Charles - A Gentleman’s Position

F EBRUARY 24, 1820

Lord Richard Vane and his valet stood in the book room, waiting. The clock on the mantel ticked.

What the devil is keeping Julius? Lord Richard demanded, of David or of the empty air. He should surely have the man here by now.

Conspiracy to murder and high treason. David made a face. It may not be that easy to secure his bail. Mr. Norreys has an authoritative mannerLord Richard gave a short laughand your name has a great deal of power. Nevertheless

Indeed. Oh, damn Dominic and his accursed democrat. What will we do if Julius cant get him out?

Silas Mason, a radical bookseller and writer of sedition, had been arrested that morning. He was one of a group of gutter revolutionaries that had plotted to murder the entire British cabinet the previous night, and although the conspiracy had been thwarted, an officer had been killed in the melee. Everyone involved would doubtless hang.

That was not Davids problem and certainly not Lord Richards, except for the matter of Dominic Frey. Lord Richards best friend was conducting an intense affair with Mason, and when the radical had been arrested, he had been wearing Mr. Freys coat. If people started asking what linked a murderous seditionist to a gentleman of the Home Office, Mr. Frey could find himself in very deep trouble indeed.

Lord Richard had fallen out badly with Mr. Frey over his disgraceful affair, but they had been lovers once and friends since boyhood. Lord Richard would not see him suffer if he could prevent it.

Or, rather, if David could prevent it. Lord Richard gave orders; it was David who carried them out.

To the world, he was a valet, nothing more. A servant who wore Lord Richards livery and obeyed his commands; even his offensively red hair was powdered away to white on his masters orders. But when he had Lord Richards will to enforce, David Cyprian was silently and secretly one of the most powerful men in London. Unknown, unseen, and in charge. The pleasure of it tingled in his veins.

It depends, my lord, he said now. Well have to play the hand as its dealt to us, but we can play it. Trust me.

Oh, I do, Lord Richard said. I depend entirely on you. Otherwise I suspect I should have run mad after the last few months, and as it is, I can feel Bedlam beckoning. Cyprian, what the devil do I do if Mason is not innocent?

Mr. Frey insists he is.

Dominic may not be the best judge at this time, Lord Richard said grimly. If the man is part of murder and treason But he had Dominics coat, curse it. What if saving my friend requires saving a traitor? His voice was strained. David knew how deeply he loved Mr. Frey, how heavily he bore his responsibilities, and his masters dilemma was a stab to his own heart. God rot it, how can I decide that? What can I do?

You can leave it to me, David said.

Lord Richards eyes widened, as well they might. David went on before he could speak. You should not have to make a choice between duty and friendship. Nobody should. If it happensand it may not; Mr. Frey is no foolbut if it does, my lord, I beg you, walk away, and let me deal with it. He offered his master a smile. That is what you pay me for.

It truly isnt, Lord Richard said. Golden Ball himself could not pay you enough to do that. I cant ask you to take on that responsibility for me.

You can ask me for anything you like. The words hovered on Davids lips. He wanted to say them; God knew they were true. But this was his master, and he couldnt do it.

It was enraging. David balked at nothing, from burglary to blackmail, to achieve his ends; he had certainly never struggled with something as simple as approaching a possible bedmate. He usually just asked, because it was astonishing what he had won for himself by daring to reach for it. It had always surprised him that others were so afraid to try.

And now he understood why they were afraid. Through almost four and a half years of service, of growing alliance and trust and even friendship underpinned by the persistent heartbeat of desire, David had never yet dared ask for the one thing he wanted most, because he could not bear to learn he could not have it.

He could not ask now, but at least he could give. Lord Richard needed him, and that was better than nothing. You carry burdens for all your friends, my lord. Someone has to do it for you now and again.

Lord Richards lips parted slightly. He was a big man, absurdly wealthy and infinitely privileged, but at that moment, his expression was so painfully vulnerable that Davids heart contracted with the urge to make all well.

He began to say, My lord, raising his hand open-palmed. Lord Richard started to speak at the same time, turning toward him and gesturing as well, and their hands collided in the air.

David couldnt move away, couldnt beg his lords pardon for the clumsiness. Could do nothing but stand and feel the pressure of Lord Richards fingers against his, because his master wasnt moving either. They should have pulled away, one or both of them, but neither did, and every tick of the clock as they stood and stared at each other, hand to hand, was a hammer blow that nailed the unspoken thing irrevocably into place between them.

The unspoken thing, the forbidden hope, the one point that made Davids service feel like servitude because he could not even ask. But Lord Richard still wasnt moving, his deep blue eyes locked on Davids and wide with shock, and now they knew. Now they both knew, and there was no pretending otherwise.

David could feel the blood thumping in the ends of Lord Richards fingers, unless that was his own pulse. He licked his lips. My lord? He cursed himself that it came out as a question.

Cyprian. Lord Richards arm shook a little, but his fingers didnt move. CyprianI

Footsteps echoed in the hall outside. They both snatched their hands away at the firm knock at the door and were standing in separate silence as Mr. Norreys entered with the radical gaolbird Mason.

David listened to the subsequent argument with about a third of his mind, sorting the details into advantageous,usable,disastrous, while the important thoughts pounded through him. You want me. You know I know it. What will we do? What did that change?

Mason was, it seemed, rather more involved in the conspiracy than Mr. Frey had let on. David mentally consigned the pair of them to perdition as he watched his masters control slip. He could feel Lord Richards fear for his friend, though it was well hidden behind his anger at Mason and the whole damned stupid business.