The Duke in Denial (Scandal in Sussex) (26 page)

William panted, and Sebastian touched the sweat on the other man’s body. He breathed heavily as well, and he struggled to distinguish their sounds. They were merged together; Sebastian was no longer cold.

“I have an idea,” William whispered. The other man did not wait for an answer, and soon William lifted the covers, sliding his hands over Sebastian’s torso. William’s head vanished under the covers, and Sebastian wondered for a moment if he should ask him what he was doing.

And then Sebastian’s cock became moist, and something wet rolled against it. He realized with shock that the sensation was William’s tongue, gliding over him. William started at his base, and licked him up and down, paying delightful attention to his head. One hand fondled his ballocks, while the other paid attention to his chest.

He did not know such things were possible. Henrietta had never done this. He writhed with delight, biting his lip to keep from moaning. He could easily wake up all of Somerset Hall in his excitement.

William chuckled under the covers, and then his entire cock was submerged in William’s mouth. He writhed at the sensation of William’s hot, wet mouth pulling on his cock. The other man’s hands moved to his hips, massaging them. One hand moved to cup his ballocks, which were tight. Sebastian realized with horror he was close to exploding. “William,” he said.

But William seemed intent on bringing pleasure to him and did not relax his attentions. He moaned, and Sebastian’s heart swelled at the sign of William’s enjoyment. Perhaps it was thinking of this, or perhaps it was the sensation of William’s tongue, but the next moment, Sebastian arched up, and he shuddered as he spasmed in release.

Then he nearly floated away, and he beamed as William surrendered, shaking in his hand. It was wonderful.

Sebastian reached down and took William’s cock in hand, wondering at its heaviness, rubbing the bead of moisture at the tip. William groaned, and Sebastian slid on top of him. He arched his back, and stared at William. He massaged the man’s torso, and kissed the man’s body, sucking on the hot, salty flesh and smiling when William panted. He brushed his fingers down his body, marvelling at the curves of the man’s muscles, and crawled between his thighs. He gazed at William’s hard cock and then ran his fingers down its length.

William’s breath caught. “You don’t need…”

“Hush,” Sebastian said.

Energy rushed through him, aware he could touch anywhere he wanted. He revelled in feeling how hard William was, in knowing that the man desired him.

He moved his lips to William’s cock and rubbed his tongue against it. William moaned and writhed under him, and he grew bolder and placed his mouth over the head. He sucked and moved his tongue, inhaling William’s scent and tasting the man.

He increased the speed and force of his attention to William’s cock, removing his head only when William’s gasps grew more erratic. He stroked William as the man exploded.

“You are amazing.” William pulled him up beside him. William kissed the nape of his neck, and wrapped his warm arms around him, drawing him into a deep embrace. “We can be together. You don’t need to marry. We can stay together if we do not tell anyone.”

Sebastian’s heart pounded as he lay in William’s arms, listening as William’s breaths grew more and more steady, indicating he had fallen asleep.

Good. The man needed to rest.

Sebastian leaned into William, sighing as the man’s cock poked his hip. William was so large and masculine, everything Sebastian had ever desired though never admitted, even to himself.

His eyelids fluttered, and he nestled deeper into William’s embrace.

At some point in the night, he woke up. He remembered he had lain with another man.

He had committed a vile act his minister would be ashamed to hear. He had committed an act he would be ashamed to tell anybody: his friends, his family, his servants, even strangers on the street. He wondered what it was about himself that had made him act in such a deplorable fashion.

And then he thought of Dorothea. He was to be married soon. And he had been unfaithful to her in an unspeakable manner.

His heart raced as William shifted in his sleep, folding his arms more tightly around Sebastian.

Chapter Nineteen

William slid underneath Sebastian’s arm, brushing against his warm skin, marveling again at what they had done and at how wonderful Sebastian was. The early morning light shone on Sebastian’s skin, and William traced his finger on the pale freckles dotting his forearm. Sebastian’s face did not freckle. William smiled, feeling as if he knew a secret.

The door slammed.

William jerked up. The rattling windows confirmed he had not imagined it.

