“Mr William Alwyn — what sins have you committed? Did your muddy boots sully the Caspars’ carpet? Or— ” He grew somber. “Were you caught up in a moment of passion whilst alone together?”
“Certainly not,” Alwyn replied, knowing that Felix meant something much more involved than the kiss he had placed on Miss Everson’s wrist.
Since that moment, however, she’s thought me a rakehell, andnowshe thinks me a toff who fancies himself a doctor.
Running his hand through his hair, Alwyn sighed. “I’ve admired her for so long. Every moment I’ve spent with her has convinced me further how well-suited we are for one another, but I haven’t dared to speak of it.”
“Why not? You’re on the verge of being set up for life. You sit for the exam when…the 29th?”
“Assuming I still will.”
“What claptrap is this?” The elder man’s face went from empathic to perplexed in a blink. “Youwillpass, Alwyn – there’s no doubt of that.”
“That is not my fear, sir.”
“Well then what could possibly tempt you to throw away your last seven years of toil and study?” Felix sniffed. “As well as a good portion ofmytime and efforts, I might add.”
Hearing the doctor’s indignation, Alwyn’s blood ran cold with a new realization.
Even he, my mentor — my closest friend! — may spurn me when he learns the truth!
“Come now — out with it,” Felix said with a frown.
Swallowing hard, Alwyn replied, “I am not who you think I am.”
The last of the day’s light coming through the window illuminated the doctor’s staid expression as he shook his head. “I beg to differ. When one has laboured alongside another through delicate and despairing tasks, one learnsexactlywho their companions are, to the very quick of their beings.”
“A sage thought, but I may ruin it for you entirely with my next statement.”
Leaning forward, Felix rested his elbows on the desk. “Go on, then.”
“When I told you at our first meeting that I am called ‘William Alwyn’, a more complete introduction of myself would have been, ‘William Alwyn Charford Wirth’.”
With a lift of his eyebrows, Felix shrugged. “If you are a notorious highwayman, your brigandry is unknown to me — forgive my levity. Please explain yourself.”
“You will recall, of course,” Alwyn said, “that at this time last year, I was called home at my father’s passing. It was then that I succeeded to…the title of Viscount Farrmore.”
The smug assurance on Felix’s face shifted into disbelief. Then, slapping his palm down on the desktop, he shot to his feet.
“We’ve been wondering all of these years!” he hooted, then righted the inkwell he had just upset. “Oh dear boy, you must give me leave to tell Aggie! Her theory was closer to the mark than mine — oh, how she will gloat!”
His laughter grew and became so violent that Alwyn feared he might be choking.
“Dear me, Archie! Are you alright?” Mrs Felix had opened the door to peer inside. She blenched at the sight of the young apprentice, and patted at her disheveled hair. “I beg your pardon, Mr Alwyn. I intrude only to ensure my husband will live another day.”
“Oh, Aggie!” Felix cawed. “I’ve just been told a story for the ages! Do come in and hear it!”
“Certainly not,” she huffed. “I’ve already donned my nightclothes!” Drawing her head back out, she shut the door firmly.
Finally spent, Felix tightened the sash on his dressing gown, his aged face awash with satisfaction.
“You’re not angry with me?” Alwyn asked.
“I hardly think your desire for privacy should warrant my ire.”
“But how will patients have confidence in me if they learn of my title?”
Pursing his lips at this apparent departure from reason, Felix replied, “The ailing and their families will measure you by yourcapabilities, not your rank or wealth.”
