Chapter 51

“Of course I wish to go with you,” Leander said with a matter-of-factness that warmed Julien.

“Very well.” Julien stood and opened the trapdoor to give his coachman instructions. “A simple problem to solve,” he said as he sat back down.

“They’ll know, though, won’t they?” Leander’s voice was hesitant. “Or at least they’ll suspect.”

“Who? Your staff?” Julien was more puzzled than disappointed by Leander’s concern. It was decidedly strange that the opinion of his staff should matter when he hadn’t cared who saw them at the opera. “I suppose they might. Does that disturb you?”

“Well…once I knew there were other people like me—like us—I tried to learn more about it.”

“Yes, I remember.” Julien grinned.

“I learned that it’s considered wrong by a great deal of people,” Leander continued, apparently having decided it was best to ignore such asides. “It’s against the law in most places.”

“It is,” Julien agreed. “You were aware of all this before the house party.”