Beyond Simla - Two

[ismenin]

Hello! ladysunrope has gone home, sob! Too short a time. But before she went she beta'd this, cheers! Lovely girl. :D

I hope you will enjoy this story - I'm having such fun doing it.



Thank you, dear LSR for in-situ beta. Hugs.


Part Two


He was conducted immediately to a suite of rooms by a steward, who, bowing low, informed his lordship in very good English, that the eight rooms in the suite had been prepared especially for him, and if he needed anything - anything at all - he should ring the bell.

Left alone, he and Boyd stared about them with stunned eyes. "Eight rooms, my lord! What in hell's name does he think you'll want with eight rooms!"

Elijah laughed. "Seven, Billy, for one of them must be for you."

Billy made a snorting sound, and went off to find his room. He came back a few minutes later shaking his head. "The bathroom looks like something only fit for a whore-house, m'lord. All white marble, mirrors and gold taps. Unchristian, I call it."

Elijah started to strip off his jacket. "Fill the bath, Billy. I'm sweating like a pig. Where's my bedroom?"

Elijah followed a gloomy Billy through two ante-chambers, until he came to his bedroom. The bed was enormous. There was a canopy of shimmering blue silk over it, held at each corner by writhing golden snakes, and the matching bedspread and curtains were embroidered over every available inch.

The floor was covered by a huge cream and blue carpet, and the furniture looked as if it had come straight out of the Palace of Versailles. The walls were lined with grilled panels, painted in gold, and edged with roses embroidered upon silken hangings...

Elijah laughed out loud.

The bathroom was just as Billy described, but there was plenty of hot water in the cistern, decent soft towels, and good plain cakes of Warren's soap. Elijah ordered Billy to throw the patchouli scented bath salts down the lavatory. He lay back in the bath, and closed his eyes.

"Leave the water in, if you would, m'lord. I'll climb in after you," Billy said, inspecting Elijah's boil with concern. "You'll need that lancing. Shall I ring to see if a doctor is available?"

"Not yet, Bill. I must dress quickly, and be ready to meet the Rajah. It would be bad manners to keep him waiting." Elijah said, forgetting that he had already kept the man waiting a whole night. He lowered his infected leg into the water, hoping that the heat would help it burst without any further intervention. It did not, so he climbed out, and wrapped himself in a large towel, and went to sit on the bed to wait for Billy.

He had not long to wait. Billy appeared after a few minutes, fully dressed, his hair a trifle damp, and laid out a clean suit of clothing for his master, who dressed, and then sat down to await a summons from the Prince. It did not come.

Billy rang for tea, and a servant came hurrying in with an enormous silver tray on which rested three silver tea-pots, a water pot, milk jug, sugar bowl, a bowl of sliced lemon, a strainer, a slop bowl, and one delicate porcelain cup and saucer.

"Chinese, Assam and Darjeeling," the man indicated in Hindi. Elijah thanked him in the same language, and asked him for another cup, which was brought instantly.

Two hours later, a servant came to ask what he would like for luncheon.

Elijah frowned and asked the man if the Rajah was in the Palace. "Yes, my lord," came the uncommunicative reply. By now, Elijah was getting annoyed. "Boyd," he said in a cold voice, "oblige me, and find someone in authority, and ask them when it would please His Highness to receive me." Billy left with the servant, and returned, a few minutes later with Osman Singh.

Elijah stood instantly, wincing slightly as the boil on his leg throbbed. The man was a prince, after all, and deserving of respect.

Osman inclined his head, acknowledging the courtesy, his eyes smiling.

"I am so sorry you have been kept waiting, my lord. But I am afraid his Highness is in his, er... harem. We have strict orders not to disturb him there."

"Indeed!" Elijah said, his voice decidedly chilly. "Thank you for telling me, sir. Of course I will await his Highness's convenience."

"I suggest that you eat lunch, my lord. He may be occupied for some time." His grin seemed so unforced that Elijah could not help an answering smile. "Thank you; I will do so."

Osman bowed. "I recommend the lamb. It is very good. If you would like, after you have eaten, I will show you some of the palace. It is a very beautiful place."

Elijah smiled at the man, who seemed genuinely anxious to please. "That would be very kind of you." He looked at his watch. "Shall we say, in an hour? If that will be convenient."


