"Mr Lynch desires to go out to luncheon," Adam said, giving her a polite smile and then climbing into the carriage opposite Ronan. He kept his eyes lowered, utterly silent and obedient until the carriage moved out into the public streets. Then he glanced up at Ronan, attention lingering for a moment before glancing away again.

Being held by Ronan like that felt... different, now that they were adults. Intimate. Adam didn't want to think about it too much. He knew that his perspective was tainted by how much he wanted. He'd been born a servant and raised like a nobleman. It had given him longing for a life--and a love--he could never have.