Page 21 of Tears of Gold

“I was just saying Faith should run for the hills instead of marry into the Faircloughs.”

Lawrence can’t know how close to the mark his words are. My gaze settles onto Elijah.

“Dad, for God’s sake.”

“Well, come on, you two were married for three years. I’m a pastor for goodness' sake and even I’ve managed to accept it despite the fact that everything about it disagrees with God’s word. But the Faircloughs here can’t even acknowledge you are in the room.”

An awkward silence hangs over the room. Lawrence’s voice is loud enough to carry through the Bowsley dining room.

He carries on regardless. “It’s all about face value and money with them. It has been since you both met.” Jeremy’s mum shoots me an apologetic glance and pulls on his arm. “I mean, look, even his own father isn’t here.” Elijah gasps, but Lawrence doesn’t stop. “If it hadn’t been for Faith and Elijah finding you, you wouldn’t be here, either, and you’re his husband.”

A shocked murmur runs around the room.

"I’m sorry,” Jeremy speaks to Eli, who doesn’t seem to even be connecting with what’s going on. “We shouldn’t have come, emotions are running too high.”

It takes a moment, but Eli finally snaps out of his daze. He coughs and clears his throat, swallowing awkwardly. “No, Jeremy.” He raises his voice so the whole room can hear. “You are Peter’s husband. You should be here more than anyone.”

If a pin dropped, I’d be able to hear it.

No one knew he was gay. Now he’s married and gay.

My gaze sweeps across the room and I find Connie Fairclough watching us with sheer hatred. Her gaze narrows onto where my hand is clutched tight in Eli’s. Jennifer sobs, her shoulders shaking as she pulls the attention away from us to where she’s dabbing her face with a tissue.

This is like some awful drama.

“Jeremy, come on, these people don’t deserve you.” Lawrence tries to pull on his son’s arm, but Jeremy doesn’t budge.

“No, Dad. But Peter did.”

He watches, his face creased as his father walks his mother away, until I step forward and hold his arm. “Come on, let’s go to the library and get horribly drunk.” It’s about all I can think of.

His eyes shine and I swallow down a stifling wave of unprecedented emotion. “That sounds like a good idea.”

So, I pull him from the room, Eli staying behind to fend off his mother and the guests. The whole time I can feel Connie’s gaze on me, and I know there is no way that woman is finished with me yet.

What she doesn’t know is that I’m prepared for anything she can bring.

Eli finds us eventually. We are all camped out in the library. Gerard and Sienna are with us and everyone is… well, let’s say the priceless whisky that can be found in Bowsley lights a steady fire in one’s gut.

“Hey.” He drops around the back of the leather armchair I’m sunk into and kisses the top of my head.

“We didn’t save you any…” I squint at the bottle. “What’s that stuff called again?” I wave my hand at Gerard for him to fill in the blanks in my vocabulary.

“Bowmore.”

“You drank the Bowmore without me? Bloody cheek.” Eli steps around the chair and lifts me up like I weigh nothing more than a small child. I possibly don’t. I still don’t remember when I last had a decent hot meal. He settles in the chair and then tucks me in his lap. I curl up, my lips pressed against the warm skin of his throat.

“You smell nice,” I mumble.

“And you smell of very expensive scotch.”

I unravel myself from his grip and grab the bottle, tilting it to see if there is any left. There’s a splash in the bottom, which I tip into a crystal tumbler.

“To Peter.” I give him the glass and lift my own in salute.

“Peter.” His eyes train on mine as he knocks back the amber rocket fuel.

“How much trouble are you in?”