A little less than one hour later, Elijah had eaten a very fine lamb curry with roasted vegetables, and a dish of roast fowl. He had no idea what it was, as all the food was highly spiced, but Billy, returning from lunch in the servant's quarters said it was duck. "Saw them preparing them, m'lord. The kitchens here are very fine."

Elijah drank one glass of wine, remarking, "everything here seems very fine, Bill. God alone knows what the Rajah's apartments are like, if this is how the guests live. Perhaps Osman Singh will show them to me on our tour."


The Palace seemed endless to Elijah, who was shown so many rooms of state his eyes blurred. One chamber was red, the next, blue, then green, yellow, lilac. "His Royal Highness likes to sit in a room according to his mood. Therefore, if he is in high spirits, it is the red or yellow chamber. If he desires serenity, the lilac or the blue."

Osman was guiding Elijah down a long, wide corridor. Every now and then, they passed an armed guard, who saluted promptly.

"Where are we going?" Elijah asked as two guards flung open a double door. He was soon to find out.

It was a throne room; not very large but splendidly appointed. Seated on a gold and red velvet throne at the end of the room, was a young man dressed in a tunic and leggings of yellow silk, with jewelled slippers on his elegant, slim feet. He wore many gems about his person, his neck was hung with dozens of rows of pearls, and a stunning pale grey silk turban, embellished by the largest emerald Elijah had ever seen, was his crowning ornament.

"His Royal Highness, Prince Udom Singh, Maharajah of Ranjipore," Osman said, unnecessarily, in Hindi. "Your Highness, here is Lord Elijah Denham Wood, whom you commanded I bring to you at this hour."

Standing beside the Rajah's chair was a man of about forty, dressed simply in black silk, who was, Elijah assumed, the Rajah's interpreter.

Elijah walked forward to the base of the dais upon which the throne stood, and bowed low. Udom Singh stared hard at him, and murmured to the interpreter.

The older man fixed a baleful stare upon the diminutive form standing below them. "His Highness asks if your knees are so stiff that you cannot bend them to kneel, as is the custom before princes in this land, as you must know." His voice was cool, and his gaze was even chillier.

Elijah immediately knelt, and as he did so he felt a searing pain in his leg, and could not suppress a gasp. When he rose, he saw both men in front of him staring at his leg. The boil had erupted, staining his hitherto immaculate cream linen suit with pus and blood.

"If your Highness will excuse me, I beg you will give me leave to depart. It is not seemly to appear before you thus. If you have a doctor here, I would appreciate his services."

"What is it that ails you?" Udom asked in perfect English. Elijah replied in a composed tone. "It is only a boil, sir, but I am sure it would be better for some medical attention."

Udom whispered to the interpreter, who nodded solemnly. Then the prince turned to Elijah once more. "One of my dear uncles was very ill because he neglected a boil. I assure you, that in this climate it is not a matter to be ignored. Pray depart to your chambers, and we will send someone to attend you there."

Elijah backed out of the room as best he could, and Osman led him back to his chambers. "Why did you tell no-one of this when you arrived?" he asked, as gaining his rooms, Elijah immediately rang the bell, and sat in a chair until Billy came and pulled off the trousers before the material stuck fast to the wound.

Osman pursed his lips as he surveyed the damage. Now that it had burst, Elijah, saw that it was far larger than he had supposed. No wonder it hurt, he thought. It was the size of a crown piece.

"Shall I bathe it for you, my lord?" Billy asked, but Elijah refused. "His Highness is sending me a physician to tend to it."

Hardly had he finished speaking when the door opened, and to Elijah's surprise, a tall, slim, white-haired man who was very obviously an Englishman, entered dressed in a suit very like the one Elijah wore, but far more crumpled.

"I am Dr Ian McKellen, my lord. His Highness has sent me to attend you."

"Thank you, sir. You will excuse my not getting up to greet you. My leg is now somewhat painful."

Dr McKellen made a 'hmph' sound that was, to Elijah's ears, a very British sound, and ordered Billy to bring him a bowl of warm water.

"You should have had this treated as soon as it began erupting, man! Surely you must know that, by now? If it gets into the bone, it'll be the devil's own task to heal it completely without leaving residual damage," the doctor scolded, prodding about in the wound.

Elijah bristled. "It had not erupted when I bathed this morning, and I do not know how I was supposed to find a doctor on a train from Bombay, or on the journey here in the carriage. Pray enlighten me, sir."

