The Duke of Tremont

Chapter 23

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Timothy stared at his father, unsure of how to explain the situation.

He was momentarily saved from having to speak by his uncle as he saw the trickle of blood running down Justin‘s temple. “Justin, you are injured!” cried Brian, moving swiftly to the young man’s side.

“It is nothing My Lord,” Justin answered as Brian pulled him up off the floor and began to tenderly examine the wound on his head.

Jonathan still only had eyes for his son, fearing the boy had done something stupid. “Well, Timothy, I’m waiting for a reply.”

The young man looked from his father to where Justin and Brian stood. He could not help but see the love between the two men as Brian fussed over Justin’s head, Justin’s eyes shining up at his lover. In that moment he realized what a monumental fool he had been. “Father…I…”

Justin interrupted the boy before he could confess his folly. “It is my fault Your Highness,” Justin addressed the king. He pulled away from Brian and moved to give Timothy a hand up off the floor. “Ben taught us a new move in hand to hand training yesterday and I talked Tim into practicing it with me.” He smiled his most dazzling smile. “I guess we misjudged a bit.”

Jonathan looked skeptical and looked to Brian who only shrugged his shoulders in return. He once again turned his attention to his son. “Is this true Timothy?”

“Yes, Father,” Timothy did not quite meet his father’s gaze but he did shoot Justin a relived look of gratitude as soon as Jonathan’s back was turned.

“All right then,” replied the king, “apologize to Justin for his injury and to your uncle for turning his room into a wrestling arena.”

“I’m sorry Justin.” Timothy put every ounce of sincerity he could muster into the apology wanting Justin to know he truly was sorry.

Justin read the emotions behind the words and smiled at the boy. “It is all right. We both behaved foolishly.” He smiled letting Timothy know that there were truly no hard feelings.

Timothy turned to Brian, “I am sorry for being so careless with your things Uncle Brian.” He was so ashamed by his behavior he could barely meet his uncle’s eyes.

Brian knew very well they were not talking about the damage to his sitting room. He put a finger under Timothy’s chin and lifted the boy’s face so their eyes met. “It is all right Tim,” Brian replied softly. “I understand how it could happen,” he smiled. “There is no real harm done.”

Timothy understood what Brian was telling him and he almost sagged against his father in relief that he would be forgiven. “Thank you,” he said to both men.

“Come now, let us leave Brian and Justin alone,” said Jonathan. “How is that cut Brian? Shall we send for Mel?”

Brian shook his head as he dabbed at Justin‘s wound with a clean handkerchief, “no it’s is but a scratch. He will be fine.”

“Good, then we shall leave you. Good night to both of you.”

“Good night,” called Brian and Justin as Jonathan and Timothy left.

Once in the corridor Jonathan put his arm around Timothy’s shoulders and hugged him close, not saying anything. The two boys had not fooled him either, but he would wait until Tim was ready to talk about the incident.

Timothy sniffed a couple of times and then looked at his father. “If you are not too tired I would like to talk with you for awhile Father.”

“I am never too tired for you son. Of course we can talk; you know you can tell me anything.” He stopped and hugged his son close.

“Thank you Father,” replied Tim as he let the tears flow down his cheeks.

The two made their way back to their apartment with Timothy held firmly by his father’s arm.

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Brian and Justin prepared for bed silently. Justin had very little to say which was a large clue to Brian that his lover was troubled by something. It was quite rare that Justin was quiet.

Finally when they were settled in their great bed and the lamps turned out Brian spoke to Justin who had uncharacteristically turned away from his lover. “Care to tell me what really happened with Tim tonight or shall I guess?”

Justin started to speak, but could not make the words leave his mouth. He was embarrassed and humiliated by Timothy’s actions and his own response to them. He did not even know how to begin relating the sordid tale to Brian.

After a prolonged moment of silence Brian spoke again. “Very well then, I suppose I shall have to take a stab at my own version.” He turned over to spoon Justin and stroked his hair as he spoke softly in his ear. “I don’t believe you were practicing fighting moves at all. I think that my nephew confessed his undying love for you tonight and very likely made improper advances upon your person. Am I correct?”

