"The curse? Are you saying the family curse that we're all a bunch of poufs?” he asked, astonished. His lips twitched, and his eyebrows rose.
Alan laughed softly. “Your father wasn't quite that blunt about it, but yes. It does seem to run in the family, as it were."
"Honestly? That's what the ghost is up in arms over?” he asked. He couldn't quite grasp it. “I'm sorry to be interrogating you, but no one has told me anything."
Alan nodded. “I never thought I would believe in such things, but I saw him.” He smirked. “Foul thing, doesn't like me, obviously. Methinks he doth protest too much."
"Good heavens! I suppose it's no wonder my father spent little time here.” He shook his head. “So how long were the two of you together?” he asked.
Alan looked wistful. “A long time. Since before you were born, actually.” He stared into the fire.
Percy frowned. He suddenly felt saddened that he had not known this man before. “You're practically like another parent, then.” He smiled. “I am glad you're here. I admit I was skeptical when my grandmother told me about you, but it all makes so much more sense now.” Perhaps he couldn't ever get to know his father in person, but he knew that his father would want him to support and comfort this man.
Alan smiled ruefully at him. “I would have liked to be a part of your life, Percy. I watched you grow up through your father's eyes. I feel as if I know you. He would have liked to be closer to you, but he didn't know how. Thought maybe it would be best to let your mother raise you. He never wanted your mother to be so sad, and he thought you would cheer her up, but of course that didn't work.” He sighed. “He thought maybe you wouldn't have to suffer as he did, but it seems it was all for naught. As I could tell, you are like us.” He sighed. “I do miss him so."
Percy leaned over and patted Alan's hand. “Thank you. I am. It's true. And what you've told me has helped a great deal. Unfortunately, my poor mother was perhaps not quite up to the task, but I was not abused and I had everything I could want."
Alan looked up at him, smiling. “You are quite like him, actually. Do you have someone special? Have you managed to find some happiness?"
Percy looked down, thinking of Alastair, and sighed. “Yes. I do. He's a little cynical. I'm working on that, though.” Having someone to speak to about such things made him feel surprisingly lighter. “He's very stern and...” He smiled as he thought of how gentle his lover was just before he left. “You have to catch him out to see his tender side,” he added with a smirk.
"I'm so glad you have someone,” Alan nodded. “It can be so difficult. But we cannot help our nature.” He sipped at his brandy. “All I can tell you is to take happiness where you can, for there is little to be found. I miss your father so much.... “He looked away, clearly getting his emotions under control.
Percy could see that it was time to refill the other man's glass. He poured some brandy into his snifter. “Do you live locally? Or in London?” he asked, hoping to help him get control of himself.
"I have a house in the country, and a flat in London,” Alan replied. “A bit of money, though nothing like this.” He waved to indicate the house. He stared into the glass.
"I'm hoping to spend at least part of the summer in London. I hope you'll come visit. I can perhaps introduce you to my reluctant suitor,” he said, smiling.
"I'd like that,” nodded Alan. “I think it will be difficult, at least for a while. Company would be welcome."
Percy took a sip of his own brandy. “I wish I'd been closer to him,” he said quietly, lost in thought for a moment. He couldn't imagine what it would be like if something happened to Alastair. He hoped he could convince his lover that they could have a life together.
"He loved you, Percy. Never doubt that,” Alan said firmly. “He just didn't know how to show it."
They talked about Percy's father until late into the night. Percy could see that Alan wanted to reminisce, especially with the more brandy he consumed, and he was happy to listen. By the time he headed off to bed, he couldn't stop thinking about Alastair. He hoped to leave right after the funeral the next day, so there was no point in writing. He would arrive before a letter did.
* * * *
The funeral was grim. Attendance was sparse in the small, tightly-knit village where the Earl of Elgin had rarely socialized. The vicar, Alan, a few local couples, and the current Earl of Elgin, Percy. The weather did not disappoint. It was gray and rainy, as suited the occasion. And as soon as the casket was covered in the small churchyard, Percy ordered a carriage to bring him back to school. He had an excuse: end of term, must get back. Wouldn't want to waste the entire year, after all.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Twenty
Three long days later, he arrived at school. The ride exhausted him. He arrived back on a Saturday, so he went straight to Alastair's quarters and tapped on the door.
