A Promise of Tomorrow (7 page)

The silence stretched painfully as James fought for control and Allen stared determinedly at his boots. James wanted to offer words of comfort, but he knew that would only add to his mortification, so instead he said, “Mr. Allen, my niece was most concerned for your welfare and asked that I come to check on you. Would you do me the courtesy of accompanying me back to the house so that she may see I have discharged mycommission?”

“Miss Ashton?”Allenasked dazedly.

“Yes. Please come.” James gestured back the way he had come.
The young man pushed himself away from the wall and took two steps toward him before he started to crumple. James lurched forward, catching him under the arms and drawing him against his chest for support. He felt Allen stiffen in his arms a moment before melting against him. The move made James’s heart pound in his chest and his arms spasm involuntarily, tightening his grip on the slender body, drawing himcloser. This was most definitely a bad idea, but he couldn’t help noticinghow good Allenfelt inhis arms.

Allen kept his face buried against James’s chest, so he felt rather than heard the sob that rocked the younger man’s body. James’s hand slid of its own accord into that silken black hair, cradling Allen’s head against his chest, offering the comfort he’d longed to since the previous night. His heart ached for the man, and he raged inwardlyat Weir.

To have his emotions so far out of his control was most upsetting, but he couldn’t deny themany more than he could deny his body’s reactionto the maninhis arms.

Embarrassed, he shifted position a little before Allen felt the evidence of his regard and took a breath to master himself. They were still in an open alley and could be seen at any moment. The young man had just been accosted and probably worse the night before, and now here he was, holding him like a lover. He had to take control of the situation before things got out of hand and they became the objects ofdangerous gossip.

Clenching his teeth, he pulled Allen away from his chest and held himat arm’s lengthwhile the lad regained his balance.

Whenthose beautiful, sad eyes met his, his resolve faltered, and he was on the verge of pulling him back into his arms when Allen seemed to rally, raisinghis head and saying, “I’mso terriblysorry, my lord, I didn’t wish to be any more trouble to you. I should not have takensuchliberties.”

“Think nothing of it, Allen.” James was proud his voice didn’t shake. “My niece will be beside herself with worry by now. We should get back, ifyoufeelwellenough.”

“Yes, of course. If you would just give me a moment, please,” Allenresponded. He straightened a little further, takinga deep breath, and James reluctantly released his arms. When he took a few steps and didn’t appear on the brink of another collapse, James relaxed and stepped further awayfromhim.

They headed back to the house side by side, James hanging back a little just in case he was needed. In his distress, Allen didn’t seemto notice, which was perfectly satisfactory for James, as he was still trying to salvage both their dignities. He was not proud of his failure to control himself where this young man was concerned, and he needed to remind himselfofwho he was.

Anna hadn’t gone inside as he had ordered, but he decided to let the matter drop. When she spotted them, she came running down the walk in a manner that would have her mother in fits. But, thank heaven for small favors, she stopped short of launching herself at themonthe street.

“Kyle, I meanMr. Allen, are youwell?”She blushed.

“Yes, thank you, Miss Ashton, I’mquite well. I must apologize for any distress I may have caused. I had no wish to worry you,” Kyle replied, and James was relieved that his voice sounded a little stronger.

He was proud of the man for his efforts, but his pale skin and slightly breathy reply gave lie to his words, and James wasn’t surprised at the disbelievingfrownthat crossed his niece’s face.

“Come, let us avoid creating any more of a spectacle for our neighbors and return to the house,” James said, staring pointedly at his niece. At least she had the decency to blush. “I believe there is more we need to discuss; however, it can wait for more privacy.” Without waitingfor a response, he led the wayback to the house and held the door for bothAnna and Allento enter.

After allowing a somewhat disgruntled Wilton to close the doors, James led theminto the front parlor and gestured for Allen to take a seat onone ofthe chairs near the fireplace.

James was thankful Charlotte and Williamwere still abed, as it would give him time to think before he had to explain himself to his sister. James bade Wiltonto see that some tea and scones be brought for Anna and Allen and some coffee be brought for himself. Though his sister and her family hated coffee, they always kept a good supply inthe kitchens for him, knowingthat some mornings he could be quite unpleasant without it… and this was definitely going to be one of those mornings.

