“Here comes sunshine,” Gregor murmured, and I turned my head to see Chris approaching the table. In one hand he had the leather folder that held the check, and in the other was a white bag with the Charmaine logo across the front.
“Some yummy sticky buns for you to take home.” He fluttered his lashes and then placed the bag in front of me. “I wish it was me!” he said, so softly I was sure he didn’t realize I could hear him.
“Thank you, Chris. That’s very kind of you. I’ll get this, Mother.” I took the folder from him.
“Darn,” he muttered. “I knew I should have put my phone number on the back of the check.”
“I appreciate the thought, Chris, but I’m involved with someone.”
“Darn,” he said again. “I’ll just leave this with you.” He went off to see to another table.
“Quinn, this was our call,” Gregor said, half rising and reaching for his wallet.
“Please, consider it my gift to you both.” It wasn’t much… I’d have to think about getting something to indicate my pleasure at this turn of events. I ran my gaze over the charges, then took out my own wallet and removed the platinum credit card I’d carried since I’d graduated from Harvard.
“Well, at least let me get the tip.”
I smiled at him. “Gregor, it’s not necessary.” I looked around for Chris and waved him over when I caught his eye.
“Yes?”
I handed him the folder, and he hurried off.
“What plans do you have for your afternoon, sweetheart?”
“I thought I’d stop by the gym for an hour or so, and afterward visit the Music Shop to look through their sheet music. How will you and Gregor be spending it?”
“The Sharon Crowne is sponsoring a fundraising seminar on horticulture.” The shelter was for abused women and their children, one of Mother’s many charities. “I’d bought the tickets last September, and Gregor has graciously agreed to accompany me.”
“As if I’d turn down any opportunity to spend an afternoon with you.” Gregor reached across the table and rested his fingers on the back of Mother’s hand.
“Your card, Mr. Mann, and if you’ll just sign our copy?”
I put the card away, signed the slip, and gave it to Chris, along with his tip in cash. “Thanks for your attentiveness. As I said, I do have a significant other—”
“Otherwise you’d ask me out? Thanks!” That wasn’t what I’d been about to say, but it would have been cruel to tell him that. He glanced at the bills I’d handed him, and his eyes widened. “Oh, wow! Thank you!”
“You’re welcome, Chris. Have a good afternoon.” I rose and would have helped Mother up, but Gregor was there before me. I took my jacket from the back of my chair and slid my arms into the sleeves.
Mother linked her arm through Gregor’s, and we made our way through the restaurant to the coat check. I stood aside and let him help Mother with a chinchilla coat that was new. It was beautiful, in shades of black and gray and cream. It was also faux fur.
Mother saw my interest. She smiled and stroked her palm over a sleeve. “A gift from Gregor.”
“A very nice gift.” And thoughtful of Mother. Gregor would never give her a genuine chinchilla fur, not only because it was out of his pay grade, but because it wasn’t ecologically correct. While the lynx coat Father had given Mother when they’d honeymooned in Paris meant a great deal to her, and while the Russian sable Grandmother had left her hung in her closet, I knew she’d never buy another genuine fur coat.
We exited Charmaine. “Let me know how the visit goes with Alyona.”
“Of course, sweetheart.”
I kissed Mother’s cheek, shook Gregor’s hand, and we went our separate ways.
It was still early afternoon when I’d finished a six mile jog on the treadmill, and I showered, changed, and drove to the Music Shop. I spent some time gazing through the stacks of sheet music, pleased when I found the piano music for “Such a Night,” which I used as Mark’s ringtone, and Etta James’s “At Last.”
I had no desire to return home to my empty town house just yet, so I decided to go to the country club to pay Testament, my gray gelding, a visit.
There was a small, family-run grocery a few doors down from the Music Shop, and I stopped by and bought a bunch of carrots. I wanted to have enough for Testament, Pyrrhic Victory—Mother’s horse—and Kathy Thorn. Mark had no idea, but I’d bought the mare for him. And in spite of his grousing, he liked her. I’d caught him slipping her sugar cubes from time to time.
The parking lot that served the stable was empty, no doubt due to the inclement weather. I steered the Jaguar into a spot close to the path that led to the stable, switched off the ignition and grabbed the carrots, and got out of the car. A chill breeze whipped a scattering of raindrops into my face, and I raised my collar, tucked my chin into it, and hurried up the path.
