Travel Plans

" It is out of the question," the Dukex of Molbury said.

Charles Kentworthy took a deep breath and attempted to put on his most placating manner. He was very familiar with how stubborn the dukex, or Julian, could be when it came to matters of propriety. "But, Your Grace, we are going to visit his family. It cannot possibly be objectionable."

"It is fifty miles to Tutting-on-Cress," Julian replied. "And unless Gavin can put together a speed spell halfway through the trip, you will be on the road alone together for far too long. I will not permit you to go."

"But surely you will not permit him to travel alone," Charles countered. "After all, he is a secondborn and underage. I should think his protection should be considered."

"Oh, I say," Gavin Hartford protested.

Charles put his hand over his fiancé's. He knew it had been a poor argument. After all, if they met with trouble on the road, Gavin was far more likely to get them out of it with his spellcasting abilities. In Charles' defense, however, he had not expected to meet quite so much difficulty. Ever since Gavin had told him that his sister had invited them both to visit them in Tutting-on-Cress to meet some of Gavin's relations and attend his cousin's wedding, Charles had been overjoyed. He'd expected the dukex to put up a fuss, but he'd hoped that the presence and approval of Gavin's aunt and uncle would have counted for something. Thus, he had resorted to pretending he needed to protect Gavin, even though the man was perfectly capable of protecting himself.

Julian narrowed their eyes. "He may have an escort, but it cannot be you."

"His family expects me. By all accounts, they are completely amenable to my joining him."

"And by ‘all accounts,' I suppose you mean Miss Hartford."

"His parents are aware of our plans. And they did not take issue with them." Charles knew himself to be fighting below the belt. He was well aware that Julian disapproved of Gavin's parents, but they were too polite to say anything cutting about them in Gavin's presence.

Julian pursed their lips. "I think I ought to write to his parents myself then."

"What if I rode on horseback while Gavin traveled in the carriage?"

"That would be a perfectly acceptable solution over a shorter distance. But you will have to stop at a posting station and change the horses." Julian considered for a moment. "Perhaps I ought to go with you after all."

"They are not expecting you, Your Grace. Surely—" Julian raised an eyebrow and Charles stopped mid-sentence.

"Do you really intend to educate me about etiquette, child?"

"My apologies," Charles said.

Julian sighed. "There are no good solutions to this. My traveling with you would be an understandable adjustment to your plans. I am sure no one would object to it. But I do not wish to leave Bertram alone in London at the start of the Season."

Charles' best friend, Bertie Finlington had been sitting quietly throughout the argument. But at the mention of his name, he looked up at his cousin. "You need not fret on my account, Your Grace."

"And I should hate to drag you away from Bertie's side at this, of all times," Charles said.

"Stop it, both of you," Julian said.

They obediently lapsed into silence.

"I am sorry for causing such a fuss," Gavin said quietly. "I hadn't realized it would be such a bother when I suggested it. I'm sure Gerry didn't either."

Julian smiled at him fondly. "You are not to blame, poppet. I would not expect you to know all of the intricacies of the situation. Such details would normally fall to your parents or older sibling."

Gavin blushed and looked down. "Oh. Perhaps it would be better if I went alone after all? Gerry said she'd never forgive me if she was the last to meet Charles, and I was certain my relatives would like to meet him too, which was why I suggested the scheme in the first place. But Gerry will surely understand if I come alone. And Charles could join us in Sherton when we travel there after the wedding?"

"Please, Julian," Charles pleaded. "I could not possibly disappoint Miss Hartford after everything she has done for us."

Julian did not respond right away. Finally, they said, "I agree that meeting Gavin's extended family in such a manner would be most agreeable. I confess that I think meeting his parents first would be better." They held up a hand to forestall any arguments. "However, I can appreciate you wanting to meet Miss Hartford sooner rather than later. Gavin will supply me with his aunt's direction and I will write to her myself. Perhaps his aunt or uncle can be persuaded to travel to London in order to accompany you both back." They paused. "If they cannot, I will see if there are any alternative options for ensuring your reputations are not damaged by this trip."

Charles knew it was time to give up, but he had a sneaking suspicion he wouldn't care for any of the solutions that would be proposed.

A few days later, Julian summoned Charles to their townhouse. Gavin had moved in a fortnight prior so that the dukex could act as his chaperone while he remained alone in London. They were both sitting on the sofa when Charles walked in. Charles greeted Julian with a kiss on their cheek and then greeted Gavin with a kiss on the mouth, ignoring Julian's tsks of disapproval.

"I have heard from Gavin's aunt," Julian said when Charles sat down in a plush armchair opposite them.

"And?"

"And she has provided a most excellent solution. Apparently, when she and Gavin's uncle were engaged, they also had to travel alone. They used a spell to ensure all was acceptable."

"What?" Charles said, immediately alarmed.

