Page 94 of Restored

“I thought you were having supper with him?” Tom said, surprised.

“I’ll have a supper tray sent up later,” Kit said casually.

“Oh, it’s like that, is it?” Tom crowed.

“Oh, be quiet,” Kit said crossly, but his mouth twitched and Tom was laughing as he left.

A few minutes later, Tom was back, swinging the door open and announcing, “His grace, the—”

“That’s enough, Tom, thank you,” Kit said. “Let Henry in.”

Tom bit his lip, “Very good, sir,” he said, his voice thick with suppressed laughter. He stood aside and Henry passed him, walking into the room.

Kit was already on his feet and walking forward.

They came together in the middle of the little sitting room, both smiling. Kit was vaguely aware of the door closing, but he did not look away from Henry’s dear, smiling face.

“Kit,” Henry murmured, “Christopher. I’ve missed you.”

“It’s only been a few hours,” Kit scoffed, but his tone was fond.

“Has it? I’ve been wretched without you,” Henry said. He set his hand against Kit’s cheek and tilted his face up, his expression soft with affection. “I have things to tell you,” he said.

“And I you,” Kit replied. “But you go first.”

“All right,” Henry said. “May I kiss you before I begin?”

Kit grinned. “You may.”

Henry grinned back and bent his head, capturing Kit’s lips in a warm, soft kiss that made Kit’s legs go weak.

When they broke apart, Henry said happily, “I told Freddy about you.”

“What?” Kit exclaimed, shocked.

“In fairness, he had guessed,” Henry said. He was smiling.

He washappy.

“Now you,” he said.

Kit shook his head. “No, wait. What did you tell him about me exactly?”

Henry smoothed his big hand over Kit’s hair, his expression fond. “That I love you.”

Kit stared at him, amazed. “He must have been shocked.”

“He… surprised me,” Henry said. “Turns out that Freddy knows more than I could ever have guessed.” He smiled. “Now tell me your news.”

Kit gazed at him, staring at those familiar grey eyes, loving the happiness he saw there. “I’m selling Redford’s,” he said simply.

“What?” Henry exclaimed. “But you—wait—you’ll be free, and financially independent?”

Kit grinned. “I will.”

“And does that mean that you’re willing to consider some other changes in your life? So that we can be together?” Henry said breathlessly.

Kit nodded, his smile feeling irrepressible. “I want to be with you too, Henry.”