The Lord's Tale

The Tale Part Three of The Fitzwarren Inheritance A Trilogy from a Trio

Sue Brown

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 Editor: Devin Govaere The Lord's Tale © 2011 Sue Brown ISBN # 9781920501099 Attention Readers: This book uses UK English. Thank you. 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.

PUBLISHER http://www.silverpublishing.info

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.silverpublishing.info

Dedication

To my fellow authors, RJ Scott and Chris Quinton, who created this wonderful world and didn't wince too much whilst I played with their boys.

Trademarks Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: 6X: Wadworth & Co. LTD Diet Coke: The Coca-Cola Company Harlequins: Harlequins Rugby League Limited Range Rover: Land Rover Twinings: Associated British Foods University of Bristol: Bristol, England

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

From a book written in 1899 —The History of Steeple Westford by the Rev. Horace Simpkins— So in the autumn of the year 1644, Jonathan Curtess cursed Belvedere Fitzwarren, saying, "I curse you and your children's children, that you shall all live out your allotted years, and that those years shall be filled with grief and loss and betrayal, even as you have betrayed and bereaved me."

7

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Chapter 1 Phil could hear the rain beating down on the church roof as he waited for the bride to arrive. Inside the small church, the atmosphere was slightly damp and clammy as guests found somewhere to store their sopping umbrellas and attempted to brush raindrops off their finery. It was typical of the Fitzwarren luck that after weeks of fine weather there was torrential rain on his sister's wedding day. He looked over at Will, the groom, standing alone in the front row. Psycho soldier hadn't bothered to make an appearance as his best man then. Despite the way Phil's friend Sean and Will stood up for the man, there was something about Daniel that Phil didn't like. He was unpredictable, and the fact he was tied in with this curse just made him even more dangerous in Phil's opinion, especially walking around with a knife tucked under his clothing. Why the hell Sean was bumping uglies with the man, Phil had no idea. The groom looked kind of down though. Daniel was Will's best friend, and it was natural he would want Daniel beside him on his special day. His thoughts turned to his young nephew, fighting for his life in hospital. Each day was a roller-coaster ride 8

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

for the premature baby, but the young heir to the Fitzwarrens clung on tenaciously. His mum, still recovering from her head injury and the shock of the premature birth, sat by his incubator. Charlie and Carol had both insisted that the wedding go ahead as planned, and Charlie was there, doing his best to wear a smile for his sister's wedding. The doors to the church opened, and everyone turned to catch their first glimpse of the bride, only to discover Daniel limping down the aisle. Phil sighed as he saw the matching grins of Will and Sean. Who was he to argue with his best friend and his future brother-in-law? He'd be keeping an eye on that knife, though. The doors opened again, and his sister was there, looking stunning in her wedding dress of ivory and crimson, the silk skirt pooling gracefully to the stone floor of the church. She paused in the doorway as her bridesmaids arranged themselves behind her. Somehow she had escaped looking like a drowned rat; her hair was swept up into chignon and the crimson roses in her hair matched the ones in her bouquet, the blooms from a corner of the castle grounds. As Diana reached the altar, Will smiled down at her and took her hand. The love on their faces took Phil's breath away, and he was swept with a wave of happiness 9

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

and envy for his big sister. As the elderly vicar conducted the service, the noise of the rain thrumming down on the roof abated, and soon the wedding party emerged from the church to blink as the late afternoon sunshine bathed the church grounds. **** Phil held two pints up high as he negotiated the crowd in the bar of the Red Lion. He handed one over to his brother, Charlie, who took the full glass gratefully. "God, I'm glad that's over," Charlie said, wiping his top lip. "Hell yes," Phil agreed, loosening his tie. "Do you think we can get out of this get-up now?" He waved vaguely at their suits. "Probably not," Charlie told him. "Is Di out of her meringue yet?" Phil peered around the bar to where the bride and groom were sitting, Di's feet in Will's lap. "Not yet, but her shoes are off. Isn't that enough?" Charlie just gave him a look, and Phil sighed. There wasn't a hope in hell Diana would agree to them losing the monkey suits. The couple hadn't had enough money for a formal "do", but she was going to make the men suffer as 10

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

long as she could. He smiled as he thought of his tomboy sister, dressed like a lady for the whole day. "Anyway, I promised Carol I'd come in the suit," Charlie said, pulling a face. "She wanted to feel part of the proceedings even if she couldn't be here." "You'd better stop knocking that back then," Phil said, indicating the pint of beer that Charlie was already half-way through. Charlie held up his glass, regarding the dark amber liquid mournfully. "Doesn't seem right somehow. I can't remember the last time I stayed sober at a wedding." He paused for a minute. "I can't remember the last time I went to a wedding." "Yours probably. Just be thankful you don't have to make a speech, big brother." Phil grinned at the shudder that ran though his painfully shy older brother at the thought of trying to speak in public, even in front of friends and family. There really wasn't anyone here that he didn't know. Di, like her brothers, tended to socialise in the village. "I told Di that if she wanted speeches she could make you do it. She said if there was anything to say, she could say it herself." Phil laughed, the laughter tailing off as he caught sight of Daniel and Sean vanishing into the snug with that 11

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

psychic and his boyfriend. There was something going on there. Those four were getting very cosy all of a sudden. Charlie followed his gaze. "I wonder what that's all about," his brother mused. "I have no idea. Don't you think since Mark came on the scene our little curse has got a lot more crowded?" Phil asked, aware he sounded waspish. Waving at the barman for another round, Charlie looked at him. "Another?" At Phil's nod, he held up two fingers and then said, "What do you mean?" Phil waited until they both had drinks before he carried on. "Well, one minute it's just the Fitzwarrens' curse, and the three of us knowing everything is going to go tits up, and the next some stranger waltzes in claiming to be a psychic and a descendent of Curtesses, saying he's broken the first part of the curse. Then Psycho gets pally with Sean, and the next thing we know another bit of the story is slotting into place." There was such a long pause before Charlie answered that Phil looked up. "What bothers you most? Mark's revelations or Sean and Daniel hooking up?" "You think I'm jealous?" Phil asked incredulously. "You're not? Just a little? Sean has been your best friend for years, and now that he's hooked up with Daniel, he hasn't been around as much." 12

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Damn, his brother was too shrewd. It wasn't that he didn't want his friend to be happy. He loved Sean and wanted nothing more than for him to be happy and settled, but now he was and that meant Phil was the only one on his own. And it wasn't that he particularly wanted to be shackled to anyone. It was just that now he was the only one who wasn't. It was so damn typical that the curse acted as a gay dating agency for everyone except a Fitzwarren. Phil looked up to see his brother still watching him. "I'm happy for him, but it's not for me," he lied. "I'll leave married life to you and the squirt." The "squirt", his sister, came around the corner of the bar just in time to hear his words. She cuffed Phil over the head for name-calling and then hugged him tightly. Caught up in a whirlwind embrace of silk and lace, Phil looked over her head to his brother for help, only to see a look of love and pity in Charlie's eyes that would have set his teeth on edge any other day. It was a truth that couldn't be avoided. Phil was feeling a little lonely, and it only got worse when the disco arrived. The DJ was Betty's son, Jamie, with some ancient equipment he'd found in his uncle's shed. It didn't matter though. He played what everyone requested, and as the evening went on, tables and chairs were cleared away in the main saloon to let people dance. 13

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

During a slow number, Diana and Will were in the middle of the dance floor, her head against his chest. Couples slowly joined them. Phil could see Mark and Jack itching to dance but not daring in case it upset some of the locals. Charlie had slipped away to be with his wife and son, leaving Phil alone to prop up the bar. He watched the oh-so-subtle touching and glances of the two gay couples and grinned. Walking up to the newlyweds, he tapped on Will's shoulder. "May I?" he asked, holding out his arms. Confused and maybe a little pissed off, Will nodded, but instead of leading his sister into a dance, Phil took Will into his arms and led him into an exaggerated waltz. Diana was left gaping after them for a minute, then she burst out laughing and pulled one of the bridesmaids up for a dance. In a moment, the floor was filled with samesex couples dancing, as well as husbands and wives. Phil looked over Will's shoulder to see Mark and Jack in a loose embrace on the floor. To Phil's surprise, Daniel was pulling Sean to his feet and leading him onto the dance floor. As Will and Phil passed them, Sean mouthed a thank you to Phil. He smiled back. Lonely he might be, but he could still spread a little fun for his friends.

14

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Chapter 2 It was still on his mind when he went to his normal Tuesday night date with the climbing wall. Phil loved extreme sports, but with the Fitzwarren luck, he might as well have thrown himself out of an aeroplane with no parachute. The climbing wall, with its rules and safety guidelines, was his compromise and a way for him to channel his anger and frustration. Being able to stare legitimately at men's arses was always an added bonus in Phil's book. This Tuesday, however, Brad Pitt could have climbed in front of him in hot pants and Phil wouldn't have noticed. Which was why he was two-thirds of the way up the wall and stuck. Phil shouldn't have been stuck, having climbed this wall for months, but normally he was focusing on where to move. Now Phil was splayed against the wall, unsure of which limb to move next. Fortunately, or unfortunately, there was no one near him to be delayed by his mistake. He didn't need to panic. A few deep breaths to get some oxygen to the brain and he could get going again. "Having problems?" Phil looked up to see one of the staff next to him, giving him an appraising once-over. 15

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"No. Yes. Not really." The young man grinned. He had a nice smile, Phil was quick to notice. "Which is it? Taking a breather or momentary lapse?" "The latter," Phil admitted reluctantly. "I was too busy thinking of other things." "Not really a good idea when you're twenty feet up," the man chided gently, and Phil flushed guiltily. "Hmmm, shift your weight onto your left leg and reach out with your right arm." Obediently, Phil did as he was told and found that he was able to shift upwards a fraction, the rhythm back in sway. "That's it. Thank you." "Great. See you at the bottom. I'm Lee by the way." Another blinding grin and Lee was away down to the bottom before Phil could say any more. Phil set off for the top, his mind just as distracted as before, but this time he was thinking of bright green eyes atop a gorgeous grin. As he reached the bottom, there was a strong arm reaching out to support him, and there was leaning, definite leaning, as Phil got his breath back. "Thank you for your help," Phil said eventually when Lee didn't seem in any rush to step back. The brief flash of disappointment across Lee's face didn't escape his notice. 16

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"All part of the job," Lee said, moving away to give Phil some space. "Are you going up again?" Shaking his head, Phil started to unbuckle his harness. "I'm not focused enough. I need some caffeine to drive home and then an early night." "Here let me give you a hand." Phil found himself standing like a child while Lee removed his harness, feeling each brush of Lee's fingers burning through his T-shirt. "I've not had this service before," Phil quipped, rather self-conscious of the intimate attention. "I save it for the hot ones. Only the hot ones!" Lee smirked, his gaze firm and direct on Phil as he did so. Phil kept telling himself his legs were wobbly because of the exercise. Aware they were still just looking at each other, Phil was about to ask Lee if he'd like to go out on a date— he never believed in passing up opportunities to get laid— when Lee spoke. "My shift ends in fifteen minutes. Could I interest you in a coffee with me?" Hell yes. "Sure. I need to get showered anyway," There was no mistaking the flash of lust in Lee's eyes at those words. "I'm Phil. See you out front?" Phil fidgeted, praying it wasn't obvious just how interested he really was. 17

