“Of course, I would be glad of the help.” Elias raised his hands and sorted the bow out in a few quick movement but when he looked up he realized how close they were standing and how the other was looking up at him but instead of a rebuke he just smiled brightly as if there was nothing amiss. “Thank you,” he said patting him lightly on the arm.
Elias smiled back and moved away, “How is your ankle fairing?”
“Much better it seems. If not just a touch sore.”
“I am glad, shall we?”
He let the smaller man take the lead watching as his mop of brown hair bounced with his step and quickly followed him downstairs. Breakfast was a simple affair but instead of going for the paper he just made himself a coffee and sat next to Reginald angling it so their legs would brush ever so often but once again the other said nor did anything to stop him.
“When will your sister and her friend arrive back?” He asked.
“Late this eve or early tomorrow, Marise was particularly unspecific on that detail. I think she may hold out hope that it will be extended.”
“She did seem quite enamored with Mr Pemberton when last I saw her.”
Reginald blushed as if it were some great secret before sighing, “Well she does not hide it.”
“Why should she? He is a respectable gentleman.”
“Do not mistake me, they make a good match, I only wish Harold would notice as much as other people do.”
“Surely he cannot be blind to it?”
“I know not, but he has not shown inclination yet to make an offer, but perhaps he is first waiting to establish himself.”
“He’s a barrister, is he not?”
“He shall become one in the coming months, but she is quite taken with him.”
“You will no doubt approve of the match?”
“Of course,” Reginald beamed, “I hope they marry. I would love to see her happy.”
“What about you, Reginald, any inclination yourself?”
The smaller man paused, tea mid-air before he lowered it, “I do not think it in the cards for me.”
Elias could not deny the small thrill in his chest at the potential reasoning but chose not to comment further instead changing the conversation onto different religions. Elias reluctantly prepared to leave following breakfast, Reginald helping out where he could, during which the smaller man made him promise to write frequently and reaffirmed his attendance at the party he had now resigned himself to throwing.
As the carriage arrived before them and the butlers began loading it he turned to Reginald, “I have had a most enjoyable stay.”
“As have I,” Reginald beamed back, “Do write, the party will be only a few weeks away but I do fear I will miss your most invigorating company.”
Reginald offered a hand which he gladly took, managing to restrain himself from any further display, “And I yours, I have no doubt Marise will keep you on your toes about the party no less.”
As he departed from the other man he almost automatically missed the company and looked back to see the other man still watching the carriage retreat rather than go inside and he felt himself smiling once more.
***
“Quickly Reginald, they’ll be arriving soon!” Marise admonished when she saw he was as of yet still not dressed for the evening.
“Be calm, dear sister, we have time yet.”
She still practically followed him upstairs to make sure that he was in fact going to get changed and he pinched his nose as he slid against the door once again regretting the decision to hold a party. He earnestly thought that if not for Marise he would have given up on the affair as soon as he considered the effort that would go into it but he was looking forward to seeing Elias again and Marise was beaming at the prospect of seeing Harold.
There had been frequent correspondence between the two of them but no time for any more visits with the multiple obligations they both faced as estate owners. He felt giddy at the chance to speak to him again even if as host it meant it would be somewhat infrequently. Felton was waiting for him shrewdly eyeing his appearance as he pulled himself upright and started the task of changing into ones best. Society really was a nuisance, he considered as he fussed over which cufflinks to wear.
He heard Marise shout his name hurriedly, in an entirely un-lady like manner, he rolled his eyes at it whilst Felton smiled warmly, to tell him people were approaching. He picked the pair on the left, part of him feeling slightly more anxious to get downstairs on the off chance it was Elias.
Reginald wasn’t overly surprised when it was in fact Harold, “Harold, so glad you could make it,” he said shaking his hand and leaning around to clap him on the back, “Marise said I was a fool to not go to yours, high praise indeed.”
The young lawyer blushed slightly but smiled, “We missed you, of course.”
“Of course,” he said knowing he was not. Not by Harold at any rate, “Marise, would you like to lead Mr Pemberton into the parlor?”
“Yes!” She squeaked before remembering herself, her own blush coloring her features, “I mean, if you would like to follow me.”
Harold happily took her arm and she led him through but not without turning around and sticking her tongue out at Reginald who reciprocated the action only to be caught short when he noticed someone standing before him, “How very gentlemanly of you,” the voice he had missed most dearly commented and he turned to see the smug expression on his face.
Reginald smiled, “If one cannot be oneself with ones siblings, what hope do we have?”
“What hope indeed,” Elias commented removing his hat.
“Good to see you again, my friend,” he said warmly offering a hand and once again turning into an embrace the other reciprocated readily.
“Likewise.”
“I trust you’ve had a pleasant month?”
“I had to go to town to deal with some accounts,” Elias said making a face, “London ill suits me.”
“I find myself in the same situation,” Reginald admitted, “I go as infrequently as possible and stay briefly.”
