The Nobleman and the Knave

Published by Silver Publishing Publisher of Erotic Romance The Nobleman and the Knave Pelaam Published by Silver Publ...

Author: Pelaam

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Published by Silver Publishing Publisher of Erotic Romance

The Nobleman and the Knave Pelaam

Published by Silver Publishing Publisher of Erotic Romance

ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only ONE LEGAL copy for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the South African Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer. WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated and is punishable by imprisonment and a fine." Cover Artist: Reese Dante Photo credit: Dan Skinner/Cerberus Inc. Editor: Leslie Brown The Nobleman and the Knave © 2011 Pelaam ISBN # 9781920501198 Attention Readers: This book uses Australian English. All rights reserved. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental. The Licensed Art Material is being used for illustrative purposes only; any person depicted in the Licensed Art Material, is a model.

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NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER Dear Reader, Thank you for your purchase of this title. The authors and staff of Silver Publishing hope you enjoy this read and that we will have a long and happy association together. Please remember that the only money authors make from writing comes from the sales of their books. If you like their work, spread the word and tell others about the books, but please refrain from sharing this book in any form. Authors depend on sales and sales only to support their families. If you see "free shares" offered or cut-rate sales on pirate sites of this title, you can report the offending entry to [email protected] Thank you for not pirating our titles. Lodewyk Deysel Publisher Silver Publishing http://www.spsilverpublishing.com

The Nobleman and the Knave

Pelaam

THE NOBLEMAN AND THE KNAVE "We have a special surprise for you tonight, Timon," a voice said. The voice possessed a sly, amused tone. With as casual an air as possible, Timon turned and smiled. It seemed something he was doing far more frequently these days. Sir Jocelyn's friends took too much of an interest in him for his liking. In truth he would rather they left him be. He was not fond of his sister's fiancé, his friends, or what they generally considered 'sport'. However, the older, and considerably richer, man had captured the heart of his sister, and they had become engaged just after the death of their father two years before. It seemed so long ago. There had been so many changes in his life in that short time. His father's death had been a big blow for him, but his sister had taken it much better due to Sir Jocelyn's courtship. Of course, she had no interest in their family's financial state. That was his sole responsibility. To Timon's shock and horror, Jocelyn had produced promissory notes for his father's gambling debts. In the end, with Jocelyn's assistance as Bank Trustee and President, he had sold their family home and paid off the debts. They now lived in a large townhouse that was 1


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mortgaged by the bank. It was expensive, and, in addition, Jocelyn had arranged that Leah could have accounts in her favourite gown shops, shoe shops, perfumeries, and hair dresser. Timon faithfully paid a portion of each monthly with Jocelyn's assurance he would take them over when he and Leah were wed. Timon and Leah had gone from a life of wealth to the mere appearance of wealth, a life where they were considered well-to-do but only maintained that level because he paid but part of what was owed. It sometimes made his head spin. Their island in the Caribbean, where Timon's family had settled and at one time prospered, now felt like his prison. Timon gave a brief thought to what it might be like to return to England and be under the more immediate rule of King George, but he quickly dismissed the notion. England was no utopia for a man such as himself. Once Leah was settled with Jocelyn, Timon would sell the house and purchase something outright, something smaller, on the fringes of the town. However, he kept that idea quiet, not sure he could stand his sister's haranguing that he would in some way reflect badly on her if he failed to keep up with Sir Jocelyn's standards. Sometimes the promise he had made to each of his parents to care for Leah lay as heavy as a millstone around his neck. They were no longer close as they had been in 2


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carefree childhood. Nothing he ever did was good or grand enough for Leah. His sister's wedding date had been set after what was considered a seemly length of time, given their father's death, and Leah could think and speak of little else. It was now just three short months away. The young woman quite often spent time at Sir Jocelyn's country house these days, learning her upcoming role as the mistress of the older man's home. It was not that they were poor, but in comparison to Jocelyn's status, their dwindling inheritance was quite modest. Leah behaved as if it were as generous as before their father's death. "Timon?" At the sound of his name, he refocused his attention on the two men before him. Leighton and Terrell were, as far as Timon knew, Jocelyn's closest friends. "Indeed. I had thought to spend a quiet evening at home," he demurred. "Nonsense, you will come with us and we will take care of you." Timon looked at each man in turn. He did not like either. He always felt there was something dark beneath the superficial surface of foppery and finery. "Where?" Timon asked. His tone was guarded, uncertain he really wanted to know. 3


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"Down near the harbour," Terrell relied with a smirk. "Lighten up, Timon," Leighton added, winking at him. Timon hoped his smile did not look as artificial as it felt. It was with great reluctance that he found himself donning his coat and leaving with the two men. **** He regretted his decision just ten minutes into the cab ride. Leighton and Terrell were 'entertaining' him with coarse stories in even coarser language. He laughed where appropriate and prayed that he would be able to find a way to slip away home early. He glanced out of the cab at the darkened streets down which they drove. It was a squalid area and Timon began to have a very bad feeling about their destination. Finally the cab halted outside a bawdy house. Timon would not grace it with the title of hostelry. He trailed behind the other men, hiding his reaction as several unsavoury fellows waved at Leighton and Terrell, clearly indicating this was a place the other two often frequented. A piano player accompanied a hackneyed singer who seemed to almost speak rather than attempt to hold a 4


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tune. There were a few dancers on the floor, although the men's hands wandered salaciously over the women's bodies. At the ancient, dark-wood tables, men in cheap suits drank beer or whiskey if they sat alone, and whatever passed for champagne if they had a tavern-wench in their lap. The women's dresses had seen better days. They were in gaudy colours in a material that imitated silk. They were short in the skirt to reveal legs encased in stockings that had more holes than silk. They were also cut so low as to have the women's full, ripe breasts almost spilling out from their bodices. Timon made an effort to look away as one man blatantly sucked each bared breast of the wench in his lap in turn, the woman watching the singer with a bored expression on her face. "You'll never lack for entertainment in this place, Timon," Terrell whispered in his ear. "If you don't fancy a bed mate from those available, you can always watch instead. But tonight there's a special treat in store." Wishing he had listened to his instincts to stay away, yet morbidly fascinated with what lay in store, Timon followed the others to a door at the back of the bar that led down stone stairs. Timon could not tell if it was just his fancy that the chill, damp air seemed redolent with despair. He trembled slightly, wondering just what he 5


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would be led to. A man appeared before them, dressed flamboyantly, reminding Timon of every fictional pirate he had ever read about. The man's dark hair was long and wild and barely restrained in a ponytail, and his piercing blue eyes softened as he recognised the men with Timon. An open black leather waistcoat was atop a billowing white shirt tucked into sinfully-tight, black satin breeches. Black leather kneehigh boots with a solid heel completed the ensemble, and Timon was shocked to hear the lusty groan from Leighton. "Gorgeous, isn't he?" Leighton asked. Timon watched him be swept into a crushing embrace and voracious kiss by the newcomer. "How long can you stay?" was the panted query when Leighton could breathe once more. "A week tops this time, Pretty," the sailor said, not relinquishing Leighton. "However, 'twill be just a few short months before I give up the life of ship's captain and become landlocked with ye. The purse I get for the additional cargoes will ensure a good life for us. Wait 'til ye see what I managed to collect on the last trip. Black Jack will pay handsomely in gold for this little treasure." "I have money enough, Ghislain," Leighton replied with a soft sigh. "Aye, Pretty, money enough for one. We need it for 6


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two," Timon watched as the flamboyant sailor swept Leighton into his arms, locking his lips with those of the other man. Timon guessed that while Ghislain might look forward to starting a new life as a gentleman with Leighton at his side, he was too proud a man to be kept by his younger lover. It was obvious he had employed this particular method to take Leighton's mind off such matters. "Beautiful," Ghislain murmured as he finally released a softly-panting Leighton. "Now come with me," the sailor added more loudly. "I would have your opinions to a little something I have for Black Jack." Grinning, Ghislain led them to a room at the end of the corridor. Bowing low and theatrically with a flourish, he indicated they should enter. Tentatively, Timon followed the others inside. Timon put his hand against his mouth to smother his gasp of outrage and shock. He stared from just inside the doorway at the prisoner before him. Iron manacles at the ends of rusty chains that ran down from the ceiling were fastened to slender wrists, ensuring the captive's body, his naked body, was displayed openly. His skin was an exotic shade of honey, his hair dark caramel cascading past his shoulders, eyes lush pools of molten chocolate. Large coffee-coloured discs on the 7


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smooth, bare chest haloed nubs of cinnamon. A modest thatch of ebony curls drew Timon's eyes to the captive's flaccid manhood. The most exotic thing, however, was a tattoo on his right hip, a sun with a symbol beside it. He was incredibly beautiful and totally vulnerable and Timon could do nothing except stand and stare. "You've surpassed yourself," Terrell said as he circled the defenceless captive like a predator. "As soon as I laid eyes on him, I knew Black Jack would want to have him," Ghislain nodded. Tearing his eyes from the captive, Timon regarded the men he had come with. Leighton remained at Ghislain's side, the captain's arm tight around his waist. Terrell however, continued to prowl around the lissom prisoner. The slow deliberate action sent shivers down Timon's spine, and he wished there was some way he could free the younger man. "A fine prize, Ghislain. I would warrant that Black Jack will happily part with his gold for this pretty, little bed-warmer." Timon didn't miss Terrell's sly look, and he suddenly had a flash of insight. "Sir Jocelyn likes pretty, young men," he said. Leighton beamed happily and Terrell's eyes narrowed suspiciously, as if deciding whether Timon was 8


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asking a question or making a statement. Timon could scarcely believe he had said it himself, but several little things Leighton had said suddenly clicked into place. He wondered if the other man secretly wanted him to make the connection that Black Jack was actually Sir Jocelyn. In the ever less salubrious places Timon had been introduced to, the name of Black Jack was increasingly mentioned, a man whose dark heart surpassed that of the most bloodthirsty of pirates and whose long arm seemed to stretch to infinity. Already Timon had begun to fear the name without knowing the man behind it. He could scarcely believe it, and this was the man his sister intended to marry. "I told you he knew," Leighton crowed. "Then he will have no objections to us having some fun with the slave first," Terrell said, his face sly and cruel. "No marking him," Ghislain said his voice hard and cold, catching Terrell's wrist and glaring angrily at him. "I brought you here to see the youth and assess how pleased Black Jack would be. I will not see him harmed in any way." "Afraid the price would drop?" Terrell growled, pulling his hand free. Glancing towards the by-play, Timon could see Ghislain's distaste. It seemed that the pirate was not an 9


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inherently cruel man and did not want an innocent beaten or whipped simply for another's pleasure. Timon surmised that, to have said so openly would be seen as weakness, and Ghislain knew better. Instead he glowered menacingly at Terrell. "Aye. And if that be the case, I would take the loss out of your back. I'm well versed in the use of the whip and cane." He smirked as Terrell blanched slightly. It was clear to Timon that Terrell was cruel for the sake of it, and, like all bullies, only chose victims unable to defend themselves. "He'll not be harmed," Terrell retorted, seemingly determined to regain face in Timon's eyes. Not knowing what else he could do, Timon stood transfixed as Ghislain swept Leighton into his arms for another deep kiss. Then Ghislain's hands began to untie the fastenings at Leighton's breeches. He began stroking the younger man's eager arousal. Tearing his eyes from that scene had Timon staring instead at Terrell. The man was circling the chained captive. He had a piece of leather in his hand, knotted at the end. Every so often, he flicked it out to strike the naked, vulnerable body. Timon wanted to stop him, but feared that if he spoke out against the attack, the situation would worsen. Mercifully, the intolerable tension lasted but a few moments. As 10


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Leighton's cry of completion rent the air, Terrell pocketed his instrument of torture. "I said it would be special," Terrell said, brushing past Timon. "I'll be outside," he growled. "I'll take ye all out safely," Ghislain said, and the older man smiled affectionately at the sated man in his arms. As the sailor ushered his lover out, he hovered at the doorway waiting for Timon. "This is not the place for Leighton or your good self," he said. "I can see the show affected you deeply." Timon stared as Ghislain laid a hand on his shoulder. "It's time to go," the sailor murmured. **** "How much do you want to give him to me and not Sir Jocelyn?" asked Timon, his voice ragged. It was obvious to Ghislain that Timon was finding it impossible to just walk out and leave the prisoner behind. Leighton had made a mistake in bringing this one. The older man gave a sigh, ready to deny Timon his wishes, and then looked harder. Both younger men were so enrapt by one another that they did not see Ghislain's more experienced eye rove over them both. The captive had not indicated he could 11


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speak their language yet now appeared to hang on every word from Timon's lips. The sailor frowned. He would have asked for one hundred gold coins from Black Jack and expected to be forced to accept between seventy and eighty. He was certain that sum would be beyond the means of the man before him. A silent sigh escaped him. He was cruel by necessity, by the hardness of his upbringing and his life, but even he had found love and happiness. Both of which he had thought beyond his dreams. "I would take sixty five gold coins," he said, watching Timon's reaction. Glancing at his captive, he could see the intensity in the dark gaze. Unaware of Ghislain's scrutiny, Timon was focused only the exotic captive. That man's eyes suddenly filled with hope. Ghislain watched silently as Timon bit down hard enough on his lower lip to draw blood. Giving a silent sigh, Ghislain squeezed Timon's shoulder. He cursed himself roundly but spoke the words anyway. "Fifty, and I'm giving him away," he said roughly. "Yes," Timon said, his voice eager. "I can manage that much." "Then ye'll do me a favour in return," Ghislain said. "What jewels does yer sister like, pearls perhaps?" "I… yes, yes. She does like pearls," Timon said, 12


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Ghislain saw the slight frown indicating he was somewhat confused by Ghislain's question. "Good. Then when ye next see her, be suggesting that a set of pearls would be perfect for her. I have some very beautiful specimens that I will interest Sir Jocelyn in. If he knows yer sister is keen, he'll give me a better price than anyone else." "I will," Timon vowed. From the look on Timon's face, this was clearly a small price for him to pay. Ghislain shook his head as Timon glanced back at the captive. Gratitude shone in his prisoner's eyes. "Can he be released from the chains and given some clothing?" Timon asked. "I will return tomorrow to give you the money." "I'll take care of the boy," Ghislain assured. "I'll give you a warning, though. I can speak to Leighton, who will think only of the romance of ye stealing away the prize and say naught to Jocelyn if I ask it of him. Terrell is more… devoted to Black Jack. He will tell him of what has been stolen away. Be sure ye want to face his wrath before ye take the boy." "I'm sure now," Timon asserted. "I'll return tomorrow." "I have a room here," Ghislain said. "I'll be around 13


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all day. Now go before the others become suspicious already as to why ye would tarry." He hadn't missed the flash of fear in his captive's eyes when he'd questioned Timon. The pirate was savvy enough to believe he'd underestimated his captive. To his mind the young man had understood what had transpired and had feared Timon could not have bought him. He gave a deep sigh. He only hoped for the prisoner's sake that Timon did not falter in his decision overnight. **** The announcement of Sir Jocelyn's visit came as a complete surprise, and Timon felt his stomach roil and his heart beat faster. He had only just returned from amassing the gold Ghislain wanted and had hurriedly hidden it beneath his mattress, as if smothering it would ensure it could not speak of its existence. Glancing in his mirror, he checked his blond hair was secure in its black, velvet bow and hastened downstairs. He felt the flush on his cheeks, unable to prevent it, as he greeted his sister's fiancé. The twitch of Sir Jocelyn's thin lips told him the older man had seen it, too. "Would you care for a port, Sir Jocelyn?" he asked, leading the way into the day room. He moved to the 14


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sideboard that contained an array of drinks, expecting Sir Jocelyn to make himself comfortable on one of the plush sofas around the unmade fire. Instead Timon saw him in the mirror as he came towards him. He stood close, too close for Timon's comfort. It was as though the older man was a furnace. "Leah is not with you?" asked Timon as he offered the ruby-red drink. "No," Jocelyn said. "Then why are you here?" Surely if he knew of the prisoner, he would simply have paid Ghislain more gold. Or perhaps he had come to taunt Timon with that fact. He watched as Jocelyn preened in the mirror for a moment. "Your sister is attractive, of that there's no doubt," Sir Jocelyn smirked cruelly. "But of more importance to me, she is vacuous and shallow. Dangle a pretty bauble before her and she is kept happy. I'll have her pregnant soon enough after marriage, and for now she is occupied with hosting tea parties or shopping trips with her equally vacuous friends. She will never question where I go or what I do because I bring her back some glittering little trinket. You, however, are a different prospect altogether. You have managed exceptionally well, despite your sister's propensity to spend money you do not have. You are as attractive as she in an entirely masculine way. You are 15


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proud and intelligent. I would relish bending you to my will." "You are suggesting that you would remain married to my sister and… and yet want to bed me?" asked Timon his voice full of shock. "My bedroom habits will not change simply because I have a wife," the older man replied off-handed. "Already my… amorous… demands are proving somewhat arduous. All we do is kiss and touch. Did you seriously believe she would keep secret from me your particular tastes? You poor naive fool." A callous laugh accompanied Timon being easily spun to the floor, Sir Jocelyn's legs straddled Timon's thighs as he pinned Timon's hands over his head and lowered his mouth a mere hair's-breadth away from the futilely struggling man. "Tut, tut," Jocelyn murmured. "You should be careful baring your teeth, whelp. Another might have beaten you soundly for such a testy display. However, this is the spirit your sister lacks and that I would tame. I will still have whomever I want, whenever I like. Even if your sister suspects, she will not act. The women that surround her will encourage her to let things be, just as they do to have their comfortable lives. In all other respects she will have all that her avaricious little heart desires. Make no 16


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mistake, Timon, she does not swoon in love over me. She regards me as the simply her greatest catch. Now, for your punishment…" Before Timon could react to his wrists being loosened, Jocelyn had entangled a hand in his hair and slammed his head with brutal, yet precise, strength onto the solid wooden floor, leaving him dazed and pliant. A soft groan of denial was all he could manage as the older man's lips fastened ruthlessly over his and a sinuous tongue invaded and ravaged his mouth. A detested and unwanted hand touched him intimately, tracing the outline of his length which responded despite his mind's denial. Jocelyn made sounds of pleasure that left Timon feeling disgusted. It took a second or two for him to realise the heavier body had moved, and he struggled to his feet, ashamed with himself for failing to defend himself better and reacting as if with pleasure to his molestation. He stared at Jocelyn. The older man's hand waved carelessly at the ornate mirror to Timon's left. "Look at yourself," he ordered. "Look at how beautifully your body responds to a masterful touch." Timon did not want to see, but found his eyes inexorably drawn to the mirror. His hair was in disarray, having come loose from its bow. His lips were swollen and reddened and his face flushed. He could still feel his 17


