by Ruby Moone
He put the matter to one side and made a mental note to take them from the secret pocket in his coat and put them into the safe. Tonight, he would take Jeremy to the theatre. Jo Crawford had dropped a hint that, given his passion for clothing, colours, and fabrics, a visit might be just the thing.
A tap at the door caught his attention.
“Come.”
Beth, the parlour maid, popped her head around the door, and bobbed a curtsey that he could only half see. “Parcel arrived, sir.”
“From the tailor?”
She nodded.
“Mr. Naylor’s room if you please. Hang it for me, would you?”
“Yes sir.” She bobbed again and scurried away.
Moments later Jeremy burst into the room, broad smile on his face. “You’re home!” He closed the door behind him and then kissed him on the cheek. “Good day?” Jeremy took the almost empty brandy glass from him and refilled it.
David couldn’t stop the soft ache in his chest at being so greeted. “Very good. You?”
“Simply magnificent. I have designed a gown,” he pronounced.
“May I see?”
“Lord no. I have to make it yet, but it will be fabulous.”
“Is it for you?”
He flushed and stuck his chin in the air. “Yes. I intend to use the violet fabric you said matched my eyes.”
“Will you wear it for me?” The prickle of arousal that feathered up his spine was delicious and the flush on Jeremy’s cheeks made the warmth intensify into something heated and darker.
“I will,” he whispered, leaning closer.
“Do you think you could have it ready in say…” David pulled out his pocket watch and looked at it. “Half an hour?”
Jeremy frowned, clearly puzzled.
“I don’t think I can wait very long with that image in my head.”
Jeremy flushed again and laughed. He looked so young when he laughed.
“As I’m not likely to be frolicking with you in your new gown this evening, I propose we plan how best to entertain ourselves in the meantime.”
Jeremy’s grin widened. “I’m sure we could come up with something.”
David smiled with him. “I was thinking more of a trip to the theatre or Astley’s. I thought you might find inspiration for your garments.”
Jeremy’s grin widened. “I’d love to.”
“What would you like to do?”
“Anything. Anything at all. You choose.”
At that moment, Mrs. Crawford tapped on the door and opened it. David never discovered the reason for the visit as Jeremy pounced on her and pulled her into the room.
“David has suggested a theatre trip or a visit to Astley’s. What should we go and see. Would you like to come with us?”
Mrs. Crawford smiled, but shook her head. “Thank you. That’s very kind, but no.”
“Do you have any recommendations,” David asked, forestalling yet another bombardment from Jeremy. “I was thinking perhaps the circus at Astley’s. I’ve heard good things about it.”
Mrs. Crawford nodded. “So have I. I’ve also heard the new theatre that opened on the Strand is very good. Small, but becoming quite fashionable.”
“The Sans Pareil?” David asked.
“That’s it.”
“Either sounds wonderful,” Jeremy said.
David pondered. “I think the daughter of the owner at the Sans Pareil writes a lot of the productions,” he said, trying to recall what conversations he had been involved in. He rarely bothered with the theatre, but it behoved him to be able to talk convincingly on occasion. “Hasn’t she done something about ghosts?”
Mrs. Crawford smiled and nodded. “I believe she is very talented. Her father had something to do with magic lanterns and I believe they are part of the scenery?” she said, pausing and tapping her lip with one finger. “He’s something of a genius with fabrics and the like.”
Jeremy’s eyes lit up.
“Well, who could resist ghosts, magic lanterns, and fabulous fabrics,” David said.
“Not me,” Jeremy laughed, but then his face fell.
“What is it?” David said.
“What would I need to wear? Will I need evening clothes?”
Mrs. Crawford looked thoughtful. “You might.”
“In your bed chamber,” David said, feeling uncommonly smug.
“What?”
“Evening wear. In your chamber.”
Jeremy looked warily at the door. “Bed chamber?”
“Hmm hmm.”
Mrs. Crawford put a hand over her mouth.
Jeremy raced from the room and tore up the stairs three at a time. David followed in a more leisurely fashion. He found Jeremy in the room with the suit of clothes spread over the bed. He was wrestling with his coat.
“Let me help. You need a valet.”
“I don’t need a valet. Just give me a hand, will you.”
Once he was stripped to his smalls, he went to the clothes and ran a hand over them reverently.
“They are not tailored exactly to fit, but they should do. You should really wait until we have eaten before you put it on.” He handed Jeremy his vibrant robe and helped him into it. Jeremy wrapped it around himself and slid into David’s arms. They held each other. David ran a hand down Jeremy’s back and then let him go.
“We have some time before dinner,” Jeremy whispered.
David forgot about his objections, about his need to create some distance between them, and claimed Jeremy’s mouth.
Chapter 14
The Sans Pareil theatre was unlike anything Jeremy had experienced in his life. He held up his head and walked at David’s side.
“It only opened at the end of last year,” David said as they walked towards the door. He hesitated. “It’s very small. No balcony or anything like that. I hope you won’t be disappointed.”
“Are you serious?” Jeremy said. “Disappointed? How on earth could I ever be disappointed?”
