Lord Parsnip Peasblossom stood at his table in his parlor-come-laboratory, looking over the adjustments that his human partner, Henry Seay, had made months ago. He glanced up at the former mortal as a smile split his face.
“And this will work?” He asked him.
“Without a doubt!” Henry stepped closer to him and put his hand on the lordling’s arm. “We could do a workup and then try it out later.”
“Promises, promises.” Parsnip pressed a delicate kiss to his partner’s temple. He wondered if he would ever get used to the fact that Henry was his. Mine to kiss and mine to keep.
“We have to be sure it will work first.”
The sound of a throat clearing broke them apart before they could get carried away. Heat curled over the lordling’s face, bathing him in scarlet. Henry looked down at his feet as he picked at the lint on his waistcoat.
“There is a Miss Earnst here to see you, Mr. Seay,” Davies intoned. “Shall I send them in?”
Henry looked at Parsnip and nodded. “That will be fine.”
Henry arranged himself on an armchair near the fireplace, while Parsnip paced the room. His head snapped up when the interloper walked in. His frown deepened.
The woman who entered the room was petite and fair. Her blonde hair was perfectly coiffed under her little hat. She was dressed in lilac silk taffeta that rustled as she walked.
Parsnip checked his pocket watch. It was before suppertime. What was she playing at?
“Miss Earnst!” Henry stood up and met her in the middle of the room. He clutched her elbows before he wrapped her in a hug.
Parsnip felt the world move under him as bile climbed his throat.
“Mr. Seay!” The woman kissed him once on each cheek before she pulled back. “Who is this?”
“This is my…This is Lord Peasblossom of Blackthorne and Sundley.” Henry cleared his throat.
“A pleasure,” Parsnip said. He hated jealousy, but he hated how easily it seemed to overtake him sometimes.
“The pleasure is mine!” The woman rushed over to him. “Mr. Seay has written to me about you.”
“Oh?” The lordling glanced at his companion. “He hasn’t mentioned you.”
Miss Earnst blushed and dipped her head.
“This is Miss Julietta Earnst.” Henry walked over to Parsnip and threaded his arm through the Fae’s. “She is one of my more distant cousins.”
“Actually, It’s Mrs. Ely.” She smiled at Henry. “I told him my maiden name because I wasn’t sure you’d receive me under my married name.”
“Why wouldn’t I receive you?” Confusion clouded Henry’s voice as he spoke. “True, I haven’t seen you since childhood, but I am happy to see you now.”
“I think she means that I wouldn’t receive you,” the lordling cut in. “Her new spouse’s family were… incensed at my failed creation. Railed against me in the streets. Wrote in to all of the papers.”
“Oh.” Henry looked at his cousin and frowned.
“My new husband and I are also at odds with his family.” She smiled. “He married me against their wishes.”
“Are you looking for–”
Henry elbowed him in the ribs, cutting him off. “Go on.”
“His family put him through school, so we have a modest income, but we are quite alone in the world now.” She smiled at Henry again. “I wanted you to hear it from me before word spread around the family.”
“I haven’t heard from the family in years, not since my mother became ill.”
“Is she?”
“She’s better now.” Henry beamed up at Parsnip. “Thanks to the Lord of Blackthorne and Sundley here.”
“I am only partially responsible. Your fine cousin did the hard part.”
“So you have worked a miracle?”
“I prefer to call it science.”
“What brings you to Shiny House, cousin?”
“I wanted to see you. I wanted to reintroduce myself and see if you still wanted anything to do with me.”
“Julietta,” Henry’s voice was soft as he spoke. “I am happy to count you among my friends and family.”
“Thank you.” She looked around the room, seeming to see its mixed use for the first time. “What have I stumbled into?”
“This is my wonderful partner’s laboratory.”
“You are a man of science?”
“He is!”
“Your fine cousin does all of the computations for me, so any success I have is all thanks to him.”
“And you are in love?” Something twinkled in Mrs. Ely’s eyes.
“Very much so,” the lordling said as he pulled Henry closer.
“Then that’s a blessing.”
Henry saw his cousin to the door after her long visit. He was tired and wanted to go to bed, but all of his exhaustion melted away when he stepped back into the laboratory. Parsnip was standing there with his jacket off, and his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
Henry’s mouth went dry at the sight.
“Something caught your eye, Mr. Seay?”
“I thought you were supposed to call me Henry.” He took a hesitant step towards his lover.
“What if I like the way you squirm when I address you so formally?” His grin was wicked. “Mr. Seay.”
Henry closed the distance between them, crashing his mouth against his Fae companion’s. It wasn’t gentle; it burned with the need of a starving man. I am starved for him, Henry thought. I’ve been starved for him my whole life; I just didn’t know it.
“Take me to bed, Mr. Seay,” the lordling growled against him. “Make me yours.”