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aroused sex, swollen within his breeches, from Jocelyn's detested touch. He looked debauched. Another wave of shame crashed over him. "Do not touch me ever again," he said, his voice shaking but determined as he forced himself to tidy his hair and face. He would not let this man break him. "Time will come when you will kneel naked at my feet, your manhood hard and dripping and you will beg me to use you," Jocelyn taunted, lewdly rubbing at the bulge at his groin. "You will be grateful to be allowed to touch me and plead for more and I will use you as I wish." Timon shook his head mutely. Jocelyn was not a man. He was a monster, but there was no way he would ever be able dissuade his sister from marrying him. Jocelyn was right about Leah. All she ever spoke about was the gifts bestowed upon her, becoming mistress of the town and country houses, and the tea parties by day and balls by night she would preside over. In that respect, she had found the man of her dreams. Timon could not help the shudder that ran through him as his jade eyes met those of glittering obsidian. "Please leave my home," he ordered, tilting his chin defiantly. "I may not be able to show my sister what kind of man you really are, but you will never have me. She will always have a refuge if she needs it." 18


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"You're a blind fool when it comes to Leah, Timon," Jocelyn smirked as he swayed seductively past the younger man. "It will not be her that comes to you," he added from the doorway. "On that you have my word." The minute Jocelyn left the house, Timon fled to the bathroom. He could not speak directly to his sister about the kind of man she intended to marry, but he could try his best. Leah was not one to take his side at the best of times, and to be the fiancée of Sir Jocelyn meant she was the envy of every unattached young woman. Nothing and no one would stand in her way of marrying him. He had already tried on a couple of occasions to urge caution, only to be brushed contemptuously aside. If only they knew the truth of the man behind the facade. He also could not leave the young prisoner where he might yet fall prey to Jocelyn a moment longer. Splashing water on his face, he cooled the flush of shame and then thoroughly cleaned his teeth, spitting the remnants of Jocelyn's taste from his mouth. He quickly retied his hair in its bow and then hurried to his bedroom. Lifting his mattress, Timon quickly rechecked the gold coins. Satisfied he had the requisite number, he strode from the house. Although an expense he could ill afford, he summoned a cab to take him to the harbour and Ghislain's 19


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inn. **** Ghislain was surprised the young man would come by day where he could easily be seen and recognised, but the obvious agitation explained the rash action. "I'm a man of my word, Timon," Ghislain assured Timon. "The boy is here and unharmed." "I want him away from here as quickly as possible," Timon replied. "Jocelyn is back from his country estate." Ghislain swore softly, but roundly, and he saw Timon's cheeks burn. The other man was clearly unused to such earthy language. He had no intentions of trying to renege his agreement. To a look of surprise on Timon's face, he caught the younger man's elbow and led him upstairs. Unlocking a door, the sailor ushered him inside. Ghislain heard the sigh of relief and saw the terse smile Timon offered as the room's occupant jumped up from the bed. Ghislain was no fool; he'd ensured the room was windowless so the young man could not try to escape. However, the look in the prisoner's dark eyes told Ghislain that Timon had been long anticipated. He had given the man thin breeches and a shirt, both of which had seen better days, but at least they covered the young man's nakedness. 20


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"Remember my warning, Timon," Ghislain said as he accepted the coins. "Black Jack is not a man to have as an enemy. I'll not lie to him if he asks me outright. I don't dare. I'll be safe at sea, but my own boy Leighton is too easily in his clutches. However, 'tis Terrell ye need beware. He is his master's boy. He knows Jocelyn has to marry to produce heirs and that he'll want his toys to play with, but he's devoted to him nonetheless." "I understand," Timon said. Timon threw a worried glance at the shivering form across the room. "Will they miss a blanket?" Timon asked. Ghislain did not know whether it was cold or fear that caused the younger man to shake. "I'll toss them a coin if they do," Ghislain said, giving a thin coverlet to Timon and watching as he wrapped it around the slim beauty. "Now go swiftly," he added more softly. "I'm taking Leighton away from here for a couple of days. It's as much as I can do to keep him safe until I go to sea. When I return, 'twill be to take him from this place where Jocelyn can reach him so easily. Ye may wish to consider the same." "I will. And… thank you, Ghislain," Timon said. ****

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Back in the cab, Timon kept a strong arm tightly around the smaller man's shoulders. He was babbling and he knew it. However, the shock of Jocelyn's visit and the purchase of a human being were making him gabble on relentlessly. It did not matter that the other man would not understand a word. He just needed to speak it aloud to be able to come to terms with it himself. "I can't believe Jocelyn would come to me and make such an abominable suggestion. To think he so nearly had you. I can't believe I've just bought a man. I've always been against slavery. Always. I've no idea how to explain you to my sister. She already berates me for remaining unmarried. She knows the reason but I'd rather be true to myself than live a lie. I have no idea what to call you or what to do…" "Agapito." It took a moment for Timon to realise that his babbling had been interrupted. He turned his head to stare at the smaller man. "I beg your pardon?" he asked, stunned. "You may call me Agapito; it was what those closest to me used to call me. I would be happy for you to use it, too. If you would." "You… you understand me," Timon stuttered, his voice hoarse with shock. 22


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"Yes," the younger man nodded. "We need to talk to my housekeeper Mrs Evans," Timon said, his voice still husky. "Perhaps she can come up with how best we can explain your addition to my household." He looked at the deep, dark pools of Agapito's eyes. "You knew all along what fate lay in store for you?" he asked, swallowing against rising bile. "Yes," Agapito said softly, his eyes temporarily closing. "But it was one I was spared by you being sent to save me." "I wouldn't go that far," Timon demurred, but Agapito remained insistent. "In my darkest hour, you came. I could see you could ill afford Ghislain's price and yet you persisted. He warned you regarding Sir Jocelyn and you still took me from their clutches. I no longer fear my future. I feel safe in your hands." A warm flush suffused Timon's body. He smiled to think the young man would trust him after such an inglorious introduction to his world. Looking at Agapito, Timon had the distinct feeling that he was teasing, no, perhaps even flirting with him as long lashes fluttered against the smooth, honeyed skin. He realised he still held Agapito. He felt no inclination to release him, but he had no idea how to reply. As if aware that Timon was uncertain 23


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how to proceed, Agapito offered a shy smile. "I know you may not desire me in any way, but in my country there is no shame for one man to desire another." "I'm glad," Timon said before he could censure the words. The incandescent smile was worth the slip. "However, now is not the time or place to speak of such things," he said decisively. "We need to speak to Mrs Evans. I'm sure she will help." **** The matronly woman stared at the two men in her kitchen. Master Timon looked as he always did as a child, when caught stealing her freshly baked biscuits before she could secure them in a jar out of reach. He kept glancing at the young stranger he had brought home. Although she prided herself on being a broad-minded woman, the thought that such a pretty, little thing could have been treated so abominably had her motherly instincts out in full force. She could see that the occasional glances from the younger man towards Timon were a mix of gratitude and admiration and something else of a more tender nature. However, she was not ready to allow Timon to behave 24


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foolishly. She would need to be more certain of the youth before encouraging Timon to take that step. She did have to admit, the thought that the kind, generous master of the house might finally find someone to share his life was most attractive. She gave a sigh. Two sets of eyes regarded her instantly. She gave herself a mental shake. What might be in the future was just that: the future. She had to consider the here and now and the practicalities of the selfish minx that Timon's beloved younger sister had become. Leah wanted the best for herself with no thought for others or inconsequential matters like making payment. She berated Timon for his choice of lifestyle even though the young master had been the very soul of discretion. Mrs Evans was quite certain Leah did not know of nor care for the sacrifices Timon had made. Her mind was made up. She may not as yet be certain of the youth who stared at her with awe and hope in his eyes, but she would not see him taken from their care. Wherever Agapito came from, he was very well-mannered. "Right then," she began and inwardly smiled as both men straightened up and regarded her with matching looks of anticipation. "I don't like to deceive Miss Leah, but… well… you and I know her, Master Timon." She gave a sad smile as the young master nodded, his eyes 25


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briefly dropping away. "Like as not she would try and get rid of Agapito here." "It's all right. I will not let her win in this matter." Timon reassuringly squeezed Agapito's shoulder when he became instantly distressed, shrinking back at her words, only to gaze gratefully at Timon as the promise was made. "First off, she must not know how well you understand our language," Mrs Evans continued. "Can you pretend to only know a little?" she prompted. "Yes. I can do that," Agapito replied, nodding. "Good boy," she praised. "Secondly, she must think I found you. She cannot know the truth. Apart from not believing anything against Sir Jocelyn, if she thought Master Timon had decided to bring you home, it would immediately have her set at being rid of you. Instead we'll say that one of my nephews found you and brought you to me. I could do with a hand for some of the harder aspects of taking care of the house. Thirdly, we cannot pay you…" "Mrs Evans, I must pay him," Timon interjected. Mrs Evans sighed. She had known he would not want Agapito as a slave in his home. "Apart from not having the money to spare, Master Timon, if Miss Leah knew he was paid, she would, again, try and be rid of him," Mrs Evans said softly. "We will tell 26


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her that he is being paid by virtue of having a place to live and regular meals. I get the help I need and he learns how to do chores around the house that would put him in good stead for a job as footman or valet in the future." "You came to Mrs Evans for her counsel, Master Timon, let her guide you," Agapito urged softly. "Not 'Master', please, Agapito," Timon groaned. "It has to be," the younger man insisted. "I will be a servant in your house." "He's right, Master Timon," Mrs Evans added. "Miss Leah is as self-centred as you are generous. She resents anything that takes attention away from her, or that costs money that is not spent on her. She will not want Agapito here and our only chance is not to draw too much attention to him and for him to be a servant." "It was only after mother died…" Timon began, defending Leah as he had so many times before. "The mistress died when Miss Leah was seven and you thirteen," Mrs Evans said stoutly. "It didn't change you. That was fifteen years ago. Miss Leah is an adult and is spoilt and selfish and has been since she was a young girl, even before your poor mother passed away. This is not home, Master Timon. You should never have been forced into selling your family's house, but Miss Leah was led by that man and here we be. He could be Satan himself and 27


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she would still have done as he said." Both men stared at her, but the words had drained her. "I'm sorry, Master Timon, but you need to think of yourself, not Miss Leah. She will have all she desires soon enough." "Very well," Timon nodded. "Master Timon it is, but only when Leah is here," Timon said decisively. "Very good, Sir," Mrs Evans beamed. "I'll make you a promise, Agapito," he added. "When my sister is finally married to Jocelyn, it is my desire to sell this place and travel. The first place we will go to is your home, where I can deliver you safely back to your family." "You are very generous, Timon," Agapito smiled. "I would like very much to introduce you to my family." For a moment Mrs Evans watched quietly as the two men gazed at each other, forgetting anyone else was there. She wondered whether Timon wanted to believe the intimation behind the younger man's words. There was a spark between them that even she could see. It was just possible that spark could be fanned into flames of love and devotion. However, she was painfully aware that Agapito had just escaped a horrendous fate and that some of his feelings may lie more towards gratitude and relief than true, 28


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deep emotion. Fortunately there was no need for Master Timon to rush what might be. He could do nothing until Leah was safely married, his debts taken on by Jocelyn and the house sold. Then Leah's care would be passed on to her husband; Timon would have a nest egg of his own and could care for himself for once. There were places he could go with Agapito and be safe. The sound of her clearing her throat caused each man to start. They looked over at her, both faces tinged with the faintest of blushes. "I have a nephew who's a mere slip of a youth," Mrs Evans said, smiling. "We can call on him tomorrow and get you some things, but 'til then…" "'Til then you can have some of mine, although I think you will have to make do with walking in just stockings. My shoes will be far too big," Timon said. "We could tie them in place for you to walk tomorrow." "I have a pair of stout slippers that might fit," Mrs Evans said thoughtfully, looking at Agapito's dainty, bare feet. "You are both so very generous. I am so blessed to have met you," Agapito said, his voice husky. The young man's expressive eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "There, there, now, no need for those," Mrs Evans said sprightly. "I think you could do with a bath before you 29


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change. Sorry to be so blunt, Agapito, but you stink." The pragmatic words had the desired effect, making Agapito focus on more immediately pressing matters. "A bath would be wonderful. May I, please?" he asked, turning to Timon. All it would cost was the heated water, bath salts, and soap, and yet the look on the Agapito's face was of such delight that Mrs Evans could see that it had temporarily stolen Timon's breath away. "Of course you may," she said. Timon simply smiled and nodded his agreement. "While you bathe, I will ransack my wardrobe, such as it is, for things you can wear." "I'll get dinner started," Mrs Evans said, secretly delighting in the way the two young men reacted together. "When you're clean you can come back here and help, young man," she added, giving her best glower and receiving a wide, happy smile in return. **** As he poured the steaming water into the over-sized bronze bathtub, Agapito finally let himself believe things would work out. It was too soon to act on the emotions that seemed to control him when he was around Timon. He had 30


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seen both love at first sight with his eldest brother and his wife and the slow, determined courtship of his older sister by her husband. Although for himself, he was certain it was the former, he was quite prepared for the sake of developing a relationship with Timon, to cope with the latter. He gave a grimace of pain, wishing there was a way to let his family know he was alive. He knew his father well and the older man would not grieve his loss until certain proof presented itself. He sprinkled in the salts that Timon had suggested and the woody, cedar aroma instantly reminded him of his father. Timon had told him in the cab that it was just three months to Leah's wedding. Hardly any time at all, but time enough for him to let the shyer Timon know that he knew exactly how he felt and what he wanted. He swirled the water, inhaling the woody scent and slipping off the coarse breeches and shirt he had been given by Ghislain. He was so preoccupied with the mundane ritual that he failed to hear the rising voices outside the bathroom door until it slammed open. With a keening sound of distress, he grabbed at a small hand towel to hide his modesty as an unknown woman shrieked angrily from the doorway. Although he spoke Timon's language well, the vehemence, volume and velocity of the words from the 31


harridan

in

the

Pelaam

doorway made

understanding

her

impossible. He could do nothing except try and hide his body as best he could as he prayed for Timon or Mrs Evans to come to his aide. **** "Leah, what in the name of all that is Holy do you think you are doing?" Timon could not believe that his sister was standing at the bathroom door unleashing a vitriolic tirade on Agapito. Seeing his words had no effect, he caught her shoulder and swung her away from the naked figure cowering inside the bathroom. "Have you no shame, woman?" he demanded angrily. At that moment he could see nothing of the sweet child that had been his sister. The blond hair that had once fallen in pretty ringlets was in an elaborate style that would last just a few days before she would need it re-done. Her eyes, the same green as Timon's, were glacial. There were already fine lines in key places on what used to be a wrinkle-free visage, lines that were from frowning, narrowing her eyes suspiciously, or pursing her lips angrily. Timon suddenly realised the truth of Jocelyn's words. Leah had never acted like a young 32


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woman in love, but as one who pursued a prize with an almost reckless abandon. "I asked you, what is that creature and what is it doing in our bathroom?" The hard words pulled Timon from his momentary reverie. "That is a young man rescued from a fate that is not for a young woman's ears. His name is Agapito and he will be helping Mrs Evans around the house," Timon snapped. He pushed past Leah and entered the room. His heart ached at the fear and confusion in Agapito's eyes. "It will be all right," he soothed, speaking slowly. It took a second or two but realisation quickly warmed Agapito's eyes. "Yes, master," he agreed readily. Timon realised that for a moment Agapito had feared that he would turn him away given the reaction of his sister. "I will return with your clothing and I will knock before entering. I made a promise I will not renege on," Timon added. He turned back towards Leah, leaving Agapito to his bath and closed the door firmly behind him, his face set as he looked angrily at his sister. "We can't afford a second servant," Leah said, her voice an angry hiss of sound. "He'll have to go." "He stays. There are chores Mrs Evans can no 33


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longer manage without help. He will be paid by food and lodgings and by the opportunity to learn the basics of being a footman or valet. You hardly need fear the cost, Leah; you will be married within three months and gone from here." "Jocelyn said you were a fool," Leah said, her voice haughty. "You complain about expense and then take in some…

some

street

urchin."

