On His Feet Again

By Iyana Jenna

Lord Alexander, heir of Viscount of Winchester, is deeply closeted and preparing to marry a woman. Until a chance encounter with a handsome stranger at his bachelor party threatens to jeopardize the image Alex has worked so hard to create.

Dr. Jasper Kelley, the new personal physician to Alex's uncle, harbors deep scars from a mysterious past. No one would ever guess that the brilliant doctor once led a very different, much darker life. The last thing he needs is to let someone in, especially a golden boy like Alex Winchester.

But one weekend is about to change everything. And if Alex and Jasper aren't careful, murder and intrigue won't be the only things crashing the royal party ... It just might be love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Jan 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9780369502858

Iyana Jenna

I’m Iyana Jenna and you can call me Iyana. I like writing, romance, and man love so as you can see on this site, you’re mostly going to find m/m stories whether they are for adults or young adults. They are not going to be too heavy on explicit sex, though, as many say that my stories are considered sweet romance.

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Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2021 Iyana Jenna

ISBN: 978-0-3695-0285-8

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: Jessica Ruth

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

To all my beloved readers.

ON HIS FEET AGAIN

Iyana Jenna

Copyright © 2021

Chapter One

Alexander drove his Porsche smoothly down the small brick road, a two-lane path with rows of lavender blooms on each side, in this private land belonging to Earl Knowles of Darlington, his uncle. Alex wasn’t visiting his uncle, though. Rather he would have a great time with his cousin, Lord Gabriel. Gabe was throwing a party for him, a bachelor party, he said, though it wasn’t like Alex was getting married in a week or so. Oh no. Alex’s engagement party was scheduled two months from now as they all waited for Lady Jane Hermione to graduate from boarding school at West Heath, or was it East Heath? Alex wasn’t sure. He grimaced. Hermione, his fiancée, was a sweet and smart girl. Too bad she wasn’t the one Alex wanted and Gabe knew this. Hence the early bachelor party, the first of more parties that would end by his wedding day, which Gabe had dubbed Doomsday.

Alex veered to the right, and the car rolled gently as it came to a full stop along the driveway right in front of the main entrance. Darlington House was a stately home that was more of a castle than a house. It was slightly larger than the one resided in by Alex’s family. Darlington House, with two hunting towers above, set in an expansive land and backed by dark, padded woods, had been the house of the Knowleses since the 1700s. There had been a big fire in 1852, but the massive renovation that followed managed to return it to its original beauty. Alex loved listening to Lady Geraldine, Gabe’s grandmother, recounting tale after tale of the Knowles clan, though some he had heard from his own parents as a few of them were about his family.

Alex got out of the car and handed his key to Jimmy, son of the head butler of Darlington House and close friend to both Alex and Gabe.

Morning, Lord Alex. Jimmy grinned.

Hey, Jimmy. Alex nodded toward the house. Is Gabe home?

Yes, in the rec room and sometimes the dining room, supervising the preparation for tonight’s party.

Bloody hell. He’s not making a big deal out of that, is he? I’m not engaged yet.

This time it was Jimmy who grinned.

It is a big deal, my lord. Lady Hermione is very pretty, and you’re not bad yourself. The news of your engagement and wedding will be in the tabloids for weeks.

He contemplated as he drank in Jimmy’s handsome, somewhat dark features and sculpted, clean-shaven jaw. Alex had seen him shirtless before, and with his job taking care of the land, the stable, and the horses, Jimmy surely didn’t need any more hours at a gym like Alex. His muscled and firm body was a source of any man’s envy. For Alex, it was more than that.

Alex was sure Jimmy knew how he really was, though they and Gabe never talked about it. He found Jimmy attractive and often felt Jimmy’s gaze on him, but he’d never openly questioned him. They were, after all, childhood friends. Alex didn’t feel right flirting with a friend.

Being the center of attention is not really my cup of tea.

Folks like things like that, though, Jimmy pointed out.

Things like what?

Ah, you know. Royalty and beautiful people. Your tales are like their dream fodder.

Not yours, though, huh?

Well, I don’t have to dream. Jimmy smiled mischievously. I just need to ask; they’ll all beg me to take them.

