A Promise of Tomorrow (4 page)

James wasted no time admiring and crawled across the bed, stretching himself full-length against that tempting body. He took Elias’s mouth again, more fiercely this time, sliding his hands over that sleek body, grabbing and squeezing the firm globes of his arse and pressingtheir groins together and pumpinghis hips.

He wanted to just lie there and feel the simple comfort of a warmbody pressed against his own, but his body was crying out for release and wouldn’t allow him to be patient. The frustrations of a year of celibacy, coupled with the events of the evening, made games ofanykind impossible. He was foolinghimselfto think otherwise.

Rolling off of Elias to stand, he quickly removed the rest of his clothes and slid back on the bed. Sensing his urgency, Elias slid his hand down and gripped James’s throbbing cock firmly in his rough hand.

“I’m already prepared for you, m’lord, if you’d prefer to skip the pleasantries,”he said witha knowingsmile.

“You know me too well, my boy,” James said, grinning in relief and flipping Elias onto his stomach. He pulled the young man up by the hips and slid his hands over that tempting arse, spreading him wide with his thumbs and plunging himself into that tight heat in one stroke.

Elias cried out at the suddenness of the penetration but was soon rocking back against him, matching his frantic pace and moaning. The tight, slick channel felt incredible surrounding him. Perhaps a little too incredible. It was at times like this that James wondered how he managed to go without for so long.

The first time was never slow and sweet, no matter his intentions. He drove into that tight arse over and over, straining for release, knowing it wouldn’t be long at all. The sound of their bodies slapping together filled the room as James felt the pressure begin to build inhis bollocks.

He blew out a quick breath and slowed his frantic pace enough to pull back from the brink as he reached around to grasp Elias’s rigid shaft in a firmgrip. No matter how strong his need or the nature oftheir relationship, James always tried to be a considerate lover. His pride wouldn’t allow him to find release without taking his partner withhim.

He soon increased the pace of his thrusts again, stroking Elias in time, and the punishing rhythm began anew. He came first, spilling inside that sweet haven with a roar, and if, in that moment, someone else’s face swam before his eyes, well, he was sure Elias wouldn’t have minded.

He felt Elias follow hima moment after, clenching and trembling around him, squeezing the last bit of seed from his softening cock. They collapsed in a breathless tangle on the bed, and James withdrew, lying back on the bed to catch his breath. Elias went to the washstand and cleaned them both up with the flannel before stretchingalonghis side and smilingat himfondly.

They lay there for a time in silence, Elias running his hands gently over James’s body as James tried to relax under his ministrations.

“Up for another go, m’lord?” Elias said, motioning toward James’s semi-erect cock.

 

“Almost,” he said, chuckling. “I want to relax for a little while first. Are youina rush?”

 

“’Course not. Not when m’ favorite lord has returned to me at last.”The youngmansmiled and curled more tightlyagainst him.

“Your favorite, hmm? I’llhave to remember that.”James smiled and rested his chin on Elias’s head, absently trailing the backs of his fingers downhis chest.

“Please do,”Elias said, and there was anodd note to his voice.

When James pulled back and raised his brows in question, Elias looked up at him and shrugged, saying, “I’ve always admired you, m’lord. Yer a truly good soul. I meet ’em rare enough in my work to appreciate ’emwhenI do.”

“So serious tonight, Elias. Is something the matter? Are you in trouble?”James asked, concerned.

 

“You see?” Elias laughed. “You actually care enough to ask if your whore is hurt or introuble. Yer a treasure, m’lord!” “Elias….”

 

“No, no, m’lord. I’mnot in any trouble, quite the opposite. If I mayspeak freely…?”

“Of course. We’ve known one another long enough, and
intimately
enough, that I think a little informality can be excused,” James said witha wrygrin, stillconcerned at Elias’s serious tone. The youngmanwas usuallyso light-hearted and jolly.

“Thank you, m’lord. I haven’t told no one but Madamand now you. I’mleavin’London, England in fact, in a few weeks. I got family in America, an’ they promised me a home and work, respectable work, ifI make the passage,”he said, smilingbrightly.

“That’s wonderful. I’mhappyfor you, Eli, truly,”James replied, relieved and a little disappointed at the news.

“I wanted you to know afore I left and was glad to hear you’d come. You’ve been so good to me, m’lord, and I always felt a little sad that I couldn’a’done more to cheer you,”he said, takingJames’s hand inhis.

