Queer Relations

Chapter 1Autumn, London, 1814 The Honorable Percy Havilland was perplexed, which he found to be a somewhat discomfiting sensation. Given his aristocratic birth and his youthful, ravishing beauty, he was widely admired by the ton and regarded by a small group of doting gentlemen as a golden-haired Adonis. So Percy’s existence was generally easy and pleasantly cushioned from troubling concerns. Sitting at his dressing table, he put the finishing touches on his appearance before engaging on the morning visits that were part of society’s routine. He glanced around his beautifully appointed Mayfair rooms in Mount Street, provided by his generous father (even if he couldn’t quite remember if Percy was his third or fourth son). As always, Percy felt reassured by the exquisite furnishings and expensive knick-knacks, courtesy of his many past, present, and would-be admirers. Outwardly at least, all was meticulously arranged to suit Percy. Which was exactly how life should be, he concluded. Although introspection was not an indulgence that Percy had ever trifled with previously, with a slight frown (not too deep as to mar his enviably smooth brow,) he considered his current state of uncertainty. It began in the spring when he had been enjoying a dalliance with Jolyon Everett, a good-natured and easygoing young man in his mid-twenties, only a few years older than Percy. Jo was not rich, but he was rather handsome and decidedly muscular and after a little encouragement, he had fallen head over heels in lust with Percy in the most gratifyingly energetic manner. Percy presumed he had Jo exactly where he wanted him, mainly in his lavishly appointed bed-chamber, but somehow, the progression of the affair had not gone to plan, which still remained a source of bafflement. To keep Jo keen and also generous with some trifling gifts, Percy had engaged in a light flirtation with a gentleman in their wider social circle, Mr. Nathaniel Brooks. Mr. Brooks was in his mid-thirties, and although not as conventionally attractive as Jo, he was immensely wealthy, so Percy thought it worthwhile to engage his interest for future consideration. But Jo had not responded with the passionate fervor that Percy anticipated. As the Season drew to a close, Percy had seen very little of Jo, and Nathaniel Brooks, rather than taking Jo’s place with the alacrity Percy anticipated, had kept a calculated distance. After gracing several country house parties with his presence over the summer, Percy had returned to the capital with the presumption that his days and nights would resume their uninterrupted and pleasurable course. However, although he was affable enough whenever Percy encountered him at a St. James’ gentlemen’s club or a lady’s salon, Jo showed no sign of wishing to reignite his liaison with Percy. There were even some peculiar rumors abounding in their select and private circle of gentlemen who enjoyed other gentlemen, that Jo was involved with someone outside the ton, even a cit, which Percy dismissed out of hand. After tasting Percy’s perfections, it was impossible that Jo would ally himself with someone ugly or common. With Jo quitting the field, Percy had naturally continued to encourage Mr. Brooks’ suit more overtly, but again, this had not advanced in the smooth and time-honored way of Percy’s previous involvements. Nathan clearly found Percy physically attractive, I mean who wouldn’t? Percy huffed, teasing his Cherubin haircut to create a tumble of fetching waves. But Nathan had neatly evaded any attempts to formalize their flirtation and, despite his vast financial resources, flatly refused to take a hint where little tokens of appreciation were concerned. When Percy attempted to inflame his ardor, indulging in some light badinage with his established coterie of admirers, he found this ploy fell flat. Due to his great wealth and financial acumen, Nathan was held in complete respect. So, normally susceptible gentlemen were wary of his disapproval and kept a safe distance from what they perceived to be Nathan’s property. During one of these unsuccessful forays, Percy glanced around to see the effect of his machinations on his current flame. Rather than looking love-struck, downhearted, or seething with jealousy, Nathan had openly laughed at Percy’s antics. On the odd occasion when Nathan had chosen to grace his bed-chamber, Percy had kindly attempted to give some direction as to what he liked best. Nathan had merely raised an eyebrow and continued to do exactly as he pleased. The worst thing was, Percy pouted, that he had enjoyed that all the more. Gazing at his fair beauty in the mirror, Percy felt an unexpected qualm as though these slight discomforts marked a decline in his circumstances. He shivered slightly and then dismissed such fancies, giving a final tweak to his immaculately arranged halo of curls.