Collingsworth (5 page)

*  *  *

They
lay in each other’s arms, conversation punctuated by kisses, as Michael told David about the events leading up to that morning. Eventually, drained and overwhelmed by everything that had happened, he fell asleep with his head on David’s chest, feeling safe, feeling complete for the first time that he could remember.

There was a sharp rap on the door even as it swung open and, in a panic, Michael sat up and tried to hide David’s presence in his bed as the maid put the pitcher of warm water on the wash stand. She left with her eyes averted and he hoped that she hadn’t noticed two sets of clothing on the floor. He lay back against the pillows, heart beating in terror even as David giggled and rolled atop him for a morning kiss. “Calm down, my love. She’s a servant. Nothing will be said.”

Michael started to tell David that she would tell his cousin and stopped short, realizing that he need not worry on that account any longer. Even as Michael responded to David’s body against his, he tried to push him away. “David, we have to get dressed. We’ll miss assembly.”

David was settling himself more comfortably over Michael, rolling his hips slowly, sliding their pricks together. “I can think of better things to do than morning assembly.” He kissed Michael deeply and pressed harder, his breath growing ragged. “Michael, come with me, come with me.”

Forgetting about school and morning assembly, he reveled in the feel of David’s body, finally his after years of longing. He thrust up against David as they shared breath, kisses growing sloppy, uncontrolled, as their passion overtook them and they spent between their bodies.

When they regained their breath, Michael asked David, “What about school?”

“Let’s forget about school for the day. Send one of the servants to let them know we won’t be there. You’re supposed to meet with Mr. Eaton this morning, correct?” He waited for Michael’s nod, “Well, we’ll go shopping and then you’ll meet with him.”

“Shopping?”

“Yes, shopping. If you’re going to come home with me over Christmas holiday, you’ll need new clothes and then there are little gifts to buy. You also need to talk to the servants. They saw the family sent away yesterday and will be in a dither, not knowing what to expect next.”

“Gifts? Servants? Oh, David, I hardly know where to start. I’ve been barely more than a servant myself for so long.”

David kissed him tenderly, “That, my love, is why you need me with you today.

Several hours later, Michael found himself back in Hardison’s, choosing suits, shirts, and ties with the help of a very happy Mr. Hardison and a barely restrained David. Michael hadn’t told David of the relationship between Dr. Kennedy and the clothier, but it soon became obvious that David had recognized a kindred spirit. As they were leaving the small shop, David put his arm over Michael’s shoulder briefly, looking like two school chums but knowing that they were so much more.

“It’s almost time for your appointment with Mr. Eaton. I’ll stop and order lunch for us, and you can meet me at Meadow’s Restaurant when you’re done.”

They stood on the street, Michael silently imploring David to come with him. So much in his life was new; some things wonderful, some almost terrifyingly strange. He knew what to do at a formal dance, could have a conversation on almost any subject, but was unprepared to make decisions about the houses, the servants, and finances. Feeling the weight of the responsibility of other lives on his shoulders, he opened his mouth to ask David to come with him, but his lover shook his head.

“Michael, ask Mr. Eaton for help. That’s part of his job. He can talk to the servants for you or with you and show you what needs to be done. I’ll be there if you wish, but it will go better if he sees you as strong and capable.”

Nodding, Michael touched David’s elbow briefly and turned to enter the hotel where Mr. Eaton was staying. He squared his shoulders and pushed the heavy door open, taking his first steps as an adult in the eyes of society.

*  *  *

The
coach bounced over the snow-covered road in the gathering dusk. They had set out from Collingsworth to Boston early, but the condition of the road slowed their trip. No delay could dampen Michael’s excitement, however. He and David huddled together under the blankets, stealing kisses between Michael’s questions and exclamations as they passed one interesting sight after another.

“David, are you positive that your mother knows I’ll be visiting?”

“Yes, my love. Mr. Eaton returned to Boston several days ago and he will have informed the family that I’m bringing a guest.” He pulled one of Michael’s hands into his lap.

Michael was placated for a short while, then couldn’t help asking one more time, “Are you sure that we’ll be allowed to share your room?”

David had already answered this question a number of times and this time, rather than answering, stopped any more questions with a deep kiss. “We’ll be there in a few minutes. We’ll greet my family, have a short while to retire to my room to
rest
, and then we’ll join them again for dinner. You’ll be brilliant. I know it.”

Only a few minutes later, the coach stopped and Michael found himself pushed through the door into a group of elegantly dressed women who shared David’s fair coloring. They hugged David in turn and, to Michael’s surprise, each hugged him as they kissed him on the cheek. Thanks to David’s descriptions, he was able to greet his mother, two maiden aunts, and a grandmother by name. Their softness and powdery scent reminded him of his mother, and he felt a pang of sadness but was pulled into easy conversation as they were asked about their trip.

True to David’s word, they were soon urged to retire to David’s room to rest before dinner. Surprised that their bags had already been taken to his room, Michael looked around the large, luxurious chamber. It was warm and inviting with a fire burning in the large fireplace. Michael’s desire for his lover’s lips and body gave way to fatigue as he leaned back against the pillows on the large bed. He opened his arms and pulled David tight against him before he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Later, in the dining room scented with pine boughs and beeswax candles, they finished a sumptuous meal filled with feminine laughter and innocent questions that required carefully crafted answers. David’s father sat at the head of the table listening to the lively chatter with quiet indulgence. Not surprisingly, David was well loved and doted on by his family and Michael, by extension, was drawn into the circle. It brought back memories of dinners with his own family, memories that he hadn’t allowed to come to the surface until recently.

When they excused themselves after dinner, David’s mother drew him into a warm hug that she held longer than he expected. Drawing back, she placed a soft hand on his cheek. “David wrote us about your family, my dear. I hope that you’ll consider us your new family. You’ll always be welcome here.”

