Beyond Simla - Thirteen

[ismenin]

This lovely photo is of Elijah Denham Wood with his mother's father, the only member of his family who was kind to him. It was done for me by the lovely and talented karin_woywod, and great thanks to her for her kindness! Mwah!!






All hail, Sunday girls! Forgive me, but I fell asleep, and LSR had to ring me to see if I was ok! Duh! I woz tired, after seeing New Moon, Friday, and shopping and stuff yesterday. Am I the only one who liked the film? I thought it was great. Well, it takes all sorts to make a world, hey??

On, then, to Ranjipore, my loves.



Thanks, as always, to dear ladysunrope for beta. Hugses. :D



Part -- 13



Dom sighed as he felt Elijah’s lips upon his skin. The kisses followed a path, down towards…

Really, Dom thought, happily, he has such a talented mouth!

As he arched his back to thrust himself further down Elijah's throat, he heard the softest sound from the other side of The Cupboard. Someone was trying to get in.

"Lij!" he hissed. "Stop! Listen!"

There was another soft bump, and both men leapt naked from the bed, and Dom quietly opened the panel. There was a short rattle from the other door, and then silence.

Dom pulled back the bolts, and dashed into the next chamber, but was just in time to see the far door to the room shut hurriedly. He knew there was no point in running after the man. Whoever it was knew the palace, it was obvious. He would be hidden by now.

He went slowly back, shot the bolts to, and got back into bed.

"Damn!" Elijah said, pulling Dom into his arms. "Do you think he'll come back when we're not here, and try to open it from this side? No, I am being stupid. Of course, if he was in here, there would be no need to come in through The Cupboard."

Dom was not trembling, but agitation was sparking from his skin like electricity.

"Mother, the girls, Mooma... Are they safe there? I should have gone to them straight away...."

"Dom, Dom...you would have heard if anything had happened, and we decided - do you not remember? - that it is better to leave it until things calm down a little, so that we can be sure you are not being followed. Rest, now. It has been a long day."

"Mooma!"Dom whispered into Elijah's neck. His little daughter, waiting for her father to come to tell her all he did each day whenever the occasion allowed him. Well, Elijah thought, he'd hardly want to tell her about the doings of the last several days.

He contrasted Dom's loving feelings for his family with those he felt for his own. For his mother and father he felt nothing, but a dutiful respect. He did not remember ever seeing his father until he was five years old, and his mother was a nebulous creature, flitting into the nursery several times a week between afternoon tea and dressing for dinner - if it were convenient for her to do so.

No, Nanny was his true love. She it was who presented him with jam on his toasted muffin, or the occasional sweetmeat, smuggled in against his mother's express wishes. Why she disapproved of them he never discovered, but by then it was not important.

When he went to Eton, the boys shared the contents of their tuck boxes with him, amazed that an earl's household could not be organised to send one small boy a plum cake or a set of sticky toffee apples. Elijah did not tell them that his mother would no more think of doing so than she would of flying to the moon.

Elijah kissed Dom gently on the brow. All thought of sexual intimacy had fled from them, leaving - in Elijah, at least - an overwhelming urge to protect his lover from the trials that assailed him.

Dom lifted his face, and Elijah kissed him, again. "I have to see them tomorrow" he said quietly, "I would very much like to speak to them all."

"I should think we could especially if we send Gafur for the clothing we spoke of. No-one will give us a second look, dressed as servants. We could go anywhere."

Dom settled down, happier, now, that there was a plan.
Nothing else disturbed their sleep that night.

***

They were all assembled in the larger of the reception rooms by the time Billy rose, and Gafur tapped on the door with the morning tea.

Osman looked much better for a good night's sleep, and though he was still grieving for his brother - for his treachery as much, if not more than his death - he was able to drink two cups of tea, and even made a joke, which made everyone smile.

Gafur announced "I will bring fresh clothing whilst you all freshen yourselves. It is a shame that you all will have to use the same bathroom, but I am certain you will be finished before breakfast arrives."

There was a slight pause before he said "I will have the head cook taste everything as he dishes it up." The threat of poison hung heavy over their heads.


Dom and Lij presented themselves for inspection after breakfast had been cleared away. Both were dressed in servants clothing, clean, fresh, and very anonymous.

"Lij, you do look very fetching in the turban," Osman laughed. "No-one, indeed, would take you for an Englishman."

Elijah was pleased, and so was Dom. He hoped they would be able to travel about the palace that morning unmolested.

