I sat up in the bed and reached for the box. I knew by the weight of it what it contained. Sure enough, when I flicked the silver clasp and opened the lid I saw it, that hard black obsidian phallus with a carved snake curling sensually around the shaft, and pearls embedded to portray the spill of sacred seed. I removed the Staff of Asklepios from the box and ran my fingers over the object that I had coveted for thirty years. I had wanted it because I believe it could heal me of my lust for a male bedfellow. However, after a night in the arms of Sebastian Cavell, the Staff no longer held the significance I had given it before. I did not believe that what we did was wrong, and I did not want my desire for Sebastian to be taken from me. Sebastian believed that in giving me the Staff I would have what I wanted. It was indeed the best Christmas gift I have ever received. But, although the Staff was a fascinating artifact and would complete my collection, now all I truly wanted was to see Sebastian again.
I remembered that Sebastian had removed my silver cross from around my neck and placed it on my bedside table the night before. I searched for it, but it was not there. It seemed that my gentleman thief had taken it as a reminder. I found I didn’t mind at all. It was more than a fair exchange for all he had given me.
Monday 28th December 1897
After an arduous journey taking a train, then coach, and back onto the train where the railway line was free of snow, I arrived back at my townhouse on the twenty-eighth of December. I had completely missed all of the Christmas festivities, and a heavy rainstorm had melted the snow in London to an icy slush. I hoped that my housekeeper had at least saved some of her fine mince pies for me!
Although the journey was tedious and long, within myself there was a peacefulness of spirit I had never experienced before. I found I was a changed man. If I never saw Sebastian Cavell again it would be deeply saddening, however, he had given me a gift, something that I’d lost years ago when Euan trod my heart into the dust at his father’s bidding. He’d given me back my sense of self, my pride in who I am. Euan had made me feel like there was something wrong with me for loving him so. He was happy with sex and desire, but love was an alien concept to him, and still is. He set a seed of wrongness inside me for feeling love, and that wrongness had festered over the years like a malignant wound. I had come to believe that as a deviant and undesirable that there truly was something not right or proper about me. I did not deserve to be touched because I wasn’t right. Sebastian’s care and tenderness showed me that the problem was not mine, but Euan’s, and, for that matter, wider society. He had cherished me for one night, and done more good for my soul than thirty years of prayer and solitude.
I wondered where Sebastian Cavell had gone. I knew nothing about the man. He too could have a wife and family who were unaware of his mission to assist those who have been abused and stolen from by members of the aristocracy. If Sebastian did have a wife she would have to be a very understanding woman as I was sure that with all of his guises, he was not home often!
I sat in my study at home opening a stack of letters and Christmas cards that had been delivered while I was away.
Mrs. Twigg, my housekeeper was about her chores. I heard her open the front door and then shriek and swear in the most unladylike manner. In fear, I rushed from my study and to her aid. When I arrived I found she did not need my assistance at all, for she was battering an old beggar man who had curled up on my doorstep. I reached out and removed the broomstick from her hand.
“All is well, all is well Mrs. Twigg, that will do!”
“It will not do sir, it will not do! I will not have this filthy old man cluttering up my doorstep. I just had Annie scrub that step not half an hour ago.” She ranted.
“I will deal with this Mrs. Twigg. Please make a pot of tea for two and add a plate of your delicious mince pies. Bring them to my study, quick as you can.” I ordered. My housekeeper glared at me sour-faced.
“Off you go, Flora,” I gentled, knowing that she liked it when I used her first name. She eyed me as if I had gone a little mad, but then blushed, curtsied and grabbed her sweeping brush from my outstretched hand. She waddled down the hall toward the kitchen.
I opened the door to see Josiah, the old beggar leaning on the wrought iron railing at my doorstep. He had one hell of a shiner and I hoped that it was stage make-up.
“Spare a coppa for an old soldier?” He said in his best cockney accent. But the smile that lit his face on meeting my delighted gaze was all… Sebastian Cavell.
To Be Continued
BOOKS BY ISOBEL STARLING
Shatterproof Bond Series
“As You Wish” (Shatterproof Bond #1) Novel M/M
Listen to an audio sample: http://adbl.co/2qnXRE4
“Illuminate the Shadows” (Shatterproof Bond #2)
“Return to Zero” (Shatterproof Bond #3)
“Counterblow” (Shatterproof Bond #4)
“Powder Burns” (Shatterproof Bond #5)
“Shatterproof Bond” series box
