Chapter 26

Daniel

They left some twenty minutes later. As they galloped along the country road, Daniel pulled the carriage window open as far as it would go, willing some cooling breeze to enter their confined space. He kicked off his shoes and undid his necktie, then loosened the collar of his shirt, trying to cool himself down on this scorching summer's day.

"This heat is intolerable," he grumbled. Casting a look across at Ambrose, he added, "Do take off that necktie. It is making me hot just looking at you."

"I do not like to be dressed casually when I am out in public," demurred Ambrose.

"You are in a closed carriage," contradicted Daniel, "and nobody but me can see you. Now for the love of all that is holy, do it, and take off your shoes, even your stockings. We can put them back on once we are close to Oxford." He gave Ambrose a hard look when it looked like his friend was stubbornly going to refuse. With a huff, Ambrose complied, removing his necktie and untying his shoes, placing them neatly to one side. The man was obsessively tidy. "The stockings too," he said, when it looked like Ambrose was going to stop there.

With a sigh, Ambrose did as he was bid, baring his pale feet to Daniel's gaze. He studied them covertly. They were long and narrow, the toes perfectly formed. Above the ankle, he detected the beginning of a sweep of dark blond hair. He could not take his eyes off that hair, wishing he could run his hand along Ambrose's calf and up that ankle, and feel the texture of it. Would it be rough to the touch or soft?

He had never before found himself aroused by the sight of someone's feet. He supposed there was a first time for everything. There again, every part of Ambrose's body was tantalising to him. He had been infatuated with him for two and a half years, and there was no sign that his feelings were ever going to abate. For the second time that day, he felt his cock thicken in Ambrose's presence. He decided to start conversing about anything to keep his mind from obsessing over Ambrose's deliciousness.

"So," he said, "what is this you have been telling Bella about trusting your instinct about someone you meet. I had not thought you one to believe in such intangible things."

"In the nearly thirty-two years I have been on this earth, I have learned a thing or two," replied Ambrose, amused. "And that is one of them. I agree it may sound illogical, but I cannot dispute the findings of my experience."

"And your instinct has always been right about people?" queried Daniel.

"Almost always," Ambrose concurred.

"You were wrong about me though, admit it. The first time you met me, you thought I was an entitled, arrogant pup, did you not?" teased Daniel.

Ambrose raised his brows as he scrutinised Daniel mockingly. "And how exactly was I wrong?"

"Well, I suppose I was that," said Daniel, feeling a trifle flustered. "But you did not see the other, more positive things, did you?" He listed them on the fingers of his hand. "My very clever mind, my kindness, my undying loyalty to those I love, my charming sense of humour." He raised his eyes challengingly at the sound of Ambrose's soft laughter.

"Pardon me, Daniel, but for a moment there you sounded like some mama extolling her daughter's virtues in the hope of finding her a good husband."

Daniel quirked his lips, acknowledging the hit. "Touché," he said softly, then, "It is not far from the truth, you know. I am always trying to prove my worth to you."

Ambrose's grey eyes lost their merriment. "You are my dearest friend, Daniel," he said firmly. "There is no need for you to prove your worth."

"And yet I do have this need. It is in the forlorn hope that someday, you might come to feel about me the way I do about you," thought Daniel to himself, looking away to hide the sadness of his gaze.

Nothing more was said after that. Daniel put his head back on the plush leather of his seat and closed his eyes, resting for the rest of the journey. He fell into a light doze, only to be awakened sometime later by a light tap on the shoulder. "Daniel," came Ambrose's voice. "We are nearing Oxford."

With a start, he sat up and quickly began to repair his clothes. He had only just finished tying his shoelaces when the carriage drew up in front of his Oxford house. They alighted and brought their cases into the house, greeting Briggs who came to open the door. Each then went up their bedchamber to freshen up, before convening once more in the drawing room, where they partook of some reviving iced lemonade. Daniel put down his empty cup and said, "Shall we go see them then?"

Ambrose nodded and stood, not needing to be told twice. Without a word, they filed out of the room and by mutual consent headed for the back door. They walked the few paces to the next house and let themselves in. "Uncle Ambrose!" cried Edwin's voice. A moment later, he had launched himself at Ambrose, who embraced him warmly.

"I have been on the lookout for your arrival," said the young boy earnestly.

"And here I am," replied Ambrose, adding, "and I have brought company too. Say your greetings, Edwin."

Edwin made a bow in Daniel's direction. "Good day, my lord," he said most correctly.

Daniel was having none of that formality. "Good God!" he exclaimed. "Do not ‘my lord' me, young man." He lifted the boy into his strong arms and chided, "I have told you before to call me Uncle Daniel."

Edwin gurgled with laughter. "I forgot!" he crowed.

"See that you do not do so again," replied Daniel with mock severity. "Now lead us to your mama."

Together, they entered the drawing room, where they found Lexie bouncing a tearful Emily on her knee, trying to ease her fussing. She smiled at them distractedly, "She does not like this heat, poor child. I cannot seem to calm her down."

"Let me," said both men at once, holding out their arms. Daniel was the quicker, taking Emily and lifting her up high above his head, making her squeal with laughter.

"Well," said Lexie in amusement. "That is one way to stop her cries." She turned to Ambrose as he folded her into his arms, kissing her lightly on the lips. "Hello, darling," she murmured.

Daniel was busy with Emily, but he did not miss the affectionate embrace. He tried not to feel envy, he did, but he was only human. To ease the ache, he turned his back to them and kept his eyes on the sweet little girl in his arms. She was laughing out loud now, as he swooped her into the air. He felt a little proud at his prowess in calming the child. That pride was soon pierced by Lexie's next remark.

"Your arms will tire, Daniel, and when they do, the poor thing will start her fussing all over again, just mark my words." She tempered the comment with a smile. "But it is good to see you," she added.

He brought Emily down to his hip, holding her securely as he smiled back at Lexie. "It is good to see you too, and looking so well. Being out in the sun has added some fetching colour to your countenance."

She touched her cheek self-consciously. "You mean it has brought out my freckles," she said.

"I do not hold with the current fashion for wanting females to look pale and wan. You look delightful, Lexie," said Daniel, using the same flattery that worked with Isabella. In his arms, Emily began to grouse once more.

Ambrose stepped over to him. "Enough with your flirting, Daniel, and my turn now. Give her to me."

Reluctantly, Daniel released his precious charge and watched Ambrose take his daughter, cooing softly to her. She quieted immediately. Ambrose looked up triumphantly. "See, that is how it is done," he said with a hint of smugness.

Lexie burst out laughing. "I see I shall be treated to a contest between the two of you as to who is best at calming Emily. But please do carry on, as it will give me some welcome respite."

And indeed, the two of them spent the rest of the day vying for Emily's attention. Whenever she began to get fractious, the other would hold out his arms, saying, "Give her to me now." It was an amicable contest though, for being with Emily brought them too much joy and relief from their cares for any real enmity to develop. It was Ambrose who soothed his daughter to sleep with a soft lullaby later that evening. Daniel sat close by, watching his friend, awash with soppy sentimentality. After Ambrose had taken Emily upstairs and placed her gently in her crib, the two of them said their goodbyes and returned to the Stanton house.

Walking into the dim hallway, Daniel turned to Ambrose and said softly, "Thank you for bringing me here. It has been the most joyous of afternoons." It had indeed been joyous, but at times like these, Daniel wondered if this familial closeness with Ambrose would be enough. He could not prevent himself from wanting more.

Ambrose pressed his shoulder gently. "I am glad, Daniel. Goodnight, my dear friend."

"Goodnight." They parted ways, each going to their separate rooms and to a night of mostly restful sleep.