Student of letters, Micah Yardley wants one thing: to meet the poet Jefferson Dering. After hearing his idol speak at Harvard, Micah travels to Jefferson’s home in nearby Wroxham, entertaining visions of discussing poetry over dinner and drinks. What he experiences exceeds anything he ever anticipated.<br><br>Jefferson finds Micah mesmerizing and passionate, everything he has ever wanted. But after getting caught in a compromising position with another young man a decade earlier, he exiled himself from Boston and from affairs of the heart. Jefferson represses his longing for Micah, but his tumultuous emotions cannot be contained.<br><br>Micah denies the truth of his desire for Jefferson. Jefferson refuses to act on his passion for Micah. But all it takes is a single kiss in Wroxham's haunted church to change the course of their lives ... and ignite the flame that could fulfill a generations-old promise.

A Hidden Beauty

In two weeks, he left his home twice. Once for the mercantile, when he needed basic foodstuffs and more paper, and once for the post. Other than that, Jefferson couldn’t be bothered. Even returning to the church was beyond his capabilities. The second week of his absence prompted a visit from Reverend Deem. Jefferson only considered not opening the door for a few seconds before he obligingly invited the reverend into his home.


“Are you ill? If so, people will be more than happy to help nurse you to health.”


Jefferson shook his head. “No, my health is fine.”


“Then why haven’t you attended services? Sunday is not the same without your presence.”


“I’ll try to be there next week, Reverend.”


Deem studied him before speaking. “Does this have something to do with your new friend, young Mr. Yardley? Is he ill? He left Wroxham so suddenly that I was concerned.”


Chapter 32