Christopher had not dressed in some of Maxim’s too-large clothes and come down the stairs with the intention of listening in on the conversation between Maxim and his two friends. But after hearing his name mentioned, he had delayed his plan to escape Lancaster House whilst Maxim was occupied with the other gentlemen, and instead listened to what the Earl of Stonyhurst had to say about him.
It quickly became obvious that the earl now knew exactly who Christopher was. Not only that, but he was about to reveal that truth to Maxim. Better by far, if the truth could no longer be hidden, that Christopher should be the one to do that.
He lifted his chin as he stepped completely into the room. “My name is Josiah Christopher Gerald Brooks-Hamilton. Josiah was also my father’s name and so, from a young age, I was always known as Christopher.” He drew in a shaky breath before continuing. “I am—was, after the death of my father a year ago—the twelfth Earl of Hampshire.”
“You still are,” the Earl of Stonyhurst assured softly.
Tears blurred Christopher’s vision. Just as well, because he could not as yet look directly at the ominously silent Maxim. “My cousin George, the eldest son of my father’s younger brother, now holds that title.”
“Then he is doing so illegally when the twelfth earl is still living,” Wulferston put in harshly.
Christopher’s smile was edged with bitterness. “Not if the twelfth earl is known by his cousin to be a lover of men, and was blackmailed by him into relinquishing the title and subsequently managed to disappear before he was made to do so permanently by that same cousin.”
“Man,” Maxim put in harshly. “You are a lover only of this man,” he stated when Christopher looked at him enquiringly.
His cheeks heated, and he could not look at the other two men in the room as he smiled shyly as Maxim. “I will only ever be your lover, yes.”
“Could you both please concentrate on the matter at hand, Lancaster?” Wulferston snapped.
Maxim gave a terse nod but his expression remained grim. “The bogus Earl of Hampshire must be ousted from that position and his crimes revealed.”
“No!” Christopher instantly protested. “We cannot do that, Maxim.” He softened his voice pleadingly. “My cousin has a witness who will testify that I—that I tried to force my sexual attentions upon him.”
“Did you?” Wulferston prompted.
“Wulferston!” Maxim snapped angrily.
“It is all right, Maxim,” Christopher soothed before answering Wulferston. “I did not need to be guilty of the crime for my cousin to make the accusation. I am not, nor have I ever been, the most aggressively male of men.” His cheeks warmed. “My cousin guessed what my sexual proclivities might be and set one of his friends to entrap me, and so confirm what those sexual inclinations were. If any of you try to assist me in this matter, I have no doubt you will all be accused of the same crime and so tarred with the same brush.”
“If he attempts to do so, then he is a braver man than I thought him to be,” Stonyhurst stated quietly.
“Do you seriously think that any one of us is a man who would fear someone like George Brooks-Hamilton?” Wulferston scorned. “I have eaten better men than him before breaking my fast.”
“We have no wish to hear of your previous sexual exploits,” Stonyhurst mocked. “Only for the three—four of us”—he gave an acknowledging bow in Christopher’s direction—“to decide what shall be done with the imposter.”
Christopher looked from Stonyhurst to Wulferston, the expression on each man’s face one of determination, rather than defeat. Maxim’s expression was unreadable.
“Would you gentlemen excuse Christopher and me for a few moments?” Maxim took a firm hold of Christopher’s arm. “There is something the two of us need to discuss before we go any further.”
Christopher’s heart began to pound so loudly, it almost deafened him. He hadn’t ever lied to Maxim about his circumstances, but neither had he been completely honest. In his defense, he had thought only of protecting Maxim, but the look of suppressed fury on his lover’s face did not bode well for the conversation they were about to have.
He waited only long enough for the two of them to step outside the sitting room before attempting an explanation. “I never meant to deceive you—” was all he managed to say before Maxim’s lips crashed down onto and claimed his in a thoroughly punishing kiss.
A kiss that continued for some length of time, until Christopher was limp and acquiescent in the other man’s arms.
“Were you in love with this other man?” Maxim demanded.
Christopher was feeling too thoroughly kissed to be able to completely comprehend the question. “What other man…?”
“The one Brooks-Hamilton used to entrap you?”
He shook his head. “I was not even attracted to him.”
“But—”
“He attempted to kiss me, at which time my cousin walked in and supposedly caught me ‘forcing my sexual attentions’ upon his friend. It was all a trap, of course, but it is still one that could be used to imprison or hang me.” He sighed heavily. “There has not been nor will there ever be another man for me than you, Maxim. Not then, now, or in the future.”
Maxim released a long breath. “Please forgive me, but this possessiveness I feel toward you is completely new to me. It is so all-consuming; I cannot see or hear anything else but you.”
Christopher felt warmed by the admission. He felt exactly the same way in regard to Maxim. “I am sure you are aware, the accusation of sexual harassment toward another man does not have to be true for it to be made. And once it has been made…” He gave a shake of his head. “After my father died, my cousin entrapped and then made that threat to expose me. I barely managed to leave with my life, sure my cousin meant to dispose of me altogether, whether lawfully or unlawfully. I left Hampshire and came to London, where I hoped to disappear amongst so many other people.”