Her

eyes

narrowed,

emphasising the lines around them. "Where will he sleep?" "The attic," Timon said stiffly, not missing the blatant innuendo. "Then I had best not see him skulking in this corridor at night, Timon. I know your… preferences." "I assure you, you will not," Timon said. He felt immense relief wash over him as Leah stalked angrily away. "I'm sorry, Master Timon," Mrs Evans said, her voice wavering slightly. "As soon as I tried to tell her about Agapito, she flew into a fury. I tried to stop her. " "You did your best," Timon sighed. "Although I would still like to save Leah from marrying Jocelyn, I fear he may be right and the pair suited." "Sir Jocelyn is right," Mrs Evans huffed. "She's changed so much, sir. Is the boy well?" she added. "Yes. I'll get him the clothes and ensure he joins 34


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you," Timon sighed. It was going to be a long, hard three months with Leah already so set against Agapito. He would need to plan his strategy well. **** The next three days passed swiftly and more happily than either Agapito or Timon could have hoped or wished for. As he was away on business for a week or so, Jocelyn had arranged for a cousin to call each day to take Leah out. Her days were filled with shopping, luncheons, taking tea at a different friend's house, and dinners out. She only returned home in time for a light supper to regale Timon with gossip and her purchases. While the chatter varied from the inane to the malicious, Timon simply let it wash over him, making the right sounds or using appropriate words when necessary. He was able to hug the memories of his daytimes with Agapito to his heart. His mind wandered back to earlier that afternoon. They had spent time together in front of the fire, he in his chair and Agapito on a footstool at his side. As he read, Agapito had leaned against him, the warm weight pressed against Timon's side. Once he had finished reading, they 35


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had stood and it seemed they gazed at each other for an eternity. To his surprise, Agapito had cupped the back of his neck and guided Timon down until their lips met. Even now the memory made Timon's toes curl. The first kiss had been a mere tentative brush of their lips. He had been unable to resist taking a second for himself. He had slipped one arm around Agapito's slender waist, pulling the smaller man as close as possible. He had relished each soft, sweet moan as his tongue had gloriously invaded Agapito's mouth and laid siege to the warm cavern. They had then parted. Timon had been unwilling to say or do more. Not while Leah was still under his roof. He still had so much to do before he could offer himself freely to Agapito in the hopes he wanted him as much as their kiss had suggested. He still feared Agapito's responses could be more from gratitude than true emotion. Even so, Timon could scarcely wait for his sister's wedding, as it would give him his freedom to leave the house he detested and the opportunity to live with the man he already knew he loved. To be free of the house's mortgage, to be free of responsibility for his sister, to finally be able to put his own wants and needs first—it was almost like a dream. "Did you hear what I said, Timon?" Leah's hard voice demanded. "I said that in a few days, when Jocelyn returns, I want to hold a party here for him." 36


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"Leah, cannot you hold it at the house of one of your friends? One who has far more space than we?" Timon asked, suppressing the shudder at the thought of Jocelyn in his home. "I want it here," Leah snapped. "There won't be many. No more than ten. Mrs Evans has that boy to help her and he can serve. Once dinner is over he can clear the table, it can be moved in here and we can open through from the dining room into the parlour. We have a piano that never gets used. There will be space enough." "Leah, please..." Timon began, but his sister's face took on a hard, angry mien as she glared at him. "Perhaps you would prefer I went to the magistrate with my suspicions about Jean-Luc? Don't forget I saw you and him. To think I believed he wanted to see me, when I was just an excuse for him to see you. The party will be here, Timon." There was nothing Timon could do or say in the face of such a threat. He simply bowed his acquiescence as Leah stormed away. Jean-Luc was a talented, and exceptionally sensual and charismatic, artist. Their father had commissioned him to paint a portrait of Leah, and Timon had accompanied her to the sittings. He'd been instantly attracted to the artist and the attraction was returned. They had been so careful, but 37


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Leah had seen them when they thought she had already left Jean-Luc's rooms. They'd done nothing more than kiss amorously, but it was enough. Leah had demanded the portrait as a gift for her silence and Jean-Luc had agreed, waving away a fee that Timon had felt obliged to meet in part. He and Jean-Luc had never seen one another again. Previously, Timon had always thought that the shock of seeing him in a passionate embrace with another man had been what caused Leah's fury. Now, looking at her with new eyes, he was more inclined to believe she was actually jealous. However, it didn't matter. Jean-Luc was making a good name for himself as an artist and, as Timon had last heard, was soon to leave their island. He couldn't help but wish it would come much sooner rather than later. It was potent blackmail to deliver Jean-Luc's name to the magistrate. It was clear that his sister had already made up her mind. Timon was distraught. He did not want Agapito to ever meet the man he had been kidnapped to service. **** The thought of Jocelyn in his house made sleep impossible for Timon, and he tossed and turned in his bed, 38


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unable to settle. He frowned at his window as the tree tapped against it. He was struggling with repose enough without the additional annoyance. Then he flung the covers aside and hurried to open it. To a potent combination of shock and amazement, Agapito was there. The young man, clad only in his nightshirt, was crouched on a stout branch of the tree that grew past Timon's bedroom window. "Agapito!" he whispered, his voice shocked. "How?" "The tree, Timon," the younger man whispered back. "I had thought of using it to come to you sooner, but feared you would reject me. However, I still burn from the kiss we shared." As

Agapito

spoke,

Timon

found

himself

automatically reaching to assist him to enter the room. He stood before Timon looking up at him with such warmth and love in his eyes that Timon found himself temporarily speechless. He reached to clasp the younger man's shoulders. "Agapito, I cannot give you what you deserve. Just myself, such as I am," Timon said softly, his voice husky from the strength of his emotions. "Timon, I saw in your eyes things that were missing from the others' honour, nobility, and disgust at the way a 39


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fellow human being was being treated. I do not come into your bed to give you pleasure because I feel gratitude." They were so close that Timon could see Agapito's eyes were warm and sultry. "I do it because I was attracted to you from the minute I saw you. I think, no, I am certain, that you and I can have something your sister and her fiancé will never have. I do not believe it is an emotion they are even capable of feeling. Love." "Love?" echoed Timon. "You could love me?" Then, as he gazed into his eyes, he saw what until that moment had only ever been a dream, castles in the air, something deeply desired but never to be attained. "You could love me," he smiled. His hand reached out tremulously to touch a satin-soft cheek and Agapito nuzzled it, dropping a kiss to the palm. "I love you," the young man whispered. He was looking so hopefully and with such love at Timon that he felt a pink blush creep over his now lightly whiskered cheeks. "I love you, Agapito. I dared not speak of it for fear you might think I was just trying to bed you, using sweet words and empty promises." "That could never be," the younger man said, his voice firm. "You could have regarded me as a slave, the 40


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way Sir Jocelyn would have treated me. Instead you have always behaved as a true gentleman. You treated me with dignity and respect. You are far more noble than the one who carries the title of 'Lord'." Smiling, Agapito took a step back and lifted his nightshirt. While Timon had already seen him naked, this time it was at Agapito's own choice. The young man turned slowly, keeping his arms at his sides. "At this moment, all I have to offer you is my body, my heart, and my soul. I offer them freely, believing you are the one who will keep and cherish them." Timon swallowed around the lump in his throat. Blinking back tears, he removed his own nightshirt, thrilling at the soft moan of appreciation from his lover-tobe. "And all I have to offer is my body, heart and soul for you to keep and cherish," Timon said. "So magnificent," Agapito said, his voice a mere breath of sound as he stepped forward. His fingers hovered tantalisingly close to Timon. "May I?" he asked. At Timon's nod, Agapito trailed gentle fingers across Timon's skin and tentatively stroked a hardening, pink nipple. He leant forward and dropped a kiss to the Timon's chest. His tongue swirled across Timon's firm muscles. To Timon's mind it was almost as if Agapito was 41


Pelaam

worshipping his pale flesh. Agapito looked up, smiling, and ran his fingertips through the blond, wiry hair in the valley across Timon's chest. "May we retire to your bed, my love?" he asked. Timon heard a gasp of delight as he swept Agapito into his arms to lay his lover reverently in his bed. Timon's body burned at the sight of Agapito's writhing. He saw his lover's intense, heated stare as his own eyes devoured him. "Timon," Agapito moaned softly "I want you to touch me." Timon's eyes opened wide. He realised he had done nothing to give pleasure to the younger man. Sliding in next to Agapito, he leant down to kiss him gently. "I trust you," Agapito whispered as he took hold of Timon's hand and moved it down his body. Timon's heart was beating so wildly he was certain Agapito would fear for him. Looking down, he saw his lover's eyes had closed and he lay waiting, trusting Timon to act. He kissed the tip of Agapito's nose and smiled softly. "If at any time you want me to stop touching you, you must say, agreed?" Agapito nodded, his lips curving upwards. Timon recognised the smile and knew Agapito would not be stopping him. Timon allowed his hands to travel over the smooth 42


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planes of Agapito's chest. He groaned as the smaller man arched up into the caress like a cat. Bending forward, Timon delicately licked a large, dark nipple. He felt the lithe body beneath him tense and relax again instantly. This time as Timon took the nub into his mouth, he sucked gently, nipping carefully with his teeth. He smiled as Agapito moaned softly. He dropped kisses down the smooth skin to pay homage to the inked sun. Then he reached down to find his lover's engorged arousal and both men groaned. Timon

gripped

gently

but

firmly,

stroking

purposefully up and down his lover's shaft. In no time Agapito was fully hard in his hand, keening softly, his head rocking from side to side as slender hands clutched at Timon's shoulders. Watching his lover carefully, Timon teased his thumb over the sensitive slit of Agapito's cock. His mate's hips bucked up and Agapito made a soft whining sound of need. Timon smiled, knowing his lover was holding back, trying to prolong his pleasure. He kissed the perfect lips softly. "No teasing this time, let go for me, just spill for me." Timon's words sent a deep shudder through Agapito's body. The sight of Agapito's pleasure had set fire 43


Pelaam

to Timon's already heated blood. Unthinkingly, Agapito began thrusting up in to Timon's hand, his own gripping tightly to Timon's shoulders. Timon relished the way Agapito panted and mewled as he writhed beneath Timon's touch. Timon's hand picked up speed and Agapito wailed softly. His cries intensified as Timon used his other hand to gently tease the soft sac beneath his arousal. "Oh yes, yes," Agapito said, his voice a sultry purr of pleasure. Timon could see how hard the younger man tried to hold his release, to keep himself poised on the abyss, not wanting it to end. But it was becoming impossible with Timon's touches burning away all of his lover's control, leaving a being of pure sensation in their wake. "Timon," Agapito begged. "Spill for me. Let me see you spill for me." Timon crooned as he leant down and sucked hard at the junction of his lover's neck and shoulder, marking Agapito as his, making him writhe even more. Timon knew Agapito could feel the building pressure of intense pleasure—it would be a blissful torture. Their eyes met and Timon heard a low whine from between Agapito's lips as his hand moved faster, urging his lover to completion Agapito's thrusts took on an increasingly erratic 44


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rhythm. Timon wordlessly groaned his encouragement as Agapito stiffened, gasped Timon's name, and came hard, hips pistoning as his hot semen pulsed wetly between them. As Agapito began to spiral down from his pleasure, Timon began touching himself and gave a low sound of pleasure as he felt Agapito reach to cover his hand with one of his own. That small hand on his was all that Timon needed to reach his ecstasy. Burying his face in Agapito's sweat-damp neck, his hips jerked and his silver seed jetted over the honeyed skin of Agapito's belly and chest. As he became capable of thought again, Timon rubbed their combined crèmes into his lover's skin. As primal as the act was, Timon did not care. He wanted Agapito to carry his scent, his seed. Soon the time would come where he would bury his semen in Agapito's heated depths and his softening shaft twitched at the thought of that intimate, primitive possession. He gathered the satiated form into his arms and kissed him tenderly. "I wish I could spend all my nights like this," Agapito sighed. "I did not feel I deserved such happiness." "Why do you say that?" "I disobeyed my family and as a consequence a good friend was hurt." 45


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As Agapito spoke, Timon gazed at him. The angelic face was now saddened by guilt and the expressive eyes were clouded with a memory that Timon wished he could erase. His lover's eyes then focused on him and Agapito offered a small smile. "I arrived here as you saw me. I was sure I was being punished for my arrogance. Now I know that I was being tried and tested and feel I have passed the test. I love you, Timon. I do so wish we could spend all our nights together as we are now." "We will, love," Timon vowed, reacting to the yearning in Agapito's voice.. "We will. I wish we could have met under more favourable circumstances, but we will find a place and a way to be happy together." It took only seconds for Agapito to slip into a deep sleep. Timon stayed awake, relishing the warm, sated body of the beauty in his arms. **** Watching the young master and Agapito, Mrs Evans knew something had changed between them. They were no different whenever Leah was around; at those times Agapito kept his distance and Timon treated the young man with the same respect he used with Mrs Evans. However, 46


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when Miss Leah was gone, their looks were warm. She recognised the emotion in each, and she was pleased for them both. She was not pleased, however, by the demands Miss Leah had made for the party in five days' time. The food requested was extravagant: goose, salmon, and rib of beef were all to be offered as part of the dinner along with soup and a homemade paté to start and a port jelly for dessert. She muttered darkly. The food would cost a small fortune and doubtless a good portion of each course would be left uneaten. Fortunately, she was adept at making meals from leftovers and she would pass some on to her nephews who would provide her with fish from their friends in exchange. She had already discovered that Agapito was not a natural cook, but if he prepped everything as she asked of him, they would get everything done swiftly. She would be glad of the help. She looked up to see two quizzical faces peering at her and realised she must have been grumbling out loud. "Is something wrong?" Agapito asked. "Miss Leah gave me her requisites for the party she wishes to hostess for Sir Jocelyn, Master Timon," Mrs Evans said as she handed him the list. "I'll need your help to prepare everything," she added, smiling encouragingly at Agapito

as

she

saw

his 47

face

fall.

She

looked


Pelaam

sympathetically as Timon gave a soft groan. "Don't worry, Master Timon. What doesn't get eaten on the day will make good meals for a few thereafter. I'll get good deals, you'll see." "You're a marvel," Timon said fervently. "I don't know what I'd do without you." "I'll need Agapito to help," she added, knowing that the young men enjoyed time together reading. "I will do all I can," Agapito said staunchly. "Good boy," Mrs Evans smiled. "Today I'll go shopping and put in the orders. I'm sure you two will find something to occupy your time with while I'm gone." She pretended not to see the blushes that stole across both men's cheeks. "Well then, off you go," she added, shooing them from her domain. She still had a lot of planning to do. **** Timon shook his head at the sight of his sister in yet another new dress. The last week, in preparation for Jocelyn's return, had cost him a fortune in food, wines, flowers, and clothing. However, the thought that Leah's impending wedding was a mere eight weeks away gave him something else to focus on. Just eight more weeks and he could fully claim Agapito as his. His young lover had 48


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reluctantly agreed not to descend the tree again. Timon was too afraid of losing something so precious to allow him to take the risk. The dining room did indeed look resplendent with their best silver and china set at the table and the flowers arranged by Mrs Evans and Agapito. The parlour gleamed and glistened, decorated with lush bouquets of lilies and roses. Even Leah had grudgingly admitted the rooms were perfect. Timon was expecting nine guests that evening. He knew the most important of the men only in passing, the corpulent, over-indulgent co-owners of Jocelyn's bank. Their wives were known to Leah and were part of her 'social circle'. As well as Sir Jocelyn, there would also be Jocelyn's two female cousins who spent so much time with Leah when her fiancé was away. The last two were Leighton and Terrell. Although he had felt dread at the thought of them in his home, Timon was certain nothing would be said openly of Agapito. He remembered that Ghislain had said that Leighton would be enamoured of the thought of a romance and that it was Terrell he needed to fear. He took a deep, calming breath. This was his home and he would keep Agapito safe.

49


Pelaam

**** The dinner went better than Timon expected. The two married couples had a seemingly endless repertoire of small talk to keep conversation flowing at the dinner table. With dinner finished, the ladies sat in the parlour around the piano while the men remained in the dining room, the folding doors opened to create a single large room. It did not escape him, however, that whenever Agapito came into the room, Jocelyn and Terrell watched him closely, as did the two husbands. It set Timon's hackles rising every time. "Fine piece of flesh you have there," one of the men spoke up, addressing Timon who stared in stunned silence. "Pretty on the eye, too," the other man added with a lewd wink, leaning forward to speak quietly even though Timon knew the man's wife would not have heard. It seemed as if Jocelyn surrounded himself with like-minded men. He was smiling, a cruel curl of his lips, and it sent a shudder through Timon's frame. He was certain his sister's fiancé was fixated on Agapito. Timon silently prayed that they would leave and he could be alone with his lover. As Agapito came in with fresh drinks for the men, Timon could see the strain was beginning to show. He 50


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guessed that they had been whispering to him as he served them. "So sorry," one of the men said, his voice not conveying any sincerity as he moved and trapped Agapito between himself and Jocelyn. Timon saw Agapito bite hard on his lip as the man before him held his hips and Jocelyn's hand slipped over his buttocks and between his thighs to fondle him intimately. The large, corpulent body of the grinning man ensured no one but Timon could see the assault. He heard the whimper escaping Agapito as Jocelyn's hand reached higher to trace the outline of his hidden sex. "So sorry." Before Timon could react, Leighton had mumbled an apology as he bumped into the men causing Agapito to stumble away from the others. "Bit faint, need a breath of fresh air. Show me the way, there's a good fellow," Leighton added, leaning into Agapito more and almost propelling him towards the door. Timon forced himself to remain where he was and stay calm. Agapito would be safe with Leighton. **** As they stumbled outside, Agapito saw the sadness 51


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and remorse in Leighton's eyes. "I'm sorry," Leighton whispered. "I'm so sorry." Afraid that Jocelyn or one of the other men would follow them, Agapito pulled Leighton around the staircase and then into the recess where the coats would hide two such slightly built men. He gazed quizzically into Leighton's eyes, not yet willing to reveal the extent of his understanding. "Ghislain warned me about Jocelyn. I first thought he was jealous because of Jocelyn's wealth. It has taken time for me to see Jocelyn as the monster he truly is. I even believed the young men he kept for his pleasure were a paid part of his household. How stupid I was." Unsure whether he should reply, Agapito simply tilted his head and waited for Leighton to compose himself and continue. "I had never seen him so angry when Terrell said you had gone to Timon. I know I haven't been a true friend to Timon, but if he needs anything, he just needs to let me know and I'll do what I can. I will not be here for much longer, though," he added. His voice dropped to a barelyaudible whisper. "My rooms are rented and I have taken all those things I hold dear and left them with an elderly aunt. Other things of value, but no sentiment, I have sold. Ghislain will be home in a couple of weeks or so, and we 52


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will go away from here very soon thereafter. Vanish into the night. Ghislain says it's safest. We do not know the extent of Jocelyn's reach, but Ghislain has powerful friends in other parts of the island and on islands close by. I was a favourite toy of Jocelyn and he has yet to decide he has finished with me. One does not walk away from Black Jack." Leighton's hand reached to touch Agapito's cheek and he smiled sadly. "I have said all this and do not know that any of it will be communicated to Timon. But he needs to get you away as soon as possible. Jocelyn will not rest until you are his. In truth, it would probably be best if Timon left with you." "I will tell him," Agapito promised, smiling at the relieved look on Leighton's face. He had been told by his brothers that he was a good judge of character and he trusted Leighton. "But you need to go back before someone comes to look for you. Thank you." "I meant it. Just ask if you need anything." Leighton grinned, giving a slight wave as he headed back to the party and Agapito hurried back to Mrs Evans. He gave her a brief explanation of what had happened and was awed at the way the older woman seemed to grow in stature with indignation and outrage. He followed her lead 53


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and was ushered into her bedroom. "Do you think you could lie comfortably in there?" Mrs Evans asked indicting an enormous basket in which washed, but un-ironed, bedding lay. Nodding, Agapito toed off his shoes and curled onto the top. The sheets and towels beneath made it very comfortable. Another sheet was thrown over him, obscuring him from view. "You stay here until the master comes for you. Not even the young miss would look here for you." Agapito murmured his acquiescence as he heard Mrs Evans bustle away. **** Mrs Evans left the room and watched the bell jingle for attention. Schooling her angry face into one of calmness and serenity, she answered the summons. "Yes, sir?" she said looking at Jocelyn as the big man scowled darkly. "Where's the boy?" Jocelyn demanded truculently. "He has a headache and I sent him to lie down," Mrs Evans replied evenly, ignoring the tone and illmannered behaviour. She caught Timon's eye and gave a smile that seemed to drain the tension from the younger 54


