Maurice gasped.He hadn’t meant it that way.“But I do.Have to serve you, I mean.”God, he was making such a mess of this.“I invited you here and dismissed my footmen.You’ve been arguing with me since we left my bedroom.I’ve obviously done something wrong and I’m attempting to make amends.Let me make amends.”What was wrong with him?If it didn’t sound so dramatic and out of character, he might have diagnosed himself with a broken heart.Surely not.
“Maurice.Sit down.”
He sat.
“You were perfect in bed.”Sebastian closed his eyes and rubbed at his throat.
“But?”Something was wrong.It had to be because they were arguing and his entire body ached.
“Look around, Maurice.I don’t belong here.”
Hope fluttered in Maurice’s chest, like a butterfly caught in a spider’s web, trying frantically to escape.If Sebastian felt the same connection, the same potential, as he did, then maybe he was arguing to push Maurice away because it was all impossible.
“I wish you did.”
“Wishes won’t make it happen.It’s better if we treat this as a pleasant interlude and never, ever, think of it again.”
Maurice’s heart broke again.Now that he’d had a taste of Sebastian, he wasn’t so sure he could give him up.The determination on Sebastian’s face and the tension in his shoulders told him that he’d have to.
“If that’s what you want, then I will stay away from you.”
Sebastian’s fist tightened around his spoon.“What I want is irrelevant.It’s what I need.This is the only job I’ve ever had, and I don’t want to leave it.I won’t put it at risk.”When he put it like that, Maurice understood.He had no wish to lose the best horseman in England.Why was life so bloody complicated?
Chapter 12
Six weeks later, thezebras were ready for their first attempt at four-in-land.Sebastian was impressed with their progress.Once they’d understood what was being requested, they had surprised him with their change in attitude.And the Duke had kept his side of the bargain too.Sebastian had barely seen him since that day.He’d been right to push him away—regrettably right—because he just couldn’t see how it might work.A Duke and a horseman as lovers.Not only wasn’t it not done, it was illegal and risky and impossible.If only Sebastian could forget how incredible it had been to kiss Maurice while fucking him.If only he could forget the taste of his skin, and the timbre of his moans, and the way his body relaxed just for him afterwards.Sebastian was cursed to hope against all logic.
“Wildgoose.”Maurice’s voice surrounded him.He’d missed him and he cursed the way he wanted to turn and kiss him.So much for pushing him away.If only they were two ordinary men, and not the impossibility of a Duke and himself.He could imagine living quietly in his cottage, growing old with someone who wasn’t too far out of his reach, although it wouldn’t be his cottage soon as Barry and Jane and the baby were going to need all the space.
“Your Grace.”He attempted to sound as bland as possible.
“I have reason to understand that you are doing an important test today.”
“Yes.”He’d sent a note to the big house, never expecting Maurice to come in person.“In two weeks, Smolensk will be yours.”
“Such confidence, Wildgoose.”Surely Maurice didn’t mean to sound so flirtatious.