Other than random snorts, snuffles, and hoofs pawing the straw-covered floor, it was quiet in the stable, and warm. As I approached Testament’s stall, his head appeared over the half door.
“Hello, boy.” I broke a carrot in two and offered half to him on the flat of my palm, then caught his halter and tugged him close. “Did you miss your ride this morning?” I rubbed his forehead and laughed when he thrust his head against my chest, demanding the rest of the carrot. “You’ll have to share with Victory and Kathy Thorn.”
I patted his neck and left to pay the other two horses a quick visit. After giving them their carrots, I removed my jacket, hung it from the hook outside Testament’s stall, and went to the tack room.
“Mr. Mann! I thought I heard something. I wasn’t expecting to see you here today.” Ian Stewart appeared in the doorway. He took care of the horses and saw to the stable’s books for the country club.
“Hello, Ian. I thought I’d come visit Testament.”
“Did you plan on taking him out?” He seemed dubious about that.
“No. The weather isn’t suitable. And as you can see, I’m not dressed for it. I’ll just spend some time with him.” I gathered up his currycomb, brush, and hoof pick.
“Okay. I’ll be in the office if you need anything.”
“Thanks, but that shouldn’t be necessary. I’ll let you know before I leave, though.”
“Okay,” he said again and returned to the office on the other side of the tack room.
After checking Testament’s hooves—Ian made sure they were in excellent condition, but Grandfather had trained me in looking after my mount—I rolled up my sleeves and set to work grooming him. He let out a contented sigh and closed his eyes, obviously relishing the feel of the brush over his hide.
And I let my thoughts wander.
Mark and I had never made love in a stable, although last summer I’d indulged in a fantasy of what it would have been like if we’d met during the 1980 Summer Olympics and he’d been the one to initiate me into the act of lovemaking between men. Of course that could never happen—we were both experienced by the time we met—but my cock hardened at the thought of him bending me over a hay bale and teaching my body to accept his.
Perhaps we could visit Shadow Brook, the Sebring family farm, one day this summer. I was sure Uncle Jeff and Ludovic would welcome us. We could slip out in the evening and go riding, or climb up to the hay loft, or find an empty stall.
I shuddered with need. I was so hard my shorts brushing over my cock would set me off, and I had no clothes to change into.
I leaned my head against Testament’s neck and breathed in the scent of horse, hay, and manure.
“I’m in sad shape, boy.” I got no sympathy from him; he just snorted and shook his head.
Well, he was a gelding.
I straightened, patted his shoulder, and walked carefully to where I’d left the carrots.
I toyed with the idea of jerking off, but Stewart was in his office and could walk into the stable at any time. I put the grooming tools away and left, walking stiffly.
Fortunately, by the time I fed the horses a last carrot, gave them a final pat, poked my head into Stewart’s office to let him know I was leaving, and walked out to my car, my arousal had subsided enough that I could get into my car without the worry of ejaculating all over myself.
It occurred to me I wouldn’t be having dinner with Mark, and I had nothing in my refrigerator. I stopped at a small fish market just before they closed for the day, and picked up a salmon fillet.
Once I arrived home, I garaged the Jaguar, took the bags with the salmon and the sheet music, and hurried across the lawn to the front walk. It was still raining, although now it had eased to a drizzle. The lights within my town house glowed dimly, turned on by the timer. It would have been nice if they were on because Mark was home and had turned them on.
What might it be like to live with him—either here in my town house or with him in his condo? How would he feel about that?
I let myself into my house, secured the alarm, and hung up my jacket. I knew Mark was going to be busy, but I didn’t know for how long; I decided I’d call him just before bedtime.
It was still too early to make dinner, so I put the salmon in refrigerator, went into the music room, and opened the baby grand my uncles had bought me when I’d graduated from Phillips Exeter.
I played the music I’d purchased, pleased with how successful my fingering of the keys was, and then went on to music I knew without seeing notes on a page.
Eventually, I closed the fallboard and went into the kitchen to start dinner: honey soy grilled salmon with edamame.
It turned out quite well, and the next time Mark came to spend the weekend, I’d make it for him.
