The Duke of Tremont

Chapter 12

Warning: unsafe sex

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Sir Patrick McFadden straightened out his bad knee as he sat on a low rock wall and waited for his niece to arrive. He ran a hand through his slightly graying, blond hair and puzzled over Janniver’s request to meet out here in the meadow that separated his small home from the main manor.

He was a retired member of King Jack’s guard and the only surviving member of Janniver’s family. When he had made it known he was retiring Janniver requested that he move in with their family. She had wanted her children to know her favorite uncle. Patrick, being a man who cherished his freedom and also not wanting to impose on Craig had come to a suitable agreement with the family. They had built him a small house on the property. He joined the family for occasional dinners and celebrations, but stayed out of the day to day business of the holding.

Justin and Molly were frequent visitors to his house and both loved him dearly. He always had grand tales to tell of his days serving the king. He was very fond of them both, as well as Daphne and had been very disturbed when he heard that young Justin had benn sent away. He knew that Janniver was terribly upset as well, but again he tried to stay out of Craig’s business and not intrude.

He looked into the night and wondered if this little rendezvous with his niece had something to do with Justin.

Finally a dark cloaked figure appeared carrying a small lantern to light her way; “Uncle,” Janniver spoke as she approached, “thank you for meeting me.”

Patrick stood and pulled his niece into a tight hug; “what is so wrong that you must meet me in secret Janniver? This is not like you at all.”

“Oh Uncle Patrick I think Craig has lost his mind;” Janniver moved to seat herself on the wall as if her legs could no longer hold her up.

Patrick sat next to her and wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders; “what has happened my child?” He asked gently.

“Well first he sent Justin away and that was bad enough, but I overheard him talking with that dreadful Father Ronald and now he wants Molly to marry Christopher Hobbs as soon as she turns fifteen.”

Patrick’s grip tightened on his niece; “marry?” He asked stunned; “but she is yet a child. Why on earth do they want her to marry so soon?”

Jennifer studied Patrick’s profile for a moment; “do you know why my husband sent our son away?”

Patrick met her gaze and nodded; “I can guess.”

“He was to be sent to the monastery in Harrisburg to cure him of his evil,” Janniver sighed, “I tried to reason with Craig. Justin may be different but he is still our son. I cannot just stop loving him. Anyway he never made it to Harrisburg. The party he was traveling with was intercepted by The Duke of Tremont and he took them back to Lofton.”

“Prince Brian?” Patrick asked with a bit of surprise in his voice.

Janniver eyed her uncle for a moment then continued; “yes and now Justin has sent word to us that he is renouncing his title and will be staying on at Lofton indefinitely.”

Patrick sighed inwardly and imagined the meeting between his beautiful nephew and the handsome duke; ‘oh Brian,’ he thought to himself, ‘what is going on?’ Out loud he spoke to Janniver; “then that would make Molly Craig’s heir now.”

Jennifer nodded; “yes but he and Father Ronald do not think a woman should hold the title.”

“So he’s going to marry her off to this Christopher fellow and make him the heir.”

“That is his plan, but I must stop him. I do not trust Father Ronald or his nephew. Something is not right about this whole thing.”

“Have you tried talking with Craig about all this Janniver? Does he know how you feel?”

Janniver shook her head sadly; “of course I have, but he does not hold my opinion in very high regard these days. It’s almost as if Father Ronald has him under some sort of spell.”

Patrick stood up and put a hand on Janniver’s shoulder; “I am sorry for all of this my dear, but I’m not sure what you want me to do about it.”

Janniver stood up and straightened her shoulders; “I want you to take Molly away from here.”

Patrick stared at his niece; “you want me to do what? Are you mad?”

“Of course not, I have the perfect plan. Craig is leaving tomorrow to visit some of the outlying holdings and will be gone for a few days. While he is gone I will send Molly off to visit her brother with you as her escort. They do not know that I know of their plans so I will just claim innocence if they grow angry about her absence.”

“Do you really want me to take her to Loften then?” His heart sank.

“Yes, of course. She will be safe there with Justin and it will give me time to figure out how to stop this ridiculous marriage. Will you do it Uncle Patrick? You are the only one I can trust.”

Patrick was just about ready to decline, but then thought of his beautiful, headstrong great-niece trapped in a sham of a marriage; “yes, I’ll do it, but are you sure this is safe Janniver? Will you be in danger when they find out she is gone?”

“No I don’t think so. As I said, I will just tell them that Molly wanted to see her brother and Daphne and I saw no harm in letting her visit. Duke Brian is the King’s brother after all and Craig is an avid supporter of King Jonathan. I think he should be pleased to have his children being favored at the man’s court.”

Patrick nodded; “send word when you want us to leave. I will be ready and waiting.” Janniver nodded and he kissed her cheek and sent her on her way.