Marise giggled from the other room and he could see the light from another carriage approaching and he sighed, “I suppose I should get on with the whole hosting lark”
Elias clapped him on the shoulder reassuringly, “You’ll be fine.”
Reginald let out a humph but guided the other man through to where Harold and Marise were talking animatedly amongst themselves, “I don’t think introductions are required,” he said upon entering and Marise and Harold stood immediately.
His sister walked over immediately, “I believe I have you to thank for convincing my brother to throw a party,” She beamed.
“Perhaps,” the other one said a small quirk from his lips but the easy openness he held with Reginald disappearing.
“I must excuse myself, I do believe Miss Slade has arrived,” he interruptedly briefly but the others smiled and nodded.
For the next half an hour, Reginald found himself running in and out of the parlor as his guests arrived so he could bring them into the room, whenever he managed to catch Elias’ eye there was a slight twinkle there that made him want to go over to the other man. Timing prevented it and by the time he had finally settled everyone in and had just started to insinuate his way into the conversation between Elias, Ambrose and Florentia the gong sounded.
He escorted them inside but the seating arrangements did not favor him either, placing Elias at the other end of the table from him. He internally sighed, having just wanted to converse more with the man, but kept up appearances and tried to keep up with Harold’s conversation on the latest science techniques.
After the three courses had passed and the ladies quietly adjourned to the drawing room, the men scooted up and Elias managed to get himself next to Reginald who had to resist the overwhelming sensation to just sag against the man, already feeling drained from having to keep the conversation flowing at dinner and all the running around from the day in preparat
ion.
He left Ambrose and Isaac’s conversation about the merits of wrestling and subtly turned his attention to Elias, “Did you enjoy dinner?”
“I did,” Elias said before commenting more quietly, “You look exhausted.”
“Marise’s had me running around all day, correction she’s had the entire household running around all day. I’ve not really had a chance to stop.”
Elias patted his thigh under the table in understanding and he found himself smiling up at the man but before they could have any more private words, Ambrose interrupted, “Say Reginald, did you hear about the case of Miss Templeton?”
“I did actually,” he said smiling, normally whenever someone asked such a thing he would have to beg off, “It was a month ago in the news, what of it?”
“I read this morning that she had killed him,” Isaac overtook.
“Most scandalous,” Reginald admitted and heard the small scoff from Elias that luckily no one else managed to hear.
“Indeed,” Harold pitched up, “She apparently poisoned him.”
“I don’t believe it,” Ambrose said, “Why would someone go through the trouble of marrying someone that would result in being disinherited only to kill him?”
“Whatever the reason I am sure it is a tad racy for the women next door,” the fellows nodded their heads in agreement, “So perhaps we should move on before we go to them.”
It was only a few more minutes before they were ready to join the ladies, Reginald having noticed Harold himself seemed particularly eager. Marise quickly organized them into a game of charades that they all thoroughly enjoyed, Isaac particularly being unable to get across the play, “Richard II” which resulted in an outburst of laughter from all involved.
“Honestly, Isaac, I do not know how you can be taken seriously after a performance like that,” Ambrose commented after the game was done.
The other man blushed and stuttered out an apology but Reginald was too, amused by it, he had also been able to enjoy it all the more by having managed to position himself by Elias’ side, using the opportunity to occasionally whisper to each other.
He actually found that as he got into it more, he enjoyed the night, something about having Elias there made it that little bit less tedious. He looked over at Marise who had a large smile as she chatted amicably with Harold and she couldn’t help thinking that her reasoning was not so dissimilar to his.
The night eventually drew to a close and Reginald was there to see them all off with a handshake until it was only Harold and Elias left, Harold and Marise had gone over to his carriage whilst Reginald stayed to see Elias off.
“It wasn’t so unenjoyable,” Reginald admitted as they approached the door, “But I fear that was partly due to you.”
Elias smiled and offered him a hand, “I came to the same conclusion myself,” he turned to the carriage but stopped turning back, “You should visit soon.”
“Of course.”
He watched the man leave and continued staring after it until it was a light in the distance, when he moved away he noticed Marise was doing the same thing.
***
Reginald wasted no time in taking Elias up on his offer and just over a week later he left his home and started the journey to Elias’. It really was not far away, only an hour or so from the Rowe estate, but he found himself excited as he travelled. The road was quiet and there was a wind that made the journey slightly cold even if he was tucked up in a carriage. As he approached the Sully estate he couldn’t help marveling at the sight before him; it was picturesque, surrounded in woodlands, and he could just see the lake as the carriage approached the front steps to where Elias was waiting.
He quickly ambled out, “This is beautiful,” he said in way of greeting, briefly embracing him before letting go, still ogling at the stone walls before him.
Elias smiled proudly, but he was not admiring the house but was staring down at Reginald. He had made good time, leaving quiet early in the day and thus even after he was settled they still had most of the afternoon together.
The taller man seemed at ease in his own house and chattered happily about the place, “I caught a glimpse of the lake on my way down,” Reginald asked from their seats by the fire, “Perhaps I can encourage you to show me the grounds?”
