20. Conrad
CONRAD
Conrad had spent a marvelous afternoon with some of the other guests of the house. He found Wyndham in a sitting room, reading a book. Torquil and Emrys were sitting nearby, sharing a plate of biscuits.
Roger and Sage had disappeared into the study for an unexplained project.
Conrad hoped Sage would say what needed to be said, and sent encouraging thoughts his way.
He had a feeling Wyndham was hoping the same, as the gentleman seemed remarkably relaxed, considering his beloved husband and his former lover were spending hours together in private.
Emrys even commented on it at one point, making a teasing joke meant to get a rise out of Wyndham or Conrad, or both.
Wyndham arched an eyebrow at his brother over the book he was reading. “I trust Roger,” he said simply.
Emrys glanced at Conrad, who shrugged. “Even if I didn’t trust Sage, I don’t have any sort of hold on him.”
“You aren’t jealous?” Emrys asked incredulously.
“Why should I be?”
Torquil stole a ginger biscuit from the plate. “Emrys has a tendency toward jealousy. You should have seen him the one time in my life I danced with anyone other than him.”
“I do not! And that was one time!”
Wyndham snorted.
Before Emrys could say anything else, a small ginger kitten darted into the room and onto Torquil’s lap. Emrys inched his chair away, looking wary.
“Is this the famous Peony?” Conrad asked, putting his own book down.
“More like infamous,” Wyndham muttered.
Torquil murmured sweetly and scratched behind her ears, which was clearly what she had chosen their lap for.
“Emrys is afraid of her,” Wyndham added.
“I am not!”
“Do you like cats, Conrad?” Torquil asked, ignoring him.
Conrad grinned and moved forward slowly.
“I do.” He reached a hand up for the kitten to sniff.
She did so and then bumped his hand with her nose, an unmistakable command.
He rubbed under her chin accommodatingly.
“There were a number out by the docks that knew which of us would take pity and feed them part of our lunches.”
She tucked her paws under her body and settled onto Torquil’s lap, content to accept the offerings of chin strokes and head scritches.
“So what will we be doing tomorrow?” Torquil asked into the quiet. “I’m sure an activity will be expected.”
Wyndham heaved a sigh and placed his open book onto his chest. “I’m sure I don’t know.”
“What would you do if we weren’t here?” Conrad asked.
Wyndham gave a wicked grin.
“Do not answer that question,” Emrys warned.
Wyndham laughed. “I often like to go to the lake, especially if Roger is focused on a project.”
“Do you swim or simply enjoy the view?” Conrad asked.
“Both, depending on the day.”
“A swim might be nice,” Torquil said.
“I’m sure I’d love to see you swimming,” Emrys added with a smirk.
Wyndham rolled his eyes. “Do you swim?” he asked Conrad.
“Living in Bristol, we could hardly help it.”
“That’s decided then.” Wyndham picked up his book. “We’ll go to the lake.”
* * *
Conrad didn’t see Sage until dinnertime.
His face was drawn and he was even more quiet than usual.
Conrad would have worried, except that Roger looked positively glowing.
He cheerfully dismissed all queries about what had kept him and Sage so busy all day, merely explaining that Sage had been kind enough to assist with a personal project.
Emrys snorted at the word choice and Roger blushed.
But Conrad had noted the way Roger was no longer referring to Sage with formal terms. It seemed Sage had done what he’d needed to do after all.
Wyndham explained to the group that a visit to the lake had been decided as the next day’s activity. “So I expect that we will have to skip another round of riddles tonight, Harriet. I don’t want anyone to be too tired for our outing.”
Harriet pouted. “It’s too bad. I’ve picked out some deliciously wicked ones.”
Wyndham chuckled. “Well, we all know Conrad and Sage will be the ones to win those rounds anyway. You both are clearly the best at riddles.”
Sage jolted as if he’d been shocked at the mention of his name. He stared across the table at Wyndham for a long moment. Wyndham didn’t seem to notice, but he had a decided air of satisfaction as he sipped his wine.
Roger beamed. “Indeed, they really are quite a force to be reckoned with.”
“At least when it comes to naughty ones,” Emrys added with a laugh.
