Page 145 of Perfect Liar

There was no pride in that for me, only pain and loss.

To distract myself, I thought about the herd of deer that frolicked near my bedroom window most mornings. The little doe, how she taunted me with her freedom.

If only I could be as free as her.

Will pulled my hand beneath the table up to his lips.

My heart leaped, and I smiled at him—the one person in my life who’d been entirely honest with me.

“Sounds like you made your decision,” I said.

His mouth twitched with a controlled smile.

“You asked me to fight for us. Keeping the title in my family strengthens our position.”

Robert went on again about the town’s business district.

Will interrupted him, gestured for him to take his seat, and then stood to address everyone, his voice booming through the hall as he spoke.

“I chose to continue my family’s title just as my brother had.”

Grief washed over his face momentarily.

“There’s no need for formalities in the present, and business continues as usual. But when there’s need in the community, I want you to reach out to me or to my brother Thomas. This town and the county mean quite a lot to my family, and we’ll help whenever we can…let those be the words you take with you.”

Champagne and whisky glasses clinked. Guests cheered.

“Hear, hear, mate!”

He then nodded at the waiting catering staff.

Floorboards creaked and shadows dashed around the hall as the waitstaff bustled about, delivering steaming dinner plates to the tables.

Will pulled out my chair and reached for my hand.

My stomach rolled, but I pushed back at it. He had a plan, I realized, so I gave him my hand and stood by his side.

“I’d like you to welcome Ellie into your communities. The government offered her British citizenship by descent. She is indeed the heiress to another old English family just as you’ve all speculated.”

“Make her your countess,” someone called out.

Will teased the room with one of his magnificent grins.

“Do you think a woman of such grace would have me?”

People laughed and toasted him again.

“She is welcome in this town. Quite welcome,” one man shouted.

Will grabbed that opportunity to become serious.

“Listen, there’ve been recent attempts on her life. You’ve all heard about what happened to her family. Help me protect her.”

His last two words resonated heavily, and once more guests responded to him positively.

A small adrenaline rush tingled through my body.

Watching Will command the room stunned me. He captivated everyone with his authority and his charm. They wanted him to be a leader in their county.