In the intervening years, Will had grown in assurance as his father’s public role had noticeably diminished.
I’m no longer a boy, terrified of encountering my father unexpectedly to receive a dressing down or even a horse whipping.
On occasion, when he had spotted his father in a box seat at a concert, alone apart from a few dependent family members, Will could even feel a certain amount of pity.
He only has his pride and over-ambition, rather than real friends and supporters. Little wonder that he’s virtually ignored.
Will sighed and laid his head against Martin’s shoulder.
The lack of family feeling no longer stung.
I have Martin, his siblings, and their children and, of course, Imogen and George and their brood. I have no regrets,he thought as Martin’s arm tightened around him.
The clerical post that Martin had contrived for Will was as tedious as he had warned, but the role bought Will precious independence and the start of a life away from his father’s stifling rule.
For the first few years, Will had managed to combine musical engagements at night with his daytime office job, even if he was yawning at his desk.
“I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t met you.”
“Nothing much different, I imagine. Although I don’t want to think of you happily settled with someone else.”
“That would never happen.”
Martin kissed the top of Will’s head.
“Thankfully, we will never know. But in terms of your professional success, well, that’s a given. You would have managed somehow, I’m sure. I’ve never met a more determined man. You always get what you want in the end.”
“As long as that includes you.”
Will lifted his face for a kiss.
Once Will had been sufficiently established at Drury Lane theatre to quit his daily drudgery, and moved into this house with Martin, some of his fellow brothers of the string had been askance at his choice of companion.
They were unperturbed that Will had chosen a man as his lover.
The entertainment world was far more relaxed about such matters than wider society. What perplexed them was that Martin had no artistic aspirations whatsoever.
“Ain’t he a bit of a dull dog?” his friends would ask. “You could pick a much livelier fellow if you tried.”
They failed to comprehend that Will had chosen Martin precisely for these qualities. Martin’s supportive steadiness wasthe perfect antidote to the autocratic disdain of Will’s father.
“It had better include me.”
Martin’s reply was slightly breathless.
From their first meeting, he had never failed to show his physical response to Will, which was returned in full.
Will kissed him again and toyed with Martin’s waistcoat buttons. He slipped a hand between the waistcoat and Martin’s shirt, a thin covering between his fingers and warm bare skin.
Martin groaned.
“You had me at your mercy from the moment I set eyes on you. How could a mere mortal withstand such sorcery?”
“Sorcery? Really?” Will smiled.
“Absolutely. One look from you and my heart was captured. Offering your arse sealed the deal.”
They both laughed.