“Conrad knew slowtop ,” Torquil put in, with a smile at both of them. “I rather think they have the mind for riddles.”
“More than I do, that’s certain,” Keelan muttered.
“Don’t worry about it, Cricket,” Silas said, patting his hand consolingly. “You have the best seat out of everyone here.”
Emrys let out an exaggerated groan. “There’s no need to discuss Keelan’s seat , thank you very much.”
The whole table laughed as Keelan blushed and Silas looked smug.
After dinner, Conrad listened to Cyril and Keelan chat about riding costumes until he could no longer pretend to be interested in the topic.
He excused himself from the group and went up to his room.
He was unsurprised to find Sage already there, dressed down to his robe, and methodically applying oil to his chest. Their eyes met in the reflection as Conrad closed the door.
“It sounds as if you and Roger had a good day together.”
“I’m not sure I’d describe it like that,” Sage returned.
Conrad smiled to himself and began getting undressed.
“I took your advice,” Sage said quietly.
Conrad paused in the act of unbuttoning his waistcoat. “And?”
“He accepted my apology. Just as you said he would.”
Conrad beamed. “I’m so glad. And how are you feeling about it?”
“Drained. But…relieved.”
“I hope you’re proud of yourself, too.”
Sage gave a little huff and then poured more oil onto his fingers. “I can’t remember the last time I felt that.”
Conrad continued undressing. “It is easy to make mistakes. Easy to act out of fear or hurt or jealousy. It is much more difficult to own up to those mistakes and to repair rifts made from such actions. I’m proud of you, even if you aren’t.”
“Thank you.” The words were soft, and when Conrad glanced at his companion, he saw that Sage was looking downward.
Conrad stepped across the room and lightly kissed Sage’s cheek. “You’re a good man. I’ll keep telling you that until you believe it.”
Sage looked as startled by the kiss as he was by the words. He seemed to shake himself and returned to his task of applying the oil. “You’ll have your work cut out for you, then. I’m not sure you’ll manage that before this house party is over.”
“Well, then I’ll continue when we’re both in London,” Conrad said cheerfully, taking off his shirt.
Sage didn’t respond, but his lips were pressed tightly as he stood and took off his robe. Conrad studied him as they both slipped into bed.
“Are you all right?” Conrad asked gently.
“Just tired.” Sage blew out his candle and then moved over for his usual spot at Conrad’s side.
Conrad lightly cupped Sage’s chin and tilted his face to look at him. “It is troubling that you have an easier time talking about past problems than you do current victories.”
Sage rolled his eyes. “I’m not sure I’d call admitting that I’d been beastly a victory.”
“I would.”
“Well, we’ve already established what a strange creature you are.”
Conrad chuckled. “Undoubtedly so.”
Sage sighed. “Thank you for the advice. It…was what I needed to hear.”
Conrad stroked his cheek with his thumb. “Even the best advice cannot force a hand. You had the courage and the kindness to do what needed to be done. That’s not insignificant.”
Sage swallowed and gave a tight nod.
Conrad dropped his chin, blew out his candle, and then laid against the pillow. Sage wasted no time in settling in next to him.
“Wyndham spoke to me,” Sage said quietly.
Conrad smiled into the dark and ran a hand through Sage’s hair. “And how did it feel?”
“Startling. But good.”
“The tentative start of a new friendship. A victory worth celebrating.”
Sage snuggled closer. “I may have been wrong yesterday.”
“Oh?”
There was a long pause. “I don’t think I’d mind a friendship with Roger.”
Conrad’s smile widened and his heart felt light. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“He reminds me of you a little, actually.”
“That might be the best compliment I’ve ever received.” Sage gave a surprised sort of laugh. “I met Peony today. She’s very sweet.”
“She bit Keelan.”
“Mm. Perhaps that’s why Emrys isn’t too fond of her.”
“But you are. Of course. Shocking that you should find another being in the house that you like.”
Conrad chuckled. “Yes, well I’ve always had a soft spot for prickly creatures who harbor gentle and sweet natures for those they trust.”
Sage was still and silent for a long moment. Then he reared up a little and said in a thoroughly insulted tone, “Did you just compare me to a kitten ?”
Conrad threw back his head and laughed.