After Wilton left, James settled back into the chair opposite Allen’s and closed his eyes, hoping the other two would take the hint and remain silent until the tea arrived. Anna had perched herself on the edge of a low settee between them. She looked distraught but thankfullysaid nothing.

So, what now, sir knight? You’ve rescued yon fair maiden from the evil villain, now what are you going to do with him? Don’t answer that
.

As James sat quietly with his eyes closed, Weir’s words began to sink in, and he was finally able to make some sense of the events ofthe past severalhours.

Weir and Allen must be lovers.
He grimaced indistaste… and perhaps jealousy.

He couldn’t imagine anyone choosing a cold fish like Weir for a companion. And while, under other circumstances, he would have been delighted to find that Allen shared his preferences, thinking of what else Weir had implied left himcold.

“Obviously you didn’t learn your lesson last night,”
Weir had said.
So, something unpleasant happened between them at the ball. Weir did
something
to Allen.
His mind shied awayfromexactlywhat that might be; otherwise he might be tempted go back out to find Weir, for Allen’s sake as well as for whatever harm witnessing it had done to his niece and nephew. At least he now had an answer as to why they were so reluctant to speak ofAllen’s troubles.
The rest of what Weir had implied regardingAllen’s supposed payment for their help James knew to be utter nonsense. Firstly, the twins would never have asked for payment if they thought they were doing someone a good turn. They were too kind-hearted and had been brought up too well for that. And secondly, Andrew was most definitely
not
interested in young men in that manner. James would have known. He was sure of it. So the thought that such a thing would evenoccur to his nephew was preposterous.
The tea and coffee arrived, forcing him from his thoughts, and Anna dismissed the servant and set about serving them like a proper little hostess. It struck him again how much she’d grown. He missed his little hoyden.

It was unfair of him to want to keep her a child forever. He knew that. But he couldn’t help missing the little girl with dirt under her fingernails and twigs in her hair who would climb into his lap and cajole and wheedle until he read her a story or got down on the floor to playthe part ofher pony.

Her eyes met his over the service, and she answered his fond smile with one of her own, the twinkle in her eyes letting him know that perhaps the little girlwasn’t so verylonggone after all.

James was reluctant to start the inevitable conversation, even after they had refreshed themselves. Allen had gotten a little of his color back, but he still looked done-in. Perhaps it would be better if he gave the young man some time to rest and gather his wits. The sun had finally come up, and James hadn’t missed that the clothes he was wearing were the same he had had on the night before, and looking far the worse for wear.

Where did he spend the night?
he wondered, recalling his niece’s concernfromearlier.

“Well, I believe I can speak for all of us when I say we have had quite enough excitement for one morning. Don’t you agree?” James said, forcing his tone to be light and bantering. “I would therefore like to propose a rest, for all of us, before we decide what is to be done about all of this. Mr. Allen, if you would be so good as to accept our hospitality, we will find you a room, a bath, and perhaps a fresh change of clothes for you to wear whilst yours are beingcleaned. Mynephew should have somethingto fit you.”

Kyle’s eyes widened, and he said, “Oh, no, thank you, my lord, but I couldn’t possibly impose on you any further. You have already been so kind to me. I could not, in good conscience, ask any more ofyou.”

James leaned forward and, in all earnestness, replied, “Mr. Allen, it is no trouble, we assure you. My niece and my nephew have named you ‘friend’ and as you are such, I won’t hear of you leaving before you’ve had a good rest and a decent meal. You’ll be able to see things much more clearly when you’ve slept and had a chance to recover fromthe trials oflast night and this morning. Please, do us the honor ofacceptingour hospitality.”

“Yes, please, Mr. Allen, don’t go until we’ve had a chance to keep our promises to you. It will all work out. You’ll see,” Anna chimed in, her eyes pleading and intense, making James a little concerned at the possible strengthofher feelings for the youngman.

Allen seemed to want to refuse but thought better of it. “I… yes, all right, thank you, thank you so much, my lord, Miss Ashton. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have met you all. I am humbled by your generosity,” he said with an acutely embarrassed look on his face.