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

It was coffee. That was all. Coffee. "I'll be waiting… Phil." Lee's voice was husky, and Phil really needed that shower—cold preferably. He walked towards the men's changing rooms, aware of eyes on him all the way. Lee was true to his word, and when Phil left the changing rooms, he was in the reception area waiting for him, a hoodie over his white uniform polo shirt. He was talking to a couple of young girls, teenagers judging by the scraped-back hair and thick make-up, and they were giggling as Phil walked up to him. The look of relief on Lee's face when he saw Phil nearly made him laugh out loud. "Are you ready?" Phil asked, giving the girls a polite smile. "All set," Lee agreed and draped an arm around Phil's shoulders. "Excuse me, ladies, my boyfriend and I have a date. See you later." Phil should have told him to get lost instead of snuggling in closer and dropping a kiss on his cheek. Eyes widening slightly, Lee looked at Phil, and for a moment, Phil thought Lee was going to kiss him, properly, but obviously he decided this wasn't the place and just waved at the girls. Focused on Lee, Phil hadn't been paying attention to 18

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

the looks on the girls' faces. They were looking at each other like all their Christmases had come at once. "You didn't tell us you were gay," one of them squealed. The other one rolled her eyes. "That's so hot." Phil blushed, his colour deepening when he caught Lee's smug smirk out of the corner of his eye. Before he could say anything, the younger man slid his arm around Phil's shoulders. "You're right, he's totally gorgeous." Phil couldn't suppress a shiver at the feel of Lee pressed up against his side, and he knew it hadn't gone unnoticed by Lee, because he tightened his arm around Phil, saying, "Glad you approve of my choice. Bye." Guiding Phil away before they could respond, Lee headed towards the exit. "If we stay near here, they'll probably join us. There's a pub down the road, the Frog and Nightgown? Do you mind if we go there? We can probably still get a coffee." His arm was still around Phil, despite the fact they were away from the teenagers. "I was worried they were going to want to join us," Phil muttered as they walked down the steps to the car park. "Do you know the girls?" "They come in with the school. They're about fifteen." Shocked, Phil looked up at Lee. Fifteen? From the 19

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

way they were dressed and the amount of makeup, he would have put them at eighteen at least. Suddenly Phil felt very old and said as much. "Nonsense, you're what? Twenty-five?" "Twenty-eight," Phil said. "And you're… twentyone?" "Twenty-two," Lee said, cheerfully. Six years. It could have been worse, but still, it was a larger gap than Phil liked. "So, shall we have that drink? I haven't got my car today because it's in the garage, but if you don't mind giving me a lift to the train station afterwards…" Lee trailed off hopefully. Phil nodded. "Sure. Where do you live?" "Eastbridge. On the new housing estate. I live with my parents." Now Phil felt even older, even though he still lived in the family home. "I can drive you all the way home if you want," Phil offered. "I live in Steeple Westford." This was escalating quicker than he had expected. One minute it was a cup of coffee. Now it was hugs, kisses, drinks and a lift home. He put the brakes on where making out was concerned. Phil had no objection to hooking up, but with a man, not a kid. "Cool," Lee agreed and took his arm away. To 20

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Phil's amazement, he slipped his fingers into Phil's and waited for Phil to lead him to his Range Rover. Phil was getting the distinct impression that Lee didn't let anyone lead him very often. He could foresee trouble ahead, because Phil was a toppy bastard, and definitely no one's bottom. It was chilly outside, and after being in the shower and then walking out into the cool air, Phil was cold. He was pleased to get into the 4x4 and put the heating on. Lee didn't seem fazed about getting into a battered, old vehicle. "Where am I going?" he asked. "Left out of the car park and take the next right," Lee instructed, settling back against the passenger seat. There was little traffic so late in the evening, and within a couple of minutes, Phil was pulling into the halffull car park of the Frog and Nightgown. Phil hadn't been here before. He usually drank at the Red Lion in Steeple Westford. As they walked into the pub, Lee was greeted by a couple of men. It only took Phil a couple of seconds to realise Lee had brought him to a gay pub. The lack of male/female couples was one giveaway. That, and the snog Lee was receiving from a bloke in the tightest jeans Phil had seen outside a night club. Lee cast him an apologetic look as he disentangled 21

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

himself and wiped his mouth. "Too much tongue, Chas, I've told you that before. Sorry, Phil, sometimes my friends can be a bit over enthusiastic." "You love it," protested the other man and grinned at Phil. "Not a problem," Phil reassured them both, shaking Chas's hand. He introduced himself because, as he put it, Lee couldn't be bothered to remember his own name most of the time. "What do you want to drink, Phil?" "6X please," Phil said, sitting on one of the bar stools. Lee paid for two pints and nodded over to a free table in the far corner of the pub. Phil followed him, and they sat down, pushing empty glasses to one side to make room. "Is this your local?" Phil asked as he looked around. It wasn't a tourists' pub. The seats were ripped and whole place had a shabby air, but the atmosphere was okay and no one seemed to be paying any attention to them now that Chas had wandered off in search of new prey. "Hardly," Lee snorted. "But it's close to work, and I can bring my boyfriends here without upsetting the locals." "I didn't even know this place existed, and I've been coming to the leisure centre for years." 22

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Lee grinned at him. He had a really nice smile. "It's not a queer pub but John and James who run the place—" He waved a hand over to where the two barmen were chatting to a couple of men. "—made it clear that gays were welcome. My ex brought me here about five years ago. Where do you drink?" "The Red Lion in Steeple Westford. It has decent beer, and I don't get bothered too much. I've got a few mates there, but we're not involved." He received a speculative look from Lee. "No boyfriend then?" "Not until this evening when I acquired one I didn't know I had," Phil told him. "Sorry about that," Lee said, although he didn't look that apologetic. "It was just a quick way to get rid of the girls. They can be a bit persistent." He pulled a face. "You shouldn't be so good looking," Phil teased. "But I don't mind. It's not like I'm in the closet or anything." "Nor me. Another?" Lee held up his empty glass. Shaking his head, Phil said, "Not for me as I've got to drive. I could really do with that coffee you promised." "Coming right up. James makes a decent cup of coffee. John's tastes like industrial cleaner." Phil watched as Lee made his way to the bar, 23

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

admiring his neat arse and long legs as he leaned over to talk to James, presumably. Lee was shorter than Phil, so just a shade under six feet, but he was all lean muscle and tanned skin. Maybe he went rock climbing outdoors rather than just the indoor wall. Combined with almost black hair and eyes the colour of the sea, it was a heady combination. As if aware of Phil's scrutiny, Lee looked over his shoulder. Phil didn't look away, letting Lee know exactly what he was thinking with his frank admiring gaze. He was pleased to see Lee was just as frank, not breaking their eye contact until James spoke to him. Almost reluctantly, Lee looked away. A mug of coffee in one hand and another pint in the other, Lee came back to the table. The caffeine was exactly what Phil needed, and he let out a grunt of contentment. Lee grinned at him. "Are you always so easily satisfied?" Scowling at him over the rim of the mug, Phil said, "Coffee, yes. Anything else, it depends." "I see the same look on your face when you've had a successful climb," Lee commented, not meeting his eyes. "You've seen me before?" Phil was surprised. He couldn't remember seeing Lee there, and he was sure he would have noticed. Nodding, Lee said, "Every week for the past four 24

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

months. I know you haven't seen me. You always seem so preoccupied." Phil sighed. "Yeah, well, it's been a difficult few months. I wish I'd known you were watching me though," he said honestly. It must have been bad for him not to notice a hottie like Lee. "Want to talk about it?" Lee sat back in his chair, obviously settling back for Phil's tale of woe. Phil exhaled sharply. "I seem to have done nothing but talk about it recently." "Start by telling me name, rank, and serial number," Lee suggested. "Phil Fitzwarren." He didn't go any further as Lee's eyes widened. "Fitzwarren. From Steeple Westford? Jesus Christ, you're one of them?" "You've heard of us then?" Phil said dryly. "Who hasn't? I heard one of you ended up in hospital recently. Your sister, wasn't it?" "My sister-in-law," Phil corrected. "Carol. She fell and went into labour prematurely." Lee winced. "I'm sorry. Is she all right… and the baby?" "Carol's doing well. The baby—it's a little boy, Edward—he's hanging on. The boy's a fighter." Phil found 25

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

himself repeating the words well-meaning villagers spouted at him every day. He didn't realise he'd stopped until Lee spoke again. "And it must be your sister that got married recently?" Phil nodded. He took a sip of coffee before continuing. "Diana. She married a local lad, Will, last Saturday." Picking up his pint, Lee took a long swallow before asking, "So what's been going on in here?" He leant forward and tapped Phil's forehead. "Aside from worrying about an estate crippled by debt, a nephew fighting for his life and an ancient curse trying to kill us all off?" "Well, if you put it like that…" Lee grinned. It faded when Phil didn't smile back. Phil scrubbed a hand through his light brown hair. It was still damp from his shower and probably sticking up all over the place. "Recently the curse… Well, it was always just us, the Fitzes, the Cursed, waiting for it to strike. My parents and then my brothers, now Carol's miscarriages and their baby in NICU…" He trailed off, lost in the pain of the family, only to be brought back to the present by a burst of laughter from the bar. "Now there's a psychic claiming to be a descendent of our enemy, and a mad soldier muscling 26

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

in as well. It's all getting a bit…" He paused, struggling to think of a word that didn't start with an expletive. "Crowded?" Lee supplied. "Exactly what I said," Phil agreed. "And out of your control?" "Damn right," Phil said, emphatically. "And you wish everyone would just bog off and leave you and your family to sink peacefully?" "Yes…you're teasing me, aren't you?" Phil saw the smirk on Lee's face. "Just a bit," Lee agreed, patting Phil's hand to let him know it wasn't malicious. Phil groaned and banged his forehead against the tabletop. It was sticky, and he really didn't want to stay there in case he got stuck. "You sound just like my brother. He thinks I'm being an idiot as well." Leaning over the table, Lee dropped a light kiss on his lips. "Not an idiot. Just a bit overwhelmed with everything going on. What you need is a night out with lots of dancing, and—" His voice dropped. "—you need to take me back to your place so that I can fuck you senseless." Lee sat back in his chair. "That's my suggestion. What do you think?" This was unfair. Phil was being out-topped by a kid, and he really liked that idea. At least his dick did. His mind 27

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

may have been protesting, but his dick certainly wasn't. Opening his mouth to respond, Lee, the sneaky bastard, took the opportunity to kiss him again. A warm, beertasting press of lips and tongue that left Phil speechless, which was apparently just as Lee liked it best.

