Thief of Hearts

Chapter 2-2

Jeremy sat on the bed as he was bidden and put his face in his hands. This was it. He was going to be turned off without a reference and his brother would likely disown him and leave him to his own devices. His desperate attempt at respectability, making his brother proud of him, would come to naught. Sitting in one of the guest bed chambers with one of the guests waiting on him as though he were…Well, God alone knew what. He was done for. He scrubbed his face. He was feeling a little more the thing, he was just so damned tired and hungry. He looked at the soft, inviting pillows and decided that if he was damned, then he might as well be comfortable. He put one of the pillows behind him, so he could lean back on it. The bed was so delicious, and the linen fine and clean. It was heavenly. He stroked his face against the softness and sighed. He loved the touch of fine fabrics. One day he would wear nothing but fine fabric and lie on the softest sheets. The fire was blazing, making the room warm and cosy, so he lay his cheek against the pillow and let his eyes close. When he opened them again, David Lambert was closing the door and then walking to the bed carrying a tray. Jeremy jumped and struggled into a sitting position.

“Here you are,” David said, putting the tray on the bed beside him.

Jeremy’s mouth watered. Thick slices of beef and slices of fresh bread smeared with butter. A pot of mustard, and a plate of macaroons with a pot of fresh tea. He opened his mouth to speak, but the smell of the bread and meat hit his nose and he couldn’t.

“Afraid it’s not much, but it might see you on.”

“Not much?” Jeremy croaked. “It’s…you shouldn’t have…I…I can’t…” He was babbling.

David picked up a piece of the bread, spread it thinly with mustard, and layered the slices of beef on. He topped it with another slice of bread and handed it to him. Jeremy took it gingerly and hesitated. David nodded, so he took a huge bite. It was astounding. The bread was soft and fresh and the smell of it in his nose was breath taking. The beef, meltingly tender and rare, made his eyes close as the mustard tickled the back of his nose. He chewed and groaned, savouring every morsel, whilst David poured two cups of tea. He looked at him as he took another bite, and then let his eyes close. When he opened them, it was to find David Lambert staring at him with an odd, intense expression. He closed them again and carried on eating.

Once the bread and meat were finished, they sat sipping tea and eating macaroons on the bed.

“So, how old are you?” David asked in that low husky voice which made Jeremy shiver inside.

Jeremy swallowed his mouthful. “Two and twenty. You?” Jeremy took a sip of tea, looked into the cup, and wondered if he was far too familiar. He shot a glance upward.

David tilted his head and regarded him for a moment. “Nine and twenty. How long have you worked here?”

“A few months. I haven’t seen you before.”

“That’s because I haven’t been.”

“I know. I’d have remembered you.” Jeremy looked up and flushed. He really needed to keep his tongue under control. He glanced at David who was selecting another cake. He needed to remember the man was a guest.

“Do you like working here?”

Jeremy considered for a moment. Did he like it? “It’s a good job,” he said, and paused. “I’ve never really stopped to consider whether or not I like it.”

“And do you?”

Jeremy felt himself smile, and then laugh in a self-deprecating fashion. David Lambert looked faintly bemused. “No. I don’t.” He shook his head. “It’s damned hard work, but it’s a good, respectable position. I hate the uniform because it makes me itch, and I am sick and tired of being shouted at, and I am really quite weary of dodging advances from people old enough to know better.”

David was quiet for a moment. “Do you have to dodge advances often?”

Jeremy rolled his eyes. “All the time.”

“I imagine you would be well recompensed?”

Jeremy opened his mouth and then shut it. Did he mean…? He bristled. “I am not a w***e, Mr. Lambert. I might not like it much, but this is a good position. Forgive me for speaking out of turn.”

“I apologise, unreservedly.” David looked genuinely contrite. “I didn’t mean to imply…” He waved a hand.

“I must go back.” Sitting in the quiet of David Lambert’s chamber, and being the object of his kindness and interest, had been exceedingly pleasant, but the conversation was taking a difficult turn and he had no idea how to respond. David Lambert made him feel far too…Well, he didn’t quite know how he felt, but it was too much.

“I wasn’t suggesting you were a whore.” David persisted in a somewhat dogged fashion. “I never meant to suggest or imply anything of the kind. I know how difficult it can be when you have to fend off unwanted advances. Believe me.”

“Well, thank you,” Jeremy said. They were sitting close together. Too close, he realised as he became aware of the warmth from David’s body. Those grey green eyes were watching him with an unnerving intensity. He glanced at him and immediately looked away as a shiver of excitement prickled along his senses.

“Do you ever find yourself the recipient of advances that would be welcome?”

Jeremy’s heart almost beat its way out of his chest. What was he saying? He looked at David. His eyes were dark, hot. Much like they had been as he watched him eat the sandwich.

Jeremy swallowed. “Occasionally.”

He held his breath when David dropped his gaze to the coverlet and his mouth curved in a small, lopsided smile. He looked up again. “And how might someone know their advances were welcome?” His husky voice was low.

Jeremy’s whole body tensed and flushed as a wave of naked want swamped him. He wanted David Lambert. Badly.

Tension crackled between them, but Jeremy wasn’t bold enough to make a move. He took a shaky breath. “Well, a kiss might be a start.”

David was quiet for a moment and then in a very, very low gravelly voice said, “I don’t kiss.” David’s eyes were dark; turbulent, unreadable.

Jeremy’s courage failed him. He swallowed and got to his feet. “Well, you’ll never know then, will you?”