Beyond Simla - Twenty One

[ismenin]

Hello! poor lsr has had putie trouble, so I was very grateful that she managed to get this to me tonight.

I do hope you all enjoy it. Without further ado


Thank you, LSR for beta! xxx


Part - 21



Two days later, Ian declared Elijah fit to travel. "He so wishes to return to the palace, Dom, I cannot hold him here any longer."

Dom - although he had sent daily reports to the palace, and received them - was as anxious to return there as Elijah. He wished not only to see his beloved family, but also to mete out justice to Duleep Singh and his confederates. A thing, he realised, that would be more difficult to accomplish than one might think.

David and Smithy were staying behind at the garrison, but Hill had been asked to accompany them. "It may be that you will recognise any other Bambaiyaa speakers, if you spend some time wandering about the place," Dom had remarked, and Elijah had said nothing. There might be, after all, innocent Bambaiyaa speakers there, but he had his own idea about the identity of at least one of the traitors. Vigilance was essential if all the guilty were to be apprehended.

The carriage was sent for, and Elijah was loaded into it as carefully as had been Osman, the last time it had been used. He laughed at the idea that he would like to lie down, and sat beside Dom, smiling at his brother who occupied the forward seat. "I am sure, Cecil, that you will be impressed with the palace. It has many beautiful rooms, and works of art - and books - to enjoy."

Lord Cecil smiled a watery smile. "Indeed, brother. I look forward to seeing it. Is it as elegant a building as is Buckingham Palace, may I ask?"

Elijah, who had several times thought that Buck House, as he called it, could be fitted quite easily into Ranjipore's larger stable block, grinned. "Oh, I think you might find it is so, indeed. What say you, Dom?"

Dom sniffed. He was aware of what Elijah was doing, and decided to join in the fun. "I must say, Lij, I thought the London palace quite a paltry building...for a queen. There would be no space for three throne rooms, and I must have three. People expect it of me."

"I tend to greet my dearest friends in the smallest one, you see," added Dom by way of explanation, enjoying the look of surprise on Lord Cecil's face. He looks for all the world as if he expects me to be housed in a goat-pen.

As the carriage rose up the hillside, Elijah and Dom carefully observed the expression on Lord Cecil's face. Elijah remembered vividly his own thoughts on the first occasion he had travelled this path, and he could see that his brother harboured a similar opinion. It was plain his lordship thought Dom and Elijah had been teasing him, for where, upon this barren hillside, could there be a palace?

When, at last, they turned off the path, traversed the gorge, and came out into the open, Lord Cecil's mouth dropped open as he saw the enormous palace stretching to the horizon, so it seemed, on either side. He looked, Dom smiled inwardly, like a landed fish.

The journey had troubled Elijah more than he had expected. The jolting of the carriage on the dirt road had aggravated his bruised body, and even Lord Cecil could see that his brother was excessively pale.

"You must rest for an hour or so, Lij," Dom whispered. "I will see he is kept from you. I will have him housed on the other side of the palace. Go with Bill, now."

Billy and Ian, despite Elijah's muted protests, drew him away, and Dom detained Lord Cecil, by the expedient of holding his arm as Osman, Basmin and Arjit came down the steps to greet them.

Osman stopped briefly to clasp Elijah's hand, and then came forward to bow low before his king.

If Lord Cecil had been in any doubt as to Dom's kingship and authority, it was dispelled there and then. Even in his home, amongst his family, he was treated with a degree of deference hardly to be found surrounding the Queen.

Lord Cecil was introduced to the princes, and Osman, inclined - although knowing nothing of him - to like Cecil simply because he was Elijah's brother, offered to show his lordship to the apartments designated, by the king, for his use.

"That would be very kind, Osman," Dom said, in a low voice. "I am very happy to see you restored to better health. I must see Mama-ji and my children and the girls before I speak to you all. Shall we say, in one hour, in my study? You might be glad to be relieved of Lord Cecil's company, by then."

