I would like to comment that I know NOTHING about loss of vision. I am almost
blind, I have terrible vision but contacts are my friends. I am pulling all of
this out of my ass, as I could not find any info on the net about recovering 
from Vision loss. I found a couple things, but I can’t tell them to you now…as 
it would spoil the surprise. Kisskiss!

Part 25:

Orlando guided his hand along the wall, counting his steps as he went to the
stairs. It was nine steps from Orlando’s bed to his wardrobe, and it was twelve
steps from the wardrobe to the door. It was thirty two steps from the door to 
the stairs, and there were thirty six stairs leading down on both sides of the 
double staircase. 

In the three months since he had lost his sight, Orlando had learned the house
quite well. He knew all of the distances and could make his own way alone when
he had to. He could walk a little on paths made for him on the grounds, but he 
did not know the land well enough yet to walk unaccompanied. 

One of the servants had fetched him a moment ago as Dr. Holm was waiting for him
in the sitting room. Orlando stepped to the stairs and put his hand out, finding
the rail. Once his slender fingers wrapped around it, he put out his foot to 
find the first stair. He made his way easily down connecting his heel to the 
back of the next stair before sliding his foot to the step. 

Colin had helped him dress that morning, and Orlando had teased the Irishman 
slightly, asking if he could really trust him with his wardrobe selections. 
Colin had even laughed, something the dark haired man had not done in a while.
Orlando might not be able to see Colin, but he could feel the pain in the man’s
heart. 

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he trailed his fingers along the 
smooth wall until he felt the next doorway. He knew that the third door on the
left was the sitting room, and so he counted them in his head until he reached
it. He stood in the doorway and listened carefully for any sound of another 
occupant. He heard the rustling of clothes before the doctor’s soft voice 
pleasantly said, “Good day, Orlando.”

He could hear the short man stand and then heard the slightly shuffled footsteps
approach him before he felt a gentle hand on his arm. The doctor guided him to
the soft sofa and waited for Orlando to be comfortably seated before sitting in
a stuffed chair next to the couch.

“So, Orlando my child, how have you been managing since I last spoke to you? 
Have you been able to continue learning your way around the house? Have you been
doing what I told you to and practiced every day…tried to learn a new place 
every day?”

Orlando nodded. He had been practicing, enjoying the solitude it brought as well
as the time it allowed him to spend with Colin. His husband had several times 
declared he had to time for such drivels, and often found work that had to be 
done when Orlando wanted to learn the grounds, Viggo went to his work. He of 
course did keep an eye on the window to make sure both Orlando and Colin were 
focused on only the task at hand. 

“I have learned the house quite well, and I can get around on my own mostly. I 
memorized the number of steps from room to room like you suggested.”

Dr. Holm nodded to himself, force of habit as Orlando obviously could not see 
him. “Very good, Orlando, I am most pleased with your progress. Now tell me, are
there any improvements in your sight…can you see light? 

Orlando shook his head. “Sometimes I wake up and I think I can see some light, 
but I am not sure if it is part of a dream, or whether it is in real life. I 
don’t think it is…and in truth…I don’t want it to be.”

Dr. Holm’s brows furrowed at these words and he placed his hands in his lap. 
“Orlando…you know I have told you that in past cases I have seen in loss of 
vision, a great deal of the repair is mental. If you do not want to get well…you
will not. I do not want to rule out the possibility that your sight could return
to you. In head trauma cases, sight loss has been known to be both permanent and
temporary. Granted, you have lived without your sight for several months, but I
still have hope for you…but you need to have hope as well.”

Orlando shook his head. “I have hope though…I hope it does not return.”

Dr. Holm was astounded, he had never met anyone so comforted by the loss of 
their vision, most were devastated. “I don’t understand, Orlando. You have a 
lovely house…you have a handsome husband, you live on gorgeous grounds and have
your own specially tailored wardrobe…don’t you wish to see any of it.”

Orlando shook his head. “None of it matters” he said quietly. “In the year of my
marriage to his lordship, all of these things have been a plague on my spirits.
They have caused me grief for reasons I cannot explain, for they run deeply 
within me from a past few know about. I have never been comfortable in this 
overly extravagant house…I have never been comforted by my husband’s eyes on 
me…” Orlando swallowed and fidgeted his thumbs. “I am most grateful that many of
my afflictions have been lifted from me…it will be much easier to carry on now.”

“It cures many of these afflictions you say…but what are the others?” Dr. Holm 
asked. “Tell me, my child, how has his lordship been treating you?”

Orlando’s head bowed to hide the cheeks that he could feel burning in 
embarrassment. “He treats me as usual…like a painting. His mood as of late has 
been most sour. I think he is angry with me for getting in this state…he keeps 
mentioning the house, and the money he put into making it beautiful for me.”

Dr. Holm snorted at the distaste of the man. “Well…I suppose given his lordships
priorities such things are to be expected, but you should not let them 
dishearten you. I confess however, that I am curious as to how he has been 
caring for you in your marriage bed…since his attack on you several months ago,
has he improved?”

Orlando was most embarrassed by the question, and once again he was glad for his
blindness so he did not have to look at the man as he spoke. “He has not hurt 
me,” Orlando said quietly yet truthfully. Mortensen had not been so brutal since
the night of the accident, but he had by no means been tender.

“Has he been attentive to your needs?” Dr. Holm asked. “Has he been gentle and 
tender as a husband should be to his spouse?”

Orlando shook his head. “Viggo is not a tender man, and I would not wish him to
be.”

