ismenin | A Regency Tale

Good afternoon! (Morning, evening, whatever!)

It's raining cats n dogs here, I hope it's better wherever YOU are.

Here is the next part -

Thanks to LSR for beta! x

Part 20 - Revelations

The room was getting cooler, so Dom rose from the bed and replenished the fire. He then trimmed the lamp, for the wick was smoking, and returned to his position next to Elijah.

The man lay still, exactly as the doctor had placed him all those hours before, and, although Dom was so tired his eyes burned, he watched his lover closely for any signs of animation. He smoothed his brow, and could not resist kissing the cool lips.

"Oh, Lij! Had I known - had I thought...”

He settled down again, and, his head on Elijah's shoulder began to talk. He knew Elijah could not hear him, but it gave Dom some consolation to voice his fears.

"When I knew I...wanted you so much, I tried to find out all I could of you, Lij. I knew your father had kept you close. You had seen so little of life outside your own estates - how could you know how it was in the world? There were people - servants only, but faithful men - who loved you. Because of your parents' negligence, you were hedged about with people devoted to your interests. This protected you in a way, but divorced you from things young men do and learn from in polite society."

"You had never blown a cloud in the Daffy club, nor visited the Incognitas in the shadier parts of the city, or bet on a horse at Tattersall's. I thought to help you to see what was going forward in the realworld, that you might benefit from it."

Dom swallowed the thickness in his throat. "I hope Corsham explained why I had to call you out, Lij. There was no getting away from it - the gossip, had I not, would have been endless. Afterwards, I was minded to send you a note telling you that it was all a sham..."

"...then I thought it might benefit you to see what could happen if you did not guard both your tongue and your temper, for you have trouble with both, my love, and it will not do. You wear your feelings on your sleeve where I am concerned, and...because I would protect you, I let it continue."

"Now, see where it has led! If Corsham has not found the bastard who shot you, my love, I swear I will move heaven and earth until I have him brought to justice!"

"Oh, God - shall I ever forget it? Why would anyone do such a thing to you, my darlin' man?"

Dom was so transported by grief he had not noticed the slight movement beside him, or that Elijah had opened his eyes and was blinking into the dim lamplight.

Elijah's sight stubbornly refused to clear, never mind how many times he blinked his eyes. He was confused, and his head ached like the very devil. He did not know where he was, except that he was lying in bed next to the man, who, hours before, had shot him.

"You will never know how I felt when that ball hit you, Lij. Never. The lesson I had tried to teach you..."

Lesson? Dom had tried to teach me another lesson by shooting me? The man is mad as Bedlam; I must get out...away...

Elijah, in his confusion, surged off the bed in one fluid movement, and Dom, astonished by this turn of events, could only stare at his love for a few seconds. He then realised that Elijah was making for the door and, in his dazed state, would most likely fall down the staircase and break his neck.

Dom reached Elijah before he reached the door and snatched him in his arms.
Elijah was fighting him like a man possessed, and it was all Dom could do to hold him, as weak as Elijah was, for it was plain he was more terrified of Dom than aware of his injury.

Dom let Elijah pummel him with his fists even though the blows hurt, seeing as Elijah was a man, not a boy, and his fists were hard. Then Elijah fell against Dom, every ounce of his energy expended, his head pounding and his eyesight blurred.

Gently, Dom laid him down on the bed, and kissed him.

"Hush now, lie quietly, love. I will fetch you a little watered wine, for I know your mouth must feel parched."

Elijah lay exhausted against the pillows, unable to move even though he desired to be anywhere but where he was. He sipped the wine that Dom brought and submitted to having his face wiped with a soft cloth, but said nothing.

He closed his eyes again. A spiked wheel was whirring just behind them and his head felt painful and full of cotton wool. He could not think. Dom had brought him somewhere after he had shot him - but why? Why had he shot him, and why was he now tending to him with such...gentleness? It made no sense.

Elijah decided against thought, and after asking Dom to help him gain a necessary relief, fell into a natural sleep.

It was early morning when he woke again, to find an older man quietly entering the room to make up the fire.
He seemed very pleased to see Elijah awake and asked in a quiet tone - for Dom was sleeping beside him - if there was anything he required.