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man's body. "I need to leave, I'm afraid," Leighton said, standing quickly. "I probably should have left before. Would you fetch my coat please, Mrs Evans? There are usually cabs at the end of this road. Thank you for having me, Timon, Miss Leah," he added as Timon's sister came over. "Leaving already?" Leah asked. Mrs Evans knew she had hoped the party would last well into the night. The fractious note in Leah's voice indicated her displeasure. "I have to visit an elderly relative and would prefer to leave early." "You seem to spend more time with your aunt than with us these days, Leighton," Jocelyn growled. "She's been ill and I'm all she has," Leighton replied quickly. "It will not be for too much longer." The words were spoken with honestly and with certainty. Mrs Evans saw the young man was relieved to get a non-committal grunt. "We could share a cab with you," one of the wives spoke up. "It is getting late." "Allow me to help you with your hats and coats," Mrs Evans offered as she led them out into the hallway. **** 55


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To Timon's relief it seemed as though everyone was making a move to go. He did not care that Leah was displeased with the abrupt end to her dinner party. He found himself alone with Jocelyn and tilted his chin defiantly as the older man stared at him. "The boy will be mine. You will be mine," Jocelyn murmured, his face and voice cold, devoid of emotion. "Never," Timon vowed. "You will never lay a hand on him, or me." He kept his head held high as Jocelyn stared at him. He sagged only when the older man had left the house. "I am retiring," Leah announced. "Tomorrow I am going to Jocelyn's country house for a couple of days, Timon. I will be in touch about the last of the wedding preparations." Waiting until Leah had gone to her room and locked her door, Timon sought out Agapito. The younger man had fallen asleep in the oversized basket, so Timon gently lifted and carried the sleeping man to his room using his spare key to lock the door. With Leah declaring her intention to be away, he knew they would have time alone together. ****

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As if sensing the need for the two men to be alone, Mrs Evans had gone out late the next afternoon to visit her nephews. She was staying overnight and as soon as she had gone, Timon locked and bolted the front door and checked that all the downstairs doors and windows were secure. No one could enter while he and Agapito were together. Silently they ascended to his bedroom and they sat together on his bed, still clothed, leaning back against the pillows, as they talked. "I want to make love with you, Agapito," Timon confessed. "But I had hoped to wait until Leah was married and we could leave this place behind. However, Jocelyn clearly has a fascination with you." "That's why I want this, need this," Agapito said. "You promised me that you would take me to my family," Agapito reminded him. "I want them to meet you as the man I have committed myself to in heart, mind, and body. I want to know you were my first, my chosen. I no longer wish to fear another taking from me what I would only give to you." Timon leaned in to press a gentle, chaste kiss against the pouting lips. "You are sure?" "I want to feel you in me, filling me, becoming a part of me," Agapito nodded his determination. 57


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Timon kissed him deeply, rekindling the flames of need and desire until they sparkled as brightly as the uncountable and ever-present stars in the darkening sky. Fighting not to become lost in the building passion, Timon felt Agapito clutch at his shirt, tugging determinedly until it came loose and he was able to reach the skin at Timon's back. His lover pressed himself closer as if immersing himself in the warmth of Timon's embrace. Timon shifted them and smiled as Agapito willingly let himself be lowered onto the bed, pulling Timon on top of him. He whimpered needily when Timon's mouth left his, and then Timon's fingers lifted his own shirt, drawing it upwards, exposing his chest. Agapito raised himself enough for Timon to pull the shirt over his lover's head, his breathing becoming shallow as Timon silently regarded his beloved's bared torso without moving. He saw Agapito's hands were shaking as he raised them to tug at the hem of Timon's shirt. Smiling, he helped his lover free him of the hindering material. He relished Agapito's gasp as his hands came to lie on his lover's naked skin, trailing light caresses over his chest. He shivered, reacting to the other man's fingertips that were circling his nipples, the buds already blooming into hard peaks. Long, unhurried waves of pleasure washed over 58


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them both and Agapito whimpered and gasped at the touches Timon bestowed. They still wore their trousers and each man could see the tented evidence of their mutual arousal. Agapito responded with a soft groan when Timon brushed a hand against the inside of one of his lover's legs. To his delight, they fell wide apart at the touch, Agapito unconsciously inviting Timon to go further. Timon let his hands roam freely over the smooth expanse of gold-bronze skin, and at the same time his eyes feasted on the beautiful sight. Timon drew Agapito so that they laid on their sides facing one another. Their heads were close, almost touching, their breaths mingling as Timon continued to stroke Agapito's chest and sides. He was in no hurry; he wanted to remember and savour all that passed between them. They were unlikely to have this much privacy again until after Leah's wedding. Timon's fingers reached for the waistband of Agapito's trousers and began to smoothly slip open the buttons. One by one they opened, with tantalising slowness, as Agapito hitched his hips restlessly. He then raised them long enough for Timon to pull the cloth down and off. Timon took a moment to memorise the sight of his lover naked, aroused and dripping for him before finally divesting himself of the last barrier still between them. Evening had fallen and his window now had the 59


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night sky watching them as they began their ancient dance of desire. "Timon," Agapito whispered, the sigh becoming a moan as Timon leaned down, his weight pressing Agapito into the bed. Soft, warm lips possessed his, and yet the familiar feeling was different now. It was deeper, more demanding and evoked more need than ever before. Timon's lips nibbled away from his lover's mouth and latched onto the skin of Agapito's exposed throat. A soft cry accompanied Timon biting down and sucking forcefully. The small hurt drove Agapito wild. Timon groaned raggedly as Agapito began to grind his erection against him. He murmured soothingly, his tongue running over the spot he had marked, stroking Agapito's cheek with his fingers. He reached down, grasped Agapito's hard, damp flesh and stroked. "I love you," Timon whispered as he slid his other hand to pinch a succulent nipple. "Spill for me." There was an abrupt jerking of Agapito's lower belly. He cried out Timon's name, clutching at his lover as Timon watched him fall into the abyss of pleasure. His climax washed over him, the aftershocks making him whimper as he quivered in Timon's arms. Timon was certain he would never see a more 60


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beautiful sight than the moonlight playing over Agapito's face as the younger man was lost in the throes of his passion. He smiled as Agapito trembled against him, silent tremors still wracking through his youthful body. He was aware of his own hardness rubbing against Agapito, but pushed thoughts of that aside while his lover recovered from his intense release. They still had the whole night before them. He bent forward and began to kiss Agapito's relaxed lips until the younger man was responding eagerly once more. "I love you, Timon," Agapito panted. "Love you, too. Are you ready for more, my love?" "I need you," was the soft, hesitant answer, and Timon willed his arousal to stop throbbing. "You have me," he murmured fluttering butterfly kisses over Agapito's flushed face. He leisurely melded their mouths together, nipping at the younger man's lower lip. He caught it between his teeth, tugging gently, and then releasing it, soothing the faint hurt by running his tongue over the swollen flesh. He heard Agapito mewl softly, writhing gently in his arms. He trailed his lips over his lover's neck, down and across slender shoulders, along the bare chest until he reached his goal. He began nipping and licking at the dark, tight nipples until Agapito squirmed and moaned, his hands 61


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reaching to grasp Timon's shoulder or tangle in his hair. Changing his tack completely, he slid down the bed and kissed Agapito's dainty feet, suckling sensually on each big toe. He meandered up the lithe legs, nibbled over the sharp hip bones, kissed the sun tattoo reverently and thrust his tongue suggestively into Agapito's navel. At the hitched cry of his name, he paused and looked up at his lover. The sight gave him a tightness in his chest that had nothing to do with his lust. Lying awake in his bed after the first night Agapito came to him, he had dreamed of this moment. This was an image taken directly out of that dream. His beloved, illuminated by moonlight, looking ethereal; a creature of fantasy that he feared would vanish like the morning mist. Yet this was not a dream or a fantasy. It was finally real. "Make love to me," Agapito whispered against Timon's lips as they reached to touch his. "We have all night," Timon murmured. "Let me love you as you deserve." He let his lips brush over Agapito's, and then they whispered downwards once more, over Agapito's chin, throat, and chest. He used the lightest of touches he could bestow to prolong the exquisite pleasure. Agapito sighed and Timon could feel his lover's heart beating beneath his ribs. 62


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"I love you," Timon whispered, arriving at Agapito's navel once more. His head dipped a little lower, closer to the younger man's renewed arousal. He inhaled sweet musk, overlaid with want and desire, and he felt the smaller man shiver as his breath caressed the erect flesh before him. "Please,

Timon.

I want…

need…"

Agapito

murmured incoherently as Timon's tongue found the dripping head of his shaft and licked away the droplets of pre-ejaculate. To Timon's delight, his touches were sending tiny sparks to rekindle the flames of need in his lover's groin. "I know," Timon soothed, running his hands over Agapito's flanks and nuzzling his face in the dark curls that haloed Agapito's shaft. He inhaled the scent of his lover, stronger and more concentrated here. Then he began to lick his way up hard, hot flesh, pressing his tongue along the pulsing vein. As his lover's hips thrust blindly, Timon slowly drew the head into his mouth. He knew Agapito was caught in the beginning of a second wave of bliss, instinctively pushing himself deeper into Timon's mouth. The older man was happy for his lover to temporarily dictate the pace. He pressed his tongue against the sensitive underside of Agapito's hardness, hollowing his cheeks and sucking more forcibly. 63


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His lover's husky groans turned into a low cry of denial as Timon gripped Agapito's hips, stilling his movements. He let the hardened flesh slip from his mouth to lie against his lover's abdomen, glistening in the pale moonlight. Tasting Agapito's essence had been addictive and intoxicating. He still seemed to feel hot, silken flesh in his mouth and his own arousal was throbbing almost painfully. "Soon, my love," he rasped as he reached for the jar on his bedside table. Timon unscrewed the lid and poured some of the contents into a shallow bowl. The sensual scent of jasmine rose into the air. As he took his place at Agapito's side, he could see the confused look on the younger man's face. Timon smiled as he brought their lips together for a tender kiss. "This will ease the way," Timon said, stroking his fingers over Agapito's cheek. "I need you to be slick and stretched so that I don't hurt you." "Of course," Agapito said, blushing furiously. "I had forgotten my brother's talk about love-making. I trust you," he added, nuzzling his face against Timon's hand and pressing a kiss into its palm. Timon took in the trusting gaze and the need that had darkened the brown eyes. He laid back a little as they raked over his naked and painfully aroused body. Their legs 64


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touched, then tangled, and their hot breaths mingled as their lips met. Timon moaned encouragingly as Agapito's fingers explored his skin. The touches sent tingles into his already sensitised groin, his hips bucking against his mate's without conscious thought. His iron-hard erection slid against the smaller man as Agapito moaned into the kiss. As he thrust his tongue past Agapito's eager lips to entwine their slick muscles, Timon took hold of both their arousals and slid his hand slowly and firmly down the hot hard flesh, then upwards again. "Timon," Agapito gasped, arching his back. "Please." Relishing the sight of his young lover on the cusp of releasing again, Timon then reached for the dish in which the oil waited. "Lie back and spread your legs wide for me," he rasped huskily. The younger man eagerly complied and shifted as Timon settled a pillow under his hips to cant them upwards. He watched, enrapt as his lover carefully reached to part his thighs and settled between them, a single finger glistening in the moonlight. Timon locked his gaze with his lover's before letting his un-oiled fingers trail over the swell of Agapito's buttocks, his thumb tracing between the soft, peach-like 65


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mounds, eliciting a shiver and moan from the younger man. "If I do anything that hurts you or worries you, tell me," Timon requested gently as he let his oil-slick finger slide up and down between his lover's buttocks. "But

you won't

hurt me," Agapito replied

confidently. Shuffling a little, he tilted his pelvis farther to urge Timon's fingers closer to his hidden entrance. "Promise me," Timon insisted, keeping his touch light and teasing. "I promise," Agapito said softly. "I love you." "And I love you," Timon replied in a whisper. "I want this to be about pleasure, not pain," he added as he found the secret portal, his oiled finger pressing gently over it. There was resistance, and then he slowly slipped inside. He was scarcely beyond a fingertip and he groaned at the tight heat of his mate. "Relax and let me in, love," he urged gently. He pressed forwards and then back, repeating the motion in slow, steady movements. He watched Agapito carefully for even the slightest sign of hurt as his finger eased more smoothly through the tight, muscular ring. The younger man's face was full of love and desire and soft gasps rent the air as Timon lovingly prepared Agapito. Easing his finger fully from his lover's body, Timon 66


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coated two with oil and pressed both against Agapito's opening, letting them slide back into Agapito's tightness. There was a brief flicker of pain across Agapito's face, gone as quickly as it had appeared, but then he tilted his hips again, urging Timon's fingers deeper inside. The determined gesture quelled any concerns as to Agapito's desire. Determined not to rush, Timon moved slowly, pushing back and forth inside the tight fit of Agapito's channel. He began to spread them, widening the narrow straight for the welcome invasion of his long, thick flesh. As he did, soft, sweet moans fell from Agapito's lips that grew louder as Timon added a third finger. Bending forward, Timon claimed kiss-swollen lips and then nipped downwards to suckle each proudly peaked bud at Agapito's chest. Timon concentrated fully on preparing his lover while he tried to suppress the insistent throbbing of his own neglected erection. As much as his body urged him on, to take the last step and finally claim Agapito as his, he was determined not to rush this one and only time he would deflower his mate. He wanted it to be special. By contrast, for all of Timon's willpower, Agapito had none. The younger man writhed, squirmed and ground back against Timon's fingers as they gently thrust into him. 67


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Moans and gasps spilt continually from his lips as Timon carefully prepared him. Watching his lover intently, Timon had seen in Agapito's eyes that his fingers had initially felt like intruders his lover's body wanted to reject. However, that had now transformed from a feeling of invasion to a hitherto unknown and desired fullness. His fingers were sweeping across Agapito's pleasure spot, and they kindled a fledging spark of passion into a bright and blazing flame and the desire for more. Agapito mewled his distress as Timon pulled his fingers free of his body, leaving him empty and aching. "Timon," he begged catching Timon's gaze with his own. "Please, love me, please." As Timon sat back, he watched Agapito's eyes wander down his body, over his slightly furred, toned chest and abdomen, coming to lie on his crimson-hued, stiff flesh. The wide-eyed stare told Timon that Agapito had come to the realisation that Timon's manhood was larger and thicker than the fingers Timon had used to prepare him. But, despite the initial look of shock, Agapito looked up at Timon and the dark eyes held a potent mix of love and determination. "I want you inside me, uniting us. I want your seed spilling inside me." "Come here," Timon said, reaching for Agapito, as 68


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the words sent shards of sharp lust to his already aching staff. He urged the younger man to kneel astride him. He drew his young lover down and kissed him deeply. He heard Agapito whimper as he felt Timon's hard shaft bumping sensually at his buttocks. Agapito's dripping manhood now brushed over his furred abdomen. "I love you, Agapito," he vowed. He took one of the younger man's hands and urged it towards the dish of oil and saw Agapito's pupils widen a fraction. "Now you need to oil me," he added. Timon muted a deep groan as Agapitos shimmied backward to sit on Timon's thighs. He watched as Agapito's trembling hand dipped into the oil and then came to rest on his flesh. A heartbeat or two passed as the lover's gazed into each other's eyes and then Timon groaned deeply as Agapito's hand slowly stroked up and down. Staring, enraptured, Timon groaned lustily as Agapito ran his fingers reverently over his hot, velvety skin. The long column of hard flesh pulsated and twitched at his lover's tender touches. Jewel-like droplets oozed steadily from the tip and Agapito's thumb scooped the preejaculate and swirled it over the shaft, lubricating even more as he stroked. Taking a calming breath, Timon reached to still his lover's hand. "I need to position you, love," Timon murmured. "I 69


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want you controlling this. This way you can decide how deep and fast." Agapito gave a nod of understanding and moved as Timon directed. His smooth thighs flexed as he rose onto his knees, coming a little higher up Timon's body. As Timon guided him into the right position, Agapito's eyes looked down and Timon heard the soft moan as their twin erections brushed lightly together and lay stiff and wet, illuminated by the moonlight. "There is no going back after this," Timon said as he looked up into Agapito's face, letting his lover make the final decision. "I know," Agapito smiled in answer. "I want this, want you," he said simply. He bent forward, bringing his lips to Timon's. "Make love to me," he whispered. Moving his hand, Timon caressed Agapito's back and then lower until it rested against the swell of his buttocks. He slid his other hand between them, taking hold of his slickened shaft. With a small shift of his hips, he felt the head of his erection slide over Agapito's opening. He ensured it rested snugly against the prepared portal. As Agapito gasped and tensed, his eyes wide, Timon immediately captured his lips, letting their tongues leisurely dance with each other. Slowly, Agapito melted against his lover. He sank down, little by little, until there 70


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was demanding pressure. "Timon, I need you," Agapito breathed huskily. "You have me," Timon answered. He reached both hands to cup his lover's perfect cheeks, spreading them apart. Timon held still, waiting for Agapito to realise it was now up to him. White teeth nipped at his lover's lower lip as Agapito understood he had to take charge and began to push down, starting the process of taking Timon inside him for the first time. "Slow," Timon urged hoarsely, despite wishing to be able to push upwards, to be able to feel more of the breath-stealing heat surrounding his organ. Soft whimpers fell from Agapito's lips and Timon panted and gasped as his mate moved farther, another solid inch of Timon's flesh sliding inside him. Agapito's eyes then closed as his lover bore down with determination. Twin cries rent the air as Agapito took all of Timon's hardness. Buried completely inside Agapito, Timon panted in tandem with his mate, their breaths mingling and loud in the silence around them. His lover was completely still, clinging to him, and then gasped into his mouth when Timon's hips jerked upwards involuntarily. Timon groaned as his member throbbed, squeezed 71


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in tight, incinerating heat, and he relished Agapito's pleasured moan as he moved within his lover's sheath. He gave another, deeper groan as Agapito moved, grinding against him. He was not as yet trying to rise, just writhing on the rod impaling him. Timon growled deep in his chest as the motion caressed his aching shaft. Finally he bent his knees for leverage and thrust upwards in tiny motions that drove him deeper into his lover and made both of them gasp. The blissful look in Agapito's eyes told Timon that this was as pleasurable for the younger man as it was for himself. They were both inexorably spiralling towards unknown heights. His lover's thighs trembled, and his whole body shook as he lifted and lowered himself on Timon's hard flesh. "Love you," Timon murmured. Timon felt himself nearing completion, powerless to delay the inevitable. He had nothing by which to compare the sensations, at once both too much and yet not enough. From his position, Timon saw the stars in the night sky, silent watchers of their union, bearing unspoken witness to the pleasure, the rightness and the love that he and his young mate shared. Then he gasped harshly as Agapito's inner muscles constricted and relaxed around him, pulling him towards his zenith. Timon's thrusts into 72


