Page 22 of The Shadow of the Count
He needed more than their friends. Donnie needed Peter.
He followed Douglas, who paid the barmaid and the bill and her tip by hand. No one wanted to leave money on a table in such an establishment. Donnie kept a wary eye out for the man with the coat and the hat, his hand going to his throat again and again. It felt bruised, like a large hand had gripped it.
Charles kept close by, Douglas’s lover as much family now as anyone could be. “That was unexpected, Donnie.”
“It was. This whole situation gets more ominous every day. There are deadly forces at hand, and I don’t know what to do.”
“It sounds like. We’re here now, Donnie. You’re not alone.”
“Surely you don’t think that was related?”
“An otherworldly storm blows in, a ship is decimated, and now a man with special powers at the dock? What do you think?”
Charles made a wry face. “I think we should have stayed in Naples.”
“Help me get Peter and make Lyle well, and we can go.”
“Oh, I was teasing, Donnie. You know we would never abandon you.” Charles’s expression went sweet and soft.
He took Charles’s hand. “I know. I know it. Thank you.”
“You’re family, hmm? I swear to you.”
He squeezed, then Douglas was back, steering them all the way outside. “What slip are they coming in at?”
“This way.” Peter led them toward where a much finer liner than Douglas had caught was coming in.Clark Chambers did not travel in steerage.
“Look at them. Spoiled men.”
“You know Clark. He doesn’t go working class.”
“True enough. He seems to have an endless supply of cash.” And a special in with Monsieur Grant.
“We wanted to get to you fast,” Douglas said.
He felt himself straighten, feeling brave, strong, with his family close.
They all found a place along the rope to watch and wait as people began to disembark. He hoped there wasn’t much baggage to wait for. One never knew with Clark. Sometimes he traveled light. At other times, he brought all of his books and supplies.
He saw Jeb first, the cowboy hat screaming out as he sauntered down the gangplank. Clark strolled behind him, a carpetbag-style valise in hand, no doubt holding all the things he didn’t want to leave to luggage porters.
Douglas waved, and Jeb caught sight of them, a smile creasing his face.
“I have missed those rapscallions, I swear.”
Donnie smiled over at Charles. “You swear? Douglas has corrupted you.”
“Oh.” Charles gave him a rather wicked smile for such a sweet young man. “You have no idea.”
“Well, gents, here we are, together again.” Jeb reached them, coming to shake hands with each of them in turn. “Damn good to see you boys.”
“Jeb.” He pulled Jeb into a quick hug. “Welcome to London.”
“Not much in the way of sunshine, is there?” Jeb pounded him gently on the back.
“He acts as if he would prefer to be back to the desert,” Clark drawled, coming to join them. “My friends, I have genuinely missed your faces.”
For all of Clark’s bravado and apparent ennui, his smile was so genuine, and he hugged them all with enthusiasm. He was a good man under all of his swagger and careless disregard for the rules.