“We certainly can’t have that, now can we?” James said, chuckling, some of his good humor returning in the wave of relief he felt at Allen’s acceptance. “Let’s get you settled and we’ll have our chat when you come back down. Don’t hurry on our account, though. Sleep as long as you like; we’ll send someone to wake you if youaren’t downbydinner.”

James directed a footman to take Allen to a guest room and send up a bath. With that done, he left his niece to her own devices and made his wayto his nephew’s rooms.

Uncomfortable as the conversationwould be, he needed to find out what the twins had witnessed the night before and whether Charlotte would need to be told. He dearly hoped not, but if there were delicate matters that needed to be explained to his niece, James would certainlynot be the one doingit.

Gritting his teeth, James knocked on his nephew’s door and said, “Andrew, mayI come in?”

 

“Ofcourse, Uncle, please,”came the sleepyreply.

Andrew was sitting in his dressing gown at a table near the window of the small antechamber in his suite. James remembered his nephew had chosen these rooms specifically for the view to the gardenbelow.

His nephew’s valet was in the bedchamber arrangingAndrew’s clothes for the day, so James turned to speak withthe manfirst.

“Young man?” he said. James couldn’t remember the valet’s name. He’d only seen him once or twice since he’d been hired for Andrew.

“Timms, my lord,” he said, bowing and coming forward anxiously.

“Timms. We have a guest in the green room, a Mr. Allen. He will need to borrow some nightclothes and a suit of evening clothes, as well as any other necessities you can think of, from Mr. Ashton. Will you please see to it and allow me and my nephew a few moments alone?” James instructed. Andrew raised his eyebrows but remained silent.

“Yes, my lord. Excuse me, my lord.” Timms bowed, retreated to the bedchamber to gather the requested clothing, and closed the door.

“He’s here?”Andrew asked after Timms had left.

 

“Yes, he’s here, and we’ve had quite an eventful morning,” James replied.

Taking the chair opposite his nephew, he waited for the sounds of the outer door and Timms’s retreating footsteps before satisfying his nephew’s curiosity. Starting with his conversation with Allen in front of the house and ending withAllen’s acceptance of his offer of hospitality, he related the tale ofthe morning’s events, leavingout only what Weir had said and the conclusions he had drawnas a result.

No need to fill in any holes in my nephew’s education if it isn’t absolutely necessary
.
“What I would like to know now, nephew, is what
exactly
happened last evening and what it was you and your sister witnessed that led to you offer aid to this young man, whom you’d only just met,”James continued.

“We didn’t actually
see
anything, really,” his nephew replied, much to James’s relief. “Anna and I were just looking for a bit of quiet time together. So, just like old times, we went upstairs to some ofthe unused rooms at the back ofthe house, where we used to play with the Sutcliffes’ children. We heard someone in the hall, and when we looked, it was Mr. Weir and Mr. Allen. Theywent into one ofthe other rooms, and we could hear them arguing. After a few minutes, Weir came out, told Mr. Allento meet himdownstairs, and left.”

Here Andrew paused, and when it seemed he wasn’t going to continue, James prompted, “So what made youdecide to interfere?”
Andrew’s neck flushed crimson above the opening to his dressing gown, and he said, “Uh, well, it was the
way
Weir said it, and his clothes were in disarray. His trousers were….” Andrew swallowed and looked away, unable to complete the sentence and blushingfuriouslyallthe wayup to his hairline.
Well, obviously my nephew
has
learned a few things they don’t teach at university
.
“I was still trying to decide whether we should leave or check on Mr. Allen whenAnna pushed past me and entered the room, and then I
had
to follow,”Andrew said, turning back to meet his uncle’s gaze. “He was turned away fromus, lying on his side, and he wasn’t moving. We feared the worst, but when he heard us, he leapt up. He was shakingand pale, and his clothes were….”

James took pity on him. “I understand, Andrew, you don’t have to go into details.” In fact, it would be better for both of themif he didn’t, as James’s gut was already churning and a black fury was beginning to pulse through his veins again.
Weir, you filthy cur!
he fumed silently.