Osman Singh raised an eyebrow. He looked over at his lordship conducting a ponderous conversation with Arjit Singh, and grinned. "You do not like him, coz? Now, why is that?"

"Ask Lij," he retorted, sharply, before consigning his newest visitor to Osman's care. Then he walked, as fast as dignity allowed, to the seraglio.

*

Dom had found all well and safe in the harem, and enjoyed very much his hour with the children, promising to return later in the afternoon. His mother was concerned when her son told her of Elijah's condition. She knew him well enough to see that Elijah took up a great deal of Dom's thoughts.

"Bring him to see me when he is well rested, my son. I can see you care very much for him." The Lady Aditi kissed her son, and was gathered into a bruising embrace in return.

"I do care, Mama-ji. Is it so obvious?"

"Only to me, Udom Singh. Only to me."


As Dom made his way to his study, he brushed off his beard the sugar of some sweetmeats little Mooma had insisted on feeding him. They all seemed content in the seraglio, but Dom was forming plans in his mind. There would be some surprises in the dove-cote soon, for everyone.


He found his uncle and cousins waiting in the study. Vigran had arrived, and they all sat and discussed recent events. Dom was more open with them concerning Elijah than he had been, and this openness had resulted in a few snippets of information being revealed that Dom recorded for Elijah to see.

"I will have my...Elijah guarded at all times. We know that Portman was behind his abduction, but Duleep Singh was party to it, even if his faction was separate from the general's. Duleep will be put to the question." Dom's face was grim, but determined, and Osman hoped his usually amiable cousin would never look at him with such a darkling stare in his eyes.

Dom wished to see how Elijah was faring, but kings had obligations, he thought, wryly. As a king, he took Vigran down to the cells, but with a lover’s thoughts, he sent Osman to visit Elijah.

Portman was a broken man. He had lost weight, and his usual florid complexion was now a pasty grey. He was dressed in Indian garb as his batman had refused to come to him, and he had no clothing. Dom promised to send to the garrison for his things, and Portman, struck by the king's generosity, crumbled. He repeated to Dom what he knew, which was not much.

He resented Elijah, that was certain, Dom concluded. He resented the control the young man had been given over him and the army. He had known nothing of Billy Boyd, or his mission.

"Someone, Highness, in high places, told me to get rid of Lord Wood and put the blame of it squarely upon your shoulders. The order was unsigned, but it was written on - and hidden within - other official documents. You were to be blamed for his death, thereby causing a deeper schism between you and the British Government. It was clear to me that you were to be removed from the rule of Ranjipore."

Dom was furious. "Who, in my family, would dare to do such a thing? For only the princes would have the authority to act so, to draw men into behaving in such a devilish way."

Portman shook his head. "You misunderstand me, Highness. I mean someone in high places in British circles - not here. I know nothing of those who worked with Duleep Singh. He told me nothing, and I told him nothing, except that Lord Wood had to be abducted, and, at least...badly hurt."

Dom was wise enough to know that if those orders had come from England, Portman would not long be left alive after he left Ranjipore. Dom therefore resisted the very strong temptation he felt to hammer the man into a bloody pulp. Someone else would be responsible for his death, not him, he thought.

Vigran stared at his cousin. This was a very tangled web. Dom shook his head, not wanting to explain matters just then. He would need to talk to Billy very soon - but first, he had to see Duleep Singh.

*

Osman and Elijah were deep in conversation when Dom and Vigran opened the door to Elijah's suite. Both men stood as the king entered, and both saw the droop about his mouth.

"What happened?" Osman asked, as Elijah, careless of protocol, walked forward and embraced Dom, holding him close, whilst Dom rested his head on his lover's convenient shoulder.

Dom, not looking, waved a hand, and both men sat. Elijah lifted Dom's head and stared long into his eyes. "What is it ails you, my love?" There was no answer, but Dom took Elijah's hand and drew him to the sofa opposite his cousins. As they sat, Vigran enlightened them.