"A cup of tea, if you please, er...?"

"Morlock, sir," that worthy answered with a smile. "I'm Lord Dominic's man. But let me tend the fire and you shall have your tea in an ant's foot... your Grace," he amended as he saw Elijah's face.

Elijah sipped the tea thoughtfully. Morlock had brought more pillows and propped him up a little to drink the tea, which Elijah did with his eyes closed.
The double view of the world he still had, made him feel sick, so it answered very well to keep them shut.

Morlock asked him if he needed anything else and Elijah shook his head. It hurt like fury, so he said no thank you, in a shaky voice, for he desired nothing more than to go to sleep again.

After a few minutes silence Elijah felt Dom stir beside him. Elijah gave no indication that he was awake, and soon Dom came to his side, put a cool hand on Elijah's heated forehead, and soon there was a cold, wet compress easing his pain, and a gentle kiss brushed his lips.

He heard the door snick softly, and ventured to open one eye, thinking he was alone - but he was not. Dom sat, still dressed in his nightgown, beside the fire, staring into it with such a face of melancholy that Elijah forgot for a moment that Dom was the reason for his present discomfort and said,

"Ah, no, Dom! Do not, I beg you!"

Dom rose immediately and came to the bed, and took Elijah's hand in his. It was impossible to charge Dom with a deliberate assault, for on his face there lay a look of such contrition and love, Elijah was rendered almost breathless by it.

"Are you feeling more the thing, Lij? I must say you are looking a little less pale...”

Dom's feelings threatened to overcome him, but he mastered himself with an effort. "The doctor will be here soon - he will be glad to find you awake. Would you try a little toast? Or a bowl of gruel?"

Elijah made a wry face. "Thank you, but no. I abominate gruel above all things, and I do not think I can stomach even a piece of buttered toast at this present. Perhaps later."

Elijah examined Dom as carefully as a man could with one eye closed. "But I think you should eat some breakfast, Dom. You look a very poor thing, I must say."

Dom kissed Elijah's hand and Elijah could not help himself. "Dom, what happened? Did your gun misfire? For I cannot believe you meant to wound me."

The hand that held Elijah's gave an involuntary spasm. "I...I did not aim at you Elijah. I deloped - into the air. The ball that struck you was shot by someone else."

Elijah was so startled at this revelation that he opened both eyes, and, immediately sickened, closed them again. "Someone else, Dom? Who would want...? Why?..."

Elijah felt his hand being pressed against Dom's bristle covered cheek. "We did not see him, Lij. Corsham caught a glimpse of him in the trees and gave chase with Faversham. They have not as yet returned. I swear, if they have the bastard in tow, he shall not leave here with his liver intact."

Although the anger in Dom's voice was palpable, Elijah could not resist a grin.
"I am glad to have such a champion in you, Dominic. Even though it was you who challenged me to pistols at dawn, and are, perforce, the author of my present predicament."

Before Dom could find an answer to this provocative statement, Morlock announced the doctor, who seemed pleased, both with Elijah's progress, and his wound.

"It is a good thing, m'lord, that this scrape is hidden in your hair and not on your face, for it would be a great pity to mar such a countenance, indeed it would. Never have I seen such fair skin, not even on a woman..."

Which statement so surprised both men, that as soon as the doctor had bowed himself out, they fell into paroxysms of hysterical laughter, which brought its own relief - and Sir Victor into the room.

"I am glad to see your Grace awake and in such spirits," he said, smiling as he bowed and came to the bed to shake Elijah's hand warmly as Dom introduced his friend to his lover. "Although it is not how I - or you, indeed - would have wished to make our acquaintance. Did I not see you at the Opera last season? Gluck, was it not?"

Elijah made a wry face. "Gluck, indeed, Sir Victor. It was shortly before the double...disaster... struck my family. I accompanied my mother and sister, who both profess themselves aux anges over Gluck. I prefer Mozart, although there are many who think he is too modern for their tastes.”

Victor smiled. "A man after my own heart! Now, m'lord, will you take a little refreshment?”

