The Duke of Tremont

Chapter 8

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Justin awoke the next morning to find Emmett moving about the room, unpacking his trunks. Of Duke Brian there was no sign.

“Oh my Lord,” gushed Emmett when he saw his master was awake, “how are you feeling? The others insisted that I leave you alone last night and get some rest, but all I did was fret about you.”

Justin sat up slowly and Emmett rushed over to stack his pillows behind his back, “Em, I’m fine. I had someone to watch over me;” he sighed happily at the thought of the handsome prince. “I’m glad you got some rest last night. You deserve it;” he smiled thankfully at Emmett and briefly squeezed his hand.

Emmett returned the smile; “thank you Lord Justin.”

“Em, what do you think of this place? Tell me all about it.”

“Oh it is a wonderful place. Everyone here is so kind. Lady Deb is the Chatelaine and she and her husband Carl are so very friendly. Oh and there is a wonderful man called Theodore; he is the Seneschal here and we had such a nice conversation. Master Benjamin is quite taken with the Duke‘s aide; I believe Michael is his name. He is Lady Deb‘s son and he seems quite nice.”

Justin stared at Emmett as he continued speak animatedly about the people he had met and the goings on in the castle. He also noticed that his young manservant had become much more effeminate with his gestures and body language. He usually was so serious and reserved.

“Emmett you are positively beaming!” Justin exclaimed. “What is so different about this place than home? Were you not happy with me?”

“Oh no, I mean yes, of course I am happy with you. You are the kindest master anyone could ever want My Lord. It’s just...” Emmett paused.

“What is it Em?” Justin asked softly.

Emmett sat down on the edge of Justin’s bed and took his left hand, “it’s just that here I feel I can be myself.”

Justin looked confused; “you could not be yourself at home with me?”

Emmett brushed a lock of hair off his young master’s forehead; “Justin, I have been serving you since you were old enough to leave the nursery and I have done so gladly. You have been a joy to me and I love to take care of you, but doing so has come with a price.”

“I don’t understand Em,” Justin wrinkled his forehead.

“It is the same way you could not be yourself at home Justin. We have much in common, you and I.”

Justin stared at his servant for a moment before he realized what Emmett was saying. It’s not as if he didn’t care about Emmett or love him; but truthfully Justin had to admit to himself that he took the man for granted. He had never thought about his wants or desires as a man. “So you are like me then?” Justin asked softly.

“Yes, but of course I had to hide it well. Your father would have put me out and I didn’t want to leave you Justin. I love you and I wanted to stay with you and care for you. I had thought that I could even protect you because I had my suspicions about you, but obviously I was unable to do that.”

“Oh Em, I’m so sorry. I never thought...I didn’t know,” Justin was overwhelmed by how much Emmett had given up for him.

Emmett smoothed his hair back again; “it is all right My Lord. You are taught to see me as a servant, not a person. You are very young and I don’t blame you.”

“I love you Em. You know that don’t you? Next to Daphne you are my best friend.”

“Yes I know Justin;” Emmett pulled the younger man into a gentle hug.

Justin pulled away and looked into the other man’s eyes; “friends?”

Emmett smiled and nodded; “yes friends, always.”

Justin dashed away a few tears then looked around his room a bit; “so you think you could be happy here Em?” He asked quietly.

“Yes, it’s a friendly place;” Emmett answered with a smile.

Justin thought of the mysterious Duke Brian and then of his own father; “do you think I could be happy here?”

“Perhaps,” Emmett pulled Justin into another hug as he spoke, “we shall have to see.”

The two men were interrupted when the bedchamber door opened admitting Mel, Daphne and a tall blond woman Justin did not recognize.

“Daphne!” Justin exclaimed.

“Oh Justin I’m so glad you are all right,” Daphne flew to the bed and sat down displacing a smiling Emmett as she took over holding his hand.

“Good morning My Lord;” Mel greeted Justin; “you look much better this morning.”

“Thank you,” Justin replied, “I feel much better thanks to you.”