Prince Osman sat in the chair opposite Elijah, and laughed. "Our good doctor does not mince his words, sir, as you will find. But he is very good at what he does, I assure you. He knows what he is doing."

The doctor was occupied in ordering Billy about, but he was soon ready to begin treating the wound. Elijah felt a little better with his leg supported on a cushioned footstool, and only winced once or twice as McKellan cleaned out the hole left by the eruption.

He packed it with some gauze impregnated with a herb-smelling lotion, kept in place by a large piece of sticking plaster and sat back on his heels with a satisfied nod. Then he stood, and bowed to Osman.

"You may inform his Highness that I have done all I could for his lordship, Lord Osman. I must leave immediately, for I have a compound fracture to set."

Elijah was shocked. "I assure you, doctor, I could have waited. Surely a neglected fractured bone is more dangerous in this heat, than a boil?"

McKellen sent a kindly glance in Elijah's direction. "When you have been here a little while longer, my lord, you will discover that when the Maharajah issues an order, it is politic to deal with immediately."

He bowed, excused himself, saying he would return in the evening, before dinner. When the door closed behind him, Osman smiled at his companion. "I hope it is easier, now."

Before Elijah had time to reply, Osman remarked, "I expect you are wondering what a so-very-English doctor is doing in the wilds of Ranjipore. It is simple. He came to treat his Highness's grandfather, and he has remained here ever since. My uncle, Arjit Singh, took a liking to him, also, and he stayed on after Udai Singh died so tragically. He is very fond of the family, and we of him, I assure you."

"Unusual," Elijah said, testing his leg against the floor before standing. "If you will excuse me, Lord Osman, I will change my attire, and re-join you on our tour. I find the palace a fascinating place."

Osman stood, but shook his head, grinning. "The good doctor said you should rest your leg for the rest of the day. You must not go against his express wishes, you know. He will not like it at all."

He walked gracefully to the door, opened it, and turned, his hand still resting on the golden knob. "You will be bored, I dare say, with nothing to do. We have an extensive library here, for we are all voracious readers in the dead months. We have books in English, French, German, Italian, Latin and Greek, as well as Arabic, and some other languages - I forget which."

Osman eyed his lordship carefully. "Or...perhaps...you would rather I send you a girl, to take your mind off things - or a boy?"

Elijah's chin went up. He would not fall into that trap so easily. "The books sound an excellent idea, sir. I will send Boyd to choose something he knows I will like. Nothing else will be necessary, I thank you."

"We have some very docile goats..." and then Elijah, about to voice his anger at the very idea, saw Osman's eyes were alight with mirth, and his rising temper sank without trace. He smiled.

"I think we can also dispense with the goats, sir. Too much excitement, you know."

"For the goats, certainly, far too much excitement," responded a grinning Osman, before departing.

Billy, for once, said nothing, but asked what his master would like from the library. "Something light, Bill - Waverley, or some other adventure story. But not, if you love me, Jane Austen. I wish for something a trifle more lively."

He took the books to bed, where he thought, his leg would be better rested, and opened Rob Roy, as Billy had brought several of Scott's stories for his approval. "There's thousands of volumes there, m'lord. I'm sure no-one has ever read a tenth of them."

Elijah ordered iced tea, and immersed himself in his book. He was, therefore, very surprised to be woken by Billy, several hours later, when he informed his master that it was time to dress for dinner.

The doctor came before he had time to do so, and, re-dressing the wound, announced himself pleased with his handiwork.

Elijah, too was pleased, and he said so. His leg was feeling much easier, and although he could very well have eaten his meal in bed, or in his dressing gown, he rose and dressed as was proper for an English lord, and ate in solitary state in his apartment.

He looked at his watch. Twenty minutes past nine, and he was as fresh as a daisy, and, what was more, he desired a cigarillo. He was not certain smoking was approved of in the palace. There were certainly no ash-trays in his chambers that he could see. He decided to go outside for a walk in the gardens, as the daylight still lingered.

He tested his leg whilst striding down the long corridor which a guard had indicated would lead to the gardens, and found that it hardly twinged at all. Pleased with this, he lit his cigarillo, and wandered outside, finding a series of fragrant gardens filled with leafy plants and flowers of every description thriving everywhere.

The evening was still warm, but a cool breeze was blowing down off the mountains, and Elijah was grateful for it. He wandered through a high, wrought-iron gate, unheedful of the dimming light, enjoying the heady scents, until he found himself on a dark pathway with no lights at all to guide him back indoors.