Brian felt Justin nod and then he continued. “You must have been trying to fight him off and that is when you both fell?”

“Yes,” Justin responded quietly.

“What I don’t understand is why you will not talk to me. What are you afraid of Justin? I am not angry at you in the least. I’m not really even angry at Tim. I remember what it is like to be young and foolish. Did he frighten you or hurt you in any way, beside the bump on your head?”

“No, I he did not hurt me or even frighten me really,” replied Justin. “He asked me to be his first.” Justin whispered so quietly that Brian could not hear him.

“What was that?”

Justin sighed and turned so he was flat on his back, facing his lover. Brian hovered above him, leaning on one elbow, his head resting on his hand. “He said he wanted me and he asked me to be his first.” Justin spoke again, still unable to meet Brian’s gaze.

“And you feel guilty because you perhaps wanted him a little bit as well? You think I will be angry if I know that you thought about granting his request?”

Justin sucked in his breath as his face flushed. “Yes.” He replied simply as he searched his lover’s face. “But I promise nothing happened. He was kissing me and I kissed him back, then I realized I could not do it. All I could think of was you and how it would make you feel. Are you angry with me My Lord?”

“Oh Justin, sometimes I forget how young you are. Of course I am not angry. All of what you were feeling is natural. It is flattering when someone wants you, especially when they ask you to be their first. I would be worried if you did not respond to him.”

“He said he saw us. That night in the arena.” Justin turned even more red as he thought of that night. “He said he wanted me to do all the things I did to you that night to him. He said I was beautiful.”

Brian leaned down and captured Justin’s lips in a gentle kiss. “You are beautiful and you were wonderful that night. I do not blame Tim for wanting you. I almost…”

“You almost what Brian?” Justin asked when Brian did not finish.

Brian studied Justin for a moment and tried to gather his thoughts. “If it were not for the bond we share I would not have objected to you taking Tim. In fact I would have encouraged it, but because we are linked so, I do not think I could stand to feel you loving anyone else. I know I would not be able to make myself block the link.”

“Brian why? Why would you want me to love your nephew?” Justin sat up looking confused.

“Because a boy’s first time should be special Justin and I know you would be a gentle and patient teacher,” Brian smiled.

“As you were for me?” Justin smiled back.

“Yes, I suppose.”

“And my Uncle Patrick was for you?” Justin tilted his head and eyed his lover.

“You figured us out hmm?” Justin nodded. “Yes, your uncle was very kind to me when I was very alone and afraid.”

“I’m glad he was there for you,” replied Justin.

“Me too,” Brian sighed as he took Justin back into his arms and laid them both back on the pillows. Brian moved on top of Justin and began to place gentle kisses on his neck.

“Brian?” Justin asked.

“Yes Sunshine?” Brian raised his head a bit.

“Will Timothy be all right?”

“Yes, his father knows the situation and when things die down I will talk to him a bit as well. I think he will be fine. I‘m sure he will feel very embarrassed for awhile but he will get over it.”

“I hope he finds someone special.” Justin pulled Brian’s head back down to his neck so he could resume what he had been doing.

“So do I,” Brian’s voice was muffled against Justin’s collar bone.

After Justin’s body had been thoroughly explored by Brian’s lips and their bed clothes had been removed Brian made his way up Justin’s body and whispered into his ear. “I was thinking that we could re-create that night in the arena. What do you think?”

Justin replied by quickly flipping Brian over, pinning his arms above his head and attacking his mouth with a searing kiss.

“Ill take that as a yes,” Brian gasped out when Justin’s lips left his and moved south.

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As Brian had guessed Timothy felt painfully humiliated by what he had done. Brian and Justin were both very gracious about the incident and did not bring it up, treating Tim as they always had. Though Justin did not encourage their friendship quite as enthusiastically as he had done before.

Jonathan and Timothy had had a good talk and Tim was assured that his parents both still loved him and did not feel any differently about him. Hunter and Charles were told as well, though it was no surprise to the older of the two. Charles simply shrugged and ran off to play war with his friends.