“Mel is a wonderful healer;” commented the blond, “she moved to the bed and held out her hand; “hello Justin, I am Duchess Lindsay. I am Duke Brian’s wife.”

“Oh, hello,” Justin removed his hand from Daphne’s for a moment so he could take Lindsay’s and kiss it gently. He took in her very pregnant belly and blushed guiltily unable to meet Lindsay’s brown eyes.

Lindsay exchanged a knowing look with Mel and Daphne, but wisely kept her counsel. “I wanted to introduce myself to you and tell you how happy we are to have you all staying with us. Daphne is such a treasure,” she added. “You are welcome for as long as you would like.”

“Oh, um, thank you very much Lady. Your offer is more than kind.”

“My husband says that you are quite the brave young lad,” Lindsay commented watching Justin very closely.

“He did?“ Justin’s face lit up with the brightest smile Lindsay had ever seen and then she knew instantly why her husband was so enamored of this boy.

“Yes he did,” she answered kindly.

“He is a very kind man,” Justin answered with shining eyes and Lindsay had no doubts about how this young man felt about Brian.

Mel snorted and Lindsay gave her a slight kick in the leg as she replied; “that he is Justin,” she replied. After a slight pause she spoke again, “anyway I believe Mel wanted to check your injury and I thought I could show Emmett around a little so he can properly take care of you. Deb is busy down in the kitchens today overseeing the banquet.”

“Banquet?” Justin asked.

“Oh yes, to celebrate your arrival. Mel says you will probably be able to be out of bed soon and of course we must welcome you properly; oh and Bishop Vic of course.”

“Lady Lindsay just likes to have any excuse to entertain,” commented Mel.

“Ah, I’m afraid tis true,” replied Lindsay with a twinkle in her eye, “a fact that drives Prince Brian insane at times.”

“All the better,” answered Mel earning herself anther kick from the Duchess.

“Well I’ll go and let you see to Justin then. I trust Daphne can help you Mel, while I take Emmett?”

All parties nodded in agreement and Emmett followed the Duchess out the door.

Justin stared after then turned his attention to the healer who was removing his bandage. Mel had seemed so comfortable with Lady Lindsay. He thought it odd that a lady of such high standing would be so familiar with someone so obviously not high born and a self-proclaimed witch to boot. And also did he see them brush hands as Lindsay left the room? He sighed; thinking this place really was very different than home, just as Emmett had said. He was snapped back to reality, gripping Daphne’s hand tightly again as Mel poked at his wound.

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Back in Westlake Justin’s father opened the letter that had just arrived by courier. Father Ronald sat across from the Earl in his study. The two had been sharing an evening drink when word of the letter arrived.

“Hmmm,” said Craig, “very interesting.”

“What is it My Lord?” asked Father Ronald.

“Well the Bishop’s party never made it to Harrisburg. It seems they were intercepted by Duke Brian and his men on the road and were asked to visit with him in Lofton. Apparently the Bishop’s sister works for the Duke.”

“But, what of the monastery My Lord?” Father Ronald almost stuttered.

“What of it?” Craig asked. “There is plenty of time for Justin to go there. It is not often someone in our family is invited to stay with a Prince. I only hope the boy does not shame us.”

Father Ronald quickly gathered his thoughts and changed his tactics, “I should think he would be quite welcome in Prince Brian’s court,” the man said as if he were tasting something very bitter.

Craig looked up sharply, “why do you say that?”

“Surely you have heard the rumors of the mysterious Prince My Lord? He is said to be deviant and fey himself.”

“Of course I’ve heard that, but I don’t believe it. He is the much loved brother of the King and one of his most trusted advisors. Certainly the King would not align himself with such a person.”

“Sometimes we are blinded by the love of family My Lord. You yourself almost were as well, had I not been here to point out the error of your ways.” The priest stood, “I think I shall retire now. Good evening.”

Father Ronald left Lord Craig to ponder his words as he re read the letter from the Duke of Tremont.

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