The Valet

By Dakota Rebel

It's easy to keep your master's secret when that secret is you.

 

My services as a valet have been highly desired among a certain sort of aristocratic men over the years. I've been cared for, praised and possibly even loved on occasion. But it always ends, as it must, and I'm happy to move on to my next great adventure.

 

Now for the first time I find myself in the employ of a man who not only doesn't desire my special set of skills but is wholly unaware that those skills are even available to him.

 

Is it really possible that I've found my forever with a man who doesn't want me in the way that I need to be wanted?

 

The Valet is a MM Historical Novella set in the 1920's. With a little spice and a little angst, a good time is sure to be had by all. If you're looking for a little historical palate cleanser, you'll want to buy The Valet today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dakota Rebel
• Release date: Jan 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224521401

Book preview

The Valet

By Dakota Rebel

The Valet

by

Dakota Rebel

It’s easy to keep your master’s secret when that secret is you.

My services as a valet have been highly desired among a certain sort of aristocratic men over the years. I’ve been cared for, praised and possibly even loved on occasion. But it always ends, as it must, and I’m happy to move on to my next great adventure.

Now for the first time I find myself in the employ of a man who not only doesn’t desire my special set of skills but is wholly unaware that those skills are even available to him.

Is it really possible that I’ve found my forever with a man who doesn’t want me in the way that I need to be wanted?

The Valet is a MM Historical Novella set in the 1920’s. With a little spice and a little angst, a good time is sure to be had by all. If you’re looking for a little historical palate cleanser, you’ll want to buy The Valet today.

Copyright

© 2022, Dakota Rebel

The Valet

Published by: Supernova Indie Publishing Services, LLC

Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental.

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Chapter One

~Percy Hughes~

It isn’t as if you didn’t know this day would come, George said softly, his shoulders slumping and head bowing. He was facing away from me, but I could imagine his eyes squinting in pain as he stared at his feet. You knew that I would someday marry, and you would have to leave.

And you believe that is why I’m angry? I asked in a clipped tone.

Well, aren’t you?

I reached up and placed my hands on his shoulders, gently urging him to turn and face me.

When he did, I cupped his jaw in my palm and lifted his face to meet my gaze.

I am angry, I admitted. But not that I am to leave. You had no right to accept a position for me in another house without my consent.

It’s a good job, Percy, he insisted. You were requested by the Duke of Whistenia to be valet to his brother. Are you telling me you’d have turned it down?

I’m unsure what I would have done, I said. But when you take my choice away from me, I feel as if I am nothing but a whore to be passed amongst your friends. And I can’t help but to take offense.

My darling Percy, he whispered, his hand covering mine where it still rested on his cheek. You’re right, of course. But I swear to you, that’s not what this is. I don’t believe the duke is even aware of your circumstance, nor, I should think, is his brother. This is to be an honorable job.

That might be worse, I said, stumbling over a chuckle that was trying to cough itself from my throat. Are you trying to make an honorable man of me, or does the idea of someone else playing with your toys inspire jealousy?

I won’t deny that the idea of anyone having what I can’t does upset me. If the world were different I’d certainly never let you go.

You flatter me, My Lord.

Are we to go back to titles then? he asked, having flinched at my formality.

I don’t believe we have any choice. I pulled my hand free of his and took a step back.

Then will you at least kiss me goodbye?

No, I don’t believe I will, I whispered.

Are you that angry with me? He closed the step between us again, his body so near to mine that one deep breath from either of us would press our chests together.

I am not angry with you, I said with a heavy sigh. Not really. But you are to be married, and therefore this conversation is not appropriate. Nor would any actions taken between us be.

I was to be married three days ago as well, he reminded me, his gaze darkening as he stared down at me. And that did not stop us then.

But it has been announced, I insisted, retreating once more to put distance between us. And while you and I may be many things, My Lord, let us not count adulterers amongst them.

I don’t want to marry her, he spat.

Lady Demsworth is a good match for you, I said softly. You could be happy with her, if you allowed yourself to be. You will have children and carry on the Byron line. She is smart, pretty to look upon and well endowed.

She certainly has large enough—

I was referring to her dowry, My Lord, I said quickly, feeling heat rise in my cheeks at his implication.

As was I, he lied, winking at me with a grin spreading over his face. Percy, I do hope that we part as friends.

That is my wish as well, I assured him.

And I meant it. There were few people in the world who knew my truth, and less that accepted it as readily as George Byron. Of all of my previous masters, George had fought to keep me the longest. I believed he loved me. And there were times that I gave in to my deeper desires and could admit that I loved him as well.

But even if the world were different, I doubted I would stay with him forever. I loved him, but it wasn’t the forever sort of love I’d read of in the novels that the maids left downstairs.

George and I had a kinship, a friendship, and a shared set of physical desires. That was not quite enough to build a life with someone upon. He was a