Page 84 of These Old Lies

“There was a teacher, a few years ago, who managed to get off because of entrapment.” Sophie’s voice was almost hesitant, as if she were intruding on a personal conversation.

Freddy nodded. “I remember that case. There was no denying he was caught with his pants down as it were, but the judge threw the charges out. Demanded an apology.”

“A precedent could help some of the other men Charlie mentioned, maybe get them new trials.” Trust Sophie to think of others.

Hugh met Ned’s eyes and for a flash, Ned was once again in the presence of the blond prince who had laughed and danced at the Ritz. Whose carefree attitude had been so liberating.

“Edmund, any chance you could help me find a lawyer who wants to bring the Met down a peg or two?”

Ned had to clear his throat before he spoke. “With pleasure, Hugh.”

???

The fire cast long, dim shadows across the room. Sophie, Freddy, and Hugh had long since said their good evenings. Charlie had moved to sit in the wingback chair opposite from Ned.

“You were asking around?” Ned didn’t know how to feel about Charlie’s detective work. Charlie had no doubt pulled a rabbit out of a hat. Yet, why hadn’t he spoken to Ned about it?

“A few shopboys here and there. I wanted the lay of the land before you went and did something stupid.”

“I had a plan. Hugh was going to be fine.”

“You were going to agree to things you shouldn’t. Compromise yourself.” At the question on Ned’s face, Charlie answered. “You don’t think I know you? Figured you would sacrifice yourself for someone else.”

“I don’t have infinite political capital. I have to play politics to get what I want.”

“Now you won’t need to. Hugh’s going to fight the case in court. You can keep your stance on gas.” Charlie was almost triumphant.

Ned weighed his next words carefully. “This helps, no doubt, but I’ll have other favours to call in the new year.”

Charlie’s objector tribunal, Pemberton’s letter, all axes hanging over their happiness.

“I would never ask that of you.” Blunt and honest.

“You didn’t need to.” Equally blunt, equally honest.

Charlie’s face hardened in the firelight. “Let me be clear. I don’t want whatever you are plotting. I don’t want you involved with the tribunal, especially if it comes at the price of compromising yourself.”

“I can’t be without you. I can’t watch you get hurt.” The words came out as a whisper.

Charlie pushed himself out of his chair and sat down on the arm of Ned’s, wrapping his arms around Ned’s shoulders. “I’m not scared of anything that the tribunal finds. The terrifying conversation about what happened during the war? That happened nine years ago at Thiepval when I told you why I slit my wrists. I can handle everything else. Let me manage the conchie tribunal and you make sure our country doesn’t lose its soul.”

Tears formed at the edges of Ned’s eyes. He’d rarely been so scared of the future, but if following Charlie’s wishes wasn’t doing right by him, then what was?

A thousand objections and arguments crumbled to dust. Ned wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. He and Charlie had both paid the price for trying to protect the other. Now they needed to take the chance of facing the storm by standing together.

“Promise me you won’t do anything stupid?”

“I never do.” Charlie leaned down and began to kiss Ned intently, fingers fumbling for the buttons of his shirt.

“Charlie!” Ned hissed.

Charlie didn’t stop. “Everyone has gone to bed.”

“I don’t want you to force yourself…” Ned was far too raw to explain.

“Is this about last night?” Charlie looked confused.

“You didn’t want me.”