by Megan Derr
"Yes," Kirian replied, never hesitant about admitting anything he felt.
Except, Terrell suspected, to Evelyn. "You really should tell him the truth."
Kirian shrugged again, irritably this time. "He's still writing Frederick letters—about school, the Tour, all manner of things. He even discusses me—" He threw his pencil down in frustration. "I want him to want me, but it seems he's always caught up more with bloody Frederick."
"I think you're making your life more complicated than you need," Terrell said. "All this fighting with yourself … Just tell him the truth, Kirian."
"So I can spend the rest of my life wondering if it's me or Frederick he sees?"
"The rest of your life?" Terrell echoed, startled, even if he had just noted that Kirian really was taken with Lord Thiering. "I thought your marriage was only for a few years."
Kirian hunched his shoulders as he retrieved his pencil and bent back over his sketch—an image of Lord Thiering dressed only in his shirtsleeves, drinking tea and reading the morning paper with a faint smirk of amusement on his face and his hair spilling loose around his shoulders.
"You've only known him a month, Kir," Terrell said as gently as he could.
"Impractical to fall in love so quickly?"
"More like impossible," Terrell replied.
Kirian laughed. "Now that is certainly not true, I know it for a fact. My parents were mad about one another before a full month had passed. Love takes time to settle in, I will not argue that, but it can be felt in a moment. Sometimes people are simply meant to be."
Terrell did not reply; it would only lead to an argument. Kirian was a hopeless, frivolous romantic, so there was no point in quarreling with him.
"Speaking of romance, how is your handsome merchant?" Kirian asked, looking up with a smirk. "Heard from him recently? Is he sending you flowers?" He broke off as Terrell flushed and looked away. "He is! How amusing. I'm still not certain I trust his charm or that he is using it to court you so stringently, especially seeing as the marriage is secured. I would feel much better if I could simply meet this too-charming man of yours."
Terrell frowned, disliking the way Kirian's words echoed his own thoughts. Why would Edlin go to so much trouble when they were already engaged and the marriage was tentatively scheduled for next autumn? Then again, it wasn't like Edlin had left Fivecoats in the time Terrell had known him. In the month since he had gone home, all Terrell had received were letters and tokens via delivery and post. Not that he had complaints, since it wasn't like he made time to go home either—he was simply too busy for such an indulgence, never mind the ridiculous impracticality of the venture.
Kirian's laughter drew him from his musings. "Honestly, and you are taking me to task for being smitten in haste."
"I'm not smitten," Terrell argued crossly. "I would merely like all to proceed well, as there would be no end to the difficulties involved with breaking a marriage. I want to focus on my studies, not on disposing of an inadequate spouse."
"Then you should have taken more time in choosing him yourself," Kirian said.
Terrell made a face, before goading, "I don't want to hear that from a man who got married on his professor's orders. At least my father has the right to arrange my marriage."
"Oh, shut up," Kirian retorted. "I've half a mind—" He broke off as someone knocked on the door and a footman then stepped inside, sweeping a polite bow. "Mr. Wingard, there is a Mr. Courtright to see you. And fresh tea is on the way."
"What?" Terrell said, gaping a minute. Recovering himself, he asked, "Where is he?"
"In the front hall," the footman replied.
"Send him here," Kirian ordered before Terrell could reply, and dismissed him with a motion.
Terrell lifted one brow. "Why are you giving orders?"
"I want to meet him," Kirian said. "No marriage is taking place without my approval."
"You got married without my approval," Terrell replied. "It's hardly fair."
Kirian shrugged. "There wasn't time to wait for your return. Grayson wanted it done before we had time to come up with a way out. Do—" He hesitated, looking suddenly uncertain. "You've never really said what you think about Evelyn."
"Good family, though he's estranged. He has money, despite being a fourth son. Obviously his academic records are sound and he is on a path to be quite the fiction writer. The two stories he published in the circular—"
Cutting him off with a groan, Kirian said, "You and your practicality! That is not what I meant."