He had been thinking of Udom Singh. He had seen very little of the man's face, but had gained an impression of a countenance - not handsome, by any means - but infinitely interesting. There had been no time to form other views, but Elijah was left with a distinct feeling that he wished to see more of the enigmatic Prince. It was an uncomfortable feeling, especially as distant childhood memories had begun to make themselves felt once more. Damn it all, he thought he had buried that irritation long ago.


Having no idea where he was heading and still lost in thought, Elijah continued down a path lined with roses, and as he turned a sharp corner, there was a silk tent, its sides drawn up, and underneath its pleated roof, on a silken divan, two naked men were making love.

Elijah stopped, rooted to the spot. He seemed unable to step back, and he dared not move forward.

The man plunging so energetically into the body of the man beneath him had long, fair hair, and his black haired companion was writhing and moaning beneath him, and urging his partner on to greater effort.

Elijah could not help it. It had been a long time since he had been in any man's bed, and he felt the heat gather in his groin, and swell him. He pushed his hand automatically down his body, just as the fair man gave a last thrust and sigh, and rested on the sweating back of the man lying under him.

Then the fair man opened his eyes, and Elijah recognised, with a shock, the stormy grey gaze of Udom Singh.

The Prince did nothing. He just lay there, his eyes fixed on Elijah, as Elijah, gathering his wits about him at last, turned and fled.

He ran along the paths, until he came across some servants lighting lanterns along the paths, and asked them, breathlessly, the way.

He found his rooms, and dashed inside, turning the key in the lock with trembling hands.

Billy came out of one of the rooms carrying some linen, and saw immediately that his master was in some distress.

"Is it your leg, my lord? Shall I send for the doctor?" he said, putting the linen on a chair and coming forward solicitously.

Elijah could not speak, so he shook his head. "Pour me some wine, if you please," he gasped, eventually, and sat gratefully as Billy handed him the glass. "You may go, now," he said as his breath returned. "You can finish that in the morning."

Billy bowed himself out of the room without another word. It was plain that his lordship was labouring under some strong emotion, but he had known his master long enough to recognise when to intervene, and when to leave.

Elijah went straight to his bedroom, and tore off his clothing. Without even waiting to get into bed, he leant against a wall, grabbed his erection and tugged frantically at himself until he came, his legs trembling, his mind aflame. It had been too long since he had touched himself in this way. It gave him some relief, but no real pleasure. It needed two for that.

And he knew that the other person he desired to be with at that moment was Udom Singh.

Ridiculous! I cannot even say that I have had a conversation with the man!... But still the grey eyes occupied his thoughts as he threw his handkerchief away from him, and got into bed.

Sleep was a long time coming.

***

The next morning Osman Singh came to Elijah's rooms as he was finishing breakfast, bringing with him another tall young man with the same laughing eyes as Osman himself possessed, and informed Elijah that his Highness had been unexpectedly called away.

"He asks that you will excuse him, and begs you will make use of any facility the Palace has to offer," Osman said, smiling. "I will not suggest that you go riding, not until your leg is fully healed, but there are many things to see, and to enjoy. Rashman Singh, my brother, here, will happily assist you, as I am attending upon my cousin. I shall see you again in a few days. Rashman, take good care of our guest."

It did not take very long to discover that Rashman Singh's main concern lay in getting Elijah into bed with him, but, try as he may over the next few days, he did not succeed. Elijah behaved as if he was totally unaware of the young man's heavy hints, and, beautifully warned off, Rashman gave up, and set about trying to entertain the Rajah's honoured guest as befit his station.

Elijah very quickly discovered that the Palace was home to an eclectic mix of races and religions. Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims lived comfortably beside Pathans, Buddhists and Christians. There was even a small chapel there, hung with what looked to be Russian icons and other paintings, and pews made of beautifully carved oak.

When he commented upon it, Rashman shrugged. "His Highness sees the good in every man, regardless of his chosen god. He deems that what lies within a man's heart is more important than the deity he worships."

They made their way to the stables, where Elijah was impressed by a string of Arab brood mares, who were the swiftest and most beautiful of creatures. Rashman took him to see a lovely bay he called 'Lakshmi' and murmured endearments into her ear as she nuzzled his chest. "She is the gentlest of creatures, and we expect her to throw her foal very soon," he said feeding her a couple of sugar lumps. "I shall make you a present of it, my lord. You will like it, I am certain."

