The Hunt Club Chronicles Bundle by Heather Boyd Page A

for the position of valet. She could have found a replacement on her travels. The lady is so particular about your clothes.”
    “The duchess has requirements in a valet that exceed my desires.” Nathan brushed his hand across Henry's sleeve.
    Henry eased back. “Has the duchess gone to London ?”
    “No, she ran off with her one true love, too.”
    Watching Henry try to puzzle out his words erased his anger. Neither he nor his wife had loved each other enough not to turn to another. Sybil could have his valet, and Nathan would keep his steward. He walked his fingers up Henry's waistcoat and adjusted his cravat. When it was perfect, he caressed his lover’s cheek.
    There was so much about this man to love. Loyalty, strength and above all else, very kissable lips. The man’s body was very distracting. Nathan leaned in and kissed Henry's plump lower lip.
    Henry’s eyes widened. “He. They. Oh, good god.”
    “Far more eloquently expressed than my poor attempt.”
    Nathan leaned in and kissed Henry full on the lips. Hunger beat against his senses as their tongues tangled, but footsteps in the hall drew closer and they parted.
    While the footmen lingered filling the bath, Nathan kept his eyes on the view outside his window’s. His prick subsided swiftly, but he didn’t want to take a risk. His heady lust for Henry had killed his anger as if it had never been. Behind his back, Henry directed the servants. When the bath was filled and breakfast laid out, his steward dismissed them.
    With Henry filling in as his valet, Nathan could justify moving his lover to this floor. After a thorough cleaning, he could take up residence in the room adjoining Nathan’s dressing closet. They would have complete privacy.
    Nathan heard the click of the lock and turned. He stood still as Henry stalked toward him. His desire for the other man surged back to life and with it his prick thickened. But he didn’t get the kiss he wanted.
    Henry circled and then pushed at his back. "Strip and have your bath."
    Thrilled to carry out the order, Nathan quickly did as he was told, lingered beside the bath in the hope of receiving a slap for tardiness. When he got nothing for his disobedience, he stepped in. Warm water coated his balls, but his erection remained.
    Behind him, china clinked and then Henry came forward carrying a teacup.
    He snorted. "I've never eaten breakfast in the bath before."
    "Nathan, I am currently reassessing what you may not have done. But I would wager you haven’t tried lots of things."
    Nathan grinned. "I tried you. I definitely liked you."
    Henry turned away but came back with a chair, sitting it close to the bath. He leaned forward and took the teacup before Nathan finished. "Only liked?"
    Their eyes met and held. Henry finished Nathan's tea and settled back with his knees slightly apart. Nathan almost crawled out of the bath. "Well." He washed his balls while he stalled for time. How did one confess to another man that they were loved? "Perhaps, more than that."
    Henry’s usually placid face split into a blindingly happy smile. He stood, ruffled Nathan's hair and headed to the table to replace the empty teacup with a heaped plate of food. When he returned, Henry’s smile had dimmed somewhat, yet there was a peace about him that made Nathan's heart pound fast.
    Desire surrounded them, curling into his belly and banished any thought of eating. Settling the offered plate to the floor, Nathan poured water over his own head and scrubbed his hair. Henry hadn’t said a word. Nothing but a smile.
    "Are you clean yet?"
    Certain he'd scrubbed enough, Nathan stood, toweling himself dry without a word. Was that it? Was that all the reaction he could expect to his admission?
    Nathan glanced at his lover. While Nathan had been busy drying himself, Henry had rearranged the room. He sat on a straight backed chair but another was placed facing it. Puzzled, Nathan approached and dropped his towel on the opposite chair.
    "Don’t