A Proper Lover (Ganymede Quartet Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

knelt down to hold Henry’s trousers ready for him to step into.
    Dinner was uneventful. Mother pushed food around her plate with the back of her fork but ate very little. Father and Timothy conferred in low voices and Timothy took dictation while Father cut up his food with very precise movements of his utensils. Watching his father efficiently dissect his lamb, Henry observed that Father was a man who got things done in every fiber of his being; Henry did not take after Father at all.
    “Henry,” Father said, as the cake plates were brought in, “I’ll want to see you in my study after dinner. We’ll go directly down after dessert.”
    Henry froze. What had he done? Had someone found out what he was doing with Martin? Was Martin about to be taken from him? His hands shook so that his knife and fork rattled on the dessert plate; he thought it better not to eat dessert at all rather than show his nerves. Father either did not notice Henry’s distress or did not find it concerning.
    Henry wanted to take Martin by the hand and run from the room, to leave the house and go somewhere, anywhere, where they wouldn’t be found again, but instead he sat in his chair, obedient and full of dread. He wanted to turn around to look at Martin but dared not even flinch in his direction for fear it would somehow hasten their separation.
    Father pushed back from the table, Timothy moving his chair out of the way, and there was nothing for Henry to do but follow suit. Pearl helped Mother up and they all left the dining room and headed for the front hall. Henry always felt dwarfed in his father’s looming presence, and tonight, feeling helpless, Henry felt especially small.
    When he looked at Martin, Martin seemed more confused than upset. “Do you know,” he asked in a whisper, “what your father wants, Sir?”
    “No,” Henry whispered back. “It can’t be good, though.”
    “Say goodnight to your mother,” Father prompted, and Henry obediently kissed his mother’s cheek. She and Pearl began to climb the stairs as Father and Timothy turned down the south corridor heading for Father’s office. Father looked back over his shoulder. “Henry,” he said. “Stop dilly-dallying.”
    Henry’s mouth was too dry to speak; he swallowed and rasped out, “Yes, sir.” He dared to reach for Martin’s hand and gave it a quick squeeze.
    In the office, Henry sat in front of Father’ desk in what he thought of as the lecture chair—and here he was, about to get another lecture, at the very least. Martin stood behind him, his presence a little comforting.
    Timothy moved about preparing Father a drink and went to stand behind Father’s chair, smiling at Henry quite fondly, so Henry began to wonder if his fears were perhaps exaggerated. Timothy would not be so cheerful about taking Martin away from him, after all.
    “It’s a serious matter we need to discuss, son,” Father began. “Timothy brought it to my attention, and I thought it best to discuss it with you now, early on.”
    Was it about the oil? About Henry waiting so long to fuck Martin? Was it about all of Henry’s inappropriate actions, his wanton lovemaking ? Henry sat very still, his face very hot.
    “I want to let you know what would happen to Martin if some sort of mishap were to befall you,” Father said. “You’re such a young man—a boy, really—that I’m sure it’s difficult for you to imagine that you might die, but young men do die from time to time, after all. Timothy here has first-hand knowledge of that, you see, and it’s necessary that we have a plan. Timothy’s original people didn’t have a plan and it caused him all sorts of problems.”
    Henry relaxed fractionally, exhaling a held breath. “I’m not in trouble for anything, then.”
    Father frowned at him. “No, son. Didn’t you hear a word I said?”
    “Yes, sir. I-I guess I’m just surprised.”
    “Well, I need you to think on this, Henry. Of course, Martin is technically my possession