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Agapito became erratic. He wished he could hold on to this moment, where he felt them united in body, heart and soul. The sounds of their breathing became muted as Timon's lips possessed Agapito's and his lover's mouth readily accepted the agile tongue that plunged into its depths. The younger man's fingers dug desperately into Timon's shoulder blades and his shaft dripped pre-ejaculate against his belly. He knew they were both so very close. All he could see and feel was Agapito, above him, around him, surrounding him. Pushing upwards, Timon sought to get impossibly closer to his lover. Infinity was a breath of ecstasy away, and Timon felt their world narrow until they were joined. Nothing, not even their imminent rapture, was as important as that one fragile point of union. He was unable to keep his eyes open and when they closed, multi-coloured lights flickered and danced. His skin felt alive in a way he had never experienced, tingling everywhere. The smouldering fire in his groin finally burst into flames, engulfing him and everything slowed, stopped, and then he felt Agapito's body convulse as his love reached his zenith. Timon cried aloud as his own orgasm detonated, his crème milked from his body by the tight, clenching channel surrounding him. He felt his seed jettison forth, filling his lover's quivering sheath. He wrapped his arms around 73


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Agapito's trembling form, pulling him as close as possible as they shook, lost in the waves of bliss. The feel of his mate's warm seed between their bodies and the knowledge that his was buried deep in his beloved's heated depths gave him a primal sense of satisfaction. He muted a sigh as, all too soon, his depleted sex began to soften and Timon hugged Agapito as his young lover quietly mourned the loss of their intimate connection. "I love you, Agapito. I love you so much," Timon whispered, peppering the sweat-damp face with kisses. "I love you, too." As the younger man replied, Timon smiled as Agapito tried to wrap his smaller frame around Timon's bigger body. Timon slid one hand to cup a perfect, pert buttock, the other splayed possessively across his lover's slender back. They kissed and traded loving touches until neither was capable of remaining awake, and they slipped effortlessly into sated slumber. **** The next day passed uneventfully, and if Mrs Evans noticed that Agapito moved a little gingerly or that both he and Agapito wore wide smiles all day, she was too much of 74


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a lady to comment. However, she did permit her own smile of happiness to show at Timon's obvious joy. "I have to pop out for a little while, Master Timon," she said. "I'll lock the door behind me," she added. "Agapito and I will be in the library," Timon smiled. "We'll have afternoon tea in there, I think." "I won't be long," Mrs Evans called from the doorway. The two men sat in front of the library fire, Timon in a large, wing-backed, red leather chair and Agapito sitting beside him on the matching stool. Timon stroked the luxurious hair of his lover as the younger man's head lay on his thigh. They had read for a while and now just enjoyed the simple pleasure of being together. "How very touching. I knew the brat had you wrapped around his little finger, Timon." Sir Jocelyn stood in the doorway, almost filling it with his presence. His legs were planted wide apart, his arms folded and a knowing smirk curled the corner of his lips. "Jocelyn!" Timon's shocked voice rang out in the sudden silence. "How did you get in here? You are not welcome. Leave at once!" As he spoke, Timon rose quickly to his feet, aware that Agapito had done the same. His protective urges came to the fore and he ensured Agapito 75


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was behind him, "With this," Jocelyn said, waving Leah's key as he swaggered forward. "No need to worry about Leah," he added. "She's in town with my cousins, spending money she doesn't have like water. I thought I would do something far more… interesting." Timon felt Agapito clutch at him from behind his broad body. He gazed worriedly at Jocelyn as he advanced. "I have told you to leave," Timon said, glaring angrily at Jocelyn. "He is quite exquisite," Jocelyn drawled as if Timon had not spoken. "Despite being married, both of my bank colleagues were positively salivating over him. Of course, Terrell cannot understand that I actually admire your audacity at stealing away something intended to be mine. However, it is not something that could be openly tolerated. I will have the boy, as well as you, Timon. I will let you have him, too, provided you please me. Otherwise I will let Terrell play with him." "Don't you dare lay a hand upon him," Timon said hotly, striding forward to meet Jocelyn. This was a mistake, as he learnt all too quickly. As he angrily approached the older man, Jocelyn's fist shot forward, driving Timon's breath from his body in a shocked whoosh of air. As he began to double over, another blow 76


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slapped him across the face, leaving him seeing stars and he dropped to his knees. "Leave him alone!" Timon had no breath to shout at his beloved and Agapito no longer worried about pretence. Timon was powerless to stop Agapito as, without care for his own safety, his lover leapt onto the bigger man's back, forcing Jocelyn to take several staggering steps away from where Timon lay. "Little brat," Jocelyn growled. "No!" Timon groaned as Jocelyn turned and backed violently into the bookshelves. He saw the cruel smile at the gasp of pain from Agapito as the smaller man's body was crushed between the solid wall and the bulk of Jocelyn's body. Taking a step forward, Jocelyn then rammed backwards again, his grin widening at the more obvious cry of pain from Timon's beloved. "Don't touch him!" Timon shouted. Jocelyn moved away from the shelving and Agapito's grip around his neck slackened. It allowed Jocelyn to easily pull Agapito from his back with just one hand. Dragging him along, Jocelyn strode to the large, sturdy wooden library table, and slammed him against it. He held Agapito face down, positioning himself behind the 77


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unresisting body between the younger man's legs. With one hand he held the lithe body in place while using the other began to fumble at the fastenings to Agapito's breeches. "Get your filthy hands off him, you bastard!" Enraged at the attack on his young lover, Timon flew across the room, swung Jocelyn away from Agapito and delivered a perfectly timed right uppercut to the older man's jaw. It was with no little feeling of satisfaction that he watched Jocelyn stagger backwards and stumble to the floor. He reached for his lover and pushed Agapito behind him like a bear protecting its cub. He tensed as Jocelyn rose slowly to his feet, his eyes blazing with such fury that Timon heard the scared hitch of Agapito's breath. That tiny sound ensured Timon stood his ground despite Jocelyn's rage. "That was a mistake, Timon. One you will regret greatly," Jocelyn said. "If I had the words to turn my sister against you I would use them, but she will not listen to me," Timon said. "My home will always be open to her, for when she sees you for the monster you are. I told you to leave. When you do, it will be never to return." Timon spoke with an assurance he did not feel. There was something cold and deadly in the older man's eyes and Jocelyn's lips were curled into a parody of a smile. The effect was even more 78


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chilling that Jocelyn's initial fury. "I shall leave, Timon," Jocelyn said, sketching an elaborate bow. "But mark my words. Your sister has been in the company of enough of my 'cousins' to fully expect that I shall continue with my life as it has always been. What she does not see will not hurt her, especially when she is lady of my manor and has many wifely duties in which to engage her mind and time. You and the brat will be mine; I will own you both, you have my word on it." His grin was feral. "Is everything well, Master Timon?" Mrs Evans' voice was a welcome warmth in the chill of the silence that followed Jocelyn's threat. "Sir Jocelyn paid us an unexpected visit," Timon said, fighting to keep his voice calm. "However, he is just leaving." "Pray do not bother to show me out, Mrs Evans. I am quite well aware of where the door is," Jocelyn said as he swept imperiously past her. As soon as Jocelyn had left, Timon turned to Agapito. "Go to your room and select those things you need to be comfortable away from here. I will bring you a case." "I'm not leaving you," Agapito said indignantly. "Please don't send me away from you," he pleaded. 79


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He flung himself into Timon's arms and he knew Agapito had seen the fear in his eyes that he was unable to disguise. "You have to," Timon said, steeling himself against any more pleas. "I could not bear it if he came upon you when you were alone, or if he had already incapacitated me. He will not give up now. As soon as Leah and he are married, they go on honeymoon. Then you can come back and I can sell this millstone. We can be free, my love. Please do not make this harder than it already is," he added. "You can stay with my oldest nephew, Agapito," Mrs Evans said, her voice soft. "He'll take good care of you and it won't be for long." "Bless you, Mrs Evans," Timon said, his voice hoarse from keeping his emotions in check. He watched his housekeeper lead his lover away, her voice murmuring assurances as she did. Once his beloved was away from the house, then and only then, would he give in to his own tears. **** The next couple of weeks were a living hell for Timon. To his immense relief and eternal gratitude, one of Mrs Evans' great-nephews came to visit daily with an 80


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update on Agapito's health and a love note from his beloved. Timon kept each one, reading them over and over. He spent his time either in the library reading or in the kitchen with Mrs Evans. He had no interest in his sister's upcoming wedding. He had never been expected to make any actual arrangements and so was content to leave everything to Leah and Jocelyn. He was only vaguely surprised when Leah came and voiced her intention to temporarily reside with one of Jocelyn's cousins. He had absently agreed to whatever she wanted, pausing only to ask her if she was sure she would be truly happy with Jocelyn. She had been incredulous that he would even voice such a ludicrous question. She had called in on several occasions and Timon had simply left her to her own devices, too preoccupied with the countdown to the day of his impending freedom to truly worry about what she was doing. "There's a letter for you, Master Timon." Mrs Evans' voice drew Timon from his thoughts and he looked at the official missive with a mix of curiosity and a strange feeling of foreboding. "Please wait," he asked the housekeeper. He turned the letter over in his hands before starting to open it. He read it and gasped as its meaning sank into his almost uncomprehending mind. He began to shake and was only 81


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dimly aware of Mrs Evans' frightened voice and a blanket being placed around his shoulders. "What is it? Master Timon, speak to me, please." "He has ruined me," Timon said. "I'm ruined. I'm… I'm a pauper. Less than a pauper." Seeing the older woman was unable to make sense of his words, Timon allowed Mrs Evans to ease the missive from his nerveless fingers and watched, shaking, as she began to read. She was unable to suppress her own soft sound of shock and grief as the full import of the document's contents sank in and her stunned eyes met his. "Every debt I have," Timon said his voice thick with anguish. "Every debt: Leah's accounts, the cost of the wedding, which Jocelyn said he would finance, the mortgage on this house, all due for full and final settlement within three weeks. If I had three years I would still not have enough to pay them. I'll be thrown into debtor's prison unless someone pays my debt." Timon was unable to stop his body shaking and his eyes widened. "That's what he wants," he said. "He wants to pay my debts, to make me beholden to him." "Who?" asked Mrs Evans clearly unable to keep pace with Timon's thoughts. "Jocelyn," Timon replied sombrely. "He said… he said he would own Agapito and me. This is what he meant. 82


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I'm lost," he added, his voice forlorn. "Let's leave here for a little while, Master Timon. We'll go and see Agapito." "No!" Timon cried, his voice filled with agony. "How can I go to him and tell him this?" "He has to know," Mrs Evans replied, her voice low and calm. "You're too upset to think straight. You need some time and to have someone who loves you unconditionally take care of you. My nephew will ensure you and Agapito can have some privacy, and then we can all put our heads together." Timon nodded. She was right. Agapito deserved to know that Timon could no longer keep his promise of returning his lover to his family. He dashed away tears that had fallen without his realisation. Jocelyn had won. **** In Agapito's arms, Timon sobbed out what had happened and eventually cried himself into an exhausted sleep, wrapped in his lover's embrace. He woke several times, afraid he had been abandoned, but each time Agapito's arms were still holding him and a soft voice lulled him back to sleep. 83


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Finally awakening fully, Timon gazed adoringly at his lover, who still held him. Agapito had fallen asleep. He looked so young and innocent that Timon's heart ached. He made a mental vow that it did not matter what he had to do, even manual labour, anything, he would ensure he and his lover were not parted. As if aware of the scrutiny, Agapito's eyes fluttered open, and Timon smiled at his drowsy lover. "Love you." "I love you, Agapito," Timon replied. "I'm sorry…" he began, but was cut short by his lover pulling him into a deep, loving kiss. "You have nothing to apologise for. You saved me from Jocelyn, you took me into your home and you gave me your love. All of these things are special and precious to me, just as you are. I thought about things as I held you, and I think I have a way of upsetting at least part of Jocelyn's plan." "You do?" asked Timon, his voice reflecting his amazement. "We would need the help of Mrs Evans' nephews and we need to find a way to contact Leighton. We need his help, too. You meant what you said didn't you? About wanting to take me to my family, I mean?" "Of course, my love," Timon assured. "I just hoped 84


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to have met them as a gentleman and not a… a pauper." "All they will care about is that you saved me from a most horrendous fate and that we love each other. They will look after us once we reach them." "All right, we'll do whatever you think, my love," Timon said. It was hard not to be affected by Agapito's mounting enthusiasm. It was clear his young lover had very definite plans and, inexplicably, Timon found that his own confidence for their future strengthened under Agapito's. He did not care where they shared their future. He would find something to which he could turn his hand and support them. Jocelyn would not win. **** "This way and remember there are two of us." Nodding, Leighton let himself be led along. He had received a message from Timon begging him to come at once and had followed the young boy who had brought it. He had been taken to two menacing men, their faces mostly obscured, and then to a part of town he would normally only have ventured into with Jocelyn and Terrell. The

buildings

around

him

were

dark

and

dilapidated, the streets narrow and dirty. They had headed 85


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towards the port, but this was not a part Leighton was familiar with. Few people passed them and those who did were dressed poorly and wove drunkenly. There would be no help for him if this was some kind of trick of Sir Jocelyn's. He was starting to worry when a familiar voice called out. "Leighton! Thank you for coming." "Agapito," Leighton said with a smile as he was hugged hard by the other man. "What's happened?" "Sir Jocelyn has arranged for all of Timon's debts to be called in. There's no way he can find the money to clear them." "I knew Jocelyn was up to something," Leighton said with a pained groan. "I'm sorry, Agapito, if I'd heard, I would have warned you." "You said you would help. Will you listen?" "Of course." "Timon has checked the house over and it looks like Leah took those things that were important to her. All her clothes, toiletries and jewellery are gone as well as some art and other pieces from the house. I remember what you said, about taking things to your aunt and replacing them with trinkets to keep your home looking the same. What I need is for someone to keep those things that are precious to 86


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Timon and to help us sell what we can. Mrs Evans' nephews will take some of personal value, but we need someone else to take more valuable pieces and sell things for us. We hope to raise enough money for tickets on a boat to my homeland. My family will care for us once we are there." "I can do that," Leighton said, his voice thoughtful. "It will need to be done covertly, possibly even at night. Jocelyn will have eyes and ears directed towards Timon. Time is of the essence. He won't expect a counter-attack. Jocelyn is used to victims who do not fight back." "Either my brother or I will bring things to you, sir. We think it safest," one of the men standing aside said. Leighton nodded at the bigger of the two men whose face remained obscured. He could guess he might be one of Mrs Evans' nephews, but he could not be certain. "I will sell what you wish and find cheap knickknacks to replace them. I will take to my aunt anything you want keeping, Agapito. I wish I could do more, but I fear Jocelyn's wrath. Ghislain and I are so close to being together and away from here." "We need no more, my friend. We will move swiftly. We want this to be done with at least a few days to spare before the date Timon has been given." "A good move, my friend," Leighton said 87


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approvingly. "We'll be in touch again very soon. Thank you, Leighton." "I wish you luck, Agapito and a happy life with Timon," Leighton replied, clasping the hand of the younger man tightly. "This way, sir." Leighton let himself be led away as Agapito vanished from sight. To attempt to outwit Jocelyn was a daring and dangerous venture. Jocelyn might be a perilous friend, but he was, of a surety, a deadly enemy. **** Already almost two of his three weeks had gone by as Timon reached to turn the key in his front door. If he or Mrs Evans left, they were scrupulous about ensuring the house was secure. He was certain Leah would not return; she had stripped the house of those things of value to her. He gave a choked-off gasp as a strong arm wrapped around his throat propelling him into the house as he opened the door. He stumbled forward from the force of a hard shove but managed to regain his balance. He whirled around and glowered angrily at the smirking face of Sir Jocelyn. 88


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"So nice to see you once again, Timon." "You are not welcome here, Jocelyn. Leave now," Timon said, his voice a growl of anger. "Not just yet. There is a small matter of your outstanding debts to discuss." "I still have one week," Timon said drawing himself up to his full height and glowering at him. "Of course you do. However we both know you have no way in which to pay it, and so I have your solutions." "I don't need anything from you," Timon said through clenched teeth. The supercilious smirk on Jocelyn's face was almost more than he could bear. "The options are twofold. The first is the one I would suggest you accept graciously. The second… well… to be quite frank with you, I would actually prefer." Clenching his fists Timon, took a deep, cleansing breath waiting for Jocelyn to have his say. "The first is simple and straightforward. I take on your debts, they are cleared and you, like your sister, reside with me. After all, you will have no way in which to support yourself, and it's the least I can do for the brother of my bride-to-be." "How very generous of you. And the second?" Timon asked. 89


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"I have a letter from Leah that you may read. Effectively, with her full support, you will be examined by an eminent physician and deemed to have suffered a mental breakdown from the stresses of your financial difficulties and be incapable of taking care of yourself. As a natural consequence of this, I would assume guardianship of you until your were pronounced mentally competent once more. You can, of course, see the merit of that arrangement." "Never," Timon said, vehemently. "I cannot believe Leah would be a willing party to this." "Ah, but she is very willing, as the letter attests. If you refuse my offer of bailing you out, then she is happy for the second option. She will not have you ruin her impending wedding or tarnish her name with that of debtor. She would much rather be a martyr with a mentally-fragile brother who needs the care of a devoted sister and her new husband." "It would seem that Leah is beyond redemption," Timon said sadly as his eyes rose from the letter. It was in Leah's handwriting and it made it very clear that she fully endorsed all that Jocelyn had said. His heart ached for the loving, carefree sister he had once known and adored and who now seemed lost to him forever. "I still have a week, Jocelyn," he added, his voice becoming hard and angry. "Leave my house." 90


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"And if I don't?" Timon stiffened at the taunting voice as Jocelyn took a couple of swaying steps towards him. "Then I would have to use this pistol, sir and say that I didn't recognise you." The female voice that rang out so clearly was an instant relief to Timon. Neither he nor Sir Jocelyn had been aware of her approach, but now she stood in the doorway, Timon's pistol aimed unerringly at the glowering Jocelyn. Timon took a deep, calming breath. "Mrs Evans, it's good to see you, but I don't think there will be need for that. I'm sure Jocelyn is leaving." Timon's eyes met those of Jocelyn before the older man slowly turned and regarded the housekeeper once more. "This is something I'll not forget, Mrs Evans. There will be no position or pay off for you when Timon loses all he has." "Quite frankly, sir, I would rather go and beg on the streets than accept a single coin from your hand." "Let us see how defiant you are when you, like Timon, are penniless." With relief, Timon followed Jocelyn to the door closing and locking it behind him. He sagged against its solidity and smiled sadly at Mrs Evans. "It's almost time Master Timon. You had best get 91


