Page 130 of Perfect Liar
“She’s quite English, John. You might remember that before Will beats your arse again.”
Will hated it when people referred to me as American or the American. He insisted I should embrace my heritage.
John winked at me.
“She doesn’t sound like it.”
I sighed and cut in.
“Guys, many American women eat this stuff. Anyway, what’s all this about earls?”
Thomas stared at me.
“You don’t know?”
“Know what?” I asked.
“Christ, maybe there’s a reason he hasn’t told you. Wait for Will to tell you.”
“No, Thomas. I won’t wait. Maybe he just never had the chance, so you spill it.”
He shook his head as if to say he knew I wouldn’t let up until he did.
“Will’s now the earl of Sussex. I mean if he chooses it. It’s a good time to let the title fall into abeyance if he wants to end it. Whatever he decides, he’ll see the ministers this week and let them know what he intends to do.”
The bombshells never seemed to end, but still, something more important weighed on me.
“Wait, what? So he’s no longer avoiding other people?”
“I didn’t say that, Ellie.”
“Yes, of course you did, Thomas. I should go to London today.”
“You’re not leaving this house.”
“You do realize I’m a grown woman, right?” I snapped.
Thomas smirked.
“I know that quite well. But like I said, you’re not going anywhere.”
Lissie and I had a quiet day hanging out around the house, playing card games, making cookies with Mrs. Bates, and watching movies.
I went to bed soon after she did that evening, praying the nightmares wouldn’t come, hoping to get one solid night of rest. But damn it. Hour after hour, I tossed and turned, even throwing my arm out to the other side of the bed, pretending it would land on Will’s chest.
So when my phone rang, I was still wide awake.
I jerked it up off the nightstand, but then I froze. I could only stare at it…at his name.
What if he’s not coming back? What if…Five. Four?—
“Don’t be so fucking stupid. He’s coming back,” I whispered.
The ringing stopped.
It rang again, and I answered right away.
Will breathed into the phone.