28

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Chapter 3 The next morning Phil was sitting alone at the table in the kitchen of the gatehouse, praying the pot of coffee on the kitchen table would propel him from Neanderthal to Homo sapiens. He was just relieved he didn't have to go into the office. Acting as the estate's accountant meant he could work from home two days a week. The downside, of course, was that he knew exactly what a financial mire the Fitzwarrens were in. "Morning. Having a good chat with your coffee?" Phil looked up to see his brother smirking at him, entirely too cheerfully. Charlie was also at home, after taking a leave of absence from work to be with his wife and son. "Go away," he mumbled and went back to communing with his coffee. "You were back late last night," Charlie said as he sat down with a cup of tea and some toast. "What are you? My mother?" Phil groused. "Who is he, then? Come on. You're never back that late from climbing. One o'clock in the morning, on a work night?" "I wasn't aware I still had a curfew." 29

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Charlie laughed at him. "I was right!" he crowed. "There is a he. Come on, baby brother, spill." It was useless to try and ignore him. Charlie was worse than Diana at prying the gory details out of his little brother. "His name's Lee. He lives in Eastbridge, and he works at the leisure centre. We went to the pub last night after climbing." Perhaps Charlie would leave him alone if he threw him some scraps. "How old is he? Is he hot?" And maybe not. "You wouldn't know a hot man if he came up and snogged you," Diana scoffed as she walked into the kitchen. "Who's hot? Phil, did you get laid?" The kitchen table was a nice solid place for Phil's head, and it wasn't at all sticky. "Our little brother went climbing last night and returned at one o'clock," Charlie informed her. "Fuck off, both of you, please," Phil begged and then groaned as his traitorous brother spilled the beans. "His name is Lee, he lives in Eastbridge, and he works at the leisure centre." "Lee? Why is that familiar?" Diana snapped her fingers. "Lee… Lee Curtis. Are you going out with Lee Curtis?" "Don't know his surname," Phil mumbled into the 30

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

wood. That was true at least. Lee's surname hadn't exactly been on his mind when he was shoving his hand down Lee's jeans. "I know his mum. She works at the cottage hospital. Hell, Phil, he's a kid!" "He's twenty-two, Di. I'm not about to molest a child," Phil snapped, raising his head for the first time. "And you're a fine one to talk. How much younger is Will?" She glared at him but didn't answer. "So you have molested him then?" Charlie asked, clearly more interested in what Phil had done rather than Lee's age. Phil groaned and went back to loving on the table. Molesting wasn't exactly the word for it. As he thought of last night, his cheeks heated up, and he was so glad his siblings couldn't see his face. Lee was going to be a handful. He'd known that from the start, but hell, just how much of a handful he hadn't begun to comprehend. Driving Lee back to his parents' house—"Cheap rent, the washing gets done, and I hate cooking"—Phil had Lee touching him most of the way; a hand on his thigh, a stroke of his cheek. It was distracting, and he told Lee so. Lee's response was to ask Phil to pull over. For one moment, he'd thought Lee was going to get out, and then he 31

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

discovered Lee's true intentions. Phil had heard the phrase "having your brain sucked out through your dick", but he'd never expected to actually experience it. Until last night when his cock was enclosed in a hot, wet vice that didn't let up until he was wrung dry. So Phil hadn't so much molested Lee as lie back against the car seat and think of nothing, absolutely nothing but what was happening to the eight inches of flesh in Lee's mouth. Oh, and yes, Lee had been very vocal in his appreciation of Phil's size. "Oh, Phil," Di sighed, breaking into Phil's silent reverie. "You're such a slut. For God's sake, be gentle with him." If Phil had been drinking his coffee at that point, he might have choked. There was nothing gentle or child-like about Lee Curtis. He was all man. And he fitted very nicely in Phil's mouth too. Thankfully, Charlie changed the subject before Phil could make a complete fool of himself. "Diana, did Mark tell you what time he was arriving on Saturday?" "About lunchtime I think. But they're going to have lunch at the Red Lion first. Jack said he was going to bring them here afterwards. Phil raised his head. "What's going on?" "Mark's bringing his granny here to look at the 32

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

stone. She's also psychic." "Great," Phil muttered, "another Curtess trampling over the Fitzwarrens." "You're going to have to get over this, Phil," Di said impatiently. "It's about more than just us." "No, it's not. We're the only ones who are suffering," Phil snapped, resisting the urge to bang his fist on the refectory table. "Trying telling Daniel that, or Mark," Charlie said quietly. "It's not the same thing. Daniel's a soldier. He was wounded in the course of his job. And Mark's dad was pissed. We're dying one by one. It's only a matter of time before it's our turn." Charlie shoved his chair back so forcefully it fell over. "Some of us prefer to believe that there is hope," he said and left the kitchen, leaving the remains of his breakfast behind. "You fucking idiot," Diana snapped at him. "His baby is fighting for his life, and you're waiting to die. Get over yourself, Phil." She stalked out behind Charlie, leaving him alone and ashamed in the kitchen. **** 33

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

The books weren't any better than they had been the last time Phil looked at them. Any which way you looked at it, the Fitzwarrens were getting into more debt. Despite Jack and Charlie's optimism, Phil knew that help from University of Bristol would just be a drop in the ocean compared to what they actually needed to keep afloat. One option they had investigated was opening the place as a tourist attraction, but they didn't have enough money to meet health and safety requirements to open to the public. It was a downward spiral of debt and decay. Just like Curtess wanted it, he thought viciously. Despite Mark's assurance that Curtess's ghost was gone, Phil swore he could hear the bastard laughing in his ear. His phone rang as Phil was making himself another coffee, and he answered as he poured the water into the mug. "Phil?" "Lee… hi. Damn!" Phil jumped out of the way as boiling water splashed on the counter. "Hey, are you all right?" Covering the spilt water with a tea towel, Phil muttered a yes. "How's your morning been so far?" Lee sounded entirely too cheerful. 34

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Sighing a little and then realising he sounded entirely too sorry for himself, Phil said, "Not great. Family issues. Yours?" "Better than yours by the sound of it. Listen, I'm not working today. I wondered if you'd like to meet for lunch." That wasn't a good idea. Phil needed to work if he was to get the figures prepared, and he was in a really foul mood. He didn't need to drag anyone else down to his level. Opening his mouth to turn Lee down, he found himself saying, "One o'clock at the Red Lion, or do you want me to pick you up?" "No, that's fine. I'm picking my car up in an hour. See you there." Lee sounded really pleased, and involuntarily, a smile curved Phil's mouth. Slightly bemused, Phil snapped his phone shut and looked at the kettle. "Well then," he said to himself. The kettle steamed at him, which somehow seemed appropriate. **** The Red Lion was quiet, but he couldn't see Lee anywhere. Ordering a pint, Phil chatted to Josie, who was cleaning the glasses behind the bar. "Not normal to see you in here at this time," she 35

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

said, curiosity in her eyes. "I'm meeting someone for lunch," he said, groaning a little as he realised this was probably the worst place he could have met Lee. The gossip would be all over the village by the end of the afternoon. Her eyebrows raised. "Oh?" "Lee Curtis. I met him at the leisure centre yesterday." It wasn't like he could hide it after all. Josie was about the same age as Lee. There was a good chance she would know him. Judging by the wicked grin on her face, his assumption was accurate. "Lee? Here he is. Afternoon, Lee, what can I get you?" Turning around, Phil saw Lee coming through the door, a huge smile lighting up his face when he saw Phil already there. "A Diet Coke please, Josie." Josie's eyes went comically wide as Lee dropped a kiss on Phil's lips before taking the barstool next to him. The startled expression on Phil's face must have been obvious because Lee stroked a finger down his thigh. "You don't mind, do you?" "It's a bit late now," Phil pointed out. "But no, I don't mind. I'm just not used to someone else taking the lead." 36

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"Ah," Lee drawled, "so, you're a top?" Hell yes. "Definitely, and you are too. Not a good combination." "But you like me?" Lee asked brightly. He didn't seem to be bothered by their mismatch. "I like you," Phil agreed, his voice wary. "No problem then. We'll just toss a coin every time." "A coin." "I have one." Lee produced his wallet. "So do I," Phil said drily. "And mine has two sides." Lee leant back on his stool, his hand clasped dramatically over his heart. "You wound me, sir. You think I'd cheat?" Phil looked at him straight in the eyes. "No, I don't think you would." Lee looked pleased at his statement. "But you're a toppy bastard, and I can't see you bending over without a struggle." The gasp attracted his attention. Josie was leaning her elbows on the bar, resting her chin in her hands and watching the byplay with an interest that was very scary. She saw them watching her and waved her hand. "Oh, don't mind me, lads. Carry on." "Oh, we will, Josie, but not with an audience." Ignoring her muttered "spoilsport", Lee stood up suddenly, 37

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

pulling Phil to his feet. "Are you hungry?" Phil frowned at him, thrown by the change in subject. "Hungry? Yeah, a little. Do you want to eat here?" "I was thinking you could take me back to your place for a quick bite." The look on Lee's face made it plain he wasn't thinking about food. Phil thought furiously. He knew Diana and Will had gone out for the day to have some time alone together, and Charlie had gone to the hospital to be with his wife and child, which meant the gatehouse was empty. "Why not?" he agreed, grinning at Lee. **** "Stop!" "Stop?" "Uh-huh." It was too much, this feeling of being too full. Phil couldn't take any more. "Are you sure?" "Yes." Of course, he was bloody sure. "Okay then." Lee withdrew slightly. "No! Don't fucking move." Phil clamped a hand on Lee's thigh, digging his nails in to make him stop. "There, now move, oh move. Oh Jesus, just there!" Drawing in a shuddery breath, Phil slapped his other hand against the 38

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

window in his bedroom as Lee grazed his prostate. "There?" Lee purred in satisfaction. Phil's toes curled. "You fucking bastard. I hate you…" He trailed off into a squeak. "No you don't." Another purr. Smug, self-satisfied bastard. When this was over, Phil was going to shove Lee over the bed and then he was going to fuck the smugness out of him. "Yes. I. Do. Again. Do that again." Lee chuckled in his ear. His hands dug into Phil's hips, pulling him flush against Lee's body. "What, that?" "Oh God!" Phil couldn't hold back his groan. It was too much. Lee was too fucking good at this. He kept nailing the gland until Phil was a hot, sweaty mess against the panes of glass. Behind him, Lee slapped against Phil's body, driving him against the window. Lee's rhythm was getting more erratic. "You… feel… so… tight," he grunted. Phil was pleased to hear he didn't sound nearly so smug now. He couldn't resist squeezing hard, eliciting a loud moan and a curse from Lee. He received a stinging slap to his arse by way of payment. "Do that again and it will be all over. Don't!" Lee warned just as Phil decided to do just that, shifting his stance, to cant his hips at a different angle. The groan that 39

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Phil elicited from Lee was very satisfying. "You asked for it," Lee bit out. Duly warned, Phil felt Lee pull out until the head of his cock stretched the ring of muscle almost painfully, then he slammed back in, setting up a punishing rhythm that left them both moaning and gasping. If Phil had been able to string a coherent thought together, he would have been thankful the gatehouse was empty because the sex was noisy and visceral, Lee encouraging Phil's loud moans with grunts and curses of his own. The pressure coiling in his spine, Phil rested his forearm on the glass so he could use the other hand to wrap around his cock. Three sharp tugs were all it took to have him coating the window, his orgasm triggering Lee's. He could feel Lee pulsing in his arse, filling the condom. Still pumping his hips, Lee rode Phil through their climaxes, only slowing as Phil slumped forward against the window. He collapsed over Phil's back, a hot, sweaty, panting mass until the extra weight was too much and Phil needed to move. Phil mourned the sudden loss as Lee withdrew from him. He shuffled over to the bed, collapsing thankfully on it. Lee, he had discovered, liked to fuck everywhere except the bed. Joining Phil on top of the duvet, Lee leaned over to kiss his lips and snuggled around him. Phil wriggled until 40

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

he was comfortable, already aware his arse was going hurt like hell tomorrow. Neither of them seemed inclined to talk, and Phil was content to lie back, soaking up the warmth of the man beside him. Lee rested his cheek on Phil's stomach, his body curled around Phil's body as they recovered on his bed. His fingers carding absently through Lee's dark hair, Phil looked at the mess they had made of his window and couldn't stop the grin spreading across his face. "I ought to make you clean that up," he said eventually, watching his spunk slide down the glass. "Do you want me to lick it up?" Lee asked sleepily. Snorting gently, Phil said, "I was thinking of window cleaner, but you can use your tongue if you want." "I'd

rather

use

my

tongue

on

you."