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ready." **** From the shadows, the silent watcher observed the visitor to the house arrive, woollen jacket wrapped around him tightly and cap pulled down low to keep out the cool of the night wind. The watcher remained in place. There was another watching the front door. This, the back door, was his. It was only a minute before the man was leaving again. This time the old woman was with him. "Master Timon has locked and barred the doors and windows," she said. "I don't like to leave him, but if Timmy is sick, then I'll see what I can do." The watcher smirked. His master was not intending to force his way into the home. He had no need. In a week it was his anyway, no matter what bars were put on the doors and windows. He stretched and then slumped back against the alleyway wall. His master was only interested if Timon tried to leave the house. He gave a bored yawn. He would be glad when his relief arrived. Watching nothing was becoming increasingly tedious. ****

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"What

do

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you mean

there

have been

no

movements?" demanded Jocelyn glowering at his man. "The woman hasn't returned and Timon has not ventured forth. Nothing since the woman left the night before last and you did not think it worthy of informing me?" He watched the man cower and flinch. "You said to watch for coming and goings, sir. Nothing was mentioned about well… nothing happening." "Terrell! With me, now!" Not waiting to see if he was obeyed, Jocelyn strode from the room, barely keeping his fury under control. The cab trip to Timon's house was tense and silent. Jocelyn was aware of the nervous glances from Terrell, but his real focus was elsewhere. Timon could not have bested him. He could not! The moment the cab stopped he flew from the vehicle and took the steps two at a time. Unlocking the door he rushed inside. "Check the lower rooms then follow me upstairs!" he commanded as he ran to the stairs. He ran along the corridor, shoving doors open and glancing into each room. Each one was empty. He reached the stairs to the attic room as Terrell came running to join him. "No one. There's no one." "He cannot have escaped me. He cannot!" 93


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With Terrell at his heels, he ran up to the attic room. It was the only locked door, but with two hard lunges, he broke through. The bed had not been slept in and the curtains billowed in the breeze from the open window. He stared at the tree outside the window. It would not have been an easy undertaking, but it was clear that this was the egress used. His men had been positioned at the front and back of the house and had missed the escape. Whirling around, Jocelyn backhanded Terrell with such fury that the younger man staggered. He advanced again, for a few seconds his enraged vision seeing only Timon and not the other man. "Master, please?" The soft plea caused Jocelyn to stop, and he shook his head to see Terrell holding his face, a thin trickle of blood oozing from his lip down his chin. Jocelyn took a deep, controlling breath. "He had no money. I froze his access to his accounts. He can't have got far. I want him found and I want Leighton brought to me." He reached and cupped the unmarred side of Terrell's face, pulling the younger man unresistingly forward and crushed their lips together in a hard, dominating kiss. "I will make that up to you later. Now go!" He watched Terrell run as if his life depended on it. 94


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Jocelyn exited the room and slowly descended the stairs. He kept going until he reached the library. Something was not right in here. He had seen the room several times. He moved closer to the shelves. Now he could see it. These were not the collections Timon was so proud of and that had irritated Leah so much. These were just tatty volumes to fill empty spaces. He threw back his head and gave an animalistic howl of pure fury. No one escaped him. He would hunt down Timon and then he and his brat would both pay. Pay dearly. **** Smiling gratefully, Timon accepted the cup of water from Agapito as his lover knelt at the side of his bunk. "I had no idea one could be so sick simply from the motion of a boat," Timon said softly. "Aunt Beth says she will prepare something to help settle your stomach." "She's a treasure. I had no idea Mrs Evans intended to accompany us." "Aunt Beth." Timon smiled as Agapito chided him softly and then sighed as his lover laid a cool, damp cloth on his brow. 95


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"Thank you, my love," he murmured. He closed his eyes and then opened them again as the ship's rocking movement sent another wave of nausea crashing over him. "The journey is not so long. Soon we'll be on land again." The tone of excitement and the joy on Agapito's face

were

enough

to

temporarily

dispel

Timon's

seasickness. He had never undertaken a sea voyage before, and the moment they had cleared the harbour and reached open sea, he had been forced to take to his bunk. Fortunately neither his lover nor Mrs Evans, or Aunt Beth as she now insisted on being called, had been similarly affected. A tap on the door had been answered immediately by Agapito and the scent of ginger permeated the tiny cabin. "Here you go, Master Timon. Some nice hot tea to help you." It was hard to reconcile the woman before him with the housekeeper he'd lived with for years. Timon was sure he'd never seen her dressed in anything except a black dress with a white apron and hat. Now she wore a dark green dress with golden embroidery and her hair was swept up into an elegant bun. She was relaxed and smiling, and it seemed to take years off her. 96


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Timon accepted the hot mug and sipped at the contents. He smiled appreciatively, and his eyes closed. "You stay with Master Timon, Agapito. I'm making myself useful in the kitchen and will ensure I do something nice and easy on the stomach for him. The cook's glad of a hand." "Thank you, Aunt Beth." The sound of the door closing alerted Timon to her departure, and he set down the mug. "I know something else that would make me feel even better," he said. He grinned at his lover as Agapito locked the cabin door and then began to strip. Timon's eyes devoured the sight of his naked mate, the younger man's sex already rising. He shuffled back a little to make way for Agapito and wrapped him in his arms as Agapito's back came to lie flush against his chest. As much as Timon would have liked to accept the unspoken invitation as the younger man's alluring buttocks rubbed against his groin, his still-fragile stomach overruled any burgeoning sexual stirrings. Instead he slid a hand around his lover's eager arousal and stroked Agapito to completion, kissing the back of his neck and bare shoulder as Agapito called his name softly. The sound of the gentle sigh of satiated pleasure and the feel of the soft, warm body in his embrace did more 97


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to allay the effects of seasickness than any number of preparations from Aunt Beth. His eyes closed. Soon they would be on land, in Agapito's country and, he fervently prayed, safe from the long and furious reach of Sir Jocelyn. **** It was with no little sense of relief that Timon stepped onto dry land. He was caught by surprise as Agapito wrapped his arms tightly around him and then pulled him down for a deep kiss. As they broke apart, he glanced quickly around, and apart from one or two amused smiles, no one had paid any attention. "I told you my country accepts such relationships as ours, Timon." In the far distance he could see a range of mountains; this country was drier than the island they had left, the ground more sandy and arid. However, Timon didn't care. Home was wherever he could be with Agapito. He returned his lover's smile, taking the proffered hand. Both he and Aunt Beth let themselves be guided by Agapito. No one paid them any attention as they made their way through the harbour and its many fish stalls and then through a bustling multi-coloured marketplace. Timon kept his surprise to himself when Agapito 98


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finally stopped outside a walled and gated grandiose building. He and Aunt Beth watched the young man approach the guard at the gate and spoke rapidly in his own tongue. The guard looked Agapito up and down as if weighing the merits of what he had said. Timon frowned as Agapito twisted his body to display his tattoo, and there was another fast and furious dialogue between his lover and the guard. This time the guard called to another and the gate was opened. "I will be granted an audience. You will be permitted to wait for me inside." "Is it safe for you to speak to… whoever alone? Who is it?" Timon demanded, afraid for Agapito's safety. "All will be well, my love. We must not keep them waiting unnecessarily. I will explain all later." Glancing at Aunt Beth and receiving a nod of encouragement, Timon followed Agapito, Aunt Beth coming through last. Timon forced himself to remain calm as his lover vanished from sight. While his ex-housekeeper sat demurely, accepting tea served in a silver pot with matching cups and saucers, he paced back and forth in front of the heavily-curtained window. "Please sit down, Timon. This is Agapito's country and these are his people. He knew where he wanted to come and whom he needed to see. Trust in him the way he 99


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trusted in you." "I can't help it, Aunt Beth," Timon said turning to face her. "It's not that I don't trust him. I do, with all my heart and soul. But I failed him once, and I do not want to fail him again. I need to feel I can keep him safe and this— " he said waving his hand around at the richly furnished room. "—this is wealth beyond even that of Sir Jocelyn. I worry that we may have leapt from the skillet into the fire." "He wanted to make contact with his family. Perhaps his family have had dealings with whoever lives here. I never did ask what his family did." "Nor did I. If I mentioned them, it upset him so I stopped," Timon confessed with a sigh. He sat down heavily on the red plush, velvet-cushioned chair opposite Aunt Beth and accepted the tea that she poured. It had a refreshing flavour, but Timon's enjoyment was tainted by the taste of worry. Until Agapito returned and he knew his lover was safe, he would not relax. "Timon, Aunt Beth!" The excited voice of his mate had Timon surging to his feet and rushing towards him. He embraced Agapito tightly and kissed him. "Is all well?" he asked as he eased back from his lover and regarded him closely. "Wonderful. A rider is already on his way to the 100


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nearest city. He will then connect with a train that will take him to the city of my family where they will be informed of my return. There is a small guest house we may stay in and food will be brought to us after we have bathed and rested. Oh, Timon, I'll soon see my family." **** Timon was impressed with the generosity of their benefactor. While Aunt Beth was given rooms within the main building, he and Agapito had an opulent bedroom and a sitting room outside. "I asked for privacy," Agapito had whispered hotly in his ear and Timon's sex surged at the memory. There was an avenue of trees separating their rooms from the main house, and it would indeed offer suitable privacy for the intimacy he craved. They had been given time to refresh themselves, changes of clothing, and food. Now Timon wanted to satisfy an entirely different appetite. He moved to stand beside his lover, who gazed out of their living room window into the now darkened gardens. There was a soft smile on his face, and Timon knew Agapito was counting the hours and minutes until he saw his family again. He slid his arms around the slender waist and pulled the lithe body against his. 101


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"I love you." As Timon spoke, he claimed the full lips, sliding his tongue past and into the warm, sweet recess beyond. As they kissed, he ran his hand over Agapito's chest, burrowing inside the loose shirt his lover now wore to fondle nipples that tightened at his touch. He deepened the kiss as Agapito arched into the caresses and then writhed sensually against him. With his other hand, Timon reached down and cupped the growing hardness through the voluminous pants his lover wore. The silk slid across Agapito's skin and Timon moaned as he stroked and teased. "Bed now." The kiss broke on the panted demand and Timon let himself be led into the bedroom. Before Agapito could begin to undress, he caught his mate and kissed him hard and possessively, feeling the younger man yield to him, becoming sweetly pliant in his arms. Timon wanted to pleasure his lover; there was so little else he could currently offer. He pressed Agapito back onto the bed, balancing himself on one knee as he leant over him. "Let me pleasure you, my love," he whispered, the words hot and moist against Agapito's bared throat. "Yes." At the single word of acquiescence, Timon flicked open the few buttons of the cream shirt and opened it so 102


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that it framed the golden bronze of his lover's skin. The large, dark areolae beckoned silently. He licked each in turn, pleased at the way they pebbled at his touch. He took one succulent, ripe nipple into his mouth, sucking while his fingers tugged and rolled the other. He then moved to suck and nip the other as his fingers tugged the nub now bereft of his lips. Pulling back, Timon regarded the erotic tableau before him. Agapito lay on the bed, the dark of the silken sheets contrasting with the pale silk he wore. Agapito's face was flushed and lips red and lush. His nipples were tight and hard and his chest glistened with a thin sheen of perspiration. Reaching for the ties of the pants, Timon smiled as he revealed Agapito's arousal. The slender rod was hot and hard and the weeping tip was too much to resist. Leaving the pants halfway down his lover's thighs, Timon knelt beside him and took Agapito's member in his hand. He licked just the head, lapping at the pre-ejaculate. Standing back, he removed the pants completely so that he could spread his lover's legs wide. He then removed his own shirt, carelessly throwing it aside. His pants followed and he gave a muted groan of relief as his shaft sprang free of its confines, hard and eager. He knelt between the splayed legs, hooking his arms underneath and 103


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around the smooth thighs. In one slow, measured motion, he engulfed Agapito to the hilt. Sucking slowly, Timon slid from base to tip and back, over and over, relishing each sweet cry of pleasure from his lover. Agapito's hands petted at his hair, occasionally clenching. Timon reached one hand upwards and squeezed at each nipple, tugging at the proud peaks. He could hear Agapito's soft moans and felt a surge of primal satisfaction as his lover's hips began to thrust. The grace with which they made love surprised him. It was as though they had already spent a lifetime learning one another's bodies. He let the hard, wet organ slip from his lips and stretched out over his lover. Dropping kisses down the smooth, writhing form, Timon nudged his lover's leg with his mouth, and Agapito eagerly spread himself with a soft moan of encouragement. As Timon moved lower, he felt his lover's body twitch and then jerk as the tip of his tongue circled Agapito's opening. He slid his hands under his lover, grasped the enticing cheeks and held them apart, licking the exposed, dusky skin. He lapped steadily over the tightly furled flesh before he began to press forward and then retreat. As he lay between his lover's legs he let one hand run over the silken skin of the smaller man's inner thigh 104


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while his mouth laved and sucked in a place where no one else had or would ever touch Agapito. He massaged gently until he felt a slight softening as the taut muscle relaxed. He gave a long, slow lick and then blew over the wet skin. He felt his lover shudder with the eroticism of the sensations as he alternated between licking and blowing. His lover rocked his hips mindlessly, caught in the sensuality of contrasting sensations. He grasped Agapito's left leg and pushed it back and out, further exposing his mate's saliva-wetted entrance, his eyes fixating hungrily on the small opening. He folded his tongue and jabbed it deep, thrilling at the cry of pleasure from his mate. For long moments Timon tongued Agapito, ensuring he went a little deeper with each thrust of his tongue. He felt the heat of arousal burn at his groin as Agapito writhed and cried his name in a soft, pleasuredrenched tone. He reached for the erect flesh that lay hard and damp on his mate's stomach and stroked, the copious pre-ejaculate making him slick beneath his hand. He circled the head with his thumb, letting it side over the sensitised slit at the engorged head. A delicious shudder rippled through Agapito and his hips canted up and down in an instinctive thrusting to gain completion. A luscious groan escaped his lips. With a growl deep in his chest, Timon pushed forward again, 105


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deeper than before, licking and nipping gently, then harder as Agapito relaxed and his inner muscles flexed. Agapito began to shiver beneath him, his lover's hips bucking rhythmically in time to his slick tongue's momentum. With soul-deep, primal satisfaction, Timon heard a mewling, hungry sound from Agapito's throat as he drove deeper, caressing the hot, inner walls. "Please, want you in there, Timon, please, please, please…" The softly chanted pleas finally registered in Timon's mind, and he slowly withdrew his tongue. He leant over the sweat-sheened body and kissed Agapito's forehead, then his chin, working his way down the long neck to pepper kisses across slender shoulders and down to a succulent nub. He licked the nipple, feeling it tighten under the gentle assault. He sealed his lips over the hard little peak and began to suck. Agapito reared up beneath him, arching his back, moaning. As he suckled, Timon reached out and dipped two fingers into the oil that waited on the table at the bed's side. To his satisfaction, Agapito was so relaxed that they slid effortlessly inside. He pressed back and forth, spreading them to prepare his lover. Timon rubbed the sensitive nub, enjoying the croon that Agapito made in response. He moved slowly as he spread his fingers farther 106


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apart. His thumb rubbed across a sensitised nipple as his lips sealed over the tender flesh at this lover's throat and he added a third finger into the heated depths. Timon felt his lover's hot come pulse between them as he caressed the hidden jewel deep within Agapito. He kept up the gentle rhythm inside his mate to prolong Agapito's release. He paused briefly to lick at the silver crème before continuing with the twisting thrusts of his fingers. He distantly heard his lover's panting breaths as he pushed a fourth finger into his mate. He thrust his digits back and forth, twisting and spreading. A jolt of pure arousal

shuddered

through

the

slender

body.

He

rhythmically caressed the sensitive gland in Agapito's sheath, nipping and kissing the smooth chest and abdomen until the younger man was writhing and begging once more. Patiently, Timon worked his lover into fully renewed arousal. He could see the copious pre-ejaculate as it leaked from the straining flesh. He bent his head and licked it away, pausing to suckle briefly at its head to drink from its source. He could see Agapito's member, taut and crimson-hued, twitching with each caress across his lover's prostate and the barely-restrained need to release once more. Timon found that his lover's enjoyment of their 107


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lovemaking was almost as potent an aphrodisiac as the man himself. His own erect sex ached and throbbed. He eased away from his lover and got to his knees, moving until he knelt between Agapito's spread legs. Hooking his lover's knees in the crook of his elbows, he positioned himself at the exposed, stretched entrance to his lover's body. "Are you ready for me, my love?" he asked, smiling. Agapito's response was a frantic nod. His mate gripped the sheets tightly as Timon pushed forward with steady pressure, slowly feeling Agapito open to him. He heard Agapito cry his name when the head of his shaft finally pierced the muscle to enter his lover's beautiful, body. He felt Agapito's hands hold tightly on to his shoulders. Once certain his lover's body had willingly yielded to the welcome invasion, Timon positioned Agapito's legs over his shoulders and leant forward to claim the lush mouth. His momentum carried him fully into his lover, the base of his shaft flush with the curvaceous, soft cheeks. The knowledge that this was the man he loved, and who unconditionally loved him, almost undid Timon. Reigning in the urge to thrush fast and hard, Timon thrust his tongue greedily into Agapito's hot, wet cavern, sucking on his lover's tongue. He took his time, thrusting 108


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with slow, deep, measured strokes that rubbed his lover's sweet spot with each advance and retreat of his hard flesh. As his mate's arousal began to build to a second climax, Timon murmured wordless sounds of appreciation and encouragement. He could feel Agapito thrusting in counterpoint to his own movements, ensuring the lithe body was fully impaled on his throbbing member. "Love you." "Love you, too," Timon replied in response to the gasped declaration from Agapito. He began to increase the tempo of his hips, feeling his own orgasm fast approaching. He changed his angle so that every forward thrust pressed firmly against Agapito's sweet spot, wrenching desperate cries from him. He buried his hand between their heated, sweat-slick bodies, grasping his lover's straining member and stroking rapidly. Leaning forward, Timon's teeth fastened at the point where Agapito's neck joined his shoulder, biting and sucking, almost holding his mate in place while Timon's hips began to piston in staccato thrusts. With primal satisfaction, Timon heard the wail of his name and felt his lover's second release spray over his fist and their frantically undulating bodies. He groaned Agapito's name as his lover's sheath contracted tightly around his over-sensitised shaft. It clenched, rippling, 109


