“Theo—”
“But,” Theo said, touching his fingertips to George’s lips to quiet him. “If I do that, you need to let me share Blackfriars with you. It can’t just be mine. It has to be ours.” He swallowed hard, his heart feeling too full. Hoarsely, he said, “It’s not a very tidy plan, but I think it would work, for us. What do you think?”
“I think,” George said, “that it sounds perfect. I just have one question.”
“Which is?”
“When can we go home?”
36
GEORGE
George sought out his father before dinner to tell him about Theo.
He felt a little embarrassed, but he wanted to be as honest with his father about this as his father had been about Kit. So, he explained who Theo was to him and what their plans were for the future.
His father’s delight at the news should probably not have surprised him, but it did, in the very best of ways.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” the duke told Theo when he entered the dining room later. Theo, who had come with barely anything in his saddlebags, was wearing a suit of George’s clothes. They looked very well on him, if a little on the tight side given his broader frame.
“The pleasure is mine, your grace,” Theo said, bowing nervously. “I apologise for descending upon you without warning. It’s terribly rude, but I—” He broke off, glancing helplessly at George, clearly unsure what to say.
“That’s quite all right. George has explained everything.” The duke's smile was kind, his gaze welcoming. “I’m very happy to have you here, my boy.”
Theo looked startled by his warmth. He glanced briefly at George before turning back to the duke. “Thank you, your grace.”
“Ah, and here’s Kit,” the duke said. “Kit, come and meet George’s young man, Theo Caldwell.”
Theo’s eyes widened when the duke said George’s young man, and George had to bite back his smile.
Kit was, of course, all urbane charm. He took Theo’s offered hand in both of his own and held it, unselfconscious. “I believe we’ve met before, Mr. Caldwell,” he said. “It’s good to see you again.”
Theo stared down at his trapped hand, clearly wondering what to do. “Likewise, Mr. Redford. George speaks very fondly of you.”
Kit flushed with pleasure, his already bright smile deepening when he turned his head to look at George. “Well, that is very nice to hear, I must say.”
George felt rather flushed himself. “Shall we go through to the dining room?” he said. “Poor Theo hasn’t eaten since breakfast.”
“Good heavens!” Kit said, tucking his hand into Theo’s elbow and leading him towards the dining room. “You must be famished!”
They were just sitting down when Freddy appeared, dressed rather informally in a loose shirt, modified to accommodate his bandages and straps, a pair of old breeches, and a loosely-tied banyan.
“Freddy,” George said happily. “I’m glad you joined us. Theo, do you remember my brother? He would have been one of the younger boys when you were in your final year at St. Dominic’s.”
Theo smiled ruefully. “I'm afraid not. I was probably quite insufferable back then. Eighteen-year-olds consider themselves vastly superior to younger boys, as I’m sure you know.”
Freddy just laughed. “I remember you, though. Best bowler in your year.”
“I wasn’t too bad,” Theo said, chuckling.
“You were a dashed sight better than that, but I'll spare your blushes,” Freddy grinned, slipping into an empty chair. “Excuse me for not shaking your hand, but as you can see, I’m rather strapped up at the moment.”
“It’s… difficult to miss,” Theo admitted. “I hope you’re not in too much pain.”
Freddy shrugged. “I can live with the pain. The difficult part is not knowing how well I’ll recover.” He smiled, a little wanly. “I daresay I’ll find out soon. And now that’s quite enough about my woes! Kit—how is Clara? Is she going to come and visit me soon?”
While Kit filled Freddy in on Clara’s news, George surreptitiously glanced at Theo. When their gazes met, Theo bit his lip against his instant smile in a gesture that was almost shy—and that made George smile too, and duck his head, his stomach clenching with pleasure.
