Part 20: “Isn’t it wonderful, my darling? It will all be much better once I make the renovations, but it will do for the wedding reception. The wedding will be at the church in the city, of course, but I see no problem with our guests coming back to the house for the wedding dinner…” Viggo walked Orlando around his lavish grounds at Walker Estates. He kept his arm tightly around Orlando slender waist, leading the younger man about. He had already shown Orlando the front and back of the house, and was ready to take him inside. Orlando looked around and was happy to see that there was a wood out back. It was farther than the one at Lord Lee’s, but it would do. It would be a place where he could find some solitude. “Viggo…” Orlando said quietly, placing a hand on the man’s chest to still him for a moment. Mortensen stopped and looked at Orlando with genuine surprise on his face. Orlando swallowed before continuing, keeping his hand against the man’s chest. “I was thinking…I would not feel comfortable with a big church wedding…would it not be better…and more convenient for the guests…if we were married here at the house. There is more than enough room and the weather would be favorable…” Viggo’s lips spread revealing his teeth as he grinned. He kissed Orlando on the lips before once again putting his iron arm around his waist. “If that is what you desire my love, that is what we shall have. We could have the wedding in the back and hold the reception in the dining hall. I would prefer to not have to ride around all day from the church to the house anyway.” Viggo shook Orlando playfully as he led him into the house. “You are so very clever, my darling! I am so lucky to have found you.” He kissed Orlando fondly on the cheek and gestured for a servant to open the front door of the house. The old man nodded and opened it, smiling at the two men as they passed through with a pleasant “Good day, sirs.” Viggo led Orlando inside and gestured to the entry way around them. “This is the house, my love. The main hall is one of the rooms I would like to have refinished. I would like you to think of colors to use and choose the fabric for the new draperies. I have no head for such things, so I leave it into your hands.” He took Orlando by the arm and lead him through the exquisitely decorated entry hall and through to the sitting room. Orlando allowed himself to be led from room to room without really listening to what the wealthy man was saying. The rooms were all lavishly decorated and gorgeous, Orlando had expected no different. He did not care though. Viggo led Orlando to the second floor and showing him to the bedrooms as well as the bathroom. The tub was extremely large and set up on magnificent clawed feet. Viggo wrapped his arms around Orlando from behind and deeply inhaled the sweet smelling skin at the youth’s nape. “I hope you do not find it too forward of me to say that I hope we could make a few memories here in this tub.” The man ran his hand down Orlando’s flat belly and kissed him right below a shell ear. Orlando tentatively placed a hand atop Viggo’s and stilled it. “Forgive me, my lord...but…that is a little too forward.” Viggo kissed the young man’s throat and ran his hand up Orlando’s stomach one last time. “That is all right, my darling. I shall honor your wishes. After all…I think I can wait six more days.” The wealthy Lord showed the younger man his room, making sure to especially show the bed that would serve as their wedding bed. He showed Orlando his large wardrobe and exquisitely carved writing desk with gold trim. “Where shall I keep my things…Viggo?” Orlando was still not used to calling the man by his given name, and he had to stop himself from using ‘my Lord.’ The room was large and well furnished, but it was all ready filled out with Mortensen’s belongings, and adding Orlando’s would make it cluttered. Viggo chuckled and stroked Orlando’s back. “Oh my darling…are you really not versed in the living arrangements of married couples? Did you never serve a married family?” Orlando shook his head. “Both of my former employers were older and unmarried. In my family, we all slept in one room together, so that is the only arrangement I know. I shared my quarters in the house with Dom when I was not with…well…when I stayed in my room.” Viggo’s eyes darkened and another grin spread across his face. The look scared Orlando, and sent a cold shiver down his spine. He had the most horrible feeling in is stomach, but he did not know what it was from. “Then I shall tell you my love. When we are wed. We shall share a wedding bed the first night, and any other I choose. Then you shall go to your own room. Any night that I desire you, I shall come to you.” Viggo ran a finger down Orlando’s cheek as he spoke the words, feeling a shiver of desire wash down his spine. “I relish my privacy though, and there are times when I would prefer to be alone. There are times when I may summon you, and you will come to me. I tell you though, Orlando. I prefer to share the company with a warm body on cold winter nights.” Now it was Orlando’s turn to shudder, but not from pleasure. He could feel eyes on him and saw a servant watching them. He blushed furiously and tried to push Viggo away when the man leaned down to kiss him, but Orlando twisted his head away. “You said you would wait…until the wedding. Besides…it would not be proper here, there