The Duke of Tremont
Chapter 3
Author’s note: OK, don’t freak out but Brian is not in this chapter either. He is in Chapter four which I am posting in just a minute!!
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“My Lord please, I beg of you. You cannot send him away. He is our son.” Janniver stood in her husband’s study begging as tears stained her fair, petite face.
“Janniver, do you not see that our son is a pervert? I cannot allow him to stay here.”
“You would charge him with such a thing My Lord on the basis of some drawings found in the woods?”
“He did not deny that they were his.”
“They are merely art. Justin is an artist whether you like it or no, artists study the human form.”
“Artists do not make sketch after sketch of their arms master in the nude Janniver. Those pictures are immoral and wrong and you know it! I will not have a degenerate miscreant for a son or my heir.”
Jennifer paled as she brought a delicate hand up to her lips; “my God, you would strip him of his title?”
“In a heartbeat wife. I will not have him tainting this family or our good name.”
“But, My Lord...”
Craig raised his hands; “enough! You forget your place My Lady. There will be no more argument. Justin is to be sent to the monastery in Harrisburg on the morrow. There he can study with the other seminary students and hopefully repent of his sins and purge himself of the evil that is within. I will make no decisions about his position here until he has been away for one year and I get a report back from the priests as to his progress. If, by then he has not become the man I expect him to be I shall look for another heir.”
Janniver stared at her husband as if seeing him for the first time. Her eyes grew cold and hard and her fingernails bit into her skin as she clenched her hands into small fists; “My Lord, when my father informed me I was to be married to you I will admit I was pleased. You were handsome, friendly, of a good age and frankly more than any young woman could ever hope for in an arranged match. When we were wed and I came to live with you I was even more pleased. I saw that you were a good leader and a fair man, but now I must say I am shamed to be your wife! Justin is our son, our flesh and blood! If you send him away I shall never forgive you!” She turned and swiftly left, not bothering to hide her tears of anger and frustration.
As the Lady Janniver entered her suite of rooms she called for the young woman who had become like a daughter to her and a sister to her own children; “Daphne! Are you here? I need you!”
Daphne ran from Janniver’s bedchamber; “My Lady, what is it? What’s wrong? You are flushed,” Daphne moved to wrap an arm around her mistress, taking in her harried appearance, “and crying. Please tell me what is the matter.”
“Daphne, I must plan something quickly and I need your help. It has to do with my son.”
Daphne moved to look into Janniver’s eyes, almost frightened by the determination she saw there; “what must I do?” She answered with a steely determination of her own.
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“Enter,” Lord Taylor called as he heard a knock at his study door. He was at his desk sipping on a brandy, trying to collect himself from his wife’s dramatic tirade.
The door opened admitting Father Ronald and another older man dressed in clerical attire. “Craig Taylor, Earl of Westlake, may I present Bishop Victor Grassi,” Father Ronald announced.
Craig rose quickly from his desk and moved to the Bishop to bow and pay homage to his ring; “yes of course your Excellency, please forgive me for not recognizing you right away.”
“It’s quite all right My Lord,” the Bishop smiled, I am dressed in my traveling clothes after all, not the usual gear you are used to seeing me in at Christmas court in the Capitol.
“Of course, please sit both of you. May I offer a drink? I was just enjoying a nip of Brandy.”
“That would be wonderful, thank you,” the Bishop replied and Father Ronald also nodded an assent to Craig.
When the men had their drinks and were sitting Craig addressed the Bishop; “so what brings you out here to our neck of the woods Excellency?”
“Ah, yes, I am on a mission for the King. I have been visiting the holdings in the outlying areas just to gage how the people are doing in general.”
“That seems like a large undertaking. Why send one so important as yourself?” Asked Father Ronald.
“King Jonathan has sent many of his trusted advisors because he wants the true story of what is going on in his country, not the observations of some underling cleric.”
“It is the mark of a good King that he wants to gather this information. Tell me has he sensed any trouble?” Craig was curious as to the timing of this visit, after all King Jonathan had been ruling for over five years.
“I really can’t say;” said the Bishop elusively, “but moving on, Father Ronald has told me that you seem to have troubles here in your own home.”
Craig rubbed his face; “yes; though I am ashamed to admit it. He told you of my son Justin?”
“Yes he did and I am sorry for you and he. Perhaps the boy is confused and this is just a bit of a phase he is going through?”
“Thank you for your encouragement Bishop, but Justin is a bit old to be confused. He is of marrying age and I fear I do not have time to wait for a phase to pass.”
“Yes I see, so you will be sending him to the Harrisburg Monastery?”
“I want him there to learn more Godly ways. I’m afraid my wife has indulged him too much with art and music. Admittedly he is good with a sword, but my heir must be a man in all areas. I am hoping the priests there will help him to renounce these perverted feelings in him.”
“Ahh,” the Bishop responded, “well Harrisburg is the next stop on my little tour. Your son is welcome to ride along with my entourage. Perhaps we can begin his lessons on the way.”
Craig looked to the Bishop with gratefulness and awe; “Excellency, there is no need for such kindness. I don’t want to bother you with such a burden as my son.”
“It is no burden,” replied the Bishop with a smile; “I find it a wonderful challenge to bring the lost sheep home to the flock.”
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Late in the night Father Ronald answered a knock on his own chamber door. He opened it quickly and admitted his nephew inside; “how goes our plan uncle?” Christopher asked.
