an awkward, sometimes painful half hour. Thirty minutes of time to catch up on nearly a decade and share details of two completely different lives.
Yet now, sitting across the table in Silas’s office, Lucas felt as if he’d slid back in time. His brother hadn’t changed in some ways and was a different man in others. He smiled, broadly, leaving no doubt of the delight behind it. He gestured, praised, laughed, and promised Lucas a detailed tour of all the Forge industries.
It was a good thing they’d ended up in Silas’s house, since halfway through their initial conversation by the Forge, a massive man appeared and stood watching them with his hands on his hips.
“You’d be the long-lost brother, then,” he said. “Been wondering about you. And I reckon half the Forge is now doing the same thing.”
Silas shook his head and sighed. “Lucas, this is Hiram Fowler. A man I’d trust with my life, a friend, and the one person who knows more about the Forge than I do. Although I like to think that the gap between us is lessening.”
Rising to his feet, Lucas held out his hand, seeing curiosity in the other man’s eyes, and a dash of reservation.
“A pleasure, Mr Fowler. If you know more about the Forge than my brother? Well, you should definitely write your own encyclopaedia, since I’m sure there are a lot of people who’d love to read about it, not get hours-long lectures from the Forge Master.”
Hiram laughed, as did Silas. “Yep,” he replied. “You’re an Ashcombe, all right. Good to meet you, sir.” He turned to his friend. “Has he met Lady Ashcombe yet?”
“Not yet. She’s got a project going a couple of levels up, and she’s there this morning.” Silas glanced at Lucas. “My wife happens to have a gift for mechanicals.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Wait a minute, didn’t I hear she was a Renslow?”
“That’s right. Shewasa Renslow. Now, she’s an Ashcombe.”
“And a bloody marvel at fixing things,” added Hiram. “Why, only last Christmas...”
Silas held up a hand to halt the reminiscence. “We’ll talk of that later.” He looked at his brother. “We have a lot of tales to share. Nearly ten years to catch up on. But...” he paused for a second or two, “I would like to know why you’re here, and we haven’t had chance yet to talk about it.”
“Well, if that’s the case, I’ll be off then.”
Lucas looked at Silas. “A question. Is Mr Fowler privy to everything about the Forge? Even the financial end?”
“He is.”
“Not that I understand much of the banking business, Sir Lucas. I’m more of a hands-on man, myself.”
“I ask because I need to talk to you, Silas, about something that is seriously troubling me. And if I’m right, it will affect the Forge first.”
Silas paused, looking at his brother, and Lucas couldn’t help wishing he knew what was going on in the man’s head. The air was filled with the sounds of the working Forge, but there was an odd stillness to this moment, as if something momentous was brewing somewhere.
Silas rose. “Right then. Hiram, Lucas and I are going to my house. If you can get someone to cover the mixing process on the far line, come join us.”
“As you wish. Shouldn’t take me more than five or ten minutes.” He nodded at Lucas. “And you can call me Hiram as well, lad. Forge is family, I say...” He strode away.
“A good man?” Lucas watched him loom above the other workers.
“The best. The closest to a brother I’ve ever had.” Silas turned his gaze to Lucas. “Until now.”
“I’m sorry.” The words tumbled out before Lucas realised what he was saying.
“Don’t be. The past is the past. We’ve both grown as men, and now we will grow as brothers once more.” He took a breath. “I didn’t know how much I missed you until I saw you across the Forge, Lucas. It was as if something inside me that was broken, suddenly mended.”