Dr. Holm sighed. “You are indeed a strange boy, Orlando. One day I hope to 
understand you.”

“I hope you do not take this the wrong way, Dr., but I would prefer that you did
not. I am very grateful to all the help you have given me, I truly am, but my 
pain is my own. I keeps me alive as much as it does crush me.” Orlando listened
when he had finished speaking, hearing the doctor’s breathing become slightly 
caught at his words, as though in disbelief. 

“I am happy to hear that he has not abused you, my boy.” the doctor said. “And 
yet, I would hope that for something as intimate and intercourse, your husband 
would fulfill his vows as you have obviously have.”

Orlando smiled and laughed slightly, shaking his head so that his soft curls 
tickled his cheeks. “I think you give me far too much credit, doctor. I do not 
fulfill his needs as he would like. I am merely a means for him to find release
and a way for him to gain popularity for his name.”

“That is a very sad way to examine your life, Orlando.”

“But it is the real way.” Orlando said. “I find no bliss in ignorance.”

“Have you two made love since that night?”

Orlando shook his head. “We never make love. He has taken me though…he takes me
from behind now though…I don’t think he can stand to see my eyes…I think they 
make him uneasy.”

Dr. Holm opened his mouth to reply but there was a knock on the door. The doctor
looked and saw the ever attentive Mr. Farrell standing in the now open doorway, 
his hands clasped behind him.

“Forgive me for intruding, sir,” The Irishman said, looking over at Orlando and
trying to guess the young beauty’s mood. “Orlando, your lunch is ready, would 
you like me to bring it to you here?”

Orlando shook his head. “I’d rather sit outside.” The young man turned his head
in the direction of the doctor, his vacant eyes resting in the older man’s 
general direction. “Would you care to accompany me?” he asked the doctor.

“Oh no, I am quite alright,” the doctor said. “You look wonderful Orlando, and I
am very pleased with your progress.”

“Thank you,” Orlando said with a small smile.

“Mr. Farrell,” the doctor said. “Would you please see me out?”

Colin nodded and stepped forward. He stepped to Orlando and leaned down, putting
a warm hand on Orlando’s arm gently so as not to startle him. “Orlando, would 
you wait here for a moment and then I’ll take you outside for your lunch, would
you like that?”

Orlando nodded, leaning back on the couch and relaxing. “Thank you for visiting,
Dr. Holm” Orlando said. “Of course you are welcome any time. I would love for 
you to visit for dinner some night, and of course you are invited to Viggo’s 
party he is having at the end of the month.”

Dr. Holm rubbed Orlando’s upper arms before cupping the youth’s lovely face. “I
would love to visit you child. As for the end of the month, I suppose this whole
month is the time for dinner parties. Are you and Viggo invited to the ball 
being held in the honor of Lord Lee?”

Both the brows of Orlando and Colin furrowed at the name. 

“Lord Lee?” Orlando asked. “But Lord Lee was our former employer…he died last 
year…”

“No, no,” Dr. Holm said, gathering his bag together and then facing Orlando 
again. “I did not mean Lord Christopher Lee, I meant Lord Alec Trevelyan Lee…his
son.”

Chills swept through Orlando’s body and he sagged slightly against the couch, 
suddenly feeling quite feint.

“Orlando?” Colin asked worriedly, sitting beside the young man and gently taking
hold of his slender arm. “Are you alright?”

Dr. Holm gazed worriedly at Orlando as well, stepping forward and feeling 
Orlando’s pulse before testing his forehead for a temperature. 

“I’m quite alright,” Orlando said, sitting up straight. “It’s just…I had no idea
Lord Lee’s son had intention to return…it is so very strange…after his father…”
Orlando’s dull eyes became misty with tears and he forced them back. “Forgive 
me, I was just a little come over with emotion…I just need a moment.”

Colin rubbed Orlando’s slight shoulders to comfort him. “Will you be alright 
while I take the doctor downstairs?”

Orlando nodded. “I’ll be fine” he assured both men. “I don’t know what’s wrong 
with me, I should not be getting so weepy over something so insignificant.” He 
raised his head towards where he could hear the doctor breathing. “Did you say 
you were invited already?”

“Oh yes,” Dr. Holm said. “But I just received my invitation the other day. I am
sure you and Viggo will receive yours soon. If for some odd reason you do not, I
would be honored if you would accompany me, Orlando. I would be proud to escort
you.”

Orlando smiled. “Thank you very much, sir. You are too kind.”

“So I shall see you at the end of the month, Orlando dear?” Dr. Holm asked.

Orland nodded.

Colin squeezed Orlando’s shoulders. I’ll return for you in a moment, Orlando. 
Just try and relax.”

The Irishman whispered something into the youth’s ear that Dr. Holm could not 
hear and Orlando nodded again. Colin rubbed Orlando’s arm in a way that was 
extremely inappropriate and too familiar for a servant with an employer. Somehow
though, Dr. Holm id not find fault in Colin, or in Orlando for accepting it. He
believed in the sanctity of marriage, and believed in the vow of ‘til death do 
us part,’ yes he also held a personal belief that the marriage should be kept on
both sides, and that when one member of the union ignored their vows, the other
spouse should not be expected to endure a loveless life. He pitied such a sweet
child like Orlando having to live with a man like Mortensen, and if Orlando 
found consolation in the arms of the Irishman, then Dr. Holm had nothing to say
of it.

Colin stood and lead Dr. Holm to the door. The doctor ushered him outside and
had the Irishman close the heavy door. 

