A Regency Tale 22

[ismenin]

Gosh! It's Sunday again, and for the moment, the sun shines upon us, here in Welsh Wales.

So here, for your perusal, is the next part of my story. I hope the end makes you smile. :D xxx






Thanks to Lady Sunrope as always, for her beta.


Part 22 - An Uneasy Peace


Elijah did not appear to notice that many members of his staff were interested in his safe arrival at Berkeley Square. Anyone who had any business at all to be in the entrance hall was there, if not openly staring at him, then quickly glancing at him out of the corners of their eyes whilst engaged in whatever task they were performing, from the maid polishing the balusters to the footmen attending Whitney.

No-one, of course, spared Jack a second glance, for which he was profoundly grateful. He had never before seen a house like it.

The hall was the most beautiful thing Jack had ever seen. White marble columns lined the walls of the round space, and the floor was tiled with the most startling black and white squares. In each niche set into the walls stood a life size statue of some ancient person in flowing robes. He counted them. Twelve. The staircase rose majestically from the midst of all this opulent splendour, carpeted with a rich blue edged with gold, and where the steps split into two at the top, Jack saw paintings along the walls that stretched along the landing. Dozens of them.

And the chandelier! Jack stared up at the crystal confection with his mouth open. It wasn’t until a gentle voice called his name twice that Jack closed his mouth and paid attention to what was being said to him.

"Welcome to my home. This is Whitney, my butler. He will have you conducted to a room where you can rest, if you wish, until luncheon. Or you may wish to wander about and explore a little. Whitney," the duke enquired, a little wearily, "how many rooms are there in the house for Master Jack to see?"

Whitney furrowed his brow. "Not above forty, not counting the servants' quarters, your Grace. It is not a large establishment. I believe your Grace's grandfather, who purchased it, had a dislike of large town houses. He said, according to my understanding, that the servants got lost in them, and one could never find one when one was needed. But there is no danger of that, here, your Grace! There are more servants than rooms, I believe."

Elijah could not remember his father's father, but he had been told, by his nurse as a child, that the man had been very fond of him, and took him everywhere with him, until his death when Elijah was barely three years old.

He glanced at Jack, still rooted to the spot, staring with awe at a statue of Venus displaying her many charms to the interested viewer, and smiled. He never thought about his surroundings; they were commonplace to him. He had never known anything else, but as he glanced about him he realised, for the first time, that this place was exceedingly beautiful. And the statues, brought from Greece at the same time as Elgin's marbles, were, he believed, far superior in standard to that erratic peer's collection, so many of which, he knew, were sadly damaged.

He was feeling a little tired and his head had began to ache. Slade, who knew the signs, suggested in a low voice that his Grace might wish to repose himself on the day bed for an hour before lunch.

Elijah, who was desperate to close his eyes to stop the pain lancing through his eyes, nodded. "See to it, Slade. And, Whitney," he continued in a lower tone, "the Blue Room for Master Jack, if you please."

Whitney, who had an experienced eye when it came to summing up his fellow men, had planned on a room in the servant's quarters for Master Jack. But he bowed low, and said, "certainly, your Grace," in a voice devoid of any emotion he was feeling. He remembered the Regent - Prince George, as he was then - spending the night in that chamber after a particularly heavy evening drinking port with his Grace's father. How times change! he thought, but in a kindly manner. He was too fond of the little duke to question the suitability of his express orders.

Elijah lay on the day bed in his apartments, a wet cloth, soaked in lavender, pressed against his eyes, and his legs covered with a fine merino wool blanket. He was exceedingly thankful to be safe at last, and soon fell deeply asleep.

*****

Dom had not yet left Sir Victor's house. He had been talking the whole thing over with his friend, who had just seen his son off on a boating expedition with his friends from Oxford.

"I cannot help think there is more to it, Vic. Why I think so, I do not know, but it doesn't sit right in my mind, not at all."

Victor cast an enquiring look at his friend, but remained silent. Dom needed to speak at this present moment, and his friend allowed him to do so.