are people around us.” Viggo grabbed Orlando’s jaw and held his face close. “Now my darling…you must learn to adjust to your new status as my spouse. As an aristocrat, in my own home, I do as I please. Right now, my desire is to kiss my beautiful fiancé. I did promise you that we would wait for any intimate activity…but I see noting wrong with giving my own fiancé a kiss to show my affection for him.” Viggo leaned down and ghosted his lips over Orlando’s. “Do you feel any love for me at all, my darling?” Orlando looked at Viggo with strong eyes. “No,” he said. Viggo chuckled. “Don’t worry, my love. There will be plenty of time for you to learn to.” With that the man leaned down and captured Orlando’s lips with his own. Orlando did not respond to the kiss at all, and remained rigid in the man’s arms. Viggo finally pulled back from the kiss, drawing his tongue over his lips to capture any trace of Orlando still left there and smiled. “There,” he said. “Was that so bad then?” Orlando said nothing, but his silence spoke volumes. “Never mind that,” Viggo said, leading Orlando to another bedroom. This one was smaller and simply furnished. There was little other than a bed, wardrobe, and table in the room. Viggo proudly presented the room to Orlando. “This,” He said, “Is where you shall sleep when you are not in my room. I shall have this all refurnished during our honeymoon. Until then, you may sleep with me. This room is far too dusty and lowly for you to sleep in…” Orlando could think of no other room in the house he would rather sleep. He was nut used to these fine furnishings, and he knew he would find no consolation in the cold walls of Mortensen’s chambers. He placed a hand on Viggo’s shoulder and spoke in a soft, demure voice. “Oh, you need not worry for me, Viggo. I would hate to intrude on you right away, and you have spoken of all that you need to do before the wedding. I do not wish to bother you. This room will do fine for me. I will just clean the linens and then all will be well…” New it was time for Viggo to interrupt. “What did I tell you, my darling. You are no longer the servant. Here, others will wash your bedding. Now, I hired on Miss Winslet and Miss Tyler. I shall have one if them wash them for you.” Orlando broke in, “Oh, I couldn’t possibly ask…” but then he realized that Viggo would only remind him of his new situation again and he closed his mouth tight. Mortensen was very amused by this and he caressed Orlando’s arm. “Very good, my beauty. See, you are learning already. Things will get easier, but you must let yourself adjust. Why do you not come have a hot meal with me. I shall have Miss Tyler wash your bedding and prepare your room for you. I shall inform Mr. Farrell that he should light a fire for you as well.” Viggo spoke Colin’s name with distaste. After they were married, he would again ask Orlando if it was really necessary to keep the meddling Irishman around. Viggo turned to one of the nearby maids and gave her a verbal list of tasks. Orlando could see her nodding as she listened as though to keep track in her head. When he was finished, Viggo waved her away and turned back to Orlando. He extended his arm in offering to Orlando and the youth took it, allowing the man to lead him down the stairs and to the dining room. They ate in silence, the cook having expected the time of their arrival and prepared a meal of a roast and potatoes with a crème sauce on the side and fresh fruits. Viggo explained that not all of their meals would be so simple, and that the next morning they would have a proper breakfast together and then go about their business. “I am going to take you to the dressers tomorrow and have you fitted for your wedding clothes. I may have to leave before you are finished to attend other business, but I shall leave you in the capable hands of my man Davenport.” Viggo motioned for the wine to be poured as he spoke to Orlando. The young man found it so strange that at such a large table they should sit on opposite ends. It seemed so cold and informal. He was also not yet used to being seated at a main table, and he felt very out of sorts and self conscious. “Why not just leave me with my valet, Colin?” Viggo snorted and did not even bother looking at Orlando as he cut his meat and spoke. “Darling, it is not proper for you to refer to a lowly servant by their Christian name just as it would not be at all appropriate for Mr. Farrell to speak in a familiar fashion to you. I would leave you with your valet but I do not trust the man in the least and would feel much more comfortable leaving my fiancé in the hands of my man Mr. Davenport.” He finally raised his eyes and looked at Orlando to see if the boy was eating. “How is you roast, dear?” Orlando cut the smallest piece of the meat that he could and tentatively raised it to his lips, not at all liking the manner in which Mortensen was watching him eat. He chewed the tender meat slowly, much longer than he would have needed to with such a little bite. “It is very good” he finally managed to say. Viggo nodded and a smile of pride spread on his lips. “Take some of the peas my love, and potatoes as well. I want to you to make sure you eat your fill tonight after our long day.” After watching Orlando eat for a few minutes, Viggo cut another piece for himself and resumed his conversation. “I shall have a fitting either today or tomorrow, but my