Page 12 of Enemies with an Earl
“I wouldn’t call it atizzyper se. More…a mild agitation.” Sam glared at the offending jewelry. “As mild as a bout of the flux after dining at a questionable tavern,” he muttered, and Ash barked out a laugh.
“Let me guess, your love and admiration for the aristocracy?” Ash wrapped the length of his neckcloth around his shoulders and started on a simple barrel knot.
A rush of glee coursed through Sam. He knew of one such aristocrat who could barely manage a simple knot without strangling himself. Ah, the satisfaction. “Don’t make me get sick all over your expensive rugs. Love and”—he pretended to gag—“admiration do not belong in the same sentence as the aristocracy.”
Ash winged a brow. “You wound me.”
“You don’t count. You know that.”
“The Duke of Devonford doesn’t count as an aristocrat? Perhaps I should be offended.” Ash picked up his tailcoat, and Sam hurried to stand and assist his best mate.
“Stop fishing for compliments, old man.”
Ash growled. “Now I demand a compliment. We are only a few years apart. Just becauseyourhair decided to never turn grey for some godforsaken reason doesn’t mean you have to point it out all the time.”
Sam grinned as he pulled on the lapels of Ash’s coat, tugging it tightly into place. Ash was three-and-forty to Sam’s one-and forty, but Ash seemed extra sensitive about his age, and Sam had no idea why. The man had a bit of grey peppering his dark-brown hair, especially around the sideburns, true, but it only made him look more distinguished.
“You’re a looovely aristocrat. My favorite one,” Sam said in sing-song voice. “And you’re handsome, oh-so-handsome. All the women want to bed you, and all the men want to be you. Maybe bed you too.” Sam winked.
Ash’s countenance was as dry as his tone. “That was the most insincere compliment I have ever received.”
Sam gave Ash a soft double pat on his cheek. “That’s the best you’re getting out of me, mate.”
Ash let out a dramatic sigh. “Remind me why I put up with you again?”
“Because youlooooveme.” Sam blinked innocently, and Ash’s eyes rolled heavenward.
“Sometimes I seriously question why.” But there was nothing but affection shining in his blue eyes as his lips curved lightly.
Best mates for life. Sam wasn’t about to get all emotional and start spouting poetry, but Ash was the only person in Sam’s life he could count on. And Sam didn’t think he’d ever be able to express how much that meant to him. Ash wasthe bestkind of person. Best friend.Brother. Family. That was what Ash was to Sam.
“Weren’t you supposed to polish those items?” Ash tipped his head in the direction of the hearth.
Sam glanced over at the items he’d tossed on the side table by the armchair he’d been sitting in.Opeee, shite. He walked over and scooped up the jewelry. Looked like Lord Bentley would be late for dinner. Sam’s lips curled.
What a shame.
5
Sam
AgrinsplitSam’sface as he softly knocked on Lord Bentley’s chamber door, balancing a tray with coffee, cream, and a pitcher of water on it. It was time to begin toying with the pretentious Lord Bentley. If Sam was going to have to put up with the vainglorious prick, he was at least going to get some amusement out of it.
After no response, he pushed into the room, gently closing the door behind him. He blinked rapidly as his eyes adjusted to the dark chamber. Once he could make out the room, he brought the tray over to the bedside table and quietly placed it down. The bed was shrouded in crimson curtains, so he pulled a section back and tied it to the bedpost, revealing the soft sound of deep breathing. Revealing a large Lord Bentley sized lump in the center of the mattress.
Time for step one of hisNeedle the Nobplan. Lord Bentley had been especially displeased with being made late for dinner last night. Which had earned Sam a lecture on punctuality and how the man was shocked—absolutely shocked!—a valet wouldn’t be familiar with such a concept. Such ineptitude wouldn’t be tolerated going forward once guests had arrived. Wouldn’t be fucking tolerated? What was the man going to do about it? Whine to Sam’s employer?Good luck with that, mate. Ash will always side with me. The intolerable lord had sealed his fate after that display. Ergo—the plan.
Sam stepped up to the head of the bed, squinting in the low light. Lord Bentley was asleep on his side, bed linens falling just below his shoulders. Naked shoulders. A sliver of light from the edge of the window curtains sliced over the shadowed bed, lightly illuminating the man’s face. He was curled in a loose ball, bare arms tucked under his cheek.
He looked nothing like the bastard he’d proved himself to be, relaxed in sleep, mouth parted, face lacking any disdain. He looked vulnerable. And too bloody pretty. That was a face one wanted to wake up next to, soft lashes batting open as he blinked away sleep, full lips tilting up in a soft smile. The faintest flutter whispered through Sam’s stomach. Fuck.What the bloody hell is your mind doing, Sam?
Sam shook away his delusional musings and made his way to the window Lord Bentley faced. The man wasn’t vulnerable. He had an endless supply of wealth, power, and arrogance. He was the kind of person who hurt the vulnerable. That’s what they did—aristocrats—used and abused others like they were discardable. One moment they’re luring you into their bed, where you’re discovering a side of yourself you had no idea existed. Opening your entire world. And in the next, they’re ripping it all away, your life included.
Sam’s fingers tightened around fabric, the support creaking under the strain of his grip. He forced himself to loosen his fist, even as fury pumped through the organ in his chest. Stare locked on the sleeping lord, he ripped back the curtains, flooding the room with the harsh morning light. Lord Bentley flinched, eyes squeezing shut.
“Good morning, my lord.” Lord Bentley winced at Sam’s overloud greeting, and a sadistic delight bloomed in Sam’s chest. “You requested to be woken promptly at seven.”
Lord Bentley opened one eye and glared at Sam. Yes. The man glared at him withoneeye. He was that much of an arse. This was much better. For a second there, the world had seemed as though it had turned upside down. Sam had thoughtpositivethoughts about the man.