"I have told Arjit and Basmin that we would lunch with them, here. We will be back well before then. Keep the door locked until we return."

Ian went out and strolled along the corridor, but there was no-one in sight, so, Dom and Elijah quickly slipped away, and were soon swallowed up in the hundreds of corridors the palace contained.


***

They passed many servants and officials on their way to the harem, but no-one that they knew or who would know them.
As Dom expertly manipulated the door that gave way to the secret entrance, both men were sure they had not been followed.

However, Elijah thought that if there was a traitor within the harem, the greater danger lay in someone following them back - if they knew the secret door. Fortunately, it was not obvious, and one had to traverse through several rooms before ending up in a little-used corridor.

"Pitah-ji! Pitah-ji!" the little girl cried as her father appeared through the panel. She ran into his arms, and he swooped her up, burying his face in her long dark hair. Then, still with the child locked in one arm, he embraced his mother and his two wives as if they were his sisters Elijah thought, happily.

Refreshments were sent for, and the two men told Dom's family such parts of their story as they wished them to know. Nothing was mentioned about Duleep Singh, and they soon discovered that the women thought Rashman had died of his injuries.

"I am so grateful to you, sir, for looking after my son so faithfully," the Lady Aditi said, clasping Elijah's hands in her slim, hennaed ones. She had looked from one man to the other as they had spoken, and seemed very satisfied with her son's condition.

Soon the child's nurse came in as it was time for the girl's bath, and Lady Aditi sent the two women off with her. They were happy to go, and each allowed Dom to kiss their hand before departing, blushing and giggling like schoolgirls.

"It seems a pity that they will remain virgins, Udom. But they are happy. At least they are more comfortable here than they were in their father's palace. He is a tyrant. They told me such things of him... Faugh! I cannot stand the man." Lady Aditi spat, with feeling.

Dom looked slightly shocked that his mother should speak so freely in front of Elijah, a supposed stranger, but immediately realised that she had, in some way, divined their relationship.

Quickly, before anyone came in, Dom told her the true state of affairs. The lady was shocked. "Rashman? My son, it is dangerous for you even to be here! Go to Jodhpur, and stay with your cousin there..."

Dom took his mother's hands in his. "Mama-ji, I am not safe anywhere," he said, using the Anglo-Indian name for her that he had used since his childhood. "Besides, Lij and I are determined to find the other traitor."

Lady Aditi stared at Elijah. "Can you do it?" She was silent for a moment. "If Rashman was taking orders...only Arjit or Basmin..." She fell silent. They, of course, headed the list. If Rashman had a master, it had to be one of them. Or both.


The head eunuch - a beautiful, tall man, in his thirties, with long dark hair hanging to his waist, and dressed in a blue sari that was nearly as fine as the one worn by his mistress - came in to ask if they wanted more refreshments.

"No, I thank you, Wafiya," the queen said, waving him away. "We are well as we are."

Dom went off with the eunuch to question him on some point,
and Elijah stayed to keep the queen company. "Lady," he said, turning to the queen, and fixing her with his bright gaze, "tell me; how is the main door of this er...enclosure...opened from the outer side, and exactly who is allowed inside?"

She told him, and when Dom returned with his daughter, who was still damp, and freshly smelling of soap, he took the child from his lover, and she came to him willingly.

She was a very lovely child, and Elijah felt happy to be talking and playing with her whilst Dom spoke with his mother. She is clever, too, Elijah thought, as the little girl chattered animatedly, showing each of her dolls to Elijah in turn, and naming them. He never had had anything to do with children, and he was pleasantly surprised that he was enjoying himself.

Not long afterwards, Dom glanced at the gold and ivory clock on the wall and saw that it was nearly mid-day. "We must go, Mama-ji...Mooma, my pretty flower," he said, kissing them both.

Elijah was permitted to kiss little Mooma, but he was very surprised when the queen stood and embraced him, also, within her scented arms. "Be kind to my son," she whispered in his ear. "He deserves some happiness."

Elijah kissed her hand, also, and bowed. "You can be certain of it, Highness," he murmured, as Dom hugged his daughter to him one last time. He explained to the child that he would come and see her again as soon as he could, and that, meanwhile, she was to be a good girl, and do as her grandmother told her. She ran to her grandmother, who picked her up, smiling. "She is always a good girl for me, aren't you, my precious?"


They were soon walking quickly down one of the main corridors when Dom, suddenly grabbed Elijah's arm and hissed in anger and fear - "run!"

