Page 23 of Enemies with an Earl
He resumed his march because, unfortunately, Sam still had an insufferable lord to deal with, who was probably going to be evenmoreinsufferable for having been kept waiting. Sam should probably just give up on sleep and stay up for the day at this point.
He knocked, none too gently, on Lord Bentley’s door. The predictably pompous “Enter” echoed back at him right on cue. Sam paused, hand on the handle.You will not murder him.It was just so hard to fight the urge when he was this exhausted.Think of the men he saves, Sam. Don’t kill him for their sake.
Sam entered the chamber. “You rang, my lord.”
The crimson curtains shifted, and Lord Bentley’s head popped out near the head of the monstrous bed. “It is sweltering in here. Dampen the fire.”
Sam didn’t even try to hide his murderous glare. “You called”—he glanced at the clock on the mantle—“not yet an hour ago, requesting I stoke the fire because it wasmuchtoo cold.”
Lord Bentley winged an amber brow. “I cannot be blamed that you do not know how to adjust a fire properly.
You want to know what? Perhaps I will kill him.
“After you finish that, run down and fetch me some water. I’m parched after being subjected to such stifling heat. And ensure it is ice cold.” With that, Lord Bentley’s head disappeared from view.
Sam bit back a growl and made his way to the fire. He may have purposely built up the fire excessively high after Lord Bentley had complained the room was too cold. Sam had thought he was being so clever, making the lord sweat out some of his pomposity. Well, that plan had rather spectacularly blown up in his face, hadn’t it?
Now, here he was, covered in soot and grime while he spread the coals and blanketed them in ash, working to subdue the blaze. He eased the damper closed, trying to choke the fire slightly and not fill the room with smoke. He grunted out his annoyance. Multiple times. Overloud. Was he being petulant? Better bloody believe he was.
Sam slipped from the room, brushing his soot covered hands on his trousers, and headed for the kitchens to secure theice-coldwater.
Perhaps he should submerge himself in the cold liquid. Douse his ire, douse the lust that had increased tenfold now that he was having all theseassumptionsabout the man. If Lord Bentley did share Sam’s interest, what was a little fucking between enemies? So, they disliked each other? That would only make the shagging that much more explosive. There was nothing like letting out your rage and frustration with sex. He groaned and pushed down on his thickening cock.
Do not think those thoughts, Sam.
Sam paused outside of Lord Bentley’s chamber and rested his head on the door.Get yourself together, mate.Just because the cove doesonealtruistic thing in his life, doesn’t make up for his blatant discourtesy and superiority.
He carefully elbowed his way into the chamber and walked over to the bedside table. “My lord,” he murmured, pouring a glass full of water from the pitcher. “I have your water.” No response.
“My lord,” he said louder. Still no response.
Sam set down the water, crossed his arms, and glared at the curtain shrouded bed. He swore to God, if this man had fallen asleep, Sam was going to throw the bloody freezing water all over the swell.
A soft snore drifted through the curtains.
Oh my bleeding God.
Sam ripped back the curtains. And sucked in a sharp breath. Sweet Christ. He whimpered softly. His eyes devoured the very asleep, andvery nude, Lord Bentley. The man was sprawled on his stomach, his freckled cheek resting on crossed arms. A slight sheen adorned the man’s skin. So, perhaps not an actual falsehood when he’d said he’d been sweltering in the room.
Sam cocked his head and unapologetically drank the man in. So. Much. Naked. Skin. What a specimen of a man. Even soft in sleep, the definition of his muscles was evident. Sam’s attention trailed down the man’s back to where he had two dimples just above his arse. Sam bit his knuckle and barely held back his groan. An arse that was fucking delectable.
Sam forced himself to tear away his gaze and left the room before he did something foolish. Like bite the man’s arse.
Bloody hell. Samsworehe would never shag a nobleman again. Their lot couldn’t be trusted. They were scum. He would never be able to be tempted again.
But now that he knew the man ran an entire organization dedicated to the protection of men like Sam? Sam could practically hear his walls crashing down. He needed to get a better gauge of where the man’s preferences lay. Because if Lord Bentley preferred men…
Sam was most definitely throwing his cap in the ring.
11
Felix
Felixmadehiswaydown the cavernous stone hall in the direction of the Devonford billiard’s room. Most of the guests had departed for a trip to the village since it was a rare rainless day, Mother and Felicity included. With most guests absent, it allowed for the perfect opportunity to discuss particulars with Kozington about the newHarboragecase.
Keeping company with the Kozington brothers was exactly the kind of distraction Felix needed. He rolled his shoulders, trying to ease some of the tension bunching his muscles. After his and Thorne’s altercation—after Thorne’saccusation—Felix had been on edge. He’d almost,almost,gathered up his family and left. He knew most men would go directly to the servant’s master, demanding retribution. But the last thing Felix wanted to do was arouse any suspicions.
Felix remembered, just shy of a decade ago, whenThe Morning Haroldpublished the rumor that Lord Leicester had separated from his wife because he was a sodomite. The man had gone after the paper, suing for libel, and a very public trial had followed.
