Eld choked on his words, opened his mouth, but couldn't retort for a moment.
No wonder, whoever the actress he faced, he'd always shout about wanting to marry her.
Dickens was the first to break the silence. He put away his prior joking tone and became more serious: "What Benjamin said isn't entirely without reason. In London, indeed, emotions come at a high price."
Saying this, he crossed his legs and asked his friends: "Since Benjamin is no longer available, and Charles has just recovered from a major illness, then... are you attending Mr. Answorth's singles salon tonight?"
As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere in the room became lively again.
"Of course, I'll go." Disraeli didn't hesitate, as if he forgot he has a 45-year-old fiancée: "Answorth has always had excellent taste in wine, and he's made a lot of money recently from the serial of 'Jack Shepherd', so he's quite flush now, and surely won't be stingy in entertaining guests."
