PRIDE AND PREJUDICE:

A Queer Tale

Chapter 1

"Brian you promised." "I know I did, but you know how I hate this girly romantic shit." "Come on; you might like it." "Fat chance, besides you'll never make it to the end. What is this the seventh time you tried to watch the whole thing?" "Third." "Ha, I bet you won't make it to the second DVD." "Bet you I will; I went to sleep early last night." "Yes, I know, little shit." "Well I'm determined to watch the whole thing!" "You want to put your money where your mouth is?" "Okay, what's the bet?" "If you fall asleep, the next time you want to try to watch this fiasco I don't have to be here." Agreed, but what if you fall asleep." "Never happen." "Suurre it won't." "Okay, if I fall asleep then I promise to watch it with you and with Emmett." "Ooo, he loves this story." "Why am I not surprised. Do we have a deal and you promise that if you fall asleep this is the last time I have to put up with Jane Austen." "I promise; shake." "I'd rather kiss on it." "Okay, kiss." —earth shattering, toe curling kiss— Bri, stop trying to change to subject." "Fuck me." "Later, after the movie." "Shit. What is this thing, 14 hours long?" "Only 5." "Fucker, okay a deal's a deal, let's get comfy. Ya think you got enough popcorn and tissues Sunshine?" "You can never have enough popcorn or tissues." *sigh* ************************************************************* As the movies starts, the scene pans to a beautiful English countryside. Two handsome men on horseback gallop through an open field. Mr. Bingley smiles brightly at the dark and brooding Mr. Darcy, "tis a fair prospect..." Brian Darcy Kinney, tall, lean, darkly handsome man has a reputation in the county of Derbyshire for being cold and uncaring. His housekeeper, Mrs. Novotney, who has known him since childhood, would tell you that he is a sweet, deeply feeling, gentle man but prefers his privacy; his quiet mannerisms have spurned his aristocratic reputation. The general prejudice was against him. Justin Taylor, a groom and under gardener, joined the Kinney household upon his adoption by the head gardener. Loving both plant and animals, Justin divided his time between the two. Caring for the sick or injured animals, pruning and sculpting the extensive gardens. One afternoon, Kinney walked his horse through the garden and stood stunned by the fair young lad with golden hair and pale skin who was busy removing dead blossoms from the roses. When Kinney's horse snorted Justin jumped and pricked his finger on the thorns. He let out a soft whimper. "Here, let me look at that." "Sir, no please sir, tis only a scratch." "I insist," the hazel eyes glared intently into the azure blue eyes of the boy. "Sir, I..." Breaking the stare, Kinney removed his handkerchief from his pocket and bound Justin's finger. "There, that should keep it clean." "Thank you sir." "What is your name boy?" "Justin, sir, Justin Taylor." "You are?" "I am one of your under gardeners and I work in the stable, sir." "Garden and stables, why?" "I love the flowers and the horses. I sometimes care for the farm animals as well." "Humph" "Sir, would you care for a..." "What, boy?!", the master growled. "Sorry sir." "Say it boy." "A rose sir, would you like one?" "They are my roses, boy." "I, uh...", tears of fear sprang into Justin's eyes. Justin had never seen the master up close and thought him the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Ashamed of his feelings, he wanted to run, but to run from the master would be unforgivable. "Justin, is it?" "Sir?" "Bring me two roses Justin." "Color sir?" "A red and a white." "At once sir." The boy scampered away. Justin returned holding two perfectly formed roses and with lowered eye handed them to his master. "Look at me boy." Justin raised his head. "I will have the red to remind me of the blood you have spilled while tending my garden, I wish you to keep the white. It represents your fairness and light." "Thank you sir." "Now take my horse to the stable and brush him down well, he has had a long hard ride today." "Immediately sir." Justin took the reigns and began to lead Kinney's horse away turning only once to look over his shoulder smiling at his handsome master. Kinney saw the bright smile shining as the sun of a brand new day and for the first time in years he too smiled. Kinney marched back to Pemberley deep in thought and with the front of his breeches painfully tight. "I will conquer this," Kinney muttered to himself. As Kinney entered the main door his man, Michael rushed to his side awaiting his command in silence. "No, no, leave me." "Yes sir." Still deep in thought, "Michael, bring your mother to me, in the salon." "Yes sir." Michael turned to fetch his mother, Mrs. Novotney, the head housekeeper and nanny to Kinney in his youth. "You sent for me sir." "Mrs. Novotney, you have know me for..." "All your life sir." "And have cared for me." "As if you were my own sir." "You know me well then." She nodded, the statement required no response. "Madam, you are aware of my differences from most men, my...", he struggled to find the right words, "my proclivities toward my own sex." Again, she nodded. Mrs. Novotney also knew of her own sons state of being and the bond the he shared with