Page 6 of The Marquess and the Earl (The Unlikely Betrothal #3)

Chapter 6

G eorge had to admit that getting back atop a horse was a bit more uncomfortable after the state of ecstasy Nate put him in, but it was well worth it. He may even be a changed man after that experience. He was certainly even deeper in love with Nate, and he hoped they might discuss how things would work between them in the future. They couldn’t live together. Society would never accept such a thing.

The voice of his father crept back into his head, and he fought to push it away. His father would likely take a whip to him if he knew of what George had done and who he was certain that he loved. He thought about what his relationship, or whatever they might call it, with Nate would mean for his estate and his tenants. He still had others who depended on him.

He also wasn’t certain how he could ever be expected to sire an heir. Although he had always thought it would be nice to have children. He would never betray his love for Nate by lying with anyone else, man or woman. Even if Nate were understanding and agreed to some sort of arrangement, George was unlikely to find the ability to perform the necessary acts. His heart hurt thinking about Nate being in the same predicament. He had a title he may wish to pass on, and he would be able to bed a woman. What if the woman should fall in love with him? George didn’t care for the notion, but it was among the matters they must discuss.

“Something troubling you? Are you in any pain?” Nate asked quietly from atop his horse, trotting beside George.

George looked around to see how close the others in the group were to them. They had found the group and slipped in to join the party for the picnic. They each sat on different blankets, acting as if they hadn’t just rejoined the group together. George sought Lady Lily, believing that was what he would be expected to do to keep up appearances. The pretense of it all was draining.

After the picnic, they all started the journey back, hoping to beat the rain. Lord Callan had accompanied Lady Lily, so Nate and George had trailed behind some of the others.

“Just thinking,” George replied. “And only a little.”

“What is on your mind?” Nate asked, apparently unwilling to let the matter drop.

“We can’t discuss it here.”

Nate nodded in understanding. “Very well. Tonight, then.”

George said nothing in response, not wishing to draw too much attention to the time they were spending in each other’s company.

There was a crack of lightning and then a loud rumble of thunder. George looked up at the sky as a few raindrops hit his face. “We need to go faster,” he called to Nate.

They took their horses to a gallop, more raindrops hitting George’s face. They continued as fast as they could. The others in the party followed suit, all racing for the stables. After racing across the fields, the sky erupted and doused them in buckets of rain just as they reached the waiting groom.

It was enough to soak them, even though they had only been in it for a few moments. George leapt from his horse and tossed the reins to the groom, hurrying towards the house. He knew Nate wasn’t far behind him. They hurried in behind the group of ladies from the riding party .

Once they were inside the house, the ladies hurried off, likely to seek dry clothes. George looked at Nate, loving the way his face was flushed from the exertion and chilly rain. George bit his bottom lip and quickly got control of himself, remembering they weren’t alone.

“I am going to retire to my chamber for a while. I should need to change,” George said, speaking to Nate as if they were nothing but acquaintances.

“I believe I am in need of the same,” Nate replied, matching George’s indifference.

It slightly concerned George that Nate could school his features so easily, but it was vital to their continued acceptance in society.

They fell in step beside each other, ascending the stairs and then traversing the hall to their respective chambers. Once George reached his door, Nate kept walking but brushed his fingers against George’s as he passed, not looking back.

George entered his chamber and locked it. He wasn’t ready to ring for his valet just yet. A fire had been set in the fireplace, which he appreciated. He moved closer to it and warmed himself. He removed his gloves and hat, tossed them in the chair, and stripped off the rest of his clothing.

He recalled the events of earlier and it aided in warming him. He imagined Nate just next door, stripping the wet clothes from his body and standing before his own fire. So close, yet also so far away.

That is what their life would consist of if they wished to be together. Both of them could hang if anyone were to discover what they were to each other.

Releasing a sad sigh, George ran his hand down his face. They should be able to be together when they wished.

But George heard his father’s voice in his head, reminding him of all his duties. If George’s father were alive, he might string George up himself for the risk to the title and the family name.

George wasn’t certain how long he could stomach the sneaking around that would be required to only have stolen moments together. But he also didn’t believe he could give Nate up. So what else could they do?