“You’ve cheered me plenty, lad, never doubt it,” he responded witha chuckle.
“No, no, I haven’t, not truly,” Elias said, looking earnestly into his eyes. “There’s a sadness inyouthat I ne’er could touch, and I just wanted you to know that you deserve more. You deserve t’be happy ifanymane’er did, an’ that’s the truth.”

James was touched by his words and didn’t know quite how to respond to them, but Elias took pity on him and ended his struggles with a kiss, then another and another, sliding down his body as he went. As warmwetness and a clever tongue surrounded his cock, the tender mood was replaced by something far more heated, and James surrendered to it happily.

The second time, his climax was slower to build, and he was able to make the pleasure last muchlonger, inpart because he was so distracted. Ordinarily he would have spent at least another hour with Elias before heading home, but tonight he simply couldn’t shake the strange mood that had settled onhimafter their conversation.

Elias’s words hit himharder than he would have expected, and he wasn’t certain why. Add to that the strange melancholy that had come over him when he had first arrived in town and his reaction to the youngmanat the ball, and he was beginningto think he was going a little mad.

Grimacing at himself, James decided he needed to stop this foolishness. Useless pining over should-bes and could-have-beens was not the wayhe should be spendinghis time.

What onearthwas the matter withhimoflate?

He slid out from under a surprised Elias and began to dress himself. When he was finished, he leaned in and bid Elias good night with a gentle kiss and a promise to return at least once more before returning to the country, hoping to soothe away any concern Elias might feelover his odd behavior.

On the ride back to the townhouse, he continued to try to shake the strange and anxious humor. He was truly happy for Elias, glad that the young man had a chance at a better life. The only thing he should have been regretting was the fact that he’d have to find a new companion on his next visit to town. Nothing else had changed. His life was exactly as it had been and as it should be, but stillhe was plagued with strange thoughts and vague longings that he couldn’t quite put a name to.

Even now, after a good nap in the quiet and comfort of his sister’s home, the queer humor wouldn’t let him go. He shook his head once more to clear it and stood up from the once comfortable chair in his brother-in-law’s library, stretching to put some blood back into his legs and ease the paininhis neck.

Time to go to bed before you swoon and crash into the depths of despair
.
All this brooding isn’t good for you.

Just then, he heard voices coming fromthe hall and realized his family must have finally returned from the ball. Thankful for the distraction, he straightened his clothing, grabbed the lamp, and went to welcome them. He had just opened his mouth to do so when his sister’s voice cut himoff.

“Anna.”Charlotte sounded angry.

 

His niece paused on the stairs and turned large, innocent eyes back to her mother. “Yes, Mother?”

“It’s late, I’m tired, and I’m not in the mood to play out this farce. You have been out of sorts since we left the ball and completely silent for the entirety of the carriage-ride home. This, of course,
never
happens. So I must therefore deduce that there is somethingyou
don’t
want to say, else it willget you, or your brother, into trouble.”

Charlotte was tapping her foot now, which James knew was never a good sign. The action, so un-ladylike and lacking of her normal grace and poise, would only serve to worsen her temper whenshe realized she was doingit.

Attempting to beat a hasty retreat, James turned but only managed a few steps before he was spotted.

 

“Uncle James!” Anna rushed to him like a lifeline. “How was your evening? Where did yougo?”

“Don’t try to use your uncle to change the subject, Anna,” his sister chastised. They both turned reluctantly back to Charlotte and watched as her warm brown eyes, identical to their own, turned sharp and narrowed inspeculation.

“It’s your brother, isn’t it? He is not staying with his friends at the Sutcliffes’. He’s snuck offsomewhere, hasn’t he?”

Feeling storm clouds lowering, James tried to extricate himself from his niece’s embrace. As her fingers tightened on his arm, he sighed and gave up the fight.

“Out with it, young lady.” Obviously takingAnna’s silence as a confirmation, Charlotte continued the interrogation. “Where is he and what is he up to?”

James felt Anna stiffen for a moment, then slump her shoulders and turnto her mother.

Wise child
. She obviously took after her father in that, as the man was even now hiding in the shadows by the door trying to move as little as possible else he draw his wife’s attentions.

