Warrick settled in beside him. “I’m here to apologize.”
Saville took a swig straight from the bottle of brandy he held in his hand. “Then marry my sister.”
“I will.”
Dark, skeptical eyes settled on him. “I’ve never heard a man change his tune so quick. Weren’t you dead set on standing your ground earlier?”
Warrick picked up a pebble and flicked it into the river, watching the dark ripples grow bigger and bigger. “I’m not scheming. I’m telling the truth even while I’m still standing firm.”
“But you will marry my sister?” Saville asked, looking over to him.
“In a heartbeat.”
Saville’s eyes narrowed. “When?”
This was the part his friend wouldn’t like. “The moment she demands it of me.”
“Bloody hell.” Another swallow.
Warrick held out his hand. “Give me some of that.”
“Get your own bottle.”
“I didn’t bring one.”
Saville grabbed a second bottle Warrick hadn’t noticed resting beside him. “Here.” He tossed him the bottle, and Warrick caught it with both hands.
Warrick’s brow pulled upward. “You brought two bottles?”
“Well, I was planning to drown myself in drink tonight. Do you have a problem with that?”
“No.” Indeed, Warrick had no different idea. “I’ll join you.”
“I suppose my misery could use company.”
Warrick uncorked the bottle and took a long swig. He welcomed the burn of fire trailing to his belly, and some of the chill vanished. Saville hadn’t chased him away. Had brought two bottles. No man could drink two all by himself. He must have hoped for company. But he wasn’t going to expose his hunch.
He took another swallow, watching Saville mimic his earlier action and tossed a pebble into the river. “I didn’t plan for any of this to happen. You must know this.”
“You didn’t stop it either.”
“No, I didn’t.” Another swallow.
“Your sister...” What to even bloody say? “I am hers. Everything else is—”
“Once again, you are ignoring the fact that I am her brother.” Dark eyes moved to him. “Everything else is what?”
Warrick gave him a flat look. “Irrelevant.”
Saville grunted. He traced the rim of his bottle with a finger, the action almost pensive. “Do you love her? Do you love my sister?”
Warrick couldn’t help his brows from furrowing at the memory Saville’s actions evoked. He sighed deeply. “I care for her deeply, yes.” She had his heart, his everything.
“Then why wait until she demands marriage from you?”
“Your sister is not ready to decide what she wants.” Whatever,whomever, that may or may not be. “Give her a moment to collect her thoughts.”
“You mean unlock her bedroom door?”