I took my coffee into the music room, turned on the lamp next to the couch, and set the cup on the occasional table. I selected Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook and put the CD in the player, and as the music filled the room, I took a book from the shelf and sat down on the couch.
I’d found Father’s copy of Hondo the last time I was at the house in Great Falls, and Mother had permitted me to take it home. Louis L’Amour was one of Mark’s favorite authors. I opened the book carefully—the paperback was almost fifty years old—and began reading it.
The words on the page were blurring, and I realized I’d better get ready for bed. But first I wanted to make that phone call.
I closed the book and rose. It was nice having a quiet day for a change, although I did miss spending time with Mark. I went through the house, making sure everything was secured, then climbed the stairs to my bedroom. Suppose Mark was still out?
Well, if he was, I’d leave a message.
I took out my cell phone and hit One on speed dial.
He picked up on the first ring. “What’s wrong?”
I took the phone from my ear and stared at it for a moment. “Nothing.” Where had that come from? “Why would you think anything was?”
“I wasn’t expecting a call from you tonight.”
“Well, I wanted to let you know what Mother had to tell me this morning.”
“Okay, let me have it.” The tension in his voice surprised me. He never let his feelings show, preferring to conceal them behind that cocky grin of his. “But just so you know, it doesn’t matter!”
“I’m very glad to hear that. I was afraid it might.” I knew he wasn’t fond of Gregor, and I worried how he’d react when he learned Mother and Gregor were now a couple.
“Well, it doesn’t.” And then he said something I hadn’t expected to hear. “You’re mine, and you’re staying mine!” A man like Mark Vincent wouldn’t say that lightly. He muttered something else that I didn’t quite catch, but I was lost in his blunt statement that I was his.
It took me a moment to catch my breath. “Of course that means a great deal to me, but I fail to see what that has to do with Mother and Gregor.”
“Huh?”
“Mark, I think we’re talking at cross purposes. Mother wanted to inform me that she and Gregor are… involved.”
“Huh?”
He was even more surprised than I to learn about Mother and Gregor, but of course he rallied enough to offer to buy Gregor racy underwear. Hopefully, I’d persuaded him that cookware was a better choice.
“How come she never said anything?”
“She wanted to have this to herself for a while. You know her meeting with Father was arranged by my grandfather and Uncle Tony.” Uncle Bryan had told me about it, his annoyance with his father and oldest brother evident, but I had no intention of questioning him about it. “They put a lot of pressure on Mother, first to go out with Father, and then to keep the relationship asexual. Are you all right?” It sounded as if he was choking.
Finally he got out, “Uh… fine.”
“Children aren’t inclined to realize what their parents do, but even as a child I was aware of the deep love they had for each other. After we lost him… Mother’s been so alone. Mark, I don’t begrudge her this measure of happiness in the least.”
“Well, I want her to be happy too. Portia has good taste. If she cares about him, I won’t ask her if she’s checked her brains at the door.”
“Thank you, Mark. You’re too kind.”
“Ha. Hey, since we’re talking about your mother, can you tell me if she’s allergic to cats?”
“Where did that come from?”
“Just wondering.”
“Mark.”
“Okay, I was thinking of giving her a kitten for Mother’s Day.”
“Hmm.” I was touched, even though I knew the lengths he was willing to go to in order to find her the perfect gift. “There are plenty of barn cats at Shadow Brook, and she’s always been fine with them.”
“So… uh… do you think it’s a good idea?”
“Do you know, I think it is. What made you come up with this idea?”
He gave me a brief rundown of how he’d discovered the kitten. “I’m calling her Pita, but I’m pretty sure Portia won’t want to call her cat Pain in the Ass.”
I bit my lip to contain my laughter. “You might be surprised.”
“Yeah, I guess I might be. Your mother is amazing. You sure I shouldn’t get Novotny a thong?”
“I’m sure.” But talking about underwear gave me an idea. “What are you wearing, Mark?” And then I bit my lip, this time because I was afraid I’d come across as too common.
“Give me two seconds, and it’ll be nothing!”
I could hear the rustle of clothing as he stripped. I was so fortunate to have him as my lover. I undid my fly, noting how my cock tented the front of my trousers and very pleased I hadn’t jerked off earlier.