Elijah grinned back, in spite of his throbbing head. "No, indeed, I thank you, but do you take Dominic, here, down to breakfast. I daresay he is famished!"

Elijah leant back against the pillows and sank into thought. He did not wish to show anxiety in front of Dom and Sir Victor, but who could it be that had tried to kill him? As far as he knew, he had no enemies. It was a puzzle, and it hurt his head thinking of it. He gave it up after a while and dozed off.

Downstairs in the breakfast parlour the two men were talking over the same problem over sliced ham and beef.

"Damned if I know, Victor. And as neither Corsham or Faversham have..."

They had both heard the knock at the door, but had chosen to ignore it. Only doctors and tradesmen beat such a tattoo on one's knocker before noon, so it was with great surprise they observed that the two men they had just been discussing entered with another male, who looked, to Sir Victor, rather the worse for wear.

"Beg pardon for interrupting your breakfast, gentlemen. Aye, m'lord, Sir Victor, this is the villain. Had to follow him to a devil of a place in Tally Ho - a thieves' den if I ever saw one," said Gil Faversham, with a swift bow and an eye to the table loaded with viands.

Dom stared at the person who was grasped tightly between the two men, although he did not look as if he were capable of escape.

"How is Lij, Monaghan? Do you wish us to tell you the story?" asked Barney, gritting his teeth, not giving Dom time to answer either question.
He pushed his captive into a chair with an injunction not to move or he'd be thrashed to within an inch of his life, and stared at Victor in an imploring fashion. "Or do you think we might first beg a mouthful from you, sir? The food at that place tasted as if it was scraped out of the kennels."

Victor called for more covers, and, cocking his head in Dom's direction, ascertained that the prisoner was to be permitted to eat, whilst Dom told the captors how Elijah fared.

Dom stared at the bruised face of the man - if he could be called a man - seated opposite him. It was a face he had come to know well - the face of a fellow he liked. He could not believe that he...he had meant to kill his Lij. The story had to be told - but Lij must be the first to hear the round tale. Dom could wait until then, it was his Lij that now held the upper hand. What would he choose to do with him and why had his attacker tried to murder Lij?

The prisoner sat there, trembling. He had never before been inside such a house as this, nor had he ever in his life been treated in such a rough fashion. He was not used to it, but, appeared to realize the game was up, so sat quietly and made a woeful attempt to eat his breakfast.

Dom excused himself and went to prepare Elijah for the interview. He met Morlock on the stairs and asked him to bring Cognac and several glasses to the duke's room. He had a feeling it would be needed.

"...but who is it Dom? He might still try to accomplish his mission, might he not?"

Dom shook his head and laughed - but there was no humour in the sound. "I conjecture if I do not throttle him first, Lij, Corsham and Faversham will be next in line. Here they come - are you ready?"

Elijah swallowed nervously. He was not sure he was ready to face a murderer but then Victor entered the room, closely followed by Barney and Gil, the would-be assassin held firmly between them.

Elijah gasped. "Jack?" It was Jack? Ned's son? The boy who had looked after them so well when Dom was lying injured in the woods? Jack who had delighted in making cups of tea and baking scones whilst he watched, fascinated. Young Jack?

Elijah closed his eyes, and Barney came to the bedside and put his hand on Elijah's arm. "We can leave it until you feel better, Lij. I'm sure Sir Victor has a cellar or a coal-hole in which we can stow him until you feel more the thing. You look fagged to death, your Grace, I make so bold as to tell you!"

Elijah murmured, "no, I would hear why Jack was driven to such a pass, for I am persuaded it was something of great moment to cause him to take against me so."

Gil snorted. "Well, I don't know the lad, so I'll keep mum and let Barney and Jack tell the tale."

Barney cast him a calculated look. "Faversham, I beg you will leave the room, for this tale includes elements which you have not heard, nor do I wish you to. It will be better for you, you must believe me."

Gil grinned and left. He had no desire to become embroiled in whatever farrago of nonsense that was brewing. A quiet life, a few spare guineas, and his horses was all that he desired.

"You may believe, Corsham, that nothing short of physical violence would get me on the other side of this door," Sir Victor remarked, coolly, but with a slight smile on his lips, as he closed the door. "And you must know that it is considered very bad form to order a man about in his own house. I am staying, but I swear I will not reveal what I am about to hear to a soul - living or
dead."

