“I’m not sure why everyone is so bent on the idea ofdoingthings here,” he mumbled.
Conrad laughed.“I seem to recall you complaining about being cooped up in this house not too long ago.”
“Well, if I’d known that I’d be victim to long and bracing walks, sitting on the ground and watching everyone in each other’s laps, and then go riding for goodness knows how long, I’d never have said anything about the rain.”
“When in the country…”
Sage made a disgusted sound.“I don’t much care for the country.It’s dull and it’s quiet.”
“You prefer London then?”
“Decidedly.”
Conrad thought of the way Sage had talked about his reputation in London, the way he hadn’t been able to meet Conrad’s eyes as he spoke about the way people treated him and spoke of him.He found it strange that the man would prefer the place that was home to his misery.“Interesting.”
Sage sat up a little to look at him.“What do you mean?”
“I just find it interesting how some people prefer London and others prefer the country.I’ve only ever experienced one place in my life and I can’t say I have any particular preference for it, other than the fact that my family lives there.”
Sage grunted and laid back down.
“So, what’s the plan for today?In terms of our scheme?More of the same from the day before yesterday?”
“Yes, I think so.Although it will be different, of course, with us riding.”
“Of course.”
* * *
As it turned out,it was very different when they were riding.Conrad found himself unable to contribute much to the chatter around him as he focused on his posture and staying on the horse.Thankfully, his new friends were encouraging.Keelan provided compliments and advice, and Sage seemed to keep a close eye on him to ensure he was all right.By the time they returned to the house, Conrad was desperately in need of the bath and was relieved to find it already being set up when he walked into the room.
He turned grateful eyes to Sage.“My savior.”
Sage huffed a laugh.“Your standards are low.”
“Nonsense.I have spent over half my life doing hard labor, and not once has anyone ever provided me with this sort of caretaking.”
Sage bunched his lips in a way that Conrad suspected was an attempt to hide a smile.“I rather think that has more to do with lack of funds than lack of care.”
“Perhaps,” Conrad said as he turned his attention to the servants filling the bath with water and preparing a heating spell for the tub.“But I’ve seen my share of people who have plenty of resources to spare, yet don’t use them to make others more comfortable.I don’t take it lightly.”
“You take everything I do with far more seriousness than it deserves.”
“Perhaps you’re the one with low standards, then.”
Sage’s lips pressed together more as he frowned.
The servants completed their task and closed the door as they left the room.Conrad made quick work of undressing.He couldn’t have stopped the moan of pleasure that escaped him as he slid into the hot water if he’d tried.
Sage laughed as he sat down on his ottoman.“More sounds like that will definitely help our scheme.”
Conrad grinned as he leaned back.“This is heaven.”
Sage turned to his vanity and began puttering with the various oils and creams on the surface.
Conrad watched him in silence for a moment.“May I ask you something personal?”
“If you’re wondering whether I really use all of these, the answer is yes.Perfection such as this takes work.”
