Throw His Heart Over by Sebastian Nothwell

Author:Sebastian Nothwell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: victorian, historical romance, gay romance, equestrian, 19th century, equestrianism, victorian romance, wealthy hero, upstairs downstairs, gay victorian
Publisher: Sebastian Nothwell

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Lindsey had hoped Dr Pilkington’s arrival would soothe his own worries along with Aubrey’s wounds. Instead, he found himself more worried than ever.

“Are you sure,” he said in hushed tones as he escorted the surgeon down to the foyer, “there is no cause for concern?”

“No more than usual,” Dr Pilkington replied easily. “Certainly far less than when last I treated him.”

Lindsey well recalled that prior meeting between his Aubrey and the good doctor. He’d first consulted Dr Pilkington on Graves’s recommendation, when Aubrey, returning home from Withington Hospital, had suffered morphine withdrawals on top of the injuries he’d incurred in the boiler explosion at Rook Mill.

“Do not allow him to stay abed,” Dr Pilkington continued, drawing Lindsey out of his troubling reminiscences. “Ensure he does his breathing exercises and remains otherwise active.”

“Should he get back on the horse, as well?” Lindsey asked in disbelief.

Dr Pilkington chuckled. “Not quite yet. Though some light perambulation around the house and grounds would do him good. You needn’t worry about him unless that cough of his grows worse, or unless it starts bringing up mucus. Should either occur, send for me without delay.”

They’d reached the front courtyard by then, so Lindsey could do little more than promise to follow doctor’s orders and let him return to London. He watched the family carriage rattle away down the drive towards the village and the train station, then returned to the house and took the stairs two at a time back to his bedroom.

All the while, he tried to reconcile Dr Pilkington’s advice with his own instincts. He knew Dr Pilkington as an able and trustworthy surgeon, whose advice and expertise had already saved Aubrey’s life once before. Still, Lindsey couldn’t quite silence the little nagging voice in the back of his mind which fretted for Aubrey’s sake. This little nagging voice only grew louder once he opened the bedroom door.

The bed was empty.

Lindsey stared at the spot where he’d left his Aubrey not a quarter-hour ago. The bed wasn’t just empty—it was made-up, as if whoever had left it had no intention of returning anytime soon, or indeed, had never been there. Aubrey’s pyjamas were folded neatly at the foot of the bed, ready for the maid to collect for laundry. Aubrey himself, however, had totally vanished.

A glance into the bathroom did not reveal Aubrey. Nor did the journey into the hall, or down the grand staircase in the foyer. In the breakfast-room, Lindsey found not Aubrey, but Charles, who informed him Aubrey had gone down to the ballroom with Halloway.

Lindsey did not run to the ballroom, though it took great presence of mind to keep from doing so. He paused before the double doors to gather himself. From within, he heard muted conversation, a few notes of Halloway’s laughter, and a cough from Aubrey. Lindsey flexed his hands to steady himself, then pushed open the door.

Halloway stood in front of his easel, arranging the tools of his trade, stripped down to his rolled-up shirtsleeves. Aubrey

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