Page 108 of Enemies with an Earl
“When I first arrived here, we jested about me being your kept man.” Sam’s stare was resolute, jaw set. “But I’m nobody’s kept man. I am my own man. You have my heart, Fee. But because I willingly give it to you. Not because I have no other choice.”
“That…” Was completely understandable. Felix tried to envision being in Sam’s place. Felix understood the need for security. To feel safe. Would he feel safe in Sam’s position? Absolutely not. “I respect that. And understand the need for independence,” he said quietly.
Sam shook his head, bemusement tilting his lips. “I don’t know how women do it. I truly don’t. This world forces them to rely on men in nearly all cases. It takes the kind of strength I will never have to survive with so little control.”
Felix rolled his lips in. Wasn’t that the truth? Some women were driven to such drastic measures they resorted to running off and seducing their fiancé’s father in order to protect their future. Bloody hell.
“So… A line of work, then? You desire a position. Or do you also desire your own home? Outside of Thornfield Hall, I mean. I want Thornfield Hall—all my estates—to feel like home for you, Sam. Even if you require a separate residence, too.”
“Just a position—one not tied to the estate—would put me at ease.” Sam gave Felix’s thigh a squeeze and smiled softly. “It would be a waste to have my own place when I’d be spending all my time here with you. But I need a livelihood I can fall back on. If…” Sam’s gaze flitted away.
“If you were to decide this isn’t working anymore,” Felix finished for him.
Sam’s attention snapped back to him. “Ifyoudecide this isn’t working anymore.”
Felix frowned. “Why would I ever think that?”
Sam bit his lip and hung his head as a low chuckle rumbled from him. “Let me rephrase. Neither of us plans to ever decide this is no longer working.” Sam’s smile widened, and his grey eyes danced.
Felix’s heart gave an extra-hard thump. That was the first he’d seen of the Sam he knew all conversation.
“However, if circumstances were to change, whether due to one of us or due to an external force, I need to have something outside of us to turn to.”
Felix nodded firmly. “Then we’ll make that happen. We’ll find you a position.” He tugged on his bottom lip with his teeth, scanning through his mind. “We’ll think of something.” They’d have to write down a list of Sam’s attributes. What his skills were. Strength, obviously. Organization and management, definitely—essential for any valet. Perhaps a secretary type position. He glanced back at Sam to find the man leaning back casually against the settee, arm sprawled across the back, grin splitting his face.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’re being very Felix right now,” Sam said, grey gaze dancing.
“I don’t know what that even means.”
“You are trying to solve my problem, yes? Rifling through that mind of yours for a solution. It’s what you do. You want to solve everyone’s problems for them. The ones you care about—you want to take care of them, problems and all.”
Felix opened his mouth and hesitated. He supposed that was true. He just wanted what was best for the people he loved. He didn’t want them to have troubles.
“My little Fix-it Felix,” Sam said softly.
Heat bloomed on Felix’s cheeks, and his gaze drifted away. “I’m notlittle.” But he supposed he did tend to be—what did Flick say? The most boorish boor to ever boor? He was a bit overbearing.A bit.
“Your Mr. Campbell actually already assisted me with it. We came up with a few possibilities worth pursuing.”
“Oh?” Felix cocked his head. Curiosity prickled over his skin. And the bastard knew it. Because he just sat therecasual as you please, grinning at Felix. Felix glared at the vexing man. “Saaam.”
Sam chuckled. “Fine, fine—tutoring. I’d like to look into securing a position as a private tutor. With my education at Eton, I’m well-suited to working with sons of local gentry, with households where boarding school isn’t an option.” He tilted his head back and forth, leisurely stretching his neck. “And while I don’t want to depend on you. I wouldn’t say no to having the Earl of Bentley recommending me. At least while I’m first starting out.”
Felix arched a brow, raking his gaze over the big broad man in front of him. “I will never say no to…throwing all my support behind you.”
A surprised snort escaped Sam. “Was that a naughty jest? From the great Earl of Bentley? Where are my smelling salts?” He made a show of searching around, even searching under the settee pillows.
Felix rolled his eyes and smacked Sam on the shoulder. “You’re absolutely ridiculous.”
“I try,” Sam said with a grin.
Sam was clearly feeling better. It was a relief to see him back to his usual self. Unfortunately, Felix was fairly certain what he was about to bring up was going to put a damper on Sam’s improved mood.
“You said you went to Eton. With the Duke?”
Sam’s smile froze in place, and then slowly faded. He nodded. “Yes. Ash was a couple years ahead of me. We met during my first year there. Best mates ever since.”