attire shall be a bit more simple than yours I think. I shall also give my housekeeper Mrs. Huston a list of preparations for the wedding dinner. It would be good to hire a few bakers and chefs to make sure that we have only the best, don’t you think darling? I also will send Miss Hayek to you and I want you to tell her exactly what kind of flowers you want for the decorations and centerpieces. I would not know what to do, and I want to make sure you are pleased with the arrangements. I don’t think there will be time for you to go with her, as you will be needed at the tailor’s for the next couple days and the flowers need to be ordered. Perhaps I shall send her with you and Davenport to the tailors and you can dictate to her while you are being fitted. I don’t think it would be proper for her to be in the room when you are measured though.” Orlando just sat quietly, playing with the food on his plate. Listening to Viggo tell him how happy he was going to be. Later that night Viggo led him to his bedroom and kissed him goodnight on the lips. He did not attempt to seem passionate, and kissed Orlando in an owning fashion. His Lordship then watched Orlando enter his room and closed the door before turning to leave himself. For a split second, Orlando had feared the man would follow him into the room. He had never been happier to go to sleep than he was that night, inhaling the smell of soap in the sheets from the recent washing and the faint smell of Miss Tyler’s lavender perfume that her sister sent her from France where she worked. Orlando rejoiced in the solitude that would most likely be short lived and fell asleep. The next morning Orlando was awakened by a soft knock at the door before pulling the blanket up high to his neck. He did not answer but kept his eyes on the door as it opened. The young Brit breathed a sigh of relief when Colin entered the room with a breakfast tray. Orlando pulled the blankets down and sat up, letting them pool about his waist. “I have no stomach for food today,” Orlando said. “You should eat it. I am sure it is better than what was served to the other servants.” Colin set the tray down on the bed and shook his finger at Orlando. “You will eat everything on that plate. You are thin as it is, you need the nourishment.” The Irishman went to the small valise of clothes and pulled out a shirt and pair of trousers and underclothes, placing them on a chair. “Take off that nightshirt, Orlando, and then we can get you dressed.” He stopped and looked at the still untouched tray. “And please eat something.” Orlando reached forward and picked up a strawberry and nibbled on it idly. Colin looked pleased and then gestured to Orlando’s nightshirt. “I am going to fetch you a cloth to clean yourself. When I get back, I want that dressing gown off, right?” Orlando smiled slightly, “Yes sir,” he said in jest. He knew he could not let his husband-to-be hear him talk in such a manner to Colin, but he would do as he pleased in his own room. He watched Colin leave the room and then sat up straighter in bed. He reached for another piece of fruit and took small bites of it as he looked about the room. It looked much better in the daylight. It was not as over furnished as the others, and he was thankful for the simplicity. The young man looked to the window and saw the sun streaming through. It was a beautiful day. He remembered how the previous night Viggo had told him what he was to do that day, and he thought that it was a pity he would be spending the lovely day indoors. As he looked outside, he could nt help but think of his upcoming wedding day. Deep down, Orlando hoped that the day would be a rainy one. With any hope, the mood would be lessened and less of an event. He also hoped that his own mood of the wedding would be reflected in the mood of the weather as a sort of poetic justice against Mortensen. Orlando sighed and pushed the tray back before pulling his soft nightshirt over his head. His skin felt warm in the morning air heated by the light of the sun. The thin blanket pooled in his lap, barely covering his soft genitals. The glow of morning caressed his face, enhancing his angelic beauty. He was not startled this time when Colin opened the door again, carrying a basin and a rag. He smiled at Orlando and was relieved to see the youth return the gesture. Colin’s chest tightened as he looked upon the young man. Orlando was so very beautiful. It pained him to know that this gracious child…for he could not see one so innocent than more than a child…would be condemned to wed a man who help naught but twisted lust. If Colin had but one regret it was that he was born to servitude. The Irishman looked to the plate and saw that there was still quite a bit of breakfast there. He was pleased that Orlando had undressed as he told him to. He held out the basin. “Here, I want you to eat, and I shall clean you.” Orlando gave him a look. “You are going to wash me, Colin?” Colin waggled his eyebrows and put the rag in the water before squeezing it out. “The luxuries of wealth, Orlando. Now eat some of your eggs and then raise your arms.” Orlando shook his head. “I am not hungry.” Colin sighed and reached out and picked up the discarded fork. “I have two sisters. When I was in Ireland still, my oldest sister had a baby girl, Loreena. She was a darling little girl, but she never liked to eat.” Orlando looked puzzled at Colin