Beyond Simla - Eleven

[ismenin]

Hello! It's just started raining, and Nick, Rich and their Dad have just gone out to help The Youngest, Jon, to move furniture to his new office. Bum!! It'll be WET.

The top pic is a manip of the REAL Duleep Singh, Maharajah of Somewhere - I Can't Remember Where. But it is now Udom Singh, Maharajah of Ranjipore! I must get Rich to do another Elijah one. I've got 4 of Dom and only one of The Delectable One, or TDO as I called him on Tolkien Online. This will not do! More Lij desperately needed.

I hope you're all ready for this. Poor LSR really is poorly. She has a very bad chest, and could do with your kind thoughts, I'm sure.

Here it is.

Thank you, ladysunrope for your determination to do this, today. Huge thanks and hugs xxxx


Part - 11


Elijah, hanging on tightly to Dom's arm, went down the stairs into one of the drawing rooms on the ground floor. "I do not recommend the bright green one," Dom grinned as he opened the door, and led Elijah in. "This one - blue - is most restful."

Elijah could not care less what colour the room was, he needed to sit down. He was breathless, and decided it had something to do with the loss of blood. Obedient to Ian's instructions to drink more, he ordered tea.

Captain Wenham came in to see how Elijah was faring. He had visited his lordship whilst he was kept in bed, but had found him sleepy, and disinclined to talk. Today, however, he looked much better. He said so.

"Thank you. My knees feel as limp as candle wicks, but I'm sure I'll recover more quickly now I am not confined to bed. Tell me..." he asked, indicating that Wenham take the seat opposite him, "...tell me how the general is taking my... indisposition."

David frowned as he sat down. "He is not pleased, of course, that you refused to let Dr Crowley take a look at you. Being in the rudest of health himself, the general can have no notion how bad a doctor his cousin really is, having no cause to consult him."

Elijah smiled, and drew two letters from his pocket. He handed them to the captain. "I hope you can contrive that these get into the post, unmolested by Portman. You will get a new doctor, and, I hope, a new general, too."

Wenham glanced at the letters before putting them in his inside pocket. One was to the Viceroy, and the other to the Queen. "You can be sure of that. One of my dear friends is in charge of the post, and..."

He was interrupted by a servant, who entered precipitately, followed by Billy Boyd, his green eyes blazing, and Duleep Singh.

"Your Excellency..." the servant blustered. Dom quickly left his seat, and ushered the man out before either man recognised him. It was not a moment too soon. As the door closed, Duleep was kneeling, eyes lowered, and Billy was staring at Dom, hardly willing to believe his eyes.

"Ah, well, the cat's out of the bag, now, and no mistake!" Billy bowed low to the prince, and then to his master.

"I'm sorry, m'lord, but I couldna stay, hearing you were injured and all. And Duleep, here, offered to ride with me, to show me the way."

Elijah sighed. "It's all right, Billy. Just as a matter of interest, how did you learn that I was...injured?"

"A heliograph, sir - just after dawn. We rode, hell for leather, after that, to get here."

Wenham glanced quickly at Billy, and then at Elijah. "If I may ask, Mr Boyd - who sent the message?"

Billy shook his head. "No name was attached, sir. I assumed it was the general. I couldna leave you here, wounded, sir, you must understand that."

Elijah smiled at his loyal servant. "I did not wish you to come into danger, but you are very welcome. And Duleep Singh, too."

The horse-master was still on his knees. "Oh, get up, man!" Dom ordered, exasperated. "Few here - those in this room, and Hill, Prince Osman and Dr Ian - know who I am. But it will not take them long to guess who I am, if you kneel before me every time I pass you by."

Duleep Singh, rose with alacrity, but kept his head down.

"Yes, Highness."

"My name," Dom said, firmly, "is Duleep Rahdhesh Singh, and I am your cousin. Strive to remember it!"

"Yes, Highness. Should I return to the palace, or stay here, Highness?"

Dom thought for a moment. "Stay, I think, for now. I might have need of you."

Elijah laughed. "I think it best, Duleep Singh, if you confine yourself to the stables, and come into contact with his Highness as little as possible, lest you inadvertently reveal his identity to those whom we do not desire to know of it."

Dom waved the man away. "Go and wash the dust off, and... and tend to the horses, man. I will send for you if I need you - either by Captain Wenham, here, or Hill. No-one else, so you will know it is from me if a message comes to you. Tell no-one here who I am, understand? Now, go!"