"His Highness is ashamed of himself. He kicked an unarmed man in the groin."

Osman and Elijah glanced quickly at each other, then at Dom, who said nothing. "Who was it?" Osman asked softly. Vigran sniffed, but it was Dom who answered.

"Duleep Singh. I kicked an unarmed man." It was clear Dom was ashamed of it, as Vigran had said.

Elijah took Dom's hand. "Good!" he said, in emphatic tones. "It saves me from doing so. He was not unarmed when he kicked me there, Dom."

Dom raised his head, and carefully examined Elijah's face. He was in no doubt that he meant what he had said, and Dom clearly remembered the bruises that flowered all over Elijah's pale skin. Even now, some had still not completely faded. The look on his face lightened.

"A king should have more dignity than to kick anyone, even a traitor," he remarked, but now, his eyes were smiling.

"I am certain, cousin," Osman offered, grinning, "that any one of us present would gladly kick him again, should you so desire it - to save you the trouble of doing it again, that is."

"Who is it we are offering to kick?" asked Billy, bowing, and entering the room with two fine bottles of wine he had brought from the cellars for his master.

"Duleep Singh!" Elijah informed him, with relish.

Billy put the bottles on a table and smiled. "Oh, so it was you, Highness. He was still doubled up when I saw him a few minutes ago. He couldna speak a word." He took the chair Dom indicated, next to his master. "It saved me having to do it, anyway, so thank you! No doubt I'd have bruised my foot as much as I'd have bruised his balls!"

Elijah burst out laughing. Even Dom grinned. They forgot, for a few moments, the problems only too close to hand, and indulged in a bout of hearty laughter.

*

Of course it was not possible to keep Lord Cecil from his brother, so Dom decided that dinner was a good time for a gathering. He despatched Gafur to his lordship to proffer the invitation. "And try to make it sound as if it is a signal honour to be asked to do so," Dom instructed. "Which it is. In my home I order things as I like. Make certain he knows it!"

Gafur bowed himself out, and Dom decided that he would show Elijah his own apartments. "I must warn you, however, that my rooms are not half as splendid as yours," he confessed as they traversed the corridors together, arm in arm, as Elijah was still a little unsteady. The rest earlier had done him good, but his muscles and tendons still protested, on occasion, at the battering they had received.

Dom nodded to the four guards standing outside his door. Then he had a thought. "One of you - fetch Mahmoud Khan, lord of the western hills, to me here. I would speak with him." A man hurried off, and Dom opened the door and let Elijah in. Elijah had not known what to expect, but he had not dreamed of this.

The room was large and airy, with four huge windows facing the flowered maidan; but where Elijah had thought there would be silk and ebony, there was brown leather and oak. Three large davenport sofas dominated the centre of the room, and completing the square they formed was a large, overstuffed chair, rather worn, but comfortable looking.

Against a long, book-lined wall were set sideboards, and tables, and two huge globes stood in one of the windows - one of the earth, and one of the heavens. Between them was a telescope the size of which Elijah had never before seen. It was for all the world a student's study, but on a rather more magnificent scale.

Elijah stared about him. "I am not a betting man, Dom, but I rather think this is your study at Cambridge, is it not?"

Dom kissed him "Slightly larger than that, Lij, but you are right, it is fashioned after it. I was happy there."

"And have you not been happy here?" Elijah picked up a beautifully bound book. It was the Bhagavadgita, the Song of God, one of the Hindus most holy books. Next to it was a Bible. On top of that lay The Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism. Dom was a Sikh, but he had said to Elijah, once, that no one faith had a monopoly on God.

Dom's voice interrupted Elijah's musings. "No, I was not always happy, here. Not until now."

The tone of Dom's voice made Elijah turn, suddenly. He did not need to ask what had made the difference, for it was plain to see in Dom's face. It was he who had made the difference, just as Dom had changed his once-lonely life into something...wondrous.

He reached out his hand to Dom just as a knock came at the door. The burning promise in Dom's eyes said later.