They hurried back to Elijah's apartments, where Elijah could see Dom's hand shook as he tapped the signal on the door.

He dashed in. "Change!" he gasped, racing to the bedroom where his clothing was laid out by Gafur.

Elijah did so, swiftly, knowing that Dom must have had a good reason for such haste.

Straightening his tie, he hurried back into the drawing room, where Dom was pacing the floor mumbling, "dear god, dear god!"

"What is it?” Elijah asked, but before he could be answered, there was a knock on the door.

Dom stood straight, pulling his sleeves down carefully, calming himself with a great effort, as in came a boy of about ten years old, and mindful of his great-uncle Arjit's eye upon him, bowed low to Dom, and then again, to Osman and Elijah, as to an equal. Then forgetting protocol, he rushed forward. "Papa!" he cried, as his father held out his arms to him.

Udai Singh, Dom's only son, had returned home.

***

Dom's face was pale with shock, but he admirably hid from his child any feelings of disquiet he was suffering at seeing his son return to what he himself thought of as a honey-trap.

After introducing Elijah to the boy, and Elijah comporting himself with perfect ease in the presence of the young heir to the throne, Dom, slightly relieved, sat next to the boy on a sofa.

"How do you come to be here, Udai?" he asked.

The boy looked puzzled. "But, Papa, you wrote to me!" Udai said in the perfect English of an Eton scholar. He fumbled for a moment in the jacket of his school uniform, and produced a letter, which he handed to his father, with a frown. "do you not remember?"

Dom perused the letter carefully. It seemed to have been signed and sealed by him, even though the letter was typed. He cast his uncle a stern glance, but the older man seemed as confused as was he. "How could anyone get the seal?"

Dom frowned him down. Not before the boy, seemed to be the signal. And Dom knew full well that Arjit was the keeper of the seal. It would have to be discussed later.

"Ah! I meant how came you to be here so soon? It seems only a few weeks since this was written," Dom said, carefully evading an obvious lie.

"I had my man pack as soon as I received it, Papa. I could see that you were anxious to see me. We have been travelling for so long –trains, ships, it has been so exciting!" The boy frowned a little. “Are you not pleased to see me, Papa?”

Dom put his arm around his son's shoulder. "I am always glad to see you, Udai. You must know that."

The boy chatted away in an animated fashion, telling his father about school, and his friends, and the Latin paper he had passed with flying colours.

Arjit Singh bowed, and left them to talk, and Elijah drew his chair up to Osman's sofa, and began speaking to him in a soft voice, allowing father and son to catch up on their separate lives.

"You seem wistful," Osman said, seeing more in his expression that Elijah would have wished. "Do you not get on with your father?"

Elijah's eyes were sad. "We rarely meet. I can't say that I even know him, Osman. Did you?"

He smiled. "Yes, indeed. My father was Udom's - Dom's - father's next younger brother. He died, unfortunately, in a fall from a horse during a polo match. The girth snapped..."

He suddenly became silent. In a hushed tone that only Elijah could hear, he said, his voice hoarse..."it seems to me, all of a sudden, Lij, that too many of my male relatives have met with fatal accidents. I never before have had cause to question it, but now I do."

Elijah thought about it for a moment. "If you all died, even young Udai - who would succeed to the throne? Arjit?"

"After Udai, me, and then Arjit, then Basmin, and after Basmin, our cousin Dipesh, then..." Osman's voice tailed off. "Where, in the line, do you think all these accidents would cease?"

"Forgive me - but where, in the line, did Rashman come?"

Osman closed his eyes. "He came nowhere. His father was not mine - not of our Royal House. He, too...died. He was a minor royal from the Punjab. Our mother insisted upon marrying him, after my father died, but he was a weak man, given to drink and women. He did not live long, either. He was found dead in a brothel. He had - supposedly - drunk himself to death. I always thought he had been killed - my mother's family are very proud - but it couldn't be proved of course, and, to be honest, no-one tried. Not long afterwards, my mother died, too."

He looked at Elijah with sad eyes. "Now I come to tell the tale, the deaths mount up, do they not? It is most disturbing."

The sound of a young voice raised in question stopped their conversation.

"But why can't I go to my own rooms, Papa-ji? Pradeep is there, now, unpacking my things. What is the matter with my own rooms - and why are you all here? Is something wrong?"

