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

Pain drilled through his ear and into his skull.


Jefferson didn’t stop to think about how he could help a ghost. He didn’t even consider why a ghost would need help. He responded to the desperation radiating through the words. He responded as he would to anybody who cried out for help. He turned and ran into the wall of smoke.


Micah laughed as he rose from his chair to pour a fresh cup of coffee. “I’m going to have to bribe you to keep you from telling these tales to Jefferson, aren’t I? He’ll never respect me again if you do.”


“It’s hardly my fault you have such a penchant for getting yourself into trouble.”


“And lucky for me, you have a penchant for getting me out of it.” He frowned when he was only able to fill his cup halfway. “Did we really drink the whole pot? That’s not possible. Jefferson’s only been gone…” His frown deepened as he pulled out his pocket watch. “He should have been back by now.”


Chapter 79