Page 43 of The Labours of Lord Perry Cavendish
“You’re a bloody idiot,” Sam told Jonny, once Perry had left the parlour.
“Moronic,” Jasper agreed tightly. “What was that about? That ‘I couldn’t possibly ask you to do that’nonsense? Before he arrived, you were busy telling us that you’d fallen head over heels for him—”
“I know, I—”
“—and I can absolutely see why, incidentally,” Jasper went on, as though Jonny had not spoken. “So, for what earthly reason did you turn him down when he made that exceedingly generous and, may I say,romanticoffer?”
“You think I should let him nursemaid me around Europe?” Jonny exclaimed in disbelief.
“Yes!”
“Oh, yes, that’s a bloodymarvellousidea!” Jonny cried. “Subject him to my very worst character traits for months on end till he’s entirely sick of the sight of me! That’s bound to work out just beautifully, don’t you think?”
“You’re not that bad,” Jasper said, his tone exasperated. “Besides, he clearly has the measure of you,” Jasper added. “He understands you, Jonny.”
Jonny sighed. “I know, I know. He’s lovely.”
“Then why not let him be lovely to you?”
Jonny met Jasper’s searching gaze. “I don’t want to see him change,” he muttered. “I don’t want to see that moment when he realises how annoying I am.”
“Oh, for God’s sake. You sound like bloody Stephen now.”
“Stephen isn’t the only person who's ever become irritated with me. Christ, Jasper, you know that better than most—even my own father thinks I’m a pain in the neck.”
Jasper sighed. “You’re not a pain in the neck. Your father’s just a complete philistine who only likes fox-hunting, and as for the rest, well, you’ve had a bad run of luck because of your rotten habit of picking utterly dreadful men to go to bed with—until now, anyway. I do believe you’ve actually found yourself a good one this time.” He smiled gently. “Darling, please don’t fuck this up. Trust me. Perry’s far,fartoo good to lose.”
Jonny swallowed and shifted his gaze from Jasper to Sam.
Sam shrugged. “I agree with Jasper.”
“Well, you just agree with Jasper on everything,” Jonny said crossly.
Sam laughed. “Only because he’s right about most things.”
“I can’t wait to remind you of those words,” Jasper said.
“I’ll probably deny it,” Sam said, grinning at his lover. “You know what a shocking memory I have.”
“Only when it suits you,” Jasper retorted. Then he looked at Jonny and said gently, “Are you going after him?”
Jonny grimaced. “I’ll think about it,” he said at last.
“Jonny—”
“Jasper, I know you mean well,” Jonny interrupted. “I really do, but I don't see this quite as you do. I’ve barely known Perry for any time at all. I need to think about this properly and not rush headlong into anything, so please don’t push me any more tonight.”
Jasper sighed. “All right, but just give Perry a fair shot. That's all I ask.”
After that, Jasper reluctantly let the subject of Perry go, and their talk drifted to the old days.
They talked long into the night, till the fire in the grate had burned away to nothing and the candles were near-gone.
“We have to leave early tomorrow,” Jasper said regretfully, as he rose, finally, from his chair. “We’ll likely be gone by the time you rise, so we’ll say goodbye now.”
He put his arms around Jonny and kissed his cheek. Jonny kissed him back and sniffed.
“I’m going to miss you like hell,” he complained.