Page 25 of An Earl's Bet
Epilogue
Summer 1816
Hugo hadn’t seen the progress on the new house on his Doncaster estate for a few months.The weather had been atrocious this year and his steward was worried about this season’s crops.Hugo had been busy in London with Earnest putting together groups of people to help with the abolition society, and figuring out the best way to approach politics on the subject.Most weren’t interested now the trade was ended, although Hugo knew their lack of commitment came because of the vast profits coming from Caribbean sugar plantations.It was hard to get people to move against their own self-interests.The carriage rattled as they turned into the driveway and Earnest leaned across and held his hand.
“Nervous?”
“I shouldn’t be.”
“Why?I want this house to be everything you hoped it would be.”
Hugo squeezed Earnest’s fingers.“Did you just ask me if I was nervous because you are?”
“Oh darling, two years together and you’ve finally worked out my secret.”
“Bosh.I knew your secret the second time we met and you decided to run away and sit under a tree.”
Earnest shook his head.“Surely you’ve seen enough of my drama since then that you aren’t still hung up on what happened that day.”
Hugo smiled.He’d smiled and laughed more in the last two years than he had in the thirty years before that, and he had Earnest to thank for that.“I have a little surprise for you in the new house.”The interior decorator had given him quite the unusual stare when he’d explained what he wanted, but he didn’t care.He’d learned that bad things didn’t happen when he didn’t follow the rules.He had learned to make his own rules, and now he would have his own house.A fresh start.
“I happen to like your drama, Earnest.You continue to surprise me and make me laugh and I adore and love you.”
Earnest kissed him loudly on the cheek, and Hugo didn’t even flinch or look around for his long-dead father.“You’ll turn a man’s head with talk like that.”His pretence at being coy failed with the flush that spread on his cheeks.Hugo leaned closer for a kiss, and they kissed as if they had all the time in the world.They did.Or at least until the carriage came to a halt outside the new house.
Hugo stepped out into the drizzle, then rushed under the portico, breathing with relief.The house was a lovely Georgian manor; not too big, with two small wings, and nicely situated in the landscape.Work had begun on the gardens extending in front of the house, with a kitchen garden situated where his father’s monstrous house had been.
“Come with me.”He knew from the letter tucked in his pocket that his den had been finished and he couldn’t wait to show it off to Earnest.
“It is beautiful.”
“There is one wing for us and one for guests.”
Earnest nudged him.“I have read the plans.”
Hugo swallowed.His chest was tight, anticipation, not nerves.Or maybe nerves.He wanted Earnest to love what he’d built for him.For them.