The Duke of Tremont

Chapter 1

Author’s note: Well I’m on a roll everyone. I must be energized by the new season starting tonight. This is a bit different from my last one but I hope you will give it a try and I hope you like it! Thanks!!

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“Justin! Justin!” A young man with bright blue eyes and flaxen blond hair looked up from his hiding spot in the library as he watched his friend approach. He sighed heavily, “I’m here Daphne,” he called to her.

“Oh, there you are,” she sagged, breathless, resting her hands on her knees. She flipped her long black braid over one shoulder and fanned her mocha colored skin; “these damn dresses are so hard to run in, I’m exhausted.”

Justin smiled; “perhaps that’s why my mother asks you not to run, well that and the fact that she doesn’t like her ladies-in-waiting to be unseemly.”

Daphne stuck out her tongue at Justin; “Yes, Lady Janniver has her work cut out with me. I’m afraid that I am naturally unseemly. I can’t seem to help myself.”

Justin laughed heartily at his friend, “well I suppose it’s a good thing that your mother was one of my mother’s favorite ladies and she thinks of you as part of the family or you might be working in the scullery right now.”

“Quite true my love,” Daphne responded with a chaste kiss on Justin’s cheek. She stood up straight and smacked her head; “oh lord I almost forgot! You’re father wants you. That’s why I was running, he seemed a bit irritated that you had disappeared again.”

Justin stood rolling up the parchment he had been sketching on, “splendid. I suppose he wants to go over accounts again or something equally as boring.”

“Now Justin is that any way for the future Earl of Westlake to act?”

“Cripes Daphne, don’t remind me. It’s so tedious.”

“Quit being a spoiled brat and let’s go before he really gets angry with the both of us. I don’t know about you but I don’t like to go to bed without my supper.” She took Justin’s hand and led him reluctantly from the library.

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Later that evening Justin attended his mother in her sitting room for his nightly visit. He read to his mother and her ladies out of their favorite book for awhile and then he got out his latest sketches to show to his mother.

“Justin, these are beautiful,” Janniver exclaimed, “this is a wonderful likeness of your sister.”

“Thank you mother,” Justin replied. “I was wondering if...well if I could get some paints. I’m dying to have some colors to work with.”

Janniver frowned at her son; “Justin, you know how your father feels about your art. If it were my decision I would get them for you in a heartbeat my son, but it’s not up to me. Your father must approve all household expenses.”

“I know Mother, I just thought perhaps you could speak with him. Make him see how important it is to me.”

“Oh Justin, he won’t listen to me,” she gently took her son’s hand, “he thinks it’s a waste of your time.”

Justin looked down to the floor, trying to hide his disappointment as best he could, “I understand Mother. Thank you anyway.”

Janniver pulled Justin in for a hug; “I’m so sorry my love.”

Justin nodded and rose to take leave so his mother could retire. Daphne followed him to the door; “Justin,” she spoke in a hushed whisper.

“What is it Daphne?” Justin asked with a puzzled look on his face.

“I can get you some paints.”

“How?”

“Your sister of course. Since your father thinks art is a skill all well-bred ladies must have he supplies her with more than enough paints and such. I’m sure that Molly will even help me if I tell her it’s for you.”

“You’re brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?” Justin placed an excited kiss on Daphne’s cheek.

“Daphne, where are you?” Janniver called from her bedroom.

“I have to go,” Daphne said to Justin, “I’ll try to get them tomorrow,” she closed the door on Justin who stood grinning in the corridor for a moment thanking God for giving him such a good friend.

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Justin feinted to the left and parried the blow that was aimed for his right side. He moved swiftly and gracefully to avoid another blow on his left and landed a solid hit of his own. His attacker barely had time to get his shield up. Justin‘s opponent raised both arms in surrender; “that was very good Justin,” Master Benjamin praised Justin kindly, “I see you‘ve been practicing.”

“Thank you Master Ben,” Justin smiled at his teacher. “I enjoy going out on the grounds and performing the exercises you taught me. It helps to clear my head and vent my frustrations.”

“Well it shows in your performance, Justin,” the weapons master stripped off his sweaty tunic and used it to wipe his face. Justin stood, unable to stop staring at the man’s well defined chest and chiseled features. Ben noted Justin’s attention and groaned inwardly. Justin was beautiful and a wonderful young man, if he were anyone else Ben would have bedded him long ago. The fact remained though that he was the Earl’s son and Ben was not stupid enough to get involved with his master’s offspring, no matter how much the boy sorely needed the love and attention.”

