Sequel to An Increasing Entanglement
After the adventures of the spring of 1808 in Regency London, while beginning to fall in love, Clem Metcalfe, Abe Pengelly, and Humphrey Atkinson have the entire summer to consolidate their romantic relationship.
But change is already afoot. Abe has distanced himself from his criminal past, now gainfully employed at the military headquarters of Horse Guards, sifting through valuable information to further the cause of the long war against France. Humphrey, at the whim of his beloved Aunt Cece, might have to depart from London and his lovers for the countryside together with the rest of high society. And Clem is studying hard for his longed-for reinstatement at Oxford University in the autumn, which will inevitably mean leaving his lovers at a distance.
While the trio juggles their everyday routines, a shadow from the past reappears to threaten their harmony. Can Clem, Abe, and Humphrey thwart their mutual enemy for good? And might they finally have a chance to reach their happy ever after?
Humphrey stripped down to his exercise breeches and hurried through to the main room of the gymnasium to find Abe already in the ring, wearing Humphrey’s spare pair of breeches, trying on a pair of mufflers or boxing gloves.
If Humphrey was awed by Abe when clad in evening dress, he was rendered speechless at the sight of his lover clad only in slim-fitting breeches, stockings and pumps, revealing the bronze skin that Humphrey loved to kiss and touch.
Humphrey admired Abe’s back view, with his thickly muscled shoulders, tapering to his trim waist. The breeches were like a second skin against his taut backside and thick thighs, the power of which Humphrey recalled too clearly for comfort for his equally brief clothing.
Humphrey was only dimly aware of another thick-set man entering the ring. With a final word of advice to Abe, Elias came to stand beside Humphrey.
“I wanted to gauge Mr. Pengelly’s measure,” he said, giving a nod to both men who were awaiting his signal.
They circled each other warily, neither of them keen to rush headlong into an exchange of blows. For such a big man, Abe was surprisingly light on his feet. As an amateur pugilist, Humphrey admired Abe’s deft, instinctive footwork that kept him out of reach of the other man’s fists. Clem would say he’s had enough practice running away from constables and night watchmen, Humphrey thought with an irreverent grin.
He approved of Abe’s basic tactics and that luscious physicality on full display, but at the same time, Humphrey was aware that this was a fresh aspect to his man.
There was no sign of the tender and passionate lover who reduced Humphrey and Clem to paroxysms of ecstasy, nor the domestic side of Abe in the role of a dutiful son, always respectful of his beloved mama. Or even the shrewd operator who had got the better of Farquarson, plotting to beard him in his den to acquire Clem’s references, and now using similar skills to protect his nation.
The version of Abe that Humphrey saw in the ring was a watchful hunter, bristling with aggression and honed instinct. Despite his better instincts, Humphrey was secretly thrilled by this display.
Abe shifted away from his opponent’s first approach, an easy parry to test Abe’s agility. The next move from his sparring partner was more disciplined and calculated. Abe sidestepped the blow as neatly as a cat, planting a jab to the man’s ribs.
At this signal, the more experienced fighter acknowledged that this was no soft-living gentleman who required gentle handling.
The fight began in earnest, both opponents seeming to take grim pleasure in each other’s well-matched strength. Despite his lover’s commitment to proceedings, Humphrey had the distinct impression that Abe was holding back. In a different place and in other circumstances, he could have made mincemeat of his opponent.
However, Abe seemed content to abide with the rules in these civilised surroundings, or at least picking them up swiftly as the fight progressed. After an exchange of blows, with honours even on both sides, the two men were locked in a pugilistic embrace with no clear outcome.
“Enough,” Elias called, clearly satisfied with the short exhibition. The fighters disengaged immediately. The sparring partner opponent clapped Abe on the shoulder in evident approval, saying something that made Abe grin.
The trainer beckoned imperiously to Abe.
Humphrey had a close view of Abe’s half-naked body, his torso gleaming with perspiration, his massive chest heaving with exertion.
“You know the basics, anyway,” Elias said with satisfaction.
“You’ll find I’m a quick learner when I put my mind to something.”