as the man collected some of the untouched eggs on the fork. “Every meal I would have to sit her on my lap and hand feed her all of her dinner until she finally wanted to do it on her own.” Colin urged Orlando farther over on the bed and then sat down before gesturing to his lap. “So I see that my services are required again.” Orlando squealed when Colin caught him about the waist in one strong arm and pulled him, naked, up and onto his lap. “Colin! What are you doing?” He could feel the man’s strong arm around him and he was comforted by the familiar feeling. He was not at all self conscious of his own nudity which he was quite surprised by. “All right, open up Orlando,” Colin said, holding the fork before Orlando’s mouth and waiting for the youth to accept it. The act was not sexual at all, and Orlando was overcome with the tenderness that the older man was showing him. Colin dropped the fork the second Orlando began to cry. Colin pulled Orlando further into his arms and wrapped his arms around the sobbing youth. “Shhhh….” he cooed to Orlando, trying to sooth him. “What did I do wring, Orlando? I did not mean to upset you…tell me love, what is wrong?” He hugged Orlando tight, rubbing the young man’s bare arms and back. Orlando nestled his face into the Irishman’s neck and curled himself into the man’s chest. He cried quietly now, the sobs ebbing and now his breath only occasionally hitching. His hands clutching at Colin’s chest. The Irishman gently took one of Orlando’s hands in his own and Orlando clutched it to him with all the strength in him. Colin held Orlando’s hand and geld him close and let Orlando just cry for a few minutes. The young Brit finally calmed himself and merely lay against Colin, feeling his warmth and strength against him. “Forgive me, Colin,” Orlando said in a soft broken voice. “I just…this is…that was the first time I had felt happy since…Sean…I just forgot what was really going on around me. I…I did not mean to get upset.” Colin held Orlando closer and rubbed his arms and the back of his neck. “No, Orlando, don’t be sorry. I am glad to hear you were happy, you have no idea how much that pleases me. Please do not be sad, Orlando. I loved to see you smile, I love…” ‘you’ Colin wanted to say, but he couldn’t. He could not put that on Orlando’s shoulders when the youth was only days away from marrying another man he did not love and only months since he lost his true love. He realized though at that moment that it was true… He was in love with Orlando. It was not the brotherly, platonic love he had felt before. It was not pity, it was not compassion, it was love. Deep love that he had never before felt for anyone since he fell for a girl in his hometown, only so much more. He knew that the wedding day would be a heartbreaking day for the both of them, and the wedding night… Colin rocked Orlando gently back and forth, feeling the young man limp against him. “It’s all right Orlando. Please, let me make you happy…let me try…” Colin looked down at Orlando and saw the tears drying on the beautiful youth’s face and was happy to see that no new ones had formed. He raised their linked hands and extended his pointer finger to wipe away the wetness under Orlando’s eyes before Orlando pulled their hands back to his chest, kissing Colin’s hand lightly before returning it to its place on top of his heart. More than anything Colin wanted to turn Orlando’s face to him and kiss him senselessly, but he knew he couldn’t. He look down and remembered that Orlando was naked and tried to lift Orlando and set him down on the bed. Orlando shook his head and clutched Colin tighter, not letting the man let him go. “Orlando…Orli…I just am going to get your shirt, I wont leave you, I promise.” Orlando shook his head and kept holding Colin. Colin knew that it was only a matter of time before Mortensen came to collect Orlando, and he had to get him dressed. Colin reached down to the basin he had discarded on the floor and wrung out the rag after collecting some scented water. He then urged Orlando to raise one arm at a time and cleaned beneath them before rinsing and wringing again and cleaning around the youth’s neck and ears. When he was done, he tried to set Orlando down again, thinking that the young man might be ready to let go of him, but Orlando was not. Colin finally wrapped his arms tightly around Orlando before standing, lifting the slender beauty into his arms and carrying him over to where the shirt was left on the chair. He bent his knees and grabbed the shirt with his fingers before straightening and walking back to the bed, sitting down and letting Orlando lay against him. Colin gently urged Orlando to sit up against him. “Come on, Orli,” he said softly. “Raise your arms for me.” Orlando sniffled once and then finally sat up straight and accepted the shirt from Colin, sliding it up over his arms and beginning to button it up. Colin watched him and was glad to see Orlando was calmed. He stroked Orlando’s hair and softly kissed Orlando’s cheek as the young man buttoned the shirt all the way down. He tenderly whispered in Orlando’s ear that he needed to stand up, and urged to young man off of his lap and onto the bed. Orlando went without protest and slid off of the Irishman to the soft bedding. Colin stood and slowly crossed the room to the chair where Orlando’s other clothes were waiting. He picked them up one