"It all still matters," Terrell returned stiffly. "He may be estranged from his family, but the son of a Duke is the son of a Duke. He has good connections and that will make your life easier, even if you prefer to make everything as difficult as possible. It's a good family with a good reputation; the only scandal in recent history was the minor thing with Thiering swept neatly under the rug. He has his own income, which is impressive. His father does not hold his purse strings, which gives him greater freedom than many of his peers. He's a fine catch."
Kirian stood up, bracing his hands on his desk and leaning over it so they were practically touching noses. "I don't give a buggering fuck about practical! What do you think of him?"
"Practical matters," Terrell repeated stubbornly. "Practical goes a lot further than romance."
"Damn it, Terrell!"
Terrell planted his hands on his hips and just glared back. "What do you want me to say? He is reserved to the point of coldness around others, it does not matter how you profess him to be in private! He has you fighting with yourself and he makes you scowl as often as he makes you smile. I am not decided upon him, to be quite honest. I think that nothing can be decided on the situation as it currently stands, given you were forced to marry one week after you met and there is already a great lie between you. From a practical point of view, the entire affair is a great big mess!"
"Fie on you, then!" Kirian snarled, shoving away from the desk. He snatched up his hat and coat, and stormed out—only to crash into Edlin as he walked in.
Edlin caught him to keep him from falling, frowning in concern. "I do apologize."
"The fault was mine," Kirian replied. "So you are the fiancé I've heard so much about."
"I hope you've heard good things," Edlin said, his gaze shifting to Terrell as he smiled.
Terrell smiled back, feeling unaccountably warm all of a sudden. Although he was still annoyed over Kirian's unreasonable behavior, it was hard to stay truly angry with Edlin suddenly in the room. "Good afternoon. This is quite the surprise, sir. What brings you to the city so unexpectedly?"
Edlin bowed absently to Kirian in apology again, and then strode across the room to Terrell. Reaching him, Edlin gripped his upper arms lightly and bent to give him a swift, firm kiss. "I hope it is a pleasant surprise. I had to come on sudden business and thought I would take you to lunch if you did not have other plans."
Terrell had planned on spending the rest of the day writing the final drafts of his papers and running errands to close up accounts he would not need once he was finished with school in another two months. He opened his mouth to say precisely that and was surprised when instead he said, "None at all, actually. Lunch sounds like an excellent idea."
"Splendid," Edlin beamed, dropping another kiss on the corner of his mouth. He winked and added, "Although you did not say I am a good surprise."
"Don't be ridiculous; of course you are," Terrell replied.
Edlin chuckled, then finally stepped back and gave him some room to breathe. He turned around to face Kirian again, who still stood in the doorway. "Are you perhaps Lord Leffew? Terrell told me of your recent marriage; my congratulations to you, my lord. I apologize again for attempting to bowl you over."
"Not at all," Kirian said, clearly mustering good manners only with an effort, a frown on his face for which Terrell could not pinpoint the reason—not their fight, for Kirian would not have stayed if he was still very angry about that. "It is a pleasure to at l
ast meet the fiancé Terrell speaks of incessantly. I know your name, sir, but it is good to have a face with which to match it."
Edlin laughed. "Well, I hope he has not truly been incessant; I'm dreadfully boring to speak of even briefly. You, on the other hand, my lord, are very far from boring. Terrell has spoken and written of you many times, and the adventures that dog your heels."
"I see," Kirian said, frown easing a bit as curiosity overtook him. He looked at Terrell, but Terrell only shrugged. Of course he wrote of Kirian; why wouldn't he? Kirian was his best friend, even if he was being a perfect fool about Evelyn and Frederick. "Perhaps we can all do dinner sometime, the four of us?"
"I am in town until the end of the week," Edlin replied promptly, looking pleased. "Perhaps tomorrow night, at Blue Cross House?"
Kirian nodded, and when they looked his way, Terrell nodded as well. "I'll let Evelyn know," Kirian replied. "Good day to you, sir. Terrell." Then he was gone, leaving them alone.
