Always His Earl (12 page)

Emotion and lust tore through Myles as George licked along the ridges at the tip of Myles’ cock. They knew each other so well. A few flicks of his tongue and George made Myles come with a grunt. The cream soon disappeared as George lapped up the evidence. Even the stolen moments were priceless.

“You are in quite a mood, my lord.” Myles closed up his breeches.

“I am. I have everything I want. After the mourning period, Basil and Claire can have everything they’ve ever wanted. Aren’t you pleased?” George asked.

He kissed George. “I wish today could erase the pain Claire has suffered, Basil’s heartbreak and yours.”

“We can’t change the past. Philips did nothing to hurt me. We will repair and undo what damage we can. Don’t live in the regret. Make the lost time up to me in bed tonight.” George tucked Myles’ shirt in properly.

The flutter of desire and love caught Myles by surprise. This was the homecoming he wanted. Happiness and freedom. No one could say they hadn’t earned it, if anyone ever found out what they’d done. No, no one would ever know the truth, except for the two old tars. They’d make out pretty damn good with a set living for only one day of discreet work.

“You’re thinking too much.” George sat up straight and proper in the carriage as it slowed.

“I was merely reviewing the events to see if there are any loose ends. I think we’re nice and tidy. Even if Philips told anyone about the duel, the proof won’t back it up. It’ll look as if they were robbed, and gentlemen of honor wouldn’t steal. Now, we wait for formal notification.” Myles nodded as the footman opened the door.

C
laire’s room became quite crowded once the doctor had concluded his exam. Lady Philips was all smiles this morning.

“I’m quite pleased with the progress. She’s fit enough to move about more. No dancing or other exertion, however.” Dr. Wallis gave her a stern look.

“I’ll just be glad to be out of this bed and sit at a table. Thank you, Doctor,” she smiled.

“Don’t rush anything. Take your time on stairs and such. I’d delay any long carriage rides for another couple of days. I’m sure you’d rather be at home to recover in the country but don’t tax yourself.”

“We’ll see to that,” Myles confirmed.

“Then this is the last you need to see of me, I hope, your ladyship.” The doctor headed to the door of her room.

George walked him down the stairs. “I appreciate your discretion. Make sure to send your bill to me.”

“Philips has inquired about his wife. I’m not sure what you intend to do with this matter. He knows the law. If you must move her, get her out of London and put up at an inn in a village nearby with no connections to either you or the Harris family. Perhaps even rent a house. Don’t try to take her on a long journey yet. While she may feel much better, her energy won’t last being jostled over miles of road. She’s still healing.”

“I understand. Philips has been here, and we’ve explained things to him. As far as the next move, it’s up to Harris. Your patient is putting up a brave front, but she tires easily. I won’t be doing anything. What’s done is done, and it’s Lieutenant Harris’ situation. My home was merely the nearest and safest place she could make it to in her injured state.” George wanted to throw the doctor off, just in case he’d been behind the leak of information.

“She certainly trusts you, my lord, and it’s well deserved.” The doctor took his hat and gloves from Davis.

“We did grow up on neighboring estates. Our mothers were best friends. I look at her as the sister I never had. How could I say no?” George nodded to the doctor.

“Of course you could not. However, you did take quite a risk, my lord. You’re to be admired.” The doctor bowed slightly and left.

“I don’t think he was the leak, my lord,” Davis said after he closed the door.

“No, nor do I. That new maid we picked up to cover for Minnie and Mrs. Blake’s time perhaps?” George could much more easily believe a young maid would slip up.

However, the doctor had to serve the whole community and if he became known for hiding abused wives, he’d be out of favor in a blink.

“The maid is denying it, but I’ve spoken to all of the staff. I believe the rest of them are loyal and trust your judgment. The new maid was asking all sorts of questions and seemed intrigued by the activity,” Davis sighed.

“You haven’t dismissed her yet?” George asked.

“No, Mrs. Blake wanted to wait until things settled down so she didn’t go running to anyone. However, Philips does know his wife is here so it seems the secret is out. Since Lady Claire requires no more regular nursing, I’ll dismiss the extra maid today if you agree,” Davis said.

