Part 9:

Orlando giggled and splashed water on Elijah as they attempted to clean Lord
Lee’s dishes. Orlando had some free time, so he was helping his friend, even 
though he was not a member of the kitchen staff. Elijah squealed and immediately
splashed Orlando again, and this turned into a small water fight. They laughed
together as they did this, not noticing when Miss Blanchet came into the room
with the cleaned tablecloths. 

“Stop it you two!” she scolded at them, no real anger in her voice. “Oh, I wish
Miss Dench would have walked in instead of me. She would have given it to you 
good and proper.”

“Given us what, Miss Blanchet?” Elijah asked, barely able to contain his giggles
as he made the crude joke. Orlando bit his lip to try and not laugh with him. 
Miss Blanchet gave him an astonished look. “I’d say a right smack to your bottom
with the paddle, which I might do if you carry on making such remarks.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Elijah bashfully whimpered, returning to his job. 

The blonde woman carefully put the cleaned linens away and then turned to 
Orlando, wiping her hands on her apron. “Orlando, darling, what are you doing? 
You know that the kitchen staff can take care of that, you don’t have to wash 
dishes.”

“I know, ma’am. I was just helping Lij’. I had some spare time anyways.”

“Well, that was very sweet of you, Orli. I am sure that Elijah will be very 
willing to help you from now on if you ever need a hand…” she gave Elijah a 
pointed look as she spoke, and the boy groaned and rolled his eyes. Miss 
Blanchet smirked at this and took off her apron and hung it up on a hook, 
spreading her hands down her smock to smooth it. “I must go and oversee lunch 
being set up, I trust that you shall return to your duties, Mr. Wood?”

“Yes ma’am.” He responded quietly, reaching for the next dish. She nodded 
approvingly. “Good day, Mr. Bloom” she said with a smile before turning from the
room and heading towards the dining room.

Elijah groaned before he returned to his dishes. “It’s just not fair…you never 
get in trouble, even Miss Dench is nicer to you than she is to anyone else.”

“That’s not true, I was just being helpful to you, so I guess Miss Blanchet 
overlooked that I was playing as well.” Orlando said in his own defense, drying
the cleaned dishes and placing it on the growing stack. “She likes us just the 
same.”

“No” Elijah protested. “Don’t even pretend it is the same thing, cause everyone
knows it’s not. Everyone likes you Orli, cause you are so bloody lovable. You 
are like a puppy, so sweet and genuine and pretty…”

“Oh, come off it, Lij’” Orlando said, nudging the smaller boy with his shoulder.
Elijah laughed and pushed him with his hip. “It is so true! All the girls giggle
about how cute and pretty you are, and how adorable it is when you and Sean 
sneak off to little corners to kiss when you think no one is looking.” Elijah 
smiled triumphantly when he saw Orlando blush innocently. “Oh, everyone sees 
Orli, you had to know that. I swear, sometimes I think you are lost in your own
little world; you are always daydreaming. And I find it positively horrid how 
much I love you for it.” The boy grinned and gave Orli a little kiss on the 
cheek and a smack to the buttocks. “Go on now, I am sure you have work to do and
I have every intention of doing dirty things to Dom when he gets back.”

Orlando laughed and walked to the door. “Bye Lij’” he shouted back as he left. 

The young man walked outside to get a bit of fresh air as he left the kitchen 
and headed around to the side entrance, hoping to find Lord Lee in case he 
needed him. He played with his hands as he walked, thinking about what Elijah 
had said to him in the kitchen moments ago. He was so caught up in his own 
thoughts, that he did not hear the person sneak up behind him, and he was 
extremely startled when a pair of strong arms grabbed him about the waist and 
pulled him back against the side of the house, away from prying eyes. He gasped,
startled as he felt the muscled arms encircle him and pull him close against a
strong body. The man behind him lavishly kissed his neck.

Orlando knew who was behind him and relaxed in the arms, leaning his head to the
side the give his beloved free range over his throat. He leaned back into the 
strong embrace. “No need to scare me, love. I would have come willingly.”

“I thought I would surprise you” Sean said, his voice low and husky. Orlando 
moaned when he heard his lover’s voice, and he could almost feel the man’s 
desire. He rubbed his body against the bigger man’s like a cat, moaning at the 
contact. Sean turned his body in his arms so he could capture the youth’s sweet
lips in a passionate kiss. Orlando wrapped his arms around Sean’s neck to deepen
the kiss, loving the feel of Sean’s hands on his body.

Sean gently took Orlando’s face in his hands and pulled him away. “This 
afternoon, will you meet me in the fields?”

“Yes” Orlando softly moaned, leaning his hand down on Sean’s shoulder, just 
feeling the man’s presence. “I will come to you as soon as I am leave Lord Lee 
to his lunch.” Sean let his lips return to the soft flesh of Orlando’s neck and
nuzzled him as the boy spoke. “Lord McKellen is staying, so they will be dining
for a while…and we should have plenty of time.”