Julian waved a slip of paper. "She was kind enough to send the spell instructions, although we will need to acquire the ingredients for the casting. I confess I am unaccustomed to long engagements—so unfashionable. I did not realize there were spells for such things. It is most fortunate."

"What does the spell do?" Charles asked, knowing full well he would not like it.

"It shall create a thin sort of shield around Gavin so he cannot be touched by another."

"That sounds very uncomfortable for him."

"He will be able to pick up objects, of course. And it will not impact his ability to sit in the carriage. But he will have a magical layer around him to protect him. I shall cast it before you leave. His aunt will deactivate it when you both arrive."

Charles groaned. "And how am I expected to help him in and out of the carriage? Or are we throwing such gallantry out the window?"

"I daresay you will manage," Julian replied, unperturbed. "I am quite pleased with the solution. You ought to be grateful, for if she had not suggested it, I would have taken Gavin's suggestion of sending him to the wedding alone."

"Thank you," Charles said dourly. He looked at Gavin. "I do not wish to force such a thing upon you, darling. If you would prefer to simply go alone—"

Gavin shook his head. "Not at all. I'm amenable to it. I'm sure it will be worth it to be able to finally introduce you to my sister."

"Good," Julian said with a nod. "I am going to get ready for our social calls. I trust you two to behave while I'm gone." They gave Gavin's knee a pat and then strode out of the room.

Charles wasted no time in moving to Julian's vacated seat to kiss Gavin properly.

"You are incorrigible," Gavin murmured, blushing. "They told us to behave."

"I thought I was behaving rather well," Charles said, tilting his head to kiss one of Gavin's blushing cheeks. "Are you truly comfortable with the arrangement?"

Gavin nodded. "I don't believe it really affects me at all, other than being unable to touch you. It doesn't sound uncomfortable or anything. And if it will make the dukex more at ease about us leaving together, then I think it is worthwhile."

Charles sat back and ran a hand through Gavin's hair. "You like them then?"

"Immensely. They've been very kind to me. Quite honestly, I don't know why."

"Because you are sweet and charming and delightful," Charles said, planting soft kisses across Gavin's cheek to accentuate each word.

"I'm quite sure it's more to your credit than it is to mine," Gavin protested. "They're very fond of you. I confess I'm forever worrying they will decide I'm not actually worthy of you and then—"

Charles put an end to that line of thought immediately by pulling Gavin into another kiss.

"Well," Bertie said as he walked into the room. "Is this what you two get up to when Julian leaves the room? While the cat's away and all that?"

Charles pulled away from Gavin and glared at his friend. "You know perfectly well it is. Must you interrupt?"

Bertie chuckled. "And here I was fretting that I was keeping you all waiting. I'm glad to know you were all suitably occupied despite my tardiness. Good afternoon, Mr. Hartford, delightful to see you, as always."

Gavin nodded. "Good morning, my lord."

Bertie took the chair Charles had abandoned. "Any developments in the travel plans?"

"Yes," Charles said, rolling his eyes. "Apparently Julian is going to place a spell on Gavin to protect him from my touch."

Bertie gave a choked sort of laugh. "My word. How innovative."

"Oh, just you wait until you're engaged, darling. I'm sure it will be far worse for you."

"Undoubtedly," Bertie agreed. "But then, I would need a fiancé first."

Gavin laid a hand on Charles's chest. "Is this because of the long engagement? All this fuss? Would it be better if we were married sooner?"

"Would you be comfortable with that?" Charles asked softly.

Gavin's blush deepened. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "I'm quite nervous about the business of marriage. You know, running the house and everything. And the dukex has said that when we marry, I will be in a higher social position, and that will entail certain expectations." He bit his lip. "Those are the things that worry me more than the idea of being married to you."

"The only thing that will be expected of you when we marry is that you will be my husband."

"Charles," Gavin said in a reproachful way. "You know that isn't true. I would much prefer to be a credit to you, if I can. And the Dukex has promised to teach me everything before we're married." He paused, his lips pressed together.

"And?" Charles prompted.

Gavin sighed a little. "Well, I must confess that I like the idea of a long engagement because I shall feel better knowing that you have had sufficient time to be sure—"

"I am sure."

"If I may," Bertie said.

Charles narrowed his eyes at Bertie.

"You still haven't officially asked for permission to marry," Bertie said, ignoring Charles's expression. "So the engagement would need to last at least until you've arrived at Sherton. So, in the end," he added, with a smile at Gavin, "all of this fuss is not because of the long engagement, m'dear. It is because you are alone in London and that has made your subsequent departure from town a somewhat prickly situation."

Gavin relaxed. "I see your point, my lord. Thank you."

The Dukex returned to the room at this juncture. "Ah, you are here at last, Bertram."

Bertie stood and bowed. "Yes, Your Grace. I do apologize for my tardiness."

