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Payton grinned and bowed over her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, not the Duchess of Kentwood.”
Everyone laughed as Payton, Si and Dru took their seats.
Payton couldn’t help but notice the duchess sat closer to Si and immediately engaged him and Wycliffe in quiet conversation. The three were clearly old friends. Payton suddenly felt like an outsider.
Si laughed at something she said and rested his arm on the back of Dru’s chair. They looked comfortable together. Si apparently held Dru in high esteem. A jolt of something very much like jealousy hit Payton, making him frown.
Roc leaned in close, getting Payton’s attention. “Drucilla is a doll. Her husband died shortly after they were married. She was with child at the time and after the new Duke of Kentwood’s birth, Dru was pretty much set. Dru, being widowed and holding one of the most vast estates in all of Englor, does as she pleases. No one would dare snub her.”
Payton nodded, watching Simon take a drink from his tumbler and offer it to Dru.
She shook her head and continued talking. They were sitting so closely together, Payton’s stomach fell to his feet. Simon had never offered him a drink like that.
“Rumor is Dru is Si’s mistress and that the new Duke of Kentwood is really Si’s son.” Roc shook his head and chuckled. Grabbing his drink from the table, he tossed back the rest of it.
What?
Pay sucked in some air rather loudly, he couldn’t help it.
“Yeah, you know how the ton is. They love to gossip.” Roc nodded. “I’m guessing we’re done playing.” He shrugged and leaned back in his chair, watching the other three chatter merrily.
Relax, Pay. He said it was a rumor. Not true.
He couldn’t help the jealousy that surged into him. It had been building since he’d seen Dru walk in and kiss Si’s cheek.
But now… Dust, his hands were fisted and his teeth were clenched together so hard his jaw was beginning to ache.
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of days and— He sighed and grabbed his glass off the table. He tossed it down in one swallow, making his eyes water. He was being stupid. He knew better than anyone about rumors. Hadn’t his family been the target of enough of them? Like the rumor about Muffin being Rexley’s love child from a tryst with an upstairs maid? Or the one about Tarren wanting to be an opera singer? Or the one about Colton being in love with Lord Hasti— Okay, that one was true, but most rumors weren’t. Payton took a deep breath and relaxed, feeling much better now that he had it all worked out.
Dru stood, and the rest of the men, including Payton, popped up as well.
“Gentlemen, it was nice seeing all of you, but I’m afraid if I’m seen with all of you my cover will be blown.” Dru chuckled.
“Darling, I’ve got news for you, your cover is blown. Everyone knows you on sight,”
Roc said, as he took her hand and kissed it.
“Yes, well, I’d just assume not add to my notorious reputation. I don’t think I can stomach another lecture from my father. Besides, I have the most gorgeous man waiting for me at Blake House.”
Si nodded. “Ah, I see we’re being tossed aside for a five-year-old.”
“Exactly.” Dru turned to Payton. “Lieutenant Jeffers, it was a pleasure. I hope we meet again. Don’t let these fellows drag you into trouble.”
Payton clasped her hand and kissed it. She really was a pretty lady. If Payton liked women that way— He could almost see how Si might— “The pleasure was mine, Your Grace.”
Leaning back against Si’s chest, she moved her head without letting go of Payton’s hand. “He’s awfully pretty. Should I be jealous?”
Gasping, Payton tugged at his hand, but Dru held fast.
“No, of course not. Now let go of him.” Si caught Payton’s gaze over Dru’s shoulder and winked.
Oh. Oh Dust.
Payton looked around and noticed the footman had left and it was only the five of them in the room. Still, the statement caught him off guard.
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While Payton tried to get his mouth closed and his heart to slow down, Dru left, waving to them all one last time.
They all sat. “Shall we resume our hand?” Roc asked.
It got quiet as everyone picked up their cards from the last hand. Payton looked at his cards, realized he’d gone out and set them back down. Si’s comment had thrown him.
Did he and Dru have something together? No, Roc said rumor. And Roc would know if it were true or not. But…would he tell Payton?