Edlin smiled and moved close again, this time tugging Terrell close enough to breach propriety entirely and kissing him in a manner that would leave society huffing and puffing at such a display in a public place.
He really should protest, Terrell thought absently, but then he stopped thinking at all. He had admitted before that he missed home more than usual, that he would have liked to spend a few more days with Edlin—but only now did he realize, or maybe that was acknowledge—that he had badly wanted more of these bold, improper kisses that served no purpose whatsoever and would only get them in trouble, but were so wonderfully addicting.
"It's good to see you again," Edlin said eventually. "I do hope I am not interfering with any of your plans; I know you are busy with school right now. I can go away—"
"Not at all," Terrell said firmly. "It's good to see you, too. What business brings you here?"
Edlin smiled and offered his arm, replying as he led them from the study room and out into the main hall. "I am still in the process of separating myself from my family's business. It's a slow process, as I handled a great many little things here and there, and sorting it all out and transferring responsibility takes time. I am here to sign a few papers, introduce my brothers 'round a few places, that sort of thing. But I am done for today and can do no more until tomorrow."
Terrell nodded absently to acquaintances, professors, and fellow students as they passed, but otherwise paid them no mind. "Well, I am honored you chose to spend your spare time with me."
"With whom else in the world would I choose to spend it?" Edlin countered lightly, replacing his hat on his head as they left the hall and stepped out into the chilly afternoon. "How is the Green Room for lunch, by the way?"
Expensive, but it wasn't like he couldn't afford it—and he already knew enough of Edlin to know that he was not the sort to spend money he did not have. "Sounds excellent; I do not think I have been there in recent history. They serve the most excellent duck on Wednesdays, I believe."
"They do, indeed," Edlin replied. "Fivecoats is doing well. I was asked to pass along greetings to you from practically the entire estate. We are all quite excited that you will be back with us permanently in just two more months."
Terrell laughed. "My presence is hardly required, but the sentiment is appreciated, of course. You have fully settled in, then? Fivecoats has certainly taken to you. I hope your family is not too upset we are stealing you away."
"I think my father is happy to see me with something of my own, actually," Edlin said thoughtfully. "I confess I was surprised to realize that. I am the youngest and easily forgotten amidst brothers and cousins all quite older than me and much more involved in the family business. My father seemed pleased when I told him of my engagement and that I would be removing myself entirely to Fivecoats. Of course," he added dryly, "I'm sure he also anticipates improved prices for the wine he purchases from us, what with a family connection and all."
It was completely absurd, but Terrell rather liked the way Edlin said 'us' and 'we'. When had Terrell stopped feeling threatened that he was getting pushed out?
More confounding was the way he dropped plans to go to lunch and was stupidly pleased by Edlin's use of the plural possessive. The way he permitted inappropriate kisses—he was acting wholly out of sorts and did not particularly care. Perhaps Kirian was right: he was smitten.
Shying away from that thought, not at all certain how to handle it, Terrell attempted to focus on the conversation. "Well, I am certain you can offer a price that will make both Fivecoats and your father happy," he said. "How are the wedding plans proceeding?"
Although the wedding was the better part of a year away and final contracts were still being written, plans were already well in motion. Shortly after he returned home, Terrell would begin the first of many fittings for his wedding clothes. Flowers, food, invitations, music—at least the location was easy enough and there would be no shortage of alcohol.
He would start to dread the entire matter, if he thought too hard upon it.
"They proceed apace," Edlin replied as they left school grounds and continued down the street. The Green Room was roughly five blocks from the college, close enough that it was not worth the bother to have a carriage brought. Although chilly, the air was crisp and the sun bright in a cloudless sky—a perfect day for a walk. "I think your father is attempting to invite every person in the country; he is beside himself with the chance to show off both you and Fivecoats. He speaks often of your mother."
Terrell smiled faintly, thinking of his mother. "They were a smart match, my parents."
