Page 26 of An Earl's Bet

“Lord Horden.Sir Pashley.”Wong, the butler, welcomed them inside.

“We will tour our wing first.Please leave us.”Hugo marched off and it wasn’t until Earnest touched him on the elbow that he slowed down.

“Anyone would think you’d lived here for years.Such confidence.”Earnest’s cheeks were bright and his eyes glittering.

“You love it.”

“I shouldn’t.It’s so goddamned Earl-like of you.”Earnest rolled his eyes, but Hugo knew he was teasing.

“Come in here.”Hugo opened the last door in the hallway, the one he’d had many a discussion with the architect about.It didn’t matter that the architect and building team hadn’t known why Hugo wanted this room, or what it meant, because Earnest knew.He held his breath, but then it was perfect.The room was essentially a nest, an upscale replica of the room he used to hide in, but instead of pockets hidden between old furniture, it was designed to be cosy.He held Earnest’s hand as they walked through the room, then turned to watch his expression when the final piece of unveiled.

“But we burned your father’s chair?”Earnest asked.A replica sat in front of the fireplace, but Hugo had it covered in white silk—an extraordinary luxury—so they’d both remember that day when they overcame the ghost of Hugo’s past.

“This is a new chair.One made to my dimensions.”

“Oh?”

“It’s slightly wider, so you have room for your knees.”His voice dropped in timbre and Earnest flushed.

“Can we test it?”

“Please, my love.”Hugo tapped his jacket pocket.“I have oil.”

Earnest smiled.“Have I told you how much I love you?”

Hugo sat in the chair, legs spread wide.“Yes.And every time I forgot, or am worried about my ...past, I want you to bring me here and remind me.”

“I would be honoured.”Earnest bowed low, then fell to knees before Hugo.“My lord, my love, my forever.The one person who will never abandon me.”

Hugo knew it wasn’t the right time to remind Earnest that his friends had never abandoned him either, mostly because all he could focus on was Earnest’s floppy blonde hair and the way his hands rested on Hugo’s knees.A promise of forever.Together.

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