the master. "I do not know what I am to do about this." "Do sir?" "I have met a young man, a child it seems. Twas only a brief encounter but he has touched my heart." Kinney handed the rose that he was still clutching to his confidant. "I see sir, Justin." "You know of him then?" "Yes sir, he is a sweet young man, full of life and love. He came to us after the death of his family, adopted by your head gardener. He so loves the animals and the gardens. He sings and dances all day as he tends to them. Many of the villagers bring him their ailing animals for him to heal. It appears he knows how to cure them." "Mrs. Novotney, he may count me as one of those of whom he has healed." "Sir," she approached the master and in an act of familiarity, brushed a lock of the auburn hair from the masters eyes. "Why then your struggle, sir?" A sad smile adorned the beautiful face. "I am unsure of what I am to do, for the first time in my life I am unsure. My position, situation, his youth and situation in life. This is wrong of me to want his company." "Sir, if I may," she sat facing the man who is feared and envied by all he meets. "Sir, I understand your struggles, my son, he too has struggled in his own life, we both know how he cares for you, about you, since your childhood; and he will continue to care but in silence. Tis his position in life and he accepts it. You have the power to act upon your intentions if you wish; none of those who serve you would think anything less of you. I have seen you grown into a strong, fair man, generous to your servants and tenants. You have denied yourself happiness and love. My son knows he must be denied physical love, it tis the price one pays to be the personal manservant to a master. You do not have to deny yourself. If Justin is the one who brings you joy then you must try sir, judge for yourself if this boy can be a partner to you. He was not born into destitution, his family had power and money, not as you but in their own right. Tis his circumstance that brought him to us in his infancy. Perhaps with your help he may be restored to his former station and then you may feel him worthy of you." "Mrs. Novotney, money or lack of it is no reason to deny oneself love," Kinney growled. His former nanny smiled at her charge. He smiled back, realizing her statement was a test of his character; he had passed her test. "I will leave you now sir, I have many duties to attend to; is there anything you require?" ‘No, wait, yes; send word to my attorney, I wish him to investigate something for me." "Of course sir." ************************************************************* As it was his habit, several times a year Kinney would tour his park, surveying the fields and vast lands. It was also his habit to visit the hovels and cottages of his tenants and farmers who worked his fields. Unlike the neighboring landlords, Kinney saw to it that anyone who worked his fields had a share in the profits from the sale of the grain and vegetables. He provided milking cows to each family and chickens. Kinney also allowed fishing in his streams. While poaching could be punished by prison Kinney rarely pursued the poacher, especially if the man was found to be in need. Mr. Kinney's tenants appreciated his generosity and therefore never abused the privilege. On his rounds, Kinney noted those of his tenants who were ill. He would send his own personal physician to tend them and have his cooks prepare large vats of soup and extra loaves, all to be distributed amongst the needy. At the end of his rounds, Kinney stopped by the edge of a small pond. He dismounted his horse allowing the dark steed to roam the field freely. Kinney sat by the water's edge, the great house just visible through the tall reeds. He then removed his coat, waistcoat and boots, leaving only his white linen shirt and tan breeches. He stood staring into the cool water of the pond, then he dove in. Across the pond watching with wonderment was Justin. Justin's coloring all but hidden him in the tall reeds. He witnessed his master's graceful dismount from the horse, the slow removal of his outer clothes and dive into the pond. Justin held his own breath until the master came up for air and then watched as Kinney swam back to the opposite side. Kinney climbed out of the water and sat by the edge drying himself in the hot sun. His chest appeared bare as the water made the linen transparent and his well endowed manhood made evident by the wet breeches. Justin could not help but stare at the beautiful man before him and feel his own manhood stir. Kinney, a very keen hunter became aware of the eyes scrutinizing him through the reeds. "You there, show yourself!", the master shouted. Justin, startled that he was discovered came out from behind the reeds but mistook his footing. He fell hitting his head upon a rock and was unconscious. Recovering from the shock of seeing the boy fall, Kinney dove back into the pond and swam across, it was the quickest way to reach the boy. Climbing out of the water, the master gathered the boy into his arms. Seeing a trickle of blood on the left side of Justin's head, Kinney ripped off his shirt and bathed the boy's head. Justin moaned as he fluttered his eyelids, awakening to the cool water