"Oh, I do not say that Jack employed anyone else in the business, he is far too naive for that, but I believe that his actions were being...manipulated, let us say, by someone else. But I do not know who, or why. I cannot feel that my Lij will be safe until I discover all. As soon as he is completely recovered from his ordeal, I intend taking him on an extended cruise. I have already bought a yacht for the purpose. All it needs, now, is a crew but I have had no time to interview suitable men. It is smaller than the Ariadne - more, um, intimate." Here he grinned widely, and blushed.

"I see your need of him only too plainly, Dom, old friend. It is a happiness to me to see you so well contented in a new partner."

Dom looked into Victor's frank eyes. "After Arthur died, I had no thought of taking another man to my bed, Victor, you know that. Although, I must confess, I was not in love with Arthur, I did care greatly for him. But the anguish I felt when he died was as nothing to what I felt when I saw Elijah lying on the damp earth, his life's blood running down his face. I shall never forget it...never!"

"I know," Victor replied, replenishing the fire as he spoke. "I saw your face as you sat by his bed, willing him to wake. I do not know what is going forward with the little duke, but I am of an opinion with you. Something is not right. Get him away as soon as maybe, and I will try to make enquiries - discreet enquiries - into the matter. Now go home and rest for an hour. You look almost as fagged as did he when he left."

As Dom entered the portals of his London home he did not feel, as had Elijah, that he had entered a safe haven, but that his home was a prison that parted him from all that he loved, and wished to protect from harm. Dom did not see how he could do this in London, where they could not be together as he wished. He was resolved on his course. He would take his Lij away to safety as soon as was possible.

His love, completely unaware of Dom's concerns about his person, slumbering gently, six houses further down the Square.


*****

Elijah and Jack did not meet again until an hour before dinner, when Elijah, who had had time to make up a suitable story, told Slade that Master Jack's trunk had been stolen on his journey from the country and Slade was to find him some suitable clothing until Elijah had time to take Jack to a tailor to order suitable apparel.

Slade was unimpressed by this tale. Already he had noticed that Master Jack's pantaloons were a little long in the leg, and his coat tight across the shoulders. These were not his clothes, for certain. Still, his Grace's things might prove a better fit, they being more of a size, although Slade was sure he would have to let the pantaloons out an inch in the waist. His Grace was as slim as a wand, after all.

It was, therefore, near the dinner hour when Jack came down the stairs resplendent in the full formal dress thought de rigeur for any gentleman eating dinner within the walls of his own home. The black tail coat and the satin breeches fitted admirably. Slade had cut Jack's hair so as to be more in the mode, and Elijah thought he looked very well - apart from the bruises which somewhat spoilt the overall effect.

Dom was let in the front door by a smiling Whitney. "Good evening, my Lord. His Grace is waiting for you in the Green salon..."

Dom caught a glimpse of a retreating figure and realised that Elijah had stepped back into the room he had just left. It would not do for Elijah to seem to know him too well at this early juncture, but Jack, still in the hallway, rather spoilt the illusion by greeting Dom with more animation than would have been thought seemly in mere acquaintances.

Dom frowned him down, but said, in a low voice, as the butler led them to the salon door, "well, Jack! You look as fine as fivepence, I must say."

Jack grinned. "These are his Grace's garments, you know, Mr Dom. Do you think I look well in them?"

Dom patted him on the back, as Whitney, entering the room in which Elijah sat, intoned sonorously, "My Lord Monaghan, your Grace...and Master Jack."

Elijah rose to greet his guest, and Dom affected a low bow, which was echoed by Elijah, no longer mackerel backed Dom noticed, a bubble of mirth rising within him. "Welcome to my home, m'Lord...." Whitney backed out and closed the door, and Elijah grasped Dom's hand convulsively.

"I have missed you, Dom - it is stupid, I know, for we have only been parted a few hours. But lately we have spent so much time together..."

Dom cast a warning glance in Jack's direction, but he was at the far end of the room admiring a portrait of the Duchess, and out of earshot.