You’re overanalyzing, Pay. Si winked at
you. It was a joke.
Maybe he shouldn’t have gulped down that scotch. Funny, he hadn’t thought of that until his head felt swimmy.
By holding up the decanter, Si caught his attention from across the table. “More?”
I shouldn’t.
Roc handed Payton’s glass over to Si.
Okay, maybe just a little more.
Si filled Payton’s glass and passed the decanter to Wycliffe, then took a sip, tipping his head back just a tad. His long throat worked as he swallowed and Payton had to fight the urge to moan. It reminded Payton of the kiss they shared in the lift and his cock hardened. Galaxy, just remembering that kiss was making Payton’s head spin. He’d been kissed before, but nothing like that. It had been pure torture, knowing exactly what else Si could do with his tongue. Payton shivered, his cock throbbing. Dust, he was dizzy with wanting Si.
“What was that?” Roc asked, looking right at Payton.
Had he said something out loud?
“I didn’t say anything.”
“It sounded like a moan.” Wycliffe puffed on his cigar. “You haven’t had too much to drink, have you?”
I think so.
He didn’t remember moaning though. “No, I’m good.” Just to prove it, he took another drink of his scotch. He was going to have to stop thinking about Si apparently. Payton glanced up at the man worth moaning over and got another wink. He tried to wink back but he couldn’t seem to get his eyelids to work—it ended up being more of a blink. Whatever it was, it earned a heartwarming grin from Si.
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The rest of the card game went by rather quickly and they abandoned the gaming hell. There were no further run-ins with bigots, and Nate’s brother had left before them, so Payton didn’t have to worry about being seen. Which was good, because he wasn’t walking all that straight. He’d nearly run into a footman with a tray full of drinks on their way out.
By the time they were walking down St. James looking for more entertainment, Payton felt wonderful…floaty almost. Wycliffe had suggested they all go to White’s, and Payton was looking forward to it. White’s was
the
club back in historical England. Roc had assured Payton that it was made to look like the original club.
Roc and Wycliffe were bang-up guys. Well Roc was and Wycliffe was getting there.
Payton was beginning to suspect that the cold façade was just Wycliffe’s personality.
“Payton, what do you think of Englor?” Wycliffe asked as they passed Boodles.
I think the biggest thing it has going for it is Si.
Looking up from his feet, Payton stumbled.
Si reached out to steady him. “Pay, I believe you’re quite foxed, old man.”
Payton didn’t feel foxed, at least he didn’t think he did. He felt…happy. Did being foxed feel happy? “’S very similar to Regelence, ’sept you can go where you wanna.”
Come on, Pay, concentrate, you’re slurring.
Wycliffe chuckled. “At least you aren’t suffering from culture shock. Most new recruits are stupefied.”
“’Tis cause I’m from ah Regenchy planet too.” Payton nodded, his head tilted to the side a bit. “Whoa.”
Roc grabbed his arm to steady him and nearly toppled both of them. Roc had surely indulged in twice as many drinks as Payton.
Catching Payton under the arm, Si righted him and held on. “Steady. You okay?”
He liked Si touching him, even if it weren’t sexual. He seemed to be doing that off and on all night. It made Payton smile.
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“Maybe we should go to Hollister House, or back to base?” Wycliffe peered around Roc.
Roc looked at him, then back at Payton, wobbling.
Wycliffe grabbed Roc, chuckling. “Si?”
Leaning in, Si kept a hold of Payton’s arm. “You want to go back to my place, Pay?”
Payton rested his head on Si’s arm. “Mmm… Go anywhere you want me to go.”
“Bloody hell.”
Uh-oh, maybe he shouldn’t have admitted that. Payton lifted his head.
Si stopped, giving Payton no choice but to stop too.
Several yards in front of them two men and a woman were getting into a lift.
Grabbing Payton with his other arm, Si steadied him but never looked away from the trio getting into the lift. “Wycliffe, do my eyes deceive me or is that who I think it is?” he asked quietly.
Blinking, Payton tried to focus on the couple. The woman was petite with red hair swept up in a neat chignon. She wore a blue evening gown that showed off a nice trim figure and large bosom. Like Dru had earlier, this woman was also wearing a demi mask, except hers had blue feathers to match her gown. Both men were of a size. One man was tall and slim, with brown hair. He wore buff-colored breeches with white hose and black shoes. He was the first one in the lift and Payton didn’t get a good look at him. The other man wore all black. His evening coat was dark and he wore a black top hat over his dark hair. He looked familiar.
Wycliffe groaned softly. “It is indeed.”
“Whoose wit her?” Roc asked.
“Bloody hell.” Si stiffened. “That’s Markham and Baymore.”
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If I never drink scotch again, it will be too soon.
—
from the journal of Payton Marcus Townsend
His head was going to explode right out of his dry, scratchy eyes. Payton stretched forward, leaning closer to his desk, and glanced at his reflection in the glass covering it.
His eyes were bloodshot and his face pasty looking.
Wonderful.
He’d drunk coffee, taken some anti-inflammatories and even tried some home remedies he’d heard of, but he still looked like he’d been in his cups.
In ten minutes he was supposed to meet Nate in his office with a daily update and Payton had nothing new he could share. The bloody message continued to elude him.
Stupid encryption.
Maybe he should inform Si about the message and see if he could tell what it said. He scrubbed his hands down his face and leaned back in his chair. No, he needed to keep something only he knew about. It would be foolish to give up everything he’d learned. He was certain he and Si were on the same side, but he felt more secure hanging on to some of his info. But maybe Si…
Argh.
He couldn’t stop thinking about Si. Every time he tried to work, he got sidetracked. He was losing sight of what he was here for.
Someone shoot me.
He’d actually gone to a gaming hell and gotten drunk. He never thought he’d enjoy those sorts of pursuits, but he had. Despite seeing the prejudice against Regelens firsthand, it was nice to go out and meet other people without having a chaperone hanging over his shoulder. Grinning against his will, he leaned back in his chair. He’d had a bang-up time, except for… Was there something between Si and the duchess?
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knowing his fellow Regelen peers would see him as an oddity, he’d pretend not to.
Wouldn’t he? He’d never considered it. Until last night he’d never felt…different.
It would probably be just as well if there was something between them. Payton was going to leave in the next couple of days and then… He sighed. Leaving Si and Englor wasn’t going to be an easy task. He was becoming too attached to Si. He never should have gone off base. Not only had he risked getting caught, but it just made him want things he couldn’t have. Like that kiss. It was the most amazing kiss he’d ever had, not that he’d had all that many—three very chaste ones to be exact. The kiss he’d shared with Si had gone straight to his head. It was much, much more than a kiss and it kind of frightened him.
Payton looked at the smooth mahogany surface of his desk and thought seriously about banging his head against it. Unfortunately, that would be counterproductive, not to mention make his headache worse. The idea was to look like he hadn’t gotten foxed and cast up his accounts. And the close call? Payton suppressed a tremble. He was pretty certain Jared hadn’t seen him, but if he had… There was nothing for it. Either Nate would call him on the carpet or he wouldn’t.
He closed down the program he was using and saw the beautiful Regelence rose painting that Aiden had done several years ago which doubled as his com-pad wallpaper.
Aiden.
Payton was here having fun and Aiden was home missing his consort. Payton frowned, thinking he might just understand how his brother felt. He was going to miss Si and he didn’t like that feeling at all. Groaning, he shoved back from his desk, gathered up his bag and put his com-pad in it.
Hauling his bag strap onto his shoulder, Payton locked his office and went next door to Nate’s office. Maybe being morose was part of the whole hangover process. He rapped his knuckles on the door.
“Enter,” Nate called.
Payton stepped into the office and closed the door behind him. Taking a seat, he busied himself with his com-pad, getting it out of his bag, and hoped Nate wouldn’t notice how hungover he was.
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“Find anything, new?” Nate asked casually.