The gatehouse’s only door led outside. Which meant somebody had opened the door.
Blast
. He had allowed himself to go to sleep, his arms wrapped around Sebastian.

He longed to linger in the narrow bed. Never mind that now. Somebody had seen them. Somebody could destroy them. Sir Ambrose had said he only needed evidence. Did he have it now?

He would not permit the thief to get away. The thought of Sebastian alone on his estate with a criminal running loose enraged him. The thought of someone who might blackmail Sebastian, bring him to court, humiliate him terrified him.

He snatched his coat and boots, his fingers trembling as he put them on. He glanced at his gun. No time to prime and load it. He grabbed his knife, hidden in his boot, and slipped outside, closing the door behind him. Sebastian looked so content as he slept, and speed was of such importance that waking him would only waste time.

His legs brushed against the dewy grass. English weather. At least India had the decency to concentrate all the rain in a few horrible weeks. He tried to spot the thief amidst the damp trees.

The grounds would be beautiful next month, but for now, in April, nature was still struggling to recuperate from its winter agonies. Some flowers pushed their bright heads through the soil, but for the most part, the landscape held its breath, waiting for something better. He scowled, thinking of the nice, warm bed he had abandoned.

A twig snapped.
An animal?
Both deer and foxes might be about in the early morning. Still, a human may have created the sound. William could not shake the idea. He crept in the direction of the noise, striving to remain unnoticed.

He spotted him: a man roaming through the forest in a dark cape. William followed him, leaping over fallen logs and mossy rocks.

“Stop! In the name of the King,” William’s voice boomed. “I am an officer of the Royal Army and you are trespassing.”

The man turned, his face covered by his dark cloak as he lifted up a hand to brush against his eyes. William rushed after him, abandoning his attempt to remain unseen. He was not a man out admiring the countryside on his morning stroll—he was a soldier, protecting the land.

The man disappeared into a wooded area near the manor house, scurrying in the direction of the English Channel. Perhaps he was a smuggler. Was it simply a local man trying to earn some money, setting rabbit traps on the estate? He shook his head. Something more organized, more sinister was going on.

William stopped running, hoping he might hear something. No doubt he had already frightened the thief away. He cursed. The man was nowhere to be found. All he had determined was that the thief did indeed exist.

He trudged back to the gatehouse, his head hung low. Most certainly the thief had seen William. With his arms wrapped around Sebastian.

This was not the sort of information he wanted lowlifes to have. This was not the sort of information he wanted anybody to have. He could get thrown out of the army. Sebastian did not need a scandal as the new Duke of Lansdowne. And if the thief had something to do with Sir Ambrose, if he was one of his swarthy employees, if he was willing to testify to what he had seen . . . He shivered, struggling to contain his nausea.

The day was less agreeable than the one before. He dreaded informing Sebastian of what had happened; he did not want to see panic cross his face.

He approached the gatehouse with trepidation. The Tudor house which had had a fairy-tale quality last night seemed more sinister, like a trap. He was reminded of the gingerbread house in Hansel and Gretel. At least he would see Sebastian. That was a consolation.

He pushed open the door. Sebastian was missing from the already-made bed. His heart lurched.

“Enter.” Sebastian’s deep voice came from inside.

William turned. Only Sebastian’s tousled locks betrayed their night. He patted his hair down self-consciously, combing it with his fingers.

William was relieved Sebastian had not left the gatehouse. He wanted more time with him. “I must look horrible.”

“Where were you?” Sebastian asked, arms crossed and jaw set. He stared at William.

“I thought I heard the thief.”

“And you went out by yourself? You could have gotten hurt. Why did you not wake me? Something might have happened to you, and I would never have known.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think . . .”

“Exactly.” Sebastian lifted his chin. On any other day, William would have thought him adorable. He still did think so, but he did not like getting into an argument with Sebastian. Especially after all that had happened the night before.

He shifted his legs awkwardly.

“What’s wrong?” Sebastian asked, his face contracting with worry again.

Lord, the man could read him.

