The party bored Jay to tears. Everyone who was anyone had shown up and people absolutely swarmed the mansion. Nobles were everywhere, though Jay would have used the term very lightly with this crowd. He knew most of them, and noble wasn't the first on his list of words for the lot of them. Stifling a yawn, he hung back, more content to simply observe.

Not too far away, Mary Price, a well-known socialite, attempted to woo Jay's nephew—a handsome young man of eighteen. Jay chuckled to himself, quite happy to watch the older woman seduce a man who would make horrendous faces behind her back while Jay watched.

If he had to choose the life of the party, it would be William. Jay's nephew was a brilliant, strapping young man with his head in politics—precisely the reason, among others, that Jay was simply holding the lands and titles for him. For himself, Jay just wanted a normal life.

As he scanned the room once more, Jay spotted one lone, young man hovering near the open balcony doors. From the indecisive look on the man's face, it was clear he might be attempting an escape. He also seemed to be the only one in the entire room wearing jeans. Short, curly blond hair caught the light from the chandeliers above, and silver flicks of light danced in his hair with the movement of his head.

To say that Jay was intrigued would have been an understatement. He wasn't sure if it was the look of sheer boredom on the man's face, or the almost sinfully tight jeans. Whatever it was, he moved toward the man before he'd even realized it.

"Good evening," he said, offering his hand.

For a brief moment, the stranger appeared startled, as though caught doing something he shouldn't. The look faded as a bit of a smile took its place. Taking hold of Jay's hand, he shook it firmly before releasing it. "Hello. Would it be rude to ask who you are?"

Jay smiled in earnest for the first time all day. "Jay Alistair. And you?"

"Devon Brooks. I can't remember any of the names I heard today. But my mother thinks these people are important enough for me to exert myself."

Cocking his head to the side, Jay asked, "Do you drink?"

"Well, where I come from, I'm not of legal drinking age, but I guess I am here."

"How old are you?" Jay asked pointedly.

"Nineteen. Why?" Giving him a quizzical look, Devon shrugged slightly.

"Excellent." Setting his wine glass on a nearby table, Jay turned back to Devon and leaned close, whispering conspiratorially in his ear. "There's a pub just outside of town. Join me? I'll buy you a pint or two. You look about as out of place here as I feel."

Dev glanced quickly over his shoulder. He nodded, looking a great deal relieved. "You're the only one to approach me without my mother having to drag you. Yeah, I'm really out of place and could use a drink or two."

Taking a quick look around, Jay spotted his mother. She was thoroughly engrossed in a five-way conversation. Smirking, he looked back at Devon. "Follow me. We'll use the cook's entrance; otherwise, we're likely to be spotted."

He headed for a door off to the side, almost hidden by an ornate, white marble column. With a quick glance around, he opened the door and held it for Dev.

Following silently behind this new but far more interesting gentleman, Dev slipped through the doorway. The whole time his eyes had been on his mother, hoping she wouldn't notice him taking off.

Closing the door, Jay let out what sounded like a sigh of relief. "We'll go through the kitchen. The cooks won't say anything."

He led the way down the short hall to the kitchen, which was bustling and hectic. People were everywhere, scrambling to get the food and drinks out to the guests in the main ballroom. Sneaking silently into the kitchen, Jay stayed near the far right wall, nodding here and there before tugging open a heavy wooden door.

"After you," he said with a grin.

"I'll probably pay for this later, you know?" Dev headed outside. A part of him felt a bit guilty about it, but he was having fun.

"So will I," Jay said as he closed the door behind them, "especially if my mum finds out."

They were outside, just behind the mansion, in a parking lot. Most were servants' cars, Dev assumed, though a few looked a bit too expensive to be anything other than guest cars. Jay took a quick look around and crooked a finger at Dev, beckoning him along. When he reached a motorcycle, he grinned.

"Lucky I keep a spare helmet," he said as he handed one to Dev before sliding the other over his own head.

"Awesome bike." Putting the helmet on, Dev strapped it under his chin. "Any place to take this out and let her go?"

"Thanks," Jay said. He settled on the bike and waited until Dev was snug up behind him before starting it. "If you want, we can take the long way out of town. There are several roads that way where I can open it up."

Snaking his arms around Jay, Dev held on. "Do it then."

Jay pulled out of the car park and onto the back driveway Dev figured the mansion's staff used. Once on one of the less-traveled roads, Jay gunned the engine. The bike purred loudly, the vibrations soothing and sweet, as they hit 128 kilometers-per-hour. Dev had a sneaking suspicion it was well over double the speed limit in town.

Hugging tightly to Jay, Dev started laughing. "This was the only time since I've arrived in England that I've had any fun at all."

Pulling up in front of a small pub, Jay finally felt free. He'd gotten ungodly tired of the pomp and circumstance of the life he was expected to lead. This was much better, in his opinion.

Hanging his helmet on one of the handlebars, he slid off of the bike. "They know me here," he said. "They won't say a word."