Colin was a little curious as to the doctor’s secretive manner, but he did as he
was asked. He turned to Dr. Holm and respectfully waited to be addressed. 

“Mr. Farrell…” Dr. Holm began. “I know that you are the one who is closest to 
Orlando in the house. I was wondering if you could tell me exactly how his 
spirits have been for the past month.”

Colin crossed his arms and gave it serious consideration. “Actually…he has 
seemed at most at peace in these last months since his accident than he has in
the last year of his marriage. He smiles more, laughs some, and he has been a 
little more talkative. What he speaks of though is usually not of a personal 
manner, it is more day to day conversation, but it is better than the silence of
before.” Colin looked the doctor squarely in the face. “Why do you ask?”

“It just amazes me” Dr. Holm said. “That someone who experiences the trauma of 
losing his sight as well as that which he endures from his husband could keep as
steady of spirits as he does. That delicate child is a wonder.”

“Orlando is anything but delicate,” Colin countered. “He has endured so very 
much for his short years. I myself do not know how he has been able to stand 
it.” The Irishman tried to not think of the episode in the bathtub. He had
nightmares of it, and still to this day refused to leave Orlando unattended 
while bathing. It frightened him too much.

Dr. Holm nodded at this assessment. “I hope you do not mind me asking, Mr. 
Farrell, but just how accommodating have you been to young Orlando…have you been
seeing him in ways that surpass you usual duties?”

Colin was taken aback at the question and quite unsure of how to answer. “I do
not know whom you insult more sir…myself or Orlando…”

Dr. Holm raised a hand to silence him. “Forgive me, I meant no offense Mr. 
Farrell. All I meant was that Orlando’s mood would make much more sense to me if
it was at all influenced by another, and as it is obviously not by the boy’s own
husband, then I merely assumed that you as the closest to him would know the 
answer.”

Colin shook his head, crossing his arms. “Orlando may not care for Mortensen, 
but he is quite serious about any vow or promise that he makes, and he certainly
would never brake them.”

“That is most unfortunate,” the doctor said softly. “I had so hoped that he 
would…that you would perhaps. You obviously care for him.”

“I love him,” Colin confessed proudly.

“All the more reason,” the doctor said before putting on his top hat and tipping
it in farewell. “Take care Mr. Farrell…and take care of your beloved as well. I
shall see you at the end of the month at the ball.”

Colin raised a hand in parting and watched the odd little man leave, hardly 
believing what he had just heard. Could the doctor actually have just suggested
that he and Orlando carry on an affair?

The more he thought of it, the more and more Colin could see it happen.
Mortensen left Orlando to his own devices unless there was a dinner party, ball,
of a night when he desired the solace of the beauty’s body. It would be quite 
easy for them to carry on an affair without anyone suspecting a thing.

Colin chewed his lower lip as he re-entered the house. He walked back to the 
sitting room to fetch Orlando and walk with him to the patio. Perhaps that day
he would teach Orlando how to walk around the grounds more. 

After his conversation with the doctor, Colin began to watch Mortensen even more
closely when he was around Orlando. He knew the man treated Orlando like a dog
instead of a spouse, but he saw as well how distant the man was, how cold his 
touch was when he was around Orlando, how sterile his kiss was to Orlando when
he kissed him in front of people. 

That was the other thing Colin saw. Viggo touched Orlando when there were people
and servants around, but when the two were alone, Viggo rarely touched Orlando 
except to pet his hair or stroke his skin as he would a dog. What really 
bothered Colin the most though was when Mortensen decided he needed to slate his
lust in Orlando, no matter where they were. 

Colin had once been on his way to bring the two a drink when he had seen Viggo 
tear open Orlando’s clothes before turned the naked, pliant youth over on the 
settee and, fully clothed himself, proceeded to fuck the young man right out in
the open where anyone could have seen him.

Colin had closed all of the windows overlooking he patio in hopes that no one 
would see, but that was not the only time. Mortensen had taken the boy in the 
hallway, in the bathroom, on the patio…it was enough to make Colin sick. It was
also the manner in which he took him. It pained Colin to see that Orlando never
received any tenderness or love.

It was with these thoughts that Colin reconsidered what the doctor had said. He
knew that Orlando would never knowingly break his vows…but perhaps there was a 
way for Colin to work around that.

His chance came a week later, when Mortensen decided to go hunting with his 
friends Lord Bale and Lord Bradley Pitt. Mortensen had been dressing and waiting
for Davenport to fetch his guns when he told Colin to relay the message to 
Orlando that he would be home around dinner, or later, and that Orlando should
not wait up for him.

“You are not taking Orlando with you?” Colin asked, knowing Mortensen hated it 
when he spoke informally of Orlando. 

“I figured Orlando would not find any value in the trip, as he would not be able
to see the shooting.” Mortensen said with a sneer, pulling on his gloves. 
“Besides, I am allowed my time to myself, Mr. Farrell, and I don’t need to
answer to you. This is none of your concern. Take Orlando for a walk…or read to
him. You seem to enjoy your moments alone with my spouse.” The blonde lord 
glared at his Irish servant. 

“Someone needs to spend time with him,” Colin said, cuttingly.

Mortensen snorted. “I do spend time with him you little snipe. Orlando is a very
enjoyable time.”

“You’re disgusting,” Colin hissed.

“And you work for me,” Viggo retorted, standing. “I know I told Orlando that I 
would keep you on, but really…what is he going to do if I fire you?”

Colin crossed his arms. “If it were so easy, you would have fired me a long time
ago. I think you are afraid to fire me, sir, because you really don’t know what
Orlando will do.”

