The Old Razzle Dazzle by Will Forrest

Author:Will Forrest
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: adventure, victorian, gay romance, gay historical, mm romance, edwardian, sweet romance, lgbtq romance, lgbt couples, diverse couple
Publisher: Will Forrest

La jalousie

A DARK ROOM. A broad bed with slippery sheets, Noel faintly snoring beside him. A lingering tenderness below that suggested a lively night. He ought to rise before the maids came knocking. He sat up…and woke properly, the dream that was half memory dissipating as he took in his surroundings: the time-stained panelling, the fading curtains, the grotesque marquetry in the bed’s headboard showing a Grecian lady being pounced on by a wizened man with the legs of a goat. Not an overpriced hotel room in Liverpool but a bedroom in Marisol’s manor.

Izzy lay back and shut his eyes. If Noel wasn’t awake he needn’t be either. Yet this early in the day, he could get in a good bit of practice before Miguel or Petra or one of the others got to the wire. Away from their experienced eyes he was free to fail without shame. Or losing his turn, which mattered more when he had only so much time in a day.

His feet were drenched with dew by the time he reached the sand lot, and he dried them on his trouser legs before putting on his slippers, even lighter of sole than the ones he wore for dancing. Two crows were watching from the wire and took off heavily as he began to climb the rope ladder. On the platform he paused to wriggle his toes, loosen his ankles, keeping his eyes on the distant treetops. A trick of the mind as much as the body, as without further ado he took the first step…

And was across. The first crossing of the day was always a blur, a blankness in his memory, as if the knowledge of doing something so patently dangerous was too much to be borne. Yet he’d done it, and with less haste he returned to the other platform. On the third pass he paused in the middle to practice a few hops and switches. Petra did a thing where she lay down, but Izzy hadn’t the nerve to try. What he was practicing with Miguel was challenge enough when he was still so new to the sport.

He worked at his steps for a good half hour and had come back to ground when Miguel arrived, slippers in hand. “Good morning, my friend. Have you finished already with your practice?”

“Not if you’re up for it.”

“I am indeed. I feel strong today, friend.”

“Here’s hoping. It’s a lot farther to fall when I’m that much farther in the air.”

Izzy ascended first, the tiny platform creaking ominously as Miguel joined him. “Any chance you’re ever going to add another plank to this?”

“Que?” Staring at the other platform, Miguel was barely listening, all his mind on the coming crossing.

“Never mind.”

Mainly by feel, Izzy turned in place then climbed a little farther up the pole using the pegs driven into either side. Blessing the sweat-soaked cotton tape wound around his hands, he glanced over his shoulder. Miguel stood at the ready, his knees flexed, hand out to catch Izzy’s foot.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.