The door opened and Alastair stood there, looking disheveled. He had a drink in his hand and his eyes looked wild.
"I ... I'm sorry. Should I not have come?” Percy asked quietly.
Alastair made a small strangled sound, and with one glance to make sure no one was about, he grabbed Percy by the arm and dragged him inside. Without a word, he pushed him up against the closed door and kissed him desperately.
Percy whimpered as he was pressed up against the hard door. He held onto Alastair's arms, kissing back. He felt such a surge of emotion both for and from Alastair, it nearly overwhelmed him.
Finally Alastair pulled back, panting. He stared into Percy's eyes and growled, “I thought I'd never see you again."
Percy was panting when they finally parted. He licked his lips. “Why would you not see me again?” he asked.
Alastair shook his head. His words were just slightly slurred, showing he was well and truly inebriated. “I thought you might be forced to take up your title immediately and abandon your studies. I thought...” He broke off and kissed him again, hard.
Percy whimpered again. He could taste the whiskey in Alastair's mouth. He slid his arms around his neck. He realized that Alastair had been drinking because he was upset at the thought of Percy not returning. It made him feel warm inside.
Alastair stopped kissing Percy and spoke hoarsely. “I missed you,” he whispered, searching the younger man's face. “I do not know what I would have done had you not come back...” His eyes were still slightly wild.
Percy touched Alastair's face, holding it gently between his hands. “I would have come back to you, regardless of what happened. I would not have disappeared. I shall always come back, as long as you want me,” he said quietly.
"I will always want you,” Alastair breathed. He pressed against Percy, but not insistently. “Can you stay? Please?"
"Yes, of course,” he said. He felt bone-tired, worn out from the experience and the journey, but he would do anything for Alastair.
"We can just sleep,” Alastair offered softly.
Percy smiled self-deprecatingly. “I must look quite the wreck,” he said with a sleepy laugh. “Perhaps I'll be more myself after a little rest in a proper bed."
"You look edible,” Alastair replied, smiling.
"Oh yes. After three days on horseback, two days of hard drinking, and three more days in a carriage, I'm sure I'm gorgeous,” he joked, pushing at Alastair's shoulder playfully. “I need to be horizontal."
"Would you care for a bath?” Alastair asked solicitously.
Percy was so overtired he actually giggled. “Oh yes. I'm sure I'm quite fragrant, as well. You'll need to ensure that I don't drown in it, though."
"I shall endeavor to keep a close watch on that body,” Alastair said with a purr, drawing him toward the bathroom.
When the bath was prepared, Percy stripped sleepily. He had long since lost any shyness about being naked in front of Alastair. He stepped into the warm water and sunk down with a low, sensual moan. He stretched his shoulders and neck. “Perhaps you ought to join me,�
� he said.
Alastair smirked. “I think I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off you, and it wouldn't be very restful for you."
Percy's eyes drifted closed and he smiled. “I shall be imagining your hands all over my skin anyway,” he purred. Just thinking about it was starting to make him hard. He drew a shaky breath and exhaled slowly.
Alastair watched, eyes drifting down to Percy's cock. “I shouldn't want to tire you further,” he said, but his tone belied his words.
Percy hummed quietly. “How considerate of you,” he said, voice low and soft. His lips twitched. He knew very well that Alastair wanted him.
Alastair began to unbutton his shirt the rest of the way. “I am nothing if not considerate."
Percy chuckled, his eyes still closed. “Mmyess. You are such a kind lover. You are always petting me with pretty words and showering me with gifts,” he teased. He knew that Alastair wasn't that sort of man. He loved him precisely the way he was, because when Alastair did say something deliciously romantic or needy, it meant so much more.
