CHAPTER XV

                                    

                                          


                          


                          
"Kiss me, so long but as a kiss may last!" ― Percy Bysshe Shelley
                          


                          
Upon hearing that the cricket match he organized would be canceled, Teddy threw his pocket watch at the wall. Its cogs and springs burst from their silver casing and rolled around the freshly waxed parlor room floor. 
                          
Louis knew his valet would have a conniption at the news but it couldn't be helped. His time with Harry was too precious. The young Duke was leaving for Somerset after the hunt and Clarence monopolized every other minute of his day.
                          
Harry's valet, Charles, who just so happened to be the son of a watchmaker, painstakingly picked up each and every cog and spring. He placed the pieces in a handkerchief and turned to Teddy. "I'll take it to the servant's hall and repair it," he said, and shot Louis a reprimanding glare.
                          
Teddy was so vexed that Louis had to ring for one of his footmen to prepare him for his ride. Naturally William was the first of his men to appear. 
                          
"My coat and gloves," Louis said curtly.
                          
William bowed his head, a crown of curls falling in his face. He looked so much like Harry at times. Except for his eyes. William's eyes shone like black pearls.
                          
Louis slipped on his calfskin gloves and William did up the brass buttons on his coat, his hands lingering on the Duke's chest.
                          
Louis stepped away from him toward the door and the footman grabbed his arm.
                          
"Choose me."
                          
"William—"
                          
"I love you."
                          
Egad! How did Louis always manage to find himself in this situation? Had he misled William? Was he too careless with boys' hearts? 
                          
"I have to meet the Duke."
                          
William eyed him fiercely. "I know I am nothing and no one but you are everything to me!"
                          
Louis looked around to make sure no one was witnessing this outburst. "You've seen me with other men. What's brought this on? It's most unlike you."
                          
"You've stopped seeing the Viscount and the Earl in your bedchamber and you sleep alone instead of ringing for a footman. It all started the moment he got here. Tell me the truth, has he won your heart?" 
                          
"He has," Louis admitted. "But I have yet to win his."
                          
"You've won mine," William said in a small voice.    
                          
Louis shook his head and embraced him. "You're a beautiful lad and I'm very fond of you. Don't make this harder than it needs to be."  
                          
Then he untangled himself from the boy's arms and left.    
                          
♞
                          
Harry was outside the stables standing beside Achilles on the grassy knoll. His legs looked especially long in his riding boots and breeches. Even though he wasn't a strong rider, Louis loved to see those gangly limbs wrapped around a powerful stallion... 
                          
"Afternoon, darling."
                          
Harry put a hand on his hip. "I'm furious with you."
                          
Louis grinned and motioned for the groom to fetch Albertine. "What have I done this time?"
                          
"Teddy is in a wretched state over the cricket match! My valet has been consoling him all morning. You really shouldn't vex him so. We have a responsibility to care for those who serve us."