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

in a quarter of an hour,” Oliver said in a half-strangled voice and fled the room with what was left of his ill-defended dignity. Winston’s amused chuckles followed after him in the corridor.
     
    *
     
    Everything is a catastrophe! Oliver thought harshly to himself as he walked back and forth in the parlour room. A failure of grand proportions!
    In fact, he should find Lord Henley immediately and , regardless of how awkward it would be to resign after only one day of employment, he would nevertheless be forced to hand in his notice. He would most likely not receive a good reference , and Oliver had no idea how he would solve his financial situation.
    Perhaps he could go to Manchester and visit his sister? But Manchester is horrible, Oliver thoug ht with a small shudder. He did not like the busy, smog-ridden, and industrialized town , and although he was quite fond of his sister, she had had four children in rapid succession after her marriage.
    He would not get any work done on his history thesis if he went to Manchester ; that was for sure.
    But it is better than being thrown in prison for indecent behaviour, Oliver pondered gloomily , when he heard light footsteps in the corridor.
    Winston opened the double doors and entered. His hair was still a little bit tousled but freshly combed ; however , he had not had time to shave, Oliver noticed. He still manages to look devilishly handsome, Olivier thought and frowned. The young man really was disturbingly attractive.
    “Sit down, Mr Henley,” Oliver said politely and gestured towards the French Gregorian sofa and the two armchairs. Oliver had decided to pretend that the scene in Winston’s bedchamber never had occurred.
    Winston sat down and casually threw a distractingly nice-looking leg over one of the armrests, sprawling like a bored dandy. Oliver took a deep breath and tried not to pinch the bridge of his nose under his glasses.
    “Let us be honest with each other, shall we?” Oliver said. “I need this job. Quite desperately, to be honest. But I cannot teach you unless you do want to learn. And I think I am not mistak en when I say that you do not care about studying?”
    “That is correct,” Winston agreed. He played slowly with one of the butto ns on his frock jacket.
    “But the question is why? Do you not want an education?” Oliver said and forced himself to stay calm.
    “Why should I? It is not like I am going to need it,” Winston said with a nonchalant shrug.
    “Do you not want to qualify for further studies? To get a proper education?”
    “But I do not need an education,” Winston said and spread out his arms. “I am the youngest son in the family. I am not going to take over Wycliffe Castle , and my father will not pay for me to go to university anyway. He just wants me to have a general education and probably likes to send tutors – such as yourself! – to torment me and keep me from being idle. ”
    “But …b ut surely you do want to study, do you not? To learn more?” Oliver asked, rather taken aback at Winston’s outburst.
    “No , n ot really,” Winston said. “There is n o point to it.”
    Oliver gave up and allowed himself to sigh. It is apparently quite impossible to reason with him! The conversation was going nowhere.
    “Well, then. I will talk to your father after supper,” Oliver said and rose and slowly started to gather his books and papers from the oversized writing desk. “It has been nice making your acquaintance, Mr Henley.”
    Clearly his summer job as a tutor had come to a swift end. But perhaps it is for the best in the end , Oliver tried to convince himself.
    “What do you mean?” Winston asked with a small frown. He sat up properly.
    “I have to give up my position here, of course. As I said , if you will not learn, th e n clearly I am unsuitable as your teacher,” Oliver explained , and although he felt somewhat childish , he added, “I am sure that Lord Henley will quickly find a replacement , though.”
    Perhaps someone who believes in vigorous corporal punishment if he wants any results, Oliver mused rather darkly and instantly had to throttle the unbidden thoughts about how rewarding it would be to spank his adorable student’s bottom rosy.
    I will never go the heaven, Oliver concluded to himself. But then again, all the pretty boys are probably going to hell anyway, so at least I will have company.
    “I … I had not considered that,” Winston admitted and tapped his curved lips with his