Mahmoud Khan, the leader of the thousand warriors for whom Dom had sent before leaving to find Elijah at the garrison, was a tall, well-muscled man with a handsome face and glittering brown eyes. Although he greeted his king in a formal manner, it was clear to Elijah that, despite their differing status, these two men were friends. Just as were he and Duleep. It is a great pity - Dom must find it hard to know whom to trust. Elijah put these thoughts aside, for the two men were speaking.

"It is good to see you after all this time, Mahmoud Khan. Four years, I think, since we met last. You must have been kept busy in the west."

"Aye, my lord prince, so we have. The British have been harrying the tribes there, but I brought the intruders to heel." Mahmoud gave Elijah an uncertain glance, for he was dressed in western clothing, and looked, to him, every inch a harrying intruder.

Elijah laughed as Dom introduced the two men. "You need not fear me, Mahmoud Khan," Elijah said in perfect Hindi, impressing Khan with his grasp of the language. "I can assure you that I have been more harried than harrying, whichever direction of the compass you choose to examine."

Khan, observing the fading bruises, and the careful way in which Elijah still held his battered body, believed him.

Dom bade both men sit, and he began to question Khan regarding anything untoward he might have noticed about the palace. As Khan gave his report, Elijah, too, listened carefully. Who knew what small a point could be seized upon, and lead to a revelation, he thought.

"I noticed only an hour ago, lord, that there is an Englishman asking questions of the servants. A soldier. A very unusual soldier. He speaks excellent Bambaiyaa. One would not expect it - it is not a common tongue, here, so far away from Bombay."

Dom blinked. "Do you speak it, then? How did it reach you, in the west?"

Khan laughed. "Highness, your memory is at fault, although I admit to you being much younger than I was. I was fourteen, and you were - seven - I believe."

Dom was still mystified. "Enlighten me, I beg, Mahmoud. For I cannot remember..." The light must have dawned, for he grinned.

"Ah! On the journey to Bishrah, when we were snowed in on that mountain road for nearly two weeks, was it not?"

"It was, Highness. Yourself, Vigran Singh, Osman and Rashman Singh, your servant, Gafur, and his wife, and my brother, Imran and me, all cooped in a herdsman's hut on the side of that bleak mountain, trapped by the snow. There was little else to do, so Gafur's wife taught us the language of her youth. And your gracious father, hearing how proficient we had become in only two weeks, ordered the tuition to continue. He said one never knew when such a thing might prove useful. Do you still remember the language? You were after all, very young, and Udai Singh died not long afterwards."

"I remember a little, but do not speak it fluently." Dom was in no mind to explain why Hill was asking questions in Bambaiyaa, but merely inquired if the sergeant had seemed successful in his search.

Khan shook his head. "No, lord. The servants were clearly mystified, because, really, the foul language this man used towards them must have provoked a response had they understood it."

Dom asked another question, and deflected the attention from Hill and his quest. After Khan had returned to his duties, Dom and Elijah talked it over, and thought it best to leave Hill to his own devices. He was a sharp-minded man - he knew what he was doing.

Elijah shifted forward slightly, and stood up. "Are there no more rooms in this suite that merit my inspection, Dom Singh? A chamber such as...a bedroom...for example?"

"Yes, indeed, there are twelve rooms, Lij - several of them, er, bedrooms. Would you care to see them?"

Elijah took Dom's hand as he rose. "I am not certain I wish to see all of them, Dom, but I do wish, very much, to see your bed - the one you use when you are not in mine."

The bed was enormous. Beautiful blue and silver silk hangings fell down in folds on either side of it, and the counterpane was embroidered all over with flowers and birds. The room was decorated in the French style, the furniture delicate cream and gold, the carpets vibrant with colour.

"Good God, Dom! Your lovers must have some trouble locating you in all this welter of silk!" Elijah laughed. "Do they crawl up from the foot as they do in Turkish harems?"