“All right, I’ll tell you. But he’s just trying to help out a friend, so please don’t be too angry with him.
Please
?” Her mother was silent, so Anna took a deep breath and continued. “He’s gone to Boodles withMr. Kyle Allen,”she confessed ina pained rush.

James didn’t recognize the man’s name, as unusual as it was, but he definitely recognized the place and winced, wishing for the tenth time in as many minutes that he’d gone to his bedchamber instead ofthe library.

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed, her lips thinned, and her jaw clenched as she absorbed her daughter’s confession. Whenshe finally spoke, her words were quiet and clipped. “So, you are telling me that, only
three
days after your father and I forbid Andrew from visiting such establishments for at least a fortnight, as punishment for the mess he made the
last
time he did sucha thing, he chose to ignore our wishes and thenlie to us about it?”

Oh, no.
Maybe James could make his escape now that alleyes were focused onAnna. No suchluck. Anna grabbed hold ofhis hand and squeezed. Rollinghis eyes, James knew there was no help for it.

Breaking the charged silence in the hall, he said, “Why don’t we move into the drawing roomfor a bit of a chat?” His sister’s eyes followed his pointed gaze to the footmen and Wilton, their butler, attendingtheminthe hall.

Not that it will make much difference
, he mused, as the servants would most likelyhear it allanyway, but it would allow those servants that wished to get their rest to do so and give his sister the illusionofprivacy.

Not waiting for a response, James led the four of themtoward the back of the house. He was still carrying his lamp and placed it on the table inthe middle ofthe room. Wiltonfollowed, placinga second lamp onthe mantelabove the fireplace.

“Thank you, Wilton,” Charlotte said. “That will be all for the evening. We will take care of the lamps before we turn in. And tell Margaret and Woods that Lord Ashton and I will take care of ourselves this evening, so theymaygo to bed as well.”

“Very good, my lady,” Wilton said, and he backed out of the room, closingthe doors.

 

“Now.” Charlotte turned on her daughter with a not-sopleasant smile. “Please do continue withyour confession, mydear.”

Anna visibly swallowed and said, “There isn’t much else to say. Andrew and I found Mr. Allen later in the evening, um, outside the ballroom, and he seemed to be in great distress. He told us he needed to leave London. He said he needed to get to his aunt in Suffolk but wasn’t sure how he would manage it. Andrew came up witha planto help him, and they, and they… left together. That’s all!” she concluded lamely.

“Your brother’s idea ofhelping this young man was to take him gambling?”her mother said incredulously.

“I, I told him it wasn’t a good plan, but we couldn’t seem to think ofanother one. And youknow howAndrew gets whenhe’s got a scheme brewing.”Anna looked between all three adults pleadingly. Hopingsomeone would throw her a lifeline, James supposed.

His lips quirked, and before he could stop himself, a short bark of laughter erupted from his chest. His sister looked at him like he’d grown another head. She was not amused, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see a small smile forcing its way along his brother-in-law’s lips as well, despite what seemed a Herculean effort to keep themstraight, and James couldn’t keep another chuckle fromescaping.

“Well, dear brother”—his sister’s ire transferred to him temporarily—“since you seemto think this is so amusing,
you
can be the one who goes to get him from that place and bring him home before he canget himself, and this youngman, into anymore trouble.”

“Oh, Char, have a heart, dearest.” His brother-in-law, William, spoke up at last. “Your brother looks like he’s only just returned home himself. We can’t make himpile back into a carriage so soon.”

“No, no, William,” James said, managing to sober himself. “It’s all right. You have been out and about all evening whilst I have been lounging in the library for at least an hour. I’ll go get the scamp and draghimhome for his beating.”

If it gets me out before Charlotte really loses her temper, it will be well worth it
.

As he made his way out of the parlor, his sister confirmed his reasoning when she began, “Now then, young lady, we must discuss
your
behavior….”

The Ashtons’ carriage hadn’t been put away yet, so it came around quickly when sent for. They reached St. James’s Street in short order, and he instructed the driver to turn the carriage and wait across the street for him. It wouldn’t take long to collect his nephew and be on his way. At least, that was what he hoped. It had been a busy night for him, and he was starting to feel it. Muscles in his body that hadn’t been used in over a year were protesting loudly that he needed to get home and rest. He smiled, remembering how they’d gottenthat way, thensobered, focusingonhis mission.