A Regency Tale - 25

[ismenin]

Had a most wondrous day yesterday in Cardiff with the Girls at the LOTR trilogy. It was magic. Thank you my dears for making my day! Smooches.

Lady Sunrope beta'ed this on the spot. Smashing! My usual thanks and huggles to her!







Part 25 - Plots and Plans



Dom had firmly resolved to take Elijah from the city next morning, and had, indeed, spent the best part of the night formulating plans for its prosecution.

Unfortunately, when he had arrived at Elijah's home promptly at eleven, Elijah shook his head.

They were sitting in the study from which James, hard at the household accounts, had been banished with a smile. It was a smaller room than the others and far less formal. Elijah had thought it a good place for a tete a tete and he was right.

"Dom, have your wits gone begging?"Elijah asked, moving over to the window and staring out at the passers-by in the street, each one of them looking, he thought, sadly, like a murdering thug. Surely no woman was as tall as was that one? It must be an assassin in disguise!

Shaking off his foolish thoughts, he turned to Dom who had begun to protest, and cut him short.

"Have you heard from Morlock, yet?"

Dom shook his head. "He sent me a note some days ago informing me that Billy had been sent for. At least I think that is what it meant. 'The goods you have requested have been ordered, and I am awaiting delivery here.'

"Well, then, Dom - surely you must see that we cannot leave Jack here alone, kicking his heels until Morlock brings Bill? It would be outside of enough. And what would they do with him once they arrived if we are not by to provide money and instructions - and talk matters over with them? It may be that Billy has no desire to take young Jack under his wing - we are merely assuming it will be so. Come, my dear man, you must see..."

There was a tap on the door and Whitney entered, coughing discreetly.

Elijah was annoyed. He had told his staff to admit no visitors, not even close friends, until he gave the word.

"What is it, man? Did I not clearly state to you that I did not wish to be disturbed?" Elijah said, rather more sharply than was his custom.

A voice from behind Whitney remarked in a quiet but penetrating tone, "if your man will but let me enter, Stanford, I will gladly inform you why I chose to insist."

Elijah waved Whitney away with an impatient hand. "Go away, man...no, stay - bring us some burgundy and a bottle of brandy, if you please."

Not by a hairs-breadth did Whitney reveal what he thought of his noble master imbibing brandy before luncheon, but he merely bowed and returned minutes later with a tray of immense proportions, loaded with viands, bottles and glasses.

Dom abstractly removed a coconut macaroon from the tray and nibbled it thoughtfully. As the door clicked behind him, Sir Victor - for such was the newcomer - bent a stern eye upon his host, then smiled at him. "You should ask me to sit, man - surely you understand that I cannot do so until you offer me a seat?"

Elijah blushed, and grinned back. "I am sorry, Sir...I mean Victor, my mind is not at its best this morning. Please do sit and tell us what has been going forward, and why you saw fit to put those men to follow us."

"And," Dom contributed with a frown, "why you chose to do such a thing without informing me...us - at least you could have done that."

Victor sipped at his sherry, and then looked up, his clear eyes sharp in the morning sunlight. "Until we know who are our friends, Dom, we cannot be too careful. It could be anyone, after all. We do not have the remotest guess who is the putative killer. Ah, yes! Here he is...you must forgive me, duke, for countermanding your orders, but I asked Barney to come today. He has something to tell you."

Raised voices were heard outside the door, and Whitney appeared again. Before he had a chance to speak, however, Elijah said, with a sigh, "just admit him, Whitney. I am overborne in my own house, as you see." The slight smile that accompanied this remark did not go unnoticed, and the butler withdrew and Barney was allowed in.

Sir Victor spoke in a low voice. "As I said, duke - Barney has something to tell you."

Barney bowed and nodded. "I wish could have brought Gil to you, Lij, to verify what I say, for he, too, was witness to it. Unfortunately he is suffering from as bad a case of the measles as I have ever seen, but he did write this note."

Elijah took the proffered paper. The message was short and to the point.

Barney has the right of it, Lij, for I saw him with my own eyes, in the thicket. Barney told me to remain silent upon the matter until we had sifted it thoroughly. But here I am, in bed, unable to sift bugger all, so I must leave it all to him. Take the greatest care, my dear old friend. Gil

Elijah passed the note to Dom. "Saw whatwith his own eyes, Barney? Be plain with us I beg you."

"Where's Jack?" Barney asked, a curious expression on his usually amiable face.

