Muffled Drum by Erastes Read Free Book Online Page B

himself examine his feelings. He’d been taken by surprise at the level of concern he was feeling for his new friend’s injury. At first, as Goertz had revealed the slice on the young man’s arm, Rudolph had been merely worried that they would be delayed, or perhaps, at worst, he’d be forced to leave Hofmann behind and continue on to Dresden with only his batman for company. But now he knew that somehow, in the past few hours, something else had crept into his mind, and it was no longer a matter of losing a traveling companion.
    There had been no instant spark when he’d met young Hofmann in camp. Granted he’d found him handsome enough—he wasn’t blind. But he had Ernst, and his lover’s dark beauty eclipsed blonds every time. Hofmann’s easy-mannered, honest-looking bone structure couldn’t compare to the startling shape of Ernst’s face, a man whom none—male or female—could ever ignore. But when Hofmann stripped off, Rudolph had found himself staring at the pale, creamy flesh, the shape of the muscles beneath the skin of his arms, and the clusters of bright gold hair on his chest and felt dazzled with the sight. It had been hard to tear his eyes away.
    Under his breath, Rudolph cursed his predilections. If he had to be struck with temptation, then why couldn’t it have been some pretty Bohemian hostler or bootblack? Some young man upon whom to slake his desire and leave behind, thankful for a few coins. Ernst would never know, and surely, for all the petty jealousy Ernst showed when Rudolph was in Berlin, he couldn’t seriously expect Rudolph to be entirely celibate when on campaign. But no, instead of a quick, torrid coupling with some country lad, or a well-met whore fucked hard into the mattress, he had discovered—like a lightning bolt from a clear sky—that he found Hofmann attractive and very desirable.
    Damn it. He punctuated the thought with a violent punch to the fence, only to give himself a splinter in the process.
    Perhaps it would be better to make some excuse. “I’m in a hurry, Hofmann, so I’m sure you won’t mind…” or “My wife will be expecting me, and…” That sounded weak even in his own mind. His wife had been telegraphed of his approach, but she knew well enough he wouldn’t race back into her arms. They had done their duty to the inheritance and Rudolph had no inclination to share his wife’s bed, and his wife knew this—and the reasons why.
    More clattering hooves sounded and he turned on his heel to see another batch of riders trot smartly past. They spotted him by the side of the road and the lead rider, a pockmarked leutnant, signaled to the troop to stop. With a smart salute, the leutnant edged his horse out of line with expert handling. “Are you in need of assistance, sir?”
    “As you were, Leutnant,” Rudolph said. “No, it’s perfectly all right, but thank you for stopping. It’s good to know that had I been in need, you would have been on hand to help.” He kept it light, aware the leutnant might possibly suspect him of desertion, although he was a cheeky pup if that was what he did assume. “I’m delayed at the inn, but am on my way home. I won’t ask where you’re going, although I feel I can guess. You aren’t the first contingent through here today.”
    “Nor the last, although I didn’t say that, sir.”
    “Of course.” He bowed almost imperceptibly. “Thank you for your concern, and give Rittmeister von Ratzlaff’s—of the Fifth—respects to your commanding officer. Perhaps afterward we’ll meet in Dresden, or better still, Berlin.”
    “As you say, sir.” The leutnant touched his horse with his knee and wheeled back into place. With another sharp salute, he took the lead, and the entire troop clattered through the ford. Rudolph watched them until they turned the bend and vanished from sight before he turned back toward the inn and the problems therein.
    He’d just have to deal with this infernal and unexpected attraction. It