article at a time and held them in his hand. The dark haired Irishman could hear movement behind him and turned to see Orlando standing behind him, the light creating a glow around his chocolate curls and white shirt. He looked like an innocent angel in the shirt that was still too large for him, open at the neck to reveal golden skin and the curve of his collarbone, barely reaching mid thigh in length and exposing most of his long legs. Orlando leaned up and kissed Colin softly on the lips then cheek before slowly wrapping his arms around the man’s waist and hugging him. Colin accepted the embrace and put his arms around Orlando, resting his ands on Orlando’s lower back and the other rubbing small circles between Orlando’s shoulder blades. “Thank you, Colin,” Orlando said with a sigh, nuzzling the man’s chest. He leaned back, taking Colin’s face in his hands and leaning up to him. Colin’s breath caught as Orlando kissed him ever so delicately on the lips. Colin wanted to clutch the young man to him and take his breath away, but he knew it was not that kind of kiss. It was very innocent, a kiss of gratitude. Colin accepted it and leaned in to kiss Orlando on the cheek, letting him know he understood. As Colin caressed Orlando’s cheek, the door opened. “Orlando, my darling, are you dressed? We need to leave for the…” Viggo froze when he saw a scantily clad Orlando in the arms of the accursed Farrell, the Irishman daring to touch Orlando in a sensual manner as though he had the right to. Viggo strode forward angrily, Orlando looking at him with question and then fear when the enraged man grabbed his wrist in a crushing grip and yanked him away and behind him. Orlando cried out in pain as he was jerked, and Colin shot forward. “Get your hands off him!” Colin roared, shoving his employer backwards and reaching to take Orlando’s hand and get him safely away. Mortensen however recovered from the push quickly and punched Colin in the face, sending the Irishman reeling. Orlando cried out and rushed forward to Colin in worry but Mortensen gripped him by the upper arm and pulled him back, almost dislocating the smaller youth’s shoulder when he whipped him around. “You are mine, Orlando! Mine! How dare you go behind my back with someone as insignificant as this bastard!” “My Lord, please!” Orlando implored, forgetting to use the man’s Christian name as he had been told and reverting to the servant mentality he still had. “There was nothing happening, I was upset…please, he was only calming me…please!” Orlando tried to speak but the man was shaking him and raised a hand as though he meant to strike the shaking young man. “Don’t touch him!” Colin shouted, getting to his feet and rushing forward. Orlando cried out and raised his arms to protect his face as the furious aristocrat slammed his hand down against him. The blow luckily hit the slender young man’s arms, but the force of it knocked him to the ground with a pained cry. He could hear a struggle and voices in the hallway. Before Orlando knew it, several other servants had hurried into the room, including Davenport, Viggo’s valet. Davenport hurried forward with another strong looking male servant and they quickly separated the feuding men. Davenport held Lord Mortensen back but the aristocrat obviously still wanted to attack Colin, rage burning in his icy eyes. A dark haired older woman with the calm collected air of Miss Dench stepped forward and placed a hand on Mortensen’s arm. “Sir, please try and calm yourself…please stop this sir.” A young woman had knelt by Orlando and tried to calm the young man, but she was thoroughly flustered and of no help when she saw the young man’s nudity beneath the shirt that had ridden up in his fall. Orlando was shaking in fear, trying to catch a glimpse of what was happening to Colin while he cradled his injured arms to his chest with tears flowing. The dark haired women saw the incompetent serving girl doing more harm than good with Lord Mortensen’s fiancé and quickly crossed over to her, shooing her away and pulling down Orlando’s shirt to preserve his dignity and attempted to comfort him, holding him to her breast and rubbing his back. “There there, it is all right…you are alright…” Mrs. Huston, Mortensen’s head housekeeper, held onto the shaking young man and kept a careful eye on the men subduing the quarreling Lord and valet. She could only guess what they were quarreling about as she looked down on the beautiful, scantily clad youth in her arms. She stroked one or the young man’s forearms and head him try and hold back a cry of pain. She looked questioningly down at his arms and gently shushed him as she pulled up the unclasped sleeves of the white shirt to reveal already purpling bruises all up the young man’s delicate wrists and forearms. She was very worried about the massive discolored skin of the youth’s forearm, and she was worried it may be broken. “It’s all right,” she said calmly. “Let me see…” She gingerly touched the angry skin and felt for breaks, but found none. She was pleased and helped Orlando to his feet, holding him close and keeping Orlando’s head against her while covering his open ear with her hand to keep the noise out. She stood beside Viggo and saw him and the servant still spitting curses at each other and attempting to break free. She had had enough. “Stop this at once!” She ordered in a cold, authoritative voice. Viggo