The dancing and entertainment was every bit as dreadful as he had anticipated. Too many people in too small a space with everyone vying for attention. He suffered a couple of dances and retreated to the margins. He’d done a good job of avoiding Charnley. The man was beginning to look annoyed, but he didn’t care. He smiled to himself and took a glass of champagne from a passing footman. It was not Jeremy. He was trying not to engage with him at all during the evening as the lad was far too transparent. He sipped the cool drink, savouring the bubbles on his tongue, and wondered what it would be like to sip champagne from Jeremy’s body. A shiver passed over him at the thought.
“There you are. Anyone would think you are avoiding me.”
David’s heart sank. Standish.
He turned and offered a smi