Lee

demonstrated with a lick to the thin line of hair under Phil's belly button. Phil shuddered and pressed into the touch, but Lee didn't go any further, just settling back down on Phil's stomach. The silence wasn't awkward though, and Phil was almost dozing when Lee spoke again. "Are you free on Sunday?" "Hmmm?" Phil murmured sleepily. Lee sat up and looked down at Phil. "Sunday, are you free? I'm working Saturday and Mum's got some 41

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

ancient cousin or something coming over for dinner in the evening, but I'm not working on Sunday. Would you like to come rock climbing with me?" That woke Phil up. He sat up as well, shaking off the drowsy feeling. "No, I can't. I mean, I'm not good enough." The look on Lee's face told him that the younger man wasn't buying that excuse. "I'd be there to help you. Come on, it's fun. You need to get out in the sunshine." "I said no!" Phil snapped, getting off the bed to pull on his boxers. He turned his back, refusing to meet Lee's eyes. There was silence for a minute, then Lee said, "You don't want to go rock climbing or you don't want to go rock climbing with me?" "I can't go rock climbing," Phil choked out, his hands so tightly clasped together the knuckles were white. "Okay, but why? You're a good climber. I've been watching you for weeks, remember? I wouldn't have asked if I didn't think you were good enough." "It's safe in the leisure centre," Phil muttered. "They take all possible safety precautions. I'd look after you, Phil." Phil heard Lee shuffle behind him, felt strong arms come around him to hold him tight. 42

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"I wouldn't let anything happen to you," Lee whispered into his ear. "I can't take the chance. The curse has already taken my mum and dad, and Fitz and Ned. They were my brothers," he explained at Lee's questioning sound. "It will get me. It's just a question of when." Unconsciously, Phil wrapped his arms around himself. Lee turned Phil around to face him. "You're waiting to die?" he asked incredulously. "You think I'm joking?" Phil asked, "I've lost my parents, Fitz and Ned, Carol nearly died, and Charlie and Carol lost their babies…" He couldn't carry on, his throat closing up. Lee gathered him into his arms, stroking his hair softly. Phil laid his head in the crook of Lee's neck, smelling the scent of shower gel and sweat. "I don't think you're joking at all. But I'm not going to let you die. I've been seeking you my whole life. I'm not letting you go now, my lord."

43

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Chapter 4 "What did you just say?" Lee looked confused. "I said I'm not about to let anything happen to you." Phil pulled away. "No. The exact words. What exactly did you just say?" "Er, I'm not going to let you die. I've been seeking you my whole life. I'm not letting you go now…" "My lord," Phil completed, staring at Lee. "Yeah, I'm not too sure where that bit came from. You're not a lord, are you?" Lee looked bemused. "No, not really. Charlie's a baron, but we don't pay too much attention to the title. I'm an Honourable, but I never bother with it." Phil stepped away from Lee, and this time Lee didn't stop him. "You're fucking joking. Are you yanking my chain?" Lee's brow knit together. "No. Why d'you say that?" He leaned forward to touch Phil. Stepping out of reach of Lee's arms, Phil spat, "I can't be dealing with this. The fuck was great, but I'm not going to let you fuck with my head as well." "Phil, what the hell are you talking about? All I did was tell you that I wasn't letting you go. What have I done 44

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

wrong?" Lee asked, his voice soothing as if he were trying to calm a spooked horse. He stood up, seemingly unconcerned by his nakedness. "I really don't know what has got you so freaked." "It's the curse, you used the words of the damn curse." "Tell me the words of the curse, Phil. You've got to tell me, 'cause I really don't know what has got you so freaked." Phil gave him a disbelieving stare. "You're local. You said you'd heard of the curse of the Fitzwarrens." "Well, yes, but not the exact words. We don't exactly mix in the same circles, do we? I don't drink in Steeple Westford," Lee pointed out, "and I haven't met any of your family. You're just the lords of the manor. All I hear is the old biddies clucking their tongues and shaking their heads about poor Mrs Fitz. I know Mum has met your sister once or twice." Ignoring the ache in his arse, Phil walked to the window and looked out. "Long story short, my ancestor made the mistake of falling for a warlock. The warlock cheated on him. To get his revenge, my ancestor contrived a horrible death for him and his lover, and the Fitzwarrens have paid the price ever since. Then Jonathan Curtess cursed Belvedere Fitzwarren, saying, 'I curse you and your 45

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

children's children, that you shall all live out your allotted years, and that those years shall be filled with grief and loss and betrayal, even as you have betrayed and bereaved me.'" He was able to quote word perfect after years of studying the lines of misery that had wrought such a devastating effect on his family. "Nice," Lee said, "but I don't see how that affects me." He stopped as Phil held up his hand. "Oh, there is a get-out clause. Suitably obscure and, up to now, pointless. 'When the one who reads the earth joins with he who sees beyond, when the warrior and the healer stand to swear a sacred bond, when the one who seeks in danger is sworn to the landless lord, then shall my curse be lifted and all the lands restored.' Before you ask, Mark, the spawn of that bastard, Curtess, and his partner, Jack, are the first pair, Daniel, the village psycho, and Sean—Lester, the doctor—are the second." "And the one who looks for danger?" "Seeks in danger," corrected Phil. "Yes, the part of it yet unfulfilled." He was still looking out the window. He didn't have much of a view from his room, but it wasn't over-looked, a fact Lee had taken complete full advantage of when he'd pushed Phil up against the window and fucked him senseless. "So, you are the landless lord?" Lee asked. 46

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Phil felt Lee come up behind him and enclose him in his arms. Leaning back into the comfort of Lee's body, he said, "It makes sense, doesn't it? Charlie is the baron, and Edward…" His breath caught in his throat as he thought of his young nephew, struggling to maintain his fragile connection to life. "Edward is his heir. I have no lands or money of my own. I live here because I can't afford to live anywhere else." "And what? You think I'm the one who seeks in danger? Because I rock-climb?" His breath tickled Phil's ear. Lee's hands splayed over Phil's heart and belly. It was grounding and completely scary. He had never revealed this much about himself to any person, yet he was standing here naked, vulnerable, and lonely in the arms of someone barely a man. "It doesn't matter what I think," he muttered. "What will be, will be." "When I first saw you climbing the wall, I was transfixed. I thought you were so fucking hot," Lee confided. "I waited every week for you to notice me, but you didn't look up. I thought that maybe you were straight, or in love. Then I wondered why you were so sad." He tightened his arms at Phil's snort. "But I never stopped watching. And hoping. And then yesterday, you looked at 47

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

me for the first time." Phil turned his head to press a kiss to the underside of Lee's jaw. "I was hanging in mid-air. If I hadn't looked at you, I would still be there." "The fact is though now the other partners are in play, sweetheart. Mark and… Jack, was it? Then Sean and Daniel. Now it's our turn. It was time for you to see me." Snorting a little, Phil said "Very philosophical. You're taking this very calmly. I've just dumped hundreds of years of family curse on you and told you I'm waiting to die, and you haven't run screaming." "I'm not sure why, either. I haven't been interested in a relationship up to now." Lee admitted honestly. "I just know you're different. There's a reason I'm meant to be here." He kissed down Phil's neck, pausing to suck at his collarbone. "Sheesh." Phil gasped at the sudden pain, good pain, pain he wanted to press into. Lee's mouth worked at his skin, teeth nuzzling, almost pain, almost pleasure. Lee's hands were busy, running over his bare skin. Phil wasn't aroused, not yet. The raw emotion and confusion were too much to put aside. He leaned into the touches, seeking comfort from the uncomplicated affection Lee was offering. Turning in Lee's arms, Phil kissed him, his hands on Lee's backside, drawing him closer. 48

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"Hmmm," Lee hummed happily into his mouth. "You taste good, baby." "Oh no no. I am no one's baby," Phil insisted, although he wasn't really struggling to get away. Lee was much too good at this. "I can feel that," Lee said smugly, wrapping his hand around their cocks. "You're a tricky bastard, aren't you?" Phil's body was down but obviously not out, judging from the way his dick was responding to the feel of Lee's cock filling and thickening against his. He gasped when Lee gave them an experimental tug and felt Lee chuckle against his neck. "So I've been told," Lee agreed as he squeezed them both together, swiping the pad of his thumb over the heads. He laughed again as Phil cursed, but it sounded a little shaky. Phil sought out Lee's mouth again, tugging gently on his lower lip and exploring his mouth. "You taste so good," Lee murmured again. "It's my turn now," Phil growled, pushing them back towards the bed. Phil had no qualms about fucking in his bed. One eyebrow flew up. "Your turn?" Pushing Lee down onto the duvet, Phil climbed on the bed and straddled his hips. "Oh yes. I am going to fuck 49

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

your arse, Mr Curtis, and you are going to like it." He lined their cocks up again, stroking them both gently, satisfied at the sight of Lee's eyes unfocused and his mouth slackened in pleasure. Leaning forward, Phil kissed Lee again, aware he couldn't get enough of Lee's mouth. Lee kissed back, but Phil didn't stay for long, kissing down Lee's neck and chest, nosing through the sparse hair of his chest to tug at his nipples. He played with one for a while until it was hard and swollen beneath his lips, then kissed his way over to pay attention to its companion. Judging from the amount of noise Lee was making, he wasn't complaining. Ignoring the friction on his own cock as he slid farther down the bed, Phil continued his path down Lee's body, pausing briefly to lap at his navel and then lick down the trail of dark hair underneath. Lee's dick was there, in his face, but Phil paid it no mind, choosing instead to suck gently on his balls, eliciting a long drawn-out moan. Hands clutched at Phil's hair, but Phil grabbed them and put them on the bed. "Keep them there or above your head," he ordered severely, pleased to see Lee did as he was told even if his hands did clench into fists. "Bossy git…" The words trailed off into a groan as Phil licked a long stripe up Lee's rigid shaft. 50

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Phil looked up from where he was poised over Lee's groin. "You were saying?" he asked mischievously and gave another lick for emphasis. He could taste the come and latex from their earlier lovemaking. Not the most appealing combination but what the hell. "If you want to fuck me, you'd better get on with it before I change my mind," Lee growled at him. Ignoring the order, Phil went back to the task at hand—driving Lee insane. It worked pretty well, shutting him up as he slowly and methodically sucked Lee off, not giving him a moment's chance to say anything beyond moans and pleas. Oh yeah, Lee begged so prettily. He could tell when Lee was about to climax. He was knocked into almost silence as he went rigid, flooding Phil's mouth with his flavour. Not giving Lee a chance to come down from his orgasm, Phil got the lube and prepared him, one finger gently inserted to prepare him, increasing to two when Lee started to bear down on his hand. Lee hissed initially at the intrusion, but by the time Phil brushed against his prostate, Lee was begging again and Phil was more than willing to deliver, his own arousal screaming in his ears. Phil wanted to look into Lee's eyes as he fucked him, needing to give that reassurance. Lee however had other ideas. The minute Phil's fingers slid out of Lee's arse, 51

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Lee flipped them over so that Phil was lying on his back and quickly straddled him, sliding a condom over his cock and sinking down slowly, tortuously onto Phil's shaft. "Jesus!" Phil yelled, unable to hold back as what felt like a slippery vice sheathed him. "Hah!" Lee smirked as he rested on Phil's body. Feeling like a single movement would take him over the edge, Phil glared up at Lee. "You couldn't even let me have my turn," he grumbled. "What can I say, baby? I'm a top," Lee crowed and rocked slightly, just to prove he was in control. It was impossible to prevent the catch of breath, but Phil tried, he really did. "Arsehole." "True," Lee agreed and rocked some more. Phil gave up. He wanted to get off, and if Lee wanted to do all the work, then who was Phil to argue? Sensing Phil's unspoken capitulation, Lee's face softened. He bent forward and kissed Phil, raising up slightly. "I'm going to fuck you now," he informed Phil. Rolling his eyes, Phil grabbed Lee by the hips, not hard, but just as a reminder of who had his cock in whom. Lee rose up a little more and slammed down, and Phil grunted and hung on tight. It wasn't going to last. Phil was almost coming before Lee had got started, but Lee didn't stop until Phil was spent and boneless beneath him. 52

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

As soon as Lee had cleaned them both up, he climbed back into bed beside Phil, who wrapped himself around Lee's warm body to bury his face in Lee's neck. "You don't have to hide, baby," Lee whispered. "I've got you. You're not on your own now." Phil raised his head. "Telling you to stay away because I'm dangerous to be around is useless, I suppose?" Nodding, Lee tightened his arms around Phil. "Yup, you're mine now. 'Sides, it is me you're meant to be with. We both know that." "I know." Phil yawned and snuggled closer. "Don't call me baby," he ordered as he settled down for post-coital nap. Before sleep claimed him, Phil felt Lee press a kiss to his cheek. "Sleep well… baby."