did not even look at her as he spoke. “Remember your place, Angelica, keep out of my affairs.” “And you remember your status,” she said evenly, as though scolding a child. She had worked with his family since Viggo was a child, and he did not scare her, she still saw him as a spoiled boy who needed to be put in his place. “It is unbecoming of a man of good breeding to behave in such a manner, especially towards a lovely young man you are about to marry! Now, cease this argument this moment and calm yourself.” Viggo glared at Colin one last time before turning to see his trembling fiancé is his housekeepers arms. “I did not mean to lose my head, my darling. I do hope I did not upset you too greatly.” He walked forward towards Orlando and the young man shrank away from him, fear filling his eyes. Viggo chuckled as though he did not know the cause of Orlando’s fears, extending his arms. “Come to me, darling. Let me ease your worry.” Orlando did not look like he was going to budge, he hold his arm close to his body and looked at the floor. He could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on him, and he hated it. He regretted when Mrs. Huston’s arm dropped from around his shoulders and merely remained on his back. She nodded to the two men that had separated Colin and Lord Mortensen and dismissed them, along with the young serving girl that had attempted to help Orlando. She turned to Colin and said, “Now Mr. Farrell, I do believe that his Lordship will help his fiancé to dress, so your services will no longer be required at present. Go downstairs and see that the carriage is prepared for his lordship. That is all.” Colin nodded to the woman and turned to leave the room. He was stopped by the stony voice of Mortensen. “I will speak to you of this incident later, Farrell. This is not the last you will hear of it,” Colin nodded and continued out, not wanting to leave the man with Orlando after what he had tried to do but not having much of a choice. Mrs. Huston turned to Lord Mortensen and with a raised eyebrow told him, “Young Orlando has a nasty bruise on his arm. I wonder at how severe an injury could have been formed, but I do suggest that he ice it to ease the swelling.” Viggo knew he was being told he had been caught and warned. The woman did not take kindly to the ill treatment of anyone, and she knew Viggo’s personality well enough to know he was a man that took what he wanted. “I trust,” she continued, “that you shall care for him and make sure such an accident does not happen again.” “You have nothing to worry for, Mrs. Huston, Viggo said, reaching out and pulling Orlando to him, stroking his back. “Orlando and I have much to discuss now. Please send up a towel of ice, and I shall tend to my darling.” She nodded and left the room, taking her own good time in doing so. Viggo watched the woman leave. Mrs. Huston was the only person Viggo took heed to. It was she that would box his ears as a child when he misbehaved, and his own mother had not cared for his rearing as much as the housekeeper had. Mrs. Huston had kept him in line until he was old enough to police his own actions and went to college. He did not fear her, but it was a childhood habit to do as she told him. Viggo waited until the door had closed to turn to Orlando. “Now, let me see this wound my love.” He took Orlando’s arm without waiting for the youth to offer it and pulled up the sleeve of the shirt. The man was genuinely surprised when he saw the severity of the bruise that awaited him. “Why Orlando darling! When did this happen?” Orlando was at a loss as to what to say. “It was…well…when you…when you struck…” Viggo nodded and brought the slender forearm to his lips and kissed it. “Well can you blame me darling? Finding you in the arms of another man…a servant no less…I was so very angry that I could not control myself.” He pet Orlando’s hair. “You understand, don’t you darling?” “But I was doing nothing wrong, sir. If you would have…” “Viggo.” Orlando looked puzzled and then realized how he had addressed the man. “Forgive me…Viggo…but if you would have let me explain. I was upset, and Colin was comforting me, nothing more. It was naught but a consoling embrace.” Viggo chuckled as though Orlando were a silly child and stroked his cheek. “Well, in that case I find no fault in you. I do wish though that if you need consoling, you would seek me out. I am after all you soon to be husband and lover.” Orlando nodded but would not agree with words. Viggo looked down and his eyes widened as if he had only at that moment realized how scantily clad the younger man was. “Let’s get you dressed, my beauty. We have a big day ahead of us, and we cannot be late.” Orlando allowed Viggo to dress him and lead him from the room to the carriage. They were greeted with Mrs. Huston and a towel full of ice. She told Orlando to keep it on during the ride to reduce the swelling. Colin was seated atop with Davenport, waiting for their employer to arrive and instruct them. He told Davenport to go to the Parker Tailors. The ride was slow and quiet, yet almost awkward in its silence. Viggo had Orlando sit next to him so that he could put an arm around him, saying that ‘he wanted to stay as close as possible to him while they were together for the day.’ The Tailors was an extravagant place, not at all what Orlando had expected. They were greeted at the door by a most flamboyant man with curly blonde hair and what Orlando swore was rouge on his cheeks. “Welcome welcome, I see it is Lord Mortensen, come to call at long last. And is this your exquisite fiancé? I must admit I have heard the gossip, but none did you justice, my boy.” He took Orlando’s hand and kissed the top of it lightly before urging the young man forward. “Let me have a look at you…my, my, my but you are a beauty. Such a delicate frame…I can see you in the most divine silver and blue silks…perhaps a white…yes….” He turned to Viggo and raised a quizzical eyebrow. “I do recall you did not want a conventional suit for him?” Viggo nodded, his arms crossed aver his broad chest. “Our union is not conventional. I want him to look stunning, Craig. I want everyone to be talking about how he looks for months. I also want you to make him some more everyday clothes. A few shirts and trousers will do. I want them to fit him well, close. I want them to accentuate his slender body.” Craig smiled conspiratorially. “You want to show him off, I see.” Craig could tell that those were not the clothes this modest youth would have chosen, but he was not paying the bill…”I can do it, but I am going to need to be left undisturbed for the rest of the day.” The blonde man clapped his hands and called out a few names. Instantly, a few apprentices appeared, ready to help when needed. Viggo turned to Orlando and kissed him. “I shall return for you later tonight, darling. Be good now.” Orlando said nothing as he watched Viggo leave the room. He then looked to the man Craig who was studying him again. Craig felt yes on him and looked up at the young man and into the sad brown eyes. “Don’t look at me like that, darling,” he said with a flamboyant chuckle. “I am dressing you for your wedding, not your funeral!” He put his arm around Orlando’s small shoulders and led him to the back fitting room, assuring him of how lovely he was going to look. “You husband will be left speechless.” the blonde man assured him. Orlando was stripped and measured, Craig talking incessantly about how he had always wondered about Lord Mortensen and could never before figure out why such an influential man would not get married. Craig congratulated Orlando on his good fortune. “I tell you, angel, the man with worth thousands…he will give you everything you want. Your pretty face insured that too. I bet you’ve never had to ask for anything twice, have you angel?” When the blonde Tailor saw the harsh bruises on the young man’s arms, especially the severe one on his forearm, he gasped in shock and ghosted his fingers over the tender flesh. He then took Orlando’s smaller hand in his and patted it in a tender gesture, making a quick glance to Mortensen‘s valet. “Never mind that love, we can cover that right up. No need for embarrassment.” Orlando merely listened, nodding or shaking his head when he was directly addressed, and spreading his arms and legs for the tailor could take down his sizes. “Such a slender form…” Craig mused. “I will give you a more flowing pant than usual…really show how long and willowy those legs are.” The man held up bolt after bolt of fabric against Orlando’s skin, testing it and seeing how it pleased him. It seemed the young beauty cared not what he was dressed in, and though Craig was glad for the artistic room it gave him, he was also a little flustered that he did not know how best to please his client. The day passed on, Orlando looked out the window most of the time and answered softly when Craig asked him questions about where he was from. The man had been mischievously delighted to hear that the rumors of the boys previous standing were true. ‘Scandalous…simply scandalous…” he thought to himself, perfectly pleased that he was in some way associated with the event. Colin had sat patiently by the window, watching all of the goings on and simply wanting to leave, Davenport directly at his side and watching every move and glance the Irishman made. Viggo returned at dusk to collect Orlando, looking quite pleased with himself and telling his quite fiancé that almost everything was set for the wedding. “You get to pick out our wedding cake and decorations tomorrow, darling,” he told Orlando. “I want you to find a cloth suitable for tablecloths before we leave today so I may leave Mr. Parker with his orders. Don‘t forget that tomorrow you are to give Miss Hayek a list of decorations and flowers you would like. No sense in you having to run about to fetch them after all.” Viggo watched Orlando as the young man selected the fabric he wanted for the tablecloths. It was a simple white linen, nothing fancy but soft to the touch. When he showed Viggo the man laughed, looking to Craig to laugh too as though Orlando were such a silly little thing. “Orlando darling, that will not do! You need to start thinking of finery! Here…” Viggo selected a fine and quite expensive white silk with a lace overlay and gestured to Craig. “This here will do just fine.” Craig nodded and removed the bolts of fabric from the wall and handed them to an assistant. “Very good sir,” he said. Viggo then led Orlando out of the shop, he had Orlando lace his arm through his elbow and walk beside him, keeping him close so that there would be no doubt in any minds that the two were together. The wedding was five days away. The three men trudged on. They had walked for three days thus far to get to the