Julian kissed Bertie's cheek. "No harm done." They fussed at his cravat, giving it a tweak here and a tug there. Then they looked down at Charles and Gavin, still seated on the sofa. "Are the two lovebirds ready?"

Charles and Gavin stood.

Julian stepped up to Charles and eased their thumb across his forehead. "Stop fretting so, child. I do wish you would trust me when I am only looking out for you."

"It just seems like a lot of bother."

"Yes, well," Julian said, looping their arm around Gavin's arm and leading the way out of the room. "In my experience, it is always better to be overly cautious. A small misstep can cause serious repercussions. I want to see you both flourish in society." Charles couldn't see Gavin's face, but he supposed the young man must have looked horrified at Julian's comment for the Dukex chuckled and said, "Good heavens, child. No need to take on so. I have everything well in hand."

Charles privately wished Julian did not insist on having everything in hand. But he knew better than to argue. He decided to take his annoyance out on Bertie instead. "Don't look so smug," he muttered. "You know you're next."

"And you know that you will be just as smug when it's my turn," Bertie replied. "So forgive me, my sweet, if I indulge in some amusement."

And because Bertie was completely correct, Charles inclined his head in agreement and didn't say another word about it.

The morning of their trip dawned sunny and clear. Bertie arrived in time to watch the spell casting, always filled with an academic curiosity where magic was concerned.

Charles did not attempt to hide his annoyance as he watched Julian chalk a circle around where Gavin stood in the middle of the sitting room. As Charles crossed his arms over his chest while he watched, he was able to mask some of his tension when Julian cast the spell. As much as he trusted the dukex, he did not like seeing his beloved the center of a spell's focus. He would never rid the memory of Gavin being weak and vulnerable after miscasting a spell that winter. Thankfully, Julian knew what they were doing, far more adept at spellcasting than Charles was. Bertie gave Charles a reassuring nod to indicate that all seemed well from his point of view.

Julian caught the look and gave Charles a light pat on the cheek. "Silly child," they said with a tsk. "You really think I would have done anything to endanger Gavin?"

Instead of answering the pointed question, Charles looked at Gavin himself. "Are you all right?"

Gavin looked himself over and tentatively patted his arms and chest. "I think so. That is, I don't actually feel any differently. I'm more concerned that it didn't take."

"Why don't you help him out of the circle, poppet," Julian said.

Charles extended his hand and Gavin reached for it, but their hands hovered apart as if a solid layer surrounded Gavin's body.

Gavin frowned and, in concentration, seemed to lean his weight a bit more into the space under his own hand. Charles felt a light pressure over his palm, but the space between their hands remained consistent as his arm dipped under the weight.

Julian looked pleased. "Excellent. You can even help him in and out of the carriage. So chivalry is not quite dead."

Charles rolled his eyes. "This is absurd."

"You do not wish to go after all?" Julian asked.

"I did not say that ."

"Good. The carriages should be ready by now. We mustn't waste any more time."

Charles forbore pointing out that they'd be on the road by now if it weren't for this silly experiment. Charles assisted Gavin into the carriage the same way he'd assisted him out of the circle. Bertie cast a speed spell on the carriages and Charles' horse, and they were off.

When they arrived in Tutting-on-Cress, Gavin's aunt wasted no time in dismantling the spell. And then Charles wasted no time in pulling Gavin close and kissing his cheek. Gavin blushed and glanced at his aunt and uncle.

They both laughed good-naturedly.

"We had the same impatience before our wedding," Gavin's aunt said.

Charles was relieved to note that Gavin's relations were evidently much more lenient about shows of affection than Julian was. Before he had time to fully register that, however, he heard a woman shout, "they're here?"

Soon a short and pretty redheaded woman dashed out of the house, her skirt kicking up as she ran. Charles knew this had to be the famous Miss Geraldine Hartford. She grabbed Gavin into a tight hug, which confirmed this guess. To his surprise, Gavin hugged her back every bit as fiercely.

"It's good to see you, Gerry," he murmured.

Gerry stepped away from her brother and pulled Charles into a hug too.

"Really, Geraldine," her aunt said behind her. "You ought to wait until you're introduced first before you go around embracing people."

"He might as well get used to it," her uncle chuckled.

Gerry stepped back and beamed up at Charles. "I feel as if we are friends already," she said. "Welcome to the family, Charles!"

Gavin slid his hand into Charles' and suddenly Charles was sure that it had been worth all of the inconvenience and bother of the spell in order to hear those words and see Gavin smiling at him with such fondness.

Gavin squeezed his hand. "I told you she'd say that."

A sense of calm that he hadn't known he'd been missing settled over Charles as he kissed Gavin's cheek and then grinned at Gerry. "You are perfectly right, my dear," he said. "We are friends already."

Then he offered Gerry his arm as they strode into the house.