Taking Devon's helmet, Jay set it on the other bar then led the way into the pub. The atmosphere was filled with smoke and quiet conversation. Several of the locals glanced over at them and gave Jay a nod before they turned back to their pints.

"You find us a table, and I'll get our pints. You like Guinness?"

"I'll find out when I taste it," Devon answered Jay before he quickly glanced around, looking for an empty table. Spotting one near the back wall, he walked over to it and settled in a seat.

Jay just laughed and went up to the bar. After a few minutes, he had two pints in his hands: one Guinness, and one a mild German beer. He sat down across from Devon and put the beer in front of him.

"Now, I will tell you this: Guinness is an acquired taste." He held out the pint of Guinness. "Try it. If you like it, you're welcome to it. If not, there's a beer for you."

"I'll take your word for it since I've never had one." Taking the pint, Dev swallowed a small bit. Instantly he made a face and shook his head as he handed it back to Jay. "I think I'll try the other one."

Jay laughed and took a slow sip from the Guinness, eyes closing in appreciation. "It's good if you're used to it—nice and thick and smooth."

Taking a swallow of the other beer, Dev found it wasn't as hard to drink. "Let's leave that one to you right now. I've never had a drink in my life."

An eyebrow rose as Jay took another drink, peering at Dev over his glass. "So, how did you come to be a fellow wallflower back at Wharton Manor?"

"My mother. She works for the government, and she's been dragging me around. I'm starting to wonder why I agreed to stay here for six months with her." Shrugging slightly, he added, "But, I agreed to it."

"I'm assuming you are not English, then?"

"Lived in the United States most of my life. I was born here, but my parents divorced when I was two. My dad took me to the States, and this is the first time I've been back here." Taking several small drinks of the beer, Dev was careful not to drink too much too fast.

"I see." Jay finished off his Guinness and set the glass down. "Have you seen or done nothing in England to make your stay worthwhile? Nothing fun or exciting?"

"Other than ride on your bike, nope. It's mostly been a stuffy bunch of Lords this, that, and the other. My mother enjoys it, but I think it's boring."

"Where are you staying?" Jay asked. "If you'd like, I could show you some of the sights, from the back of a motorbike, of course."

"We're staying at the Wharton Manor for a week. Some house party thing or other for all the bigwigs. Then we're going back to London, I guess."

"Then it is settled. I will steal you away from the nobles—and I use that term loosely, mind you—and we'll get some take-away from one of the town pubs."

"Maybe you can show me some of the fun things to do around here. My mom isn't exactly a fountain of fun." Dev grinned at him. "I love the woman, but damn."

"I can do that. You dance?"

"I can dance, and a hell of a lot more than just ballroom."

"I know a few good places to go then," Jay said. "Though I hope you can overlook the fact that most of the patrons are men…dancing with other men."

"Well, I was going to mention the fact that I don't have a thing for women. So it shouldn't bother me." Dev didn't even bat a lash as he talked. He had absolutely no problem with people knowing his preference.

"Well, then." Jay sat back in his chair, looking easy in his skin. "That makes two of us."

Dev eyed him, vaguely surprised, his gaze drifting over Jay. "Are things as easygoing here as they are in New York? Or are people more uptight about that sort of thing?"

Jay shrugged. "Depends on where you are. I'm out, for the most part, though my mum hates the fact. She wants grandchildren, but knows she'll never get them from me."

"It doesn't bother my mom or dad, but then they were always the progressive sort. For the most part, anyway." By now, his beer was only about a quarter empty, and Dev wasn't in any hurry to finish it.

"So, if you don't mind me asking, when did you realize you liked men?"

"When I started noticing them more than girls. I never liked being around girls that much. Not even when I was little. What about you?"

"About sixteen years ago," Jay said. "I was thirteen when I first discovered there were other things I could do with my dick than piss. I never thought about girls, though. I always thought about the guys at school."

"So you're twenty-nine? Not a bad age," Dev teased. "I know my dad noticed things, and it never seemed to bother him. And we made it plain to Mom so she wouldn't run around and try to set me up in hopes of grandkids."

"Mum never could handle it," Jay said. "Dad and my brother never thought twice about it."

"Hard on you, I imagine. I've had friends whose parents disowned them over it. My cousin's mom kicked him out when she found out. He stayed with me and my dad." Frowning slightly, Dev reached for his beer. It wasn't something he liked to think about if he could help it.

"So, why are you here instead of with your dad, then? You seem like you'd be much happier with him."

"When I graduated from high school, my mom wanted me to stay with her. I agreed. I've only been here a week, and I'm willing to give it a bit of time. I just hope things get less boring."

"I'll do my best to make certain that it does," Jay said. "How about we go out tomorrow? We can stop by one of the pubs, grab some take-away, and head out to see the sights."

"I can handle that." Glancing down, Dev caught sight of the time. "Shit, I better get back before my mother notices I'm not there at all."

"Then it's a date."