on his face. "Shh, stay quiet boy." "Yes sir," Justin whispered. "Are you in much pain?" "No sir," Justin reached up to touch the wounded side of his head. "Have I been rightly informed that you have a way with the infirm or injured?" "Some times sir." "Then instruct me, how do I care for a young beautiful boy who has injured his head?" "First you inspect the injury sir." "Then let me see it." Justin turned his head slightly to the right so that the master could view the injury. "And what do I do next?" "Wash away any blood or mud." Kinney then repeated his earlier act of washing the site with his shirt. "Done." "Then bind the wound if it needed it so." Kinney took his shirt, shaking out the excess water then tore a large strip of linen. Carefully he tied the strip around Justin's head making sure it was not too tight. "Well now, I believe we are finished." "No sir." "No?" "I would hold the injured to me for comfort." Kinney looked down into the frightened blue eyes and for a moment closed his own hazel ones. A sigh escaped his lips as he gathered the boy again in his arms and drew him in close into his chest. Justin lay unmoving feeling heat of his master's skin and hearing the beats of his master's heart. Justin's own sigh echoed his master's. Kinney held onto Justin not wanting to loose the feeling of their embrace. Softly he confessed to Justin. "Justin, I am not as other men, I do not crave the touch of a woman. Do you understand me?" "Yes sir." "Does this frighten you?" "A little sir." Not understanding and thinking he had made a horrible mistake Kinney tensed and was about to release and push the boy away. Justin realized his words were misunderstood reached up to wrap his arms around his master's neck. "Sir, I am as you but I have never lain with a man, I am untouched; it is this which frightens me, what, who you are does not." The tension slipped from Kinney and he leaned back to gaze into the cool blue eyes. He wanted to kiss Justin but reason got the better of him. "Justin have you recovered sufficiently to walk to the other side of the pond?" "I believe so sir." "Good, then let us go to find my horse and my boots, we will then go back to Pemberley." Kinney guided the still wobbly boy around the pond and whistled for his horse as he found and donned his boots. With his horse in position, Kinney offered his knee to Justin so that the boy could mount the horse. Grasping the reigns, Kinney walked the horse and the boy back to Pemberley. The master and the boy were seen by Michael and Mrs. Novotney as they approached the scullery entrance. Michael quickly procured another shirt for his master to make him presentable to the servants as his mother tended to Justin's wound. Shooing away the kitchen staff, Mrs. Novotney made tea for the men. Kinney sat across from Justin at the servants' table while Michael sat on a small chair close to his mother near the hearth. "Sir?", Michael ventured. "Yes!" "A courier sir arrived today from London, papers you requested." "You may bring them to my rooms and bring me a tray." "Very good sir." As Michael scurried away to do his master's bidding Justin sat sipping his tea. He had never been in the great house before nor had he ever tasted tea as fine as he was now tasting. "Mrs. Novotney." "Sir?" "What does one do with a smelly, dirty boy?" Kinney said sternly but with a twinkle in his eyes and his voice. Smiling at her master with her own twinkle, "Do sir? Why, one washes him sir." "Then go to it. See to it that he is fed and send word to his guardians that he will stay at the house and compensate them. Bring him to me before supper, the papers the courier brought may concern him." "Of course sir." As the master rose from the table Justin stood up, "stay boy"; Kinney patted the boy's shoulder, "and do what Mrs. Novotney bids you." "Yes sir." With that, Kinney turned and took the service stairs up to his own floor scattering startled servant in his wake. ************************************************************* In the master's rooms Michael had a bath waiting for him as well as his robe and a new suit of clothes. "When do you wish your tray sir?" "In one half of an hour." "Very good sir and your supper?" "At seven, in my rooms, it must be set for two." "Of course sir." Michael left his master alone to bathe. ************************************************************* In the kitchen Justin was instructed by Mrs. Novotney where he could bathe, embarrassed he told her that he had no other clothes. The housekeeper smiled at the shy boy, "not to worry, I will provide you with suitable clothing, now go and wash." "Yes ma'am." After his bath Justin found the clothes that were prepared for him. He had never in his life felt such soft material. He used his old shirt as a rag to polish his boots. When ready he presented himself to the housekeeper for inspection. "There now, the master will be pleased." "Do you think so?  