Of course I’d wanted to inform Mark of the events over brunch, but truthfully, I’d hoped we might wind up doing this.
I removed my own clothing, leaving shirt, shorts, and trousers on the floor, then pulled down the duvet and sheet, making myself comfortable on the bed and taking the time to pour some lube into my palm. I cradled the phone between my shoulder and ear and stroked my cock while I waited for Mark to come back on the line.
My grip was smooth except for the calluses caused by fencing practice, and the slight roughness added to the sensations that had me shivering and muffling a moan.
“Hold on, babe. I’m coming.”
“I... I hope not yet!”
“Ha-” But abruptly he didn’t seem to have the breath to say more, and afterward… Ah, afterward…. His gasps and groans as he climbed higher and higher, approaching his climax—but it was the fact he made no effort to conceal them from me that pulled me along with him.
I lay back on my bed, sighing in pleasure as I reached for a tissue to wipe my hand. I hadn’t planned on the late-night phone sex with Mark, but any kind of sex with him was amazing.
And not only would he be spending Mother’s Day with us, but he was getting Mother a kitten as well.
“Mark, I….” I yawned. Weekends with my lover somehow always saw me short of sleep, but I couldn’t find it in me to object. “Sorry, babe. I’d better go.”
“Okay. ’Night, Quinn.” His voice was soft in my ear.
“Good night, Mark.” I disconnected the call and sprawled on the bed, relishing the aftershocks of my climax. I knew my grin was sated as I caught my breath. Finally I rolled off the bed, threw away the tissue, and stared in wry amusement at my clothes scattered over the floor. I gathered them up and put them into the hamper. I’d need to visit Liang’s, the dry cleaner I used, soon.
With my room tidied, I climbed back into bed, pulled the sheet and duvet over my shoulders, and settled down to get some sleep.
But I did miss having Mark beside me.
Monday started off as a quiet day at work. No operations with my name on them crossed my desk, so I proceeded to go through the stacks of paperwork that always managed to accumulate.
However, it didn’t stay quiet. In the middle of the morning I received a call from Ludovic, my Uncle Jefferson’s partner, and that was the start of it.
“Quinton, your uncle is feeling under the weather.”
“Oh?” That was unusual, since like Mother, he was generally healthy as a horse.
“I think he’s either got food poisoning or else it’s some sort of stomach virus. He’s been in the loo almost from the time we got in last evening. If this continues for much longer, I’ll have to take him to the emergency room.”
“You’ll keep us informed?”
“You know I will. But Jefferson won’t be able to accompany Portia to London.”
“No, of course not.”
“And I’m afraid I won’t be able to either.”
Last summer, Mother had gone on a wine-buying trip to France—all our wine cellars had become somewhat depleted—and Ludovic had accompanied her because at that time he was the only one available.
“I’ll go with her.”
“Would you? I was hoping you’d say so. I know you’ve got work, but....” Ludo’s sigh of relief was audible over the phone line. “And if you could let Portia know?”
“Certainly.” I checked my watch. “Mother and Gregor should still be home. They’ll be flying up to New York shortly, to give Alyona the glad tidings.”
“Portia said something about that when we spoke with her yesterday. Alyona was always so kind to me. How is she?”
“She’s well. I saw her a couple of weeks ago. I had a layover in JFK, so I took the opportunity to pay her a visit. Her hair is almost white now, and her arthritis is becoming more painful, but her mind is as sharp as ever.” She hadn’t met Mark yet, although I’d spoken of him to her.
She’d smiled and petted my hair. “Am happy to see my boy happy,” she’d said.
I wanted Mark to meet her one day soon.
Abruptly, Ludo said, “Bloody hell, your uncle is at it again. I have to go hold his head.”
“Go, then. Give him my best and tell him I hope he feels better soon. And tell him to listen to you.”
He laughed. “You know him so well. Thank you, Quinton. Come see us when you get back. And bring Mark with you.”
“I will, Ludo. Thank you. Good-bye.”
“Pip now.” He hung up, and I had to laugh myself. Sometimes he resorted back to the slang of the early ’50s, when he’d been a young man.
Still smiling, I speed-dialed the house in Great Falls.
“Mann residence.”