The man bowed himself out of the room.

"I really do not think, Dom, that he would make a good conspirator. He is far too obsequious towards you to make you appear his cousin, don't you think?" Elijah was looking at Billy, who seemed tired.

Before Dom had time to answer, Elijah ordered Billy to take some rest and refreshment. "It is not like you to be so pulled down by one short ride, Bill..." then he remembered the man's injuries. "Is it your back?"

"Aye, sir, it festered. Yon doctor at the palace did his best, and the lady doctor that Dr Ian is training up for the harem, too, but it still went bad."

"Dom, please oblige me by pulling the bell."

If Billy thought that his master calling the king of the country, 'Dom', was oddly familiar, he said nothing, and when the servant came, he went off willingly with him to see if Ian could do something for his wounds.

***

Ian insisted that Elijah rested during the heat of the afternoon. By then Elijah was extremely weary, and was not unhappy to get between clean, white sheets, and rest for an hour.

Whilst he was lying there, he came to a decision. That night, he would tell Dom who it was that had attacked him. It was not right to keep such news from his lover - or from the king.


Elijah did not eat much at dinner, that evening, he was far too concerned with what Dom would say, or rather more, what he would do. He had thought to tell him before they retired for the night, but realised that Dom, naked, was far less likely to dash out of the room to do who knew what before he was able to talk him round.

As it turned out, the sight of Dom, naked, and very aroused, proved too much for Elijah's strength of will, so he was allowed to have his way. He brought Dom to a shuddering climax, and, most fortuitously, was able to approach the matter whilst Dom was lying back, sated and weak.

"Dom, I have something to tell you which you may not quite like."

Dom, who had been nibbling the lobe of Elijah's ear, stopped and bent an enquiring gaze upon his partner.

"Do not tell me, if you think I will not like it, then. It is not that you have another lover, is it?"

Dom had a smile on his lips, but his eyes were serious.

"No, Dom, there is only you. No, it is far more serious than that."

Elijah decided on a plan of action, for he did not think Dom would hurt him, however angered he was. But he was not certain of that. To that end, he knelt, one leg each side of Dom's body, pinning him down, and said, quietly...

"Dom, I know who it was that attacked me..."

Before he had time to finish what he was saying, Dom brushed his hair out of his eyes and took both of Elijah's hands in his.

"Tell me!" he demanded.

"Only if you swear not to go racing off like an avenging angel, putting yourself at more risk by your high-handed attitude."

Dom did not smile. "Tell me!" he said again. This time his voice was harsher. Elijah kissed him. "Promise?"

"Lij...I can promise nothing until I know who it is. Tell me!"

Elijah knew he could not stop him if Dom chose to act. He had no power over Dom, but his feelings for him, and Dom had been king of this land for over twenty years.

"Very well, Highness. It was Duleep Singh."

Dom's eyes went black with anger. "Duleep Singh? Are you certain?"

Elijah nodded. "He spoke in accented English, but I knew his voice. It was most certainly Duleep Singh.”


Elijah slid gently to Dom's side, and brushed a hand across his cheek. "It could be argued, I suppose, that I was one of the conspirators against you, and Duleep was protecting you. There is a case for it, from what you have just told me, if I knew Bambaiyaa, which I don't."

Dom kissed him. "Hill said one of the men had an awful accent - spoke the dialect very badly. That could not be you - you do everything so beautifully."

"Everything?" Elijah's voice was shy.

"Certainly everything," Dom whispered, before his voice became serious again. "You know Duleep Singh must die?"

"I understand that. But, Dom, not before we find out who ordered him to do this thing. I hardly think he did it of his own free will."

"You are very right. He was acting under orders. It was clever of him - or whoever it is that controls him - to think of ordering him back to the palace, so that he could come here, openly, with Boyd. Very clever. What do you think I should do, now?"

Elijah thought for a moment. "Send him back to the palace. He has seen you; it is unlikely that he won't tell of it to others besides his master. Give him a message for Arjit, Basmin, and Rashman Singh, telling them that you are well, that Osman is much better, and that you are staying at the garrison for a few more days, to keep Osman - and me - company. There is no point in hiding your identity, now. General Portman will be less than delighted, I'm sure, to discover you are staying here."

"Yes, indeed, I will certainly do so. But, Lij, my body, if not my mind, wishes to...I want...I'd like..." His voice was gentle, again. "Let us forget them all, until the morning."