Dom sat on the edge of the bed and took Elijah's hand. They all fell silent, as Barney had started his tale. "I suppose I had better go back to the beginning - and it begins the last-but-one time I disappeared from town on "urgent business", if you remember it, Lij."

Victor was leaning negligently against the door, effectively blocking the way out so Jack was left standing alone in the centre of the room.

Elijah nodded, so Barney continued in a level tone. "The urgent business was that someone had informed on our activities - Sir Victor, the less you know the better. Though I'd trust you with my secrets, every man has a friend in whom he confides. As I say, someone had informed; there was a raid by ...you know... and Ned was killed. Shot dead on the doorstep of his own house. Nothing was found, but that did not much help matters."

A sob burst from Jack, who was trembling violently with fear and distress. Barney cast a swift glance at the weeping boy.

"Get him a chair, man, he looks near to fainting. We don't want another on the sick list, by God, no! One is enough."

Victor thoughtfully provided Jack with a handkerchief as well as a chair, and Jack sat and loudly blew his nose.

"Now, that would be bad enough as it was, but one of the Gentlemen had thought Lij had recognised him, and told Jack that it had been the duke who had been the informer. I'm sorry if you can't follow this, Sir Victor, but that's how it has to be. Enough harm has been caused by loose tongues to date."

"Poor Jack here - yes, I do feel for him in his loss - instead of coming to me to sort things out, decided to avenge his father, and so he rented the house to the knacker and came to town on the proceeds."

"I got into the country after Jack had left, but no-one, then, knew where he had gone, or why. But I know, now, and I know who squeaked beef on you, Lij. I am sorry, Monaghan, but I gave orders...and he has been suitably er...chastised."

Barney glanced at Dom who was looking at him in some puzzlement. "But why should I care who..."

"It was your cousin, Giles Monaghan, who told Jack that Lij was the informant."

Dom stared at Barney in disbelief. "But he was in Ireland...he had a broken leg! It could not have been he!"

Barney sighed. "But he is both young and resilient, Dom. Six weeks and his leg had mended enough for him to toodle about using a stick. And the enforced inactivity had made him as blue as a megrim. He was ripe for another spree. But he was never a reliable member of...our particular gentleman’s club. It has been given out that he took
another stitcher and sustained his, er, extensive bruising, thus. It was felt safer. I have had word today from...well, least said, soonest mended. I am sorry - but it was Lij, Lij that was harmed. I could not let it pass. He thought Lij had recognised him in Ireland. He had seen Lij through the door At Ned's place. He thought Lij had seen him, too. I knew he could not have done so. Lij would have told me."

Elijah's mind was a maelstrom of emotion. Jack had wanted him dead? His friend Barney ordered a man beaten? It was too much.

Dom saw that Elijah could bear no more at present and ordered the room cleared.

"No coal-hole, Corsham, d'you hear?" Dom demanded of Barney. “Have my man Morlock keep an eye on him. If he could manage three captured French officers, he can manage one scrawny lad. Let Lij have peace for a little while.”

Barney grinned and they took Jack off to find Morlock.

When they were alone, Dom went to lie beside Lij in the warm bed, and Elijah instinctively turned to his lover, and Dom gathered him into his arms.

Elijah slept, and Dom watched him with thankful eyes, grateful that whichever God had been listening to him the night before, had heard his pleas, and that his Lij was safe from harm at last.

GLOSSARY

Daffy - gin. Gin club
Blow a cloud - Smoke one of the new cigarillos
Tattersalls - First class horse dealer and bookmaker
Incognita - Woman of easy virtue
Aux anges - over the moon. Inordinately pleased.
Squeak beef - inform against, tell the authorities.

Current Mood: satisfied
Current Location: Still here!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

frolijah-fan-54.livejournal.com

I am so happy that Lij knows that Dom didn't shoot him!! I have a feeling Giles Monaghan will be making more trouble for them, tho. Another great chapter - I love Regency Sundays!!

From:

A Regency Tale - Twenty

Page Summary

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags