Gentlemen Make the Best Prisoners: Gay Victorian Romance by Theodore Bradshaw

Author:Theodore Bradshaw [Bradshaw, Theodore]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

The hour passed quickly, because Louis fell asleep. The subsequent rush of the travelers making their way to board the locomotive stirred him from his early morning nap, and he ventured into one of the first cars alongside Jack. Blissfully, they were alone, likely given the early hour on a Tuesday.

Feeling rejuvenated from his brief respite, Louis was also in a proper mood to begin teasing his new companion in full force.

“I find it very interesting how like these circumstances are to another time in my life.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes. Very like indeed. In fact, as recent as just the beginning of this month, when I was on a train departing from Edinburgh. I’m quite struck by the likeness.”

To this, Jack made no response. More teasing, therefore, was in order.

“But you see,” he went on, “I traveled alone during that time. I was also forced to deboard early, due to some of the other passengers on the vehicle.”

“And what did these other passengers do?”

“Nothing unusual I suppose. Just the run-of-the-mill murder and pillage scheme. I barely made it out with my life.”

“Uh-huh.”

“The leader of this jovial group was particularly dreadful. Unbearable to look at. A one-eyed monster. Vinegar on the palate.”

“We—I—didn’t murder anyone.”

“Oh I’m sure that’s a nice story to tell yourself, if only to remind your conscience that there are a few more steps before total damnation.”

“I’m damned enough as it is,” Jack said. “I don’t need any additional notches in my soul’s bedposts.”

“I don’t think you are using that phrase correctly.”

“I know what I’m doing,” he said with a smirk.

Louis huffed and looked outside the window. “Anyway, back to my story: if you could believe it, it actually gets worse.”

“Oh, pray tell.”

“Stuck with this cyclops, I was forced to walk for miles on foot. It tore my clothes from my back, locked me away in its rooms, and abandoned me to a proper she-wolf. I had truly landed in the realm of monsters.”

“You must despise such a creature for taking you like that.”

“You have no idea, yet I can’t help but feel the urge to help it. Like when one sees a wild animal caught in a hunter’s trap—can’t help but feel sorry for the poor soul.”

“There’s likely nothing left you can do for it.”

“Not the case,” Louis smiled. “In fact, I think I know exactly how to help the beast make a full recovery. The real question is whether I ought to or not.”

“What are your reservations?”

“A lifetime of understanding the law. Familial duty. Love for my parents and their legacy. Respect for the commandments. Etcetera.”

“And the opposing argument?”

Louis shrugged. “I’m not sure yet. I suppose if a good argument were presented to me, I might be more willing to help. But, I can’t ask the creature to speak, for I am sure it doesn’t know how.”

He could see Jack lick his lips through the reflection of the glass window.

“So you want me to tell you why I’m doing this to you and your father.”

“Precisely. I don’t consider this an absurd request, given the circumstances.

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