Chapter 1

1

London, 1818

Daniel Blake, Earl of Graystone, gazed out at the night from the window of his bedchamber in his London townhouse. He hadn’t been back to London for more than a year. Since before Isabel had fallen ill. They’d been at their country home when her illness began and she died there.

Now he was a widower with two small children. And rather at a loss what to do now.

“My lord, have you decided whether or not to attend Lady Whittington’s ball tonight?” his valet asked.

“Yes, Franks, I’ll attend,” he replied without turning around.

Time to get back into society. He didn’t plan on getting married again. Couldn’t imagine any woman replacing Isabel. But one day his son and daughter would need to make matches and so he would have to play the games of the ton.

* * * *

Aubrey St. Clair, Viscount Rothton, grabbed a flute of champagne off the tray of a passing servant. He’d already been at the blasted ball for an hour and he grew more restless by the moment. He’d managed to avoid the majority of the mothers trying to cajole him into partnering their daughters on the dance floor. Still, he had been forced to endure one or two.

Where was he?

Aubrey took a large sip of the bubbly drink and surveyed the new arrivals. Lady Whittington assured him Graystone had accepted the invitation. But it was nearing midnight and there was no sign of him. Had he wasted his time? Surely Graystone hadn’t come and gone before he even arrived. No, the Graystone he knew was always a night owl.

Maybe he just wouldn’t recognize him. Even before the death of his countess, Graystone didn’t spend alot of time in London and Aubrey…well…he tried to stay away from events Graystone did attend. He hadn’t been face-to-face with him in years.

But no, Aubrey would know Daniel when he arrived. He’d spent too many years dreaming of him.

Just before their last year at Oxford they’d gone to a Hell and had too much to drink. Aubrey didn’t know what possessed him…Wait, that was a lie. He’d had a bit of a crush on Daniel since meeting him. A handsome man with light brown hair streaked with golden highlights when the sun shone and sky blue eyes, Daniel stoked Aubrey’s fantasies even before that drunken carriage ride.

One minute they’d been laughing about their tremendous bad luck at the Hell and the next, Aubrey had pressed his lips against Daniel’s. Expecting his friend to push him away in disgust, he’d been thrilled when Daniel had kissed him back, opening Aubrey’s mouth with his tongue and exploring. They’d continued to kiss, Daniel nipping at Aubrey’s lips, pushing him down on the seat.

“Want you,” Daniel had whispered against Aubrey’s lips.

Aubrey’s cock had strained against his breeches, so hard he’d expected it to rip through.

“Oh God, yes,” had been his answering groan. Aubrey didn’t know what he’d expected next but Daniel sliding off the seat to kneel in front of him and unfastening his breeches hadn’t been it. His breath had caught.

His cock had sprung free and Daniel had grasped it in his hand. He’d leaned his head back on the cushion. Daniel had cupped his balls and run a fingertip over the head of his cock.

“Pretty,” Daniel had murmured, darting his tongue out to touch where his finger had trailed.

Aubrey’d gritted his teeth. He’d wanted to scream but wasn’t sure if the coachman could hear them. Probably could.

Daniel had pulled the head of Aubrey’s cock into his mouth. He’d almost come immediately and only managed not to by the grace of God. Running his fingers through Daniel’s soft hair, he’d pushed in farther. He’d done it slowly, not wanting to gag Daniel but it’d nearly killed him.

“Daniel, yes,” he’d moaned. He’d opened his eyes and stared down, watching Daniel work his cock in and out of his mouth. He had to be dreaming.

Aubrey hadn’t been able to stop himself any longer. He’d pushed his cock farther down into Daniel’s throat. To his delight, Daniel had taken him without protest. What a sight it had been to see his friend’s cheeks hollowed as he sucked. He’d started fucking Daniel’s mouth faster, thrusting in and out over and over. Beads of sweat had pearled on his forehead and his head had thrashed back and forth onthe seat cushion. His balls had tightened painfully.

“I’m going to come,” Aubrey had shouted. He’d expected Daniel to release his cock so he could come all over the seats but instead Daniel had sucked harder and more desperately.

“Ah, fuck!” He’d poured down his friend’s throat. Panting heavily, he’d leaned back, letting reality return. He was in a hired coach with his breeches undone, excess cum dripping down from Daniel’s mouth and they would pull up to their destination any moment.