Elijah looked surprised. "He has gone out with James to see some curst exhibition or other. I wanted an hour or so alone with Dom, but I can see I will not get it until this matter has been discussed. Why do you wish to know?"

Barney stood up and paced about the room. "I have been very remiss, I should have told you sooner. The danger may be closer than you thought."

Dom was now exasperated. "What do you mean, man? Tell us plainly without further roundaboutation."

Barney sat down again. "This is the nub of the matter. Has Jack mentioned anything about that day to you?"

Elijah shook his head. "Not above telling me several times a day that he was sorry for it."

"As well he might be - very well, this is it," Barney said, waving an angry Dom down with a languid hand. "I saw clearly Jack running from the thicket after Lij was shot. What we did not tell you was that there were two figures there, not one. Two men in the thicket. Jack was with someone there."

Elijah stared at his friend in alarm. "But why did you not say? Who was it, Barney?"

Dom was sitting quietly enough, but the fact that he was thumping one tight fist into the palm of the other hand indicated only too well what were his feelings on the matter.

"I didn't see, Lij. He had a muffler wrapped about his face and a hat pulled low over his brow. He could have been anyone."

"But...but...Jack has said nothing of this! Why?....Who...Oh, god!" Elijah was pale with shock. "Why did he not tell me?"

"It is my guess," Victor offered into the silence, "that he was more terrified of this other person - whoever he may be - than of either of you. I noticed particularly how grateful the lad was to be offered the comparative safety of your house, Stanford. It seemed a trifle odd to me that a man who had just tried to murder another man would be so glad of refuge within his intended victim's house. Did you not remark it? Corsham did, and came to me to talk over his fears. That is when we decided to put the Watchers on you both. I am sorry for it, but I do believe they saved your life last night."

Barney put his glass down with an audible click. "Saved? What do you mean?"

Dom told the tale of last night's attempt on their lives, and Barney grew livid with anger. "You must not go abroad in the dark - or alone - either of you!" he snapped, in tones laced with suppressed anger. "The sooner you leave town, the happier I will be."

Elijah explained about Billy and Jack. Barney nodded. "Yes, I'd agree with that, Lij. But what shall we do with Jack until then? He cannot remain here - for one thing, the other man might come here, looking for him. Who knows? And I want to question him about that man - oh, yes I do!"

Victor grinned. "I would leave that task to Dom and Lij, Corsham - you are a trifle hot headed when it comes to defending your friend."

Turning to the other he offered, "and I would leave that questioning until your man, Bill comes. He will be better able to keep an eye upon him if he decides to bolt. It seems the lad has much to fear from this unknown man."

It was arranged that Jack would, when he returned from his outing, leave to stay with Barney until Billy arrived. "Send him in a Hackney, Lij, it's an easy place to find, as you know. There will be no difficulty. I'll tell my man to keep an eye out for him if I'm from home."

"My lodgings are small, but I do have a spare bedroom, and he must be uncomfortable rattling about like a pea in a bottle in this enormous pile, not being used to it," he grinned, trying for a lighter tone.

It worked. The topic having been thoroughly thrashed out, and Dom and Lij agreeing to remain out of the public eye until Billy came, the two other men took themselves off.


When Elijah came back into the study after seeing his friends off the premises, he told Dom that he had had words with Whitney in the hall. In fact, Elijah had whispered in the butler's ear that he would be very much obliged if Whitney would make perfectly sure that he and Dom were left alone for half an hour hour, but he did not tell Dom of this part of the conversation.

"We have important private business to discuss, Whitney. Extremely private," Elijah had said in a firm tone, looking the butler in the eye.

The manservant bowed low. "I will ensure that your Grace and his Lordship remain undisturbed for exactly half an hour."

Elijah went to move away, when suddenly he had remembered something that he thought might prove important. He would no longer neglect any small incident that concerned Jack.

"Whitney, the other evening, when Lord Monaghan was with me, you said you had been called away by Master Jack. What did he want of you?"

Whitney furrowed his brow. "Ah, yes, your Grace. He was...er...slightly disguised, having imbibed too much, um... stimulant, and he became afraid that there was a man watching the house. Apparently he had seen him from his bedroom window. I was able to assure him that no such person existed, your Grace. There was, indeed, no one there. I stayed at the window for several minutes before informing him of this fact."


Elijah watched Dom's face carefully as he imparted this news. Dom looked concerned at first, but then, relieved.

"Do you not think it might have been one of Victor's men that was watching the house? After all, if we were known to be safe inside there would be no likelihood of anyone attempting to break in here, would there? The doors are very thick, and therefore secure, and the windows too high to scale without a ladder - besides there being upwards of three dozen servants roaming about the place at will."