53

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Chapter 5 The buzz of his phone vibrating on the bedside disturbed Phil's sleep. Fumbling for the phone, he knocked it on the floor and ended up half-in, half-out of the bed, feeling in amongst the discarded clothes for the source of the noise. By the time Phil found the phone, he'd missed the call. Growling under his breath, he flopped back onto the bed. The phone started again, and he answered it with a snap. "Hey, baby." Lee's voice was too fucking cheerful. "Don't call me baby," he said automatically. "What time is it? Are you at work?" It was Saturday. He hadn't seen Lee since their afternoon together, Lee's shifts not coinciding with Phil's work. They'd spoken on the phone every day though, and Phil was looking forward to spending the day with him tomorrow, as a reward for having to deal with Mark, Jack, and Mark's grandmother today. His heart sank at the sigh on the other end of the line. "I've had to change my shifts. Dave needs time off tomorrow. But I'm off today. I've promised to take Mum shopping this morning, but I'm all yours this afternoon. 54

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Mum says you can come for dinner if you want. You remember we've got these distant rellies turning up?" The bitter taste of disappointment flooded Phil. "I can't, Lee. I've got Mark and his grandmother over this afternoon." "The psychics?" "Yeah. Mark thinks his granny could help. God knows why. She's a bloody Renfrew after all." "Then

I'm

coming

over,

Phil,"

Lee

said

immediately. "If I am the missing link, they'll know, won't they?" Phil's immediate reaction was to say "Fuck, no!" He wanted to keep Lee to himself a while longer, but on the other hand, he had to admit it made sense. "Phil, are you awake?" "Huh? Yeah? I'm just… not sure, you know? It's all so soon." He curled over onto his side and snuggled under the duvet, tucking the phone under his ear. "Don't you want to see me?" Lee asked quietly, and Phil could hear the note of disappointment in his voice. "God, yes, I do. I'm being selfish. I just want you to myself, that's all. Without the weirdos and psychos getting involved." "Sometimes you come off as a complete dick, Phil Fitzwarren," Lee told him. "I bet you don't call them that to 55

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

their faces." "I'm not that stupid," Phil said. "Do you really want to be thrown in the deep end?" "You need me there, and I'm your other half, so yes, I'm going to be over by one pm, baby," Lee said firmly. Phil let out a contented sigh and forgot to call him on the baby. He wasn't looking forward to the day, but somehow, knowing Lee would be there to back him up, it wasn't quite as bad. "In the meantime—" Lee's voice dropped several octaves. "—I have three-quarters of an hour until I have to get up and I have morning wood that needs taking care of." His own voice dropped in response. "Are you suggesting we indulge in phone sex?" "I'm telling you I'm going to have a wank, and you can join in if you want." And why did that sound like an order that Phil was already obeying? Unconsciously, Phil's hand had already crept to his dick, hard from listening to Lee talk to him. "Ungh," he garbled. "There," Lee breathed. "That's better, isn't it?" Lee didn't bring Phil to orgasm so much by his words as by his sighs and whispers of pleasure and by the sound of the slapping of his hand on his own cock and grunts of pleasure as he got closer to climax. Whether by 56

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

luck or by judgement, they came at the same time, Lee's cries of pleasure drawing out Phil's own orgasm. "Jesus," he managed when he'd got past the white fuzz in his head. "I know, baby, I know." Lee sounded as exhausted as he did. "Don't call me—" "Forget it, baby, you're stuck with it now. Oh shit, Mum's calling me. Be down in a minute," Lee called out. Phil grinned as Lee went from lover to son in the space of a heartbeat, thanking God all the while that the domesticity hadn't interrupted their mutual masturbation. "Sorry, gonna have to go before Mum comes in here and finds me covered in jizz." Lee suddenly sounded harassed and very young. It was tempting to tease him, but somehow Phil knew Lee would find a way to carve it out of his arse later. "See you later," he said, hunting around for some tissues to clean himself up. "Love you." It was muttered so quickly, and before Phil could answer, Lee was gone, leaving Phil staring at the phone in shock. Love? No way. It was way too soon to be talking about love. Wasn't it?

57

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

**** The closer it got to lunchtime the more nervous Phil became. He hadn't told Charlie and Di that Lee was turning up. The one person he had told was Will, who was turning into a valuable ally against the combined force of Phil's elder siblings. Mark and Jack were due around two, so the Fitzwarrens decided to have lunch together, all of them including Carol. Edward had been more stable for a few days. Carol was desperately in need of a break from the hospital but didn't want to leave her son alone. She had been persuaded to take the afternoon off by her mother who was currently sitting with her grandson. Charlie was dishing up the food when the doorbell rang. Diana frowned. "We're not expecting anyone yet, are we?" "Don't think so," Will agreed as he went to the front door, dropping a wink at Phil, who flushed, hiding his face before his keen-eyed sister noticed. There was the sound of Will greeting the newcomer and then a murmur of voices. It didn't sound like Lee and the entrance of Sean and Daniel, limping behind him, proved Phil correct. 58

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"What are you doing here?" Phil asked, aware that disappointment was making him sound waspish. Daniel's lip curled in a sneer, but Sean clipped Phil around the ear. "Good to see you too, arsehole. Oops, sorry, Carol. How's Edward?" They all laughed at the speed Sean went from friend to doctor and the tension was gone. Sean sat down next to Carol to talk about her son. The two men declined the offer of food, and Daniel sat down somewhat awkwardly next to Phil. The two men sat in silence for a few minutes until Charlie sat back down. "Are you into cricket, Daniel?" Charlie asked around a forkful of food. Phil, Carol and Diana groaned in unison. Charlie was obsessed with cricket, and worse than that, village cricket. "Don't let him get started, Daniel. He's a menace once he starts talking statistics," Phil said, grinning as Charlie glared at him. "You've got no taste, little brother. Some of us like playing a real game," Charlie said, not put out by the derision around the table. "You don't like cricket?" Daniel asked Phil. "I'm a rugby man myself," Phil said, seeing the 59

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

spark of interest in Daniel's eyes. At the back of his mind, Phil had vague recollections of Will telling him that Daniel had played rugby at county level in secondary school. "Me too," Daniel said quietly. "Do you remember Johnson? I remember him from junior school." Phil did. Johnson was a huge hulk of a boy who intimidated everyone on and off the field, but he had the gentlest soul you could meet, until you annoyed him. "I do. Didn't he go to play for Harlequins?" The two men chatted for a while about Johnson, and rugby in general. Phil was aware of Sean's eyes upon him as they talked, and he looked up once to see the doctor giving him a grateful look. Suddenly he felt ashamed at the way he had been treating Daniel. He wasn't by nature a dick. It was just that he had become a little warped recently by the constant strain of being a Fitzwarren, and yes, maybe a little jealous of his best friend's happiness. The doorbell rang again, and Phil looked up, hoping it was Lee, but again he was doomed to feel disappointment. Mark and Jack entered with an old lady, as round as Mark was angular but with similar piercing green eyes. She gave a pleased nod as the men got to their feet as she came into the room. "That's a relief," she said with a huff of breath as 60

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

she sat down. She didn't seem disconcerted by being the centre of attention. Mark looked apologetically around the table. "Sorry, guys, Gran wanted to get here now for some reason." Charlie smiled at Mrs Renfrew. "No problem, Mark. Hi, Jack. Hello, Mrs Renfrew. I'm Charles Fitzwarren, and this is my wife, Carol. Would you like a cup of tea?" The Fitzwarrens were all being extremely polite, but it was obvious they were uncomfortable in the presence of another Renfrew. "Call me Alice, please. And yes please to the tea," she said, with a ready smile. Already primed to make Twinings Darjeeling, Carol got up to make the tea whilst Charlie introduced Alice to the rest of the table. Her gaze lingered longest on Phil, Sean and Daniel, the latter squirming uncomfortably under her striking eyes. When the introductions were finished, Alice looked around the table. "There is one missing," she said. Mark looked exasperated. "You know that we're not all here yet, Gran. We don't know who the seeker is yet." "Well, that's not exactly true, is it?" she said placidly, looking straight at Phil. Alice hadn't taken her 61

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

eyes off Phil. He was starting to feel like a butterfly on the end of a pin. "Why don't you ask the landless lord?" All eyes swung to him. "But you don't know…" Flustered, Phil started and then stopped as a look of glee spread over Will and Diana's face. "You've not met him yet." "Met who? Phil, have you been holding out on us?" Sean asked, reaching for a plum tomato in the salad bowl. Daniel leaned over to smack his hand. "Manners!" he chided, the reprimand ruined by the tender smile on his face. "Sap!" Will laughed at his friend and received the finger in response, then laughed again as Daniel apologised to Mark's grandmother. If Phil was hoping this exchange had diverted attention from his slip, he was sadly mistaken. Jack accepted a cup of coffee from Carol and looked at Phil. "Does this mean you're… um… attached?" "Delicately put," Mark said, grinning at Carol who was still handing out drinks. "So?" Jack asked. Just as Phil opened his mouth to answer, the doorbell rang. "Don't think you're getting out of this," Sean warned at the look of relief on Phil's face. 62

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Will came in with a wicked grin on his face. "There's someone here to see Phil," he said, and Phil groaned. Lee's first introduction to the Fitzwarrens was nine pairs of eyes staring at him. Not Phil's though. Phil was slowly banging his head on the table. "Er… hi, everybody. I'm Lee. Is something wrong, baby?" Lee asked Phil, walking around the table. Phil wanted to kill him but, instead, found himself wrapping his arms around Lee's neck and pulling him down for a kiss. Diana burst out laughing. "You are so whipped, little brother." "Er, Phil. Is there someone you want to put down for a minute? Introductions would be good," Charlie suggested, chuckling as Phil looked up with a dazed expression on his face. "Um, yes. This is Lee," Phil managed. "Lee Curtis," Lee supplied, smiling at everyone and nodding at Alice. "Curtis?" Mark asked with a strange expression on his angular face. "Did you say your name was Curtis? Your mum is Brenda?" "C-u-r-t-i-s, not e-s-s," Phil explained. "Lee's family have lived in Eastbridge for years." "And this didn't seem odd to you?" 63