He turned to make his way back to his own home and let his thoughts drift to Prince Brian. Considering his history with the duke he dreaded seeing him again, but a tiny part of him was excited. He had not seen him since he was in his teens and Patrick was sure he must have grown into a beautiful man. Perhaps some fences could be mended and he could absolve himself of the guilt he still held onto from that time in his life. Knowing what he knew of Brian he sighed and wondered to himself just how much Justin was being favored at the Prince’s court.

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Brian stood on his balcony wearing only a pair of breeches watching the sunrise. His thoughts wandered back to the man who still lay sleeping in his bed. He had been shocked when he had read the letter Justin had sent to his father. Justin had so much faith in his love for Brian that he had given up his title to be with him. Brian was not used to such devotion and it frightened him a little. He was not sure he would have been able to do the same thing if their positions had been reversed.

Discovering the depths of Justin’s love for him had thrown Brian for a loop and he had reacted in anger last night. He had snapped at Justin to not be ridiculous and had insisted the boy send another letter immediately recanting his proclamation. Justin had of course refused because he was the most stubborn person Brian had ever met. The argument had not resolved before they both fell asleep out of exhaustion, though Brian thought it meant something that Justin had stayed in his bed and had not gone storming back to his own room.

Brian’s thoughts were interrupted as he felt two warm hands kneading into his shoulders; “are you still angry with me?” Came a breathy voice in his ear.

“I should be,” Brian replied not turning around.

“No you really shouldn’t,” Justin replied as he turned Brian to face him. “I’m not taking it back. I did it for us.”

“But I never asked you to give up so much for me. Why would you do that?”

Justin rolled his eyes in frustration; “because I love you dimwit!” He exclaimed. “Brian I’m not really giving up anything. I never wanted to be The Earl of Westlake in the first place. I’m not good at that sort of thing. I always thought that Molly would be much better at it. My place is here with you, taking care of you.”

“You’re not my wife Justin;” Brian said a bit harshly, “I already have one of those.”

Justin refused to be baited by his lover; “and what a marriage it is My Lord,” he answered sarcastically, “seeing as how you both are in love with other people.”

Brian’s shoulder’s slumped; “Justin, I...”

Justin did not let him finish as he reached up and gently cradled Brian’s face in his hands; “Brian I know you have had a difficult life and I know it’s not easy for you to admit that you love me or to even let me love you. All I’m asking is that you give me a chance to show you what it can be like for us. If you can look me in the eyes right now and tell me you don’t want me here with you I will leave today. I’ll pack my trunks and go to Harrisburg just as my father wished.”

Brian stared into Justin’s bright blue eyes and knew exactly what he wanted; “I want you to stay,” he whispered softly as he leaned in to place a gentle kiss on his lips.”

Justin pulled back and smiled; “I love you Brian.”

Brian took Justin in his arms and nuzzled his hair; “thank you,” he replied simply.

They both heard a knock at the bedchamber door and Brian looked down wryly at his lover; “duty calls,” he let go of Justin and moved to open the door revealing a disheveled looking Michael.

“My Lord I’m sorry to bother you so early, but a messenger from the King has just arrived and says it is urgent that he speak with you.”

Brian frowned; “do you know what this is about?”

Michael shook his head; “no, I was just awoken with the news myself.”

Brian took in his friend’s appearance and noticed that the shirt he wore was much to big for him and it looked suspiciously like the one Ben had been wearing the day before. He smirked slyly at his friend; “looks like you’ve been engaging in some late night activities yourself Michael. Isn’t that Benjamin’s shirt?”

Michael blushed as Justin approached the men; “what about Ben’s shirt?” He asked.

“I think Michael accidentally dressed out of Ben’s wardrobe this morning,” Brian replied with a smile.

“Why would he do that?” Justin asked innocently. Brian simply stared at him for a few moments until he caught on; “oh!” He exclaimed as he turned to the other man, “Michael that’s wonderful! Ben is so nice!”

Michael blushed even more; “yes I know.” He cleared his throat; “uh, My Lord,” he addressed Brian again, “the messenger.”

“Yes,” Brian replied becoming serious again; “I will receive him in my study. Please have Bishop Vic meet us there as well.” Michael nodded and turned to leave; “Michael,” Brian stopped him.

“Yes?”

“Why don’t you have Ben meet us there too? He’s a good man and I have come to value his opinions.”

Michael smiled; “yes Brian.”

When Michael had left Brian took Justin’s hand; “I want you to come too.”

Justin looked startled; “me? Why do you want me there?”

Brian smiled; “you said you wanted to be here to take care of me. How can you take care of me if you do not know what is going on in my life?” Brian teased. He then frowned slightly; “I have a feeling you should come.”

Justin studied Brian for a moment remembering their conversation from the night before; “well if you feel that I should come than I shall be there My Lord,” he said fondly. “I will go change and meet you there;” Justin kissed Brian quickly and left the room.

Brian’s manservant entered, no doubt having been awoken by Michael and began to help get Brian ready for the day. Brian let James fuss over him more than usual since he was lost in thought over the feeling of dread he was getting about this message from the King.

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