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

“So you do not begrudge my fears?” he whispered. “Even now, even with Ewan in the house, all I can think of is holding you as close as I can and never letting go.”


Jefferson had already forgotten about Ewan, but even mention of the other man wasn’t enough to make Jefferson release Micah.


“How can I begrudge you your fears? Don’t make me let you go.” He kissed Micah’s jaw and his neck. “Don’t make me pretend that I can tolerate to be separated from you.”


“I shall not.” The mattress groaned as Micah stretched out next to him, and he tilted his head to allow Jefferson more room to taste. “But we should be discreet. Ewan understands our passion, but it would hardly be wise to remind him of what he does not currently have.”


Chapter 83