Dom grasped Elijah by the arm, and drew him to the bed. "No-one, except myself, has lain in this bed since my wife died. I...serviced...my concubines elsewhere, as you know." He sat Elijah down, carefully upon the coverlet, and then walked quickly to lock the door.

"Are you willing to try my bed out - for comfort, my lord...amongst other things? If you lie upon it, carefully, and I treat you...very gently?"

Elijah's breathing had increased to such a pace, he was almost panting. "Indeed, Highness, I will - but...not too gently, if you please."

The next morning, Elijah was to say it was the most comfortable bed he had ever slept in - but that afternoon, he did not even notice.

*

The two men were woken, a few hours later, by a persistent knocking on the door. Dom leapt out of bed, and turned the key to find Gafur standing there, with a pile of clothing in his hands. "It wants only an hour to dinner, Highness, and you are not dressed..."

He saw Elijah sit up in the bed and bowed to him. "My apologies, lord..."

"Never mind all that, Gafur. Do we have time to bathe?" Dom interrupted, throwing Elijah a silk dressing gown.

"Yes, lord, if you are quick. The bath is filled."

A naked Dom grasped Elijah's hand and took him next door into the bathroom. "Why did he not enter the room by this door?" asked a puzzled Elijah as Dom helped him into the enormous marble bath.

"Because," replied Dom, climbing in beside him, "no-one disturbs me in my bed - sleeping or not - except by knocking upon the door - locked or not."

They sponged each other, to save time, and returned to the bedroom to find two outfits gracing the bed. Dom glanced at Gafur.

"There is no time, Highness, to fetch Lord Elijah's clothing, so I thought..."

Elijah nodded. "It is well. I will wear it, Dom. It will certainly take the wind out of someone's eye."

Dom and Gafur helped Elijah into the pale grey embroidered silk, lined with deep pink, and Dom opened one of the boxes Gafur had put next to the clothing. A huge gold star, studded with diamonds and rubies was revealed.

"This," Dom remarked, pinning the thing onto a silver sash, and placing it over Elijah's bemused head, "is the Celestial Order of the Princes of Ranjipore, which I now proclaim you. This was my father's," he continued, gazing at Elijah with a soft look in his eyes. "I wish you to have it, Prince of Ranjipore."

Gafur swiftly wound the turban about Elijah's head, whilst Elijah, too stunned to speak, sat and watched Dom hurry into his clothing. It was of a darker grey than Elijah's, but richly embroidered with sapphires and diamonds around the borders.

There were more ruby and diamond encrusted jewels being pinned on to Elijah's resistless form, but he only had thought for the one. As Gafur moved to help Dom with the headdress of kingship - no decoration was being spared in order to impress Lord Cecil, it seemed - Elijah longed to ask why Dom had given it to him. But he would not do so before a servant, so he kept his peace.

Gafur gave a hasty glance to the clock. It wanted only seven minutes to eight. "If you hurry, lords, you will get there before Lord Cecil. I have taken some pains to see that he will be late, as your Highness asked....hurry!"

Dom and Elijah walked as fast as they could to the dining hall, which was enormous. Two hundred people could be seated at the table without touching one other, and Basmin, Arjit, Osman and Vigran, stood awaiting their king in a neat row at the head of the table.

Elijah noticed that the table was set with solid gold cutlery, and an impressive epergne of the same precious metal graced the top end of it.

Dom greeted his family, and sat, directing Elijah to sit at his right hand. Arjit glanced at Elijah, and saw the order emblazoned upon his chest. "Is that not your father's order, Udom, that his lordship wears? I am certain it is." Arjit observed, taking his seat.

"Yes, indeed it is, uncle. I particularly wished Elijah" - he pronounced it El - ee - shah - "to have it."

Arjit smiled. "Welcome, Prince Elishah, to our family circle." and everyone else bowed, and said the same thing. Dom privately thought that Elijah's blush as he responded to the greetings was the most enchanting thing he had ever seen, but he said nothing.