"What would you like, Dom? Tell me."

"I would like you to take me, Lij - hard. Very hard. It would divert my mind wonderfully - if you feel you are well enough to do it."

Elijah thought about it for a few seconds only. "Oh, yes, I can do it," he said - and he did.

***

Dom did not sleep well that night, despite receiving all he had wished from Elijah, who slept peacefully within the circle of his arms. He did not mind that his mending arm twinged with the effort; that did not prevent him from sleeping. It was the treachery of Duleep Singh that did so.

He and Duleep had been childhood friends, in the days when little boys held no position or rank, but were just friends - one the son of a sais, one a prince. Then when Dom came into his kingship, Duleep's father had been promoted to horse-master, where he, and his son after him, had served well, and faithfully, so Dom had thought. It was why Dom had had no second thoughts about using an identity that linked him to Duleep’s family, and in fact, had been glad to do so, knowing that when all was solved, Duleep would be proud of the honour - the trust of his prince.

But Duleep Singh was no longer faithful; no longer to be trusted. He had another master, now. Who was it?

He looked down at the serene face, resting on his shoulder, deep in sleep. He cared greatly for Elijah, he thought, just recognising the fact, and being momentarily stunned by it. Yes, he cared him - but could he trust him?

He thought how Elijah had striven to give Dom what he needed. How he had pounded into Dom's body with a passion bordering on frenzy. As if it had been what he, too, needed.

Dom remembered the soft lips on his mouth; how Elijah had moved to the base of his neck, and bitten him there, where no mark would show.

How Dom, moved almost to tears by Elijah's desire to please him, had begged, after he had come, for more, and Elijah had bitten him on the tender inner thigh, where Dom could feel the aching pleasure of it, even now.

Elijah - his Lij - had then fallen, panting from the effort, into his arms, and Dom had kissed him, tenderly, smoothing the dark hair out of his lover's eyes so that he could see the lashes resting on the now flushed cheek. He was altogether beautiful.

Dom kissed the sleeping man again. He would play the consummate actor in the morning. Send Duleep Singh off to the palace with a friendly smile, whilst his heart was yearning to act at once and tear the man's liver out with his teeth.

Not only was he a traitor, but he had harmed Elijah, and Elijah was one of the very few people for whom Dom held the deepest feelings. He would be avenged, Dom swore, placing his hand on Elijah's head to do so. By Kali, the destroyer, the dark goddess of vengeance, he swore it - and it would be done.

Then he slept.

***

Before breakfast was served, Dom sent for Duleep Singh. He and Elijah sat alone in the blue salon, as Ian was tending to Osman and Billy above stairs.

Duleep knelt, and Dom offered him his hand to kiss. "Duleep, old friend, I must send you back to the palace with a message for my uncle and cousins."

Dom looked at the man carefully, being sure not to seem to be observing, and keeping the smile he affected pinned to his lips. Was there a shade of anxiety in Duleep's eyes? Had he been ordered by his unknown master to stay?

"You may send Gafur with my clothing, and such jewels as he thinks necessary. Tell him not to rush, he is no longer a young man."

Duleep bowed again. "I shall return with him..." he began, but Dom forestalled him. "I wish you to stay there and guard my family, Duleep. There are many here who can watch over us. Lord Osman was comforted to know that his dear brother Lord Rashman was on the mend - I thank you for that news - and I am certain Lord Rashman will feel the same regarding Lord Osman, too. Inform my uncle, Lord Arjit, that His Excellency and I will bring Lord Osman back to the palace as soon as he is fit to travel. To that end, tell Gafur to come here in a carriage - the largest one - and to fit it out with such comforts as he thinks necessary for the return journey. "

Elijah watched and listened as Dom continued to give his orders, and when the man had bowed himself out of the room, remarked, in a low voice, "he did not wish to leave, Dom. He must have had orders from someone to stay here at all costs."

Dom got up and leaned against the fireplace, the smile gone, his face grim. "Yes, I thought so, too. Damn him to hell! Still, he will not be able to do much harm if he is not here. But how many more are there in the pay of another? The servants here..."

"It will be the same wherever you are, Dom. At least, in the palace, there are rooms aplenty in which to hide. How many rooms are there, out of interest?"

Dom shrugged. "I do not know. Above eight hundred, I remember being told, once. There are places even I have never seen. You are right. We are like fish in a barrel here. We will be better at the palace, even if there is a killer on the loose..."

