He finished the last of his whisky, wondering where it had gone as he set the glass on the table.It was a surprisingly cathartic experience to finally speak to someone about his experience at the hands of the board.While he could tell Eve about what happened, he felt only another man could truly understand his position.
“Alright.Let me sleep on this news.Firebrace has been in power at the House of Commons for over twenty years.His network of friends will be extensive.I will need you to give me a full list of those whom you met during the challenges.If we are to move on them, we will need to be sure of whom we trust.If he gets a sniff of anything untoward coming his way, you can be certain he will come after you,” replied Will.
Freddie got to his feet.He would go home and wait for Will to contact him.In the meantime, he would go back to baking his pasties, cooking soup, and catching the occasional treasured moment with Eve.
Will shook his head.“Sit down, lad.You and I are not finished.”
A perplexed Freddie resumed his seat and met Will’s stern gaze.
“My sister may be displaying her best social face whenever you meet her, but I know full well a river of tears has been shed over you.She is wounded, but she has her pride.And with that pride comes the Saunders family stubborn streak.It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if she up and did something rash like eloping with the next chap who is half pleasant to her.Someone entirely unsuitable.Someone who is not you,” said Will.
Freddie silently chastised himself.Of course, Eve’s brother would want to dig over the ground of what he had done to Eve.After his encounter with Eve at St John’s, he wasn’t completely certain where he stood with her.In the deep recesses of his mind was the nagging worry Eve was toying with him simply to exact her revenge when the time suited her.
She had said she was not done with him but knowing Eve that could mean anything.
“Eve and I have spoken.She appears to understand.As for forgiveness or any other matter of the heart, only time will tell,” he replied.
Will sat quiet for a moment.It was the longest of moments.“I would give you this advice: listen to what Eve has to say.She is an intelligent girl, but headstrong at times.There have been long heart-searching and character rebuilding moments for her as a result of what happened at Rosemount Abbey.She has seen the folly of some of her headstrong ways, but she is still attracted to scandalous behavior and the taste of danger.The problem I see with her is that she has never had to face real danger.Until she does, she will think it is exciting but not understand the risk.As someone who learnt the hard way about having a taste for danger, I would caution you to be careful where you tread,” said Will.
“I will be careful with Eve.I am well aware she has her own mind; it is one of the things that I love about her.I also know I am going to have to give over the reins of our relationship until she starts to trust me again.But, if we ever get to a point of being together again, I know I shall have to address her thirst for risky endeavors.”
Will chuckled.“You have no idea what you are letting yourself in for if you allow her to set the rules.It is going to take a lot to win her back, and even then, it won’t be an easy path to the altar for the pair of you.But I can guarantee you this much: if she doesn’t kill you before she forgives you, Eve will certainly make the rest of your life interesting.”