Dom’s voice was low and urgent. "I know, for I feel the same. I have bought a yacht, smaller than the Ariadne for us to sail in. I thought the Mediterranean, where the air is balmier. Would you like that, my love?"

Elijah pressed Dom's hand convulsively, still watching Jack examining the treasures on the other side of the room. "I would like it of all things, Dom. You must know this!" Elijah smiled, his face lit with emotion.

"As soon as you feel more the thing, we shall go. It...the air...is not healthy in the City. I would give you something cleaner to breathe."

Dom felt that if he could have lassoed the moon and brought it down for his love, he would have done so, and remarking the look that Elijah was bending upon his lover, no doubt, Dom thought, he felt the same. No longer did Elijah's lack of funds appear to be a barrier between them, and for this, Dom was profoundly grateful.

Dinner passed in a pleasant amity, with Jack waxing lyrical about the beautiful treasures he had found within the house. Both men, observing the look of contentment on the young man's face, and noting that the strained look in his eyes seemed rapidly to be disappearing, were pleased.


Elijah was aware that his headache was returning, and Dom noticed it too, seeing his love grow paler. He had refused the port after dinner, and Dom knew this was not usual in his Lij. Towards eleven o'clock, Dom commented to Jack that he must be tired after all the excitement of the day, and would benefit from an early night.

"And I must go soon, and I would like a private word with his Grace before I do so," Dom commented in a pointed fashion.

Jack took the hint, and with many grateful thanks to Elijah for the generosity and tolerance shown towards him, left them in peace.

Dom watched the door close, and took Elijah's hand once more. "I will go, Lij, in a moment, because I see you have the headache, and must wish me at Jericho. But I must kiss you at least once tonight, if I am to sleep at all."

Elijah glanced at the door. "You know that Whitney, or one of the footmen is likely to enter the room at any moment, Dom. They could hardly miss it if they were to find you in my arms, as much as those arms long to hold you," Elijah said, with a wistful smile.

Dom took quick stock of the room. Against the far wall were two Buhl cabinets placed close together, a narrow space between them. They were situated on the same wall as was the door, and, Dom noted, contained china bowls. Dom winked.

"Come, my love, you can show me your treasures, for I think I observe a Nanking bowl in the cabinet to the left."

Elijah nodded. "It was one of my father's treasures..." he began, but Dom pulled him to his feet. "Damn your father's treasures, Lij - it is mytreasure that now interests me!"

He took Elijah's arm and walked over to the cabinets, and opening the door, took out the bowl and placed it on a nearby table.

The open cabinet door provided a screen from any observer who would enter the room as Dom pushed Elijah gently against the wall between the cabinets and pressed his body close.

"Feel how hard I am for you, Lij," he growled, placing one hand behind Elijah's neck and drawing him into a kiss. "Feel how much I need you."

Elijah sighed. His headache was rapidly increasing, but he did not care. He could feel Dom's heat through the satin knee breeches, and he was indeed, hard.

Elijah pressed his body as close as he could to Dom's, grateful for the contact, and, as he did so, he felt the tremors that wracked Dom's body.

"Kiss me, Lij, and bugger the servants!"

Elijah obliged. He ran his tongue over Dom's lips, causing him to groan.

Dom's mouth yielded under his, hot with desire and love. Elijah's mouth was no less so, and both men moaned as they explored the warmth that connected them. Dom pushed his hand downward and touched Elijah through his breeches, and Elijah cried out softly as Dom's fingers worked their magic on his body.

"Lij, I need to come. I have been like this - or near it - all day. Can you help me? It will only take a few moments as I am desperate for you!" Dom panted into his lover's neck.

Forgetting the dangers that awaited them on the other side of the door, Elijah reached for his pocket handkerchief, and opened one flap of Dom's breeches. To his surprise he found that Dom was wearing no underdrawers, and he grinned.

"You are shameless, my Dom," Elijah whispered as he worked on Dom's heated body, but Dom was too far gone in ecstasy to reply. It did not take much to bring him to completion. He thrust desperately into Elijah's hand, groaning as he came, his legs trembling, his hands shaking too much to press them against the wall. He placed his head on Elijah's shoulder and gave himself up to his climax.

