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Professor Lyall only nodded

"And you, for all yon manipulations, are one of the best Possibly because of theain

"Oh, no," Biffy cried "You can’t abandon us! What e do without you?"

Professor Lyall only looked at him with a little smile "Oh, now, Biffy, I think you will do very well"

"Me!" squeaked Biffy

"Of course You have the s of an excellent Beta"

"But I… I…," Biffy stuttered

Lady Kingair nodded "That’ll do nicely Now dinna worry, pup, on’t keep him for all time--only until we find someone better"

"There is no one better," said Biffy with absolute confidence

They were interrupted by a knock on the door Haverbink stuck his head in without being summoned

"Didn’t I order you to stay away?" asked Professor Lyall placidly

"Yes, sir, but it was so quiet I wanted to make certain you were all still alive"

"As you see And?"

"And a e has just pulled up out front Lord Akeldama sent it with his compliments" Haverbink produced a mauve-colored scrap of paper Lilac scent wafted into the rooet so still out and about?"

"How could he have known to send such a thing? He himself should already be comatose" Lyall blinked in mild confusion and looked to Biffy for an explanation

"He would have left orders with his drones"

"Nosy vaair

Afterward, Biffy could only just recall that ride back ho into the house and up the stairs, he and Professor Lyall leaning against one another in exhaustion But he rele sharp look when they reached the door to his chanized He had neither the strength nor the interest in allowing loneliness to pillage anyone else’s peace of mind

So he made the offer "Would you like company, Professor?"

Professor Lyall looked at him, hazel eyes desperate "I wouldn’t… that is… I couldn’t… that is… I’esture indicating his still-wounded state, his fatigue, and his disheveled appearance all in one

Biffy gave a little puff of a chuckle He had never seen the urbane professor discoht have flirted more in the past "Just company, sir I should never presume even if ere both in perfect health" Besides,able to attract anyone in such a state, let alone so

The corner of his Beta’s mouth twitched, and he withdrew behind a veil of dispassionate hazel eyes "Pity, pup? After you heard what Lord Woolsey did to o"

Biffy had no doubt Professor Lyall was as proud, in his way, as any otherand refined tastes He tilted his head, showing his neck submissively "No, sir Never that Respect, I suppose To survive such things and still be sane"

"Betas are made to maintain order We are the butlers of the supernatural world" An analogy no doubt sparked by the advent of Floote, who glided down the hallway toward the as concerned as it is possible for a man to look who, so far as Biffy could tell, never displayed any eentleet for you?"

"No, thank you, Floote"

"Investigation?" The butler arched an eyebrow at their fatigued and roughened state

"No, Floote, a matter of pack protocol"

"Ah"

"Carry on, Floote"

"Very good, sir" Floote drifted away

Biffy turned tochamber, assured now that his overtures had been rejected He was forestalled by a hand on his ar, the hands of an artist who practiced a craft, a carpenter, perhaps, or a baker Biffy had a sudden fanciful i coe with a fine wife and brood of mild-mannered children

The sandy head tilted in silent invitation Professor Lyall opened the door to his bedroo hi, they were both fully recovered fro slept the day aithout incident Fully recovered and curled together naked in Lyall’s sh careful kisses and soft caress, that Lyall was not at all disturbed by messy hair In fact, his Beta’s hands were alh his curls Biffy hoped that with his own touch he could convey his disregard for Lyall’s past actions and suffering, deterether should be about shauessed, was about coht have been a tiny little seed of love Just the beginnings, but a tender, equality of love, of a kind Biffy had never before experienced