After dinner that evening, the gentlemen only remained behind for a quarter hour, since the ladies of the house party would perform a round of musical entertainment for them. George had always enjoyed music and looked forward to hearing the talent of the women in attendance.

He leaned against one windowsill with a fresh tumbler of brandy and listened to the first performance. The young lady was quite talented.

Lady Eliza and Lady Juliet then performed a duet, playing and singing together. They were the highlight of the evening, earning them the loudest applause. George thought to motion for Nate to meet him on the terrace again, but he noticed Lord Irvine was escorting Lady Eliza to that very location.

There were a few more performances, all enjoyable to listen to. Afterwards, the guests began forming groups of conversation around the room.

George glanced at Nate and found that the man was walking in his direction. Nate nodded to him with perfect aristocratic indifference. “Excellent performances, were they not?” he said.

“Indeed, my lord.” George fought his annoyance at the way Nate must play the role of the stuffy marquess when they were among others.

Nate brought his drink to his lips. “Come to my chamber tonight.”

“Isn’t that a bit risky?” George asked, also taking a sip and looking around the room, pretending he was looking for Lady Lily .

“The ground is far too wet to go outside. I’ll knock on the wall when my valet has left. Then come when you are sure the hallway is clear.”

George nodded. “Very well.”

Nate gave him a polite nod and moved on to join a conversation with Lady Juliet and Lord Camden.

He was unsure why everything seemed to annoy him that evening. George had the best afternoon of his life with the man he believed he had fallen in love with. If they lived in a different society, perhaps the notion wouldn’t be so scandalous. Perhaps that was the source of his irritation. Whatever it was, he was in a foul mood and didn’t feel much like making small talk with any of the other guests.

George refilled his glass with a healthy pour of brandy and took it with him as he retired to his chamber. He was better off being irritated on his own, in the bit of privacy that was afforded to him.

Tanner, his valet, knocked on the door, and George admitted him. George removed his clothing and donned his banyan, as he typically slept nude. He dismissed Tanner for the evening, and groaned when he realized he would have to dress again to sneak into Nate’s chamber. It was risky enough already, but doing so donning a banyan wrapped around his naked form would be much harder to explain if he were caught .

George dropped himself onto his settee and picked up his drink. He’d await the knock and then he’d slip on a shirt and breeches. He stared into the fire, slowly sipping his brandy until it was gone. George imagined himself in Nate’s arms, an act that would certainly aid in improving his mood.

A half an hour passed, and George became concerned he might have missed the knock. Although he wasn’t certain when Nate would retire for the evening, given that George had disappeared early.

He closed his eyes for what seemed like only a few moments, imagining what it might be like to have the acceptance to introduce Nate to the world as his partner, his lover, perhaps even his husband.

George woke up to warm lips pressed against his. He blinked his eyes open. “I didn’t mean to startle you, but I just had to kiss you,” Nate said, leaning over him.

“Shite, I must have drifted off, waiting for the knock. I’m sorry. What time is it?”

“About that,” Nate started, “I don’t know how I failed to notice that there is a door between our chambers. We must be in a set of rooms that can be used as a suite.”

George sat up and looked over Nate’s shoulder, seeing into the other chamber.

“Well, that is certainly more convenient,” George said .

“I locked your chamber door, and mine, of course.” Nate held his hand out to George and pulled him to stand when George clasped it.

George noticed that Nate only donned a banyan as well. He ran his hands beneath it and found Nate’s bare chest. He pushed the banyan off his shoulders and let it fall to the floor. Nate did the same to him, so they stood naked before each other. Nate pulled back the covers. “Get into bed, handsome.”

George did as he said and watched as Nate stepped away to blow out all the candles in the room, leaving them with only the moonlight and the light cast from the flames in the fireplace. He stoked the fire and added another log. The view of Nate’s naked backside flexing while he worked caused George’s breath to catch.

Once Nate had tended to the fire, he joined George in the bed and pulled the covers over them. “At least we shall be able to share a bed all night without fear of not waking up early enough to return to our correct chambers.”

“We should be able to sleep wherever we damn well please,” George ground out.

