Page 113 of Enemies with an Earl
Sam ambled up to the desk and dropped into the chair, a smile curling his lips. He knew what was coming.
An amber brow winged up, and Sam was the recipient of aget your arse over here, you bratstare. Sam’s face broke into a full grin. He popped back up and scooted around Felix’s desk. He cupped Felix’s cheek, thumb grazing over a freckled cheekbone. “Good afternoon,” he murmured, then leaned down and brushed a soft kiss to his man’s lips. It was small, chaste, but it was Felix. So, it was everything.
Felix stared up at him, gaze as soft as melted honey. “Afternoon,” Felix whispered.
“That better?”
“Much.”
Sam settled back in his chair, his pulse picking up again. He couldn’t wait to tell Fee about the position he’d just learned of. He was trying not to be overeager. It wasn’t as though he’d even be chosen for the position. He didn’t have any prior experience, just a strong education. Best not to get his hopes up. He cleared his throat.
“Anything of note in the paper?” he said with forced casualness.
The frown-line returned. “Actually, yes.”
Sam leaned forward, curiosity overshadowing his excitement to share his news. “Oh?” Sam loved a juicy tidbit of gossip.
Felix raked a gaze over Sam and chuckled. “Inquisitive, are we?”
“Always.”
“It’s nothing scandalous. Sad news, I’m afraid. The Earl of Dalreoch has passed away.”
Sam’s muscles went rigid, and he stiffly sat back. “I see. Well, that’s not all that surprising. He’s an old cove, is he not?” He absently picked at his breeches.
Felix’s gaze flicked up from the paper. “You’re familiar with the family?”
Sam barely repressed his snort. He was familiar, all right. “I’ve heard of them,” Sam muttered.
“Ah,” Felix eyed Sam, head cocked at a curious angle. “Well, the old Scottish Earl passed around a year ago. So, Viscount Trenton assumed that title as well. He’s…the family’s second son? I believe. Fell ill and never recovered.” Felix’s lips pursed. “The family has had their fair share of bad luck. Quite a few deaths. And none of the newly made Trentons have produced heirs. I’ve never moved in the same circles as them…we don’t share the same stances in Parliament. But I wouldn’t ever wish ill health on them.”
Sam most definitely would. Except… Sam’s heart bottomed.Holy fucking shite.Felix’s words registered with the force of a brick to the gut. A soft ringing filled his ears, growing louder, and Felix’s next words came to him, warped and muffled, like sound underwater.
“I could have sworn…a third brother listed in Debrett’s…”
Sam tried to draw in a breath, but his lungs refused to cooperate.
“…I’ve never heard mention of him…”
A cold weight settled in his chest, heavy, sinking.
“…predeceased his older brothers, perhaps…”
Sam swallowed, but it got stuck.
The third Trenton brother was very much alive.
And was sitting across from Felix right now.
He was sure his family would have preferred to live in blissful ignorance, pretending he’d predeceased his brothers. But everyone was well-aware he’d escaped the noose.
Oh God, Sam. You’re now a bloody earl.
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Samwasactingstrange.
