AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I'm just venting, I won't touch a hair on his slimy head. But if he eventhinksof trying to talk to Elizabeth, if he goes anywhere near her—”
“Just make sure she knows not to talk to him, okay? That's all you can do. And think about what he looked like during the arraignment. He wouldn't even lift his head. He's mortified, embarrassed, and ashamed. I think he'll do everything he can to avoid Elizabeth.”
“He better.”
“Speaking of Elizabeth… Did you spend the day with her on Sunday?”
“Yes.”
“How did it go?”
“Fine.”
It fell silent, and Charles huffed. “You're not going to tell me anything, are you?”
“Nope.”
“Fine.”
Will sighed. “I'm just afraid of making a wrong move. But I think things are good.”
“I'm glad to hear it.”
“I have to say—and I mean this with all due respect—your fiancée scares the shit out of me.”
Charles laughed. “She's one fierce woman, isn't she?”
Will chuckled. “That she is.”
“She's amazing. And she's keeping an eye on you.”
“I know. I'm glad Elizabeth has at least one sister who looks out for her.”
* * *
Elizabeth was upbright and early Saturday morning. Will was due to arrive on Cape by eleven and was coming straight to her house, so she puttered around, straightening things up. Her new mattress and living room furniture had arrived yesterday, and she was thrilled. She’d kept with the same color scheme in the living room—bright, vivid blues and greens—but the pattern was different.
She was looking forward to seeing him. They’d talked on the phone several times this week, but only if she called him. She understood what he was trying to do; even though they’d decided to move forward, he was still trying to give her space, allowing her to dictate when they talked, or even texted. But anytime she reached out to him, he was right there, immediately texting back or quickly answering his phone.
It was almost as if they were getting to know each other all over again, without the blush of first love. Sometimes they were serious, sometimes they were silly, but not once did they run out of things to talk about. During one of their conversations, he’d asked what she wanted to do on their date, and she suggested they go to the county fair.
“The county fair?” he’d repeated.
“Yes.Pleasetell me you went to that at least once when you spent your summers here.”
“We went every year. I can't wait to go with you.” He paused. “Maybe I’ll even get to kiss you on the Ferris wheel.”
She laughed. “Only if you win me a very large stuffed animal first.”
She’d also mentioned Georgiana’s case a few times during the week, only because she wanted to make sure Will was truly coming to terms with what happened at the hearing. Sadly, it went just as Georgiana’s lawyer had warned them it would; Wickham would sit in jail until he was tried on the drug charges, and Bill went free. Will was a little worried that Bill might return to work, but she assured him she couldn’t see that happening; he was too spineless.
She encouraged Will to move on, just as Georgiana suggested, and he assured her that he wasn’t letting it fester. He talked about it freely—and also mentioned he’d spoken to his therapist about it—and although he was still upset things had transpired as they had, he was working on letting it go.
Shefinallyheard a knock at the door, and when she opened it, the smile that greeted her warmed her right to her toes.
“Hey, beautiful,” Will said.
“Hi. Come in.”