Elijah put one arm around Dom's waist, to steady him, and waited for a few moments before he did up the buttons with the other. He did not wish for this completion, although he was as hard as Dom. He could not do it, knowing Whitney was so near. He would wait for release in the privacy of his own bed.

He carefully folded the handkerchief and placed it in his pocket for later. It would prove most useful, as Dom's scent had the power totally to undo him.

Dom's lips were wet with desire, and shone pink by the candlelight within the room. Elijah kissed him gently, and Dom responded with a moan.

Elijah breathed into Dom's mouth, tasting the sweet breath that was ever his love, and wondered how, in the unnumbered days of his life, he had ever lived until now, without such beauty as was a kiss given in love.

The air was redolent with lust as Dom returned the kiss with fervour and he was just about to undo Elijah's breeches, regardless of his lover's protests, when the door opened.

The two men sprang apart before the person appeared, and Dom, whose erection had subsided, grabbed the Nanking bowl and began a eulogy on its charms.

Elijah, still sporting the tell-tale signs of his desire, stayed in the niche, and merely put his head around the cabinet door. It was, indeed, Whitney, as he had feared.

"...the glaze, duke, is beyond praise. I have seldom seen anything half as lovely..." Dom said, in reverent tones, almost making Elijah giggle, so realistic seemed Dom's awe of the rare bowl.

Whitney coughed.

"Yes, Whitney, what is it?" Elijah asked, his body still securely hidden from view.

"I was wondering if your Grace would require the tea tray to be brought? I realise it is late, but I was not by, having a request from Master Jack to discharge, and the other servants did not like to...er, interrupt you."

Elijah, looked down the length of his perfectly straight nose at his faithful retainer. "What did they think they would be interrupting, man? I have merely been showing his Lordship my Oriental treasures," said his Grace, indicating the bowl, and with a slight edge to his voice that was not lost on either man.

Whitney allowed himself a smile, and Elijah, his erection now vanished, stepped out into the room.

"So I see, your Grace. Shall I send in the tea?"

Elijah shook his head. "No, I thank you. His Lordship and I will take a glass of wine before he leaves. That will be all for tonight, thank you, Whitney."

The butler offered the men a majestic bow, and backed out of the room closing the door with a snap.

Dom put down the priceless bowl, and pulled Elijah into a hug, kissing him ungently on the mouth.

"Whatever could it have been that Jack needed of Whitney?" Elijah had a laugh in his voice and Dom smiled indulgently at the sound of it.

Elijah replaced the bowl in the cabinet, and they stood for a moment uncertain as to what next to do.

"You must ask him in the morning, Lij, and let me know. Now I must go, my love, for I see you are tired, and I would have you rest. If you will permit me, I will come tomorrow to see how you go on."

Elijah kissed Dom again. "You may come with my good will - but not before midday, I intend to have a leisurely breakfast in bed, and answer my sister's letter. She must be wondering how I am doing."

"At least she will not have got wind of our encounter, Lij. Only a very underbred sort of chap would talk about such things in front of the ladies."

Elijah laughed. "Go, Dom, for I indeed am beginning to see two of you again, and, as pleasant as the prospect may be of two Lord Monaghan's, my strength will not support it - not tonight, at any rate. I am sorry about the wine."

Dom winked. "There will be ample time, in future, for us to take wine together, my love."

Elijah escorted Dom to the front door and they bid each other a punctilious goodnight, nothing else being possible in the servants hearing.

"Thank you, your Grace, for a fine dinner - and for allowing me access to your valuable treasures." Dom bowed low and Elijah did likewise.

"Allow me to inform your Lordship that my treasures are always open to your inspection," replied Elijah with suitable gravity.

The corners of Dom's mouth turned up. "I shall be very glad to handle them again. Good night, your Grace."

As Elijah climbed the stairs to bed, the two footmen carrying the branches of candles to light the duke to his bed were astonished, when, half way up them, the duke stopped and, gripping the baluster tightly, burst into loud laughter.