Just then the steward came to announce breakfast, and they went in together, affecting a lightness of spirit neither man was feeling.

***

They spent some time with Osman, who was looking much better. "I cannot tell you, Dada-ji..." said Osman after being told that Elijah was in on their secret, "...how grateful I am to you that you came to me in time."

He smiled up at his grandfather, gratefully.

"Nonsense!" Ian said, brusquely, imperfectly concealing his love for his other grandson. "Any competent doctor could have done it, Osman."

"Yes, indeed, but I understand from Hill that there is no competent doctor here. That man...is an idiot! I cannot understand why he is let loose upon these poor men. Something must be done..."

Ian patted Osman's hand. "Quiet, boy! Something has been done. Elijah has sent a letter to the viceroy, and one to Queen Victoria. A doubler!"

"The Queen has a soft place in her heart for her soldiers. If Uncle Hubert is not willing to oust Crowley, Cousin Victoria will do it."

***

Gafur arrived an hour before dinner, allowing Dom to don clothing more suited to his station.

Dressing in Elijah's room whilst a more suitable chamber was hurriedly being prepared by frantic staff for their king, he picked up a dark red tunic, fastened with huge rubies and edged with gold. "I want Portman to be impressed, Lij. Will this impress him?"

Elijah surveyed the tunic with a jaundiced eye. "A trifle too much glitter for my tastes, but admirably suited to take the wind out of the general's sails. Yes, indeed."

"Let us go and dine with him, Lij! I am longing to see his face. Gafur, ask Hill to find Captain Wenham. I should like them to accompany us - not to dine, it would sour the food in their mouths - just to see the expression on Portman's face, and upon the face of his scrawny wife."

Ten minutes later, Dom and Elijah, followed by Hill and Wenham, walked across the square, and Hill knocked imperatively on the door.

It was opened by a servant in white, wearing a turban of blue cloth. This marked his status as the steward. Captain Wenham spoke. "Naadir, here is the Maharajah Udom Singh come to dine with the general. Show him in, if you please."

The man knelt, flustered and afraid. Dom reached down a rubied hand and pulled him up. "Naadir, I wish to frighten Portman, not my fellow countrymen - do you understand?"

The man's eyes gleamed. "Absolutely, Highness. If you would deign to follow me, please. The general is at dinner."

"Then we shall have no compunction in interrupting him. Go on, man!"

Naadir flung the door open with a flourish. The general was not pleased. "Damn you, Naadir! I told you never to interrupt me when I am dining - especially when my cousin is present!"

"I am desolate to interrupt your meal, general," Dom said in dulcet tones, strolling into the room with Elijah at his side. "But I thought you would not mind seeing me."

The general's wife was indeed scrawny, Elijah thought, and made a noise very like a strangled chicken when her bulbous, watery eyes lit on Dom's exquisite silken and bejewelled form. Portman leapt to his feet.

Dom stood before him arrayed in the red tunic, covered with rubies and positively dripping pearls. His trousers were cream silk, and his turban held the largest ruby the general had ever seen. On his feet were slippers of cream kid studded with diamonds and pearls. That he was a king, there was no doubt.

"Er, Your Highness, er...welcome to my...humble home. Please will you not be seated?"

Dom turned his back on the general and winked at Hill and Wenham. "I have kept you from your dinner. Please go to it, now. We shall not need you again tonight."

Both men obeyed without a word, trying hard not to smirk at the discomfiture of the general.

General Portman rang for the servants as his wife seemed unable to move. Doctor Crowley was similarly immobilised, eyes staring at the vision of wealth before him.

Swiftly two places were laid at the head of the table, and Portman joined his wife lower down.

Dom sat at the head with Elijah seated at his right. Dom looked about him, and smiled. Mrs Portman looked for all the world like a plucked boiling fowl, and the general and the doctor were red-faced with confusion and fear. Dom smiled at Elijah. "Ah, how pleasant this is! General, shall we dine?"

***

The two men were still laughing as they returned to the guest house. Every servant in the place seemed to have gathered in the hall for the sole purpose of seeing their king.
The king did not disappoint them. He spoke to every one, and commended their loyalty and service. If there was a traitor here, it was not fair upon the faithful to deny them praise.

They went straight to Osman's room to find him in bed, weeping, and Ian sitting with him, holding his hand.

Ian looked up as they entered. "A rider came for you, Dom, and his message was delivered here, to Osman, for at that time the steward did not know where you were."