“Hello, Gregor. I’m so glad I caught you before you left.”
“Quinn! I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon after yesterday. Is everything all right?”
“With me, yes, but not so much with Jefferson. I just heard from Ludovic. Uncle Jeff is under the weather and won’t be able to go to London with Mother. And since Ludo won’t leave him, he’s unavailable as well.”
“Shit. And I can’t go.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll accompany her.”
“Will you? That’s great. Let me put her on, and I’ll call the airline and exchange Jeff’s ticket for one for you.”
“Thanks, Gregor.”
“No problem.” He must have put his hand over the receiver, because while I could hear him call, “Portia!” the rest of his words were muffled.
“Thank you, dear one,” Mother said, apparently to Gregor. “Good morning, sweetheart.” I knew that was to me, and I chuckled to myself.
“Good morning, Mother. I know you need to be on the road, so let me get right down to business. I just heard from Ludovic. Uncle Jeff isn’t well—Ludo thinks it’s either a stomach bug or food poisoning—and Jeff won’t be able to go to London with you.”
“And since Ludovic won’t leave your uncle, he won’t be able to escort me either. Perhaps it would be wise to cancel the trip at this time.”
“Not at all. I’ll go with you.”
“Will you? Thank you, sweetheart. But what about work?”
“I’ve got vacation time coming, but even if I hadn’t, Bram would give me the time off. He’s still trying to make up for that disaster with Holmes.”
“This means a great deal to me.”
“Anything for you, Mother.”
“What would I do without you?”
“You know I’m always here whenever you need me, but remember, you’ve got Gregor now.”
“I do, don’t I?” She sounded pleased and a little surprised, and I was happy for her.
“What time is the flight?”
“Six a.m. tomorrow out of Dulles. I called Jack and told him that barring delays, I should arrive in London at four o’clock his time. I should be rested enough to meet him for tea.”
Of course she would. She’d sleep on the flight there and arrive fresh as a daisy, while I would be dragging, especially considering the five hour time difference. My body would think it was 11:00 a.m., and my brain would be in full agreement with it.
“Will he meet you at the hotel? Where will we be staying?”
“I thought Claridge’s, unless you’d prefer the Langham or the Lanesborough?”
“No, Claridge’s is fine.” It wouldn’t matter if I was unable to join them for tea, and Mother would have the privacy to inform Lord Creighton of the change in her life. “Did you tell him you had news for him?”
“No. I was afraid that no matter how I phrased it, he would think I’d changed my mind and wanted a relationship with him.”
“Were you ever interested in him, Mother?”
“No, although your grandmother would have liked nothing better. She and Lady Portia were close friends from the time they were girls and I think one of the reasons Mother agreed to my London season was because she hoped Jack and I would marry and join the families.”
“I have to say I’m glad you waited for Father.”
“So am I.” She sounded wistful, and I thought of all the years she’d spent alone. I also remembered what she’d said on New Year’s Eve, that she would have lived the twenty-five years without my father a hundred times over rather than never to have had what time they had had together.
I decided to change the subject. “Are you all packed?”
“For the most part. I’ll finish this evening when we return to Great Falls. You’re going to need to pack as well.”
“How many days should I pack for? A week?”
“Can you get away for that long?”
“It shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll clear it with Bram.” It had been some time since I’d been to London on anything other than business, and it would be nice to tour the city again. It would also be interesting to see how Lord Creighton reacted to Mother’s news. He’d been in the States last fall and had visited Mother in the hospital while she was recuperating. I thought I’d seen something in his eyes that indicated he cared for her more than as his mother’s goddaughter, but I hoped now I was wrong. “Shall I pack riding clothes?”
“That might be a good idea. Jack keeps a horse in a local stable, and the stable also hires out mounts as well.”
“What time do you need me to pick you up?”
“About three thirty, I imagine.”
“In that case, I’ll need to make an early night of it.”
“As will I.”
“Hardly, Mother.” Unlike me and Father, she had no problem dozing on transoceanic flights.
“Just a second, sweetheart. Gregor has something.”
“It’s from a florist, Portia,” I heard over the phone. “Who’s sending you flowers?”
“If it’s not you, dear one, then I have no idea. Hold on, please, Quinton.”
“Of course, Mother.”
