Chapter 13

Judging by the height of the sun shining in through the huge bay windows, Billy woke much later the following morning than was his usual time of rising.

He was also aware of the unfamiliar weight of an arm that was not his own draped about his waist. Along with the press of a warm and naked body against his back, buttocks, and thighs.

Wulf’s arm and naked body.

Despite the lateness of the hour, Billy was reluctant to move and so shatter the moment after spending a night of deep intimacy with the man he was now sure he was completely in love with.

How could he not be when reality had far surpassed his previous sexual fantasies and dreams involving Wulf.

Because Wulf had worshipped him during their first heady lovemaking, and then again during the night. As if Billy was something—someone—more precious to him than gold or jewels could ever be.

Billy had no idea what would happen between them going forward, but he was glad he would always have the memories of last night to sustain him.

Perhaps the first thing which needed to be dealt with, before they could discuss whether they would be together, was the issue of whether Billy would have a future at all now that he had been accused of murdering Sidney Moreland.

Which meant someone—and, as far as Billy was concerned, that someone would be him—must find Mrs. Hodges and demand to know why she had named Billy as Moreland’s murderer.

He—

“You are thinking so loudly, you have woken me from the deepest and most satisfying slumber I have ever known,” Wulf murmured sleepily from behind him. “What are you thinking about so deeply, darling boy?” His arm tightened possessively about Billy’s waist.

“I am thinking, Your Grace, that your cock is no longer in my arse, and I know this because your cum has escaped and is now dribbling down my thighs.”

There was a surprised huff from behind him, then Wulf chuckled appreciatively as he moved to lean up on one elbow and rolled Billy onto his back, so he was now looking up at him. “You enjoy saying and doing things you think will shock me, don’t you?”

“I do, yes.” Billy grinned at this confirmation, even as he took in how handsome Wulf looked with his overlong dark hair in disarray and his expression still relaxed from sleep, the frown smoothed from his brow. He looked years younger.

Billy felt warmth enter his cheeks when he also saw the love bruise at the base of Wulf’s throat, knowing he had caused it when he bit Wulf as he climaxed during their second bout of lovemaking.

“I bit and bruised you,” he explained when Wulf tilted his head questioningly, no doubt because of the blush.

Wulf lifted his hand to touch the bruise. “And I enjoyed it when you did so.”

Billy’s brows rose. “You did?”

The other man nodded, his expression once again serious. “It shows that you were as invested in our lovemaking as I was. I shall wear your bruise with pride.”

“Like I did, knowing I carried the imprint of your hand on my arse for a week beneath my pantaloons,” Billy said knowingly.

“If that is what you did, then yes,” Wulf confirmed. “How are you feeling this morning?” he prompted, his gaze searching. “Not too sore, I hope?”

Billy felt the blush deepen on his cheeks. “A little,” he admitted. “You have a very large cock, Your Grace.”

“And you have a small arse,” Wulf immediately shot back.

Billy chuckled. “I do believe, with time, you might become a worthy verbal opponent for me after all!”

“With time, I intend to be worthy of you in all ways,” Wulf assured gruffly.

Billy hoped that they would have that time.

“Think only of us being together,” Wulf encouraged before lowering his head and claiming Billy’s lips in a passionate kiss.

A passion Billy wholeheartedly returned.

Eventually Wulf lifted his head to gaze down at him. “I believe, in light of your soreness, it would be unwise for us to indulge in lovemaking again this morning. Instead, I shall get out of bed, put on my robe, and ring for Miller so that he can bring up water for a bath for you, to hopefully help ease some of your soreness, and also ask that breakfast be brought upstairs for us.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

Wulf nodded. “I will also instruct that one of the maids change our bed linen this morning so that it is clean for when we return to bed together this evening.” He swung his bare feet to the floor before standing to cross the room to where his brocade dressing gown was draped across the bedroom chair.

Billy’s breath caught in his throat as he gazed at all of Wulf’s naked magnificence. Such wide shoulders. A broad and muscular chest. Slim waist. His hips and thighs muscular. Legs and feet long and elegant. He also moved with all the predatory grace of a large feline.

Billy regretted feeling too sore to indulge in more of their lovemaking. It also seemed a pity to cover up all Wulf’s masculine beauty. But Billy accepted it was necessary if Miller was going to enter the bedchamber in the next few minutes.

