Temptation ~ The second novelette from "Different Desire", a Gay Victorian Romance and Erotic novelette collection Read Free

stockings like that, Oliver concluded before he chided himself mentally. Really, Oliver. Shame on you!
    The other gentleman was dressed in a faded Wedgwood blue tailed frock jacket that failed to hide his fine-looking legs and pretty bottom that were rather impossibl e not to pay notice to. The frock jacket was simpler than Oliver had expected. In fact, Oliver had imagined the v iscount’s son would be draped in rich lace and expensive velvet, but Wins ton was dressed in nothing fancier than what a well-to-do clerk would have worn in church on Sundays.
    “Well, surely–” Oliver tried to say.
    “It will perh aps be a discouragement for you to hear that I have absolutely no interest in learning the classical languag es such as Greek or Latin.”
    “But perhaps–”
    “Furthermore, I am quite hopeless in geography and history , and I find mathematics impossibly boring.”
    “Hm m . Nevertheless, your father requested–” Oliver started to say, but he was once again interrupted. He pinched the bridge of his nose under his spectacles hard in frustration and tried not to scream. He is quite insufferable, obnoxious, and impolite and … and …
    “I have also a very limited knowledge in politics and science,” Winston concluded and turned around. He smiled in sympathy at Oliver. “I am truly sorry, Mr Sanders, but I am afraid you will find me a rather dreadful student.”
    And perfectly gorgeous, Oliver thought helplessly with a small sigh. But it can only end in disaster, he warned himself without any significant effect.
    “We will see,” Oliver mumbled instead and braved on, refusing to give up. “Perhaps we can draw up a list of subjects and see in which areas you will need the most support , and we will go from there?”
    He sternly pretended that he had not heard Winston’s complain ts regarding his ability to learn and his general disinterest in studying.
    Winston arched an eyebrow at Oliver’s remark and crossed his arms over his chest. At that moment he did indeed resemble the young pouting student that Oliver had expected him to be when he first arrived at Wycliffe Castle. Pouting or not, he still manag es to look dazzlingly handsome, Oliver noted with a hint of despair. He pinched the bridge of his nose again, harder this time for good measure, and tried not to weep for the future.
    “ Let us start from the beginning,” Oliver said after a moment and a couple of deep breaths. “Ah, yes. Classical languages. How would you describe your knowledge in Latin , then, Mr Henley?”
     
    *
     
    The nex t morning, at eight o’clock, Oliver waited for Winston in the parlour room that had been allocated for their studying.
    The parlour room was similar to most of the other rooms in the castle . It was panelled with carved oak that–although it was a fine craftsmanship–did not manage to keep the creeping cold from the thick stone walls away. In addition, the double-arched stone windows were too small to let much of the sunlight outside warm the room , an d therefore , the parlour room rested in a chilly, dimmed light. The room was sparsely furnished with a French Gregorian striped sofa in cream and navy blue, two matching armchairs, an impressively large writing desk in aged wood, and a rounded Bombe commode.
    Oliver had the faint impression that the parlour room was not c ommonly used and that the furniture had until recently been covered by sheets for protection against dust and possible sun damage.
    Still, neither the cheerless parlour room, nor the tardiness of his student could affect Oliver’s splendidly good mood because the day before, directly after his dinner, Oliver had been allowed to visit the old library and the Wycliffe book collection. It had not disappointed him. In fact, Oliver had spent the better part of the evening just walking slowly around in the quiet library and gently stroking the spines of the leather-bound books while reading the book titles.
    The late v iscount had clearly had