Free The Gentleman and the Rogue by Bonnie Dee, Summer Devon

if it works out. But perhaps you wouldn't be interested.” He felt as nervous as a youth asking for a dance. Ridiculous! He who had commanded men in battle, who'd ridden into cannon fire, what did he have to fear from this street rat?
    “Employment? Here?” Jem's surprised stare melted into a devilish grin. “Doing what, exactly?”
    “I need… That is, it's customary for a man to have a valet. Other than Badgeman, I don't have any servant to fill that capacity. He has enough duties to perform without caring for my clothes and effects. The man deserves a rest and more time to himself. I've been considering hiring someone.”
    “Oh, so it's for poor, tired old badger, I see.” The grin grew wider and possibly more devilish. “That is so kind and generous of you, Sir Alan.”
    Alan felt his flush grow hotter and his temper rise along with it. How dare the impudent whelp make light of him? Who was this common whore to disrespect his betters and to jeer at an offer of honest work?
    “You needn't take the position if you don't wish to. It was a mere passing thought. Of course, you wouldn't be suitable at all.” The sharpness of Alan's voice sliced the smile from Jem's mouth.
    Suddenly sober, the young man moved closer and gazed into his eyes. “Sir, I apologize for my yawning gob. I'd be pleased and grateful to take any position you like.” He suggestively stressed the final words, but Alan chose to ignore it. The lad couldn't seem to help putting a saucy spin on most everything he said. “If you forgive me asking, what would my duties and wages be?”
    Alan paused, pretending to consider but actually collecting his wildly ricocheting emotions. Disbelief, delight, excitement, and horror at what he'd done warred within him.
    “Badgeman can tell you the specifics. Since you'll be in training, as it were, your wages will be commensurate with your inexperience. I'm not certain of the going rate. Badgeman will know the proper wage, but I should imagine four pounds monthly would be sufficient to start.”
    Jem's expressive eyes opened wide. Standing this close, Alan could see the dark rim and striations of navy against the lighter blue. The way they caught and reflected the sunlight made them shine like two bits of sky. His chest tightened painfully with some inexplicable feeling, and he cursed his increasingly emotional nature. What had happened to the officer whose men used to call Captain Iron Drawers behind his back?
    “That would indeed be sufficient,” Jem agreed with a broad and not-so-devilish grin. “Thank you.”
    Alan inclined his head. “Badgeman will outfit you in proper attire and show you your duties. The servants will be returning to work soon, and he'll introduce you to them as well.” He paused again, and a stab of fear went through him as he realized the danger he was putting himself in on a whim. “I trust you will comport yourself as a valet in training and not…”
    “A foul-mouthed whore? Yes sir, I believe I can manage the role. I wouldn't give anyone reason to question the terms of my service here, I promise.” Jem folded his hands together and lifted his eyes to the heavens. “Pure as a choirboy and sober as a judge, I'll be. Jem Brown, late of Southwark, who was given the opportunity to rise above his pitiable life and enter service. I'll keep the story simple. Embellishments only get a cove into trouble.”
    Alan grunted an acknowledgement, still mentally kicking himself for inviting this thieving stranger into his life. But then, it hadn't been much of a life before yesterday, and now it felt rich with color, like a black-and-white ink sketch turned into an oil painting.
    “Come along then, I'll pass you over to Badgeman.” He led the way back toward the house.
    “One last question, sir. Where might I be sleeping? Isn't it customary for a valet to have a small room adjacent to his master's in case anything is required of him in the night?” Jem's cheeky tone and grin were enough