As they undressed for bed, Michael watched his lover slowly revealing his pale, muscular body and didn’t know how they could sleep in the same bed without touching. Turning away, he continued to undress, carefully folding his clothes as he removed each piece and wondered how he could ask to use another room in the large house.

With no warning, he felt David tackle him from behind, carrying him to the soft mattress. His lover had undressed more quickly and moved, completely nude, over Michael, eliciting a small groan. “You’re very quiet, my love.”

“It’s all been a lot to take in. The trip, meeting your family, and now…
this
.”

“
This
?
This
hasn’t been a problem for the last week in Collingsworth.” David nuzzled against Michael’s face, his neck, finally kissing along his jaw before teasing his lips. Running his hands up David’s thighs to settle on his bare hips, Michael felt a flash of desire that he knew he would never control.

He groaned in frustration, “But your family, your mother. We can’t….” Even as the words left his lips, he pulled David more tightly against him, arms folding over his lover’s strong back.

Laughing, David pulled away enough to look into Michael’s eyes. “Ah, my love. I’ve told my family that I’ll never marry, and I’m sure that they suspect what your visit means. As long as we’re circumspect in public, we have nothing to worry about.”

Aghast, Michael was speechless, unable to form a coherent thought. He would never be able to face David’s family again. “They know?”

“I believe so, my love. Now, we’re in bed together, nude—or nearly so—and there are things that I’d like to do more than discuss my family.” He kissed his way down Michael’s chest until he reached the waistband of his trousers. Seconds later, when he felt himself enclosed in David’s very talented mouth, Michael stopped worrying and let himself feel.

*  *  *

They
spent the week between their arrival in Boston and Christmas Eve shopping and visiting David’s extended family and family friends. Michael was initially reticent but soon began to relax and enjoy the visits after he found himself accepted and welcomed by everyone they visited. It was easy to see how much David’s family loved him, and Michael found his own feelings changing from infatuation to something deeper.

Now, sitting across from his lover at an intimate Christmas Eve dinner, he was content to listen to the conversation and enjoy being part of a family again, even if it was only borrowed for a time. He felt David’s foot slide against his and looked up to see a soft, private smile that warmed his heart. Allowing himself an answering smile, he quickly looked away and feigned great interest in his dinner as he felt himself blush.

How different this was from Christmas celebrations with his cousin's family. They often traveled to Boston for the holiday, leaving him alone at Collingsworth. Pushing back the bitterness that he felt toward them, he thought about what his future would be like. He had enough money to go to university but had no idea what he would study; he had planned on a military career for so long it was hard to think of anything else. Barely able to hope, he wondered if it would be possible to have a life with David, the life that he had dreamed of for so long.

Back in David’s room after dinner, David pulled him into a warm embrace, “You were quiet again tonight. You’re not worrying about
this
again, are you?” He punctuated his question by pressing his arousal against Michael’s

Smiling softly, Michael pressed a kiss to full lips, “Hmm, you still taste like wine.” Going back for another taste, he slid his tongue between David’s full lips, teasing until his lover joined enthusiastically in the kiss.

“As lovely as that was, you didn’t answer my question,” David chided gently.

Considering carefully before answering, Michael was unsure how much to reveal, “My life is so different now than it was only a few weeks ago. I had one goal for the future, but now so much more is possible and I feel a bit lost, not knowing where to go next or what to do.” He left his desire for a future with David unspoken.

David put a finger under his chin, lifting his face enough to press his lips softly against Michael’s. “We have one final term at Collingsworth to plan your future, and then we’ll be at Harvard together. We’ll be free to do whatever we please.”

“Harvard? Together?”

Looking worried, David asked, “Did I assume too much?”

His face lighting up, a broad smile on his generous mouth, Michael let out an ecstatic cry before tackling David and carrying him to the bed. A surprised David lay on his back while Michael straddled his hips and lowered his body to cover David’s. There were too many thoughts chasing themselves around in his mind, too many things he wanted to tell David, so he did the only thing he could manage and kissed him fervently. Their lips opened to allow each other access, slick tongues twisting together as they communicated their feelings with more than words.

Waking up on Christmas morning, Michael felt David’s solid body behind his, his arm holding him tightly to his chest, and felt a strange anticipation. He would have Christmas day with family, without the pitying looks of the servants as they served him a solitary tray, a Christmas day with David. Feeling David stirring softly behind him, Michael turned to face him, smiling at his blond curls going in every direction around his sleep-softened face. “Happy Christmas, my love.”

“Happy Christmas.” Michael leaned in for a kiss but was surprised when David abruptly turned away and jumped out of bed, allowing a very brief look at his outstanding bottom as he ran to the dresser. Returning with a small box, he snuggled under the covers once again, seeking his lover’s heat.

Taking the small box, Michael looked at David questioningly, “What is it?”

“Open it!” David could barely hold still as he watched Michael pull the lid from the box.

Michael looked down at an ornately scrolled, gold pocket watch fitted into a jeweler’s box. “It’s beautiful! But I—”

Touching his fingertips to Michael’s mouth, David whispered, “Shhh. Open the watch, my love.”

Michael removed it from the velvet case and clicked it open, finding an inscription inside. “It’s our initials, and the date! How did you? When? We’ve been together every minute!”

David grinned, “I had a little help.” Growing serious, David took Michael’s hands in his. “It’s for all of the minutes that we’ll spend together. Minutes that I hope will grow into years, minutes that you’ll be able to pull the watch from your pocket and think of me, think of our life together, stretching into eternity.”

Pulling David into his arms, Michael sighed against his lips. “I love you, David Bennington.” At that moment, he knew that he was home.

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