Sean lifted the slender body slightly in his arms, pulling him up so they were 
eye to eye for a quick kiss before lowering the boy again. “Run to do your 
chores, then meet me, I will be waiting for you.”

“Of course, my love” Orlando whispered, kissing Sean one last time before 
hurrying to the dining hall to take care of his duties. He hoped Lord McKellen 
could distract Lord Lee for a while…

Lord Lee enjoyed watching Orlando squirm as the boy tried to stand still and 
wait for directions. The old man with his keen eyes could tell that the youth 
had somewhere else he would rather be, and was anxious to get to there. He and 
Ian shared knowing looks, smirking when they thought Orlando was not looking. 
They took their good time eating and drinking their wine. They spoke slowly of 
weather, and Ian talked about a new man that he wanted to hire as his driver. 

Ian saw how the gorgeous young servant was practically ready to scream from 
frustration, and turned to Ian, raising his glass of wine to his lips with a 
delicacy and poise only learned in old age. “Oh, come now Chris, haven’t you 
been wicked enough?”

Lord Lee raised an eyebrow at his companion’s obvious remark, and finally gave 
him with a mischievous grin. “I don’t believe I shall require your services for
the next few hours. Make sure you prepare my chambers for bed before ten, as I
shall retire around that time.”

“Yes, sir,” Orlando said quietly, his voice full of gratitude as he tried his
damndest to not turn and run out of the room. He could feel the disapproving 
eyes of Miss Dench on his back as he walked out of the room, his hands clasped 
behind his back. Orlando waited before the heavy mahogany door behind him was 
firmly before dashing for the side door. 

As soon as he was outside, he ran as fast as his legs could carry him to the 
fields. He took off his jacket and tie in the warmth of the late afternoon, and
let it hang forgotten in his hand. He did not know where Sean would be waiting 
for him, as the fields were a large area of the grounds, but he knew he would 
find him. The sun was beginning to set, and cast a golden hue over the lands, 
accenting the yellow grasses and silvery leaves of the trees. Orlando stood on 
the edge of the fields in the tall grasses and held a hand up to his eyes, 
shielding them from the setting sun. 

In the sway of the grass, he could see Sean’s reclining figure, his hair shining
gold in the light, his bronzed chest exposed by his open shirt. Orlando fancied
he resembled a golden god, a light breeze whispering through his hair like 
invisible fingers. 

Orlando stood for a moment and simply take in the vision before him, holding the
image of his handsome beloved in the regality of the golden sun. He saw Sean 
notice him for the first time, and watched the man rise at the site of his one
treasure. Orlando felt his legs move of their own volition before he compelled 
them, and found himself walking to Sean. His fingers ghosted over the tall 
grasses as he walked, and he could see Sean smile.

Sean extended his hand to his beautiful love; loving how the light played 
against his ebony curls, creating a sort of halo around the soft tresses and 
brilliant face. Orlando took the extended hand and let himself be pulled up 
against the larger man, reveling in the strength and warmth that exuded from it.
He could feel the man’s love as he looked at him, and would know his presence 
anywhere. This was the feeling he had been searching for, his glimpse of sight 
into Sean’s true feelings, and he knew that were he wrinkled and gray, this man
would still love and worship him. 

Orlando raised his face to let his soft lips claim Sean’s in a kiss of pure 
emotion. He let Sean know that he loved him as well, as he felt no word could 
encompass. Orlando dropped his jacket to the ground so he could put both hands 
on the man’s chest, and let himself be enveloped in the strong arms. 

They kissed endlessly; time no longer having any relevance, as they were lost in
each other; only brushing lips and caressing hands paid any mind at all. Sean 
let his fingers rise to the buttons of Orlando’s white shirt, carefully opening
them one at a time. Orlando gasped slightly into the kiss as the rough pad of 
Sean’s finger found his dusky nipple, giving it the slightest flick before it 
moved down his flat belly to pull the shirt from the young man’s trousers. 
Orlando let his own hands push the loose cotton shirt from the man’s broad 
shoulders. He urged Sean to lower his arms only long enough for the material to
drift to the ground, forgotten like the jacket. 

Sean lead them to where he had laid out a blanket and surprised Orlando by 
scooping him up into his arms effortlessly. Orlando would normally have cried 
out in delight, but was too consumed by the passion of the moment to do naught
but continue to gaze lovingly into the man’s piercing emerald eyes that had 
first caught his attention. Sean carefully walked to the blanket and gingerly
set his precious bundle down on it soft top. He knelt next to the gorgeous man 
and tenderly removed first one worn leather shoe, and then the other, taking the
socks as he went. He let his hands glide up Orlando’s body as he moved up his 
slender frame to once again claim his lips. 

He moved his body carefully on top of the smaller one, and he felt Orlando’s 
long legs spread to accommodate him. He rested his body between them, bringing 
their bodies completely together. Orlando ran his delicately arched foot up and
down Sean’s calf, feeling the other man’s naked foot at the bottom and realizing
he was barefoot as well. 