David was frowning. “Well, it’s hardly Drury Lane. Perhaps we should have gone there.”
Jeremy put his arm through David’s as they walked. “Well. According to Mrs. Crawford, Drury Lane is so big now no-one can hear what is going on.” He nodded at David’s sceptical look. “It’s true. It was re-built to be the biggest theatre ever, but it’s so big people don’t like it. And…” he added dramatically, “Mrs. Siddons left because it was so awful.”
“Really?”
“Really. This sounds perfect. I want to see the phantasmagoria.”
David laughed as they made their way into the building.
As far as Jeremy was concerned, any kind of production would be exciting, but Scott’s reputation with colours and dye, along with his magic lanterns was enough. He glanced at David looking so calm and unruffled, and felt a tightening in his chest when he thought of the lengths he had gone to make the evening good for him.
“Here we go,” David said, nodding here and there to people.
“They ought to look at using that new gas lighting in places like this.”
Jeremy was aghast. David had pointed out the new gas lamps on Pall Mall, but putting them inside a building sounded nothing short of reckless.
“Is it safe?”
David smiled at him. “I think so.”
Jeremy eyed him doubtfully. “You know a lot of people here.”
“I do. It’s my business to know a lot of people. To keep abreast of things.” He nudged Jeremy. “Keep an eye out for pickpockets. This area is notorious.”
“I’m not completely green, you know,” he said. Something in David’s eyes made him suspicious. Jeremy stopped walking. “Are you a pickpocket?”
David gave him a long look and then, with a half-smile, held out his hand. In it was the pocket watch David had loaned him that Jeremy would have sworn sat comfortably in his waistcoat pocket. Jeremy immediately patted his midriff to find the watch gone.
“You are an easy mark,” David said as he co
ntinued walking. “Take care.”
Jeremy stuffed the watch his pocket and trailed behind him. “How did you do that?”
David paused by a door, and then opened it and gestured for Jeremy to precede him. Once the door was closed, he turned and gave Jeremy an unreadable look. “As I said, you are an easy mark.” He held up a hand forestalling him. “Before you ask, no, I have not stolen from anyone else.”
Jeremy busied himself, re-attaching his watch to his waistcoat and avoided looking at him. “Glad to hear it.”
“Come.” David ushered him to their seats. As the room filled rapidly, and the noise from the conversations rose along with it. Jeremy felt excitement bubble through every part of him. The chill in the air diminished as people took their seats. Jeremy settled himself and smiled without taking his eyes from the stage as David allowed his leg to touch his for a moment.
The room was festooned with magic lanterns, and the draped curtains were rich, ruby reds with gold, making the stage appear like the gateway to the sun. The noise was getting louder and anticipation tingled, making his skin prickle. And then, as the noise fell, a single figure appeared on the stage. Gradually the noise subsided until there was nothing but silence. Jeremy held his breath as she began to speak.
* * * *
Jeremy hung on every word. He was utterly absorbed from the moment it began to the final curtain. David had never seen anyone so engrossed, so enthralled, so filled with joy at watching something that was, frankly, as incomprehensible as it was boring. Whilst Jeremy marvelled at the production, he simply watched Jeremy.
At the end of the play, Jeremy applauded long and loud and David was certain there was a sheen of tears in his eyes.
“That was marvellous, wasn’t it,” he said, sounding breathless, exhausted. “Wasn’t it simply the best thing you have ever seen?”
“It was utterly fascinating.”
“I knew you would love it, too,” he said, beaming at David and in that moment, David wanted nothing more than to share in his passion.
“The Phantasmagoria was stunning. Can you imagine thinking all that up? What kind of a mind can conjure such images? Mrs. Crawford was right. The woman is a genius.”
David smiled and nodded. The woman was barking mad.
Jeremy laughed. “I’d love to make her some costumes. Make it stand out above every other theatre in the land. The costumes would be second to none, they would…” Jeremy tailed off and squeezed his eyes shut. “Just imagine.”
David made a mental note to contact the theatre. Theatres were not something he had invested in. Perhaps it was time to change that.
“I imagine you would make a splendid job of it.”
Jeremy smiled at him, eyes still misty and filled with such adoration David felt uncomfortable. He had to look away.
“David?” Jeremy’s voice was raspy, low.
David looked up.
“Take me home.”
* * * *
They made it to the house without touching, and David had no idea how he found the strength to restrain himself. They got out of the carriage at the house, and David fumbled for the key.
“Will anyone be up?” Jeremy said.
I don’t care if they are. He pushed open the door. A good number of candles burned in the hallway creating a welcoming, yet intimate glow. He slammed it shut, and grabbed Jeremy, pushing him against the door and claimed his mouth. He wasn’t sure at what point kissing had become so damned important to him, but the need to feel Jeremy’s mouth was overwhelming.
Jeremy wrapped around him and moaned, returning the kiss with absolute abandon and David crushed him tighter, loving the feel of his hard body, the scrub of bristle against him, the strength in the arms that held him. He grabbed Jeremy’s thigh and brought it up and Jeremy slid it around his hip, thrusting against him and David pushed back, moaning; panting. They released each other long enough to shed heavy outer coats leaving them strewn on the floor. David pushed Jeremy back against the door. Jeremy pushed a hand down the back of David’s breeches making him groan. They weren’t going to make it to the study let alone the bed chamber at this rate, and to be honest, David didn’t give a damn.