Alastair removed his trousers, and he was fully aroused. “Sarcasm does not befit a man of your station, my lord,” he drawled as he joined him in the large tub.
Percy scooted down to the foot of the tub to make room for him. He waited until Alastair settled in, then leaned back against his chest, resting his head back on Alastair's broad shoulder. “Now this is relaxing,” he murmured.
"For some of us, perhaps,” Alastair responded, his cock pressing into Percy's back.
Percy laughed lightly and took hold of Alastair's hands, drawing them around his own body. He wriggled back, deliberately rubbing against the hardness beneath him. “I can think of nowhere that I would rather be at the moment, save perhaps your bed. But there's no particular rush, is there?"
"No rush at all,” Alastair said, his voice low as he caressed Percy all over.
Alastair's touch only aroused him more, and he arched his back slightly. He reached up behind his head, sliding his hands back around Alastair's shoulders. He turned his head and kissed the other man's jaw lightly. “How could you think I would not return to you?” he whispered.
Alastair just moaned softly. “Sometimes things are not so simple as what we want,” he said, wrapping a hand around Percy's cock and stroking slowly.
Percy shivered, his breathing coming slightly faster. “I would have found a way, regardless.” Perhaps he was still very young, but Percy knew what lay at his feet now that he was an earl. He knew what he could and couldn't do, and this was something he intended to have. This love and lust and comfort. No matter how hard he had to work, he intended to have this in his life.
"Good,” purred Alastair, kissing Percy's neck as he stroked him. “Or I might have had to come find you."
The idea of Alastair coming to find him made Percy moan aloud. He could just see him galloping up to the castle on a great steed, midnight black cloak swirling about him in some tempestuous weather, like an avenging angel. He smiled at the fantasy. His hips lifted slightly as he strained for more of Alastair's touch. “Mm, I think the water is starting to go cold. We should get out.” He sat up just enough to partially turn toward him. He took Alastair's face in both hands and kissed him deeply.
The older man kissed back, savaging Percy's mouth, his hands still possessing his body intimately.
Percy gasped as they kissed. Alastair's passion always startled him as much as it fueled his desire. He felt the other man's desperation to possess him so completely, and it made him pull away. “Please,” he croaked. “I need you inside me. I'm so hard for you, Alastair."
Alastair groaned, panting himself. “Don't know if I can wait until we're out.” His strong arms tightened around the smaller man, showing his strength.
Percy shivered, overwhelmed by the feeling of being completely controlled. He licked his lips. “Can you, is it possible to ... underwater?” he asked, feeling light-headed.
"It is,” Alastair nodded. “But...” He stood, lifting Percy and carrying him out of the bathroom. “I want to be able to move freely,” he finished as he dumped him on the bed.
Percy bounced on the mattress, and centered himself. He looked at Alastair astonished. No one had ever lifted him bodily like that since he'd been a child. It was extremely appealing.
Alastair smirked, then he was on him, pinning him to the bed. “You like it when I'm rough with you, don't you?” he growled.
Percy nodded. “You're so manly,” he said breathlessly. “So strong, and big.” He didn't know what it was about being tossed about like this, held down, made helpless. It did something to him. He craved it so.
"I can do anything I want to you,” Alastair agreed. “Use your body as I want. However I want.” He nudged Percy's legs apart.
Percy sucked in a breath. “I belong to you completely,” he whispered. It was true. He would do anything that Alastair asked. “I love the way you touch me.” He kept getting closer and closer to saying it. He wanted to, but he didn't want to push him away.
"Touching you and fucking you, at any time I want,” Alastair agreed. “Your body is mine. You're mine.” Alastair oiled his cock and pushed Percy's legs apart as far as they would go.
Percy nodded his agreement, straining to remain as open to Alastair as he could be. His chest rose and fell quickly. He needed this, especially after the week he'd had. This carnal mating, snatching life from the jaws of death. He stared into Alastair's eyes and in his heart he told him what he couldn't say aloud.