"Rashman Singh is dead," he said before anyone could speak. "Poisoned."

Gafur came into the room, and closed the door. He bowed low to Dom. "You may execute your judgement upon me, Highness. I killed him," he said, his voice low, but vibrating with passion. "And I am glad in my heart that I did it!"

Comments

[tristanpaulus.livejournal.com]

Oooh! Rashman poisoned by Gafur? But why?

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Next part is up, my love! You'll find something to the purpose there! :D xxx

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Well, now, that's a shock. I'm very anxious to find out why Gafur poisoned Rashman Singh.

I loved the scene when Dom and Elijah showed up at the General's dinner. Excellent.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I liked that part a lot, myself. Portman deserves it. :D xxx

[karin-woywod.livejournal.com]

Haven't read this chapter yet, but I've got what you wanted. I am not sure you will like it though, as it shows Elijah with his Father (the more respected a person was, the more likely it was that they were photographed seated at the time) back in England.



Love,

- Karin.

P.S. Guess who was the real body used for Elijah in this old photograph ?

It was Rudyard Kipling ! ! !

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

OOOOH! Lovely! Thank you so much, Karin. I think, in my verse, this will be Elijah with his mother's father, because he looks like a kindly old man - and there must be some nice folks in his family! Hugs ;D xxx

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

Portman is put in his place once again! Good! :) But what's this about Gafur poisoning Rashman? Did he find some sort of proof that Rashman was behind the treachery? Oh, dear!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Next part posted, my dear. Gafur speaks! :D xxx

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

Holy crap! Well, at least we know Gafur is one who is not to be trusted. Unless he's lying. Poor Rashman Singh, dead.

I have to say I feel badly for Duleep Singh since he was a childhood friend of Dom's and all. Someone must have really gotten to him if he tried to kill Elijah. I almost think he did it because he thought Elijah was a threat to Dom for some reason. It's sad. :( So many mysteries.

I love your description of how decked out Dom was in all his finery.

I hope Dom can somehow stay safe in the palace. 800 rooms or not, someone's going to know where he is. *worries*

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Dom looks very lovely dressed up, as my Dad used to say, like a fourpenny ham-bone!

Very glad you liked it. Next part posted, too. I'm on the ball. :D xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

A great chapter and most enjoyable to read!

Thanks so much for posting :-)

Hope LSR starts ro feel better very soon.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reading, my love! Next part posted! Hugs ;D xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

Before I read this next part I HAVE TO comment on this. I read this and hadn't commented. I loved this. It was so revealing. Oh weak Elijah being helped by his Dom. Its too wonderful. The way you revealed how Elijah gave Dom the hard and passionate sex he needed and made sure he was pleased melted me, as did the tenderness and hint of tears there for Elijah by Dom. It was a beautiful way to describe this intense moment which opened up even more of their deep feelings building within them. I couldn't believe it was Duleep Singh. Especially in reading his history with Dom. I loved how Dom wanted to rip his liver out with his teeth for doing this to Elijah (oh yes...loves the man).
I got a thrill when Elijah had the letters delivered to the Viceroy and his "cousin Victoria", requested they be delivered "unmolested". What a great term for this and so with the time. Dom must be constantly entertained watching this beautiful man's mind at work at all times.
Of course the image of Dom all decked and bejeweled walking in to the pompous fart of a man such as Portman to set him low was hysterical. but in the end, it was a shocking turn. I have my thoughts and am moving to part 12. I reread this on the way to Toledo today. It was such a great diversion.
hugs you tons my Ru xooxoxoxxo v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I'd like to tear his liver out with my teeth, too - if I had any! ;D

Dom likes nothing better that watching Elijah - except making mad passionate love with him, of course! Sigh. I'm totally with him, there! Huggles xxxx

[lisabellex.livejournal.com]

What? Rashman Singh is dead and Gafur dunnit? But why, Ruh, why? Oh lor, this is a ripping yarn and no mistake. First there's what looks to be treachery from Duleep, who was a childhood friend of Dom's, yet he stabbed Dom's love, Elijah, and then there's putting down of Portman (which is always most satisfying), followed by this! Looking forward to finding out who did what to whom, and being privy to more domlijah loving along the way - always most nice!

A most entertaining tale, Ru.

xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I do like why's? I do, I do! It adds a frisson to the proceedings. I'm very glad you like it, my love. Hope that situation continues. Hugses :D xxx