Free The Two Lords of Wealdhant Manor by Katherine Marlowe Page B

end it would always be logic and the inevitability of a situation that would win him over.
    Jasper stirred in his sleep, woken by the kisses, and Algernon kept it up, nipping at Jasper’s jaw to wake him fully.
    Growling, Jasper woke and rolled them over, pushing Algernon down onto his back and blinking sleepily at him.
    “Good morning, Jasper,” Algernon whispered.
    Jasper’s pale cheeks coloured as he tensed, visibly uncertain of himself.
    Enjoying the sight, Algernon clasped a hand around the back of Jasper’s head and pulled him into a kiss.
    Jasper resisted for only a moment before he melted into it, returning the kiss with pure sweetness for a few more seconds before rolling off of Algernon and getting up.
    Algernon groaned in objection to his lover’s departure. “Jasper,” he said, but Jasper ignored him, going to relieve himself and then making use of the water in the basin on Algernon’s vanity table in order to perform his morning ablutions.
    The bed was far too warm and comfortable to leave, and from here Algernon had a view of Jasper’s naked body. He stared openly, biting down on his own lip as a surge of desire went through him. “Jasper,” he repeated plaintively.
    Jasper made a grunting noise which Algernon decided to interpret as a query.
    “Come back to bed.”
    Jasper’s eyes narrowed just enough to make it clear he was considering the offer.
    Algernon licked his lips, and was rewarded immediately for it when Jasper’s eyes darkened with lust.
    Drying his face, Jasper tossed the towel down upon the vanity and came over to kiss him again. Algernon scooted over to give him room in the bed and sealed his body close against Jasper’s warmth, tugging the blankets up over them.
    “We can’t,” Jasper said between kisses, “spend the entire day in bed.”
    Algernon flicked his tongue over Jasper’s upper lip before replying. “We perfectly well can.”
    Jasper grumbled and lifted up to break the kiss. “It would be irresponsible.”
    Algernon’s eyes rolled toward heaven as he sought for patience with Jasper’s stubborn convictions. “We could spend only half the day in bed.”
    It was satisfying, at least, that Jasper seemed to consider that.
    But in the end he shook his head and got up, leaving Algernon cold and wanting.
    “Jasper!” Algernon exclaimed, disappointed and annoyed by Jasper’s apparent aversion to comfort and pleasure.
    “We have work to do.”
    Yawning, Algernon deigned to sit up in bed. He regretted it at once as his bare chest was exposed to the air of the room. “What, the library? It will keep.”
    “The library, and the railway.”
    Algernon’s hands clenched in the covers, not liking the challenging edge to Jasper’s voice as he said that. “What of the railway?”
    “Are you oblivious or intentionally obfuscating the issue? Mr. Sutton wants to lay locomotive tracks across the estate, and I know perfectly well that it was him who sent you.”
    A chill went through Algernon’s blood at that, wanting to guard the fact that Mr. Sutton had Algernon almost entirely in his power. “Mr. Sutton needed an heir to sell him the land, and he turned up me.”
    Jasper’s mouth opened, most likely on an objection or insult with regards to the veracity of Algernon’s claim, but for once he shut his mouth again without comment.
    Algernon forged forward. “For heaven’s sake, Jasper, you make it sound like some conspiracy. I don’t work for the railway, and I am Tabitha Allesbury’s great-grandson.”
    “Do you intend to sell him the land?” Jasper asked, eyes narrowing.
    This time it was Algernon’s turn to gape speechlessly. He cleared his throat and returned the glare. “I haven’t decided. And I’m not having this conversation in the nude.”
    “Get up, then. Dress. If you’re the Lord of the Manor, then take some responsibility.”
    Frustrated at Jasper’s constant challenges to his authority, Algernon lounged rebelliously back into the pillows. “I