Will I please him?" "Aye boy you will, now sit here, I can hear your belly a rumbling from where I am standing. Eat; would you like a drop of ale?" No, I have never had anything other than tea or milk." "Tis no shame in that, eat now. Later we will find you a room." "I have no need for a room, a mattress or straw and a blanket is all that I may need." "My sweet boy, your life is about to change, steady yourself for this." Justin quietly ate the meal set before him and mentally prepared himself as instructed for the changes he was informed that would come. He had no idea of what the changes would be or if he could accept them. ************************************************************* Up in his suite, Kinney had his own changes to battle with. The papers that arrived from London were from his attorney, Marcus. They indeed contained important and life changing news. It seemed Mrs. Novotney was correct. Justin was not as destitute as he appeared. He had a trust of 5,000 pounds a year. This in no way compared to Kinney's own 30,000 a year, but the point was how to tell Justin. Upon turning one and twenty, Justin was to inherit his legacy. Until then he had an annual annuity that would keep him quite comfortable. His parent's estate had fallen into ruin but the land remained and although it lay fallow for many years, it could be made profitable again. There was also a small villa in Naples. A distant cousin resided there and had been informed that the rightful owner was indeed alive. The cousin awaited further instruction. Kinney re-read the papers and pondered their implications. He paced and muttered to himself on how to broach the subject with Justin. Precisely at seven, Michael arrived with the master's supper. "Do you require anything else sir?" "No, no, you may go; Michael." "Sir?" "Know this, after tonight our lives here may change; know that you and your mother will always be provided for whether I reside here or elsewhere." "Sir, I would follow you and so would my mother." "I know, but I would not have you sacrifice for me." "Sir I am yours to bid." Nodding, "now leave me and have your mother bring the boy, we have much to discuss." As Michael departed his master's suite he turned to fetch the boy as bid. Justin and his mother were walking toward him. Michael let out a small cry, other than his own master he had never before seen such a beautiful man. He nodded at Justin who could not meet Michael's eyes. "Go, the master awaits." "Yes sir." "I am not sir, I am Michael." "Yes Michael." Justin steadied himself and knocked. "Enter" Justin sharply inhaled seeing the master dressed only in his silken dressing gown and breeches, his feet were bare. Stoking the flames of the fire with a poker to stave of the chill of the room, Kinney looked up and beheld the young man. "Well boy, punctual, a sign of a true gentleman." Justin smiled. "Leave us," the master dismissed the housekeeper. Seeing the sting of pain in the boy's eyes, Kinney shouted, "wait." He crossed the room and gently kissed the red curls of the woman he knew as a mother, "thank you," he whispered. "Tis nothing sir; now my sunshine, you listen to the master." "Yes ma'am." Mrs. Novotney left, shutting the heavy door behind her. "Sunshine is it?" "Mrs. Novotney seems to think my smile is that of the sun and has named me so." "She is a intelligent woman and the only one I would never argue with; Sunshine it is. Now, we eat, then we talk, I have much to discuss with you." Kinney motioned to the boy to sit. "Are you hungry boy?' "No sir," Justin said as his stomach told the master otherwise. "Liar! I detest lying. Lying to the master is punishable by switch. Do you wish me to take a switch to you boy?" Both men gazed at each other, a hint of lust touched their eyes. Justin smiled sweetly and shook his head. "Then I ask you again; are you hungry?" "Yes sir!" "Good, then let us begin our meal." Settling into his chair Justin looked upon all the various delicacies before him and the many different forms of cutlery and goblets. Unsure of where to begin, he looked up at the master in puzzlement. Kinney smiled and lightly chuckled. "Watch me; first your napkin." Kinney took hold of his napkin by the corner allowing it to unfurl then placed it across his lap. Justin did the same. "Next the wine." "I have never tasted wine." "Then permit me." Kinney took the decanter and poured a small amount of wine into Justin's goblet then adding and equal amount of water. Setting down the pitcher and raising his own glass he said, "now we sip." Even the diluted wine tickled Justin's throat and Justin wrinkled his nose. Kinney let out a belly laugh. "You will learn Sunshine, I have no doubt that you will learn. Next the soup." And so, this is how their meal progressed. With each course the master instructed Justin which utensil to use and how to handle it. The boy learned quickly how to mimic his master's movements, by the end of the meal, Justin's prowess with the utensils made Kinney beam with pride. After their meal, with very full bellies, Kinney indicated to Justin to take his glass and sit by the fire. Justin re-stoked the flames and sat on the floor. Kinney preferring brandy after his meal, brought his snifter and sat in his chair. Justin scooted closer so that he was able to lean against the master's long legs. Saying nothing, the men shared a contented smile. "Now my young gentleman, I have much to acquaint you with." Kinney then proceed to tell Justin all that he learned of his legacy and heritage. Giving the boy time to digest all he heard Kinney said, "well