“Of course, it would be my pleasure,” the taller man nodded, both rising quickly and heading out in the direction of the body of water. As they stood before it Reginald marveled in the beauty as the trees reflected in the surface. It was slightly cooler by the lake and so they continued their walk around it, entering into a small patch of woodland.
“I always found the area around the lake the most relaxing area of the estate, I am sure you remember my enjoyment of the outdoors.”
“Indeed, I do. It is beautiful,” he added slowing to give himself a chance to properly take in the place, there was a small clearing in the trees before them and a smoothed stone which looked like a small seat in it, which he slowly walked towards and lowered himself into. Elias did the same and the two sat in quiet admiration for a moment before a question the other man had asked him before refreshed itself in his mind, “You asked me once if I was inclined to marry, but you never offered your own opinions on the matter.”
Elias remained quiet for a moment as if solving some personal dilemma before responding, “I am similarly in that regard to you, I expect.”
There was a subtle breeze that passed them, rattling the leaves around them, but Reginald felt a slight shake as a result. He rubbed his fingers together briefly before clenching them and stretching them out in a bid to warm them, but only a moment after he started, Elias encompassed them with his own hands. They were warm and smooth against his skin and he tried to quell his heart as he looked up at the man before him who was considering him most carefully.
“You’re cold,” the other man noted, “Shaking even.”
Reginald had not noticed it himself but now he did he felt himself minutely draw closer to the man before him, who surprised him once more by removing one of his hands and wrapping an arm around his side to pull him closer. He sagged automatically into the warmth but where their previous touches and bumps could be construed as accidents or in the moment, this was a more clear movement with obvious forethought. He wanted to question what this meant but his tongue remained still, not knowing what or how to ask.
He eventually managed to look up again once more to Elias’ face and was surprised by the level of emotion within, almost without thinking he raised a hand and rested it on the others cheek, watching as Elias closed his eyes and shifted his face towards him once more. His heart was racing in his chest as he slowly moved his hand lower, moving his thumb to trace over the other man’s lips, who readily parted them for him.
Feeling suddenly brave he leant up and slowly brushed his lips past the others before coming away to gage his reaction. Elias’ eyes opened as soon as he pulled back and the most joyful grin he had ever seen from the man came across his face before he moved forwards to capture Reginald. He found himself tugged close as the other softly moved his lips against him, sliding his hand slowly into the others hair he leaned into it more, like he was gasping and Elias was the only source of oxygen. When they eventually pulled apart he was panting slightly and the taller man rested their heads together.
Elias spoke quickly as if the words pained him to say, “I have found myself wanting you some months passed, it has been a trial to go for months on end without seeing you and now when I find myself in your company I cannot keep my distance. You fascinate and excite me and I have sorely hoped in recent days you have returned my affection, for I assure you, any affections you may have will be eagerly returned.”
It took Reginald a moment to process what had been said to him and found himself pushing their lips together once more, before pulling away and replying, “Is it not obvious? My friend, I find myself unable to close my eyes without the sight of you there. Will you come to me tonight?”
&nb
sp; Elias looked down at him with a mix of lust, hopefulness with a small amount of disbelief before nodding profusely, “I will come.”
***
They had spent a few more moments together in their seclusion before the cold necessitated them to return indoors. They had played chess before dinner, hands brushing often, and had then proceeded to quickly move through dinner and drinks. In the end it was relatively early when they retired but they were both eager.
Elias had placed Reginald in a room as close to his as possible but as he stalked the halls he was still extremely grateful he kept only a skeletal staff, most of whom were too old to be up at this hour. When he reached Reginald’s door a moment of apprehension took hold before he could bring himself to knock, in two quick movements. The door opened quickly and he walked through, caught slightly off guard as the smaller man leaned up and kissed him, wrapping his arms around him in the process.
Elias relaxed into it, his own arms wrapping around the smaller man possessively as he kicked the door too and slowly walked Reginald back to the bed. The other man happily obliged, moaning slightly into the kisses as he was lowered down onto it, Elias resting above him but supporting himself by his arm, careful not to crush the man below him.
When they broke away Reginald looked up at him in a way that had convinced him of this man’s attraction towards him, throughout the entire night they had been at the party no one else received the look of captivation and admiration bar himself. Before they got any further, Elias ran a smooth finger down the others face, tracing light patterns as he spoke in a soft voice, “Are you sure you wish to do this? The risk is quite high.”
“I have considered this before in depth, I am sure. Our discussions from before stand true, I believe we should go with what makes us happy, not what is considered normal.”
“We will have to be discreet,” he murmured, “Spend time apart.”
Reginald hummed his agreement, “I may have an idea.”
“Oh?” he asked, now distracted in the task of slowly unbuttoning the other man’s shirt.
“Well it isn’t uncommon for two gentleman to go travelling together, even for as long as a year,” Reginald hinted and Elias smiled.
Omega's Joy: An MPREG Romance Page 13