They played a few rounds during which Callum was winning to Zhi's increasing annoyance. Oliver's head was starting to spin, even though he hadn't drunk that much.

Callum, on the other hand, seemed perfectly sober, even though he was much ahead with his brandy compared to the others. They were given new pairs of cards when Xiao grunted. .

"Go to Hell, you Red devil." The man threw his cards and slammed a first on the table. "Enough."

He got up abruptly and told Callum it's time to go.

"Wait for me with the girls, or wherever you see fit and I'll be back in an hour. "

His master instructed. The four men got up, leaving all the money on the table and headed towards the back room.

No one tried to take whatever they had left, and Oliver decided those people were more dangerous than they seemed and no one would risk taking anything from them.

One of the girls climbed on top of the other, still on the floor and Oliver got up.

He decided to finish his brandy in the parlor, as the rest of the people were beginning to get more physical as well.

He went out and sat on the sofa Madame had occupied earlier.

It was late and as most girls were already with customers, no one was here. Oliver lit the cigarette he'd snatched from the box inside and relaxed back on the soft surface of the furniture. Everything was in the absurd colours of red and dark purple, feathers and frills from the girls garments were scattered here and there, so Oliver closed his eyes.

He was just thinking which part of this he could provide to Lord Tennyson, because he was going to have tell him something when he heard a door opening.

He sat back up and saw Ophelia.

She sat gracefully next to him, crossing her legs, and took his cigar. The woman, Oliver assumed he should think of Ophelia as a woman, took a drag, and returned it back to him. She slowly exhaled the smoke and said

"You ran away."

"I didn't, I needed to get some air."

Ophelia sat closer to him and he caught her perfume. It was different from the one Madame had and Oliver inhaled the sweet scent.

"He's never brought anyone with him before." She said. "Is he your lover, because I'm sure you're not cousins."

Oliver looked at Ophelia and decided there's no point in lying to her about their connection.

"He isn't my lover."

She put her hand on his knee then and slowly moved it up, the entire time her kohl painted eyes were holding his.

From this close it was easy to notice the stubble and the strong jaw that no make-up could hide, but Oliver found that even more thrilling.

"Expected, in fact. He doesn't like anyone." She moved her hand up and purred in his ear "Does he know you prefer men, then?"

Oliver clenched his jaw when she moved it even higher.

"I noticed it when you didn't spare a single glance to any of the girls." Her hand stopped inches from his hardening cock "even though some of them were half-naked on the floor."

Oliver grabbed her hand and stopped it.

She frowned but didn't pull back from him.

"You like him."

Oliver didn’t say anything and she added, "He's fooled you too." She lifted her hand and traced it over his cheek.

"Oh, darling. "

Oliver took Ophelia's hand and kissed it. "I don't mean to disrespect a lady like you, but..."

She lifted her other hand and put her finger on his lips "I told you you're charming.You’re so nice you don’t even want to directly tell me to fuck off. I rarely get treated that way by strangers."

"We're not strangers anymore." He said then and Ophelia smiled.

"No, I guess we are not. So we could be friends, then? "

"We could."

"Good, that's more precious. Girls like me don't have many friends."

And people like me close to none, Oliver thought but didn't say it out loud.

She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Her hand was still in his when Callum and Xiao suddenly appeared from the inside of the corridor.

Zhi was speaking something very fast in Chinese and Callum was keeping his voice even, while saying something in return.

Oliver quickly pulled back from Ophelia and withdrew his hand.

Callum looked between the two, expression unreadable.

"Ah, I see you've been keeping yourself busy. And here I was worried you might get bored, eventually."

"He can never be bored with me, my dear. " Ophelia said sweetly, a challenge in her voice.

Oliver tried to get up, but Callum said "No, no, please take your time. I'll be in the carriage."

He stormed out.

Oliver glanced at Ophelia and she only shrugged.

“He’s probably lost again. “

“Yes. Yes probably…”

They exchanged goodbyes shortly after and Oliver promised he'd go see one of her performances.

****

Callum was waiting for him inside the cab, smoking.