“Sorry to intrude.”
The voice wrenched them apart, and David turned snarling. “What the fuck are you doing here?” He stood in front of Jeremy, shielding him, and stopped short of launching himself at the tall man standing idly watching.
“I have come to arrest Mr. Naylor for sodomy…ah, ah, ah…!” He waved a hand and backed away as David made to grab him. “I have colleagues in your study so if you do anything heroic…that’s better.”
David was incandescent with fury. Fury at being so lax that he had allowed this to happen; fury that he had put Jeremy in danger. Fury at Charnley’s despicable presence in his home. He waited, breathing hard.
“All my colleagues witnessed you fucking, and would be willing to testify to this, so there really is no point in dramatics.” He waited and looked at Jeremy pointedly. “Aren’t you going to introduce us? What rag manners.” He clicked his fingers, and two men walked out of the study and ranged themselves behind him.
David’s heart clenched when Jeremy stepped out from behind him.
“I remember you from Sir Granville’s, Lord Charnley.” Jeremy sketched a brief bow.
David wanted to scream. He would not be made vulnerable like this. He would not allow it.
“So, let’s get to business. Naylor, my colleagues and I have a request to make of Mr. Lambert, or should I say Potts, and should he find it within him to agree you will be free to go about your business. Should he not, well, then I will have no other alternative but to hand you over to the authorities. Quite straight forward, really.”
“What do you want?” David forced the words.
“I knew you would be reasonable. Eventually,” Charnley said with a smirk that David knew at some point he would wipe from his face. Permanently.
“I want some papers retrieved. I won’t bore you with the details. You can pay me a morning call and I will give you everything that you need to know.”
“Payment?” David said.
“You want money, too? Isn’t your lover’s life worth anything?”
“He’s not my lover, he’s a fucking footman I picked up at the Fallows party.” David did his best to look exasperated. “If you wanted me to work for you, you only need say. No need for the theatrics.”
Charnley shrugged. “Your response to my previous requests were…shall we say, lacking.”
“Although it is gratifying to know you feel you need three men to come and take me. Not confident you could manage me alone?” Provocation was probably not sensible, but when had he ever been sensible.
“Well, in that case, perhaps we will take the footman off your hands.”
David moved to stand in front of Jeremy again and pointed at Charnley’s chest. “I’ve paid for the weekend. You can have him when I’ve done with him and not before. Find your own entertainment…brother.”
The words hung between them. Charnley’s face flamed and his arm shot out and gripped David by the throat. “Have a care, Albert. Have a care.”
David wrenched free and turned to open the door. “Gentlemen.” He gestured to the open space, and after a prolonged hesitation, Charnley and his cronies filed out of the house leaving David alone with Jeremy.
Chapter 15
Spencer came hurrying through the door to the servants’ hall closely followed by Mrs. Crawford.
“I’m so sorry. He wouldn’t leave. I sent Bentley to get a note to you but I’m presuming he didn’t make it?”
David shook his head. “It’s of no worry. I will deal with him.” He sounded unspeakably weary, as though the fury which had burned through him had exhausted him completely. Jeremy watched as David dealt with Spencer and Mrs. Crawford and assured them that all was well. They departed, leaving him alone with David in the hallway.
Jeremy swallowed. “Does he mean it?”
“They are going to force you to do something by threatening to have me hung?”
“That’s about the top and bottom of it.”
“I’m sorry.”
David stared at him as though he has bats in his attic. “What on earth have you to be sorry for? I dragged you into this mess and now…” He threw his hands in the air.
“I’m sorry you are in this position. That’s all.”
David closed his eyes and appeared to be holding onto his composure with every last shred of willpower he possessed. “I didn’t mean it,” he said after a moment, looking at the floor and rubbing his neck with one hand.
“Mean what?”
“About you…” He gestured vaguely with one hand. “Just being a footman.”
“I know.” Jeremy licked his lips. “What are you going to do?”
“See him tomorrow and find out what he expects from me.” David was pacing now. Running his hands through his hair.
“Will it be stealing?”
“If I’m lucky.”
“And if you are not?”
David twitched a shoulder in a faint shrug.
Jeremy’s stomach turned. All because of him. “Perhaps I should leave so he has no hold over you.”
David met his gaze. “He would find another way to make me bend to his will. This is not your fault. It is mine. The fight between me and Charnley is a longstanding one. I should never have dragged you into my life. I should have found you a good position and let you go days ago. Instead, I kept you here and now I have exposed you to all that is vile and filthy in mine.” He was getting angry again. “I have dragged you down to the levels that I inhabit. I made the fatal mistake of believing my own lies. I’m not a gentleman, I’m not even a good person.”
Jeremy wanted to dispute that, but let it go. “You called him brother?”
David dipped his head momentarily, then looked up. “Because he is my brother. Half-brother.”