Almost brutally, Alastair thrust inside Percy, burying himself in one deep movement. “Mine,” Alastair repeated, gazing into the younger man's eyes, breathing hard already.
Percy cried out, pinned to the bed, unable to do anything but take it. He tried desperately to calm himself enough that he wouldn't come instantly. His emotions were raw, right on the surface, and he felt transformed by the joining, as if their two bodies were truly becoming one.
As if Alastair knew exactly what Percy needed, he fucked him hard and fast. He never took his eyes from Percy's as he claimed his body. As Percy stared deep into the eyes of his lover, he realized that Alastair almost always preferred it this way, face to face. It seemed the closer they got, the more intimacy the other man craved, despite his reluctance to indulge in romantic notions. Percy was jostled on the bed with each deep, pounding movement, and in short order he was on edge. “Alastair, please?” he whispered hoarsely.
Alastair groaned, one hand in Percy's hair, eyes almost wild. “Let go, my Percy. Let me hear you. Touch yourself,” he commanded. His breathing and his thrusts speeded up.
Percy's hand slid between their bodies and he started to stroke his aching cock. He choked out a deep moan before drawing a breath and crying out again as he came hard. He could feel a strange tingling numbness in his mind and the edges of his field of vision blurred as he pulsed over his fingers. His body bucked up to meet Alastair's in jerky, uncontrolled movements. With a deep growl, Alastair surrendered to his own release even as Percy was still crying out. He finally stilled within the smaller man, breathing hard.
Percy stretched his arms above his head, still breathing raggedly. Sanity returned slowly. “Does it feel any different?” he whispered, “to fuck an Earl?” It was something that had crossed his mind a few times over the last days. Not that fucking would feel different, but whether or not he was different, or seemed different. He felt older, but not particularly wiser.
Alastair chuckled as he collapsed on the bed beside Percy. “Not particularly, but perhaps we should do it a few hundred more times to be sure.” His mouth quirked in a smile at Percy.
Percy smiled. It was delightful to hear such a sound come from Alastair. He rolled towards him, pressing up to his side. “Not all tonight, I hope,” he teased.
Alastair raised an eyebrow. “Well, perhaps not all. But we could get a good start. We have much time to make up for, after all."
Percy smiled and slid his arm around Alastair's middle. “Mm, a whol
e week apart. It was torture for that reason alone, never mind the whole funeral business and all the general weeping and moping about.” He sighed contentedly. The world made better sense when he was in Alastair's bed.
"I'm sorry that you had that thrust upon you so early,” Alastair said softly. He hesitated, then went on. “Will you be able to finish your studies here?"
Percy hadn't meant to turn the lighthearted conversation so serious again so quickly, but he supposed it was important to discuss it. “Yes. My father wasn't particularly hands-on at home. Nor did he participate in politics much. I should like to learn more about such things, but they can wait for a while."
Alastair's expression lightened and he looked relieved. “That's good then,” he replied, caressing Percy lightly. “Were you close to your father?"
"No.” He wasn't sure what exactly to add to that. He wasn't sure how much Alastair would care to know. “I don't think he considered himself really fit for being involved with children. He was gone from home often enough that he didn't really notice that my mother wasn't really much, either.” He thought it sounded pathetic when he said it like that. “Poor, poor pitiful me, hm? Never mind. I didn't mean to complain."
Alastair nodded as if he wasn't surprised. “It's not complaining. You can say whatever you wish to tell me.” He still stroked him gently.
"I know they both meant well, but I was on my own, mostly. Not that I was ever lacking for anything I might need, of course.” Percy had an understanding of the world, especially since coming to school. He knew he was one of the haves as opposed to the have nots. “Anyway, my point was that, no, I barely knew my father. I found out more about him from Alan in two days than I'd discovered on my own in eighteen years."
"Alan?” Alastair asked curiously, watching Percy's face closely. The fire was dying down and the flickering light cast unsteady shadows over the room.
"My father's lover,” he explained. “He's the one who explained the curse to me, since no one else had thought it important that I know."
Once in a Lifetime Page 13
