Flynn waited for us in the lobby. My heart began to race with anticipation for the upcoming night. I clasped him on the shoulder in greeting, the heat of his body infiltrating my gloved hand. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
“No, not at all. Our suite is ready. Shall we go up?” He led the way to the elevator without waiting for a response. With a smile, we followed him inside the lift. The operator nodded and closed the doors, the smell of oil and metal mingling with polished wood.
“Did you see Harry situated?” Flynn asked.
“Yes, he met his professors and his fellow dormitory mates.” The look on Harry’s face as we toured the school concerned me. I was overly protective of him for a reason. However, I couldn’t protect him forever. The school had teachers to watch out for the students, and Atticus was nearby in case of an issue. Eleanorand I had debated getting private rooms for Harry, but we wanted him to make friends. Locking himself away wouldn’t be conducive to a social life.
“I know it is difficult, but you needn’t fret about Harry. His brother will look out for him,” Flynn said, reading my mind. His dark hair was brushed from his wide forehead. Expectation rested in his eyes.
“Harry has already made a friend, some young chap named Lloyd,” I said. Between Flynn and Eleanor, it was a wonder I had any secrets. It came from years of proximity to both of them. I’d confided many secrets to Flynn throughout our friendship. As an earl and a duke, few of our peers understood the pressures we were under.
Eleanor nodded. “He seems a very agreeable boy.”
The elevator stopped with a jolt and we stepped into a well-appointed hallway. A liveried servant stood at the door to our left and opened it to reveal a handsome suite. “Welcome to the Stratham,” he said. He didn’t address us by our titles, which gave me confidence that the staff was discreet.
“Thank you.” Eleanor blushed and fiddled with the string of her reticle before entering with Flynn.
“What is your name, my good man?” By her reaction, I had to find out if this was the mysterious Guy. He was attractive enough I supposed, with his slicked back hair and blue eyes. My jealousy was unfounded, yet I had to know.
If he thought it was strange I asked, it didn’t show on his narrow face. “Withers. I will be your personal butler.”
Flynn offered me a curious glance, and I shrugged. “Thank you, Withers.”
Eleanor merely smiled, the lines around her mouth strained. I had hoped our encounter in the carriage would alleviate some of her tension. The air seemed to sizzle with expectation. I was anxious for the night to begin and could tell by the way Eleanorrushed into the room that she was of the same mind. The sooner we could lose ourselves in passion’s embrace, the quicker our minds would be otherwise occupied.
Withers gave us a tour of the suite, which had connecting rooms. Flynn’s mirrored ours, the bed draped with identical golden brocade. The bed was turned down, ready for us to slip into the welcoming softness. My breath quickened with the mere thought of what would soon transpire there.
“If you need anything, simply ring the bell.” Withers bowed his way out. The soft click of the lock was loud in the expectant silence.
My hand on the small of her back, I guided my wife to the fireplace where a warm fire roared in the grate. A bottle of champagne was on a side table in the sitting room, along with various cheeses and fruits. The weather had turned blustery. Inside, the room seemed warm and inviting. “Eleanor, a maid is waiting for you in the dressing room. The hotel boasts an updated water closet and courtesy toilet items for their guests.”
“I am curious to see what they have to offer.” She licked her lips, hesitancy in her stance. While she had been enthusiastic about our outing, this was all new to us.
“Before you go, I have one request.” I lifted her chin and stared deep into her eyes. “Within these four walls, you will try to put your uncertainties behind you. Nobody understands your worries more than I do. We deserve this.”
“Worries? What worries?” A flush brushed her cheeks, and a warm glow seemed to radiate from her. Like me, she was excited to experience more of the magic Flynn had wrought in the study. Hips swaying, she went through the dressing room door. She looked over her shoulder one last time, a sensual smile playing around her mouth. “I will return posthaste.”
Flynn turned to me as the door closed with a soft click. With a grin, he began helping me remove my coat, his mouth on myneck. “I will act as your manservant since I can’t wait to strip you down.”
“I can’t wait to be stripped down.” I exhaled and allowed my head to fall on his shoulder. A world of pressure waited for me. Tonight, I’d take my own advice. I had been anticipating our coupling since we first settled on a date, and didn’t want to ruin the experience.
“Before we get too far lost, I have news I wanted to share with you.” Flynn’s jaw hardened and his eyes turned from sultry to chips of ice. “I heard from the board at the conservatory, and they have rejected Eleanor’s application.”
All thoughts of seduction left me, and I turned to look at him. Perhaps it was naïve to think our troubles could be ignored for long.
“Did they give a reason why?” I asked.
“She exceeds the age limit for students to enroll.” He unbuttoned his coat, the black material accenting his broad frame. Grim lines creased his brow. “I am sorry.”
I glanced at the door while removing my own coat, my stomach sinking. Eleanor would be back at any moment, and I wanted this conversation to be behind us. I wanted to protect her from the news. She’d had a hard enough time as it was today with leaving Harry at school. “That’s preposterous. She is so talented.”
“She is, and after I spoke to them, I asked if there was anything I could do to change their mind.” He began to pull the shirttails from his trousers, exposing the line of his belly where a dark trail of hair trailed to his cock. “They said they were willing to allow her to be an honorary student at the school, not an actual student. They also want a generous donation and the ability to use her name while fundraising.”
“She won’t like that answer.” I gripped the back of my neck, unable to fathom what I would tell Eleanor. My first inclinationwas to say yes. I also recalled how adamant she was that I not fix her problems. I debated the best course of action. She had been quiet and withdrawn before finally telling me about applying to the conservatory. Since then, her demeanor had much improved. “I think you should agree. She’ll never find out. If she does, she might initially be upset. I wholeheartedly believe she belongs there.” Flynn removed his shirt to expose his wide chest. He skimmed a finger down my jaw, his eyes turning a sultry brown. “I don’t think you have a choice. You’ve admitted she’s been miserable. With Anne, Atticus, and Harry gone, it might get worse.”
Eleanor returned in a blue kimono with the hotel logo embossed on the lapel. Her ginger hair fell in a riot of curls over her shoulders, the color bringing out her eyes. She never looked more stunning, but she carried an air of sadness around her.
Flynn was right. I had to do this for her. Lowering my voice, I said, “Fine, make it happen. She can’t know she’s only an honorary student. It must appear as if she is a regular student.” I might regret overstepping my bounds later, but I would do anything to make her smile again.
