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But instead of being territorial, Ruhn had been selfless--and recognized the deep abiding love that the little faether The ned away all his legal rights without any expectations for himself

If that wasn’t love, Saxton didn’t knoas

And in return for that compassionate act, Ruhn had been embraced by the whole household--not that the adjustle for theto worry about when it ca as he wanted it, he had a ho the process of adoption But after he had helped with Bitty’s formal adoption papers, he had h the iven any indication that he was sexually open to or even aware ofthe way the universe ran? Ruhn was utterly heterosexual, and God knew Saxton was beyond over wanting things he couldn’t have--

Eyes the color of fine bourbon looked across the table without warning, and the shock ofRuhn’s calm, rather innocent stare made Saxton fu as it gave hiet out of view

Nope He was definitely not staying the day

He didn’t care if he ended up stuck headfirst in a snowbank because he had guessed wrong deet trapped under this roof with unrequited love on the one hand, and unrequited sexual attraction on the other

It was si to happen

--

He should have eaten in his roo, he tried to s the anxiety that rose every time one of these meals happened So old all over the room as he was not So many courses and servants and candles and--

"Uncle?"

At Bitty’s soft inquiry, he took a deep breath "Yes?"

"More rolls?"

"No, thank you"

He turned the silver basket down not because he wasn’t hungry Fates, he was starving even after having cleaned his plate But he hated the way his hands shook and he orried he would drop the basket and break all the glassware in front of hie was taking the thing back and putting it down between the sterling silver salt and pepper shakers and the golden candelabra

Ruhn didn’t understand how they could all just lounge back after they were finished with the entrée and chat casually, wineglasses held with confidence while plates were cleared around the in on ’s solicitor staring across at hied and wanted to bark out, Yes, I know I have terribleevery slipped pea and drip of gravy isme worse

Instead, he dropped his eyes and wondered exactly how long he had to stay here before a bolt for the exit would be even inally permissible

Saxton, son of no doubt a Very Well-Bred Aristocrat of Noble Bloodline, looked at hientlemale, which fortunately was not often, those eyes followed hiain, the attorney was always perfectly dressed in suits that fit his lean body like they had been stitched on it, and the roo out of place, his shave so close that even at the end of a long night, he appeared to be just out of the shower

To a male like that? Of course someone who had come to the house with only two pairs of jeans, a better, a le set of work boots, would be an insult Add on to that the fact that Ruhn was illiterate and hadn’t even been able to sign his name to Bitty’s adoption papers? Come on The distaste was as justifiable as it was obvious

Maybe there was h Maybe Saxton knew the truth about his past