Sean kissed Orlando soundly as though to let them breath as one, enjoying the 
little gasps his partner made when he needed air. Orlando’s graceful fingers 
wound in the other man’s golden hair, so fine and silky. He gasped for breath 
when the man’s knowing lips found the tender flesh of his throat, kissing it 
gently before mouthing it. Orlando was sure there would be marks, but he did not
care…he wanted Sean to mark him, so he would have something to look at to remind
him of these moments. 

Sean took one of Orlando’s hands in his own and raised it to his lips, applying
such delicate and loving kisses that Orlando could feel his eyes water. There 
was just so much coursing through his body, he did not know if he would be able
to handle it all. The lips caressed his palm, and then his wrist, moving slowly
up his arm until he reached for the other, giving it the same worship in turn. 

Orlando felt the hot tear escape the corner of his eye and fall down the side of
his face, leaving its wet trail behind. Sean looked up when he felt the hitch of
breath and saw it. He gave a sort of soothing sound and caressed the trail of 
the tear with his thumb, delicately kissing the corner of Orlando’s eye where it
had first escaped. “What is this then, love?” he asked softly. 

“I love you” Orlando whispered, loving the way the words flowed effortlessly 
from his lips. Sean kissed his lips tenderly for a moment, reassuring the boy. 
“I love you, Orlando,” he said into the boy’s ear. 

The rest of their clothing had been removed soon after; Sean kissed and caressed
every inch of exposed flesh, his lips and fingers leaving hot trails behind on 
the youth’s body. Orlando had clutched Sean to him when the man pushed his 
aching manhood into his body with absolute care. The pain had been minimal, but
it was the sweetest pain Orlando had ever felt in his life. The boy had clutched
his thighs around the man’s waist, his calves clutching to the man’s back. His 
sweet gasps only urged the man on in his thrusts, and Sean ran his fingers over
his body, issuing more sounds from him in his desire to pleasure the youth. 

They rocked back and forth as one, Sean cradling Orlando’s upper body in his 
arms as the thrusts of his passion became more intense. Orlando’s fingers 
clutched to Sean’s hair and the muscles of his back, whimpering and moaning with
the intensity of the man’s cock rubbing against his pleasure center. He cried 
out when every thrust would hit it with precise accuracy. 

Sean moaned as e felt himself nearing his completion. He wanted them to come 
together, and so he carefully held Orlando in one arm while the other ran down 
the boy’s damp chest and belly to his throbbing member. He stroked him gently in
rhythm with his strokes into his body, and soon Orlando was shaking in his arms
with the force of his coming orgasm. They cried out their completion together, 
their bodies clenched as one. 

Sean held the slender youth to his body, as though afraid he would vanish. He 
ran his hand up and down the sleek back, and breather into the joint of 
Orlando’s shoulder and neck. 

As soon as he had recovered enough to move, Sean reached for the blanket and 
pulled it up around Orlando’s body, covering his naked flesh so he would not be
chilled, and let the boy’s hands which rested behind his neck hold the ends. 
Sean gazed into Orlando’s chocolate eyes, enjoying the sated look they had and 
kissed his lips gently; aware of how the soft flesh had swollen in their 
passion. He then placed a finger to Orlando’s lips before reaching for his 
discarded trousers. From them, he drew out a kerchief. He looked into Orlando’s
confused eyes for a second, before slowly drawing the cloth open to reveal to 
the setting sun what was inside. 

Orlando’s breath caught at the sight of the silver ring that lay in Sean’s palm.
He could do naught but watch as the man took one of Orlando’s hands in his own
and raised it, taking the silver ring and sliding it onto the slender ring 
finger.

“Orlando…my love…my life…would you remain with me for all time…”

A crystal tear ran down Orlando’s face as he watched Sean slip the ring onto his
finger in disbelief. His mouth open in shock and wonder. Sean cupped his chin 
and raised his face so their eyes met.

“Will you marry me?”

Sean’s words echoed in his ears, and all he could do for a second was nod his 
head. “Yes Sean, I will marry you!” He flung his arms around the love of his
life’s neck and embraced him close. Sean took his face in is hands and kissed 
him breathlessly, barely able to contain his delight. Orlando cried out in joy 
as Sean stood, lifting him from the ground and twirling him in the air. 

The sunlight glinted approvingly on the silver of the wedding band and on the 
inside, the inscription, “The Worth of Love” warmed Orlando’s skin, and his 
soul.

Elsewhere, far away on the grounds, a carriage pulled up to the front of the 
house, and a tall blonde man emerged, an air of arrogance about him as he 
retrieved his walking stick and straightened his expensive jacket. 

The lovers remained blissfully unaware, for they had not a trouble in the 
world…for now…

TBC…

do you know that the mystery blonde man is? dumdumdum....please review, sweety 
darlings