I could hear the rustling of paper and then, “Oh! How lovely! Coral roses and an embossed silver vase! Here’s wishing you both many years of happiness. All my best… Oh, how thoughtful. They’re from Mark. I must send him a thank you note.”
It was thoughtful, and while I was touched that my lover would do something like that, I wasn’t surprised.
“It’s a damned good thing they aren’t red roses.” Gregor didn’t sound too happy. “I’ll go put the flowers in the vase.”
“Thank you, Gregor.”
“And then we have to go!”
“Sweetheart—”
“I heard him. I’ll have to go too. I want Janet to schedule an appointment with Bram, and then I’ll need to make sure I leave everything in order for her. Is there anything you want me to pick up for you?”
“Thank you, but I’m fine.”
“Then I’ll see you at three thirty.”
“Excellent. Good-bye, sweetheart.”
“Good-bye, Mother.”
I hung up and pressed my assistant’s number on the intercom. “Janet, would you call Rayner’s office? I have to see him when he has a moment.”
“I’ll get right on it, Quinn.”
I was surprised when a short time later she buzzed me to let me know Rayner had a few minutes right then.
“Thank you, Janet.” I rose, put on my suit jacket, and left to see my director.
As I’d assured Mother, Rayner was anxious to make up for what Holmes had done: he had no objection to my request.
“At any rate, things are quiet enough here just now. Enjoy your vacation, and please give your mother my best.”
“I will. Thank you, Bram.” We shook hands, and I returned to my office. “Janet, reschedule any meetings I have for the rest of the week. I’ll be out of the office for about seven days, starting tomorrow.”
“I’ll get right on it. Quinn, you have a visitor.”
For a second my heart thudded heavily, but then I had to laugh at myself. Mark would never come to Langley. Not to say he wouldn’t encroach on Company grounds, but not for coming to take me to lunch.
As it turned out, it was my friend DB, lounging casually against my desk, studying a framed photo of my mother taking a water jump, back when she used to compete.
“DB.”
“Hi, Quinn. She’s one classy lady.”
“I think so. Why don’t you take a seat?” I sat down myself, but DB just stood there fidgeting.
“She kind of reminds me of my own mom.”
“Oh? How so?”
“The shape of her nose. The curve of her cheekbones.”
I hadn’t thought he was going to mention physical qualities, and that surprised me. While I’d seen a photo of his family that DB carried, it wasn’t clear enough for me to make out specific qualities. “Well, we’re all supposed to have a double, aren’t we?”
He shrugged and set the picture down. “Next time you see Portia, tell her I said hi.”
“I will. Actually, I’ll see her tomorrow morning. We’re flying to London.”
“Does Rayner know?”
“I just got back from informing him.”
“How come?” He covered his face with his palm. “I meant how come you’re accompanying your mother to London?”
I looked at my watch. “Why don’t you have lunch with me? I’ll fill you in then.”
“Sounds like a good idea.”
I pushed my chair back and rose. “Was there something I could help you with?”
“No.”
“David, do you expect me to believe you came into my office to express your admiration of my mother and wrangle a lunch invitation from me?”
“Yes?” He saw I wasn’t accepting it. He sighed and his shoulders slumped. “Yeah, I do need to talk to you.”
“All right, then. How does Harry’s Hat sound?” The restaurant, built to resemble an antebellum plantation house, was only about a five minute drive from Langley. No one quite knew how it had come to get that name—or if they did, they weren’t saying. The ground floor front contained a very elegant mahogany bar, with a brass foot rail and full length mirror behind the bar, while at the rear of the ground floor was a small restaurant that offered excellent food. My uncle Bryan had mentioned it once, years ago, and I’d been impressed when I’d eventually tried it.
I’d also been intrigued to learn the upper floors provided suites of rooms for interested guests.
“Great idea. It’s close enough so that we don’t have to worry about having a couple of drinks.”
“No.” That was the reason why I’d never invited Mark to spend the night with me there or even taken him to dinner there.
I got my overcoat and slid my arms into the sleeves. “Janet,” I said as we walked through her office, “DB and I will be having lunch at Harry’s Hat if you need to contact me. Why don’t you take lunch yourself?”
“Thanks, Quinn. I will.”