Romancing the Ugly Duckling by Clare London

Author:Clare London [London, Clare]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-63533-387-9
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2017-06-15T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

SATURDAY night would be Perry’s first proper introduction to other villagers. Or so Greg had explained to him, when they turned up at the village hall for the ceilidh. Perry had nodded, wisely keeping his mouth shut. Greg was in a half-bad mood already, obviously irritated at having been tricked into coming to this at all, conveniently forgetting it’d been his own idea. He’d also had to iron a shirt—Perry had insisted—and find clean jeans to wear.

Perry himself had chosen to wear a deep purple, fitted shirt and smart black trousers. It was one of the outfits that he’d brought with him, and he momentarily wondered if he’d look too weird among these country folk, but he felt good in it. He felt right: he felt like Perry. He was also relieved to be proved wrong, to find most people in the village hall had dressed smartly. They obviously used the event as an excuse to show off the slightest bit of finery. Maybe it wasn’t London fashion, but the selection of kilts, blouses, and flowing skirts was a splash of fabulous color against the drab walls.

The room was filled with people of all ages, though he understood the younger children were taken home before the heavy drinking started. Greg homed straight in on the bar and forged a clumsy path for them both across the room. Perry decided not to make a fuss and followed meekly in his wake. He was surprised at how many people nodded to them as they passed. When he realized they were actually greeting him, he glowed from inside.

Greg, however, looked more irritated than glowing. “You’ve been in and out of Bridie and Dougie’s shop all week,” he hissed. “You said it was to stock up on food for the cottage.”

“It was,” Perry murmured back. Amongst other things. He’d learned swiftly where the fount of all knowledge settled on this part of the island.

Greg’s eyes narrowed. “Not just to nose around and gossip?”

“What on earth do you think I’m like?” But Perry couldn’t help a small smile. “The people here are charming, Greg, and very welcoming.” Unlike some I could mention, he was about to add, but to be honest, things had moved on since then, hadn’t they? Greg was no longer the totally aggressive, rude bear he’d been when Perry arrived.

What a difference a few days made! As they reached the bar, Perry sneaked a quick look at Greg in his smartly pressed clothes and his hair combed into some kind of style, his tall frame imposing at Perry’s side, his eyes bright, his scowl unable to hide the fullness of his lips—

“What d’ye want?” Greg asked abruptly. The gathering obviously accentuated his adopted Scottish accent.

“A beer, if ye will,” Perry bantered back, making sure to roll his Rs in the country burr he’d heard all around him tonight.

Greg blinked twice. Maybe he wanted to laugh, but was still wedded to his irritation. The bartender rapped on the makeshift counter to get Greg’s attention.

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