Any Old Diamonds (Lilywhite Boys, #1) by KJ Charles

Author:KJ Charles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance, gay, Victorian, m/m, jewel thief, historical romance, historical
Publisher: KJC Books
Published: 2019-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

THE INVITATION TO THE Ilvars’ anniversary celebration came at last. Alec’s attendance was commanded from the first of August, for the whole period from the small house party to the grand dinner.

“Now we need to get me in,” Jerry said. “It’s not a disaster if you can’t, you can take Templeton as your valet, but two of us will be a great deal better than one. Will there be any other young men there? If there aren’t you can hint you need company, and if there are, you can suggest I’d add to the gaiety of the event. But let’s see you ingratiate yourself with your father first.”

Alec did his best, thanks to the promised invitation to the Cirencesters’ ball, where he duly danced with Lady Penelope. She was a tall buxom girl, almost his own height, who would probably be called handsome rather than pretty, but she had her mother’s eyes and smile, which in Alec’s opinion qualified her for beauty. Her sparkling looks and blushing giggles as they danced three times produced a crop of arch speculation about Lord A.— and Lady P.— in the society columns.

“I am considering extending an invitation to the Moretons to the celebratory dinner,” the Duke of Ilvar informed him. “While not of the highest rank, they are acceptable, and your stepmother has been most pleased with Lady Moreton’s recent courtesies.”

“That is very generous of you, sir. Uh, do you—do you propose to invite Penny?”

“I do not,” Ilvar said majestically. “It is not a gathering of young people and I should rather not give rise to the inevitable speculation that such a visit would create. A wise man considers before linking his family to another.”

Alec had to dig his nails into his palms, and even so it took him a moment before he could say, “Yes, sir. Will there be any other young people in attendance, may I ask?”

Ilvar gave him a knowing look. “Worrying you’ll be bored, boy?”

“I’m looking forward to seeing the house again, sir. But, well, I’m more considering if I’ll have much to contribute to the conversation.”

“Very true,” his father said, unflatteringly.

“Just a thought, but my pal Vane—you’ve met him once or twice, sir; he found Her Grace’s bracelet? He’s going up to Scotland for the grouse shooting at much the same time. Perhaps, if it wouldn’t be overburdening the staff...”

And that was Jerry’s invitation to the house party secured. Not to the formal dinner, but he seemed unworried. “We’ll aim to take the thing before the great unveiling. Frankly, I’d rather be gone before the Moretons arrive.”

“Oh. Why?”

“Templeton,” Jerry said elliptically. “Wouldn’t want them seeing him. Warn me if they’re liable to arrive before the rest of the guests for the grand dinner, won’t you?”

Alec nodded. They were strolling in Hyde Park, taking advantage of the morning before the heat became intolerable. London was baking in the mid-July heat, and it had been a dry spring; the grass was yellowing, the flowerbeds wilting. He found himself thinking of Castle Speight.

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