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seemingly pulling him impossibly deeper. He stabbed deeply and felt his entire body consumed in a hot, sparkling wave. With a few final hard, deep thrusts, Timon's own climax buried his hot cream deep in his lover's stillquivering channel. With a sigh of satiation, Timon let Agapito's leaden legs slip from his shoulders and he showered his lover's flushed face and relaxed lips with butterfly kisses. He smiled as his lover's arms draped around his shoulders to hold him in place. "That was… beautiful." Smiling, Timon looked down at Agapito's wistful smile. His lover's beautiful eyes reflected love and contentment. He knew that he would never be as close to another human being as he was now to Agapito. This is what love is, he thought. This is us, each belonging to the other. He eased slowly from his lover's heated depths and lovingly licked Agapito's skin clean of the pearlescent crème. He smiled to himself as he heard the sounds of pleasure that fell from his mate's lips. Finally he pulled the younger man into his arms and they kissed tenderly, expressing their love without the need for speech. "I can barely wait to introduce you to my family. I know they will love you as I do." 110


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"I pray you are right, my love." Timon was touched deeply by Agapito's faith. However he privately fretted that, as he was now a mere pauper, Agapito's family would expect and want much better for their son. **** "He's wound up tighter than a drum, Master Timon." Aunt Beth's voice drew Timon's attention from his pacing mate. They were on the beach. It had been his hope that a walk along the shore as the sun began to set would help relax Agapito. However, despite the beauty of the golden sands, the blue, sparkling sea, and the sky that was becoming bathed in pinks and reds as the sun began to set, Agapito was still on edge. He could understand how his lover felt. As the last train had already left, a rider had been dispatched to the next town. The rider would catch the mid-morning train. It was then a journey of a few hours to reach where Agapito's family lived. They would have to make their arrangements to travel back. Although Timon knew it was feasible for his lover's family to arrive that day, his practical nature reminded him that it would take time to set things in motion and procure 111


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passage. Agapito, however, seemed adamant his family would be there before nightfall. When Timon had queried about procuring travel to take Agapito home, his lover had just smiled and urged him to be patient. It seemed important to him that they wait and Timon wanted to make Agapito happy. With a wry smile, he looked over at his increasingly agitated lover. "You will make yourself ill, my love. I'd like your family to see you fit and well," Timon said, taking the slender man into his arms. "I want to see them so much, Timon. I can hardly believe I am going to see them." Dropping his head, Timon pressed a soft kiss to Agapito's lips, holding his beloved tightly to his chest. Tremors ran through Agapito's frame. "They will be here soon, my sweet," Timon said, his voice soft and reassuring. "It just takes time." "Master Timon, I think we should head towards the harbour." At the shout of warning from Aunt Beth, Timon looked over Agapito's shoulder. In the distance he could see a group of riders. The horses looked magnificent and, even at that distance, seemed richly saddled and bridled. The riders, however, had Timon immediately ill at ease. They wore long cloaks in blacks and dark blues and 112


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matching turbans which had the excess cloth wrapped across their faces. "We need to go," he said, forcing his voice to remain steady. He released his lover, intending for Agapito to precede him and go with Aunt Beth, but as Agapito looked back to see what had concerned Timon, his face lit up. "Papa!" **** "Papa!" Agapito was oblivious to Timon's stunned reaction. At the sight of the riders, Agapito's heart soared. He recognised his family's riding habits and the rider on the biggest horse. He shouted for his father even though he knew it was too soon to be heard. He ran as fast as he possibly could, flying over the sand as the riders urged their steeds towards him. His steps almost faltered as his gaze met that of his beloved father. Then a new burst of speed exploded through him as he rushed to meet his kinsmen. The coal black stallion his father rode broke away from the group and raced towards him. As they got closer Agapito knew that his smile 113


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would match that of the rider even though the turban's scarf still hid his father's features. He stopped, panting heavily, and stood in place with his arms up as his father thundered towards him. As he raced by, he leant over and caught him, seating him in front of the saddle. Emotion overwhelmed him as they wrapped their arms around each other. His father drew Agapito inside his cloak, holding him close to his heart as Agapito tightened the grip. He pressed his face into his father's shoulder, inhaling deeply. He gave a sob at the familiar clean, spicy smell that invoked home and love to him. He could feel the kisses that dropped into his hair as they held each other. The horse came to a gradual standstill. The other riders surrounded them in a protective circle as the reunion continued uninterrupted. Finally, Agapito was able to look into his father's face as the older man unwound the protective scarf. Agapito leant into the touch as the other man cupped his son's cheek in a gloved hand. In a voice made rough with emotion, he uttered his first words to his child since Agapito had been kidnapped. "I prayed night and day for your return, as did your brothers and sister. We would not give up hope while we felt in our hearts that you lived. Yet I feared I might never be able to do this again." Temporarily unable to speak, Agapito let himself be 114


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crushed to his father's chest again and rocked as if he was an infant. He finally pulled back a little and gazed into eyes that were as familiar to him as his own. He saw the tears of joy glistening on the older man's whiskered cheek. Agapito let his head rest on his father's shoulder for a moment longer, and then he filled his eyes with the faces of his brothers. No one's eyes were dry, not even his own. "I cannot tell you how sorry I am," Agapito said, his voice husky with emotion. "I was stubborn and arrogant and my foolish pride would not have me listen to the words of wisdom spoken to me. I ventured where I was forbidden and paid a terrible price, as did you all. Ghazi… is he?" "He is well. He is with the riders behind us. You can see him soon enough. He had a bruised head and even more bruised pride. We were lucky the blow was not harder or closer to his temple." Agapito mouthed a silent prayer of thanks and then continued. "I was nearly the slave of a man who preached morality and practiced… debauchery. However, even in that darkness, there was a light that saved me. I want you to meet the man who rescued me from a fate of which I cannot speak at present and who is, in all but formal ceremony, my husband." There was a loud gasp at the last of Agapito's words 115


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and the young man held his head up, tilting his chin in the way that so often heralded his stubborn streak. "I know the protocols of our land," he said. "However, I was not here and I chose to give myself to the man I loved, knowing he loved me in return. He lost all he possessed to protect me and yet still honoured his promise to reunite me with my family. He is a man of honour and integrity and my light in the darkness." His father growled out his response and tightened his hold around his waist, pulling him closer to his chest protectively. Agapito turned his face up to his father's, tilting his head back so that he could see his expression. "I want to love this man as another son," his father said. "Your happiness is one of the most important wishes of my life. I need to know that this man values you as I do. It is my duty as your parent to make sure that the person that my child loves, does indeed love him back." "He does, Papa." "Then let us meet him." **** As the riders approached him, Timon automatically drew himself to his full height. He was glad of the change of clothing so that he could at least meet Agapito's father 116


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looking respectable. As Agapito dismounted with ease from the huge stallion, it was clear to Timon that his lover was used to horses. He could not help but smile at the wide grin of pure joy and the way his lover's eyes shone with happiness. Looking up, he saw four of the riders dismount and head towards them. "Timon, I want you to meet my father and brothers. Papa, this is Timon, my husband." Taking a step forward, Timon extended his hand and was surprised to be drawn into a formal hug and feel the older man's lips kiss each cheek. The three younger men followed suit. Agapito's father wore a full beard, but Timon could see the similarity in the dark eyes that regarded him appraisingly. It seemed a family trait as he glanced quickly at Agapito's brothers who currently regarded him with undisguised interest. "I wish

we

could

have

met

under

better

circumstances," Timon said. "I love your son, sir, and will do all in my power, such as it is, to ensure I am able to care for Agapito as he deserves." "My son has made fleeting references to his time away from us. I would hear all of it in due course. It is clearly distressing, and I do not want our reunion marred by sorrow. Tonight I want us to journey home and then rest. In 117


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the light of day tomorrow, we will talk and see where our future lies." "This is Aunt Beth, Papa. She is a treasure." Timon realised that he wore the same smile of affectionate indulgence as Agapito's father and brothers as the younger man drew a blushing Aunt Beth forward. He grinned as she bobbed a respectful curtsey. "A pleasure to meet you, sir, and your sons. I can see where Agapito gets his looks and manners from. He's been an absolute joy to know." "Thank you. Now we need to arrange transportation from here to the railway station so we can go home." "I didn't think there were any trains due," Timon said, squeezing tightly the hand his lover slid into his and drawing strength from it. "There were not. However, when it comes to matters of my son's safe return home, no price was too much to pay." **** "You did pack your new suit?" "Of course." Sir Jocelyn glowered menacingly at Leah, and the questions died on his wife's lips. She was shrewish and easily peeved since Timon's disappearance, 118


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mostly because he failed to attend her wedding and suitable excuses had to be created. At the moment, however, he had no patience for such trivialities. To his fury, Timon and the boy had left their shores and Leighton had gone to ground with Ghislain. With his impending wedding, he had been forced to leave Terrell in charge of hunting down the couples. On his return from his honeymoon, Terrell had greeted him with the news that no trace could be found of Timon and Agapito. He had confirmed they took passage on a fishing boat and had landed in the boy's homeland. Then the trail died. Not even gold had loosened the lips of any that would say what had then happened to the couple. In the case of Ghislain and Leighton, his boy had been warned off by a man as equally powerful as Jocelyn who had given the couple his protection. Terrell's informants could not be sure where the couple was hiding and further questions asked had resulted in Terrell's men being beaten and sent back to him as a lesson. While he had, at least temporarily, given up on Ghislain and Leighton, Jocelyn still hoped to make inroads into locating Timon. He had found a sailor who looked like and spoke the language of Agapito's people. Jocelyn had sent him over two weeks ago and was hoping for a favourable report when they met. 119


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His frustrations had not ended with the couples being beyond his reach. Problems had been cropping up in the bank over the last three months, starting when he was away. He remained the president but knew some of the shareholders had sold out. He did not hold a majority of shares, and he no longer trusted the men around him. A couple of votes, only minor things, had not gone in his favour. Men he thought would vote his way using proxy had voted against him. Someone was challenging his power and he had no idea who it may be. His spies were now fully engaged in finding

out

his

unknown

challenger's

identity.

Consequently, he was short-tempered and even less inclined to tolerate Leah's selfish whining. He had passed her to his cousins on return from their honeymoon and had barely seen her in the last two months, except to bed her thoroughly and ruthlessly. At least she now knew her place. Then, out of the blue, they had been invited to a grand ball to be held by the King of Sabah in Agapito's homeland. His enquiries on receipt of the card had disclosed that several highly placed men of his city had received such invitations, and the rumour was that the king was looking to initiate and finance a business there. The men invited were those in the forefront of his mind as suitable for partnerships. 120


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Leah had seen nothing more than an opportunity to mingle with royalty. Her constant inane chatter from the moment the card had been revealed had centred on dress, hair, and jewels. Even now, when they were on the train to the king's palace, it was still all she could think about. He saw it as an opportunity to consolidate his position in the city. Then he would become untouchable. And when he was, there would be no hiding places for those who had thought themselves safely beyond his reach and his vengeance. **** The white marble palace with its golden roofs and tall turrets was a creation born from every child's fairy tale. It was set in a perfectly manicured lawn with elegant topiary. A fountain of clear water spouted from sea horses set within a low circular wall that provided seating. Leah instantly cooed her delight, babbling almost incessantly as she and Jocelyn walked from the horse-drawn carriage towards the reception point in the open courtyard. Jocelyn recognised some of the arriving guests as royalty from neighbouring countries or as rich and powerful men from the world of business. It seemed clear to him that the king was mixing business with pleasure. 121


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Then a snarl broke free and he surged forward, Leah forgotten. Common sense prevailed and he stopped, fists clenching and unclenching at his side as he stared down at Agapito. The boy wore black silk pants and a white silk overshirt that tantalised by hinting at the lush ripeness of the large, dark areolae and nipples. It took every ounce of willpower Jocelyn possessed not to grab the boy, haul him to a secluded part of the gardens, bend him over, and ravish him. As it was, his sex strained painfully against his breeches, fortuitously hidden by the length of his jacket. Movement behind the boy caught his eye, and he stared at a large, powerfully-muscled man, naked to the waist. At the red sash about his waist the man wore a viciously sharp, curved sword, and at that moment, the man's hand hovered by its hilt. "Sir Jocelyn and Lady Leah. Welcome to the Palace of King Eneco. May I have your invitation, please?" Reaching slowly into his pocket, Jocelyn removed the card and handed it over, his own dark eyes finally locking with Agapito's. He kept his face neutral, covering his surprise that there was no fear or concern in the expressive eyes. He stood straighter, trying to intimidate with his greater height. "So this is where you work," he said, his voice cold 122


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and measured. "Is Timon a servant here, too?" "This is indeed where we both live and are in the service of King Eneco." "I want to see my brother." Leah's shrill demand had Jocelyn turning with a snarl on his face. "You make no demands of anyone here. I will deal with this." He saw his wife's face blanch at the look of cold fury, but then her own eyes narrowed and she glowered back. "He is still my brother." "You cast him away happily to take your place at my side. You feel no sisterly love or affection. You wish only to see how far he has fallen and to see if you cannot bully him into accepting residence with us under your dominance. I am your lord and master of my home. You will leave this in my hands. Do not tempt my wrath, wife." Smiling his victory as Leah looked away, Jocelyn turned back to regard Agapito. The young man was frowning, unable to hear the whispered conversation. He let a smile curve his lips, although he knew no warmth was in his eyes. If Agapito and Timon were both in service here and he an honoured guest, he was certain that the right words in the right ears would get Timon delivered to him. However, now was not the time. Today he needed to 123


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establish who was suitable to consolidate with as an ally. "My wife would like to see Timon at some stage, but she is weary and needs time to rest." "I understand." Keeping his smile in place, Jocelyn watched Agapito murmur to the large guard behind him. The guard moved away and brought over a mature servant. "He will show you to your accommodation." "I thought you might, Agapito," Jocelyn said, his tone honeyed. "I have other work to do. I just wanted to be here to welcome you personally, Sir Jocelyn." Jocelyn frowned as the boy turned and walked away, the guard following. He would make sure Agapito paid for such abruptness. Moreover, he would ensure Timon paid and that the boy knew it was for his insolence. **** Wandering around the opulent palace, Jocelyn's mood was dark. He and the other male guests had gathered for after-dinner drinks and cigars the previous night. While thus far he had not seen anything of the king, several of the men with whom he had sat talked about their welcome by the monarch. Everyone was distantly polite, but if he 124


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attempted to talk business, the conversation was steered elsewhere. He left Leah in their rooms and went to find someone in a position of authority within the palace. He stopped as the guard he had seen the previous day approached him. The big man showed no obeisance, striding towards him and stopping so close that the guard seemed to be using his greater height to look down on him. "What is it, slave?" Jocelyn said, his voice a low growl. No mere servant would treat him in such fashion. "My name is Ghazi and I am no man's slave. I am a free man who chooses to serve King Eneco and his family. You have been summoned by his Majesty and by the Princes Marcelino, Ruggiero, and Destino. You will follow me." Silently fuming, Jocelyn trailed in the wake of the servant who had not even bothered to check he was there. The great ball was only an hour or so away, and Jocelyn had yet to achieve any of his aims. However, with this summons, he hoped to finally realise his ambitions. He was led into a room in which sat a large desk with an ornate chair currently unoccupied. There were no windows, but there was another door. As the guard took up position at the door through which they had entered, Jocelyn's attention was riveted by the entrance of the three 125


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princes. The eldest came through first and stood at the right side of the desk, the other two on the left. "I am Prince Marcelino, eldest son and heir to the throne of Sabah. These are two of my three brothers, Ruggiero, and Destino." Jocelyn gave a curt bow, low enough to be deferential but casual enough to show he was not overawed by the presence of the princes. He, too, was a man of power and standing. He looked at each in turn. Marcelino wore a well-trimmed goatee, Ruggiero just a thin moustache, and Destino was clean shaven. They were of a similar height and build, but it was the eyes and nose that, to Jocelyn, had a distinctive similarity. Looking back at Destino, Jocelyn gave a mental frown. There was something very familiar about him, although Jocelyn was certain they had never met. He wondered whether he might have been sent to his bank anonymously. "I am honoured to meet you," he said. "I hear you are looking to set up a business in my city. If I can be of help in the matter, you only need ask." "We are well aware of you and your bank, Sir Jocelyn. That is the reason why you are here. We already have a majority shareholding in your institution and now we wish to bring things to their conclusion." "You? You have been buying out the other 126


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shareholders?" Jocelyn asked angrily. "What we now wish is for you to resign your presidency and sell your shares to our youngest brother." "Never!" Jocelyn said vehemently. "You cannot force me into such a move." "You underestimate the determination of my sons when it comes to the love they have for their brother." Jocelyn whirled round at the sound of the authoritative voice. At the doorway stood King Eneco, his right arm around the shoulders of Agapito. "It cannot be," he whispered, his voice almost bereft of sound. "Oh, but it can and it is. Agapito is my much beloved youngest child and his brothers, sister, and I were all distraught at his disappearance. When Timon returned him to us, he was completely unaware of who my son was. He did not find out until after we returned here, and I was assured of his devotion to my youngest child. It means that four of my children have married well and happily, and one is engaged. Destino, like Agapito, will have a royal consort rather than a wife and princess, but all that matters is their happiness. I was denied the joy of seeing my youngest courted, denied the chance to celebrate his engagement. However, I have presided over his marriage. This ball is to celebrate that union." 127


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"If I give up my presidency and the shares at the bank, I will be unable to support my wife, Timon's sister," Jocelyn countered. "Do not be mendacious, Sir Jocelyn. You have enough funds to be able to live comfortably enough, although you may need to pare down your expenditures." "Particularly in those areas that your wife has no knowledge of." Jocelyn's eyes glowered at Ruggiero and then Marcelino as each spoke. It was true enough that he had funds in other places, but the money he got from his bank presidency was not something he wanted to relinquish easily. It was a highly paid role with little actual work on his part and gave him good reasons to be away from home so frequently. "If I was to refuse?" he asked. "My brothers and I would vote to sell the bank to one based in our city here. Naturally, there would be people afraid of losing their money who would seek to remove their funds. We can easily cover our portion, can you?" "You would hope for a run on funds," Jocelyn replied, his voice a low growl at Marcelino. The smile told him his guess was correct. "Before that needs come to pass, however, there is a matter of this." 128


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Turning, Jocelyn looked at the king and the scroll that he now flourished. "On this scroll is listed everyone to whom you are indebted, at cards, roulette, horse racing, dog racing, and the illegal sports such as dog fighting and bare-knuckle fighting where a man can lose not just a fight but his life. Then there are the accounts at shops your wife knows well and those she does not, such as the brothels that supply you with the young men of whom you are so fond. I am quite certain that should this become a public document not only would there be little confidence in your continued presidency, but in some instances your police would be greatly interested in questioning you. I should add, of course, that each of these debts is now owed to me. You owe me quite a considerable sum." Taking the proffered scroll, Jocelyn's eyes scanned the list and the sum at the bottom. He had no doubt it was accurate and there were names on it that would incriminate him in several illegal activities. He had thought himself too powerful for any to have uncovered them. "So this is your idea of revenge," he said, glaring at Agapito venomously. "I can assure you that none of this was known to my youngest until now. His brothers decided to take one course of action and I another. You have no idea of the sweet 129


