Page 34 of Finch

word.”

“Wonderful. Then my job here is done.” Everard stood and stretched, then turned to face Hugh.

A peculiarly kind smile had replaced his typical smirk. “Brighter days are coming, brother. You

never know what’s waiting around the corner. Stay positive. When the time is right, the love of

your life will walk into your life, and everything will be just like you dreamed.”

Hugh nodded, but didn’t comment. He showed his brother to the door, and once it was closed

and locked, rested his head against the wood and let out a slow breath through his teeth.

“Sir?” came a familiar and reassuring voice from not all that far behind him. “Is everything well?”

Hugh closed his eyes and smiled. There was no mistaking who it was. “Everything is fine,

Finch. Or, rather, it will be. Where have you been? I was looking for you.” Hugh lifted his head

and turned, finding Finch a few feet back. Sunlight from the room’s large windows lent radiance

to his skin and shimmered in his hair. If only he were a Disgrace who’d aged out of the Pedigree

and not simply the omega son of an Attendant. With Finch as his mate, Hugh would never

have to worry about a single thing for as long as he should live. “I wanted to know if there was

news from the event planner. I thought you’d told me that she would be getting in touch with

some options.”

“Yes, sir. That’s why I came to find you. Melanie has sent you an email with several options

intended to help you narrow down your event’s theme. Would you like to sit down so we can

go over it together?”

Hugh nodded. “I’d like that very much.”

The smallest hint of a smile lifted Finch’s lips. He really was quite charming. It was a shame,

Hugh thought as he followed the manservant from the room, that he wouldn’t be able to dance

with Finch at the ball.

Well, maybe he would, even if only for fun. Finch deserved the chance to let loose. Without his

assistance, the ball would never happen, and Hugh would be forever alone.

They spent that afternoon discussing color themes and catering, and that night, filled with hope

but still raw from the news of his father’s coupling, Hugh gathered a handful of gold coins from

his hoard and slipped them under Finch’s door. With some luck, Finch would sell them and

use the funds to treat himself to something nice. He deserved to live in luxury. Imagining him

sipping exquisite wine while soaking in the finest bubble bath money could buy was a bright

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