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I grinned, still standing a few paces away from him.
“I thought so.”
“You can sit without asking me permission, Amelia.” Will said, his voice low and playful.
I felt my stomach jump a little bit. I bit my lip, taking a seat in the chair next to his. He leaned back, his eyes closed for a moment, and I watched him from only a few feet away. The fire lit up his blonde hair, illuminating the strands like golden sparks.
I noticed that there was a glass of amber liquid on the table in front of him. Next to it stood a large, ornate glass decanter filled with the same drink.
Will suddenly spoke, his voice still as playful as before.
“I’ll have you know, I did attend Cambridge for a while, so Ihaveread at least a few books. I am quite capable of scholarly pursuits when I decide to be.”
“I actually didn’t know you went to university.” I responded, answering truthfully. Today had been the first time I had heard of it.
He looked up, his baby blue eyes locking on mine.
“It was a short-lived endeavor.”
I cocked my head to the side.
“Why?”
His eyes suddenly grew distant, and he broke eye contact. He took a sip of his drink, and then shrugged, as if he trying to appear nonchalant.
“I was naïve. School was a waste of time.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so I tried to be encouraging.
“Your help today was invaluable, Will. Really. Maybe you didn’t finish at Cambridge, but… I think the doctor appreciated you being there. In fact, Iknowhe did.”
He stared at me, his eyebrows raised in disbelief.
“Please, Amelia. Your words are kind, but absurd. I did nothing today.”
“No, I am quite serious. You helped in my uncle’s recovery. I am very grateful-”
He interrupted me, his tone growing increasingly frustrated.
“I didnothing. I told you, I never finished Cambridge. I am no savior. The only reason they let me stay on as long as I did was because I am a viscount. That’s it.”
“I don’t know about Cambridge, Will,” I said slowly, staring into his eyes, “But I know what I saw today. You worked all day-”
“Look, Amelia, I’m not some kind of bloody hero!” He yelled, his expression changing from frustration to anger.
Will grabbed the glass from the table in front of him, letting some of the amber liquor spill onto his bare hand.
“I am a rake. Your cousin was right when he said that I was a villain. You know it and I know it.”
I was frozen, watching him self-destruct in front of me. There was a moment of extended silence. Will glared at the glass in his hand, amber liquid dripping down the sides and falling onto the carpet below.
“I am never sober.Never, Amelia.”
The fire crackled behind us, the only noise in an otherwise oppressive silence.
“You were today.” I said softly.
Will looked up at me, his expression one of disbelief.
