Page 129 of Enemies with an Earl
Sam had been warned by Felicity he must keep the twins fed.They’re like small children. When they get hungry, they throw tantrums.“Yes, behind you is a spread of food.”
The twins cheered and made their way to the table of assorted biscuits, cheeses, cold meats, and breads. A few more members ofThe Harborageshuffled into the room.
“Dunmore,” Sam greeted with a nod.
“Dalreoch.” The marquess clapped Sam on the shoulder and winged a brow. “Mymost dearestof friends.”
Sam’s lips twitched. Society might find the Marquess arrogant and rude, but Sam enjoyed the man’s sarcasm and insouciance. He supposed because he recognized the shield; he wore that one too, just with charm instead of scorn.
Dunmore indicated to the two gentlemen behind him with a cant of his head. “This is the Marquess of Rutledge. I didn’t have a chance to introduce you last night because he disappeared with his wife.”
A man with wild curly brown hair and an imperious expression stepped up beside Dunmore, though his haughtiness was slightly ruined by the blush tinting his cheeks. “I don’t think that last detail was necessary,” the man muttered to his friend before turning to Sam. “It’s nice to meet you, Dalreoch. Any friend of the Bentleys is a friend of ours.”
A snort came from Ryker, who was now sprawled lazily in a chair, one leg thrown over the arm. “Friend? That’s an interesting way to phrase it.”
The marquess’s brows drew together, a question in his brown eyes. One Sam would be answering soon enough.
A man who matched Sam in height and breadth limped up to Dunmore’s side. “And this is Ironcrest. He doesn’t frequent balls. Especially not now that he’s married.”
“Dalreoch,” the man said, more grunt than word.
Sam bowed politely. “Your Grace.” His gaze lingered on the sharp scar cutting down the man’s face, the dark, unreadable eyes, and surly set of his mouth. He could see that this man wouldn’t be one for the frivolity of the ton. Sam couldn’t help but wonder what sort of woman had the mettle to marry a man like that.
At that moment, Ash came striding into the room. He glanced around. “Everyone’s here? Excellent. We don’t have much time before Bentley returns, so we should get started.”
Sam made his way to Felix’s desk and leaned against the front of it, facing the group gathered in the study. He gripped the edge of the desk to prevent himself from fidgeting, but it didn’t stop the way his stomach was flipping over. A few people in this room already knew of hisfriendshipwith Felix. And they were aware of his need for support in bolstering his reputation in society. But no one besides Ash knew the true reason why.
“Thank you all for coming,” Sam started.
“Oh!” Ryker interrupted. “I didn’t know it was that kind of gathering. I love a good orgy.”
Kozington smacked him across the back of the head, while Dunmore sniggered.
Sam just kept speaking over them, though his stomach settled at the small jest. “A few in this room are aware of my past…and the nature of my relationship with Lord Bentley.”
Silence settled over the room, and all eyes locked on Sam. He cleared his throat, all moisture in his mouth having decided to go on holiday. A glass of whisky appeared before him, and he took it gratefully from Ash. He threw back a sip, let the burn fuel him. Here went nothing.
“Two decades ago, I was convicted of sodomy and set to hang.”
A curse fled Lord Kozington, and Ryker snapped straight in his chair, eyes glinting dangerously. It was the most serious Sam had ever seen the man.
“Who?” he growled. “I can make them disappear. I’ll do it personally.”
Sam smiled sadly. “They’re already dead,” he murmured. “My parents.”
Outraged exclamations and blasphemes erupted in the room, and an unexplainable warmth filled his chest. Not one person inquired if it was true, not one person exuded even a hint of judgment. No one in this room cared about another person’s preference. And it was a hard realization for Sam to wrap his head around.
“You’re still standing here,” Lord Rutledge pointed out, gaze assessing. “So, are we dealing with fugitive status, or did you manage to have the charge overturned?”
The way he saidwe, the way he implied they were all already committed to whatever Sam needed, spoke volumes of what Felix had created here withThe Harborage.It had Sam lost for words.
“I broke him out,” Ash stepped in, all attention falling to him. “He had lived with me as my valet under an assumed name until…”
“Until he inherited,” the Marquess of Dunmore said, rubbing his chin.
“Not quite,” Sam said quietly. “For a short while, I took on a new valet position.”
“He was Bentley’s stallion!” one of the Kozington twins yelled out through a mouthful of bread.
