Seduced by a Dandy ~ The first novelette from "Different Desire", a Gay Victorian Romance and Erotic novelette collection

?”
    “Perchance. However, I find the hunting in England more exciting,” he said smiling more broadly , his dark eyes glittering.
    What on Earth do I reply to that ? I thought desperately.
    “I see,” I mumbled and realized all of a sudden a possible hidden meaning in our conversation. I bit my lip. Surely, he could not have meant ... I though t a nd to my mortification I helplessly felt how a blush started to form and spread over my face .
     
    *
     
    I could not help playing innuendo with this incredibly beautiful young man. He was so irresistible when he suddenly understood my concealed message. And he blushed! How perfectly adorable!
    “Would you like some refreshment, Mr Wyndham?” I asked , and to lessen his embarrassment somewhat , I added: “It is awfully hot in here, is it not?”
    “Yes, please. I mean, yes , it is rather hot and I would be grateful for something to drink, ” he said.
    I turned around to get the attention of one of the servants and returned with two crystal glasses of chilled punch.
    “Thank you,” Nathaniel mumbled as he received the glass that I brought him . To underline my hidden message and to investigate if there was a chance that my feelings were shared , I let my fingers brush his a s I gave him the glass of punch .
    A n ordinary man w ould have thought nothing of it , and if he noticed it , he would only dis miss it as a slightly clumsy gesture ; however for someone with my own preferences it w ould never be regarded as a simple mistake . To my satisfaction Nathaniel reacted as if my fingers had burnt him , and his eyes met mine and held them for a moment before he accepted the delicate crystal glass. He was about to say something when we were interrupted by Lady Anne ’s exclamation :
    “Oh, finally, the dancing is about to start! ”
    “Do you dance, Mr Cosanni?” she continued as the chamber orchestra on the low stage did their final tuning of their instruments.
    “I do, however I am afraid I do not know any English dances. S o unfortunately I cannot po ssibly ask you to dance with me, since I would not want to embarrass you,” I said , pretending to be disappointed . “Perhaps later, when I have st udied a couple of dances, I could renew my offer? ”
    The young woman looked displeased and unsatisfied, but was swiftly saved by a n older gentleman in military uniform who m she apparently knew and who had overhead our conversation . Mr Middleton left us as well to search for his wife, with whom he had promised to dance. That left me pleasantly alone with Nathaniel .
    “Is it true that you do not dance?” he inquired as the orchestra started to play and the minuet dancing bega n.
    “I do dance , ” I said slowly . “But I cannot dance her dance.”
    “That has to be a pity; she must be con sidered to be the prettiest young woman at the ball.”
    “Do you think so? ” I asked .
    “I could not say. I would not know, ” Nathaniel replied delicately .
    “ Well. S he does not tempt me, however, ” I confirmed.
    “I see...”
    “Do you?”
    “Perhaps,” he said and returned my smile. He had the most charming smile, which transformed his otherwise rather solemn features and which re vealed two small dimples . In a way it made him look a little bit less masculine, however it also made him look slightly mischievous . H e bit his lip before he continued:
    “...Perhaps, if you would like to, you could someday show me how they dance in Italy ? ”
    My eyebrows rose in surprise before I could conceal my astonishment . Well, well , I though t . Perhaps he is not altogether completely timid and shy . He is clearly an adept student and able to play along with my game . That is promising...
    “I would love to have that pleasure,” I whispered and noticed to my delight that he was blushing again. “Perhaps even later, tonight?”
    “ W hat are you talking about?” Lady Anne said, interrupting us.
    “Dancing,” I said resolutely at the same time as Nathaniel replied: “Hunting. ”
    She looked at us confused ly before she turned to me:
    “ Mr Cosanni, h ave you had time to study the dance?”
    “I have,” I lied. I n fact, I had only had eyes for the young man next to me. “Would you care to dance with me , my Lady ?”
    “ But, of course! ” she said.
    I swallowed the last of my punch and licked my lips as I looked at Nathaniel before I left and joined the other dancing couples.
     
    *
     
    I watched them leave to join the dan ce and stood there