Elijah stood behind Dom's chair, and kissed the top of his lover's head. "You are such a comfortable companion, Monaghan. I feel safe with you. Safe and...satisfied."

He came to the side of the chair and knelt. "Dom - I must tell you something, and now while there is some peace, I would tell it to you. I had rather not see your face as I do. I might weep if you look at me, and I do not wish it."

Dom took Elijah's hand. "What is it, my heart?"

Elijah swallowed thickly before continuing. "I had not known, until I met you, what a burden and a misery my life had, until that moment, been to me. No, do not speak - I wish to finish what I have to say."

He kissed Dom's hand, and moved it to his cheek and caressed it, gently, as one would a child's.

"Last night in bed with you, something happened to me...something wonderful. For the first time since I was a small child I felt, not happiness, but joy....real joy. And you were the cause of it. Being inside you was...no, I cannot describe it, nor dare I speak more of it - not now. But you must know, my Dom, that you are everything to me, and that I would be truly happy with you, alone, in the remotest corner of the earth."

Dom had not spoken, but Elijah felt his hand lifted to soft lips that pressed against his fingers. He continued before he lost his resolve.

"I have come to a decision, Dom, if you agree to it. A life in exile with you will be a thousand times more pleasant to me than remaining here. Here I see you formally, as our social calendars allow, and I long for the next time when we may be together alone, untrammelled by convention. It saddens me beyond telling that we must sneak off like criminals, hiding in corners, making shift to lie together because we love each other."

"If you agree to it, I would like to live with you - wherever you choose - and forget about heirs and wives and duty. My cousin Harry is welcome to my wealth, and my estates, and even my titles. I do not want them, or need them. I will have enough in you."

"I believe you have wealth enough and to spare for both of us, Dom, and as I wish your happiness above all things, I would be with you, if you will have me, as your love, until I die."

Dom stood abruptly and gathered Elijah into his arms and for a long while could not speak.

Eventually he gave a soft sigh.

"I thank you for all you would give me. I too, would leave this place, but I cannot think that we need to hide ourselves away. For ten months of the year we are our own men, the Season here being so short. Now it is your turn to listen to me, my love. If I can call you mine for almost ten months of the year, I will not begrudge the haut ton the other two months of it."

He drew Elijah to the sofa against the wall, still holding his hand, and sitting beside him, kissed it again

"You have a sister whom you love, Lij, and who loves you - and relatives and friends of whom you are fond, as have I. To leave society and live in the wilds - as did the Ladies of Llangollen - will be hard on Hannah, will it not? And I do not think my brother would be happy never to see me more, for we are very fond of each other. If we publicly declare our love, Lij, our families cannot - never mind how much they may wish to do so - they cannot receive us. We will be declared pariahs, and the rest of our relatives tainted by connexion."

"We will do well as we are, Lij - we may leave when we wish, and return as we will, and there will be no wives to chide us for it. For I will never marry; now that I have you, I have all that I will ever need - and Harry or his future heirs can wait for your estates and your wealth."

They kissed - a gentle kiss which acted like a benison upon their love. Elijah felt it needed a declaration. "There is one other thing. I am no Arthur. I will not wait till the point of dying to say what I am now about to declare."

Dom was puzzled. What more could be said?

"I will love you, and keep myself only for you, until death parts us. There, I have said it, and I mean it, and you must not doubt it."

Dom, both amazed and thrilled by Elijah's openness, embraced him fiercely. Realising that this was the moment when his own true feelings needed to be revealed, he took a deep breath and...

there was a discreet cough from the doorway.

"There is a matter that requires your attention, your Grace, with regards to the accounts."

Elijah groaned. At times Whitney was far too diligent.


*****

It was three days later that Billy arrived in town, just after six in the morning, escorted by Morlock to Dom's house in the Square. Dom sent round an urgent note to Lij as soon as the men arrived, tired and travel blown, on his doorstep.

...and do not you arrive too early, Lij, or it will occasion remark. Leave it until eleven, and that will give them time to refresh themselves.

Elijah, receiving this missive along with his morning chocolate at nine, cursed loudly - much to Slade's surprise - and leapt out of bed, narrowly spilling his drink all over the blue Aubusson carpet beside his bed.

However, he drew himself together before he had informed his man why he was so out of reason cross, and beyond remarking to Slade that he would be grateful, in future, if any correspondence marked "urgent" could be delivered to him as soon as it arrived, he said nothing more on the matter.