Thinking of which…

He threw back the bedclothes. “I don’t think I should still be naked and lying in your bed when Miller gets here.”

Wulf gave a regretful sigh. “If I had my way, you would always be naked and in our bed. But I accept you would prefer it if Miller did not see the evidence of our having shared a bed on the very first night of his becoming our butler,” he added ruefully.

Billy pulled on his shirt and drawers, choosing not to respond to the way in which Wulf had begun to use the term “our” instead of “my” in reference to servants and household matters. It would not do for him to assume, to hope, that it meant Wulf intended for Billy to remain in his life for some time.

“I will wait in the adjoining bedchamber until after Mr. Miller has received your instructions, and the bath and breakfast have been duly delivered.” Billy collected the rest of his clothes from where they had been thrown onto the floor during the heat of their passion.

“Into your bedchamber,” Wulf corrected. “Which, if I have my way, you will never have reason to ever sleep in.”

“Very well,” Billy answered vaguely, not even sure he would still be at liberty tonight to share that bed, let alone beyond that time.

“I have to go out for a time this morning, if that is agreeable to you?” Wulf prompted briskly. “I need to speak with Stonyhurst again, and there is also another matter that is in need of my attention.”

“Of course.” Billy appreciated that Wulf was still a magistrate and one of His Majesty’s government ministers. Billy was the one accused of murder. His life was in hiatus, while Wulf’s life must continue as it always had.

“You shall remain here.”

Billy perked up at the arrogance in that statement. “I will, will I?” he challenged.

Wulf sighed. “Let me rephrase that. I would prefer it if you were to remain here until I return and leave the enquiries into this situation to myself and Stonyhurst. I would most especially request that you do nothing to seek out Mrs. Hodges.”

“How long do you intend being gone?”

“An hour or two at the most.”

Billy nodded. “If you learn anything more about—about my situation, would you please send word and let me know?”

“Most certainly.” Wulf crossed the room to take Billy in his arms and draw him close against the hard strength of his body. “No one shall take you from me now. This I vow.”

Except, Billy knew it was a promise his lover would find difficult to see to fruition if they did not find the real slayer of Moreland.

And only one person knew who that was.

* * *

Wulf sensed—no, damn it, he knew—the moment he returned to Wulferston House that Billy was not in residence.

There was a certain frisson in the air whenever his lover was present. As if the very atmosphere itself was in awe as that incredible young man went about his business.

Except Wulf was certain Billy was not carrying out that business at this moment within the walls of Wulferston House.

“Master Billy went out this morning shortly after you did, Your Grace,” Miller confirmed as he took Wulf’s hat and cloak.

Damn it, he had asked Billy not to?—

No, Wulf had told him he would prefer it if Billy did not leave the house.

A request, now Wulf thought on it, the younger man had not directly replied to, before or during his bath or as they ate breakfast together.

“Did he say where he was going?” Even as Wulf asked the question, he knew it was unnecessary. If he had known of Billy’s whereabouts, Miller would have said where Billy had gone when he stated that young man’s absence.

“No,” the butler answered predictably. “I did tell him I thought you would prefer to know of his location when you returned, but he was not forthcoming with an answer.”

Which confirmed that Billy was off doing something he knew Wulf would not approve of once he knew of it.

Wulf could currently think of only one such deed, and that was seeking out the whereabouts of the elusive Mrs. Hodges.

Having been born in the London slums, and no doubt having many acquaintances there, Billy would be far more successful in such a task than Stonyhurst or Wulf could ever be.

“I am going to Stonyhurst House,” he informed the butler as the other man returned his hat and cloak to him. “If Billy comes back in my absence, do not allow him to leave again before I return.”

Miller winced. “I’m not sure that headstrong young gentleman will be agreeable to my keeping him here. What I will do for you now,” he continued before Wulf could protest, “is send word with a footman to my brother, Henry, and ask him to meet up with the two of you at the earl’s house. My brother knows the ins and outs of the London slums far better than either of you worthy gentlemen ever could.”

Wulf couldn’t disagree with that statement. “In that case, would you please tell Henry to hurry.”

“I will, Your Grace,” Miller assured, already turning away to make his way toward the back of the house.

Wulf sincerely hoped they would not be too late to extract Billy from the life-or-death situation he was sure his lover had deliberately placed himself in.

Having only just claimed and made love to Billy, Wulf felt his chest ache at the thought of losing him again.