Page 61 of The Last Kiss

That pierced like cold steal. “Y-y-you’re disowning — ”

“You’ve brought shame to my house. Venal, disgusting perversion!”

Ash closed his eyes, but his balance faultered and he had to open them again. “Wh-what w-will happen t-to Harry?”

“The police — ”

“No.” Lightheaded, breathless he clutched the bedpost. “You c-can’t. He — ”

“He committed unnatural acts — ”

“We were just sleeping! That’s n-n-not a crime.” He sucked in a breath, forced his leg not to wobble. “If you call the p-police it will c-cause a scandal. It w-would damage D-D-Dodge’s career.”

“Do you think I don’t know that?” Sir Arthur took a threatening step closer. “Little you cared about your brother’s career when you were buggering the stable hand!”

Ash felt sick but he refused to look away. He couldn’t. For Harry’s sake, he couldn’t. “D-don’t call the police. Let W-West leave and — and I’ll do w-w-whatever you want. T-Take the job at the bank. M-marry the right w-woman.” What was left of his heart shrivelled with every word, but he’d do it all and more to save Harry from his father’s vengeance. He’d give his life in any way necessary. “I swear to you, Fa — S-Sir Arthur.”

His father breathed hard, whiskers twitching. “I will consider it,” he said at length. “But only for the sake of your brother. You will remain here until summoned.”

With that, he turned, pulled open the door and stalked out.

Shivering, Ash sank down on the bed and rolled into the fading warmth of Harry’s presence. Everything was lost, everything was broken. Better if he’d bought it at Passchendaele, if that ruddy shell had blown off more than his leg, than this misery. Better for Harry too.

God,Harry.

His heart cramped and he curled around the pain, struggling for air. His father was so angry. Would he see reason, or would he seek blind vengeance? Sir Arthur knew the magistrate; he could demand Harry be prosecuted. For assault, if nothing else. Panic gripping him he turned his head, screaming his fear and sorrow into his pillow until his throat was raw and dry.

Harry had saved his life in every possible way and Ash had repaid him by ruining him. He’d been weak and reckless. He’daskedHarry to stay tonight. He’d begged him. And now Harry would lose everything and Ash —

Ash couldn’t save him.

***

Harry paced the stable, his tension making the horses stamp and snort. All he could think about was the door slamming in his face and Ash sitting white-faced on the bed before that bastard who called himself a father. He put a hand to his cheek, felt the swelling where the old man had hit him and regretted not pounding him back.

His own father —

He stopped walking, gut clenching at the thought of his dad finding him in bed with another man. No doubt he’d have reacted the same. And that thought made him sick, but not half as sick as the thought of Sir Arthur raising his hand to Ash.

Outside the stable door, Culham stood on guard duty. He kept his back to Harry, avoiding looking at him as he waited for Boyd to return from the house. Or maybe for the arrival of the police. Harry felt faint with fear. Not of prison, not of hard labour, but of the shame he would bring to Kitty. And of her disgust. He couldn’t bear that from her or the girls.

His only consolation, the only easing of the sick knot in his belly, was the hope that Ash would be spared. Surely Sir Arthur wouldn’t see his family name dragged through the courts or in the newspapers? Not with Ash’s brother in parliament.

No, Ash would be safe. Well, safe from the law at least. What other punishment his father might mete out, Harry didn’t know. But if that bastard put a finger on him, Harry would —

What? What could he do from a fucking gaol cell?

A voice drifted in from outside — Boyd dismissing Culham. Harry’s stomach cramped, his guts turning watery and his heart suddenly less brave at the prospect of gaol. He found himself frozen in front of Sable’s stall.Ash’s horse, he thought with a sudden clench of emotion. Oh God, would he ever see Ash again? He reached out a shaking hand to stroke Sable’s neck, trying to swallow his rising terror. “It’s alright, girl.” The words rasped in his throat. “He’ll be back for you.”

But not for me.Fuck, his eyes were burning.

“West?”

He turned at the sound of Boyd’s voice, heart thundering and knees weak. Boyd stood just inside the doorway, hands sunk in his pockets. There were no police with him, not yet at least. For a long moment they regarded each other, then Boyd shook his head and slowly started to walk toward him. “You’re dismissed, of course. With immediate effect.”

Harry nodded; he’d assumed as much. But he had to work moisture into his mouth before he asked, “The police?”

“Not if you leave without a fuss.”

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