Chapter Four

The amount of money he spent on clothes was beyond obscene and Dominic must have considered every piece in his wardrobe to find the right outfit to meet with Callum. Nothing too formal as this was not an evening gala, but if too casual, he would not convey how important he thought the visit was. The fact he thought it important was almost as big a surprise to him as the time he'd spent deliberating.

He finally settled on a deep red silk waistcoat he had yet to wear. It had only been delivered the day before, a bit like how he had only met Callum yesterday as well. It must be fate. Another strange thought as he'd never considered himself to believe in fate before, preferring logic to whimsy.

The address he had for the Gething residence was little more than a five-minute walk from his family's residence, and he would be punctual. A gentleman should not be late, and keep those important to him waiting. Again, he had to question why Callum would be important given they'd known each other such a short time. His dream still bothered him, lingering far longer than his usual ones, and the excitement his dream self had at the prospect of whatever he'd been planning still thrummed in his veins. Maybe that was what was behind his reaction to Callum, residual bleed from night into day where his imagination was getting the better of him. He also had to admit, he had felt more than a little unsettled after he'd handed over the ushabti. It hadn't been out of his possession since he'd returned to England from visiting Milas, but somehow he felt secure in the thought it would be in safe hands with Callum. He only hoped he wouldn't be proved wrong.

His valet handed him his hat, gloves and cane as he left. With the weather mild, he saw no need to take a carriage for such a short distance, and he would be returning home before venturing to his club later. He thought back to the previous evening as he approached the Gething residence, his heart soaring at the thought of seeing Callum, a strange notion, but perhaps explainable by his lack of a lover for a while. He took it as a fine sign that his woes over Henry were now a thing of the past.

Unless he had been mistaken, Callum had returned his appraising looks. Callum was blond, while he was dark, and he had striking blue eyes, and a jawline that would have half of London begging to check how close he shaved. This infatuation was ridiculous, he should not be panting after any man after such a short time. As the Duke of Richmond's son, he had wealth and status, a reputation of being a gentleman who was erudite and charming, while Callum was an upstart who didn't even have a title. He shouldn't want to put him on his back, but that was what he wanted to do.

His sharp knock was answered without delay, and he was shown into a delightful reception room that spoke to someone in the household having a good eye for what passed as pleasing décor. He'd barely had time to get comfortable when Callum appeared.

"Lord Fairweather, it was good of you to come."

"I said I would."

They shook hands and sat. "Technically you said I would receive my winnings."

He smiled, it was true, last night he hadn't intended to visit in person. "I thought it better manners to do so myself, so here I am—as mentioned in my message."

"Well, you are very welcome. Although, I am surprised at the hour, given the lateness your father's gatherings are known to run. I left early by many of the guests' standards."

He'd not been far behind Callum, his self-imposed limit for betting on cards had been reached and he'd had no interest in returning to the dancing and was happy to see his bed. "I have learnt not to try and keep up with some of the younger men of the Ton, I am the wrong side of twenty-five to compete with some of the young bucks."

"Then I must be near death if those are the rules by which we are judged."

He had thought Callum his own age, perhaps a little older but not more than a year or two. "You are hardly a man of significant age."

"I am closer to my mid-thirties than my twenties. It is no wonder my father passes comment on my matrimonial status."

Most eligible men of Callum's age were married or at least engaged. "Are you secretly a spinster of the parish?"

"No secret about it. I doubt there's a woman who could stand me long enough, I willingly work long hours when assisting my father, and when I'm not working, I prefer to spend my time at my club than at the family's household."

Dominic thought Callum's attitude refreshing, he didn't seem to wish to kowtow to society's demands. "Is your father concerned you're not yet married?"

Callum laughed. "He may mention it from time to time, but he is not so bothered. My brother has valiantly ensured the family name will live on, and my father is delighted I spend my hours dedicated to the business."

"Life must have some pleasures."

The way Callum's eyes seemed to dance at his words made Dominic's pulse quicken. "We are men of the world, I daresay neither of us are lacking for pleasure, and can find it easily from a willing source when needed."

He wasn't wrong, but his directness shocked him, especially as they were near enough strangers. "A gentleman would never say."

Callum snorted. "I think we both know that gentlemen are some of the least discreet souls to grace the planet. And the ladies are not far behind."