“How on earth did you survive?”
“Badly,” he admitted. “Which is why I eventually ended up on the street for several nights before deciding to take refuge in the attic of the Apollo Club.”
Maxim’s arms tightened about him. “I almost lost you because of it.”
“The Earl of Stonyhurst seems to think the fire at the Apollo was set with the intention of killing me.”
Maxim’s brow creased. “It seems a logical conclusion to have made if the Smith brothers did not light it. The fact that three of the owners of the club, and Henry, were also inside when the fire was lit, does not seem to have deterred the arsonist.”
Christopher agreed with that conclusion. “Then my cousin knew of my employment at the Apollo Club and was having it, or me, watched. He had to have done to know I was temporarily sleeping at the club. Just as he must now know I am a guest in your home.” His heart began to race. “I have put you in danger simply by being here, Maxim.”
He gave a snort. “I agree with Wulferston. If you think any one of us is afraid of a man like George Brooks-Hamilton, you are mistaken.” His expression hardened. “But he will learn what it is to be afraid of me before this day is over.”
“Maxim, no,” Christopher protested, gripping the other man’s forearms. “You must not incite him to commit further violence. I could not bear it if anything should happen to you.” Tears once again blurred his vision. “I will happily exist only as your lover, Christopher Brooks, for however long you want me, and when—when you no longer do, I shall leave and once again seek obscurity elsewhere.”
Maxim’s expression was grim as he shook his head. “There will never be a time when I do not want you,” he said with certainty before narrowing his gaze on Christopher’s clothing, which he obviously recognized as being his own. “Why are you dressed like that?”
Christopher avoided his gaze. “I could hardly come downstairs wearing only your nightshirt.”
“Why did you come downstairs at all?”
“Because I—I—”
“Were you intending to leave me?”
Christopher could hear the steely edge to his lover’s voice. “I did think of removing myself whilst you were occupied in conversation with the duke and earl, yes,” he admitted. “But I only did so with thoughts of your reputation and safety in mind, not because I wish to leave you,” he defended emotionally. “I could not bear it if you became embroiled in my cousin’s accusations toward me.”
“You shall leave me to worry about that,” Maxim told him sternly. “Nor will you ever think of leaving me again. Is that understood?”
Christopher felt a surge of joy inside him at hearing the masterful way in which Maxim claimed him. It was…thrilling to be so loved and wanted by this man. “I understand.”
“But do you agree?”
“I said I did not wish to leave you, Maxim—”
“Do you agree you will never do so?” he demanded.
“I agree,” Christopher confirmed shakily.
Maxim’s arms tightened about him. “I could not bear to ever lose you now that I have found you.” His forehead rested lightly against Christopher’s. “But you shall be reinstated to your rightful position as the Earl of Hampshire and your cousin silenced.”
Christopher swallowed the lump in his throat. “What do you mean by ‘silenced’?”
“Exactly as it sounded.”
“But—”
“He has wronged you, Christopher. That fire was set with the intention of killing you.” Maxim added grimly, “I have killed other men for far less than attempting to kill the man I love.”
“That was in battle.” Christopher, after their conversations these past two days, knew of his lover’s years in the army serving as an officer against Napoleon’s army.
“Was it?” He eyed him ruefully. “Men such as I and my three close friends live in constant danger of being exposed for what others perceive as our…unnatural desires. We have occasionally needed to take action in order to ensure those desires remain hidden.”
Christopher winced. “I still cannot bear the thought of any of you being responsible for my cousin’s demise.”
Maxim drew himself up to his full height of two inches over six feet. “You are mine to protect, therefore I will be the one to do it if it becomes necessary.”
“Please, no.” Christopher clasped the other man’s arm. “You are my life now. I could not bear to lose you.”
It warmed Maxim’s heart to hear his beautiful lover claim him in this way. It was also to Christopher’s credit that he obviously did not wish for his cousin’s “silence” to be of a permanent nature.
But Maxim knew he and his close friends did not possess the same leniency of feelings. George Brooks-Hamilton must be made to pay for his crimes toward Christopher and for the fate of the Smith brothers. Those two men might have been criminals of the worst order, but that did not give Brooks-Hamilton leave to have them killed.
Maxim also needed to remove all and every reason for Christopher to ever attempt to leave him again.
“We will discuss what needs to be done once we have listened to the rest of what Stonyhurst has to say,” he said, avoiding answering Christopher directly.
“Good of you to once again grace us with your presence,” Wulferston drawled when Maxim and Christopher rejoined them in the salon.
“You are welcome,” Maxim returned his friend’s sarcasm.
One day, and he had a feeling that day would be very soon, Wulferston was going to be turned upon his arrogant head when he found himself caught up in the throes of love for someone other than himself. Maxim sincerely hoped it was Mr. Billy Brown who brought the proud and haughty Wulferston to his knees.
