Chapter 8 - Post-Coital
The next morning, the maid who was assigned to clean Darcy's chambers was most surprised to find no one in the bed. The bed itself was neatly made, and all seemed undisturbed, bar a statue of Eros that had fallen from its stand, and a somewhat mishandled copy of Ovid's 'Remedia Amoris' on the armchair. The chambers next door belonging to WIckham were likewise empty, and so it was presumed that the two youths had taken advantage of the good weather for an early morning walk around town.
This was true. Both men were strolling through Hyde Park, almost empty on account of the early hour. They were chatting cheerfully about everything and nothing, as most couples do after their first session of lovemaking. Wickham spoke of his admiration of Darcy, how he had 'loved from afar' for the best part of five years until he could hold himself back no longer that fateful night of the kiss at Almacks. Darcy himself said little. He was far too aware of the few gardeners that were tending to the flowerbeds and topiary. Though far away, they still posed a threat to his feeling secure that his *fall from grace* would remain undiscovered.
After some time, Wickham sensed his lover's strained attitude and put it down to the confusion of the newly in-love. Handsome and charming as he was, George was confident that he had succeeded in making Henry fall in love with him.
He was partially justified in that belief, if Henry's bashful blushes and slight smiles were anything to go by. But, being a steward's son, he had no idea of the extent of betrayal Darcy felt he had dealt to his good name and Christian roots. As they both turned onto a certain path, George's hand brushed against Henry's, perhaps by design, perhaps not. But Henry instinctively jerked his hand back lest George do something unthinkable like attempt to hold his hand in public.
George took the hint and despondently led the way back through the park to Samuel's townhouse. George was disgusted with Henry, and with himself. He had been so elated by his initial success that he had taken things with Henry too swiftly, and now Henry was feeling *uncomfortable* in his presence! What to do?
For once in his life, the ever-resourceful George did *not* know what to do, and as he and Henry strode in uncomfortable silence up the steps to the house, George realised that something must be done before Henry drifted further away, or worse, found another man...
A/N Just a quick note to mention that BINGLEY'S COMING IN THE NEXT CHAPTER! The plot thickens...*g*
The next morning, the maid who was assigned to clean Darcy's chambers was most surprised to find no one in the bed. The bed itself was neatly made, and all seemed undisturbed, bar a statue of Eros that had fallen from its stand, and a somewhat mishandled copy of Ovid's 'Remedia Amoris' on the armchair. The chambers next door belonging to WIckham were likewise empty, and so it was presumed that the two youths had taken advantage of the good weather for an early morning walk around town.
This was true. Both men were strolling through Hyde Park, almost empty on account of the early hour. They were chatting cheerfully about everything and nothing, as most couples do after their first session of lovemaking. Wickham spoke of his admiration of Darcy, how he had 'loved from afar' for the best part of five years until he could hold himself back no longer that fateful night of the kiss at Almacks. Darcy himself said little. He was far too aware of the few gardeners that were tending to the flowerbeds and topiary. Though far away, they still posed a threat to his feeling secure that his *fall from grace* would remain undiscovered.
After some time, Wickham sensed his lover's strained attitude and put it down to the confusion of the newly in-love. Handsome and charming as he was, George was confident that he had succeeded in making Henry fall in love with him.
He was partially justified in that belief, if Henry's bashful blushes and slight smiles were anything to go by. But, being a steward's son, he had no idea of the extent of betrayal Darcy felt he had dealt to his good name and Christian roots. As they both turned onto a certain path, George's hand brushed against Henry's, perhaps by design, perhaps not. But Henry instinctively jerked his hand back lest George do something unthinkable like attempt to hold his hand in public.
George took the hint and despondently led the way back through the park to Samuel's townhouse. George was disgusted with Henry, and with himself. He had been so elated by his initial success that he had taken things with Henry too swiftly, and now Henry was feeling *uncomfortable* in his presence! What to do?
For once in his life, the ever-resourceful George did *not* know what to do, and as he and Henry strode in uncomfortable silence up the steps to the house, George realised that something must be done before Henry drifted further away, or worse, found another man...
A/N Just a quick note to mention that BINGLEY'S COMING IN THE NEXT CHAPTER! The plot thickens...*g*