His head throbbed.The last few days, nay, weeks of fear, not to mention his escapade on the roof, had left him weak-limbed and feeble minded.Yet from his father’s tone, the subject seemed not quite finished.
“Yes, Papa,” he repeated without opening his eyes.“Fitzisunique.And you yourself taught me that a Duchamps-Avery doesn’t allow unique, extraordinary men to wither away quietly.Especially when they cherish one’s own peculiarities and forgive one’s mistakes.And I am trying to think of a more precise way to explain it, but the only words I can find are that I love him.Without reason and unreasonably.Fitz is not perfect, as today has shown.Not even close.Yet all that has done is make me love him all the more.”
Whilst they all digested that, Rollo took a deep breath, then ploughed on.Standing up for himself had got him into this mess in the first place.But if he hadn’t, he would never have met Fitz.He didn’t regret it for a second.
“Whilst Rossingley and my family will always be home,” he continued, “from now forward, it is no longer my only home.And if Fitz is greeted with a cool reception at Rossingley, or if there are whispers about him intoncircles, if he is not a welcome guest in the smartest houses, then I shall survive here at Goule on his love alone.For the remainder of my days.Because it is enough to nourish me.”
A profound hush ensued, during which Rollo dared not open his eyes.He didn’t need to; his father’s scrutinising pale gaze bore through his eyelids anyhow.
A log popped in the fire.Next to him, awaiting the earl’s response, Willoughby flinched.Rollo felt for his hand as the moment stretched.The earl didn’t answer straight away, and Rollo hadn’t expected him to.If anyone understood the value of a suspenseful pause, it was their wily father.
Eventually, though, the eleventh earl cleared his throat.“Understood.And bravo, darling.I couldn’t have put it better myself.”
*
GOD, FITZ WAShandsome when he smiled.But also, when he wasn’t smiling.Like now.When he was scowling.And filling the doorway of his own drawing room.Chatter ceased as everyone turned to look at him.The Duke of Ashington was first to stride over.
“Lyndon,” he said, greeting him warmly.Then, “Thank God you’re—”
“Benedict,” Lyndon returned.“And, yes.I am.I apologise for any distress I may have caused.”
As an awkward pause stretched, Rollo, trapped on the settee on the other side of the room, discussing the history of Goule with Will Elliot, experienced a pang of despair.The scene was all too reminiscent of that blasted solicitor’s office in Norwich.So stiff.So bloody clogged.Hadn’t they put all this nonsense behind them?
And then, just as he was about to make his excuses to Will, something extraordinary happened.And though Rollo believed it impossible, his love for his man swelled a little more.Raising his arms as Rollo had so painfully instructed, Lyndon took a step forward, clasped his twin’s shoulders in both of his large hands, leaned closer, and embraced him in an almighty hug.
“I am…so very pleased to have you here at Goule,” he said.“You and Squire are so very, very welcome.”
“Yes!I meet him at last!”Willoughby gave Rollo a nudge, beaming from ear to ear.“That hair is magnificent.You didn’t tell me your man is a veritable Viking.”
“The best of Vikings,” Rollo whispered back.“If he had a beard, it would be drenched in tears.”Still embracing, and less clumsily by the second, Ashington and Fitz exchanged a few private words.Ashington even gave a soft laugh.Rollo’s chest ached with pride.
“But by Jove, he’s fierce,” added Willoughby.“That expression on his face when he walked in.So…smouldering.As though the devil himself lived on his back.”
“Yes.”It was one of Rollo’s particular favourites too.“Sometimes, I believe he does harbour the devil.But how I relish the thrust and parry.”
“I bet you do,” murmured Willoughby with a snort.“And I think that feeling is reciprocated.His gaze has been searching for you since he walked in.”
Rollo chuckled, rising to his feet.“Then it’s time we went over and rescued him from Papa.I think that’s a friendship which will have to develop cautiously.Come on.Let me help you up.I’m desperate to introduce you to each other.”
“Fitz!”Rollo exclaimed as Willoughby finally made it across the room.He had an overwhelming urge to pat his lover down, preferably using his mouth, but restricted himself to a brief touch on the other’s arm.“May I present my brother, Lord Cavendish.”
Willoughby nodded.“Very pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord Lyndon.But Cavendish will do.Or Willoughby, seeing as we’re going to be firm chums.”He smiled brightly at Fitz who stared back at him, dumbstruck.Perhaps being in the presence of the Duke, Rollo’s father, and Willoughby at the same time was proving too much after all that had gone before.
“Willoughby responds to pretty much anything,” interjected Rollo to break the silence.“I have a whole host of designations for him; hop-along, donkey—”
“There are two of you,” Fitz blurted.His uneasy gaze flicked between Rollo and his twin.“I knew it, of course.It’s a foolish thing to comment upon.But…I hadn’t given it conscious consideration until you…you are both here in front of me.”
He studied them some more, eyes darting from one to the other, before a glimmer of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.“And I believe that it is only because one of you is regarding me so anxiously and hopping from foot to foot as if I might say something outrageous, that I can tell the difference.”
“Willoughby is the one of us with the crutch,” Rollo said helpfully.His pleasure at seeing Fitz’s small smile bloomed in his soul like a dozen red roses.
“And he has less sauce, I’d wager.”
“Indeed,” crowed Willoughby.“The more we get to know each other, you will come to see that you have chosen the wrong brother, dear Fitzsimmons.The annoying one.”A sudden flush painted his cheeks.“Except for the small, crucial fact that I…you know, I… God, I’ve cornered myself, haven’t I?”
“It’s because Fitz is so scary,” soothed Rollo.“He’s trying not to be, but sometimes he forgets the effect his austere countenance has on a person.One has to plunge through it regardless.And sometimes, he—”
“He’s still standing here,” Fitz interrupted, usingthe voice.“And he employs that austere countenance to good effect to put young pups in their place.”He nodded at Willoughby.“Call me Fitz.Your brother does.It makes me feel more…”
