Main Gauche and Other Tales by Megan Derr

Author:Megan Derr
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: secret, swords, gay romance, duel, sword, cinderella, queer romance, pining, gay fantasy romance, misundrestandings
Publisher: Megan Derr

*~*~*

Epee walked the dark, empty streets, almost hoping to be attacked by a footpad simply so he'd have good reason to run someone through to soothe his foul temper.

So he'd bloody forgotten. What was the fuss all about? Like he really needed to watch yet another duel. His esteemed father and brother had just been hoping to repair their tarnished image since Dagger's rise. Oh, the people did love the tale of a cruel stepfather throwing out his stepson, who lived as a peasant until going in disguise to win the Tournament and the heart of the prince.

He smiled faintly at the memory, but thinking of duels only made him think of Sharp, and his anxiety in that quarter did not improve his mood at all.

Gingerly touching his throbbing cheek, where a father short on patience—and really, when was father's patience ever in abundance?—had backhanded him quite nicely. The housekeeper had sworn her herbal cream would have it well by morning, but so far the nasty smelling concoction was doing nothing more than making Epee a bit dizzy.

If his father found out he'd left the house after his dressing down, no herbal remedy in existence would fix the discipline Rapier would administer.

Epee could not bring himself to care.

Having nowhere else to go, he slowly meandered his way to his warehouse.

In the weak light of a single gaslight, it looked homely and almost pathetic—but he owned it, and that made it finer than even the most splendid manor.

Currently he was using a small room in the back for his office; there was an office proper at the back and up a short flight of stairs, but he could not move furniture up there on his own. He would have to begin hiring workers and assistants soon, but that upstairs office might very well have to become his private apartment.

He was keeping his activities secret, but at some point the truth would come out. Best to be prepared. Would Sharp have anything to do with him if he was a commoner? Well, he would not really have a choice, when Epee won the thousandth duel.

Far in the distance, he could hear the tolling of the church bells, marking the midnight hour.

Sighing, Epee pulled out his keys and let himself into the warehouse, closing and locking it again behind him. In his office, he lit a single lamp and then pulled out the flask of brandy he kept in the desk.

It worked much, much better than the foul herbal remedy. Not that he would wipe it off, that would hurt the housekeeper's feelings—but it really did smell vile.

He was just taking a third—fourth?—sip when a sound made him jump, and choke on the brandy.

Oh, that hurt.

Stumbling to his feet, eyes watering, coughing, he drew his sword and left the office.

The main warehouse, however, appeared empty. Frowning, he explored it thoroughly anyway. But even outside, he could find no sign of a trespasser. Odd, he knew he'd heard a sound. Perhaps it was only the herbal remedy he'd heard.

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