Elijah tried to refuse. He knew such pure-blood creatures cost thousands of pounds, and was far too expensive a present to accept from a virtual stranger. But Rashman looked hurt at his refusal, and beamed with delight when Elijah eventually capitulated to his repeated offers, and accepted the gift.

Later, they wandered around the gardens. Elijah saw the wrought- iron gate, and blushed. It was locked - a heavy iron chain preventing entrance. He had discovered, upon questioning, that this was the gate to the Maharajah's private garden, and no-one was permitted to enter it but the Prince and any chosen companion.

Elijah asked what would happen if someone did enter it. Rashman looked shocked. "Against His Highness's specific command? No-one would dare!" he said, simply, and with that Elijah had to remain content.

That evening Rashman asked if Elijah would like him to send him - as he delicately put it - 'a companion for the night'. Elijah politely, but firmly refused. He did not want anyone, or so he told Rashman, and, later in bed, he told himself the same thing, as he brought his body to a desperate orgasm. No-one.

*****

Five days later, Udom Singh returned. He sent for Elijah within the hour. "He is in his office, and he is very angry, my lord," confided Osman Singh, who had come to fetch him. "The British Army are encroaching upon his territories, and he looks to you to put a stop to it."

They reached a door, and Osman gave Elijah a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "Stand up to him - so very few dare. He will like you the more for it, I assure you."

Pulling his waistcoat down, and straightening his tie, Elijah followed Osman into the room.

Udom Singh stood behind the desk chair, almost quivering with rage; his face was dark with anger, his knuckles white against the dark wood. He ignored Elijah's bow, and abruptly left his chair, and paced about the room.

Then he stopped, and came swiftly towards Elijah, and, extending a long, ruby-beringed finger, jabbed it into Elijah's chest. "You are a thief, my lord. I can put it in no lesser terms. A thief, I say!" hissed the prince, the violence of his feelings apparent in his voice and in his eyes. "now, what have you to say to that, my pretty boy?"



Beyond Simla - Part Three

Comments

[karin-woywod.livejournal.com]

I am once again, hooked. And you end this with a cliff-hanger, arghhh ! How will I survive the long wait until next Sunday ?

Love,

- Karin.

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

Uh-oh. Udom is not pleased with the British and Lij must bear the brunt of it. Somehow, I think Lij will manage to think of a way to mollify the angry Raj. :)

Beautifully done, my sweet. I can picture the ostentatious rooms of the palace. I wonder when Lij will find out what the Raj's suite looks like. ;)

[cara-dee.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness, I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter. Elijah catching Dom in his garden, and then the ending, when Dom refers to Elijah as, "My pretty boy" my heart skipped a beat. I now have a terrible image of Elijah being Dom's "pretty little captive."

Marvelous chapter. I can't wait for the next installment.

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

Wow, I loved the description of Elijah's bedroom. What a place, huh? And *sweats* the description of Udom and his lover whom Elijah saw by mistake. V. nice. :)

Now to find out why Udom thinks Elijah is a thief. I'm guessing he has stolen Udom's heart.

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

The descriptions of the guest suite, especially Elijah's bedroom, are delicious. Quite a shock for him to come upon the the Maharajah with his lover, wasn't it? And of course, you leave us with a cliff hanger that makes us eager for more of the story.

[choclatina40.livejournal.com]

OMG what a cliffhanger !! I hope Elijah takes Osman's advice to stand up to Dom, love it when there's a confrontation filled with sexual tension *g*. Did I mention this is another grreat fic :D .

[verangel.livejournal.com]

I absolutely love the unique feel of this fiction. It is fascinating learning the ways of two strikingly different cultures in this era. You give it such texture. The palace and individual flavor of each room gives insight into Udom Singh along with the way the people respect him explicitly. Elijah is so fearful of letting go of himself and allowing pleasure into his life after being so disgraced that his own family sent him away rather than have them in thier home. Yet, it was eyeopening when he innocently walked in those gardens and came face to face with that erotic vision of a gorgeous blond man powerfully thrusting into one who was begging for him to drive harder...then their eyes meet. That next moment where he dismisses Billy and totally looses it while standing against the wall was so different a vision of your Elijah's and so frustrating for him...very sexual and very lonely. I loved how he kept being propositioned and STILL wouldn't succumb to his own allowance there for pleasure. The comments about the docile goats, hee *snorts* "For the goats, certainly, far too much excitement," responded a grinning Osman, before departing." Crack me up.
The whole boil thing was painful to read. That it burst when first meeting Udom made me feel bad for him. But I loved the compassion Udom showed because it is very serious to let something like that go on, as Dr Ian told him.
The ending, wow, I wondered why Udom would take it out on Elijah, but then, I don't know what Elijah's real purpose is for being there. He has little power over the British Army. But this comment said alot more "my pretty boy". OH YES HE IS!!!!!!!!!
I can't wait for more to this. Its another magnificent journey I won't forget.
Love you to peices Ru!
ps...I took my book Son of the Sun with me and read it on my different planes and in the room a bit before going to sleep. It was a comfort to me, like having a dear friend with me when I was alone.
xoxoxoxoxo v