southern coast. Sean had not needed the map yet, and it maintained a comforting weight in his breast pocket. The others had agreed to come along, and of this he was entirely grateful. He knew that he had the determination to rescue Orlando on his own, but it would have been nearly impossible to pull of his revenge scheme without them. Sean had worked the plan over and over in his head at night. His dreams were filled with Orlando…in his shirt he kept the drawing, careful so that it did not tear or smear. It was held close to his heart, and warmed him there. As he walked, Sean was also grateful to Christopher Lee, for the hours and years the man had spent talking to him and teaching him the ways of the wealthy, all their little rules and regularities as well as oddities and resulting irritations. He knew that Dom was good to have as well, for he could teach Marton all about the ways of a servant, and especially a valet as that is what the Russian was going to pose as for Sean. They were close now. Sean was from the south, and though he had not been there for many years, everything was coming back to him. He remembered a small village that they passed. He remembered a town where they stopped to replenish their fool supplies. He knew that they were close to the coast. Marton and Dom talked quietly as they walked, got to know each other better. Marton explained how he had found Sean and about where he had been living. Dom told him about himself and about Elijah. The two bonded easily, becoming friends. Both men had decided to give Sean his space for a little while, knowing that he had much to think about. A day later they were standing on a rocky cliff, looking down at the raging waters of high tide. Sean pulled the map out of his pocket and looked at the coastline. “This is the spot,” he said to the others, pointing out over the cliff. “The spot? This here?” Marton asked, pointing to the ground below them. “We must dig?” Sean shook his head and waved them closer to the edge of the cliff to stand be him. “Not here,” he said, pointing below. “Down there.” “Down there?” Dom looked at him skeptically before looking over the edge. “Sean, down there is water…there is nothing down there.” Marton looked over too and shook his head. “He is right, English. It must be a different place.” Sean smiled and shook his head. “No, this is right.” The blonde man went to his knees and lay on the ground with his head and shoulders hanging over the edge. He turned to the others and motioned for them to lie beside him. Both men looked at each other before finally lying down on either side of Sean. The blonde Englishman pointed down below them. “Right now is high tide. Tomorrow though before the sun comes up is low tide. When low tide comes, all the water will drain out, and we will be able to enter the caverns…” Marton held up a hand. “Wait moment…ou want to go down there? How long is the water out?” Dom looked worried. “What exactly are we looking for down there Sean?” Sean leaned over and looked down at the roaring waters. He raised himself onto his elbows and spoke to his worries friends. “Lord Lee and I were very close. I was a bastard child and he took me in and offered me employment. He treated me more like a son than an employee.” Sean turned to Dom. “He knew Orlando and I were going to get married and he was going to host our wedding.” Dom’s eyes widened in surprise. He had never known that Sean and Lord Lee were so close. He didn’t think anyone did. “Before he died, Christopher told me that he was leaving the house to us as a wedding gift as well as his estates and most of his money. He also gave me this map. He told me that his family had used this place as a hiding place for their fortunes and treasures for hundreds of years. He was the last of his line, so he passed the map to me. He told me that he wanted me to carry the tradition or use it if I ever needed it.” Dom’s eyes widened. “So you are saying that there is treasure down there? And Lord Lee left it to you?” Sean nodded. Marton’s eyes were widened in surprise. He had never guessed that this was the sort of thing the mad Englishman would be looking for at all. Dom looked seriously at Sean. “What are you planning to do once you get this money?” Sean sat up and looked down at the young man’s face. “I want Orlando back, Dom. I am going to rescue him from Mortensen and avenge him, Christopher…” Sean looked into Dom’s eyes to assure his sincerity, “and Elijah.” Tears clouded Dom’s eyes but he nodded his head. This was what he wanted too. “We are going to crush Mortensen, take away everything that he has and make him feel as empty as he truly is.” Sean could feel the vengeance raising in his heart as he spoke. He did not tell Dom that after he took everything from Mortensen, he intended to kill him. He was not sure if the other men would approve, and he wanted nothing to get in his way. He wanted the terrible aristocrat to see him and remember him before he killed him, he wanted the connection of their eyes and to see the realization in the odious man’s face in his last seconds. Then he would take Orlando with him and they would start anew, never looking back. The sun was setting. The three men set up a small camp and lay down to catch a little sleep before they would go down below. They needed their strength for the busy and strenuous day to come. All he could do was wait for the tide.