Page 135 of Enemies with an Earl
Felix took Sam’s hands in his own, fingertips gliding over each knuckle, tracing over the blue vein along the back. “So, will it be hard?” he whispered. “Yes.”
His gaze lifted to Sam’s, steady and sure. “But bloody hell, Sam, I want to be the one who gets to miss you. I want to be the one you come home to.”
“Then that’s all there is to it, Fee. I’m always coming home to you.”
Epilogue
October 1818
68
Felix
October 1818.
Thornfield Hall.
Kent, England.
Felix tugged Sam’s hand as he dragged him toward the library at Thornfield Hall. It had been a difficult six months—well, three months. After the Parliamentary session ended and the general election was over in July, the majority of society retired to their country estates, Felix and Sam included. At that point, it had been much harder for tongue-waggers to try to come after Sam. Perhaps they were whispering in their own homes, but there was a safety in being secluded in the country.
Unfortunately, Sam’s past had resurfaced. Ryker had handled the source. Felix hadn’t asked questions. He only hoped the bastard suffered. Because when it came to threats against Sam, Felix discovered he didn’t just crave justice. He craved pain.
The rest ofThe Harboragehad immediately begun working to clear Sam’s name. The Dowager Duchess of Ironcrest had conveniently let a little juicy piece of gossip slip during her weekly tea with Society’s most influential matrons: It was justawfulLord Dalreoch had been forced into exile after his own family had tried to have him murdered.
The woman was as cunning as they came and spun her own tale. There was no entail on the Scottish estate, she’d said. The current Lord Dalreoch just so happened to have been his late grandfather’s favorite grandson. The old Earl was set to leave everything to Sam, so his jealous and greedy relatives orchestrated the scandalous accusation to disinherit him, eliminate him.
It was terrifying, if Felix was being honest, what that woman was capable of. But it had worked. No one knew what to believe, and it had taken place so long ago…no one could prove it one way or the other. And why else would the family have secured a pardon for their son if not because of their guilt?
There was enough doubt created, though, that while Sam was eyed more warily afterward, his reputation hadn’t suffered. Oddly enough, he’d received evenmoreinvitations afterward. To be the hostess to havetheLord Dalreoch in attendance became something of a coup. Society was a strange beast. They loved and lived on scandal. At least in this, there was more mystery than fact known.
And through it all, Felix had been able to be seen with Sam in public company because the entirety of the ton thought the Earl of Bentley had set his sights on the young widow Lady Yardley. It hadn’t been easy; they’d still had to remain formal and distant. They’d had very little opportunity to be alone together, and even then, they couldn’t bealonetogether. Three months without even a stolen kiss.
They hadn’t managed time together until they’d both visited Devonford Castle in August. But as hard as it’d been, Felix’s heart couldn’t have been more full. He had his Sam. More than he ever thought he’d have since the dreadful day he’d found out Sam had inherited. When he’d resorted back to being the world’s most boorish arse.
Now it was time for him to make it up to Sam. Sam had arrived yesterday at Thornfield Hall. They’d just returned from a long stroll through the Bentley estate, admiring the vibrant autumn colors donning the landscape. Sam had been quick to jump on the suggestion. What a surprise. Felix grinned. Because it was adorable, and because he had an ulterior motive for getting Sam away from the manor. He pulled Sam along faster. Hopefully, everything and everyone would be ready. Felix had purposely distracted Sam in the orangery…for a very long time, so that Sam would be none the wiser to all the guests arriving.
“What on earth has gotten into you, Fee?” Sam asked with a laugh.
Felix halted outside the closed library doors, muffled conversation drifting through the oak. He spun around to face a frowning Sam, a Sam who was eyeing the wood door suspiciously.
“I have a surprise for you,” Felix said a little breathlessly. He was so bloody excited for this. He knew Sam was a bit of a hopeless romantic, a fact that made his insides melt—that his big burly man, with his rugged and dark exterior, was all soft and sweet on the inside.
Sam winged an ebony brow. “Am I allowed any hints?”
“We’re having a house party,” Felix said and was greeted by a scrunched forehead. He laughed and bounced lightly on his toes. A small house party, one with only their closest friends. And what was about to happen in that library was the event set to start off the festivities.
“And why exactly is a house party you’re hosting…a surprise for me?” Sam cocked his head, and Felix could see the whirling thoughts in those misty grey irises. Searching, searching, and not finding the answer. “When will guests arrive? We’ll have to be more circumspect. We should probably be a bit more distant.” Disappointment coated his words, his grey eyes turning downcast.
Shite.You’re botching this, Felix.
“No need, Sam. This guest list only includes our closest friends, those who knowus.”
“Thank the bloody gods,” burst from Sam in a relieved breath. “I was this”—he held his fingers an inch apart—“close to throttling you for taking away the two blessed weeks we were going to have together.”
Felix shook his head vigorously. “I’d never.” Their time together was too precious.
He let out a slow, deliberate breath, but it did nothing to calm his hammering heart. He took Sam’s hands in his own, drew him closer. “Before we go in there,” he said softly. “There are a few things I want to say to you.”