He'd unbuttoned his shirt and had disheveled his hair. It looked like he'd ran his hands through it numerous times and it was now more disordered than usual. He was staring in the darkness of the night, distant and unreadable.

Neither of them spoke a word or tried for a conversation.

A million thoughts passed through Oliver's mind- what was this play with the names for, and had Callum really never brought anyone with him before.

Although Oliver was almost certain this whole performance tonight had only been a test; a way for Callum to see whether his valet would go and tell his father everything the next day.

The other option was the man was actually only a gambler with real serious debts as the rumors and Oliver's information had said and Callum had only wanted to shock him by taking him here tonight.

Whatever it might have been, Oliver didn’t voice any of it and remained quiet for the entire ride; the same way his master did.

They got off the same place they had changed cars earlier and when the carriage of the manor picked them up, they moved up towards the West End.

Callum dismissed him when they got back in the mansion and told Oliver he'd see him the next day.

Nothing else.

Oliver got back to his rooms, stripped his clothes off, changed into his sleeping garments, and went to his bed.

The night was cold and Oliver had sobered up a long time ago.

He tried to sleep, but couldn't stop thinking about the red, disheveled hair and imagined Callum's lips painted the way the girls' from the brothel were.

He moved his hand lower and grabbed his hardening cock, imagining this vicious mouth around it, smearing paint everywhere.

He wanted to run his hands through Callum's hair and hold his head while the lord was sucking him.

Oliver pushed his hand in his underwear and tightened his first around his stand. He squeezed harder, trying to guess what sounds would Callum make if Oliver pushed his head lower and forced him to take him in deeper. He quickened his pace.

Oliver came, thinking about spilling inside the lord's mouth, and grunted audibly in his small room.

****

When the servant opened the door of the study for him, Oliver saw the two young lords leaning over the big table, papers scattered all over it.

A few books were lying open on the side, things marked here and there.

They both lifted their heads simultaneously when Oliver entered and the servant closed the doors from outside.

Two pairs of the same cold blue eyes pinned him and he felt like he was interrupting something, even though he was asked for.

Oliver hadn't gotten the chance to see Liam well last time in the yard, but from this close, he could tell Liam wasn't much older than his brother, although the man looked much slimmer, that impression stronger because he was also much taller.

He was also visibly distressed.

In total opposition to that, Callum was smiling, gathering the notes and papers from the table, perfectly calm.

"Good morning, Mr. Abram."

Oliver was just going to greet him in return when Liam said.

"You look oddly familiar."

He crossed his arms in front of him and regarded him.

"My Lord?" Oliver asked.

Liam's brows formed a thin, dark line and he asked. "Have you by any chance attended The Royal Military Academy?"

Oliver looked between the two. Callum was genuinely puzzled.

"This is my new valet, you saw him the other day in the yard."

So Callum had noticed them then, even though he'd pretended he hadn't, Oliver thought.

“No, I remember, but..” Liam said, still looking at Oliver "I'm ready to bet my life I've seen you somewhere before. Have you served in...?"

"I was part of Lord Charles' household." Oliver provided quickly.

"Hm...but you look like a fellow soldier."

Oliver remembered Liam had been in the army for a few years, before returning back to London where he was now entering politics.

Callum looked at his brother, a question in his eyes, but Liam only shook his head

"Don't mind me." He ran a hand through his hair. "I might have seen you there, then when I've been to the house."

Callum looked at his brother one last time but didn't ask any further questions.

He placed the documents, which were now in perfect order, with all the pages containing text facing down the table and told Oliver.

"I called you because we're going to run an errand and there's a ball coming. I'd like you to help me choose a suit, perhaps?"

"Of course, My Lord."

In the past few days, Callum had allowed Oliver closer to him more often. Oliver hadn't told Lord Tennyson anything about what had happened in the brothel, even though the young lord had most likely expected the opposite and The Lord had noticed they were spending more time together.

Relying on the fact he might have begun getting Callum's trust, or the man was still testing him, Oliver opted for keeping low for now. It would be more beneficial either way.