The Christmas Wager by Jamie Fessenden Read Free Book Online Page A

Christmas Wager | Jamie Fessenden
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    Chapter 9

    THOMAS woke at an unusually early hour. At least, it was early
    for him. No doubt his mother was already awake and feeling
    primly virtuous on account of it. He remembered last night and
    felt supremely ashamed of himself. Not only had he put Andrew
    in the position of having to aid him in a very intimate way that
    one gentleman would never ask of another, soaking Andrew‘s
    evening gown in the process, but he‘d said… what? That he
    adored him?
    It was true. He did adore Andrew. His affection for the
    gentleman was genuine and deep in a way that Thomas had
    difficulty finding words for. But saying so out loud had been
    vulgar. It had clearly made Andrew uncomfortable.
    If I don’t stop putting the poor man in these awkward
    positions, I shall lose him forever! The thought was unbearable.
    Andrew was irreplaceable. Thomas would just as soon cut off
    one of his own legs than find himself without the man‘s
    companionship.
    He splashed clean water on his face from the washbasin
    and ran a comb through his hair. He rather enjoyed the
    decadent feeling of padding about his room naked, but
    eventually he dressed and went to the door that connected the
    two rooms. There was no answer to his light knock, so he let
    himself in.
    Andrew was still asleep in the large four-poster, so Thomas
    sat on the edge of the bed and nudged his friend‘s shoulder.
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    The blond stirred, then opened his eyes to look up at him,
    somewhat surprised. ―Thomas? Have I overslept? You never
    wake before I do.‖
    Thomas laughed. ―No, you haven‘t overslept. It‘s
    appallingly early. But I should like your assistance this
    morning.‖
    ―With what?‖
    ―I‘ve decided that the best way to stir up enthusiasm for
    the dance tomorrow night is to deliver the invitations in person,‖
    Thomas announced.
    Andrew blinked at him for a moment. ―Yes. I suppose that
    might encourage some of the locals to attend.‖
    ―We‘ll take the twins with us, as well. They seem to know
    everyone in the village.‖
    ―A splendid idea.‖
    Thomas stood to allow his friend to sit up, setting his bare
    feet upon the carpet. After a moment‘s silence, Thomas felt he
    had to address his behavior of the night before. ―Andrew… I
    hope I wasn‘t too awful last night.‖
    Andrew looked up at him, startled. ―Awful? In what way?‖
    ―Well, obviously we should never touch each other in so
    intimate a fashion. It was very inappropriate for me to require it
    of you.‖
    He had hoped Andrew would accept his apology gracefully,
    but instead the young man looked irritated. ―That‘s quite all
    right.‖
    ―And of course I should never have said… what I did,‖
    Thomas pushed, desperately hoping to find the right words.
    What did Andrew want him to say? He would say or do
    anything to make it better. If he only knew what was needed.
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    Apparently, he had failed again. For Andrew looked even
    more put out now than he had a moment ago. ―Perhaps we
    should simply not speak of it.‖
    ―Of course. I‘m very sorry.‖
    He considered leaving while Andrew dressed, but his friend
    seemed to shrug off his foul mood after splashing some water
    on his face. ―Hand me a towel, please.‖
    Thomas did so, and was rewarded with one of Andrew‘s
    sardonic smiles. Perhaps he was forgiven. It surprised Thomas
    to realize how much that mattered to him.
    ―Will we be bringing Susan along?‖ Andrew asked him.
    Thomas raised his eyebrows. ―I‘m ashamed to admit I
    hadn‘t thought of it.‖
    ―You‘re a terrible uncle.‖
    It was intended as teasing, Thomas knew, and he took it
    as such. ―I am. Simply horrid. But I‘m the only uncle the girl
    has, so she shall have to make do.‖
    ―Then we‘ll take her along?‖
    ―Of course. If she wants to go.‖
    Andrew ran a comb through his golden curls. ―Of course
    she will. Especially with