Page 81 of The Shadow of the Count

“Do you need anything, Jeb?” he asked, wanting something to do.

“No, sir. I’m just having a sit.” Jeb was so still, but Peter did get a wink, a flash of that quick smile. “It will all work out in the end, don’t you worry. I have faith.”

“I know you do. I admire that about you.” Peter wanted to. He did have gratitude. They had survived against amazing odds, and he took time to thank whatever forces had helped them through every day.

He just wasn’t sure he believed in the same force helping in the future. He had hope rather than faith, he was afraid.

Richard came to the door, smiling. “You can all come see him now.”

That smile buoyed him like nothing else had. He and Richard would never be friends—they were both frightened and more likely to hide in books than to take action—but there was a mutual respect between them that was solidifying.

Charles stood behind the wheelchair that held the golden star of the silver screen, but Peter searched for Donnie, for the expression on his lover’s face.

Donnie was smiling, but it looked strained. Damn. Not the happy look he was hoping for.

“Hello, gents,” Douglas said. “Don was telling me some of your adventure. You’ll have to stay for lunch. We have some good grub here, as Jeb would say.”

Charles nodded. “Please stay. We’re making plans to head out into the country and winter there. The doctor believes he can cure Douglas completely. He’s very confident.”

“That’s good to hear,” Clark said, his gaze sharp, taking in every detail.

“We’ve all been invited to stay. Apparently, Dr. Wollstone has a rather large manor near the sea.” Donnie nodded, catching his gaze. “We’ll have to dress warmly.”

“We will.” He would go where Donnie went. If that meant Scotland, well… “I hope they have a good library.”

“One of the best, I’m told,” Charles said with a relieved smile.

“Well, then, I’ll send a wire informing the doctor we’ll be heading up via train in a few days.” Clark nodded, offering Douglas a smile. “We’ll get you a wind-up body, worse comes to worse.”

“Piss off, Clark,” Douglas shot back. “I’m going to use my first steps to kick your ass.”

“No, love,” Charles murmured. “Use the second ones.”

“Mmm. Very well.”

Donnie chuckled, shoulders relaxing. “Are you coming with us, Jeb?”

“Awful cold in Scotland…”

Clark gave Jeb an unreadable look, at least to Peter, but the narrowed eyes must have worked, because Jeb snorted.

“Might as well. It will keep me off a boat.” Jeb glanced at Clark, eyebrow raised. “Y’all need me to keep an eye on you.”

“We do.” Somehow it worked. They weren’t going to Clark’s home, but they were going to be together, and they could handle anything that way.

Scotland would find them a place to heal and rest, somewhere isolated and peaceful.

He took Donnie’s hand, squeezing it. He couldn’t ask for much more than that.

End