Alex never doubted him, but he wouldn’t admit it. Suure… he teased, winking. Jimmy winked back at him and slid into Alex’s Porsche.

I’ll put this in the garage. You can go find Lord Gabe by yourself?

Sure. Join us later?

I will. Jimmy drove away, and Alex jogged up the short flight of stairs and pushed the slightly ajar door.

Master Alex! Jimmy’s father walked into the hall and helped Alex take off his coat. What’s the news with your father and mother?

Everybody’s fine, Mr. Thomas. They can’t wait to come up here again. Alex hugged the sixty-something man. How are you?

I’m fine, and so is the missus. Are you saying your parents are coming?

Well, not tonight. Not for the party, Alex said. It’s two months from now.

Ah yes. Mr. Thomas nodded. The families will meet here, including Lady Hermione’s?

That’s right. She asked for a neutral place. Alex sighed inwardly, gaze wandering to the wide opening leading to the main dining room and recreation room. The oak stairs looked inviting as he and Mr. Thomas went past to go to the east wing.

Jimmy will take your bags to your usual room, Mr. Thomas said, glancing up the stairs briefly. Alex followed his stare.

Sure. Anywhere is fine with me, he replied, still lost in thought. He couldn’t believe he was getting married. To a woman. What was he thinking? Yet he couldn’t go breaking Hermione’s heart, could he?

Master Gabe, here’s Master Alex.

Alex raised his head. The dining room, with stylish white décor and an elegant chandelier hanging from the high ceiling, looked more than ready to welcome their guests tonight. The golden-framed paintings of the earlier Earls of Darlington lined the walls, with smaller candle holders set between the paintings. Two tables long enough to seat more than fifty people were set with stark white cloths, tall glasses, craftily folded napkins, and cutlery. More candle holders were arranged along the middle of the tables, together with one huge centerpiece of fresh flowers on each table. Gabe had really outdone himself this time.

Gabe beamed at Alex and waved before he approached them.

Hey, cousin. Alex made to shake his hand, but Gabe was having none of it. He hugged Alex tightly. When he pulled back, he gripped Alex’s upper arms.

You look great. Ready for tonight’s party?

Alex chuckled. What exactly was in your mind? He gestured around them. For royals all over the world to come? How many did you invite, Gabe?

Gabe gaped. What, this? This is nothing, Alex, my dear. You haven’t seen anything yet.

What are you talking about?

Gabe winked at Mr. Thomas and said, Like I will spill anything about the main attraction of your stag party.

Don’t strain yourself to tell me anything. Jimmy told me about the recreation room.

Jimmy doesn’t know anything, Gabe chided.

I can go see it myself.

Then I’ll get Mr. Thomas here and Jimmy to restrain you.

Oh, playing kinky now, are you?

Eww. Gabe’s nose crumpled. Spare me the details about your sex life, man. You do like being held down, don’t you, by a bigger man nonetheless.

Alex and Mr. Thomas cracked into laughter. Okay, maybe they never talked about his sexuality, but they could see themselves Alex was at least bi.

Gabe’s remark was funny, by the way, seeing how Alex was 6’4, closer to 6’5, and muscled. He almost never met bigger men, whether they were interested or not.

So, I just have to wait and see?

Exactly. Gabe linked his arm around Alex’s. Let’s have some lunch now. I know how difficult it is for a bear as massive as you are to hold your hunger.

Alex tousled Gabe’s hair as they left the dining room to head over to the kitchen, Mr. Thomas trailing behind.

Chapter Two

The Isle of Ross Hospital was nothing like any other private hospitals in the country. It wasn’t a huge concrete building or located in a crowded city. The owner, Earl of Ross, preferred it to be a small, country hospital where it could do what a hospital was supposed to do, serve the sick and needy. He usually didn’t care if they paid or not in the end. Isle of Ross looked more like a farmhouse, a massive one at that, surrounded by hills, woods, and vast green meadows and bordered by a small brook worming its way down to the south. Many said Darlington County should consider itself lucky to have such a helpful health service in its neighboring village.

Dr. Kelley, aren’t you supposed to be at Darlington House already? Madge, one of the most senior nurses at Isle of Ross, reminded her boss.

Still clutching a pile of folders containing patients’ health records, Jasper shot her a fiery