As they reached the landing where the staircase split just above the entrance to the west tower porch, Toby turned to the right and headed up the last small flight of stairs. “The Brownes are over here. Alex and Xander are to the left over there.”
The younger men found their way into a big bright bedroom looking south over the river valley. Smaller than the opulent master bedroom, it featured a suite of 1870s walnut furniture that was stylish, but simpler than that in the owners’ room. A black marble clock ticked on the carved wooden mantelpiece. A spacious, old-fashioned but fully functional bathroom opened off the bedroom.
“So this was Homer’s room, huh?” Alex wondered out loud.
“And the clock is working,” added Xander.
Alex looked fondly at his boyfriend. “You are such a nerd.”
“Wh
