Butterfly Hunter 01 (28 page)

“
Thank you,”
said Dave, half of his fears melting away already.

“
Robert,”
Nicholas continued to the other man, who looked like a rather less
beautiful, rugby–playing version of Nicholas himself, “this is my
friend David. David, this is my eldest brother, Robert.”

Again they shook hands,
and did the “Very happy to meet you, David” – “Thank you, my lord”
– “Thanks, but please call me Robert” exchange.

As the three Gorings
chatted briefly about some household business or other, and as the
happy sounds of a large family gathering floated faintly through
from elsewhere in the house, it occurred to Dave that the earl and
his heir had deliberately positioned themselves here in order to
greet Dave, and ease him into this whole meet–the–family thing.
Which was beyond considerate. Dave relaxed a little more, beginning
to anticipate that he faced nothing worse now than confusion about
which names belonged to which newly met faces. But he had Simon and
Robin, Richard and Robert sorted out already, and Nicholas of
course. Always and forever Nicholas.

“
Shall we go
in?” Richard asked. “And if I introduce David as your friend,
Nicholas, is that acceptable to you both?”

“
Of course.
That will be fine.” But Nicholas held back as the rest of them
turned away to head off. “Wait a minute, though.” His hand slipped
into Dave’s, and squeezed in reassurance or maybe in a plea. “Just
between us for now, Father, but I think we’re more than
friends.”

The earl had turned back
readily enough, and now he hesitated for less than a blink before
saying, “I’m sure we all understood as much, Nicholas, and we’re
very happy to have David here with us.”

“
No, I mean …”
Those dark blue eyes searched Dave wildly, glowing with a
tentatively grasped hope which increased in certainty every moment.
“I mean, I think I proposed to David earlier, in the conservatory.
Didn’t I?” he asked.

“
Yes,” said
David.

“
And … I think
you accepted me. Didn’t you … ?”

“
Yes.”

“
Oh!” Nicholas
cried before leaning in to press a kiss against Dave’s mouth. “I
was hoping it was so.”

And then Richard was
shaking Dave’s hand again, heartily expressing his delight, and
welcoming Dave to the family, before gathering his obviously
beloved son into his arms and offering congratulations. “You
couldn’t have made me any happier,” the earl said as they all tried
to regroup. “Nicholas, this is the last wish I had for you that
remained unfulfilled. Until now.”

“
Thank you,
Father.”

But there was no way to
keep it secret of course. Nicholas and Richard were as damp–eyed as
Dave, and Robert couldn’t quite suppress his pleased, proud smile.
Within ten minutes of them entering the family living room, just
about everyone had twigged. And Simon didn’t even need to be asked;
five minutes later the adults each had a flute of champagne, and
the kids had flutes of lemonade. Robin was standing there holding
Dave’s hand, and gazing devotedly up at him and Nicholas, though he
seemed a bit young to really understand what was happening. Given
that Dave’s other hand held his champagne glass, Nicholas had taken
the opportunity to wind an arm about Dave’s waist, which was great
because Dave feared he was so giddy he might teeter and fall
otherwise.

“
I don’t think
Nicholas will mind me acknowledging,” the earl said to the
gathering, “that I was anxious when he decided to travel to
Australia on his own, and planned to spend so much of his time
there far beyond our ken. It seemed too bold an enterprise, full of
dangers. I was afraid of losing this young man who is so very
precious to me. But Nicholas didn’t only find his butterflies
there. I’m sure those of you who’ve spent time with him since he
returned will agree that he found his own best self. And now, to
complete the whole, we discover that he has found a loving partner
as well. A husband. And so I’d like to propose a toast
…”

Richard looked across the
room to nod to Simon. “Yes, please. Bring everyone in. This is for
all the family.”

Dave watched as six or seven
others filed in, remaining tactfully out of the way, but each with
their glass of champagne, and each smiling happily at Nicholas,
while considering Dave with an inquisitive friendliness.

“
To Nicholas
and David,” the earl at last said, lifting his glass. “May they
enjoy the long and happy life together that they both
deserve.”

“
To Nicholas
and David,” everyone responded.

And Nicholas leaned in to
kiss him again, and Dave gave himself over to it, blushing only
with a painful kind of pleasure now. Whooping and cheers, laughter
and the clinking of glasses rang in his ears, but that all faded
away when Nicholas murmured with his lips brushing Dave’s, “You’re
mine now, you gorgeous darling man.”

To which Dave replied,
“Yes, I’m all yours.”

And it was done.

###

I was born in England and
lived most of my life in Australia before returning to the UK a few
years ago;
my dual nationality means that
I am often a bit too cheeky, but will always apologize for
it.

I have been writing
fiction for almost thirty years, mostly for the enjoyment of myself
and my friends, but writing is my love and my vocation so of course
that’s where my dreams and ambitions are. In the meantime,
technical writing helps to pay the mortgage, while I also have fun
with web design, reading, watching movies and television, knitting,
and imbibing espresso.

If you would like to know
more, please come and join the conversation at
juliebozza.com