An art show in Paris. A murder in Victorian London with buzzing consequences. A new stable boy who awakens desires completely unknown before. These stories are found in this historical gay romance collection Each story offers a new perspective on love, life, and what is worth fighting for.
Tertium Non Data means the third option is unknown. At their own unique point in history, each protagonist must face the unknown hidden inside him and make a third option yet to be seen in this brave new world. Will these stories end happily? Or will each protagonist’s unknowns hold them back?
Contains the stories: Tertium Non Data, The Kissing Contest, and Surrender to Destiny.
EXCERPT FROM "Tertium Non Data"
"So what has Master Hector taught you so far?" Robert asks. He raises his eyebrows to Jimmy, who smirks.
"About poetry," William says. "That's all. He's been published, you know. He showed it to me the other day."
"No doubt," Robert says, pausing. "I always thought poetry was for fairies."
"Inverts?" William asks. Jimmy nods and William's eyes go back to his feet. He shuffles from side to side.
Robert smiles, taking another drag of the cigarette. He passes his to Jimmy when he runs out, and they stand close to one another. It is a type of closeness that William would not have noticed until the night before. He tries to think of a way to render it into words, into art, and make something between all three of them. But his mind has turned into a blank, and his head is somewhat dizzy from the harsh second hand smoke.
"Lord Hector says art can make anything beautiful," William says, though he is sure that he is butchering the delicacy of the words. Jimmy and Robert continue to smile.
"He was always a good talker," Jimmy says. "Talked me right into this job."
"What play did he show you?"
"What?"
"What play?" Robert repeats. "Did he go right for Romeo and Juliet?"
William takes in a deep breath. "As You Like It."
"Ah," Jimmy and Robert both say to themselves. Robert adds. "He must like you."
"What do you mean?"
"He is impressed by you," Jimmy says, motioning with his hands. "He didn't bother to try and talk down to you, or fool you with the plight of Romeo and Juliet."
"Fool me for what?"
Jimmy and Robert both exchange looks. The smoke is dissipating from the lit cigarette and their break time is running out. The maids in the room next to them are tittering and calling after Jack, who has been in bed most of the morning. William can hear Bessie's shrill voice silence the girls and chastises them for their volume. She will soon be preparing lunch and it will be time to go.
"Let's just say," Robert adds, "that you're one of his favourites. He is impressed by you. Don't let him down. Don't keep too many secrets from him, or he'll start to suspect."
William swallows. "What kind of secrets?"
"You're not the first person he's shown interest in."
"What happens to the others?"
"What always happens. Every good enemy needs tension, a rival, remember?" Jimmy teases. William is silent.
"Betrayal. I've seen a lot of men go in and out of here. He puts a lot of stock in words, right?" Robert says, motioning with his hands. William nods. "Just don't lie to him and you'll be fine."
William nods, his eyes to the ground as he watches Jimmy stub out his cigarette. They wait until Bessie calls to them outside to get back to work, her expression changing when she notices that William is outside too. When William walks by the mirror before washing up, he is shocked to find his skin bright pink. As he helps to prepare the house for its afternoon meal, he cannot get them to go back to normal, no matter how hard he tries.