Before Elijah could think, Osman came to the rescue. "Mice!" he said, triumphantly. "And...and cockroaches! Damn things are everywhere, Udai, infesting the upper floors. Ate through three of my best tunics, too - and my silk cloak with the diamonds on, you know the one. So we are here until they are eradicated. Woke up with a damned cockroach in my hair, too. Dirty things. At least the servants managed to clear these rooms, but it took days!"

Dom sighed with relief. Udai hated vermin as much as he did. The lad looked horrified. "I think I will be happier with Grandmama in the harem, Papa. There are no...things...down there, are there?"

Dom rubbed his son's cheek. "No, my son, I think you will be safe from the creatures, there." He glanced at Elijah, and saw him nod almost imperceptibly. Neither of them were sure of safety anywhere, but it seemed they both thought the harem the better option for the boy. He was only ten years old - he could not be told of the attempted murders.

"Come! I have work to do. I will take you there, now, And your grandmother and Mooma will be very happy to see you. And, I understand your aunts have been making sweetmeats in their little kitchen. You will like that. Nougat with cherries in...and Turkish Delight."

Udai perked up at this. Like any boy, he enjoyed sweet stuff. He kissed Osman, and grasped his father's hand. Dom looked over his head at Elijah.

"I will accompany you, if you do not mind," he said, smiling. "There is something I wish to check."


Elijah stood by the library door and watched Dom knock for entrance. It was plain that he wished all to see that Udai was safely ensconced in the harem.

After Dom and his son had disappeared behind the thick doors, Elijah nodded. It was as he thought. Now he would have to think what he could do about it.

A few minutes later Dom joined him, and they both looked wistfully out into the gardens. "Do you think we would be safe out there for a little while?" Dom said, wistfully. "It seems we have spent much time indoors of late. By the way, what was it you meant to check? Shall we do it now?"

Elijah shook his head. "No, my love - not now, later will do. I think we should return to Osman now. We can come down to the gardens after it is dark, when no-one can see us. They are large enough to get lost in, after all."

Dom stared at Elijah, surprised beyond telling. The man had called him his love! And Dom liked it very much - oh, yes! Very much, indeed!

Arm in arm, they returned to the rooms, although Elijah hesitated before he went through the door.

“I have the strangest feeling - I feel as if we are being watched…” he looked back but there was nothing in the corridor at all.

Dom kissed him quickly. “You are being watched,” he whispered, “by me.”

Elijah gave a low laugh. “In that case, I do not mind in the least!”

Comments

[tristanpaulus.livejournal.com]

No dear I like Twilight as well, in fact I'm going to go see it for the third time tomorrow night.

[verangel.livejournal.com]

I liked it too. I know its faults but I still love it. hugs xoxoox v (we saw New Moon today after getting our christmas tree)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad! I thought I was the odd one out. Feel better about it all, now! 'D xxx

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

The manip is wonderful! I wonder who tried to get into the room? Makes me so curious. I enjoyed their visit to the harem, and Elijah having a chance to get to know Dom's daughter. But now Udai has come home, and it's obvious someone sent for him. The mystery deepens and the danger is growing. You really do know how to weave suspense and a love story together.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Love and suspense - my two favourite things. And I've a feeling this Dom n Lij wouldn't be safe on an Arctic floe with only a polar bear for company! ;D xxx

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

Oh, no! I'm worried about Udai being summoned home by the killers. I hope he will be safe in the harem. It may be the safest place in the palace. Since someone knows about the secret room, Dom and Elijah aren't safe anywhere! *bites nails*

Poor Osman now seems to have had his eyes opened; these assassinations have been going on for decades as the evil ones bring themselves closer and closer to the throne.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

They are not safe - but WHY are they not safe? I'd bite my nails, too - if I could!

Poor Osman has had a lot to put up with, too, bless him. But it'll all work out - in the end! ;D xxx

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

Oh goodness, Udai has been called home by--someone. Rajit wrote the letter, perhaps, if he is the only one with the seal.

I enjoyed Dom's interactions with his children, and Elijah's interactions with Dom's mother and daughter. :)

Osman hit the nail on the head. So many have died, and it's obvious more are meant to die.

I'm happy that you were able to post this today, Issi. I know how tiring shopping and movies can be. I haven't seen New Moon, yet.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Yeas, there are nasty fols about, apart from Duleep Singh. Were Dom n Lij right to think he mifght lead them to the other traitors if left free? We'll see!