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nature of my son. All he cared about was being home with the man he loved and asked only that I ensure Leighton and Captain Ghislain remained safe. We thought that Timon would want some form of retribution, but he, too, is generous of heart and wanted only the same as Agapito." Jocelyn found himself backing up as the monarch strode forward, his dark eyes filled with undisguised fury. "You should consider yourself a lucky man. You live and you will still have a home of your own, something you took away from Timon. As king I could have you incarcerated for life for daring to lay a hand on a royal prince. As a father, I would rather take you into the desert, stake you naked over an ant hill, pour honey over your genitals, and let them eat you alive for touching my son. You are nothing but an amoral, degenerate knave." The king was just inches from Jocelyn now, his voice cold, low and deadly. There was no doubting the veracity of Eneco's words. Jocelyn could hear and see the truth. Before him was no longer a civilised and benevolent ruler, but the father of a child who Jocelyn knew wanted to do more than merely punish him fiscally. To be able to walk away from the palace alive, physically unharmed and free was a measure of the king's mercy. "Papa, please?" "Do not fret, my little one. Jocelyn will merely 130


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resign his presidency and retire from public life. Perhaps due to a health issue? This list will remain in my keeping and if my death should precede his, it will pass to Marcelino as my heir. You should also know, Jocelyn, that my spies are far better than yours and include the sailor you so recently employed. You will be watched until the day you die. I would strongly advise you do nothing that could be even vaguely construed as trying to take action against my son and his consort or Captain Ghislain and his." Jocelyn sagged. He was beaten. The best he could do was agree to the resignation and sell his shares. He nodded. He wanted to live. "You may have my resignation and I will sell the shares you want," he said. "A wise decision. I will leave you in the care of my sons as I have last minute preparations to make for the ball, and I am sure that Agapito will need to speak to his consort." He turned to Agapito and said, "By now Timon will have met with his sister and may need you." "Yes, Papa." Jocelyn's shoulders slumped and he watched as Eneco kissed Agapito's cheek and left without even a glance in his direction, ushering the young man ahead of him. He looked over to the desk and the three grim-faced men who stood impassively waiting for him. 131


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**** At the knock on the door, Leah reluctantly left her dressing table mirror and opened it. She stared with shock at the sight of Mrs Evans. "The Princess Ramira requests you visit with her, Lady Leah." "So you are here, too. I can't believe my brother would demean himself so far as to become a servant. It's that boy's doing. Can you imagine the humiliation if any of the important men from our city realise who he is? I don't know how I would live it down." The tirade continued until finally, to Leah's surprise, Mrs Evans whirled angrily to face her. "From the moment I knocked on your door, all your talk has been self, self, self. Not once have you asked if Timon is well or happy. You don't even care. All you are concerned about is how it will affect you." "How dare you speak to me in such a manner?" Leah retorted angrily. "I could have you dismissed from service here. Sir Jocelyn is a powerful man and people do his bidding." "Do not try and threaten me. Sir Jocelyn has no power or sway here. You and he make a good couple. You 132


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deserve each other. Through here." Following Mrs Evans, Leah was temporarily speechless. She vowed she would speak to Jocelyn and ensure some form of disciplinary action was taken. Then she wreathed her face into smiles of delight as she entered the princess' quarters. The reception room into which she walked was resplendent with opulent settees and low tables. Not even Jocelyn could afford the exquisite furniture and furnishing enjoyed by the princess. **** Aunt Beth stood aside as the princess came through from an inner room and Leah immediately began to prattle. As the princess caught her eye, Aunt Beth gave a small shrug. That Leah was talking about furnishing, dress, and other banalities did not surprise her in the least. "Lady Leah. I brought you here because I assumed you would be interested in your brother's well-being. I thought you would want to know how he is and of his happiness." The princess looked with sad eyes at the surprise in Leah's. She had been warned of the other woman's selfishness, but, as a sister herself, had been certain that Leah would be concerned for Timon. However, it seemed 133


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all the warnings from Agapito and Aunt Beth had proven correct. "I've given the little prince his walk and set him down. Are you really sure it's part and parcel of an uncle's duties?" Timon asked, smiling as he entered the room. "I have a surprise for you, Timon," Ramira said. Timon came unsuspectingly into the room to be caught in an affectionate hug by Princess Ramira. He was then directed so he could see his sister. While his face lit up at seeing Leah, his sibling's registered shock and irritation. "What did you think you were doing leaving like that? Have you any idea how embarrassing it was for me? Sir Jocelyn had to tell people you had gone abroad for convalescence following a sudden illness to explain your absence from my wedding. " "It was necessary, Leah. Agapito's safety came first, even over my own." "Agapito. I knew it was that boy's doing. He has you wrapped around his little finger. Why else would you want to be a servant?" "Servant? I'm not a servant." "Of course you are. The boy told Sir Jocelyn you were both in service here." "We are all in service to my father, King Eneco. From my eldest brother and heir to the throne to the lowest 134


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kitchen boy. In that respect, Timon, Agapito told no lie. However, as to your joy, we all thought you would like to tell your sister," Ramira said. The smile on Timon's face returned as his thoughts turned to Agapito. "Agapito is not a servant," Timon said. "He is King Eneco's youngest son. He said nothing while in our care. When I brought him home, his father forbade anyone to tell me until he and I had spent a couple of days together and he was sure of my feelings for his son. We married within a month. I am Prince Timon, Royal Consort to Prince Agapito. This ball is for King Eneco to celebrate his son's marriage, my marriage." "Prince? Prince Agapito?" "Leah, are you happy? You are welcome to come here at any time." "I don't need your charity, Timon. Not all of us can ensnare a prince. Sir Jocelyn is rich enough for me. Now I'm getting a migraine. I don't expect I'll be able to attend the ball at all." Movement in the doorway had everyone turn towards Agapito as he strode purposefully forward. Everything about him, his dress, his carriage, and his confidence now spoke clearly of his standing. There was no mistaking he was a prince. 135


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"You will not be missed, Leah," Agapito said. "If you cannot attend with joy in your heart for your brother then you need not bother." Aunt Beth hid her smile behind her hand as shock registered on Leah's face. The young man paid her no further consideration as he went directly into Timon's arms. The couple kissed lovingly. Her smile widened and softened at the happiness on both men's faces as Agapito turned in Timon's arms and rested against his husband's broad chest. Leah stared at the golden medallion on a thick chain that hung around Agapito's neck and lay against his chest. It seemed that the young man had noticed too, as he picked it up in his fingers and slid the other hand to his husband's chest to display another. "They are each half a heart, Leah. They symbolise the fact that only when Timon and I are together are we truly whole." "I want to go back to my room and lie down." "I'll take Lady Leah back," Aunt Beth said, stepping forward. Timon hugged Agapito. Princess Ramira knew it had been Timon's hope that his sister would be happy for them, but it truly seemed that the sister Timon had known and loved was gone forever. 136


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"I wish it had gone better for you, my brother." "It's no one's fault," Timon said smiling at Ramira. "I have been deceiving myself over Leah since the death of her mother, making excuse after excuse for her behaviour. But I am still her brother and if she needs me, I will be there." "You are a man of honour, a true and noble man, and I would expect nothing less," Agapito said. "Let us go to our quarters. We still have time to spend alone together before we become the focus of attention." Timon smiled at his lover. The sultry look in her brother's eyes told her that she would not see the two of them for some time. "Thank you, Ramira. We'll see you later," Timon said as he and his lover hurried from the princess' quarters. "Do not be late or we will send Ghiza to fetch you." Neither man responded to the princess' teasing words. **** In their quarters Timon's hand slid between Agapito's legs as he kissed his lover with all the love and passion he felt. He swallowed his lover's moans as he rubbed the silk against Agapito's growing length and then 137


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cupped the tender sac, letting the silk slide over heated, sensitive flesh. Deftly, he unfastened the sash about Agapito's waist and the ties to the pants, distantly hearing the slither of the silk as it slid to the floor. He slid an arm under his lover's arms and another under his knees and lifted him easily, carrying him to their bed. As Timon laid his lover down, Agapito's hands were busy at the ties of his own pants and gave a sound of triumph as they, too, slid to the floor. Timon shrugged his shirt off to a moan of appreciation from his mate. "And you tell me I am beautiful." "You are beautiful, my love," Timon said, spreading lithe legs wide and taking his place between them. "You are incredibly beautiful, Agapito," he said before dipping his head to claim Agapito's luscious mouth. Placing his hands on either side of Agapito's head, Timon locked eyes with his beloved, his heart soaring at the joy and love he saw. He placed soft kisses over the beautiful visage and then, using lips and tongue, he lightly brushed his lover's cheeks, the tip of his nose, and his closed eyelids. He travelled down to Agapito's neck, whispering words of love, before sucking the tender flesh into his mouth to leave his mark. Timon groaned softly when he felt Agapito's fingers trail up his arms, over his back, to gently cup each cheek. 138


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Shifting slightly, Timon manoeuvred himself until he was covering the slender body. He rubbed his groin against Agapito's and revelled in the sound and feel of his lover as Agapito moaned and arched up. Moving his head lower, Timon kissed down Agapito's neck and across his chest where he came to a now ringed nipple. Using his tongue, Timon lightly flicked the hardening nub, causing Agapito to cry out. He felt his lover's body tremble beneath him. Knowing how much his love enjoyed having his nipples played with, he took his time to pinch, lick and suck each one to increasing sounds of passion and arousal. On top of Agapito, he ground down, both of them gasping at the feeling of hot, hard flesh against hot, hard flesh. Timon used his tongue and hands to make love to Agapito, leaving no area of his delectable body untouched. Even though he knew every inch of his love, Timon always took the time to get to know it all over again. He loved the way Agapito responded to his touch, as if it were their first time together. Timon's hands and mouth were everywhere, stroking, kneading, kissing, licking, and nibbling as if he was unable to get enough of his husband. Moving lower still, he kissed and licked his way to the soft trail of hair leading to the treasure he sought. Timon's mouth hovered over Agapito's straining shaft. 139


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Blowing softly across the dripping flesh, he ran just the tip of

his

tongue

across

its

weeping

head,

lapping

appreciatively at the fluid collecting there. He held Agapito's hips firmly, pressing them down onto the bed, and slowly engulfed the hard flesh. Moving his mouth up and down rhythmically, he moved one hand to cradle Agapito's ball sac, rolling the soft flesh carefully. He relished each gasp and moan coming from his mate. Moving his hand he ran a finger down Agapito's cleft, brushing against his lover's opening repeatedly. Tenderly positioning Agapito onto his stomach, Timon lovingly stroked and kissed each smooth, taut cheek before spreading them apart to reveal the soft, pink flesh hidden within. Timon gently licked across the opening, eliciting a groan of pleasure from his mate. Timon heard Agapito cry out his name when the tip of the tormenting tongue finally began to thrust in and out of his lover's secret entrance. His mate's body was trembling at the delicious sensations. "Please, Timon. I'm ready." "Soon, beloved," Timon whispered in his lover's ear. "Soon." Timon trailed a single finger down between the spread cheeks and rubbed the opening. He kissed his lover's back, shoulders, and then lifted the long hair up and away 140


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to nuzzle the nape of Agapito's neck. With an oil-slick finger, he began to stroke lightly, then move away, press lightly, then withdraw. Again and again Timon dipped in and out, adding another finger slowly and steadily, stretching and oiling his lover's tight sheath until Agapito was frantic with the need to be filled with more than just fingers. He curled his fingers to search for the tight bundle of nerves he knew would make Agapito scream. At the desperate cry of his name, he knew his lover was ready. "Love you, Timon, so much. Please be inside me." "Love you, too," Timon responded, kissing Agapito on the shoulder. He urged Agapito onto his back, wanting to see his husband as they made love. Timon coated himself and aligned his shaft with Agapito's opening. Pushing his hips forward, he slowly entered his lover. Leaning down, he pressed his mouth to his husband's, thrusting his tongue into the hot, wet cavern in imitation of what was to come. Breaking apart and leaning up, Timon reached down, grasped Agapito's legs, moved them onto his shoulders, and pressed forward. As he slipped deeper inside, they both sighed. "I love the feeling of being in you. It's so intimate, so right," he groaned gazing down at the flushed face of his mate. "It's like coming home." "Feels like we're one being." 141


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"Yes, we are one," Timon agreed as he tenderly stroked Agapito's hair, kissing his lover's cheek. He smiled as Agapito slid his legs down to encircle Timon's waist and began to tilt his hips to encourage his lover to move. Thrusting shallowly at first, Timon quickly picked up the pace, increasing the rhythm until they were both panting and groaning. Their heated, sweat-sheened bodies slid sensually in the throes of their shared passion. Timon reached between them and gently pumped his lover's erection. After a few seconds he stilled his movements, allowing Agapito to thrust upwards into his hand then back again to impale himself on Timon's stiff rod. Although the sensations from staying this way were incredible, Timon soon found himself unable to remain unmoving and once again began to rock his hips in time with Agapito's movements. Knowing

they

were

both

fast

approaching

completion, Timon angled his thrusts to brush against Agapito's prostate, eliciting soft cries of pleasure from his lover. From their long, intimate talks, Timon knew that for Agapito the sensations of their love making always confirmed that Timon was truly his soul mate. It was as if they had each been made one for the other. Timon fitted as perfectly in Agapito's welcoming body as his lover's throbbing shaft fitted into his hand as he stroked and 142


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squeezed it with perfect pressure. He claimed Agapito's mouth once more, as thoroughly and willingly as his lover's body. A moan escaped from deep in Agapito's s throat as his hand continued to work his lover's aching flesh. There was a fire ablaze in his body and his heart was hotter still with an allconsuming love. Their bodies were in perfect harmony, giving and receiving pleasure that sent them soaring into the heights of bliss that only lovers could know. Nothing existed but Timon's hardness plunging deeper inside Agapito's welcoming depths with measured thrusts, his hand stroking hard flesh and the slick, agile muscle that twined so delightfully with his own. He did not want it to end, but he could feel his body insist on more. He was moving on instinct, higher reasoning burnt to ash by the fire of love and need blazing through his veins. He moved faster, pushed up and back harder, seeking their joint completion. Agapito pulling free from their kiss to cry his name told him as surely as his own body did that they were both so very close. He closed his eyes and thrust as deeply as possible as Agapito called Timon's name and spilled over Timon's hand. The waves of pleasure washing over him seemed unending. As Agapito erupted, he coated them both with his thick, pearly liquid. The tight passage pulsing around 143


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him and the sight of his lover, lost in rapture, were Timon's undoing. He followed Agapito into bliss. He gave three hard, deep, desperate thrusts and filled his lover with his seed. As his hips slowed into a slow, desultory slide Timon realised he was chanting: "Love you, love you, love you…" Timon did not release him immediately, nor pull out. Agapito sighed his approval. He knew Agapito relished the feel of Timon's sated weight and the flesh that still kept them joined as one. Timon saw the gentle smile as he stroked Agapito's chest, stomach and softened shaft, finally, gently cradling his lover's depleted sac. He was pulled down for a slow, loving kiss, their tongues lazily sliding together. "That was incredible, my love," Agapito said as he nuzzled Timon's throat and dropped light kisses on his lips. "It always is." Timon smiled, sliding his hands up and down Agapito's flanks in a slow, sensual caress, feeling the body in his arms start to relax. Reluctantly he eased from his lover and pulled Agapito into his arms, rolling their bodies so the smaller man could drape languorously over him. Timon's hands wandered over his lover's back and down to squeeze each cheek. "I am feeling selfish. I wish I did not have to share 144


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you with our guests." Timon smiled as he heard the pout, even though he could not see it. "Then perhaps we might slip away early and return to our quarters, and I can show you once again how much I love you," Timon whispered. He smiled as Agapito's head lifted, his lover's glowing face smiling brightly. "Yes, and I you." The vow was sealed with a kiss. **** The banquet King Eneco had furnished had been as lavish as he could make it, and the intricate ice carvings and other decorations had drawn as much admiration as the exquisitely prepared food. Now music from a small orchestra was playing quietly, waiting for his signal to formally begin music for the dance. Glancing around, he saw Agapito and Timon. He had received word from Ghiza that Sir Jocelyn and Lady Leah had made their apologies and requested transportation a day early to catch their ship back home. Although part of him was saddened that Timon's sister had proved true to the selfish nature described by his son and Aunt Beth, his heart 145


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was pleased and proud at the way his family had welcomed and cared for the young man. Eneco smiled as he watched Timon surrounded by Marcelino and Ruggerio, their wives, Destino and his fiancé, and Ramira and her husband. All were laughing and showing how much a part of their family he had become. In fact, although Timon did not know it, the next day there was to be a small family celebration of his and Agapito's union, one demanded by Marcelino's young children who were currently safely tucked up in bed. Standing, he waited for the hubbub to die away and smiled at his guests. "Today we celebrate the marriage of my youngest son, Prince Agapito, to his Royal Consort, Prince Timon. I would ask that the couple take to the floor for the first dance and that you all join me in a toast to long life and happiness to them both." He raised his glass as Agapito drew his husband to the centre of the dance floor. "To Prince Agapito and Prince Timon, health and happiness." Eneco's toast was echoed as Timon drew his husband into his arms and the orchestra began to play a gentle waltz. He grinned widely as the couple moved as one. It was a good portent for the future. Smiling at the 146


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blushing woman at his side, he took her hand and led her onto the floor to join his son and son-in-law. Now, with his youngest son married and his second youngest engaged, it was a good time to let the world see he, too, had begun courting. The sound of polite applause rippled around the room as they took to the floor. **** Lost in each other's arms, Timon and Agapito only had eyes for one another, the music they heard as much in their hearts as in their heads. As it died away, Timon pulled his husband close and kissed him, oblivious to the applause around them. He held all he would ever need in his arms, and no material wealth could ever compare to the precious love they shared. For Timon, it was Agapito's love that made him a prince and rich beyond his wildest dreams.

The End

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in the UK, Pelaam is now a resident of New Zealand with her partner. Pelaam is an Art Historian and an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction, but especially the "History Mystery" genre. Becomes the Rose was Pelaam's first published story. Pelaam has just won the 2009 Literotica Author Award in the category Best Gay Male Story for "Opposites Attract." A first-prize winning story, "A Call from the Heart," can also be found on www.literotica.com along with other Pelaam works.

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