Page 4 of The Songbird of Wychwood
PERCY
The carriage arrived exactly as the mysterious letter had informed. I trusted that my late-grandfather would not lead me astray; although where the coachman was taking me I still did not know. The night was bitter and foggy, making visibility difficult. I stared out of the window trying to get my bearings. I knew that we’d crossed the River Thames and I repeatedly glanced at my pocket watch to check how long the journey was taking, but it wasn’t until fifty minutes later that I saw a street lamp beside a large sign for London Zoo. I garnered then that we were on Regents Park Road and heading uphill toward Primrose Hill.
We finally turned up a private driveway and paused in front of a huge mysterious mansion house. I remained anxious and intrigued as I stepped out of the carriage, and then passed a tip to the silent coachman. The carriage moved away down the drive vanishing into the fog and I paused in the courtyard, looking up, and taking in the huge old mansion. The name plate beside the door read: Wychwood. The window drapes were drawn, yet shafts of warm yellow light snuck from between gaps in the fabric. I heard the laughter of men, piano music, and a singer. This piqued my interest. I loved music and tried to attend the theater or a recital at least twice a week. Using the huge lion knocker, I knocked and the door was swiftly opened revealing a grand brightly lit foyer of checkerboard tiles and stylish décor. The mixed scents of Patchouli, alcohol and fine cigar smoke wafted out. I was met by a fellow in his middle years with a well-groomed beard, spectacles, and the erect posture of a servant. The butler introduced himself as Mr. Joshua.
“Do you have a token, sir?” he asked stiffly.
“Ah, yes, yes.” I fished in my waistcoat pocket and retrieved the gold token left to me by my grandfather. I gave it to the butler.
He glanced at it, nodded, and then passed the token back to me and I returned it to the waistcoat pocket. “36, come in, sir.” The butler moved aside and I stepped into Wychwood.
“Please accept the deepest condolences of the house for your loss, sir. I do hope you find the peace and comfort your grandfather found within these walls,” Mr. Joshua said in a smooth cultured accent.
I was rather moved to learn that this man whom I’d assumed was a mere servant knew that Theo had enjoyed attending these gatherings of likeminded men.
“Please, let me take your coat and then I shall give you the tour.”
I removed my outerwear, offering the garments to Mr. Joshua who took them to the cloak room. Two middle-aged gentlemen passed through the foyer holding hands as they walked together. At seeing their clasped hands, a feeling of warmth and of acceptance washed over me. The men paused to kiss one another on the mouth, not just a peck, but a deep, passionate French style kiss. My stomach twisted with arousal as one of the men opened his eyes during the act and shot a lustful glare at me. Ashamed for staring, I sent my gaze to my feet.
The sounds of frivolity and laughter were all around and although some may have thought me a prig, I was not averse to enjoying myself. I was just selective about my entertainments. I liked to go out, to dine, and dance, as well as enjoying my intellectual and artistic pursuits. But it was my attraction to men and intimate company that was the need I could not fulfill within my social circle. But here at Wychwood I was surrounded my men of my class who had the same preference as I, and it was strangely freeing to not feel that knot of discomfort in my belly with the fear of finding a man attractive and having my advance rebuffed or ridiculed.
“Come along sir,” Mr. Joshua called. I followed on behind him as he proceeded to take me on a tour of the gaming room, the library, and the smoking room, where I saw the members were having a great deal of fun. He explained that should I find an agreeable partner there were bedrooms available for use upstairs. Oh, to share my deviant desires with a lithe, willing young man. That was the stuff of dreams! Even the thought of it made my bollocks ache. But I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. I’d never done this before, but I decided it would be nice to find a gentleman I was attracted to, who was also drawn to me. I’d talk with him, and discover our commonalities. Anything else would come naturally, or so I hoped.
Mr. Joshua led me to the dining room where an exceptional buffet spread was to be had, as well as copious amounts of wine and spirits. I’d heard the singer before I saw her, and I did not miss the vulgar innuendo of the lyrics she sang that had guests laughing and singing along. Her voice was lovely, like pink cherry blossom in the wind on a spring morn, and it seemed to follow me on my tour of the house. I was immediately intrigued, but when I saw her…saw him, dressed in ladies garments looking so disarmingly ravishing I felt a little drunk before I’d even touched a drop. My goodness! I was transfixed. Maybe Theo and Edmund were smiling down on me, because I now understood why grandfather left the gold token for me. I knew what I liked when I saw it, and by the muses, the heated curl of arousal in my groin told me something about myself I hadn’t known before. I liked a man in women’s garments, and in particular, this pretty songbird had set me aflame.
****