Captain Charles Hawkins has returned from the Napoleonic wars desperate for solitude. When the man who saved his life asks a favour, he feels honour bound to agree, but the request fills him with horror.<br><br>Sebastian Farrah knows the only useful thing he can do with his life is join Wellington’s army. He has tried everything else and failed. He agrees to his brother’s ridiculous request to spend a month in the country because it is the only way his brother will agree to purchase him a commission.<br><br>Charles and Sebastian clash but quickly form a bond that deepens into much more. However, they are running out of time. Charles begs Sebastian to stay, but Sebastian knows to do so he will be forced to reveal what it is that stopped him from succeeding in everything. The shameful secret he carries from the schoolroom.

Promises

Sebastian’s breathing hitched. He looked so damned gorgeous. So stern, so serious, so…Charlie. Before he could speak, Charlie crossed the gap between then and stood before him.


“I owe you an apology.” His eyes seemed to be roving all over Sebastian’s face, as though he were checking that his features were still as he remembered them. He had to admit to doing much the same. He wanted to absorb him. Soak him up.


“Why? I lied, you know. I heard everything you said to Eddie. I’m not sure how you worked all that out. I hadn’t worked it out until I heard you saying it.”


“Largely. I think. So, no apology needed.”


Charlie lifted a hand, but then let it drop. Sebastian wished he’d touched him. He wasn’t sure he had the courage to touch Charlie. “I owe you another apology.”


Sebastian smiled and shook his head. “What on earth for?”


Chapter 35