Viggo’s eyes narrowed. “If I were you, Farrell, I would not try me so…I don’t 
think you would care for the results.”

With that, Mortensen pushed past Colin and left the room. Colin stood in the 
room a moment, staring hate at the now vacant doorway. He then remembered 
Orlando and quickly made his way from the man’s study to Orlando’s room where 
the young man was setting down for a nap. 

Orlando had been a little tired that day, and he had gone upstairs when Viggo 
fetched Colin to get ready for a nap. Colin bounded up the stairs and made his 
way to Orlando’s white room. It always looked so bright in the midday light. He
saw the young man on his bed, the blankets pulled down and him laying naked 
aside from a long white shirt he had unbuttoned halfway down. His long legs were
almost entirely exposed as he lay on his side, his bottom knee slightly tucked 
under him. 

Orlando’s head raised slightly when he heard the door open. “Hello…?”

“It’s Colin, Orlando,” Colin said softly, stepping into the room and over to the
bed, running a hand over Orlando’s silken hair to let to youth know it was.
Orlando nuzzled slightly into the Irishman’s touch. 

“Where were you Colin?” he asked sweetly.

“I was with your charming husband,” Colin said with a snort. “I think he finds 
me a threat…”

Orlando pursed his lips and cocked his head slightly. “Why do you say that?”

Colin rubbed Orlando’s back and urged him to lay down. “Nothing you need to 
worry about, love. Just a pissing contest between two stubborn bastards.” 

Orlando lay back down against the soft white bedding, looking like the angel
Colin knew he was. “Are you going to sit with me while I sleep?” he asked, his
soft velvety voice hopeful.

Colin wanted to, but he had other plans at the moment. “Sorry love, but I have 
other duties to fulfill, right now. I know that Mortensen had mentioned that he
might stop in and see you in a while…but for now feel free to lay down and get
some rest. You look like you could use it…and when you are rested, we can take a
walk and work on the grounds.”

“That sounds wonderful” Orlando said, rubbing his cheek into the soft pillow. 

“Should I fetch you in a couple hours?” Colin asked, pulling the sheet up to 
cover Orlando’s body.

Orlando nodded and he wrapped the sheet under his arms, curling his arm below 
his head and letting his sooty lashes flutter closed against his cheeks.

Colin caressed Orlando’s face one last time before leaving the room. He went 
down the hall and into the bathroom that was usually reserved for only Orlando 
and Viggo. He locked the door behind him carefully and began to draw a bath. He
drew off his clothes and stood naked before making his way through the bathroom
selecting all of the bathing oils he knew Viggo used from various conversations
with Orlando. He poured them in before stopping the water and stepping into the
steaming tub. 

The dark haired Irishman rubbed the water all over his body, using Viggo’s soap
and rubbing various oils into his hair and over his arms and chest, getting the
man’s scent into his skin and hair. He knew how keen Orlando’s sense of smell 
was, as the boy had known it was him sometimes when he walked into a room from 
the scent he carried. He knew he had to remove all traces of his own scent and 
replace them with Viggo’s if he wanted this to work.

After his bath, Colin stood and used Viggo’s towel to dry himself off before 
using the gel Viggo used to slick back his hair. He and Viggo had differently 
textured hair, and Colin’s was shorter and naturally spiky, so he had to make
sure it was held in place. He also knew from what Orlando had told him, that the
young beauty did not like to touch Viggo’s hair when it had the gel in it, as it
made his fingers greasy and smell. If Orlando smelled the hair treatment, he 
would not touch Colin’s hair, and therefore would not be able to detect the 
differences. 

Colin then took out the spare clothes of Viggo’s that he had been hiding in the
bathroom behind one of the shelves and donned them slowly. He looked in the 
mirror and marveled at how strange he looked in the clothes. It just did not 
feel right, and the idea of wearing clothes that had touched Mortensen’s body 
made his skin crawl. 

Once he had changed, Colin bundled up his clothes and then unlocked the 
bathroom, door, looking out and making sure there was no one around. He knew 
that most of the staff would be preparing the dinner or resting, as it was a low
activity day, so he knew that there should be no one on this floor.

The dark haired Irishman walked down the hall to Orlando’s room. He took a deep
breath before opening the door.

The young beauty was dozing peacefully, not yet awakened by the quiet noise. He
was laying on his back with his he turned to the side and one arm curled up 
beside his head. His one knee was slightly cocked up under the sheet that 
covered him to mid chest. His curls framed his face sweetly, and Colin took a 
moment to just gaze upon the soft perfection. He only hoped he could give 
Orlando a little of what Mortensen had denied him.

Colin closed the door behind him and locked it carefully, letting his bundle of
clothes drop to the floor by the doorway. He turned back to the well lit room 
and crossed to the bed. The Irishman placed his knee on the end of the bed 
before raising his second. He slowly made his way up the bed until he reached 
Orlando. He took the soft sheet in his hands and slowly drew the sheet down 
Orlando’s slender body, exposing the shirt clad body and then long legs. 

Orlando shifted slightly, moaning a little in his light sleep, his closed eyes
searching for what was rousing him. Colin’s nimble fingers slowly opened the 
white shirt Orlando wore, exposing the golden skin he had seen to many times and
so longed to touch. That didn’t matter though, this was not about him, this was
about Orlando.

