"I'll be of best service to you if I stay close," Adam agreed, eyes averted. His posture was strictly erect, shoulders back and spine straight, and close scrutiny would easily reveal the lonely misery in his face.

Ronan was standing on Adam's bad side, so he had to struggle to make sense of Ronan's words, but he couldn't dare reveal that. A damaged servant was worthless.

"Perhaps I might tell my lord what I know once he has settled in a bit?" Adam suggested, all too aware of the eyes lingering on them, judging Adam for being too friendly and conversational with one of the masters of the house. "It will take some time to prepare your new rooms."

It made Adam's heart pound to be so close. The hollow of Ronan's throat drew his eyes. He wondered how the skin there would taste.