Page 62 of Everything But the Earl
Being together like this was a nice reminder of why he liked Lark so much. The man was beautiful, for one thing. Straight dark hair, combed forward but unfashionably long enough to dangle over his eyes. An angular face with dark eyes. A fit body. But more than that, Lark was willing to humor Anthony’s whims. He liked spending time with Anthony, which many of his fellow peers didn’t; Anthony knew people found him annoying or ridiculous, and Lark probably had at some point, too, but not anymore. Lark listened to him. Lark took him seriously.
They’d been sharing a bed for more than a year, which was longer than any affair of Anthony’s had lasted. That had to mean something. He never tired of Lark.
They’d been tossingI love youat each other for months, but sometimes Anthony wondered if they simply did it out of habit. But it was true, wasn’t it? Anthony was in love with this man. That was why he didn’t want to marry a woman. If it wasn’t for Lark, he probably could have gone along with the farce, but he wasn’t ready to let Lark go, andhe didn’t think he ever would.
“I do love you, you know.”
Lark nodded in acknowledgement and put his hands on Anthony’s chest. “Of course I love you, too. I never say that without meaning it.” He sighed. “I don’t want to let you go. I can’t imagine what life would be like if I have to go to another party and have to watch you swindling our friends out of their money or dancing with your wife. My heart would shatter into a million pieces, I think.”
“Let us not dwell on that potential future now. I still have time to….”
“Time to what? Wriggle out of your destiny? Until Gordon tells the wrong person?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. But forget about all that now. Let us just be together.”
Lark leaned forward and pressed his forehead into Anthony’s shoulder. He lifted it again and said, “I’m sorry for telling you to stay away from the club. That was stupid of me. I think instead, we should spend every minute together possible.”
“You were trying not to get hanged,” Anthony pointed it out.
“I missed you.”
“Lark, my love, we see each other nearly every night.”
“Yes, but that is often for…bedsport. I love just…speaking with you. You’re the only man of thetonwho is a bigger gossip than I am. And I like talking with you and puzzling out my friends’ problems with you. And I think my friends may actually like you. They always ask after you when you aren’t there.”
“So my exile is over officially? I don’t have to bribe my way in with my cousin’s good whiskey?”
Lark ran his hands up Anthony’s chest and leaned close. “It’s over.” Then he kissed Anthony.
They’d kissed hundreds of times. They’d been inside each other’s bodies. But something about this kiss felt charged in a new way.Anthony parted his lips and let Lark in.
They kissed for what felt like a long time, but it wasn’t a prelude to anything. It was…an expression of affection.
Anthony understood that it was because Lark still thought Anthony would get married, but rather than pushing him away, Lark had decided they should make the most of what they had before that inevitable day. Anthony liked the idea, although he did still intend to figure out a waynotto get married.
He put his arms around Lark, happy for the press of Lark’s body against his own.
They swayed with each other for a long moment, Anthony humming the waltz again.
“Even though my exile is over, I want you to know, I will continue nicking whiskey from Cousin Stephen. He’s a right toad, that man. He deserves to have his good liquor stolen.”
Lark laughed. “You want more wine or do you want go to bed?”
“Let’s go to bed.”
Chapter Sixteen
Dearest Owen,
I do wish at times that you could see what I’ve made of your little cottage, because it is everything I’ve dreamed of. With my friend Catrin and her husband’s help, we have built a kiln outside that is the perfect place to fire my work. I’ve decorated the inside of the cottage in a way that feels comfortable and homey. I adore this place and I’m grateful that you gave me permission to furnish it as I desired, because I think it might be my favorite place.
But I miss you. I think about you constantly. I feel your presence everywhere in Caer Newydd. I hear your voice in the accents of your neighbors. I loved your last letter dearly, loved hearing stories about your friends and what you are up to at Parliament, and I could almost imagine that you were sitting with me at our dining table and regaling me with these tales yourself.
I know you’re busy with everything in London, and that is where you should be. I do miss you, but I want to reassure you that I am as happy as can be here. Catrin has made a fine apprentice and a dear friend. Morfudd makes me laugh whenever she comes for a meal. Gwen and Carys Williams and I get together regularly for meals—Gwen is an excellent cook. I have found the people here to be lovely and friendly and eager to teach me Welsh words.
You asked me recently to tell you I think of you, and I do, daily, hourly, perhaps every minute some days. I do like hearing about what you are up to in London and sometimes I wish I could be there with you to support you, because it sounds like you are quite troubled bywhat you must do.
I miss you, but I imagine I will see you soon. When your Parliament session ends, I hope you will consider coming to see me and the rest of your family….