None of which Maxim said as he kept his hand on Christopher’s elbow to guide him to sit on one of the sofas before taking the seat next to him, their shoulders touching. Now that they were lovers, Maxim needed a part of himself to always be in contact with Christopher.
Maxim gave a nod to Stonyhurst. “You may now continue.”
The other man’s lips twitched before he brought his humor back under control. “How well do you know Lord Geoffrey Adams?” he spoke directly to Christopher.
A frown marred his brow, no doubt at this sudden change of subject. “I know him as a member of the Apollo Club.” He turned to Maxim. “He was the gentleman who spoke to me the other evening as we were leaving after…after Chef beat me.”
“Do not think of that, my love.” Maxim placed his hand on Christopher’s thigh and give it a reassuring squeeze.
“Nothing else?” Stonyhurst’s eyes were narrowed.
“What are you implying?” Maxim bristled.
His friend kept his gaze levelled on Christopher. “I am questioning if Adams is the gentleman your cousin used to entrap you a year ago.”
“I do not understand where you’re going with this line of questioning, Stonyhurst—”
“I’m happy to answer him, Maxim,” Christopher assured, placing his smaller hand on top of his before turning back to the other man. “Because I previously spent most of my time in the country, I met Lord Adams for the first time three weeks ago, when I commenced employment at the Apollo. I have always found him to be a polite and pleasant gentleman.”
Stonyhurst’s expression was one of regret. “In that case, I feel no pleasure in telling you that I know Adams to be the one who has been reporting your movements to your cousin.”
If that were true, it would explain how Christopher’s whereabouts at the club had been known, enabling the bogus Earl of Hampshire to either pay someone to set the club alight or perhaps enjoy doing so himself, knowing his cousin was inside.
“With what evidence?” Maxim demanded.
“The man has confessed as much.”
“But why would he do such a thing?” Christopher frowned.
“Blackmail again, I am surmising,” Wulferston said.
“Exactly.” Stonyhurst nodded. “But I was able to persuade him to tell me of Brooks-Hamilton’s machinations.”
Christopher looked alarmed, no doubt recalling one of his conversations with Maxim, when he had shared what Stonyhurst and Wulferston did during the war. “I trust no harm has befallen Lord Adams?”
This time, Stonyhurst made no attempt to hide his humor. “What has Lancaster been telling you about me?” He gave Maxim a rueful grin.
“Only the truth,” he answered his friend dismissively.
“No doubt he wished to frighten off any possibility of competition,” Wulferston drawled from where he slouched down in one of the armchairs. “I assure you, Christopher, Stonyhurst and I are far more exciting than Lancaster.” He gave Maxim a sly glance. “Possibly in bed as well as out of it.”
“I am more than happy with Maxim, in bed and out of it. Ecstatically so, in fact.” Christopher gave his lover one of his shy smiles.
A public shyness which, after Christopher had confessed to his lack of sexual experience, had not been at all present in their lovemaking since. That had been both adventurous and deeply satisfying. As promised, Maxim had even helped Christopher to claim him during their hours of lovemaking. His lover, previously inexperienced or not, had not needed more than that initial assistance before taking Maxim so masterfully, he’d found himself begging his young lover for release.
It was an experience he looked forward to repeating often in the many more hours, days, weeks, months, years of the two of them continuing to explore their desire for each other.
“And I with you, love,” he assured softly.
“I should also mention,” Stonyhurst continued, “that I started a bogus rumor, once I learned the circumstances of the death of the Smith brothers, that an unidentified body has been found in the ashes at the Apollo Club.”
Christopher frowned. “I do not understand…”
Maxim did. If the bogus earl believed Christopher to have perished in the fire, then his appearance in the company of two dukes and an earl, all much respected by the Prince Regent and Society, would come as something of a shock.
“I believe I have already heard enough of this imposter to have him arrested and charged,” Wulferston stated. “Not only with impersonating a member of the aristocracy, but with murder, and the attempted murder of not only Christopher but the three of us and Henry.”
Maxim, having watched the puzzlement deepen in Christopher’s expression, now leaned forward to whisper in his ear, “Wulferston is not only a magistrate, but he sits in Parliament as the representative for Law and Order.”
“His Grace does?” Christopher was too startled to hide his surprise.
Maxim chuckled. “I realize that Wulferston gives the outward impression he could not give a rat’s arse about anyone or anything other than his own comfort, but I assure you, beneath that disdainful exterior beats a heart of gold. One, moreover, that will not suffer injustice of any kind.”
“Fuck off, Lancaster,” his friend drawled without rancor.
Maxim gave him an unrepentant grin before sobering and turning to Stonyhurst. “You seem to have this matter well in hand, my friend. Care to tell the rest of us what is next in your plan?”
“Oh, that’s quite simple,” Stonyhurst dismissed. “We are going to present Brooks-Hamilton with a ghost from his past.”