“I do. Give her an extra week’s wages and enough of a reference to keep her quiet. Simply tell her we’re leaving soon and have no more need of her services. You’re reasonably sure she’s the one who caused the trouble?”

“I am.” Davis bowed slightly. “It’ll be done before noon, my lord.”

“Thank you.” George headed upstairs and found Claire sitting in a chair with a paisley shawl draped around her. “Testing yourself already?”

“I want to get stronger fast. I’m ready to hide out anywhere you like, anything to avoid Philips. I can’t thank you enough.” She smiled, her color beginning to return.

“Stop thanking me.” George kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry about Philips or moving just yet. Rest, eat, and take short walks to get stronger. Very short walks. There’s no rush.”

“There isn’t?” Basil asked.

George looked at Myles. “Philips hasn’t been back. I’m sure the doctor confirmed to him that Claire couldn’t travel or walk much yet. With the law on Philips’ side, he’s probably having a good bit of fun and not worrying about his wife while we take care of her.”

Claire frowned. “I’m sure he thinks he’ll collect me at the end of the Season and things will go back to normal. No doubt, he’s enjoying going out gambling every night without anyone nagging at him about his drinking or going to see that mistress of his.”

“Sounds like father.” Myles shook his head.

“Exactly. Father wanted me married off with a title. He wanted Lord Thistledown, but I knew that would never happen.” Claire took Basil’s hand.

“Of course, you didn’t love George. Being around Basil all the time would’ve killed you.” Myles shook his head.

“I’d never hurt my brother that way either. I’d much rather see him happy.” George saw the affection growing stronger between Basil and Claire. The mourning period would be hard but in the end, they could be happy.

“That and...” She looked from George to Myles. “I’m a lady but not a fool. I know why Father sent Myles away. I think I knew before then. Don’t worry; your secret is safe with us.” 

Basil looked a bit uncomfortable but nodded at Claire. “I don’t pretend to understand, but I know the truth. I’ll protect you any way I can. If only that damn old man had let me marry Claire, we’d all be family.”

George sat down on the edge of the bed. “You know? I don’t... I never...”

“It’s not you, George. You and Myles were both careful. I always thought you were obsessed with work. Maybe had some childhood injury I didn’t know about so you weren’t interested in women.” Basil kept his eyes on Claire. “She heard it from her late brother.”

She blushed. “Father could keep quiet on some things, but not the heir who had to show up everyone in the family. He told me Myles wouldn’t be able to come back from the war and save me from anything. That Myles would be having too much fun. Drink really does make gentlemen into the foulest of creatures. So in the end, he and Father married me to a man just like them who happened to have a title.”

Myles paced the room and George caught his eye only occasionally as the shock set in. “I’m sorry. Once anyone is in the navy, there is no getting out for a while. I couldn’t leave, certainly not for a wedding. I would have come for you.”

“I understand; I never blamed you.” Claire smiled, trying to reassure her brother.

“You could’ve run away, Claire. Like you did the night he beat you. If you had fled to my estate, I’d have taken you in. Done something.” George wanted to get the focus off his sex life, especially Basil’s injury assumption, and onto other things.

Claire shook her head. “I wasn’t even eighteen when I was married. My father would’ve hunted you down with my brother’s help. They wanted the connection of the title and nothing would stop them. I foolishly thought it might be a better situation. I didn’t know Philips at all, of course. We barely met before the wedding. All I could do was hope a husband would be easier to please than two men who wanted me out of the way so they could drink, gamble, and waste time with loose women. Not being under my father’s and brother’s thumbs would’ve been great with the right man. Philips was far worse. Father never hit me.”

“You’re free, Claire. I’ll take care of you, and you’re not going back to Philips. Trust me,” Myles said.

“Don’t be foolish enough to think he’ll stop, Myles.” Claire held onto Basil’s hand.

“He’ll have to go through all of us.” Basil looked at George. “Family sticks together.

We’re that. Legal or not, we’re family.”

George nodded. “Basil is right. So is Myles. You’re not to worry, Claire. Focus on getting stronger so we can head back to the country later this week. I’m going to go write some letters before it gets too late.”