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Lee's hand slid to Phil's shoulder, grounding him as the words sank in. He wasn't aware his hand had snuck up to hold Lee's until he felt Lee's thumb run across his knuckles. "What do you mean?" he asked tightly. "Oh for heaven's sake," Mark snapped. "You all went loopy when I told you my name was Renfrew, but you're sitting holding the hand of a Curtess without any issues." The Fitzwarrens looked at each other. Phil wanted to tug his hand away, but the death grip Lee had on it told him it wasn't going to happen. "You mean…?" Di began. "Finally, the light dawns!" Mark nodded, pointing at Lee. "He is a Curtess, just as much as me. We're going to have dinner with your parents tonight." "Oh, right," Lee said, comprehension dawning. "But we only moved into the area when I was a nipper. Mum and Dad got some trouble then because of our name, but Dad's family come from Glasgow, not around here." Shaking her head at him, Alice said, "Sorry, dear, but dig deep enough and you are descended from the get of Jonathan Curtess. You're Mark's cousin, many times removed." A sick taste in his mouth, Phil tugged his hand away 64

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

from Lee and slammed it on the table, ignoring the other man's low, "Phil, don't—" "So what?" Phil started, looking at the Renfrews, "Is this the way the curse is broken? By forcing us out of the castle? You overwhelm us with numbers when we're down? Get your lands back by sheer numbers?" "Don't talk bollocks, Phil," Di said. "Better than killing to get your lands like a Fitzwarren," Mark snarled, his fists clenching. Anger clouded both Charlie and Di's faces then, and the other men all moved closer to their partners. "Hey, Mark, calm down." Jack laid a hand on his arm, pushing Mark down where he had half-stood up. "Calm down, both of you. You're both talking rot," Sean snapped brusquely. "Phil, don't be so bloody stupid. Sorry, Alice. And quit treating Mark like he's the reincarnation of Jonathan Curtess. He's done nothing but try to break this wretched curse since he came here. This isn't a ruddy invasion. Mark and his Gran are helping. As for Lee…" He looked up at the man standing behind Phil, and a smile curved his lips. "Have you seen him, and you with him? He's perfect. For you," he added with a hasty reassuring grin at Daniel. "I've never seen you let anyone call you baby before." "Shut up," Phil muttered, but he turned to face Lee, 65

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

who was watching him with a hurt look on his face. He pulled Lee down to sit next to him. "I'm sorry. I just get this noise in my head when anyone mentions the name Curtess." "You don't say," growled Mark from across the table. Jack made soothing noises to calm him down. "Not helping," Sean told him firmly. "Mrs Renfrew," Phil said, aware of how rude he had been earlier, "I'm sorry—" "No need to apologise to me, dear," she said brightly, subtly pointing out that he'd apologised to everyone except Mark. "Daniel, do you have your knife?" The soldier had been sitting quietly since Lee came in. Now he nodded, and the knife appeared from beneath his clothing. Lee and Mark shuddered at the sight of it. "What do you plan to do?" Carol asked Alice. "I think it's time for the Fitzwarrens and the Curtesses to make their peace, don't you?" she said. Mark looked at Alice and then at the others. "Gran thinks blood is the key. My blood started it off. If all six of us cut our hands, and our blood mixes in the crack of the stone, it should break the curse." "Blood started the curse, and blood should break it," Alice agreed. "I bet that bastard never thought it could be 66

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

broken," Di said, placing her cup and plate in the stone sink. Giving his wife a kiss as he handed her his plate and cup, Will then wrapped cling-film over the rest of the food and put it in the old fridge. "Do you want the rest of us there?" he asked as he closed the fridge door. "I think so," Mark said. "But whatever happens, stay away from the six of us as we bleed the stone. All the Fitzwarrens are still vulnerable." "Did you hear that, Will?" Diana knocked his elbow. "You're a Fitzwarren now." Lunch seemed to have been put on hold. Phil certainly wasn't very hungry any more. He stood, holding his hand out to Lee. "Are you ready?" he asked, a little hesitantly.

67

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Chapter 6 Lee took a step backwards. He looked rather pale. "I'd prefer you told me exactly why I have to be cut with that rusty old knife." "It's not rusty," Daniel grunted, obviously offended. "Of course it isn't." Sean patted his shoulder and laughed when Daniel shrugged him off. "Seriously, do I have to be sliced open like a piece of meat?" Lee backed up against the wall, as far away as he could get from the knife Daniel was holding. Concerned at Lee's reaction to the knife, Phil nodded at Sean and Daniel to follow the others out of the kitchen. To his surprise, Mark asked Daniel to stay. When Phil quirked an eyebrow, he said, "Daniel is the keeper of the knife. He needs to be here. Believe me, Lee, that dagger is having the same effect on me." Mark went to stand next to Lee and didn't object when Lee sought his hand. It brought odd feelings in Phil; rage at the sight of the two Curtesses together, jealousy at Lee seeking comfort from Mark, and also mixed in with an acknowledgment that he found it really, really hot. "Maybe the six of us need to be here, by ourselves 68

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

for a little while," Phil suggested, relieved when all the men nodded. "I'll call Jack back," Sean said, and loped out of the kitchen to retrieve the archaeologist. Turning his attention back to Lee and Mark, both still pressed white-knuckled against the wall, Phil deliberately walked so he was between them and the knife, pleased to see them relaxing fractionally. Jack walked in, eyes widening at the sight of Mark and Lee holding hands. He looked over to Phil, who shrugged. Sean came in behind and shut the door to the kitchen. "Your gran is being well looked after by Will and Di," he said to Mark. "I don't think you'll have many secrets left by the end of the day though." Mark groaned and rolled his eyes. "She's a menace when she gets going." "You should try living with your older brother and sister," Phil added. "Nothing, and I mean nothing, is sacred." Lee perked up at that. "Does that mean I can get all the gory details of little Phil from them?" "Not if you want to live," Phil advised him. "You only have to ask me, Lee," Sean pointed out. "But can we get this over and done with? I'll tell you 69

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

anything you want to know about your baby here, after the main event. Ow!" Sean ducked as Phil went to clip him around the ear but didn't move quickly enough. "Jesus, Fitzwarren, enough!" "That was for hitting me earlier on, moron!" Phil returned. Lee looked at Daniel. "Are they always like this?" The soldier shrugged. "I've no idea. I've only been around them for a couple of weeks. Mark and Jack have only been together fractionally longer than us." He eased into one of the chairs. "But do they always behave like idiots? Yeah, that's a given." Sean and Phil poked their tongues out at him, and everyone laughed, easing the tension in the room. It lasted until Daniel raised the dagger. Immediately Mark and Lee pressed together. "You didn't react like this to the dagger before," Jack observed to Mark. "It's like I've got this target painted on my chest," Mark said. "I can see Daniel aiming it at my heart." Lee was nodding. "Exactly. I know it's not happening, yet that is what I can see as well. It's shrieking 'Danger! Danger!' at me." Looking over to Phil, Jack had a thoughtful expression. "The anger you've been experiencing recently 70

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

is different. I mean, Mark said, of all the Fitzwarrens, you were the voice of reason when you first met them. How do you feel about the dagger?" "I hate it." Phil's words erupted from him like a vicious snarl. "Curtess should suffer the way he made me suffer. Not die cleanly with a knife." He wasn't sure where that came from. It wasn't from him, and he hated the horrified way Lee was staring at him. "God, that isn't me speaking. Lee, that really isn't me." "Oookay then," Sean said, deliberately moving to stand between Phil and the knife. "Got anything you want to tell us, Dan?" Daniel shrugged. "I can feel the emotion in the room. You don't have to worry about me. I've no desire to throw it at anyone in particular. I have it under control." His voice was steady and controlled, and Phil could see the trained soldier in him for the first time. The doctor gave Daniel a tender smile. "I know you have," he said, and turned to Jack. "It's down to you and me then. We need to be on alert for any of these monkeys going gaga." Jack stood in front of Lee and Mark. "We need to get this done before it's taken out of our hands. I'll walk with these two. Sean, you escort Phil, and Dan, you bring up the rear. I know you can keep control if anything tries to 71

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

force you to hurt them." "What about Charlie and Will coming with us? They won't be affected by any paranormal activity," Sean suggested. "Not Charlie." Phil shook his head. "He's a Fitzwarren and in just as much danger from Curtess. I-I can't lose another brother. And Di would fall apart if she lost Will." "Just us then," Sean agreed, and started herding them towards the door. "It's liable to be worse near the stone. Jack, keep a grip on Mark." At Lee's confused glance, Mark said, "The stone is powerful. It knocked me out the first time I went near it." "He started bleeding on us. It was messy," Jack explained as he put himself between the men and the knife. "I knew then he was mad," Phil agreed. "And then I met the rest of you." They started walking out of the kitchen. Sean was escorting Phil and dug him in the ribs for that crack. Everyone laughed as Phil yelped, the tension relieved momentarily. Rain clouds were gathering overhead as they assembled around the stone, the wind increasing to whip strands of hair around their faces. Mark and Lee were still huddled close together, with Jack on the other side of the psychic. The colour had drained out of Mark's face, and 72

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Phil could see he was only on his feet with the help of the two men propping him up. There was another nudge in his ribs. Sean was watching him with compassion in his eyes. "Ready for this?" Sean asked, indicating the stone with the large crack running through it, jagged and deeper since the wedding. Phil stared at it. It was such an innocuous slab, yet it had contained evil wrapped in its very pores for so long. "We do this and the curse is gone? Everybody lives?" "I can feel Curtess and Fitzwarren," Mark said, his free hand to his forehead. "So much anger and hurt in my head. Please, we've got to get it over and done with before my head explodes." "When it's all over, I want my boyfriend back," Phil said, receiving a wide beaming smile from Lee. The smile relieved Phil enormously. "You're coming to dinner with my mum," Lee told him. "And then you're going to—" "Later!" Phil interrupted hastily, colour staining his cheeks. Beside him, Sean chuckled. Phil glared at him. "Guys," Jack said, and they turned to see him catch Mark as he slumped over the stone. Jack brought him to the ground in his arms. Mark looked semi-conscious, his eyes rolled back to show the whites. 73

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"You have to act quickly," Alice said. "There's too much energy inside of Mark. He won't be able to hold it back for much longer." Phil looked up in surprise. He hadn't seen the old lady walk towards them. "Daniel, cut Mark and Jack's hands. Jack, hold Mark's hand and drip the blood into the crack," she ordered. Quickly the soldier did as he was told, swiftly and efficiently drawing the blade over the two palms. Jack took Mark's hand, forcing the blood between the cracks in the stone. Jack left their palms there as Sean helped Daniel sink to the ground next to the others. Phil noticed Daniel's hand shaking as he sliced Sean's palm and his own, holding them over the crack. Kissing him quickly, the doctor placed their bloody hands on the stone next to the archaeologist and the psychic. The rain started beating down in earnest. Ashenfaced, Lee stared down at the four men. Phil walked forward to enfold him into his arms. "Ready, Lee?" Lee buried his face in Phil's neck. "Not sure, baby," he confessed, his voice shaky. "I wasn't anticipating bleeding for you immediately. I hate the sight of blood. Especially with that knife doing the cutting." "You don't have to look," Phil assured him, his hand cupping the nape of Lee's neck. "Just keep your face there." 74

