Something Fabulous (Something Fabulous, #1)

by Alexis Hall

For some reason, however, despite being thoroughly exhausted, he was having trouble finding his own peace. The problem was he was happier than he had ever been in his life. And the longer he dwelled in happiness, the darker the shadow cast by the uncertainties of the future. As much as he might want to, he could not stay here forever, pretending his arm was worse than it was, and Bonny must have known that too. What they had was strong and real; Valentine truly believed that. It could survive his dukedom, it could survive the world; Bonny had said himself that Miss Tarleton would understand. So why couldn’t Valentine sleep? Why, when he had everything to hope for, was dread twisting like a cobra in his gut? It was still twisting in the colourless no-time before dawn and the chalky grey hours that followed. It twisted through the buttercup yellow of the early morning and looked set to twist through the deepening gold of noon, all while Bonny slept the easy sleep of the utterly unconcerned. Valentine couldn’t bear it. “Bonny.” He nudged him gently. “Bonny.” Nothing. “Bonny.” A mostly still unconscious nuzzle. “Bonny.” Bonny’s eyes shot open. “Wh-what?” “Bonny, I’ve been think—” “What’s happening? What time is it?” “I don’t know. But, listen”—Valentine had the oddest sense of forcing a horse to a jump he knew it would refuse—“I’ve been thinking we should probably visit your sister.” Half sitting up, Bonny pushed the hair out of his face and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “Um...