He ordered the dinner to be served.

"Cousin," he addressed Basmin, who was frowning slightly at the epergne before him. "Pray send to see what has happened to Lord Cecil. I trust no misfortune has befallen him, for..."

As he was speaking, Lord Cecil, bright red with embarrassment, hurried into the room, and bowed to Dom. He saw his brother beaming at him, dressed in silk, wearing a turban and covered in jewels, and, losing his footing, he tripped over an Aubusson rug. He banged into the table, and grabbed at the tablecloth, to steady himself, pulling a carafe of wine over Basmin Singh's cream-clad form.

"Your dinner awaits you, Lord Cecil," said Dom, nodding his permission as his furious cousin excused himself to change his clothing, and the first course was laid upon the table by a dozen servants. "As we are wont to say in Ranjipore - 'tuck in'."

Arjit Singh, who had never before heard the expression, looked askance at his kingly nephew, and Osman bent his head to hide a grin. Lord Cecil, still mumbling apologies, sat, picked up his knife and fork, and sighed.

It was the longest two hours of Lord Cecil's life. Elijah, observing it with a joyful heart, forgave his brother all his follies, as he saw Cecil drop, with a trembling hand, a slice of spiced mutton onto the pristine white damask tablecloth.

The undoing of Lord Cecil de Montfort Wood had begun.

Comments

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

I wonder if they'll get any information out of Duleep. And I wonder just who in England wants Elijah dead? The story becomes ever more intriguing as well as convoluted. But it was lovely to imagine them together in Dom's gorgeous bed, and then dressed in fabulous clothes to have dinner with Cecil. And to see him getting a little of the comeuppance he deserves.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Cecil deserves all he gets, and so do the wicked plotters. There's plenty happening - I just hope it all works out in the end. :D xxxx

[ladysunrope.livejournal.com]

poor lsr has had putie trouble

I'm saving everything like crazy onto an external hard drive -I've got that feeling my pc is not long for this world. Just too many things happening one after another. It's like its unravelling bit by bit. Can't complain, its been well used for a fair number of years!

looking forward to Cecil's undoing!! ;)

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear that your computer is acting up again. Thank goodness you're copying your important files before all is lost. I hope the computer revives but at least you're as ready as you can be if it does not.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Hope it lasts long enough for you to get a new one, honey! :D xxx

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

""This," Dom remarked, pinning the thing onto a silver sash, and placing it over Elijah's bemused head, "is the Celestial Order of the Princes of Ranjipore, which I now proclaim you. This was my father's," he continued, gazing at Elijah with a soft look in his eyes. "I wish you to have it, Prince of Ranjipore.""

That shouldn't have made me tear up, but it did! *sniff*

"As he was speaking, Lord Cecil, bright red with embarrassment, hurried into the room, and bowed to Dom. He saw his brother beaming at him, dressed in silk, wearing a turban and covered in jewels, and, losing his footing, he tripped over an Aubusson rug. He banged into the table, and grabbed at the tablecloth, to steady himself, pulling a carafe of wine over Basmin Singh's cream-clad form."

Oh dear. I rather feel sorry for poor Cecil.

I'm not sure about Khan. Is he in on the plot or totally innocent? I'm sure something in what he told them will be a clue to other conspirators. Not sure what or who, though.

I felt a bit sad for Portman, although he's a nasty fellow.

I could visualize Dom's quarters. They sound lovely. I'd like to see that bedroom!

