The Soldier's Scoundrel (The Turner Series, #1)

by Cat Sebastian

“I say, was that umbrella stand there earlier today?” Oliver asked when he arrived home. “No.” Jack didn’t look up from the letter he was writing. Oliver glanced around the sitting room. “This carpet is new as well.” Jack looked at the carpet, as if only now registering its presence. “So it is,” he agreed, in a tone that indicated that helpful elves had perhaps delivered it. “And those candlesticks,” Oliver said wonderingly. “They’re new.” So was the clock on the chimney piece, the footstool by Oliver’s chair, and a ceramic figurine that bore an outrageous resemblance to Oliver. This last item had been a gift from Georgie, who had all along insisted that Jack’s lover resembled a Dresden shepherdess. The other items, Jack had bought himself. “You have to let me pay for some of these things, Jack.” “No, I really don’t.” There weren’t many things in the world that Jack considered worth his money, but buying fine things for Oliver was oddly satisfying. They were scrupulously dividing rent and housekeeping down the middle. Jack suspected that Oliver only agreed to that plan out of sensitivity for Jack’s pride. “I keep telling you, even after last month’s losses, I have plenty of money safely invested in the five percents. I won’t spend a quarter of my income living like this.” “Good. Save it away.” Jack would have bet that Oliver would come to within the last shilling of his income. The man was forever tossing extra coins to crossing sweepers and flower girls. Jack himself was ...