"All the stories I hear, they were very happy together," Edlin said. "I wish my parents had been the same, as it might have made for a pleasanter time growing up." A shadow passed over his face, but then it was gone, replaced by a smile. "Speaking of family, I suppose you must meet mine soon—but I am putting it off as long as possible, because my brothers will do all that is within their power to humiliate me."
"As mine did when they came to Fivecoats?" Terrell replied dryly.
Edlin chuckled. "They weren't that bad."
Terrell rolled his eyes, but did not bother to reply as they reached the Green Room and were led to a table. Their orders were taken and a suitable wine poured.
Lunch passed quickly—too quickly, Terrell caught himself thinking. He did not want to return to his empty quarters and the many pages of writing he had still to do. Never before in his life had he had trouble doing what he was supposed to, when he was supposed to—but right then he found himself wishing for a good reason to prolong his time with Edlin.
"I hope you and your friend are all right," Edlin commented, breaking the comfortable silence into which they had fallen. "You seemed unhappy when I arrived, but I did not wish to ruin your mood by bringing it up straight away."
"We'll be fine," Terrell replied. "He was…less than pleased with my answer to a question. We often clash because our beliefs are so drastically different in places. Kirian is very staunchly a romantic."
"I see," Edlin said with a soft laugh. "And you are very much not, my dear pragmatist."
Terrell shrugged, a bit stung. "Pragmatism is a bit more reliable than romance."
"I never said it wasn't," Edlin said, drawing them to a halt right there in the middle of the street. He placed a curled finger under Terrell's chin, tilting it up. "I find your practical nature quite charming—even endearing. But romance has its place."
"So I am told," Terrell replied, annoyed that his heart began to speed up. If this was what it was like to be smitten, then he wanted no part of it. Being in such a state was turning him into a perfect imbecile.
Edlin smiled faintly, then let him go and once more offered his arm. "I brought a couple of things from home for you: samples of the invitations, things like that. If you would like to come along to the rooms I've taken while in town, I will surrender them to your care."
"You don't have rooms of your own?"
"I stayed with my parents before." Edlin shrug
ged dismissively. "They have turned my room over to a cousin and I did not want to put anyone out of their bed. This way," he added, and turned down a corner onto Robin Street.
His rooms were two floors up, a handsome suite that smelled like beeswax, leather, and a trace of his cologne. The table in the main room was piled with papers, boxes, and other odds and ends. "Have a seat," Edlin murmured as he took their coats, hats, and gloves to put away. Terrell obediently moved to the sofa, sitting down and admiring the dark, elegant décor.
Edlin went to a small bar and poured two glasses of brandy, then joined him on the couch. "Do you have any free time tomorrow? I thought we could meet my family and perhaps go to the park."
"I do need to spend some time on my papers," Terrell said. "The revisions are done, but they all require one more rewrite for the sake of neatness and last polish. That will take me several hours, as I've six of them to finish."
"You could do them in the morning and early afternoon?" Edlin suggested. "That would free up your evening. I'm sorry, I do not mean to push or dictate—"
Terrell cut him off with a shake of his head. "No, that sounds feasible, and I would like to meet your family. It makes the most sense to do it while you happen to be in town." He took a sip of brandy, but the way it burned going down and heated his belly was nothing compared to the heat that raced along his skin as Edlin moved suddenly closer. "I-I hope I make a favorable impression."
"They will adore you, I promise," Edlin said, setting aside his own brandy. Then he reached out and plucked Terrell's from his hand, banishing it with his to the side table. "They will find you as charming as I."
"I am not charming," Terrell protested, because it was true. Edlin was charming—dangerously so, he was coming to realize, even if he hated to admit that Kirian was right yet again.
Edlin smiled, slow and hot, wreaking havoc on Terrell's ability to breathe properly. "Yet I find myself charmed." He leaned in close and brushed a soft, teasing kiss across Terrell's mouth. "I have a confession to make," he said, drawing back just enough to speak.
