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have something more productive to occupy your time.
He nodded.  I ve already come to that conclusion on my own. His father may
worry any exertion might be too much for him, but it felt good to know Arthur
believed otherwise.
 Since we are being completely honest with each other, I will have you know
that I owe you my thanks. I had a visitor the other day. Randolph Amherst. He
asked me to keep the call from you, but I would rather you hear it directly from me
than inadvertently through a bit of gossip. He 
 That fucking bastard, Leopold spat, protective instincts screaming to the
forefront. How dare Amherst approach Arthur again?  I bloody well warned 
 Thorn, he said firmly, cutting him off.  There s no need to go rushing out in
my defense. He understands you ve staked your claim on me. A little pleased smile
tugged at the edges of Arthur s mouth.  Whatever threats you hung over his head
are more than sufficient. No need to see them through to completion. He came by to
apologize, of all things. Took me quite by surprise. Though I do wonder how he came
to the conclusion that he had somehow caused me pain.
That prig Amherst had apologized to Arthur? And what had he told him?  I
haven t the faintest notion how he came to that conclusion.
 Thank you. Arthur leaned in to brush his lips across Leopold s in a light kiss.
 I do hope you realize he was never a threat to you. I would never go back to him or
seek out another. I only want you.
If there were any doubts left in his mind, they were now gone. A smile curved
his lips.  I will admit, I ve been itching for an excuse to lay into that self-righteous
bastard. The look on his face was& quite satisfying.
A chuckle rumbled from Arthur s chest.  I rather wish I could have seen it
myself. Silence fell between them for a few moments. Then Arthur spoke again.
 You know, you still haven t told me why you left Town or where you went.
Convincing Leopold 99
 I left because I was determined to make you keep one of your promises. As for
where I went&  He glanced out the window and recognized the three old oak trees
clustered near a small pond, their barren branches stretched out against the dull
early afternoon sky.  We are almost there.
Arthur leaned forward to glance out the window. Then he looked to Leopold, a
question marring his brow.
 I bought us a house and have spent the last couple of days getting everything
in order. I understand that your office is important to you and requires your
attention. I hold no expectations that you will ever walk away from it. But&  He
turned his shoulders to Arthur, needing the man s complete attention.  I need you
to honor your word, to put us before your office. In any case, it isn t healthy for you
to work so hard. Yorkshire s too far away for frequent visits, but Sinclair Abbey is
less than two hours from London by carriage. I&  He gathered his courage. The
possibility Arthur would refuse his request had diminished to near nothingness, but
that possibility was still there, a little nudge that sent his heart beating in a rapid
tattoo against his ribs.  I need you to agree to come away with me every now and
then. Not for weeks at a time. Two or three days will suffice. I love you, and I need
you to give us the chance we deserve.
The carriage turned right, onto the long drive that led to Sinclair Abbey. The
rattle of the carriage wheels on gravel filled the interior as he waited for Arthur s
response.
 You purchased a house?
 Yes. I was not carousing about at brothels or hells. He nudged Arthur s
crumpled list with his toe.
 Sorry about that, Arthur said, contrition written all over his face.  I was
worried and could not think of anywhere else you might have gone.
 You are forgiven. He sighed. It hurt that Arthur had assumed the worse, but
he couldn t very well blame him.  My original intention was to purchase a small
cottage, but then I thought better of it. Sinclair Abbey is more than just a country
100 Ava March
house. It includes a large tract of property with an apple orchard and a farm. I
figured it could give me a purpose, so to speak. A means to occupy some of my time.
It also includes some woods, though I have heard the hunting is not nearly as good
as can be found at Ramsey House.
Arthur s jaw dropped.  You are going to become a farmer?
He scoffed.  I don t intend to actually till the fields. Ridiculous notion.  The
abbey already has a tenant. A genial man by the name of Mr. Clark. From what I
have been able to discern thus far, he manages the fields quite well. And I will not
need to spend every day there. Occasional visits will do, and Clark will send word
when something requires my immediate attention. I know practically nothing about
farming, but I plan to change that, and hopefully I can prove a decent landowner.
There was a lot he needed to learn, but he welcomed the challenge, looked forward
to it even.
 I am certain you will be a brilliant landowner, Thorn. But who did you have
write up the contract?
Trust Arthur to worry about legalities.  A solicitor in the village handled the
sale. No lease involved. It was an outright purchase. Very straightforward.
Amazing what a large enough bank draft could accomplish.  You are, of course,
welcome to review the contract when we reach the house.
Arthur nodded once. No doubt the man would have the document reviewed
before supper. And if he found any cause for concern, Leopold was confident he
would resolve it for him with his usual efficiency.
 Do you agree, then? You will come with me to Sinclair Abbey, and at least
once a month?
 Yes, Thorn. I agree. It s a splendid idea. I truly enjoy the quiet of the country
and had once contemplated purchasing a house of my own, but I could not justify
the expense when I did not have anyone worth sharing it with. He paused as a
smile full of love curved his mouth, one Leopold had once doubted he would ever
Convincing Leopold 101
witness. Slowly he leaned forward, closing the distance between them, his gaze
locked on Leopold s.  Now I do, he whispered against Leopold s lips.
The kiss was soft and slow and filled every inch of his soul with Arthur s love.
A warm, comforting blanket that vanquished even the memory of despair and
promised a future filled with hope.
Arthur pulled back, breaking the kiss.  I could kiss you all afternoon, but I
believe we have arrived.
As if hearing Arthur s words, the carriage slowed to a stop. The springs
creaked faintly as Jones jumped down from the driver s bench. Sensing Jones
approach the door, Leopold held up a hand to stay the footman.
 There is one more request I need to make of you. Please replace Fenton. He
knew he could trust Arthur with his very self, but the thought of that whelp lusting
after his lover day after day was truly more than he could tolerate.
Arthur frowned.  I will give you that he is not the most competent of
secretaries, and he seems to have a small problem remembering instructions 
 Because he is thinking about how he can best get your cock in his arse.
The incredulity on Arthur s face was almost comical.  What? I-I have never&  [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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