EPILOGUE



“Where are we going?” Jeremy asked. “Give me a hint. Anything.”

He was sat on Hermes’s back, in front of Andrew, blindfolded by his own cravat. Andrew had promised a surprise, but he had given no indication as to what that surprise was.

“You’ll see soon enough. Only a few more minutes.”

Jeremy let out a groan of frustration, crossing his arms over his chest. “Fine. I suppose there’s nothing I can do to change your mind.”

“You’re right, there.” A hint of laughter tinged the words.

The June sun beat down on Jeremy’s head, and a trickle of sweat coursed down his neck. He and Andrew had left London shortly after Jeremy’s wounds had healed, returning to Chippenham. Lady Cowper was sad to see him go, but he assured her that when they returned, he would be ready to accept her patronage.

A few minutes—and several questions—later, Hermes pulled to a halt, and Jeremy heard Andrew dismount. Moments later, he yelped as he was pulled from the horse.

“Hands at your sides. Let me lead.”

Andrew’s strong hands gripped his biceps, directing Jeremy toward some unknown location. The boy allowed himself to be led, though they stopped after only a few feet.

“Ready?” Andrew asked.

“On second thought, I don’t believe I am,” Jeremy said prosaically. “Put me back on Hermes. I don’t think I want it after all.”

Oh stop. It was a surprise. I couldn’t just ruin it for you. Here.”

A few deft tugs on the pressed linen, and the blindfold was gone. They stood in front of the cottage in the woods near Avery Manor, where they had first made love. It looked even more beautiful in the summer. The shrubs had been cut back and tended, the wood stained. Jeremy swore the front door was new. He turned back to look at Andrew, who pushed him forward.

“Well? Go see inside,” Andrew said.

Jeremy walked up to the door, stroking the brushed silver knocker. Pushing it open, he stopped as soon as he entered. The entire house had been cleaned, from top to bottom. Cobwebs had been swept out, and the floor had been cleaned. New furnishings filled the area—a plush sofa and arm chair, a book case already filled—and in the corner, near the bay window, was his easel, already set up.

“You should see the bedroom.”

“What is this, Andrew?” he asked.

“Keep looking, trust me. I want you to see the bedroom.”

Warily, he nodded and headed through the door, into the bedroom. The furniture here had been replaced as well. A large wardrobe sat in one corner and a desk was situated in front of the window to the back garden. The only piece that remained from before was the bed—the same four-poster that Andrew had taken him on the first time.

“I had a new mattress put on it. The old one was horribly uncomfortable. Filled with broken feathers and straw. I have no idea how long it had been out here.”

“Andrew…”

“I have a proposition for you and I would like for you to hear me out. Next year, Lady Cowper is going to become your patron and more than likely, you will start at the Royal Academy Schools. You’re going to be incredibly busy and our time together will be limited. Here’s my offer.” Andrew’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “A commission. One brilliant painting of your choosing that you can work on until we go back to London. In return, live here. In the cottage. It’s close enough that I can be with you. No one would think twice about it. You would have enough room. You can have servants if you desire them. You’ll even be close enough to your father. You can see him as much as you wish.”

Jeremy’s vision blurred. Everything that Andrew had done, all the renovations, all the care he’d taken, all the concessions he was making, it had been for Jeremy. Because Andrew loved him. He wrapped his arms around the man and nuzzled into Andrew’s neck.

“Yes. God, yes.” Jeremy pressed a clumsy kiss to Andrew’s lips, his heart pounding. “I can’t believe this. You want me to stay here. You want me to be—”

“My lover. Officially. Well, as officially as we can be.” He looked up, unease written on his features. “You’ll really stay?”

“I’ll really stay,” Jeremy said with a nod. He took Andrew’s hand, leading him toward the bed, and his lips quivered as he tried to suppress a smile. “Now, let me show you just how grateful I am.”

They lay tangled together, after, Jeremy’s head resting on Andrew’s chest as Andrew’s fingers carded through his hair. He blinked slowly, on the edge of sleep.

“We’re still good for each other,” he hummed.

Andrew’s fingers stilled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

When I met with Percy that first time, he said I was good for you, and he hoped for both our sakes I stayed good for you. He was right. I am good for you. But you’re good for me, too,” Jeremy said.

“I happen to agree. What do you say we stay good for each other?”

Jeremy closed his eyes, nestling closer to his lover. “I like the sound of that.”