“Is that what has you in such a state?” Nate asked, wrapping his arms around George.

George rested his head on Nate’s chest and wrapped his arm around his waist .

“Doesn’t it bother you? We are grown men who should be free to do as we please.”

Nate sighed. “Of course it does. It certainly gives one perspective on the challenges that women face. If they should marry the wrong man, they are considered among the same standing as property and cattle.”

“Do you intend to marry?” George asked, realizing he asked the question with a more irritated edge to his tone than he intended.

“I don’t know. I thought I might marry once, but she thankfully found her true love. I’d much prefer for her to do so. Everyone deserves that chance.”

George glanced up at him. “Were you attracted to her?”

“No, nothing like that. She would have kept my secrets, and I would have enabled her freedom. I’ll introduce you to her soon. She’d love to meet you.”

“But would you have given her children?” George didn’t know why he couldn’t let it go, but he wanted to understand.

Nate shrugged. “Probably so, since we both wanted them, but what does it matter? She actually informed me she’s with child in her most recent letter.”

When he didn’t say anything in response, Nate gripped his chin and lifted it to look at him .

“Being able to ‘perform’ the necessities to create a babe doesn’t mean I will want a woman, George. I’m not attracted to every man who crosses my path, either, as I am sure it is the same for you.” Nate drew a deep breath and stared into George’s eyes with such affection that George’s heart leapt into his throat.

“I know it’s fast, but I love you, George. You . And I only want you. These decisions about our future are ones we shall make together, if you wish for us to have a future.”

George pressed his lips to Nate’s. “I love you, too,” George whispered, still in disbelief that the man beside him loved him the same George did. “Of course I want a future with you. Nothing about our future is simple.”

“I am glad you are asking me questions and talking to me about your concerns. I don’t want you worried about anything regarding what I feel for you. I will reassure you every minute of every day for as long as you need.”

George nodded against Nate’s chest. He wasn’t certain he’d ever feel confident that the rug wouldn’t get pulled out from under them at any moment, but at least at that moment, he was safe and in the arms of the man he loved, and he’d savor it for as long as he could.

Nate ran his hand along George’s back until he gripped the cheek of his arse, giving it a gentle squeeze. Their legs tangled together and George’s cock hardened and he pressed himself tighter against Nate so their cocks rubbed against each other.

“I seem to recall you saying something about sucking my cock earlier,” George said, placing a few kisses along Nate’s chest.

Nate slid down further on the bed. “Place your knees on either side of my head and face the footboard.”

George looked up at him, confused at his direction, and then he realized what that position would enable them to do. He kissed Nate, licking along his lips and suckling his tongue before he came up onto his knees and did as Nate instructed.

Guiding his cock into Nate’s open mouth, George then lay across Nate’s body. He sucked Nate’s length into his mouth, enjoying the intensity of giving and receiving such pleasure at the same time. In the position George was in, he moved his hips to move himself deeper into Nate’s mouth, then sucked Nate’s cock with the same intensity. Nate bucked beneath him, thrusting upward to match George’s thrusts, both fucking each other’s mouths with increased speed.

Gripping the cheeks of Nate’s arse, George spread them further while he continued sucking and ran his finger along the puckered hole. Nate moaned around George’s cock, and George pressed the tip of his finger just inside the tight hole .

When George tasted the salty heat of Nate’s release, he stilled his hips as he also spent, rocking slowly into Nate’s mouth until his lengthy orgasm subsided.

George was too tired to move for a moment and drew several deep breaths to return his breathing to normal. Nate finally urged him to shift and return to his side, cradling George in his arms again.

“You need sleep, handsome,” Nate said. “You hardly slept last night, and you exerted yourself in more ways than one today. I’ll be right here when you wake, and I have a plan that shall see us spend most of the day in bed together tomorrow.”

“What is this plan?” George asked, slightly amused.

“I’ll explain it in the morning. For now, close your eyes.”

Nate lazily ran his hand along George’s back, and it was quite effective at lulling him into a state of intense relaxation. He nestled in against Nate, and that was the last thing he remembered before he drifted off to sleep.