Long before his Grace had been woken by Slade, Dom had been sitting in a chair in the bedchamber allotted to Billy, whilst Mr Boyd, much to his delight, consumed a gargantuan breakfast of ham, beef and beer served on a tray.

"I am totally gutfoundered, Mr Dom, and that's a fact!" he said, enthusiastically forking a generous helping of beef into his mouth.

"Above been allowed a cup of scalding coffee and a slice of burnt toast in Bath that we didn't have time to take, we have had nothing much since yesterday, and I feel the need of it."

Billy, observing the anxious look upon Dom's face, muttered thickly around another mouthful, "I can see why you was so concerned, Mr Dom. When Morlock told me the round tale I couldn't have been more shocked, not in a million years. Poor Ned! Aye, and poor Jack, too, to be so mixed in his mind he would think of doing that to Mr Ret...the duke. He grew to be very fond of him, aye! Ned was used to laugh over it, and tell him...but talking pays no toll, does it? He has no-one now, except me to look out for him. And how does his Grace go on - and Jack?"

Dom, answering all of Billy's questions with patience, said that Billy might go to bed with his goodwill until the duke came, if he so wished, as it was only a little before six thirty.

Billy took the hint and agreed he would rest for a few hours until the duke arrived. In truth, Billy was not in need of sleep - but he had observed Dom's pale countenance and thought a few more hours rest might greatly benefit his host.

But Dom, divesting himself of his dressing robe, and lying on his bed was not resting - he was thinking, hard.

Who could it be that wanted Lij dead? He racked his brains to see if any of his or Lij's acquaintance had shown any hint of wishing either or both of them dead. But everyone had been so solicitous of their welfare, had they not?

He cast his mind over Elijah's family, but he could not fix upon anyone that did not hold Elijah in the greatest regard - except, of course, he thought, his lips turning down, Elijah's selfish and expensive mother. But she was safe in France with young Hannah.

Dom then thought of his uncle, still - he hoped - dwelling in the fastnesses of Ireland. He would wish Elijah dead, but would he be capable of encompassing such a dreadful deed? He was a pattern card of respectability, his uncle. Punctilious to the point of boredom. No, he could not see it, not at all.

It was useless. Dom closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep.



http://www.f-n-f.net/Ladies-of-Llangollen.htm



Glossary

Wits gone begging - out of your mind

Disguised - drunk

Go abroad - walk about the City

Pariah - Outcast

Comments

[ourdramaqueen.livejournal.com]

AHA! I KNEW there must have been someone else! Now if only they could find out who... I hope they can get Jack to talk about this person, no matter how afraid he is of him! At least Billy is here now, and this also means that Dom and Lij can leave soon.

And awww Elijah's declaration to Dom... *sniff* Thanks for the link about the Ladies of Llangollen - very interesting!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

AHA, indeed! The thick plottens, as my Dad used to say. :D I want to sniff, too. *Hankie out ready* xxx

[frolijah-fan-54.livejournal.com]

So glad you had a good time at the trilogy screening!!

The mystery deepens - I have my suspicions so will be curious to see if I'm way off base. Poor Dom and Elijah have so much trouble getting any time alone. Elijah's declaration to Dom was so loving and special - another great chapter!! Thanks so much.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! There is a nasty person afoot, and, I for one, will be glad when they receive their just reward! Grrrr! xxx

[forestrane.livejournal.com]

I am so glad Dom hasn't lost his head and can talk some sense into Lij. Now, what has Jack gotten himself into?

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Poor Jack! He is only a lad, too. Bless. *Hope you're still quilting!* xxx

[(Anonymous)]

It's getting more and more mysterious! I love that.
1. We havn't seen Cedric since he went chasing for the culprit. We hear about him and we hear him but don't actually see him. And what is this vague letter he supposedly wrote. Could have been written about anything.
2. Jack hasn't completely emptied his bag and confessed everything it seems. I went back to chapters 21 and 23 for hints, but I'm not sure about anything. Has he been questionned and send to Barney yet? What information did he have to yield, I wonder.
3. Billy's back. Yeaaah!
4. Lij's love confession was very passionate and endearing. Too bad Dom's was cut short. Whitney really spoiled the moment here. Gee! I understand the duke to want to get away from it all.

Have a Happy Easter!

