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Sam nodded. “Him refusing me? Saying no? I’ve been denied many things in life, but that? It would be the worst thing.” If Sam didn’t go, there was no possibility of rejection. His heart nestled into his chest at that safe thought.

“Or maybe,” Ash said softly. “Just maybe, Sam, it could be the best thing that ever happened to you.”

Sam’s heart perked up. Really, chum? You want to be destroyed?

“Which would be worse, Sam? Him denying you, or knowing you missed out on the love of your life because you were too afraid to try?”

Sam’s chin jerked in. Love of his life? That was a bit inflated.

Clearly, Ash had read Sam’s mind. “I’m not saying you’re in love with him, or he you. But the possibility is there, Sam. Don’t deny it. I know you better than anyone. Given time…”

Sam heaved out a sigh. “ Fine , Your Grace, Duke of I-Know-Everything. I should carve out my heart and offer it up to him to obliterate.”

Ash grinned. “You’re so dramatic.”

Sam matched his friend’s grin, but it slipped away. He hadn’t been exaggerating when he’d said Ash was all he ever had.

“Why did you do it?” Sam said quietly.

“Do what?” Ash frowned at him, his blue eyes narrowing.

“Save me.”

Ash’s jaw went slack, and something that looked very much like hurt flashed across his eyes.

“Why did I save you? From death? Why did I save my best friend, the most important person in my life, from death? God, Sam. I love you. How can you question that I wouldn’t do everything in my power to protect you from such a fate? ”

Sam’s gaze fell to the floor, his throat struggling over the lump growing there.

“One could say that should be true for a parent as well,” he said in a whisper.

“But we all know they were only too quick to throw me to the gallows when they found out of my…affliction. They chose to cut off the tainted portion of the line.”

His gaze flicked up to his best mate. “You’ve never cared.

Never judged. When the rest of the world did.

Does. Will always condemn me for who I choose to be with.

You created a haven for me here, and others on your staff.

” Sam paused, mouth open, hesitating. He searched Ash’s piercing blue gaze. “I just want to understand why.”

There was something pleading in his words, and he wasn’t sure why.

Maybe it was the small flicker of hope he had somehow kept burning inside him, the one in desperate need of oxygen, of fuel, to keep burning.

The one that represented the belief there was good in this world, that there was a promise that perhaps one day, long after Sam was gone, the world would be a different place for people like him. A better place.

And Ash gave it to him. “Because I will never agree that any form of love should be deemed illegal or punished. Love is a gift; one that no soul should have the right to deny another. I will never understand why others believe they have the authority to dictate how others must live their lives.

“This world is fueled by an obsession with control.

Greed. Underpinned by fear, those who hold the power, desperate to retain it.

Anything that threatens it is restricted, silenced, tied up, and forced to obey their will.

If someone or something deviates from their ideals, from themselves, they punish it.

When, in my eyes, there is only an opportunity for growth when different beliefs, perspectives, and people come together.

A small smile teased his best mate’s lips.

“God, Felicity stormed into my life, and within a week, she opened my eyes to the issues surrounding me and my son. Issues I couldn’t figure out in five-and-twenty years.

It took her one week. Imagine if the world listened to women more often.

” Ash arched a brow. “And who is responsible for preventing me from being the biggest fool and losing my chance at love? You. Imagine if I let something as trivial as who you let warm your bed cost me your friendship and the love of my life.”

“Imagine what the world would be like,” Sam said, his voice thick. “If there were more people like you, Ash.”

“I imagine it’d be quite devastating,” Ash said, his lips tugging up in a playful half-smile, injecting some much-needed lightness into the heavy moment. “I am known as the Devastating Duke, after all.”

Sam’s mouth pulled up in a smile of his own. “Thank goodness you have Felicity now to help hold up that large head of yours. At your advanced age, I was starting to fear your brittle bones wouldn’t be able to carry it any longer.”

“Not the head she’s holding up.” Ash winked.

Sam’s jaw dropped. All the way to the bloody floor. “Ashley James Stuart. Did you just make a naughty jest? About your demure virtuous wife, no less?”

Ash’s cheeks flushed lightly. “Might have done,” he said sheepishly. “You’re a bad influence. And Felicity isn’t demure or virtuous.”

True. She had journeyed to Devonford Castle with the sole objective of seducing Ash, her fiancé’s father .

“So, that’s a yes?” Ash prodded. “You will travel to… collect Felicity’s trousseau.”

Shite, he was doing this, wasn’t he? He glanced up at Ash. An infestation of insects took up in his stomach. Christ, those must be the botflies. “I think it’s a yes.”

Ash did a celebratory air-punch. But then his face sobered. “You’re always welcome here, Sam. I want you to know that.”

Sam’s forehead scrunched up. Once again, he had lost his footing in their conversation.

“This will always be your home,” Ash continued. “But if you decide it makes sense for you to…not come back. I fully support that decision.”

Sam blinked. Repeatedly.

“For example. I happen to know that Bentley’s valet is quite elderly and needs to begin his pension…”

“I think you’re getting way ahead of yourself, Ash,” Sam said, eyes wide. What his best friend was suggesting was…ludicrous. Because if Sam were to take the position as Felix’s valet, it meant… It meant they could be together. It meant they could be forever .

The botflies started swarming in his stomach. That was not something Sam had ever thought was a possibility for him. And hoping for that was dangerous.

“I’m sure, if anything, this will just end up being a fleeting affair.”

Ash shrugged. “Perhaps. Perhaps not. Either way, I won’t stand in your way.”

Right. So, it was just Sam standing in his own way.