All day, the Young Lord silently and gladly absorbed new knowledge.
— "See, it's better to hold the chisel like this."
— "Like this?"
— "Not quite. Now like this."
The Duke stepped behind Alex, gently reached forward, wrapping his arms around Alex's torso but not touching him. His hands lay atop Young Lord's arms: the left on his wrist, the right encompassing his fingers.
— "The best way to hold the chisel is like this. Thumb here," Nathaniel said, slightly guiding the grip.
Alex heard nothing more. His shoulders lifted, and his body instantly stiffened, like that evening with the damn ribbon. His stomach tightened, hands grew cold, and his cheeks burned.
The Duke calmly stepped aside as if nothing had happened.
— "Yes, just like that," he smiled and returned to his carving.
By evening, the heat in the workshop was nearly unbearable. The windows were open, but fresh air was scarce. Shavings floated in the rays of the setting sun, settling on clothes, hair, and flushed skin.
— "Let's call it a day," Nathaniel suggested. "Come, let's sit in the shade for a bit."
Alex gladly agreed. Both slid down the brick wall from fatigue and sat on the grass.
The Young Lord sighed as the fresh, cool breeze touched his face. He closed his eyes and brushed his hand across his forehead as if wiping away the stifling day.
— "Shall we go for a swim?" the Duke proposed, pointing toward the lake ten minutes from the estate. "That's also part of the Cunningham's grounds, so it's usually empty."
Alex silently nodded.
Reaching the shore, the Young Lord lifted his hands to unbutton his shirt but stopped, recalling today's events.
"Better stay clothed."
While removing his boots, he noticed a small ledge perfect for jumping straight into the water. He slowly neared the ledge and stood still for a moment, captivated by the golden hues of the sunset shimmering on the water. He jumped and suddenly heard barely audible noise.
The cold water embraced Alex and washed away all his weariness. Surfacing, he felt a pleasant emptiness in his mind. Water ran down his hair and face, helping him focus on the sensations in his body.
The Young Lord opened his eyes and saw the Duke before him.
"Why he... ?"
— "A-are you alright?" Alex asked anxiously, seeing his teacher's frightened face again.
Nathaniel's expression suddenly changed, and he forced a smile.
— "Thank God you're alright. I'm so sorry, I didn't get a chance to warn you. I never expected you to be so reckless," the Duke said awkwardly, chuckling. "There used to be a bridge here once, and there might still be some pilings left. I... was afraid you'd crack your head open."
Inside, Alex felt his chest tighten. He felt like a foolish child who only ever caused trouble and nothing more.
"Why do I cause him so many problems?"
— "I am truly sorry for worrying you so much," Alex replied, shamefully looking away.
— "It's alright, you didn't know. And everything turned out fine, didn't it?"
The Duke drifted towards the shore, and Alex obediently followed.
Feeling the muddy bottom with his fingertips, Alex waded out waist-deep and stopped to tighten the ribbon in his hair. He raised his hands and began untangling his wet hair, watching as the sun slowly slid toward the horizon, touching the lake with its last rays. The air carried the coolness of the approaching evening.
Alex secured the ribbon and turned to the Duke with an awkward smile.
The Duke stood like a statue, his strange expression fixed on the Young Lord without blinking.
He's probably still angry with me, Alex thought. Trying to fix the mood, he could think of nothing better than a sly smile and splashing water at the Duke.
Nathaniel seemed to snap out of a daze and covered his face with his hands. Then he smiled and splashed back.
They played in the water like two boys, and when they finally left the lake, Alex began to boast playfully about how he had "defeated" the Duke in their water games. Young Lord tried with all his might not to let the Duke become sad or disappointed with him again.
As they neared the estate, the Duke suggested Alex wait on a bench while he asked the butler to prepare a picnic dinner on the grass. They sat facing each other. The Young Lord wrapped himself in a towel and began eating sandwiches, though he barely noticed how hungry he truly was.
— "I don't want to take up any more of your kindness" Alex said as he finished the meal. "I've already taken too much of your time. Maybe it's for me to go. Thank you for today. I haven't laughed this much in ages."
The Duke smiled: "You never impose. It's I who should thank you. Without you, Sebastian probably would have forced me to deal with paperwork."
Alex stood and looked at himself. His clothes were still damp. It would be awkward to go home like that.
— "Perhaps you'd like to stay? I can find you some clean, dry clothes," the Duke gestured around the mansion. "We have plenty of space."
An image of the wedding ring he had seen earlier in the Duke's house flashed in Alex's mind. That strange feeling in the upper part of his stomach again. Maybe it was hunger? He needed to say something. He couldn't offend his host's hospitality after all he'd done for him.
Alex blurted out, "I think I'd better go home. Nothing is needed. But I'm grateful for your offer. Maybe another time. I'll be waiting for you at your riding lesson Tuesday morning."
Back home, Lady Carlston scolded her son for his appearance.
— "Alex, who goes about the streets of London looking like that?!"
— "Sorry, Mother, it wasn't intentional."
— "Quick, go change. Boys..."
Alex went into his room, peeled off his barely damp clothes, and headed to the bathroom. Before submerging in the water, the Young Lord's gaze fell on the mirror reflecting his body.
His features were as refined as any portrait: delicate cheekbones, straight nose, sculpted lips and vivid blue eyes that were difficult to look away from, once one had met their gaze. Alex was not particularly tall, but his slender, well-shaped frame and long legs gave an illusion of greater height.
The moment Young Lord came face to face with his own nakedness reminded him how he had caught the Duke of Blackthorn off guard. Alex flushed with shame at his own actions and quickly settled into the water.