“Benjamin! Justin!” Ben and Justin both suppressed sighs as Justin’s father approached them on the practice field.

“Hello My Lord,” greeted Ben politely, “Lord Justin and I were just completing our lesson for the day. I have been very impressed with his performance today. He is turning into quite the swordsman.”

Justin blushed under the words of praise from his most respected and very handsome master, but Craig went on unimpressed, “yes, yes.” He waved off Ben’s compliments. and turned his gaze on his son, “I was watching from the window in my study. You do seem to be quite skilled,” Justin’s face lit up from the praise and then was covered by a blank mask as his father continued, “but, I am concerned about something.”

“Oh?” Ben asked politely, “and what would that be? I find Justin to be very graceful with a sword, especially for a lad of just seventeen.”

“Yes, that’s just what I mean. He seems almost too graceful, wouldn’t you agree? I’d like to see a little more aggression in his work, more power behind the blows. I want him to fight more like you.”

“My Lord, with all due respect, Justin and I have very different builds. He is small and slight, so he must use his speed and agility. With my larger bulk I can rely more on my strength and power.”

Lord Taylor frowned at Ben, “I won’t have my son dancing around with his sword like some fairy Master Benjamin. You will work on the problem will you not?”

“Yes, My Lord,” Ben answered in defeat.

“Good. Justin I shall see you at dinner tonight. Remember that Father Ronald’s nephew will arrive today. I want you to make friends with him and help him settle in. Father Ronald speaks very highly of Christopher, he is a very accomplished young man and good with a sword, it should be a pleasure to have him foster here with us.”

“Yes, My Lord,” Justin answered as Craig turned and left.

Ben noted that Justin’s gaze had not lifted from the ground since his father’s admonishment about his sword work. He moved to the younger man placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, “you are really good you know.”

Justin looked up at his mentor and smiled briefly, “yes, but not good enough. I will never be good enough;” Justin handed Ben his practice sword and made his own way back to the manor.

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Later that night Justin entered the dining hall and made his way over to the family table which was placed on a dais at one end of the room. He noted his father and the Manor’s priest Father Ronald talking with a handsome young man.

“Justin,” Craig called to him, “come over here and meet Christopher.”

Justin made his way over, “good evening father.” He nodded to the priest, “hello Father Ronald.”

“Lord Justin,” the man returned with a barely concealed icy stare, “might I present my sister’s youngest son, Christopher Hobbs. Your father has kindly agreed to foster him here.”

“Yes, so he mentioned,” Justin extended a hand, “welcome to Lakeview Manor.”

“Thank you Lord Justin,” Christopher shook his hand almost too firmly, “it’s a pleasure to be here.”

“Justin, why don’t you show Christopher to a seat next to your own.”

“Yes Father. This way please,” Justin moved down the table a few spots and pointed at the chair next to his as he sat down, “so what brings you here?” He asked, trying to make polite conversation.

“I’m the youngest of five sons,” Christopher replied tersely, “what the hell else were they going to do with me.”

“Oh, uh, sorry,” Justin replied, not quite sure how to respond.

“Don’t worry about it. So what do you do for fun around here?”

“Well, um, I like to ride and sketch, oh and we have a huge library.”

Christopher looked at Justin as if he had two heads, “do you hunt?”

Justin made a face; “only when father makes me. He seems to go quite often though.”

“Well, that’s something anyway,” Christopher responded, then fell silent.

Both boys concentrated on their food, having run out of things to talk about. Justin’s mother and younger sister chose that moment to enter the hall followed by his mother‘s ladies, including Daphne who winked at Justin.

Christopher nudged Justin’s ribs with his elbow; “who is that young beauty?” He asked pointing at Justin‘s sister.

Justin bristled a bit; “that’s my sister Molly. She’s only just fourteen.”

Christopher continued to stare at the young girl as she moved to greet her father. She wore a sky blue gown that brought out her blue eyes and her long, strawberry blond hair fell in a loose curtain down her back, “hmmm,” was his only reply to Justin as he tore his attention away from Molly and turned back to his food.

Justin couldn’t help the cold chill that made its way up his spine.

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