Epilogue
Hugo hadn’t seen the progress on the new house on his Doncaster estate for a few months.
The weather had been atrocious this year and his steward was worried about this season’s crops.
Hugo had been busy in London with Earnest putting together groups of people to help with the abolition society, and figuring out the best way to approach politics on the subject.
Most weren’t interested now the trade was ended, although Hugo knew their lack of commitment came because of the vast profits coming from Caribbean sugar plantations.
It was hard to get people to move against their own self-interests.
The carriage rattled as they turned into the driveway and Earnest leaned across and held his hand.
“Nervous?”
“I shouldn’t be.”
“Why? I want this house to be everything you hoped it would be.”
Hugo squeezed Earnest’s fingers. “Did you just ask me if I was nervous because you are?”
“Oh darling, two years together and you’ve finally worked out my secret.”
“Bosh. I knew your secret the second time we met and you decided to run away and sit under a tree.”
Earnest shook his head. “Surely you’ve seen enough of my drama since then that you aren’t still hung up on what happened that day.”
Hugo smiled. He’d smiled and laughed more in the last two years than he had in the thirty years before that, and he had Earnest to thank for that.
“I have a little surprise for you in the new house.” The interior decorator had given him quite the unusual stare when he’d explained what he wanted, but he didn’t care.
He’d learned that bad things didn’t happen when he didn’t follow the rules.
He had learned to make his own rules, and now he would have his own house. A fresh start.
“I happen to like your drama, Earnest. You continue to surprise me and make me laugh and I adore and love you.”
Earnest kissed him loudly on the cheek, and Hugo didn’t even flinch or look around for his long-dead father.
“You’ll turn a man’s head with talk like that.
” His pretence at being coy failed with the flush that spread on his cheeks.
Hugo leaned closer for a kiss, and they kissed as if they had all the time in the world.
They did. Or at least until the carriage came to a halt outside the new house.
Hugo stepped out into the drizzle, then rushed under the portico, breathing with relief.
The house was a lovely Georgian manor; not too big, with two small wings, and nicely situated in the landscape.
Work had begun on the gardens extending in front of the house, with a kitchen garden situated where his father’s monstrous house had been.
“Come with me.” He knew from the letter tucked in his pocket that his den had been finished and he couldn’t wait to show it off to Earnest.
“It is beautiful.”
“There is one wing for us and one for guests.”
Earnest nudged him. “I have read the plans.”
Hugo swallowed. His chest was tight, anticipation, not nerves. Or maybe nerves. He wanted Earnest to love what he’d built for him. For them.
“Lord Horden. Sir Pashley.” Wong, the butler, welcomed them inside.
“We will tour our wing first. Please leave us.” Hugo marched off and it wasn’t until Earnest touched him on the elbow that he slowed down.
“Anyone would think you’d lived here for years. Such confidence.” Earnest’s cheeks were bright and his eyes glittering.
“You love it.”
“I shouldn’t. It’s so goddamned Earl-like of you.” Earnest rolled his eyes, but Hugo knew he was teasing.
“Come in here.” Hugo opened the last door in the hallway, the one he’d had many a discussion with the architect about.
It didn’t matter that the architect and building team hadn’t known why Hugo wanted this room, or what it meant, because Earnest knew.
He held his breath, but then it was perfect.
The room was essentially a nest, an upscale replica of the room he used to hide in, but instead of pockets hidden between old furniture, it was designed to be cosy.
He held Earnest’s hand as they walked through the room, then turned to watch his expression when the final piece of unveiled.
“But we burned your father’s chair?” Earnest asked. A replica sat in front of the fireplace, but Hugo had it covered in white silk—an extraordinary luxury—so they’d both remember that day when they overcame the ghost of Hugo’s past.
“This is a new chair. One made to my dimensions.”
“Oh?”
“It’s slightly wider, so you have room for your knees.” His voice dropped in timbre and Earnest flushed.
“Can we test it?”
“Please, my love.” Hugo tapped his jacket pocket. “I have oil.”
Earnest smiled. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
Hugo sat in the chair, legs spread wide. “Yes. And every time I forgot, or am worried about my ... past, I want you to bring me here and remind me.”
“I would be honoured.” Earnest bowed low, then fell to knees before Hugo. “My lord, my love, my forever. The one person who will never abandon me.”
Hugo knew it wasn’t the right time to remind Earnest that his friends had never abandoned him either, mostly because all he could focus on was Earnest’s floppy blonde hair and the way his hands rested on Hugo’s knees. A promise of forever. Together.
***
If you enjoyed this book, why not try the first book in the series? A Duke’s Wager.
Maurice Everett, the Duke of Edenwick, would do anything for his stable master, Sebastian Wildgoose.
Rather than acknowledge his depth of feelings for Wildgoose, or how attractive his stable master is, Maurice decides that the next best thing is to buy Wildgoose the horse that he desires.
Except the Prince Regent refuses to sell, offering Maurice a bet instead.
The Wager: Train four zebras to pull a four-in-hand carriage.
The Prize: Derby winning colt Smolensk.
When Sebastian Wildgoose hears about the wager, he shakes his head at the toffs and their nonsense.
If only adding a Derby winner to the Duke’s farm wasn’t so appealing.
.. Almost as appealing as kissing the Duke, or making him smile.
It was beyond foolish to think that a Duke would lower himself to show any interest in a mere stable master, and yet, it happens.
It can’t happen again. Can it?
***