George left and heard Myles warn the two to behave as he left as well. When Myles caught up with George, he felt so obvious.

“I can’t believe it.” George shook his head.

Myles walked into the study and George followed, closing the door hard. George sat behind the desk and stared.

“Don’t overreact.” Myles poured two glasses of port and set one in front of George.

“You knew? When did you know that they knew about us?” George felt betrayed and ashamed. He’d been so careful. This was not something that could be excused for a man except at sea. There was no misstep in this matter. A virgin running away with a man could be married off and all was forgiven. An earl with a male lover would be exiled and George had a duty and people depending on him. Basil had been running the estates but his emotions had always gotten the better of him.

“It was never that obvious. Claire mentioned a few things in her letters. They all sounded very innocent, but for example, you seemed uninterested in marriage. She was sure I missed our friendship. Only small hints that she knew there was something more. I had no idea she’d been informed so bluntly
or
that she’d told Basil.” Myles downed the port.

George took a sip of his drink. “I’m shocked Basil didn’t fly into a rage. Some of our staff are like us and he wanted me to dismiss a couple of the footmen for it.”

“You didn’t.” Myles stopped pacing and stared at George.

“Of course not. Davis knows. Davis is. He hires that way. If I can protect myself, and your old tars, why not do the same for good servants? Basil doesn’t need to know.” George took his duty seriously. He wasn’t given a title and all that money to get away with things and let others suffer.

“You’re amazing. So proper on the outside and romantic on the inside.” Myles sat on the desk and grabbed George’s hand.

George pulled free. “I’m not romancing any of my staff. Davis was my father’s hire. Father had no clue that his valet spent most nights sharing a room with Davis. I knew when the valet died of a heart attack. Davis looked lost for months. I was a boy. I knew then that I noticed things others didn’t. I had to be careful and use it to my advantage.”

“You’re a good man; you noticed me.” Myles leaned in and kissed George.

George looked at the door. “Damn. I’m on edge. It feels as if everyone knows. I’ve hidden it for so long from my own family. From everyone.”

“Stop it. Claire and Basil know. The most trusted servants know. That’s not everyone. No one will betray us. What’s the problem?” Myles slid into George’s lap.

“We can’t slip up, Myles. That’s what Davis has always been strict about. Keeping up appearances is the only way it works. We must behave as if we lived in the public eye. Keep private things behind closed doors. We can’t let our guard down. I don’t want to give up my estate to flee.” George held Myles and some of the tension faded.

“We’re not going anywhere except home. Philips is no longer a problem. They don’t know that yet but we do. If you want to be fearful in London, fine. I’ll behave and admire you all the more for what you’ve done for your servants.” Myles kissed George’s neck.

Moaning softly, George shifted to kiss Myles properly. “You keep your eyes off the footmen. You’re all mine.”

Myles laughed. “Is that what you’re worried about? There’s no other man in the world for me but you.”

“Good.” George tightened his hold on Myles.

“You know, I think our mothers did know. At least my mother always encouraged me to go and play with you. She never said that to my brother.” Myles moved back to the desk and handed George his port.

Downing the rest of the drink, George thought back to the happy days. When their mothers lived, their world was a dream back then. “You’re probably right. Women seem to notice things men miss. Even men like us. Come on, we shouldn’t leave those two alone too long.”

“Claire believes she’s still married. I’m not worried. Not yet.” Myles followed George from the study.

“I know, but it’ll be luncheon soon. We don’t need to be behind closed doors all the time.” George hoped his brother truly had tolerance for what George and Myles shared.

It was a shock and completely unacceptable in Society. If Basil only seemed approving for Claire’s sake, it could blow up eventually. Time would tell.

* * * * *

I
n the afternoon, Myles and George sat in the drawing room reading the papers.

Basil dashed in. “Come and see.”

The men followed and saw Claire about halfway down the stairs with Mrs. Blake supporting her.

“Claire, no. Take your time,” Myles insisted.

“I want to sit in a drawing room and feel normal. Mrs. Blake loaned me a dress so I’m not scandalizing anyone.” She took another step, and Myles saw her growing weak.