He had no answer for that as Callum was correct on every level. "Indeed."

Callum slapped his thighs and stood. "Let me get you what you came for."

It took a moment for him to remember that Callum meant the ushabti and not more carnal pursuits. He removed his money pouch to cover his distraction. "I have your winnings."

"I never doubted it." Callum gnawed his bottom lip then continued to speak. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something, you mentioned you had spent some time in Egypt."

Dominic frowned, wondering about the direction Callum would take the conversation. "I have visited the country a number of times. My brother-in-law is an archaeologist, and he had invited me knowing my academic interest."

"Your wife's sister? I didn't realise you were married."

He laughed. "No, I have yet to be so blessed as to meet someone who I wish to shackle myself to. My older sister's husband. But what of it?"

"This might sound ridiculous, but I had a dream and, although my knowledge is limited, I'm sure it was set in Ancient Egypt. It was rather vivid."

He was not a man to believe in coincidence, but he couldn't help but think of his own dream. "A strange setting for someone who has never visited the country. Although the mind can turn even the smallest things into a dream, and perhaps my informing you of the origin of the ushabti triggered something while you slept."

"It felt so real, and I know nothing of the place or time, yet there I was walking amongst people who had been dead for thousands of years, and the premise of my actions were bizarre."

Dominic was intrigued and while he had not planned to linger, he wanted to hear more, especially considering the topic of his own dream. "In what way?"

"I was creating a spell, in order to be bound to my lover after death. It was most ungodly."

"Did your dream lover take the visage of a beautiful woman you admire? That your sleep brain was giving you encouragement to go after the one you desired in life?"

Callum shook his head. "No, my lover was a man. I must admit, he did have a passing resemblance to someone, but I'd not thought too deeply about the significance until now."

Dominic was surprised Callum had no issue with stating his lover was male, or at least his dream-self had no compunction to do so, as it was not something to proclaim in the wrong company.

"And to whom does this fellow resemble?"

Callum cocked his head to one side and grinned. "I would not read too much into it, but it was you, although not identical by any means, his build and some features were similar. So maybe I have planted you in my dreams to ensure I would not forget you?"

They locked eyes and a frisson of desire ran through him. Dominic had not met his lover in his dream, and no Ancient Egyptian would have had Callum's fair colouring. "I would hope I was not the type to be easily forgotten."

"I assure you that is not the case." Callum seemed to remember himself and dropped his gaze. "Here I am talking nonsense. No doubt you have better things planned for the day. I should return your property."

He fumbled in his jacket and removed what Dominic assumed was the ushabti wrapped in a handkerchief.

"I, too, had a strange dream," Dominic said, not sure why the words had escaped. "I was in the warrens of an old city, searching for a man. Once I found him, he gave me an ingredient list and a spell… to keep my lover with me after death."

Callum laughed uneasily. "A dream with a bewildering similarity to my own."

"There is much written in the newspapers at the moment about the finds in Egypt and it could be as simple as us reading the same article and our subconsciousness placing each other in the dream because of the card game." Dominic was not the type to hold with flights of fancy and thought there had to be a reasonable explanation, and this was the best he could manage on the spot.

"I guess that could be it."

Callum looked disappointed but not for long. He unwrapped the handkerchief and held out the ushabti. Dominic reached out to take it and for a moment they both stood there holding the little figure, Dominic couldn't tear his eyes from Callum, he was so alluring. He wanted to reach out and cup his cheek. Callum stepped closer and Dominic wondered how soft Callum's lips would be, what it would be like to hold him in his arms.

The sound of a door banging from elsewhere in the house startled him out of his trance. Callum cleared his throat and stepped away. Dominic still had his coin purse in one hand and he gave it to Callum. He was flustered and he was not one to get agitated over such things. Some fresh air, maybe a stiff drink and he'd be soon back in his right mind.

"I have taken up far too much of your time," Dominic said. "I'm sure we will see each other around the Ton."

"Maybe next time you will win at cards."

He laughed and pocketed the ushabti. The butler saw him out and as he stood on the pavement, he had the urge to return to Callum, he couldn't comprehend the pull, they didn't know each other but for some reason, he thought him so familiar. He was going mad, and thought what he needed was a large brandy and some expensive chocolate.