Colin leaned his head down and placed feather light kisses on Orlando’s flat 
belly. The feel of soft lips and cool breath finally roused Orlando fully and he
awoke with a little gasp, his eyelids fluttering open and his hands reaching for
his stomach. Colin felt Orlando moved and reached up to catch the slender wrist
carefully in his hands and guide them down to the mattress. He looked up to
Orlando’s face and saw the dark brows furrowed in confusion, his delicate 
nostrils flaring as he gingerly sniffed to see who it was. 

“Viggo?” Orlando asked, his voice slightly heavy from sleep. “Viggo…what are you
doing?” he asked, his graceful hands reaching out again to feel the man’s face. 

Colin once again took Orlando’s hands and kissed the palms gently before setting
them back again and once again lowering his mouth to Orlando’s body, his lips 
wrapping around one coral nipple, his teeth gently catching the rosy bud between
them. 

Orlando’s breath hitched and his back arched as he made a little cry of pleasure
at the man’s administrations. From the look on Orlando’s face, Colin could tell
the boy was confused, and he could not blame him. He doubted that Mortensen had
shown Orlando this much affection throughout their whole marriage thus far. 

Colin ran his tongue over the pebbling bud before moving to the other, lavishing
it with the same attention as he had the other, his fingers trailing down 
Orlando’s sensitive sides. He could hear Orlando breathing through his nose, as
though he was trying to assure himself that it was his husband touching him in 
this way. 

“Viggo…” Orlando moaned. “What…why…” Orlando moaned as Colin trailed his fingers
up Orlando’s soft inner thighs and then over his belly as he kissed his way up 
Orlando’s hairless chest to his neck, mouthing the soft fragrant skin there. 

Orlando raised his hands again, but as Colin predicted, when Orlando smelled the
hair treatment, he lowered them to the Irishman’s shoulders instead. His long 
fingers clenched at Colin’s shoulders and he moaned as Colin nipped at his neck. 

Ever so gently, Colin eased himself between Orlando’s legs, guiding the beauty’s
thighs apart and not forcing them. He caressed Orlando’s body with his hands and
lips and giving the youth the pleasure his own husband never deemed necessary 
to. 

Colin lay a hand on the bed beside Orlando’s head to support himself before 
leaning down and gently pressing his lips to Orlando’s, claiming the beauty’s 
lips for the first time out of love and passion and not condolence. 

Orlando’s legs parted a little farther to allow the man better balance between 
them. He moaned slightly as ‘Viggo’ placed a secure arm behind his back and drew
him up a little from the bed so he could remove the white shirt from the young 
man completely. Once his arms were freed, Orlando clutched at Colin again for 
support. He allowed the man to lower him back down to the bed once the shirt was
tossed to the side.

The moans Orlando made when Colin nipped and mouthed his neck was music to the 
Irishman’s ears. He ran his fingers through Orlando’s dark curls and retuned his
lips to Orlando’s mouth, gently coaxing the younger man’s mouth open with his 
own and massaging Orlando’s tongue with his own.

Orlando mewled as his body was caressed by strong yet calloused hands, and his
lips and throat were attended to by a hot mouth. His vacant eyes sought a body
he could not see, and his eyelids fluttered as sharp teeth caught his throat 
right below his ear. He said something so faint that the other man must not have
heard him, so he said it again, his voice soft as he tries to add more volume.

“Colin…” 

This time the Irishman hears him, and he pulls back as though bitten, shock 
filling his eyes as he looked down at the gorgeous Brit.

Orlando’s dull eyes searched for something in his own personal darkness, and he
licked his lips before speaking again. “Colin…why are you doing this?”

The Irishman staggered back from Orlando, falling to the soft bed in shock, his
mouth hanging open as he stared in horror at Orlando. 

How had the boy known it was him? He had been so careful…would Orlando think he
had betrayed him to use him? How could he have even considered this?

“Oh god Orlando…” Colin choked. “I…Jesus…I’m so sorry Orlando…please, I’m so 
sorry…”

Orlando sat up, naked amidst the white bedding, his soft curls making him look 
so very innocent. He reached a hand out in search of Colin, and he somewhat 
unsteadily made his way to his knees, trying to find the Irishman that he could
hear but not touch.

“How…how did you know?” Colin stammered. “You weren’t supposed to know…”

Orlando reached a hand out as he awkwardly crawled forward until his fingers 
gently touched Colin’s face. He felt the wetness of the Irishman’s tears, the 
lines in his forehead from his furrowed brows…lines of pain and torment. 

“I would always know you,” Orlando said, stroking Colin’s cheek with the most 
tender of caressed. 

Colin fell forward against Orlando, his hands finding supports on Orlando’s 
waist and his head resting against the kneeling boy’s lap, his face resting on 
Orlando’s thigh. He finally broke down and began to sob openly. 

“Forgive me” he begged brokenly, his hands sliding down to loosely wrap around 
Orlando’s narrow hips. 

Orlando lowered his hands to Colin’s hair, running his fingers through the 
strands despite the hair treatment. Orlando soothed Colin with soft caresses, 
not speaking, merely waiting for the man to decide he was ready to talk as Colin
had done so often for him. He gently urged Colin to rest against his chest to he
could hear the man better and hold him easier. The larger man was not in a state
to move, so Orlando used all of his strength to pull the man up further against
him. 