young master, what are your wishes?" "I do not know; what is your advice?" "I believe we should send for your solicitor or we could travel to London to meet with him. Tis your choice." "I have never been to London sir, I hear it has many sights to behold." "Perhaps far too many for a young man such as yourself." "Then send for the solicitor, I prefer to meet him here if you will stay to advise me. I am unsure of what to do." "We do nothing until you have learned all the facts and details, then you will decide." "Will you not help me?" "I will be here but the final decision must be yours young master; I shall accept your decisions." Despite the brandy, Kinney felt a sudden chill and shivered. Justin added more coal to the fire, stirring the embers to ignite the new coal. "Justin, do you wish to stay with me in my rooms tonight?," Kinney asked with a pensive voice. "Yes sir, I do." Setting down his brandy, Kinney arose and held out his hand to Justin. Accepting the offered hand Justin was led to Kinney's bedchamber. "Justin what we do or not do I will leave to you. I am familiar of what men can do to bring pleasure to themselves and their partner, but you must know that in this country these acts are punishable by public trial, humiliation and prison. I take no offense if you wish to leave." "Sir, if I am to go to prison then so be it, for just one night with you, it is worth the risk." Kinney lead the young man to bed and awakened the passion and love in them both. Later, the lovers lay asleep together in a never-ending embrace until morning. ************************************************************* Later on in the week after Justin's solicitor confirmed Justin's properties. The men came to a decision. Their love for one another put them and their servants at risk. They decided to take advantage of Justin's villa in Naples. Italy, it seemed was more tolerant of their kind of love. They arranged for Kinney's sister to come and stay at Pemberley with strict instructions on how to care for the estate and the tenants. Marcus would also oversee the Kinney holdings. Taking only Michael and Mrs. Novotney, the lovers supervised the packing and shipping of Kinney's extensive wardrobe and the newly made clothes for Justin. They took only what they deemed irreplaceable or precious for their new home. Justin also took cuttings from the rose bushes, one from the red and from the white so that he could plant them in the garden of their new home. When it came time to leave England, they were sad but excited to start their new life together free of prejudice and persecution. On their last night together at Pemberley, Kinney made love to Justin for hours. "This may be the last time we experience physical love until we reach our new home. I wish to know all of you, feel all of you and have you know all of me as well." By dawn the lovers were sated. The journey to their new home and country was uneventful. The lovers traveled as friendly companions so not to rouse any suspicion. The villa surprised them, the written description paled by comparison. The gardens were almost as extensive as Pemberley but not as grand. The house itself was situated near a cliff overlooking the sea. The property secluded with it's own private road. Justin's cousin turned out to be a lovable flamboyant man, named Emmettino close in age to Kinney and he shared their same proclivities. The three became fast friends. Mrs. Novotney assumed her role as head house keeper and matron to her boys. Michael maintained his role as personal manservant to Kinney but was able to experience love with another trusted servant. It appeared that the servants who lived and worked at the villa all had one particular thing in common, an interesting requirement for employment. The masters lived out their lives together in love and in quiet solitude. ************************************************************* "Brian, Brian!" "Huh?" "Wake up, you fell asleep." "Shit" "Don't feel bad, I almost didn't make it through myself, but it was worth every tissue I used." Brian looked and saw the heaping pile of used tissues as Justin was stuffing them back into the empty box to throw out. "Brian you okay?" "Yeah Sunshine." "Hey, I won't hold you to the bet, I'd love to watch it with you but it's okay, you don't have to." "No, I want to see it, a deal's a deal. Justin come here a minute." "Sure Bri," Justin settled into Brian's lap. "Listen, if we work hard and save up, how about we take a trip." "To where Bri?" "Naples." "Naples?" "Yeah, I hear it's fag friendly." "Are you sure Brian, this is so out of character for you." "I'm sure; I'd just like us to go somewhere different and quiet." "Brian, you know I'd go anywhere with you." Holding Justin close and whispering softly..."Justin are you ever sorry that we met, that I was your first." "No Bri, never." "I put you at risk with my behavior and even in danger, the prom, the Stockwell thing. If we were caught we could have ended up in jail." "Brian, if I were to go to prison then so be it, for just one night with you, it's worth the risk." Not quite believing the words he just heard from Justin, Brian whispered, "Justin I love you." Holding Brian tight, "I love you too Brian."

Return to Pride and Prejudice