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

He guided them to the ground and held out their hands to Daniel. "Let's give this bastard notice that the curse is officially over." Dan took their joined hands, parting them so he could stroke the knife over their palms. It stung like hell, and Phil could feel Lee wincing as the knife cut into him. As Phil slapped their palms down on the crack, he looked up into the sky, blinking as the rain fell into his eyes. "We're all here, Curtess," he yelled defiantly. "When the one who reads the earth joins with he who sees beyond, when the warrior and the healer stand to swear a sacred bond, when the one who seeks in danger is sworn to the landless lord. We're all fucking here so lift the fucking curse!" Wind whipping about their faces, Phil looked at the other men as they waited for something to happen, Mark still unconscious in Jack's arms. Beneath their hands, the sarsen stone started to shudder. The men drew closer together, holding their lovers tightly. On the cold stone, they intertwined their fingers, not moving despite the rain and the activity going on beneath their palms. In Jack's embrace, Mark suddenly stirred, his eyes flying open as he stared sightlessly up at the sky. "We're here," he said, his voice almost lost in the noises around him. "We've fulfilled the terms of the 75

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

condition. Now set the Fitzwarrens free!" The shaking spread to the ground beneath them. Jack looked at the others. "Get ready to move. This doesn't feel good." "I won't be able to get up quickly," Daniel pointed out. "But you lot should shift." Sean shook his head. "Forget it. I'm not leaving you here." His free hand tightened around Daniel's arm. "Don't be a bloody fool, Sean. You'll go with the others," Dan snapped, futile in his efforts to shake off his lover. The mulish look on the doctor's face was one Phil was very familiar with, and in any other circumstance, he would be ribbing Sean mercilessly. "I am staying with you, so shut the fuck up, Daniel Francis." "None of us are going," said Lee. "We're all essential—the psychic, the archaeologist, the soldier, the doctor, the seeker and landless lord." His arms tightened around his lover. "Stay where you are!" It was Mark who spoke in a commanding tone, but it was deeper and rougher than his usual voice. "Mark," Jack began uncertainly, "are you all right?" The tremors of the stone subsided as the psychic sat up, shrugging off Jack's restraining arms. Phil frowned as 76

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

he looked at Mark's face. It had subtly changed, still angular and too thin but now set in harsh lines. Where Mark's eyes were usually a soft green, now his eyes were jade green, wild with hatred and pain. He stared at Phil and Lee, still clutching at each other. "A Curtess in the arms of a Fitzwarren once more," he said coldly. "And you tell me the curse is broken? I think it's just begun again." "Who are you?" Daniel asked, his knife at the ready. "I am Jonathan Curtess. The one you killed with that knife, soldier." Daniel shook his head. "I threw the knife to spare your suffering in the fire. Your death was quick compared to the agonies of the flames." "You lie," growled Jonathan. It was frightening how Mark's features were transformed by the warlock possessing his body. "I'm not lying. I've seen your death. I watch the knife enter your body." Daniel's words provoked a shudder through Mark's body. "It's time for you to break the curse and leave the Fitzwarrens free to live without tragedy." "Never," Jonathan snarled. "This curse should never have been broken. The terms were too complicated. Fitzwarren killed the man I loved. He deserves to suffer for 77

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

eternity." There was a moment where Phil felt he was being pushed aside inside his own head, and then, he was moving out of Lee's arms to sit in front of Mark. "Phil, what are you doing?" Lee asked. "I loved you and you betrayed me," Phil said to Mark. "You betrayed me with another." Behind him, Phil could hear Lee talking to him, but he couldn't respond, the pull of the earlier Fitzwarren inside him too great to resist. Sir Belvedere pushed him aside. Mark, no, Jonathan stared back at him, anger still burning bright, but there was something there, an uncertainty through the fierce hatred. "You wanted me for my lands!" "I wanted you for your body and your mind. I loved you so much," Sir Belvedere said. "You took that love away from me and gave it to another." He hung his head. "I was blinded by jealousy," he admitted, "I wanted you back and there was no way I was going to let that… commoner have you." "I never loved you," Jonathan spat out. "I know. I knew it then but refused to see it. All I could see was your body, lithe and strong around me. Your taste, your touch was like a fever I could not break. But you made me pay for every wrong-doing, didn't you? My 78

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

descendants have paid the price for hurting you. You set that curse so that it could never be broken, but now it's time to let it go. I lost everything when I let my jealousy blind me to your power, but the Fitzwarrens have paid enough. It is time to let one find happiness with a Curtess." Like a feather touch, the part of Phil still present could feel Lee's hand on his shoulder, grounding him. Sir Belvedere still had more to say. "The Fitzwarrens are not the only ones who have suffered. You have exacted your price on your own descendants. Not all of them have been able to control the power within them. This man," he said, indicating Mark, "is strong enough, made stronger by the one who reads the earth. It was their strength that put the other pieces in play. The injured warrior is made whole in mind by the healer. And the seeker and the landless lord, a Curtess and a Fitzwarren, are finally joined together as we were not." "My descendants need to find what is rightfully theirs," Jonathan said, his tone cold. "The curse isn't rescinded until the Curtess fortunes are restored." "The Fitzwarrens have nothing left to give, Curtess," Sir Belvedere admitted. "You brought the estates to ruin." "Then the curse still stands, Fitzwarren." A spasm went through Mark's body, and he slumped back into Jack's 79

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

arms, his eyes closed once more. Phil felt a flash of anger, and then an incredible sadness flooded him before he was left alone, gasping and falling on the wet ground. "Phil, God, are you all right? Phil, baby, talk to me." Lee's hands were all over him, touching, feeling for damage. "Don't call me baby," he said automatically, but he struggled up so that he could be hauled into Lee's tight, almost suffocating, embrace. He wanted to see how Mark was, but he needed this comfort first. "I was so fucking scared," Lee admitted, his face buried in Phil's sopping wet hair. "Me too," Phil agreed as he sought a kiss from Lee. "It was the most frightening moment of my entire life." Hearing noises behind him, he looked around to see Daniel in Sean's arms and, thankfully, a conscious Mark being embraced by Jack. "Is everyone all right?" he asked, when each couple had calmed down a little. For the first time, Phil realised it was still pouring with rain, but the wind had died down. Shivering as their clothes plastered to their bodies, they all looked at each other. "What now?" Jack asked the question they were all 80

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

thinking. "I haven't got a clue," Mark admitted honestly. "I don't know what he expects us to do." Phil looked at the cracked stone. "It's down to me, isn't it? Whatever I'm supposed to do hasn't happened yet." "What the hell does the bastard want? I hope it doesn't involve blood again," Lee asked, kissing the back of Phil's neck. It sent a shiver down Phil's spine, and he pressed into the kiss. "We're going to find out soon enough," grunted Daniel. "Now could we get the hell out of the rain? I thought I finished crawling around in the mud when I left the Army. I'm going to need help to stand." "Are you lads all right?" Diana interrupted them as they gathered around Daniel to assist getting him to his feet. Phil looked over to see Diana and Will on either side of Alice. The worried expression on the old lady's face eased when Mark reassured her that he was all right. "Cold, wet, and dying for a cuppa," Sean said in response to Diana's question as they hauled Daniel up by brute force. It was obvious Daniel was biting back cries of pain, and Phil smiled at his sister. "Could you run a hot bath for Daniel?" 81

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"I'm fine," Daniel growled, obviously embarrassed at being singled out. "You're not fine and quit complaining," Sean told him brusquely. "Believe me, I'll be joining you as well." "If it was big enough we'd all pile in," agreed Jack dreamily, flushing as everyone laughed at him. "I mean the bath." "Enough with the orgy talk, boys," Diana said hastily. "Is anyone going to tell me what happened?" Phil frowned at his sister. "What do you mean? Didn't you hear?" "Hear what?" she asked curiously, "All we could see was you lot sitting around on the ground. Why, did something actually happen? Is the curse broken?" "Not exactly," Phil admitted. "Let's get inside and we'll tell you all—after the baths and tea." "Coffee," said Sean. "And brandy," added Jack. "And you lot leaving me alone," muttered Daniel. Sean squeezed his shoulders. "Stop whining."

82

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Chapter 7 Their abortive attempt at curse-breaking in the rain left the men cold and shaking. After a brief conference of war around the refectory table, the three pairs disappeared to try and get dry and warm. Between Will, Charlie and Phil, they managed to find enough clothes to reclothe all six men. Four of them took hot showers, leaving the huge bath for Daniel and Sean. Afterwards, Mark and Jack took Alice back to their home in Eastbridge, while Charlie and Carol returned to the hospital to be with their baby. Sean and Daniel had left with the promise to return the clothes later on. Phil wasn't sure when Diana and Will had vanished. He was worried about Lee. Since they had returned to the gatehouse, he had been in a strange mood. He had phoned his mum to ask if Phil could join them at dinner that evening and wouldn't let Phil out of his sight, insisting on showering with Phil, staying under the hot spray until Phil had stopped shivering. Turning the water off, Lee wrapped a large towel around Phil and dried him off, only doing the same for himself when Phil was dressing in a hoodie and tracksuit bottoms. Every time Phil tried to raise the issue with Lee, he stopped him with a brush to his lips. 83

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"Okay, but we can't put this off forever," Phil said as they finished getting dressed. Lee nodded as he pulled another hoodie over his head. One of Phil's. Phil really liked that. "I promise, but after I've fucked you senseless." "Why can't I—" "Not today, Phil." Lee was so adamant, Phil subsided. Whatever was bothering Lee would come out eventually. **** Sweaty and sated, Phil drew Lee back against his chest. For a while, both men seemed content not to talk as their breathing slowed. Phil played idly with the hair on Lee's chest, feeling Lee shiver every time he dragged a nail over his nipple. "You want to tell me what that was all about?" Phil said eventually. "What was what?" Lee mumbled, sounding half asleep. "You were freaked about something earlier," Phil said, tightening his arms around Lee as the man stiffened. Lee sat up, making Phil hiss as his arse pushed against Phil's sensitive cock. He mumbled something that 84

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Phil didn't hear. "Repeat that," Phil requested. "You wanted him, not me." "What? Who did I want?" Phil was genuinely confused. Shuffling forward a couple of inches, he wrapped his arms and legs around Lee. "You wanted Mark. I could see it in your eyes. You didn't even know I was there." His head rested back against Phil's neck, tickling his jaw. Bemused by Lee's words but anxious to reassure him, Phil said urgently, "Not me, Lee, love, it wasn't me. That was Sir Belvedere who wanted Jonathan." Lee sighed, turning his head to press a kiss on the rough skin of Phil's jaw. "I watch the way you look at him, though. You like Mark; anyone can see that." Enough was enough. Phil wasn't going to let the curse affect this relationship, the one damn thing that he had found in nearly thirty years of misery. Moving swiftly, he pushed Lee back so he was lying on the bed and straddled his hips. "Mark is very attractive," he agreed, watching as Lee's eyes grew wide. Phil took Lee's flaccid cock in his hand, feeling it harden under his hand, his desire warring with the hurt in his eyes. "He's a bit skinny for my taste, but I could live with that. Of course," he said as if he were seriously considering the problem, "there is 85

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

always the issue of Jack. He's a big guy and might just object to me muscling in on his boyfriend." He jacked Lee firmly, once, twice, not smiling as Lee swore at him and clutched at his arms. Dropping suddenly onto one elbow, Phil watched Lee blink rapidly in surprise. "Now, there's one other problem as well." "Wha-what's that?" Lee stuttered, his face set in that pattern that meant he was trying to concentrate. "I don't love Mark," Phil said quietly, pleased to see Lee visibly melt, the tense, rigid lines of his face and neck softening as Phil stroked him, in long and languorous movements. "I've got this thing for a man who was watching me and looking after me long before I knew it. I do love you, Lee Curtis, toppy, fucking git that you are. Me, Phillip Fitzwarren. Not Sir Belvedere, not anyone else. Just me, loving you." The grip of his hand got harder, more insistent. "Can you get that? No need to be jealous." Lee's thigh muscles trembled as he chased his orgasm. "I'm yours, just yours, okay? Wanna come now?" Phil asked, fingers clamping around the base of Lee's dick. Speechless, Lee nodded, his wide green eyes frantic. "Go on then." As he released the vice-like clamp, Lee arched his back and came with a yell. Phil slid down to catch the fluid pulsing from his cock, feeling it spatter warm and slick across his lips and cheek. He looked up to see Lee staring 86

