Page 3 of The Gentleman’s Thief

“Sorry to hear you slipped on the path outside the house. I’ll get Wilkins to spread some grit so it doesn’t happen again.” The housekeeper suggested.

Cavell sent a querulous glance to me and I winced. I’d thought it was a good enough story to cover his unexpected appearance and the fact he was wearing my garments! To my amazement, Cavell took up the threads of the story and embroidered.

“Yes, it was a frightful surprise. I went arse-over-tit in front of the Duke of Fotheringham, no less. I do hope he didn’t recognize me!”

The Duke of Fotheringham kept a townhouse four doors down from my home. Cavell must have been doing his research! Maud, who was a shy fourteen-year-old, returned with the extra crockery as Mr. Foxford Robins explained his predicament. She burst out laughing at hearing the explanation and hurriedly put the cup, saucer, and side plate on the table. It appeared that Sebastian was in his element entertaining my servants and enjoying his new persona. I was sure that, if permitted, he would give a full performance, so I stepped in.

“That will do, thank you ladies,” I said sternly, breaking the spell Cavell had cast all-too-easily for comfort. The servants curtsied and then left the room. When the door clicked shut and I could hear the tip-tap of footfalls in the hallway I turned to Cavell.

“Birdie, ay!” I smiled widely, immediately betraying my determination that I would remain stone-faced and detached when dealing with this man. Lust never usually affected my thinking or led me from my righteous path. Looking at attractive men passing in the street, or at my club, I acknowledged my desire only to myself and never acted upon it. But Sebastian Cavell could charm the birds from the trees.

“I keep a few names up my sleeve in case I’m required to think on the hoof,” Cavell explained. He sauntered to the table where the tea and sweet pies were laid out. Without even asking for permission, he picked up a mince pie and took a bite. His eyes widened in pleasure. When he’d swallowed the mouthful he exclaimed,

“Heavens! If she worked for me I’m sure I’d be the size of a barrel!” The warm tart was gone in three bites.

“Indeed,” I agreed, patting my stomach, for even though I took regular exercise I was not the wiry, flat-bellied man I had once been!

“I rescued her from the kitchens at Hadleigh House, you know?”

“Rescued?”

“They were throwing far too many parties and the poor woman was run off her feet. Flora is more suited to cater to smaller groups and a more homely palate.” I explained casually, “Come let’s take tea”.

I gestured for Sebastian to take a seat at the mahogany occasional table. I eyed him, taking his measure as he sat across from me. This was rather… intimate. I poured the tea and passed a teacup across the table to Sebastian where he added milk and sugar to suit his taste. I offered my guest another mince pie. Neither of us spoke, and so the ticking of my mantle clock and the crackling of the fire seemed amplified to my ears. There was a frisson of electricity in the air as we partook of our refreshment. I could not prevent my gaze flitting up to covertly watch Sebastian’s near-feminine shaped mouth as he chewed. His full lips were sprinkled with buttery pastry crumbs that my wicked inner voice willed me to lick away. I noticed too how he watched me, his eyes assessing every move I made.

I had tried for so many years to rid myself of lustful thoughts of men, going so far as to remain celibate and deny all feelings. And yet, Sebastian Cavell’s attentions in Glasgow washed away those years of loneliness in one-fell-swoop and so again, my mind was free for a time. My thoughts trawled through what we did and given the chance, what else I would permit Cavell to do to me. But that wishful time did not last long. My inner thoughts warred; my lust fighting with the echoes of church sermon’s from my youth preaching hellfire for sins of the flesh. I knew I needed to put a halt on this lustful train of thought for it could only lead to further blemishes on my immortal soul. I told myself that what Cavell and I had done was nothing more than a slip-up. And so I determined that after I confessed my sins to my priest, and took my penance it would be proper for me to begin again, vow to fight the devil’s temptation, and resume my reverent life of celibacy and contemplation.

I was deep in thought about the righteous and virtuous path I would choose when Cavell spoke up, shattering the silence.

“Have you been well, Benedict?” The precise way he pronounced my name sent a shiver through me.

“Quite well”, I replied formally, “And you, I trust your journey back to London was uneventful”.

“It was”,

An awkward silence fell once more and I became distinctly uncomfortable sitting in my study with this man, a man whose tenderness had shaken my very foundations. He remained a criminal–at-large on the run from the police. I realized then that it had not even crossed my mind to tell Scotland Yard of his disguises. I concluded it was very much in my best interest to keep this man on my side and out of jail. I sipped my scalding tea and then taking on a businesslike tone I said,

“What can I do for you Mr. Cavell, that is, apart from allowing you to make use of my facilities and my garments again?”

“It’s becoming quite the habit, isn’t it?” Sebastian chuckled, and the sound of his light laughter infected me, making my stern countenance soften. “I require some assistance and you are most knowledgeable, so I thought I would call in on a friend.” He explained, his eyes sparkling.

“I did not realize we were friends”, I returned roughly and then heard how mean-spirited that sounded. Damn it. I must do better.

“I would… like us to be friends, Benedict.” Cavell replied, a little wounded. I did not have many people in my life I could appropriate that label to. With my habits and peculiarities, I kept most people at arm’s length. I never offered my hand to be shaken as was expected of a man of good breeding. And so a reputation for being prickly and ill-mannered preceded me.

“What exactly would that entail?” I asked as if we were conducting a business transaction.

“What does friendship usually entail?” Sebastian sounded bemused. “Conversation, walks, dining, sharing common interests—“

Oh, I could well imagine what those common interests were!

“Would you be agreeable to beginning… a friendship?” Cavell quizzed tentatively.

I considered the offer for the length of a breath. Friendship had given me nothing but heartache in the past and so I did not particularly feel as if I knew how to be a good friend, but I was lonely and knew his friendship might just lift my spirits. I recalled the moment I saw Sebastian at my door. I was glad to see him. I had thought of little but him since our liaison. Maybe my friendship could lead him onto a more honest life path.

“Very well,” I conceded.

“And over time maybe it could be something more?” Cavell added, his eyes beseeching. I was taken aback. This was most unusual. The man was galloping ahead of himself.