“I am worried whoever woke me up may have seen us.” He avoided Sebastian’s eyes, hating the prospect of seeing his pain.

“Oh.” Sebastian’s shoulders suddenly looked less sturdy. “What did you actually hear?”

“A door slammed. I’m certain. And then I noticed a man in dark clothes running away. I tried to run after. Really, I did. But he eluded me.”

Sebastian wiped his brow. “Then someone saw us on the bed together?”

“I think so.”

“But how can that be? The door was locked. Did the man have a key? Was it—was it Mr. Crowley, do you think?”

“The elderly butler?” William shook his head. “No, not him.”

“Oh.” Sebastian looked like the world had just come crashing down on him. “I think I’ll sit back down.”

William nodded, swallowing. He would need to tell him everything. Sebastian might be in danger. They both might be.

“Also—”

“There’s more?” Sebastian’s eyes narrowed.

“Yes. When Sir Ambrose and I spoke, he implied he knew about my inclinations.”

“He did?”

“Yes.”

“I suppose he enjoyed tormenting you.”

“Yes. I suppose he did.” William paused. “He also seemed to think my affections were toward you.”

“Oh.” Sebastian fingered the tablecloth. “Did he think your affections were returned?”

“I don’t know. He didn’t say.”

“And then I went to find you in the castle,” Sebastian said. “I wish you had told me beforehand what kind of a man he was.”

“I tried to. You wouldn’t listen.”

“If Sir Ambrose tells anyone, why, we both might hang.”

“It’s a silly law.”

“But it is the law.”

“It’s seldom enforced.”

“But people do hang sometimes.”

“I suppose they do.”

Sebastian shuddered, no doubt imagining being sent to jail, waiting for the hangman’s noose. “Couldn’t you imagine them wanting to set an example?”

William was silent. If not hanged, they might be branded, castrated, or tarred and feathered.

“Good lord. And if there’s a trial, everyone would know.”

William nodded grimly. “Do you think I don’t know that?”

“Then why?” Sebastian looked flummoxed.

“Because you’re irresistible.” William stepped closer to Sebastian. “Because you’re good and kind and wonderful. If occasionally very frustrating. Because I adore you. We could be together. Some men are able to do it, they just don’t tell people the true nature of their friendship. If we—”

“Stop it. I cannot do this. I have responsibilities for heaven’s sake.” Sebastian lifted his eyes to William. His voice trembled. “I should go back to the house. If you so desire another man’s touch, go back to the molly house. Leave me out of it.”

“You think entering into a loveless marriage will make people happy? You’re dooming yourself to become a bitter, repressed man. No, wait—you already are.”

William swung away, his heart aching, as Sebastian pushed past him. Had he just been about to confess his love for Sebastian? Surely he could not have been that foolish. Sebastian was right, William would have to learn to resist him. How silly he had been imagining the possibility of having the romantic love others had.

*

Sebastian hurried to the manor house, attempting to keep himself composed. William was impossible. Attractive perhaps. Even well meaning. But impossible. How had he neglected to mention Sir Ambrose suspected them? How could he have put them at such risk?

“Good morning, Sebastian,” Penelope said, seated outside. A book lay on her lap. “Have you had a morning stroll?”

“Yes, I have been examining the new wildflowers.”

“Did they agree with you?”

Sebastian considered his morning. “I hope to enjoy the rest of my day ensconced in the safety of my home.”

Penelope laughed. “Wildflowers are not meant to really be ferocious.”

“Then I am certain I am particularly prone to seeking the comfort of the familiar, for the last twelve hours have been antagonizing.” He continued past his cousin, ignoring her bewildered expression.

He reached the door to the manor house, grasped the cold brass handle, and pushed it open.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” Crowley’s bass voice boomed at him as the door swung open. The butler ushered Sebastian in.

Sebastian took a step back, surprised. “I’ve grown accustomed to not having you greet me.”

An expression of discomfort crossed over the butler’s face. “This is the first time I have been able to do so. I am a busy man.

Crowley leaned closer. “I wanted to make certain that you arrived safely back.”

“I see.” He should never have left the house.