Ronald smiled; “ah my dear boy everything is falling into place. Justin and his father could not have played more into our hands if they tried. The arrival of the good Bishop was merely icing on the cake. You do know he is one of the King’s closest advisors? You have been extremely instrumental in all of this my boy. Soon you will be rid of the heir and you can begin to woo his sister and the Earl. The Duke and Duchess will be very pleased.”
“When will you contact them again Uncle?”
“Soon my boy, very soon.”
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Bishop Grassi insisted on staying at the manor for a few days so as to conduct the business he was originally sent to do. He visited with the Earl and his family and also spent time amongst the villages and farms in the holdings. He was found to be a very congenial houseguest and it was a treat to have such a holy man preside over Sunday mass in the household chapel.
The Bishop had only met Justin once, very briefly at the insistence of the boy’s father and he was disturbed by what he saw. Justin had not been seen in the manor at all, keeping to his rooms being attended to by Emmett. He had not even allowed his mother, sister or Daphne in to see him, much to their dismay.
So it was three days later that the Bishop’s carriage was driven to the front of the manor house and his entourage of guards and servants began to assemble. The Bishop and Father Ronald stood on the steps overseeing the confusion when Lord Craig approached followed by a well built man in dark riding leathers; “Excellency, might I have a word with you?”
Bishop Grassi smiled; “of course, what is on your mind my son?”
Craig returned the smile and bowed; “may I present my arms master Benjamin?”
“Hello Benjamin,” replied the Bishop.
“Your Excellency;” the younger man bowed in homage.
“Benjamin had decided to leave us;” explained Craig, “and was hoping to ride with you to Harrisburg where he may find other employment. He has offered to add his formidable protection skills to your entourage while he travels with you.”
“Of course, that would be fine. It’s always good to have an extra hand.”
“Thank you very much Your Excellency, I am at your service,” replied Benjamin.
The Bishop nodded at he and Craig then his attention was taken by a question from one of his personal guards.
Lord Craig spoke to Benjamin; “I’m sorry to lose you Benjamin, you have been a good teacher. I hope my son’s antics were not the deciding factor for your departure.”
“No, no, My Lord, it is just time for me to move on.”
“I see,” Craig offered his hand and Benjamin shook it, “good luck then.”
“Thank you sir.”
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The bishop and priest had retired to take a small luncheon before his departure when the Lady Janniver and Lady Daphne were announced and ushered into the small dining quarters of Father Ronald’s suite.
“Bishop Grassi,” she and Daphne curtsied, “Father Ronald,” they only inclined their heads in a barely civil manor to the latter.
Both men stood; “Ladies what can we do for you? The Bishop was just having a quick bite before leaving,” said the priest with just a hint of annoyance at the interruption.
Janniver took Daphne’s arm and pulled her forward; “Bishop Grassi, I request that you take this lady with you to Harrisburg.”
The Bishop raised an eyebrow; “well I seem to be acquiring a lot of extra folks on this trip. What is your reasoning please My Lady?”
Daphne dropped to her knees and grabbed the Bishop’s hand to fervently kiss his ring; “I have a calling to serve The Lord Excellency. I want to go to the Abbey in Harrisburg.”
“You want to be a nun?” Father Ronald almost snorted in disgust, “what kind of game are you playing at girl?” He looked to the Bishop, “she has been one of Lord Justin’s closest friends since childhood My Lord. I find it to be quite a coincidence that now he is leaving she suddenly has a spontaneous calling. Several times I have caught the both of them trying to skip Mass,” he added smugly.
“I do have a calling,” Daphne insisted. Her next words were spoken with a gleam in her eye that only Janniver could see; “I feel I must remove the taint of being so close to Lord Justin and his wicked ways for all these years.”
Bishop Grassi took her hand and pulled her to her feet, “yes, my dear; I see your point. Of course you must. I am happy to take you to the nuns with me, they are always happy to have more sisters serving in their ranks. Of course I shall serve as her chaperone and protector on the journey My Lady, as well as your son’s, “he said, addressing Lady Janniver.
Janniver smiled gratefully, “thank you very much Excellency.”
“Well spoke the Bishop, I think it is time to depart. If someone could gather Lord Justin, we shall be on our way.”
“I will do it, Excellency,” replied Father Ronald, still puzzling how Justin’s best friend managed to be going with him on his little exile.
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All was ready and the traveling party was waiting on Lord Justin to make his appearance. Benjamin would ride on horseback with the Bishop’s guards. Daphne was to ride in the enclosed carriage with the Bishop, Emmett and Justin. Emmett because even though Justin was being sent away, he was still a nobleman and it would be unseemly to be without a personal servant.
Lord Craig, Lady Janniver and Lady Molly stood next to the coach waiting with Bishop Grassi. Other members of the household were milling about hoping to get a glimpse and perhaps a chance to say good bye to their beloved young Master. They had not been told the reason for his departure but most had heard rumors or could guess.
Finally out of the great house walked the young blond man with his head held high. He was dressed dramatically in black traveling leathers and wore a long black cloak. He had his sword belted at his side. All who had not seen Lord Justin in the past few days gasped at the sight of his black eye and the painfully stiff gait of his walk.
He passed his father proudly without a word, blue eyes flashing angrily at the man who was uprooting his life. He stopped to hug and kiss his mother and sister good bye, wiping at their tears with his thumbs. He then bowed briefly to the Bishop and climbed into the carriage to begin his long journey into exile.
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