Always His Earl by Cheryl Dragon

tell you?” Myles asked.
    “I went to see Claire and find out about your decision for the navy. Instead, I was faced with your father and brother hurling accusations at me. They said that you’d shown them the notes. That you claimed I’d forced you into the tryst and you were afraid to end it. By their account, you’d chosen the navy to get away and your father helped so I couldn’t get to you. They accused me of rape and abuse. I’d talked a younger man into hideous things and should have been ashamed. They’d have nothing to do with my family, and if I tried to write you or see you again, they’d make it public knowledge. Warn my servants. Make it a scandal and you’d be the victim who’d testify against me.”
    George had fallen for the lies and the deceit. “When you never wrote me...”
    “You believed that shit?” Myles demanded.
    George closed his eyes as the fear and the shame washed over him. “I am older, only by a couple years, but I did start it all. At first, I didn’t believe it. I thought I’d hear from you, but year after year there was nothing from you, not even a letter from Claire telling me it wasn’t your choice. When your father married Claire off to that devil Philips, I knew he was serious about no connection with my family ever.”
    “He was a heartless bastard to everyone. Not just us.” Myles shrugged.
    “I blamed myself for Basil’s heartbreak. He resents me even if he doesn’t know why. With that guilt, it was easier to blame myself for roping you into a life you might not have wanted. You could’ve been anything. Army, barrister, vicar, navy, or any profession you chose. I pushed you to be my lover. Our siblings to be our mask.”
    “No. No! I wanted you. I still love you, damn it. I wanted our plan. Basil and Claire together, making us family. A business and a life of traveling together was all I wanted.
    Never once did I long for variety.”
    “Neither did I. Why couldn’t your father leave us alone?” George rested his forehead on Myles shoulder.
    “He put us both through hell in many ways. I had an earl but couldn’t marry him. Father wanted to punish us. I never said a word against you. I swear.” Myles pushed George back onto the bed and climbed on top of him.
    “Is it true about the naval ships? There were other lovers in your years at sea, I’m sure,” George said.
    Myles took a deep breath. “I gave in, I admit it. I was weak. My father picked his punishment well. Plenty of men, plenty of sex, and plenty of nothing else when not in battle. I don’t suppose the fact that I thought about you makes it any better, but it was a matter of survival.”
    “Your father punished us both cleverly. I survived alone,” George admitted flatly.
    “Alone with privacy and freedom, I would have been true as well. Onboard, if you don’t participate you will be forced into it. There’s not much escape from it, but back on land, most head for the brothels and marry women. Don’t ask me to explain it, I can’t. I don’t care if I ever see any of those men again. All I wanted was to be free to come home to you. My father is to blame. Or blame me for bringing the notes to London, but I never wanted this. He manipulated us with fear and threats. The danger was real while he lived, but it’s gone now.” Myles kissed him hard.
    Something deep in George clicked, like his heart unlocking from its hellish confines. He rolled over and pinned Myles to the bed as George kissed him hard. Holding George tight, Myles kissed him back as if someone would rip them apart. The stubble from a long day scraping his chin, George smiled and let Myles’ strong arms make it all better. They were safe in George’s house, and no one would stop them.
    Their tongues tangled and George pulled back enough to kiss Myles’ chin and cheek. “You’re not leaving my side again. Never.”
    “Never. No one can force me away.” Myles ran his hands through George’s hair as he kissed George’s