Wanted, a Gentleman by KJ Charles

Author:KJ Charles [Charles, KJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Published: 2016-10-13T04:00:00+00:00

They made excellent time to Boroughbridge, where they had to decide whether to go west for Gretna or stay on the Great North Road. The horses had been fresh at each stage and the road surface not dreadful, and they’d arrived in the little town before three o’clock.

It was quite extraordinarily busy. There was a horse fair on, along the very stretch of the Great North Road that ran through the town, with drovers and traders and farmers roaming the wide street and the scent of hay, sweat, and manure strong in the air. There were also a lot of inns, and Martin’s heart sank. How would they find any individual in this bustle? The Crown Inn opposite had a front the width of four houses and claimed it could accommodate over a hundred guests, and there were several other coaching inns in view.

“We need to ask around,” Theo said. He’d restored himself to as much neatness as ever he achieved, and looked quite respectable, but Martin couldn’t stop seeing him as he had been, red-lipped, gasping, flushed with arousal. It seemed as though everyone around them must surely see their criminal conversation, as if it were written on both their faces. “That’s assuming they changed horses here, of course. If not, we’ll have to hope somebody saw them and noticed which way they went.”

“We’ll split up to ask.” At least that way nobody would see him with Theo, nobody would guess.

Theo grimaced. “Would you leave it to me?”

“It’ll take hours,” Martin objected.

“Not really. I’m used to asking the right questions by now, and the town’s not so large as all that. You wait for me, have something to eat.”

Martin felt a little guilty at how much he wanted to accept that, and a little feeble too. It was only asking questions. But he was so damned tired of being gawped at, and Theo’s care was as warming as the feel of his mouth. “Well—”

“Let me,” Theo said. “Please.”

Martin gave in to the indulgence. “Very well. If you don’t mind.”

Theo’s smile looked just a little tense. “I shouldn’t offer if I did.”

Martin wished he could touch him, just a hand to the arm. He could; surely nobody would think twice, but he knew he would feel unbearably conspicuous. “Thank you, Theo,” he said, low. “I cannot tell you how glad I am you’re with me.”

Colour surged up into Theo’s cheeks. For just a second his expression was so raw that Martin wanted to demand what was wrong, then he gave his sly smile. “I hope you’ll be saying that this evening. Come to that, I hope I will be.”

They arranged to meet at the Black Bull inn, at the far end of the high street, slightly less busy than the inns on the Great North Road itself, and Theo set off.

Martin regretted the decision almost at once. It was easier to ignore the stares when he was with a companion. Now he felt not just alone but isolated. And under that, something else, he realised.

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