“I hate the way he treats you” Colin confessed, the tears pouring down his face
as he clutched Orlando to him, hoping the young man would understand and in time
forgive him. “I see what his touch does to you…he has been killing you inside 
and I can’t take it, Orlando. I love you…I love you so much, and I only wanted 
to make you happy…I wanted you to think he really loved you so you would be 
happy…”

Colin’s fingers shook as he reached for the blanket on the bed so that he could
draw it over Orlando’s slight shoulders to cover his naked body. Orlando allowed
it, but continued to cradle Colin to him, stroking the man’s hair and listening
to his breathing. He could tell the distress the man was in from his breathing 
alone, and he knew that the prior deception in no way had any reflection on a 
dark mark on Colin’s character. He had long felt the Irishman’s pain for his 
situation. While he still had his sight, he had seen the looks of pain and 
regret in Colin’s eyes in the morning after a night Orlando had spent with 
Mortensen. He had heard the heated words between his husband and the man who 
truly cared for him. He knew Colin loved him.

Orlando pitied Colin. He pitied the turmoil the man went through, and wished 
there was a way he could assure the man that he was actually doing better now
that he did not have the burden of sight. Orlando understood what Colin had 
tried to do for him, and was deeply moved by the gesture. The Irishman should 
have known it was hopeless though, Viggo would never treat Orlando with love, 
for the man was incapable of knowing it. 

The young Brit traced his hand down Colin’s arm until he reached his hand. 
Orlando took it in his own and squeezed it. “Come with me, Colin…come to the 
bathroom.”

Colin stood on unsteady legs, his head bowed. He before following Orlando, he 
grabbed a robe from the back of a chair by the bed and draped it over Orlando’s
naked form. He then allowed the blind youth to lead him from the room and down
the hall. The only sound was that of their soft footsteps and the light sound of
Orlando’s long fingers gazing the wall as he made his way. 

Without aid, Orlando found the door of the large bathroom and entered it, 
drawing Colin inside before locking the door. Colin watched Orlando with 
question as Orlando whispered for him to sit. 

Colin did as he was told and sat on the bench Orlando usually occupied. This 
time, their roles were reversed, and Colin sat and watched as Orlando carefully
made his way to the tub, feeling out with his hand so his could find it. The 
young man sat carefully on the edge of the tub and turned the taps, feeling the
temperature with his fingers until he was satisfied. He searched for the stopper
and placed it in the bottom. He stood and searched with his fingers until he 
found the glass shelves where the bathing oils were. 

Colin watched mesmerized as Orlando delicately sniffed every bottle and bowl of
scented salts until he found something he preferred. Orlando then made his way
back to the tub, dipping the tip of his finger into the nozzle so he could feel
how much oil spilled out. When he was satisfied, Orlando righted the bottle and
set it on the floor. The then tested the depth of the water with his arm and 
stopped the flow.

“Where are you?” Orlando asked, his vacant eyes searching. 

Colin licked his dry lips before saying, “I’m here,” and standing, crossing to
Orlando and putting a hand gently on the young man’s arm to let him know he was
close. Orlando smiled softly at him and felt for Colin’s shirt. He carefully 
opened each of the buttons before pushing it from Colin’s shoulders. He then 
unbuttoned the trousers as well and began to kneel. 

“Let me help…” Colin said, beginning to bend to remove his pants. 

Orlando shook his head. “No, this time I’ll help you.” he said before kneeling 
and drawing the pants down Colin’s legs, removing them as the man drew first one
leg out and then the other. He then stood again and gestured for Colin to get
into the tub. Colin did so, stepping into the deliciously warm water and sitting
down. It was so strange for Orlando to attend to him after the months Colin had
cared for him, but it felt good at the same time. 

Orlando cupped his hands and drew water from the tub and let it fall over 
Colin’s back and shoulders. He rubbed the scented water over Colin’s upper body
and wiped away the scent of Viggo’s soaps. He took a scented soap of his own 
that was kept on the side of the tub and dipped it in the water before rubbing
it between his hands, creating a lather that he worked into Colin’s skin. 

Colin closed his eyes and felt the soft hands warmed by the hot water caress his
body, cleaning him of his scented disguise. He almost moaned when the long 
fingers brought the soap to Colin’s hair, working the lather into the thick dark
strands and removing all traces of the offending hair treatment. At the gentle
urging of Orlando’s hands, Colin leaned back so that his head was tilted into 
the water. Orlando’s sure fingers worked gentle circles against the Irishman’s 
scalp, washing away all of the soap. He then raised Colin’s shoulders and lifted
his shoulders from the water, helping the older man sit again. 

Orlando carefully cleaned all of Colin’s upper body of any remaining scent that
belonged to one of Mortensen’s products. When he was done, he asked Colin to 
pull the plug in the drain and then stood, carefully moving the five steps to 
the shelf where the towels were kept. He selected a large fluffy one before 
turning back around and walking the five steps back towards the sound of the 
draining water. 

Colin stood and stepped from the tub to the thick carpet covering the floor. He
reached out and touched Orlando’s elbow so that the young man would know he was
close. Orlando found Colin’s chest with his hand and then reached out with the
towel, drying the man’s warm skin with the soft towel. He dried the Irishman 
thoroughly from neck to foot before standing to dry the man’s hair. 

When Orlando patted the towel over Colin’s groin and thighs with gentle touches,
the Irishman had to bite back moans of pleasure, and he was a little relieved 
that the beauty before him could not see his cock rising from its nest of wiry 
curls. 

Once the man was dry, Orlando wrapped the towel around the man’s shoulders. He
then smiled, looking up at where he thought Colin’s face was before finding the
man’s hand with his fingers. Once again, Orlando led Colin down the hallway and
back to his bedroom, where he drew the man inside and locked the door. 

Colin was about to bend to collect his deposited clothes from the floor when he
heard movement behind him and turned to see Orlando’s robe hit the floor, 
leaving him naked before the Irishman.

