“I brought him to Millay’s. It is my responsibility. And not Cyprian’s business.”
“On the contrary,” Richard said swiftly. “He is about my business. His acts are mine.”
“Then you are an interfering spy.” Dominic relished the look of shock that brought. “Yes, I mean it, and while I am on the topic, I will not see the madam Zoë punished for what happened there, let alone for what is between Silas and myself. You may rule your empire, via your spymaster, with an iron hand, but Silas is not in your power. And as for what lies between me and you, that is our business and you will keep your accursed sneaking valet out of it.”
Richard’s fist was clenched. “You will not insult my staff, and you are greatly mistaken—”
“I am not. How dare you send your valet to act as my flashman?”
“I beg your pardon,” Richard said. “I am not familiar with the language of the stews.”
“Procurer then,” Dominic said with great clarity. “Was it your idea or the ubiquitous Cyprian’s to find—I believe I have the wording correct—‘a bully to do Mr. Frey as he likes it’? Did you presume to discuss my desires with your valet?”
Richard was reddening. “What the devil should I have done? For God’s sake, man, you were to get yourself killed! You were beaten bloody—”
“Yes, I was,” Dominic agreed. “I went and sought relief in the most sordid alleys of London, and do you know why?”
“No. I do not, I never have—”
“That’s why. That tone in your voice. Your contempt, Richard, your scorn—”
“Are you blaming me for your perversions?”
Dominic took a very deep breath. “You may say that, if you will. If you intend to keep twisting the knife. They are my desires, Richard, just as you have desires. It is possible to differ with respect, you know.”
Richard snorted. “You are hardly the man to say that.”
“I have learned it. I have learned it from a radical democratic agitator. Not, my friend, from you.”
Richard’s jaw set. “Then perhaps it ill suits you to complain that Cyprian put him in your way.”
“Oh, I am grateful for the meeting. I am even grateful for the care that I must believe motivated your interference. But I am not grateful to know that your servant sneaks around my life, and I am telling you, Richard, no more.”
“If we are safe here, it is Cyprian’s work,” Richard said low. “If we are safe at Millay’s—and you may have destroyed that—it is Cyprian’s work.”
“Then raise his pay, but keep him out of my business. I will not have it, Richard. My connection with Silas is not your concern, and you have no right over it. If you choose to close the doors of this place to me, you may do so; if you no longer wish to extend me your friendship because of it, that is your privilege, but you will not presume to act on me, or him. How dare you suggest press-ganging a free Englishman to get him out of your way!”
“I was angry.” Richard looked a little shamefaced. “I should not have written it, but—”
“But you listened to your valet’s gossip.”
“Will you leave him out of this!” Richard snapped. “He does my bidding, just as your accursed democrat flagellator does yours.”
“As a matter of fact,” Dominic said, “I do not indulge in flagellation, and if I did, it would be none of your damned business since I do not ask you to wield the whip, and most of all, Silas is not my servant!” Perhaps it was his increasing volume, but Richard flinched. “Silas is an independent man and a free man, and if he chooses to—to share my bed in the way that pleases us both—”
“It is an abuse.”
Dominic made a frustrated sound in his throat. “It is not abuse, for heaven’s sake. When will you listen to me? I want what he does—”
“I don’t mean the way he treats you, repugnant though that is,” Richard said coldly. “I mean your abuses.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You are protecting the very sort of criminal revolutionary you are bound by duty to hunt down. Using the knowledge and power your position gives you in order to defy the law. Is that not an abuse? And this man—you say you have a connection with him. What connection? How can there be a relationship between so low and so high? You are wealthy, of good family, and you could have him arrested at any time. How is that right, Dominic? How is it fair that you hold every card and he must do what you ask of him?”
It was like a blow. Dominic had to struggle to respond. “That is not how it is. That is not remotely how it is.”