Nimue

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

No, there aren't any hints. I know I'm naughty, but that's just me - keep 'em all guessing. I'm sure some folks will work it out - ya never know!! :D And I had a lovely Easter, thank you! xxx

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

You really have woven us quite a fascinating mystery with this. I cannot guess who the other man was, but I'm so curious to find out who it is.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

The Other Man is hiding under a tall black beaver and a muffler. BAD man! Now as to who it is? Not long to find out, now! xxx

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

"Dom then thought of his uncle, still - he hoped - dwelling in the fastnesses of Ireland."

Ha! Maybe I did guess. Or perhaps...maybe it IS Lijah's mother. Or the both of them. Lijah's mother has much to gain if Elijah is out of the way, doesn't she?

"Who could it be that wanted Lij dead?"

Indeed.

This story is always exciting.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Poor li'l Lij - knowing someone wants him dead. Hugs him close! :D xxx

[babydazzle.livejournal.com]

Yay! Another fabulous chapter! I can't wait until the next part! I'm such crap at trying to guess who the culprit is, but it's sure a fun ride! *bites nails and worries for poor Lij and Dom's safety*

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Poor bois! I want them both safe! I do - I do! :D xxx

[chickenlegs-11.livejournal.com]

""I will love you, and keep myself only for you, until death parts us. There, I have said it, and I mean it, and you must not doubt it."

Ooh Issi, I'm a puddle of wibbling mess on the floor!! I just love it when our boys get all mushy esp. Lij!

And I'm so glad you had such a lovely time at the trilogy. *hugs*

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

We had a great time aty the Trilogy - wish I could do it EVERY weekend! :O

And - wibbles with you! Awww, bless! xxx

[lostlollipop.livejournal.com]

I finally caught up on your fantabulous fic, Issi! And where to begin praising it? I love the mystery about it, and the backstory you provide for Dom and Elijah, and how the athmosphere of your fic has an almost Austen-ish feel to it (but with pretty boys!).

And I love how you seem to have a thing for breaking through boundaries of the various class systems and protocols in your AU worlds.

I am anxious to see what will happen next, though!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

HELLO! Hugs you. I'm so glad yu like it - I am pretty fond of it myself. And I, too, want to know what happens next - it's the way I write! :D xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

I read this after Urak-Hai. I was tensed up...in bed..nighty night. Then read this beautiful peice of work.
"I will love you, and keep myself only for you, until death parts us. There, I have said it, and I mean it, and you must not doubt it."
After what Elijah had already said to Dom, I was in tears...really...it was so touching and so honest and so beautiful. But unfortunately, Dom could not tell Elijah his feelings because they were interrupted. This makes me worry that something will happen to Elijah and Elijah will not know of Dom's undying love, even though Dom told him he would never marry, which I LOVED. But Dom will feel so angry with himself if he doesn't get to tell Elijah that he loves him...just as Elijah so bravely and unselfconsciously said to him. It was so moving.
Seeing someone have happiness for the first time in their life is so painfully moving...and doing this in this time frame of such restrictions makes it so much stronger. Its a wonderful story. I can never get enough of what you write.
hugs you!!!! (tightly) v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you, my love. And I'm glad you're reading Uruk-hai. LSR is ace!!

I hope you enjoy the rest of my little tale - not long to go, now. Then I'm gpoing to post the very first series I ever wrote - many moons ago. Dom n Lij in NZ!! :D xxx

[http://users.livejournal.com/tweedle_/]

The romance, frisson of danger and mystery are so addictive. And all played out in this wonderful dance of manners. Such a pleasure to read.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Austen it is not - I could not pollute her sacred shade - but I have enjoyed writing this. :D xxx

[pattilovesviggo.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this [again] so much, Lij`s declaration of love to Dom seems more like a marriage vow.
I know women couldn`t inherit, the money goes to the male relatives, or is it something else? Does Lij know something that would be perilous to someone else?
You have us all wracking our brains :) Off to read Uruk-hai now, I`m late as usual.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Grins. I ain't telling. I hope you will be satisfied with the denouement! XXX

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much for another intriguing chapter... You're really keeping us guessing! I'm looking forward to learning who's behind the attacks on Lij, and seeing him brought to justice!

Thanks very much to you and to LSR as always. How lovely to think of you together :) Glad you had a great time on Saturday!


*Hugs*

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

We had a lovely time! And thanks for reading, Faithful gal! xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

I'm really pleased for you both.

Thanks to you two for writing/betaing!

XXX

[suzy-74.livejournal.com]

*gasps* Jack knows who it is!? And he hasn't said! He must indeed be very frightened of this person or else I'm sure he would have told. :/

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Jack does, indeed, know who it is! Poor lad. :D xxx