Colin’s eyes went wide as Orlando took his hand and led him over to the large 
white bed they had only recently left. When Orlando felt the soft linen bedding
against his knee, he turned back to Colin and trailed his long fingers up the 
Irishman’s chest until they reached his face. 

Orlando closed his empty eyes as he raised himself on his toes enough to bring 
his lips to Colin’s, lightly pressing his soft lips to the other man’s. He could
feel the man’s heart racing against his own chest, and could feel Colin’s 
surprise at his actions. Orlando raised his face to Colin’s so the Irishman 
could see his sincerity.

“This time,” the beauty said. “I would have you make love to me as no one but 
yourself.”

Colin’s breath caught at the words, and for a moment he froze, but the moment 
was surpassed by an overwhelming joy. He raised his hand to Orlando’s face, 
mapping the perfect contours with his fingers as Orlando had done many times to
him, his touch soft and caressing before he cupped the back of Orlando’s head 
and leaned down for another kiss.

He joined their lips tenderly, wrapping his other arm about Orlando’s slim 
waist, drawing their bodies together. Orlando pushed the towel that was loosely
draped over Colin’s shoulders to the floor and replaced it with his hands. He 
moaned slightly into the kiss as it became more heated and pressed himself more
firmly to Colin’s hard body.

After securing his arm around Orlando, Colin carefully lowered the Brit to the 
soft bed, kissing his lips as he went. Once Orlando was on the bed, the youth 
crawled back a little ways so Colin had room as well. As soon as he felt Colin’s
muscular body atop his, Orlando spread his legs, allowing the man to rest 
between them. He felt Colin’s hardness against him, and Orlando felt a warmth 
growing in his own groin at the friction of their cocks rubbing together. He 
rolled his narrow hips against the dark haired Irishman, stroking his thigh 
along the man’s hip. 

Colin moaned against Orlando’s lips, sliding the palms of his hands up and down
the smooth skin of the young man’s sides. The man ran his large hands up until 
they rested under the young man’s arms and Orlando gasped as he was lifted and 
shifted over. The young man understood what the Irishman was doing when he felt
the soft pillows beneath his back and head. Orlando smiled softly at this, 
biting his lower lip slightly as he almost blushed, unsure of how to act when 
treated with such tenderness. He decided to just enjoy it, knowing that would 
make Colin happy.

Orlando reached forward to find Colin, his arm eventually reaching around the
man’s neck and pulling his against him, parting his legs and wrapping the long
limbs around the larger man’s waist loosely, drawing him closer so he could kiss
him again. 

Colin kissed Orlando passionately, massaging his lips with his own and stroking
his tongue against Orlando’s, trying to express his love for him physically as
he had not been able to with words, trying to show Orlando what he had long been
denied yet so greatly deserved. 

The Irishman lowered his mouth to Orlando’s throat, lightly sucking at the 
delicate flesh and delighting at the whimpers of pleasure it drew from the 
beauty beneath him. He ran his hands down Orlando’s sides and then down and 
around his hips and thighs, drawing the very tips of his fingers up Orlando’s 
sensitive inner thighs, making the boy gasp.

Orlando’s hips jerked with a little gasp when Colin’s warm fingers found the 
dark curls surrounding his cock, the stimulation gentle yet intense. He gave a 
small cry when the warm hand surrounded his cock, gently squeezing and pulling 
on the silken flesh and making pleasure shoot through Orlando’s nether regions 
and spread through his body. The combination of the hand on his swelling cock 
and the mouth on his neck made his heart pound and his breath catch. 

Colin continued his ministrations until he felt Orlando’s hands trying to pull 
him up. He immediately raised his head and looked at Orlando, kissed his 
slightly swollen lips to let him know he had his attention, and then cupped 
Orlando’s cheek, waiting to hear what Orlando wanted.

The gorgeous youth rubbed his hairless cheek against the palm of the man’s hand
before turning his face slightly to kiss it. 

“Make love to me, Colin. Clean my body of his seed.”

Colin kissed Orlando again, running his fingers through the silken curls. His 
kisses were light, feather touches against the younger man’s. “I love you, 
Orlando,” he whispered.

“Show me,” Orlando pleaded, arching his back against the man and spreading his 
legs farther. 

Colin nodded, looking down at Orlando and reaching between the young man’s legs
to find the rosy pucker of his entrance. He knew what he was supposed to do, he
knew the basics of sex between men, but he was unsure of which position to take
Orlando from. He doubted that anything from the front would be comfortable for 
the boy, and the last thing he wanted to do was cause Orlando pain.

Deciding that he would take Orlando from behind laying down, he tried to gently
urge Orlando to turn over onto his side. Orlando stopped him though.

“No,” Orlando pleaded. “I want you to see me…Viggo never wants to see my face…
it’s my eyes…”

Colin kissed Orlando to silence him and let him know he understood. “Your eyes 
are beautiful,” he assured the boy. “You will always be beautiful.”

Orlando’s smile was sunshine as he beamed at the man, leaning forward and 
finding his lips again in thanks. 

Colin eased Orlando down to rest against the soft pillows. He drew Orlando’s 
hips up on top of his thighs and sucked two fingers into his mouth, wetting them
to prepare Orlando’s small entrance. He lowered his fingers between Orlando’s 
legs, holding his breath as he pushed them inside. 

Orlando’s breath caught as he was first breached. He calmed a little when he 
felt Colin’s soothing hand against his belly, rubbing small circles there as he
pushed his fingers in again, curling them and trying to find Orlando’s pleasure. 

