Free Collingsworth by Andy Eisenberg Page B

part of the young lady and the roles will be reversed at tomorrow’s lesson. Gentlemen, you will hold your young lady’s right hand like so.”
    The couples had sorted themselves into their genders for the afternoon and were busy molding themselves into the positions described by Dr. Kennedy. Having agreed to be the “young lady” for the afternoon, Michael stood with his left hand resting on Joseph’s muscular shoulder and his right clasped loosely in his partner’s left. He tried to pay attention to the instructions given by Dr. Kennedy, but he found himself distracted by Joseph’s closeness and the similarity of their position to his fantasies about David.
    Dr. Kennedy stopped weaving between couples to correct position or step and moved to the piano. “Gentlemen, let’s attempt an entire waltz, beginning to end.” He knocked on the piano for the accompanist to begin.
    Both men were athletic and moved easily through the steps of the waltz as Joseph led Michael toward the edge of the dance floor, away from the clumsier of their classmates, and pulled him a bit closer as they grew comfortable with the other’s movements. “A bit ironic, don’t you think Taylor?”
    His mind filled with the delicious heat of Joseph’s body, the sight of David dancing a few feet away, and the fear of the discovery of his erection, Michael couldn’t process David’s question. “I’m sorry, Bishop, what did you ask?”
    “Don’t you think that it’s all a bit ironic? The school lectures us against special friendships, expels men who are caught with each other and yet forces us to dance in each other’s arms.”
    Michael’s step faltered at the daring mention of the very thoughts that had consumed him from the minute that he felt Joseph’s hand in his. He caught his step easily but didn’t know if it was safe to respond, as the merest whisper of suspicion was enough to be brought in front of the headmaster to face possible expulsion. Without a powerful family behind him, he was more likely to be expelled than most of his classmates and he needed to graduate if he hoped to be an officer.
    When Michael didn’t respond, Joseph continued, “You must miss a lot being a day-student, but their lectures are completely useless. Don’t believe that it’s only the students either. More than one professor has been sent away in disgrace, and there are more who have never been caught.”
    Michael listened, unable to believe that his classmate was so bold. “I don’t believe this conversation is entirely proper, Bishop.”
    “What fun is there in being proper?” Joseph leaned in until their chests pressed together and Michael could feel warm breath against his ear. “The English classroom is empty. Come with me and we can be improper together.”
    Horrified, Michael was saved from answering by Dr. Kennedy. “Decorum, Mr. Bishop. That’s all for today, men. Back tomorrow at the same time.”
     
    *  *  *
    The walk home that evening passed in fevered thought. Michael was puzzled by his own body’s reaction to Bishop’s unwelcome request, by the feel of a warm masculine body against his, by the almost unbearable yearning he felt when he looked at David. He had had the chance to spend the afternoon in David’s arms and he had allowed it to slip through his fingers, knowing that he would have disgraced himself entirely.
    The butler met him in the foyer when he finally reached the house he had called home for six years. “The family are in Boston, shopping. Would you like a tray in your room or would you prefer the dining room?”
    He handed his coat to the butler, choking down the bitterness toward his cousin and his family. His cousin never let him forget that he was there only because of the family’s generosity, and his wife held him out to her friends as evidence of her philanthropy. They took regular shopping trips to Boston and New York while he had his collars turned and had to accept charity from the professors for