As time passed and Timothy’s embarrassment wore off Brian spoke to his nephew as well, giving him some much needed advice and answering any questions he had. It still troubled Brian greatly that Timothy might get himself into trouble when he did choose a man to take his virginity. He did not want him to find just any man that may not treat him with the proper gentleness and respect.

Brian was having a drink with Bishop Vic in the Bishop’s room one evening. He had brought up the dilemma to the older man hoping he might have an answer.

“Is there no one else here you could trust with him?” asked Vic as he sipped his port.

Brian shook his head, “there is Michael and Ben, both whom I would trust implicitly, but it would not be appropriate with their hand fasting coming up. Theodore and Emmett would be OK, but I haven’t seen him show any interest in them whatsoever.”

“What about among the servants or men in the village?”

Brian shook his head, “I can think of none that would be suitable. Damn! I want this to be special for him. I don’t want him getting hurt.”

“I understand Brian, but I don’t know how to help. Perhaps you could speak to Ben about one of the soldiers. I’m sure he has gotten to know some of them over these past months.”

“Yes, perhaps I shall,” agreed Brian.

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Come,” called Bishop Vic.

Deb entered the room. “Lindsay has asked me to inform you that Master Bard Ethan has arrived. She said the two of you are acquaintances and you may want to greet him.” She paused for a moment and spoke again; “who in Hades is Master Bard Ethan?” She asked brashly.

Bishop Vic chuckled at his sister; “he is the youngest bard to ever make master status sis. He is a very gifted singer and songwriter. His performances are very much in demand everywhere, though he makes his home at court in the capitol.”

“Oh, well, good for him. I suppose I shall have to find a place for him to sleep,” she huffed as she turned on her heel and left the room.

“I suppose I should go and greet my guest,” said Brian with a wink to Bishop Vic. “I forgot that Lindsay told me she was sending for him to entertain at Ben and Michael’s ceremony.”

Vic guessed that perhaps Brian and Ethan were a bit more than just acquaintances. “I will come too; I have not seen Ethan in a long time. I always enjoy his company, even though he can be a bit full of himself.”

“He is that,” laughed Brian, “but he is a good man at heart.” Brian froze and stared at Vic. “He is a good man, and a very good lover,” Brian replied as a grin moved slowly across his face.

“And very, very fey;” responded Vic, returning Brian’s smile.

“Come, let’s go,” Brian clapped Vic on the back as they left the room.

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Bard Ethan’s arrival had stirred a bit of an uproar in the castle. The handsome young man was charming, friendly and very talented. The young girls all swooned at his performances and Daphne was quite put out when she discovered he was fey.

Justin did not quite see what the fuss was, but he did admit the man was talented. He had picked up on something between Ethan and Brian and suspected they had been lovers at some point. That mere fact alone made him put his guard up around the young bard.

The only person’s reaction Brian was really interested in was Timothy. The young man had been moping around the castle for weeks now. He had gotten over his infatuation with Justin, but Brian knew he still felt lonely and unsatisfied. Brian thought that Ethan would be just the cure for his blues.

His feelings were vindicated one night at dinner in the great hall. He purposely had Timothy seated next to Ethan and the two were soon engaged in a lively conversation. Later Ethan entertained them all for a few hours and Timothy was rapt the whole time, never taking his eyes off the bard.

Justin smiled and nudged Brian after the performance when a somewhat starstruck Timothy approached Ethan again. “It seems as if Timothy has made a friend.”

“Yes he has,” Brian replied with a gleam in his eye.

Justin felt just a hint of self-satisfaction coming through from Brian. “You planned this didn’t you?” he asked in shock.

“Perhaps,” replied Brian slyly.

“He will be good to him?” Justin asked seriously as he watched the two young men leaving the hall together.

“I have no doubt,” replied Brian, “Ethan is a very…”

Justin placed his finger over Brian’s lips; “I don’t want to know My Lord.” He stood and taking Brian’s hand led him out of the hall as well. “This is one of those times that I will just trust you without explanation.”

Brian leaned down and kissed the top of Justin’s head. “I think that is a wise choice Sunshine.”

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The next day Timothy was positively glowing, though he did seem to be walking with a bit of a limp. When Justin saw him at arms practice they both shared a knowing smile and all was well between them again.

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