Orlando arched his back with a cry, his hands clutching at Colin as his prostate
was rubbed by the man’s fingers. Colin smiled, rubbing again until Orlando was
panting in pleasure. He managed to ease in a third fingers, twisting them inside
Orlando to open the narrow channel, the body beneath his other hand quivering 
and writhing. 

When the beauty’s sweet voice pleaded for him to take him, Colin withdrew his 
fingers and soundlessly spit into his palm to wet his cock. He adjusted himself
between the young man’s thighs and took his cock in hand, searching for 
Orlando’s hole with the mushroom head. He found it and slowly pressed it, the 
tight space first trying to repel him before finally allowing the swollen cock
head to pop in. He groaned in pleasure, but forced himself to hold back until he
got the word from Orlando to continue. 

Orlando’s brows were furrowed and his fists clenched, but he moved his hips, 
trying to press the man deeper. “More…please Colin…” he gasped, his hands
clutching at the man’s arms. 

Colin leaned down so that his chest was against Orlando’s, and he braced his
hands on the bed and pressed his hips forward, thrusting further into the young
man. Orlando arched against him to change the angle, and cried out in pleasure 
as the shift caused Colin’s thick cock to brush his prostate. 

Encouraged by Orlando’s cries, Colin kept the angle and increased the speed of
his movements, driven by Orlando’s pleasured movements and sounds. He kissed 
Orlando’s throat as he thrust. He wrapped his strong hands behind Orlando’s 
back, lifting the slender creature slightly from the bed and adjusting his 
balance so he could lower his mouth to Orlando’s pebbled brown nipples. He 
sucked on one hard, rolling the nub between his lips and flicking his tongue 
over the plumping flesh. 

The Irishman thrust into Orlando with vigor, Orlando thrusting back in response,
his arms wrapped around the Irishman’s shoulders, holding the man to him as 
tightly as he could. His orgasm was nearing, and he could tell from Colin’s 
breathing and erratic thrusts that his was too. The young man rubbed his own
swollen cock against Colin’s stomach as he rolled his hips, and the stimulation
was driving him wild.

Colin finally could not wait any longer and came deep inside Orlando, his last 
savage thrust directly against Orlando’s prostate and enough for Orlando to 
whisper one strangled word and come. 

Orlando froze for a moment when he realized what he had said, praying that Colin
had not heard him. The Irishman slumped against him, his cheek pressing to 
Orlando’s, and the young Brit could feel the other man’s smile. He relaxed 
immediately, grateful to whomever had been listening that Colin had not heard
him whisper Sean’s name as he came.

The night had carried on, and Viggo had returned home, accompanied by his two 
chums. He informed Orlando they would be staying the weekend, and told him that
he would like some privacy that night in his study so they could chat and smoke. 

“The smell does quite affront his delicate nose, does it not my darling?” Viggo
had asked, to which Orlando just helplessly shrugged in response. He did not 
mind though. As Viggo would be with his friends, he would not be with him, and 
Orlando would not have to worry about having to satisfy him in bed. As luck 
would have it, Orlando was not visited by Viggo for the next two nights of Lord
Bale and Lord Pitt’s stay. He was visited however by a certain Irish valet, and
their affair officially began.

The next Monday post, Mrs. Huston brought Colin a letter, indicating that he was
to dictate it to Orlando. It was a large midnight blue envelope with “Lords 
Orlando and Viggo Mortensen” printed on the front in exquisite silver print. 
Colin was going to be sure and show it to Viggo, as the order of the names was 
sure to rile the man. 

The Irishman carried it to Orlando’s room, opening the door and carefully 
closing it behind him. Orlando was sitting in his nightshirt, running a brush 
through his sift curls. Colin sat next to Orlando, wrapping an arm around the 
young man and kissing him fully on the lips in greeting. 

“You have a letter darling” Colin said, laying down so that his head was lying
in Orlando’s lap. 

Orlando smiled and arched a brow, setting the brush down and running his fingers
through Colin’s hair. “Oh? And whom is it from?”

Colin shrugged, turning his head to kiss Orlando’s hand before opening the 
letter. “Welcome friends, you are cordially invited to attend the celebration in
honor of the arrival of his Lordship Alec Trevelyan Lee…darling, I think this is
Lord Lee’s son…” there was surprise in Colin’s voice as he continued reading. 
“His Lordship requests your audience on the fifth of May at his residence,
Wenham Manor, address enclosed.” Colin re-read the date. “The fifth, why that is
only in two weeks time, I wonder why your invitation arrived so late…Orlando?”

The Irishman’s brows furrowed at the look of anxiousness on the boy’s lovely 
face. “Orlando, what is the matter love?”

Colin sat up and drew the young man into his arms, surprised to feel that the 
young man had gone chilled. 

Orlando shook his head, his curls bouncing against his cheekbones. “I don’t
know, for some reason the thought of meeting Lord Lee’s son puts me in an uneasy
yet excited state…forgive me, Colin, I am acting quite silly.”

Colin shook his head and began to rub Orlando’s back. “I am sure there is 
nothing to worry about. Would you like me to come with you? I am sure Viggo will
not want to care for you the whole time anyways, and I would hate for you to 
feel uncomfortable…”

Orlando nodded. “That may be best…thank you.” He raised his hand to Colin’s face
and then leaned in to kiss his lips. “I may as well go break the news to my 
husband, even if he is with his friends.”

Colin sighed and pulled the blind young man down to the bed with him, kissing 
him soundly. “Are you really in a hurry?” he asked with an impish grin.

Orlando shook his head. No, no hurry.