I hope you enjoy New Moon. I'm in a minority, I know. But I did enjoy it! :D xxx

[choclatina40.livejournal.com]

I love how this plot thickens each week. I'm wondering seriously now about Arjit, and /or Basmin being involved in the murderous plot, signals are starting to point in their direction. I too believe that Dom and Elijah are being watched. I'm seeing New Moon after work monday, everyone I know thats seen it says it's great. Glad LSR phoned you :D !

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

There are serious baddies about - vbut who are they? I'm not telling - until it reveals itself. Cackles evilly!

Hope you enjoy New Moon. I need some more who agree with me. I've been lonely in my opinions of it, up until now. :D xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

Oh that is where I was today. We went and picked out our christmas tree and then went to see New Moon. It had a few slow parts but honestly I was ready for more! Oh...when the shirts came off. *sighs loudly* It isn't a brilliant plot but it is pure basic 101 romance and intrigue. I love the mix with vampires and wolves. I haven't read this chapter yet. I will, you know it. hgus you xooxxo v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

That's what I like about it - undying love, romance, and werewolves and vamps. I have simple tastes!

I hope you enjoy this when you have time to read it. Huggles ;D xxxx

[tristanpaulus.livejournal.com]

I don't pretend Twilight doesn't have all kinds of things to criticize about it, but I guess for me it's kind of a guilty pleasure....it's undying eternal love, vampires, and werewolves!

They get such savage reviews, us fans have to stick together ;-)

[forestrane.livejournal.com]

Oh, Elijah is very observant. What did he see outside the harem? Who brought Udai home? No one is safe anymore.

Can't wait for the next chapter.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Aw, ta! What did he see? Yes, and no one is safe! I like that! ;D xxx

[tristanpaulus.livejournal.com]

You are certainly weaving a tangled web. Osman seems innocent, and Ian (I hope), but who else?

I feel sorry for Dom, not knowing who to trust, and feeling betrayed by those he trusted. It must be a very upsetting thing to realize someone in your own inner circle is plotting to kill you and those you love.

But it was sweet when Elijah automatically called Dom "my love", and how much Dom liked it....I wonder if Elijah has even realized he said it yet?

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I don't think he does realise it, bless him. Li'l Lij is not used to using loving words - it just came naturally.

It's a hard time for Dom - and it'll get worse before it gets better, Laughs an evil laugh. ;D xxx

[lisabellex.livejournal.com]

I'm rather wondering whether they're being watched over by good, caring eyes, and whether the intruder in the cupboard might have had benign intention. We shall see! Now, I wonder who summoned Udai from school? The mind boggles! So many questions, and still the traitor or traitors have to be found. Very much looking forward to the next!

:D

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Hm. Not sure either. But I'm sure we'll find out, in the end! And who summoned Udai from school? I think I know! ;d I think! xxxx

[sumisu78.livejournal.com]

I want to know what Elijah knows! Aaah, the suspense...
I wonder if someone saw Dom and Elijah in bed together or suspects something. Thank you! :)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And you never know who's watching, do you? :D xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

Oh...the word "love" has entered and I love how it did. It snuck in and Dom heard it. His gorgeous and reserved and well controlled Elijah uttered the word 'love' for Dom. BUT the first part was pure delicious. I loved how you wove their sex into it in such a subtle but conscious way. It adds to the great love they are growing.
There is so much deceipt. I know I had my immediate feelings and I won't say. Its growing in that direction but...oh I know your dreams will surprise us. You are THAT brilliant.
Dom's mother seeing into Elijah and just 'knowing' he is important for her son. I felt it. Mooma...what an adorable term for his baby girl.
I am glad Osman is aware now and suspicious. It is amazing that he is now having to face his own great losses and realize that people could want him out, his family out, that people could want hiim killed. He is so innocent.
Domm's son being there. That is so manipulative and obvious of wrongdoing. I feel Dom's fear for his children, for those he loves and finding a safe haven while finding the truth.
I love this, sorry so late, but you know...I do love it and you xoxoxo v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I know there's a lot going on, and whilst I now know who the evol one/ones are, I have no idea why he/they're doing what he/they're doing, which makes it a BIT scary. Still, it's always turned out in the end, before - so I hope it does this time, too. Glad you're still enjoying it. Hugses as always ;D xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Thanks yet again for another fascinating chapter! I've only just finished this one so at least I'm not too far behind...

Nothing much to add to the comments above. Wondering who sent for Udai and who was trying to get into The Cupboard 0_0

How sweet that Elijah called Dom "my love" *bless*

Looking forward to the next chapter when it arrives! Love the manips, btw :-)
*huggles*
XXXX