[bed4good.livejournal.com]

Well, this is definitely a different kind of story.
Verrrrrry interesting.

[tristanpaulus.livejournal.com]

Loving the period detail, as always.

Interesting to mix it up from the relationsip dynamic in your previous stories (Egypt and Crowner) in that this time, Dom is the ruling figure (not to mention obviously rather, ahem, dominant, perhaps a little more than your other Doms).

Poor Elijah is getting chewed out now, and obviously as a British guest, Udom is taking his anger at the British Army out on him (unless I made an incorrect assumption and he has another reason for calling Elijah a thief?), but I don't know what he expects Elijah to do about the British Army encroaching on his territory.

And yes, I have the feeling that comment "my pretty boy", might have revealed a little more than Udom intended to reveal.

[abaraka.livejournal.com]

Arghhh! We have to wait another week? Naughty, Issi! Loved the chapter and can see why you’re having fun writing it.

I must confess to being a bit intrigued by this part of a chapter and wonder if there is more to it, or not. Time will tell.

It was an uncomfortable feeling, especially as distant childhood memories had begun to make themselves felt once more. Damn it all, he thought he had buried that irritation long ago.

Also, I think I’m a bit more than half in love with your Osman Singh already.

Thanks dearest Issi.
xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Thanks once again for the next exciting and fascinating chapter, dearest Iss :-)

Love the decriptions of Udom's opulent palace and the scene in the silken tent... *phew* No wonder Elijah had to find release after witnessing *that*!

Oh dear, looks like he's in for in next week's episode, however 0_0

I must agree with all the comments above, too. Brilliant and most enjoyable; thanks again!

*huggles*
XXXX
Hope you and LSR had a lovely weekend ;-)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Ha! not long to wait, now! Is happy you like. :D xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I wonder when Lij will find out what the Raj's suite looks like. ;)

Not - for various reasons - for a very long time. But that doesn't mean to say...wink, wink...;D xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Elijah will let you - and Dom - know in no uncertain terms, what he thinks about being called a 'pretty boy'! :D xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Well, not quite yet. The heart stealing isn't that far away, though neither of them - of course - realise it! :D xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Hope you're feeling a bit better, my love. The winter (what happened to autumn?) is not the best time to be feeling low.

Dom naked and , er...busy...is intriguing, yes. ;D xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you like it! Not long to wait to see if Lij does take the bull by the horn...:D xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I love the thought that you took Egypt with you, my love. That is so sweet! Hugses tight.

And Lij will soon let you know what he thinks about being called a 'pretty boy'...giggles. xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm happy you like it! :D xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

No, you are quite right in your assumption as to why Dom thinks Lij a thief! Well spotted!!

Udom Singh is a very emotional man - and so, although he doesn't realise it yet - is Elijah! ;D xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Osman Singh is Orli, and I like him a lot, too, bless him.

And, well spotted that reference! :D Next part reveals why. :D xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

We did - thank you! ;D

Am very glad you like it, my love. I do, too. xxxx

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

What a wonderful description of the endless palace. There were all sorts of other things I was going to comment on but all that has been driven from my head by Udom's fit of temper! A thief!? lol. I expect Elijah will have something to say to that. :D XXOO

[lisabellex.livejournal.com]

The tension's rising - and not just with Elijah's boil! Glad that burst, though, and Dr. Ian was able to make good. Gosh, what a find for Elijah, stumbling across Udom in his secret garden of love and catching him in the act, and getting spied doing it, too.

Looking forward to finding out what's behind Dom's accusation of theft!

:D

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

i am a martyr to boils, so I know of what I speak! Poor Lij! xxx