And I Am Happy Read Online Free PDF Page B

Will’s throat, which was for the best, as Will
thought it close to a desperate whimper. His master did not just
say such things. He believed them. “More than that, I… I care
deeply about your opinion, your impression of today. You did not
seem happy and I wondered… I wondered….” The champion of the
working class stuttered into silence. He was not looking up to see
the expression on Will’s face. It was the only thing Will was
grateful for.
    Will could only think that he was being told
that his opinion mattered more to his master than that of any other
and that his master wanted his opinion on the woman who had finally
caught his eye. “Your sisters are obviously fond of Mrs. Douglass.”
It was a very diplomatic answer. Will had learned something of
politics from all those speeches.
    “My sisters,” Charlie repeated, with an
unexpected roll of his eyes. But he tapped the table with his
fingers, gears shifting quietly at the motion, then put his other
hand flat on the desk. “My sisters are meddling,” he announced with
a cough. “I believe they think I am unhappy.”
    “Matchmaking?” Will’s lips parted on a
hopeful breath. “But you seemed,” eager for her attention,
pleased to see her , “you laughed with her.” He didn’t mean to
make it a complaint.
    For a moment his master’s gaze was too sharp
on him then Charlie turned his attention to the work awaiting him,
though he did not touch it. “My sisters think, correctly, that left
on my own, I give my heart away foolishly.”
    “Did you once?” Will knew he shouldn’t
ask.
    Charlie’s eyes came back to him for a moment.
“Yes.” His smile was mocking yet the harsh feeling was directed at
himself. “Before….” He trailed off and did not say before the
war , or, before the torpedo .
    “Is that why you bought your commission?”
Will scowled at the unknown breaker of hearts and then at his
master for being a young fool in love who had risked his life over
an ended affair.
    “You are reading too much into it.” His
gentleman must have been able to see the anger in Will’s
expression. When he spoke again he must have meant his words to be
placating. “It’s more common than poetic. I convinced myself
someone had feelings for me. He did not. He made that more than
clear. It happens everyday.” He was a touch too clipped, his tone
flat. The wound remained despite his next words. “I am not a
character in an opera.”
    “Don’t do it again.” Will was agitated enough
to push himself to his feet but immediately fell back into his
chair to rub at his arms. He softened his voice to a plea and
forced away all thoughts of a heartless man destroying his master’s
young hopes. “Even if you are hurt, sir, don’t do that or anything
like that again.”
    It gave him no joy to learn of his master’s
taste for men in those circumstances. Will reached for him then
quickly stretched toward the telephone instead, replacing the
receiver.
    His master was utterly still. “I did not mean
to upset you.” He paused to take a deep breath then shook his head.
“I was younger and stupid. In any event,” he took another long
breath, “no matter, my sisters will ensure that I am never alone.
They hired you, didn’t they?”
    They had, though they couldn’t have known the
feelings Will would develop. Will had been merely one in a series
of valets to them. They had probably only hoped that he would cope
better than the others, or at least be better suited to their
brother’s temperament.
    “A decision they probably regret,” Will
started to jest but Charlie cut him off before he could attempt a
laugh.
    “If they have anything to say to you, tell
me,” he ordered, scowling so sternly that Will felt a moment’s pity
for Miss Ann. His gentleman would deny being so fearsome if asked
but at times like that Will could see him as a soldier. His heart
almost could not take it.
    “Certainly, sir,” Will lied, then continued
as smoothly as he could