A weight landed on Kane’s chest, like the weight of Heath’s love had struck him. “You deserve all the happiness the world has to give you, and I intend to show you how happy we can be...together.”
With those words, Kane brought Heath down, their lips melting together, their tongues lashing out, needing the taste of the other. Soon, their mingled sounds of ecstasy were vibrating through the room. As Kane rode his lover to completion, he knew they had both found something special and he would be grateful every day for his wicked warrior.
EPILOGUE
Fall 1865
14 months later
Heath rubbed his hands on his trousers for what seemed like the hundredth time since they had gotten off the train.
“I haven’t been this nervous in months,” he said to Kane, who sat next to him.
They were on their way to meet Heath’s old friends from the military. The men who had befriended him on his long journey home. Griffin Bamford had helped him when he had first left the hospital, but that had been over a year ago. Heath had been remiss in not contacting him or any of the others, so it had been a pleasant surprise when he’d received a letter from Royce Davis saying he was hosting all the men and their families at his home in Lincolnshire.
Heath glanced over at Kane. What if they didn’t accept that Kane was with him? Since being with Kane, life had been glorious. The brewing company was doing better than expected. He and Kane worked alongside one another during the day and shared a bed at night. Even after all these months, their appetite for each other had not waned. In fact, Heath was more in love with Kane now than he had ever been.
“Everything will be fine,” Kane said. “You know what type of men they are, or you wouldn’t have accepted the invitation.”
True.
The carriage pulled up to the large manor house. It was autumn, and the trees were a burst of reds, yellows, and oranges. They alighted from the carriage and were led inside. It was close to noontime.
I wonder who else is here?
Had Davis found all the men? He was about to find out. A servant led them down a hall. Voices from the room grew louder as they neared.
“Sir Heath Foster and Mr. Kane Badgely.”
Heath stepped in and felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room. He scanned the room to see four of his friends. At least he thought it was four, since he didn’t recognize the one man, but judging from the scars, it had to be Adwell.
“Foster!” exclaimed Davis. He came up and wrapped him in a friendly hug. “I’m so glad you could come.”
“Thank you for having us. May I introduce Mr. Kane Badgely my—”
“I’m his partner.” Kane finished.
“Glad to meet you.” Davis extended his hand. “Come, let me make introductions.”
Heath greeted his old comrades. Everyone had smiles and hugs all around.
“I fear I wouldn’t have recognized you,” he said to Adwell.
“The scars do give me away.”
“I’m sorry.” Heath laughed nervously.
“Don’t be. I have come to embrace who I am now, thanks to my wife. This is Maggie.” The woman next to him smiled.
“I’m so glad to meet you, Heath. Lucien has spoken about all of you so fondly. He said you were always there to cheer him up.”
Heath grinned. “It was only to deflect from myself, and I see it worked.” They chuckled.
“Where are you now? I recall you came into an inheritance,” Adwell asked.
Heath explained about his property in Dover and the brewing company. While he spoke, everyone listened to his story. Whatever anxiety he might have had melted away the longer he spoke. He was among friends and knew he could speak freely. Heath even mentioned how he had met Kane by having him as his tutor.
“Maggie was my nieces’ governess,” Adwell said. “These teachers do hold a special allure.” He gave Heath a wink.