Looking forward to more, Issi. Thanks to LSR, and I hope her 'puter gets feeling better. :)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I feel rather sorry for Cecil, too, but I must own that he deserves it. ;D

I love the thought that Dom gave Lij his father's order. Shows how much he cares for the little man. Bless! xxx

[forestrane.livejournal.com]

Oh Lord Cecil's undoing is going to be so much fun. And I'm still waiting to find out what else Elijah, or should I say Prince Elishah, knows.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Lij knows plenty. He has a good brain for working out things does our lad! :D xxx

[pattilovesviggo.livejournal.com]

A fabulous description of the furnishing of Dom`s apartments and bedroom, I`d love a bed like that myself LOL
I did enjoy Lord Cecil being uncomfortable in the company of Dom`s royal dining table, and why was he late? I also wonder what Elijah knows :D

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Lots going on, I must admit. Still, it'll all sort itself out in the end! ;D xxx

[lisabellex.livejournal.com]

Fabulous! Loved that Udom felt so ashamed for kicking Duleep Singh where it hurts! The traitor certainly deserved it. Your description of Dom's rooms was wonderful - I could picture them so clearly. And, oh, the loving... :)

"As we are wont to say in Ranjipore - 'tuck in'." - that made me chuckle. :)

And now Lord Cecil is to be brought down a peg or two. Magnificent!

xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Well, Udom Singh is a very correct man. He would think kicking an unarmed man very bad form. But Lij enjoyed hearing about it - a lot!!

It's all go, isn't it? ;D xxxx

[abaraka.livejournal.com]

Loved the ball kicking bit, Issi. So funny. :)

This tale seems to get deeper and deeper with every chapter you write. Awesome stuff.

thanks, love
take care xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Ha! Ball-kicking - Dom's speciality! So glad you like it! Huggles. :D xxxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, now it's LSR's putie that's poorly :-/ Hope it gets sorted soon.

Thanks for another great chapter, I really enjoyed it! Looking forward to more of Lord Cecil de Montfort Wood's undoing ;0)

Udom's bed sounds wonderful... and *Elishah* in that outfit of grey silk and jewels... Gorgeous!

Looking forward, too, to further revelations. Thank you for posting!
Huggles
XXXX

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank YOU for reading! The bed is wonderful - I've seen it! Giggles. Cecil gets a shock in the end, I'm certain of it. :D Wait and see. Huggles back. :D xxxx

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

This was a very tangled web. Indeed! Enemies at every turn. The lads need to tread carefully.

I almost feel sorry for Cecil. Almost. :) I do not feel sorry for the state of Duleep's family jewels. Ahem. :D

Beautiful imagery, Ru. I could picture Dom's suite, his bed and his and Elijah's clothing and jewelry. Lovely! But did Basmin seem a bit put out at dinner or was that my imagination? And I mean before Cecil inadvertently doused him with wine. Hmmm...

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Nope, I'm with you. I hope Duleep's bits are still throbbing! Plenty yet to discover. :D xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

"Poor *snorts* Cecil. I LOVE how Elijah is *coming out* of his closet. I hated that his beautiful prized by Dom genitals were so painfully violated and hurt by Duleep (you just had to hurt us with that one….whimper)." You know I said this in my email to you. I really do think it is a great tale about Elijah "coming out". He is opening like a flower to his natural sexuality in this place with Dom and ready to shove it in Cecil's and his parent's faces. I loved the exchange between Elijah nad Dom over Dom's room(s). That the bed was huge and could service many concubines and that Dom admitted that no one had been in his personal rooms but Elijah. *melts* Its moments like this that add to the strength of love that pours from the story and builds an indestructable force against those who would hurt them. I loved the "undoing of Lord Cecil de Montfort Wood". I wish there could be some comupance towards his parents too. Every reference to Elijah's horrible injuries hurts me. Especially knowing he was aware during all that time until the very end. I don't know how one could live through that. OH and you had to add the comment of Elijah being brutally kicked by Duleep in his precious jewels *whimpers*. Yeah DOM!!!! I am glad so many are caring and watching over this gorgeous and wonderful man.
More mystery unfolded with the Khan dude. I don't know if I trust him. It is hard to trust anyone.
I will be gone alot tomorrow from 8am to afternoon helping at a cheerleading competition. *shivers*
Look forward to more. hugs you tons love xooxox v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

You're right, my love. Trust no-one! It'll all be sorted out very soon, and the wicked shall not go unpunished! Huggles ;D xxxx