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

at him with awe and lust written plain on his flushed face, then he was being hauled up for a searing kiss, followed by Lee's tongue licking up the come over his face. "I'm not a bloody cat," Phil grumbled, trying to pull away from the licks, but he consented to being tucked against Lee's chest, despite the slight squelch of sweat and come. His pillow sighed underneath him. "I'm sorry for being such a prat," Lee said. "Between the blood thing and getting jealous, you must be sick of me behaving like a girl." "Totally," Phil agreed. "What?" Lee sounded shocked that Phil had actually agreed with him. "Oh. You're taking the mick again, aren't you?" "Just a bit," Phil made a show of snuggling down, waiting for the inevitable… "Bastard!" "Well, stop talking bollocks then." Phil bit at the soft skin on Lee's side, enjoying the yelp in response. "You're very cheerful considering the curse isn't broken," Lee observed, stroking his fingers through Phil's hair. Phil rolled over onto his back and stared up at the ceiling, absently noticing the damp patch in the corner was 87

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

getting bigger. "I never really thought it would work," he admitted. "You think Mark's a fake?" "No, Mark is the real deal. The poor bloke has been through the mill and back. I just don't think that I ever believed that it would work. I mean, three couples get together and suddenly it's all over? It's all too fairytale." Lee rolled over until he was on top of Phil. Automatically, Phil spread his legs to accommodate him. Small whimpers escaped both men as they settled around each other. "You're a real glass-half-empty bloke, aren't you, Fitzwarren?" Phil looked up into his beautiful eyes. "Do you blame me?" "Of course I don't," Lee assured him as he pulled at Phil's legs to go around him. "But we've had this discussion before. You aren't going to die now that you have me. We are the final couple." Phil hissed as he rocked down slightly. "There's another bit of the puzzle to solve. All we have to do is restore the Fitzwarren fortune." Reaching up for another kiss, Phil said, "The Fitzwarrens have nothing left. I told you that. All the land we have left is farmed; that's how we've been surviving all these years. It's not enough now, and Charlie is about to put the castle up for sale." 88

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"No," said Lee firmly, and gave Phil a punishing kiss. Phil saw the flare of satisfaction in Lee's dark eyes as he licked his swollen lips. "No?" "Everyone has got a role to play in this drama. Mark and Daniel have had to live through the past, the rest of us have to sort out the present and the future." Really, it was unfair of Lee to discuss such important matters when he was nibbling on Phil's ear. It was making concentration very difficult. "So… er… Stop that!" he said as Lee licked out his ear. "What next, Sherlock?" Nuzzling down Phil's neck, Lee said in a muffled voice, "I don't know why, but I've got this gut feeling that the solution is tied up with Jack somehow. The curse is very specific—the one who reads the earth. Think about it, Phil, Jonathan said the curse wasn't broken until the fortune was restored. Where would a man that was about to die hide his wealth so that a Fitzwarren couldn't get it? We need someone like Jack to help us find it." "We?" Phil asked, a chill in his stomach. "Are you doing this to get money?" Lee raised his head to look directly into Phil's eyes. "Yes Phil, I'm totally getting involved in your family drama to claim all the money for myself," he said drily. 89

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"Then what do you get out of it?" Phil asked, still not convinced. "You," Lee said simply. "Anything we find goes to the estate, not to me. You can't get hold of any money that way." "I said you, not the castle, not the money. Just you. Jesus, what do I have to do to convince you?" The hurt expression was too much to handle, and Phil dragged Lee back, wrapping his arms and legs around Lee's body, pulling him flush against Phil's body. "I'm sorry," he whispered, burying his face in Lee's neck, inhaling the smell that he had come to associate with his lover. "You're going to have to learn to trust me," Lee pointed out. "I'm going to make you trust me." "Fuck, Lee, I want to." Phil huffed into Lee's skin. "But you're scared." Lee rolled them over so that Phil was tucked against Lee's chest. Phil may have been the taller man, but somehow Lee had the habit of making Phil, the baby, spoon. Phil listened to Lee's steady heartbeat. "I'm scared all the time. All I do is wait for the next disaster, the next death. Charlie and Di cope so much better than me." "They both have loving partners," Lee pointed out. "You've been alone, but now you have me. The fact that 90

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

I'm a Curtess" he said, emphasising the e-s-s, "is no coincidence. Whatever Jonathan thinks, you and I were destined to be together." "You're too young," Phil started. "Oh fuck off," Lee said cheerfully. "I've admitted I hate blood and I've shown I'm a possessive bitch, but I am not and never will be too young for you." He accompanied the words with a bite to Phil's shoulder. "Ouch! You're a bloody cannibal," Phil grumbled without heat. "I know," Lee agreed, totally without remorse. "Do we have time for a quick nap before we have to be at Mum's?" That set Phil's stomach roiling again. Meeting the parents, oh God. Lee kissed the top of his head. "Go to sleep, baby. It'll seem so much less frightening after a nap." Phil reached down the bed for the duvet. "Ummm, just a short one. We haven't got very long." He snuggled the duvet around them and tucked his head under Lee's chin, falling asleep to the sound of his heartbeat. **** Maybe the best way to meet the parents wasn't to 91

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

sleep through dinner. Phil awoke to find Lee lying across him, swearing loudly. "Shit! Shit! No, Mum, I wasn't swearing at you. Sorry… God, really, is that the time? I'm so sorry. We overslept… Yes, we were sleeping… I know Mark and his grandmother are there. We'll leave immediately… At least we'll be there for pudding." Phil watched as Lee snapped his phone shut and cursed again. "Whatimezit?" he asked sleepily. "Six-thirty," Lee groaned. "Mum's just about to dish up dinner, and she's fuming." "Fuck!" Phil sat up, the duvet pooling around his waist. "Don't worry, baby, I told her you fucked me senseless. She understood." "Arse!" Phil shoved at his shoulder, taking great delight in watching Lee fall off the bed. Lee rubbed at his shoulder. "You're a brute. I'm gonna tell my mummy about you." Leaning over the bed, Phil gave it a kiss better. "Aw, don't do that. I'll be a good boy, I promise." "Don't think you can suck up to me now, Mr Fitzwarren." Lee stood up, bringing his groin very close to Phil's mouth. Slowly sweeping his eyes up the length of Lee's 92

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

body, Phil winked and gave him a leer. "I can always suck something else if you want." He very slowly licked his lips. "Stop it," Lee said hoarsely. "We have to go. Mum will kill me. Fuck, do me now." "But…" Phil didn't get any further as Lee mashed his face exactly where he wanted it. Phil didn't waste any more time, sucking Lee's dick to the back of his throat. With one hand and a talented mouth, he brought Lee off within a matter of minutes. The other hand was wrapped around his own cock. He groaned as his mouth was flooded with the sharp taste of spunk, triggering his own orgasm. Lee pulled out of Phil's mouth and collapsed back on the bed, flinging an arm over his eyes. Phil tapped on his thigh. "No resting. Dinner's waiting, remember?" "I've just fed you. You're expecting dinner as well?" The pinch Lee got on his shoulder was well justified in Phil's opinion.

93

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Chapter 8 Lee's mum was really angry with her son. Phil could see the words she was itching to let out but was holding back because of her guests. Phil and Lee had arrived just as she was serving up apple pie and custard. They were seated at either end of the crowded table, and their dinner was slapped in front of them. They both said hello to Alice Renfrew, who was sitting next to Lee's sister. On the opposite side of the table, Mark and Jack smirked at them as they sat down. Phil wanted to smirk back but was quelled by the glare from Mrs Curtis and became very invested in looking at his plate. "Glad to see you finally decided to join us," Mrs Curtis said snippily. Poised to eat a mouthful of cottage pie, Lee sighed. "I'm sorry, Mum, it's just been a long afternoon." There was a loud snort from Allyson, and he rounded on his sister to answer back, but his mum interrupted him. "Mark and Jack managed to turn up on time." She smiled at the two men who obediently smiled back. "Suckups," Lee muttered under his breath. "Jonathan Lee Curtis, how dare you speak to our 94

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

guests like that." She turned in surprise as Phil's fork clattered onto his plate. "Is everything all right, dear?" asked Mrs Curtis, one eyebrow raised as she saw Mark's hand covering Phil's. He was aware Mark was talking quietly to him, but Phil just stared at Lee, the shock on his face written clear. "Jonathan Lee Curtis?" he asked, his voice cracking. "It's an old family name," Mr Curtis said. "All the sons' first names are Jonathan. Mine is as well. But we all use our middle names. We've always called him Lee." "I was going to tell you," Lee said, "but we kept getting distracted." "What's going on, Lee?" His mother's voice was sharp, but she went and stood beside her son, laying her hand on his shoulder. "Tell him what?" "I—uh—Mum…" Lee scrubbed his hand through hair, making the black mop even more untidy. "I…" Phil stood up. "I'm sorry, Mrs Curtis. I just… I'm… My name is Phillip Fitzwarren." She frowned. "Fitzwarren. I'm sure I know someone by that name." "Yes, my sister, Diana." "Are you one of the Fitzwarrens from the castle?" Lee's father asked shrewdly. Phil noticed that he had the same green eyes that Lee had. 95

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"I am. I don't know what you know about us—" "I know we got a lot of trouble when we moved here because of our name," Mr Curtis said. "Then you know about the curse laid on the Fitzwarrens by Jonathan Curtess?" Mark asked. "Helen and I did," Mr Curtis said. "The whole village was keen to tell us when we arrived. Initially some folk refused to talk to us. After several months, most people came around. We never told the kids because they were too young at the time, and Lee was always called by his middle name. I just thought it was a horrible coincidence. After all, I come from Glasgow, not around here." "Besides which it's just a stupid myth, isn't it? Designed to drum up the tourist trade," Mrs Curtis said lightly. "Is something wrong with your dinner, dear?" she asked Phil, who was still standing up, his eyes on her son. "No, it's fine really," Phil said, sitting back down and picking up his fork. He choked down a few mouthfuls while she watched him. Whilst Phil was concentrating on his plate, he heard Lee say, "We need to talk to you both," and looked up to see Lee addressing Mark and Jack. "We do too," Jack said. "Alice had an idea that might resolve the… er… problem." Alice Renfrew had been sitting quietly through the 96

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

mini-drama being played out in front of her, but at the mention of her name, she nodded. "I think we need to meet up tomorrow. I'll delay my departure until Monday." "I can't tomorrow. I'm working all day," Lee said. "Do we need Lee there?" Mark asked. "The plan really needs Charlie and Jack." Lee looked inexplicably rejected. Leaning forward, Phil tangled his fingers in his boyfriend's. "If we're going to complete this then all six of us need to be there," Phil said. "Let's call Sean and Daniel to find out when they are free. It can wait a few days, can't it, Alice? If Mark is busy, I can drive down to fetch you." Lee's mother was frowning. "What exactly is going on here and how does it affect my son? Lee, are you involved in anything dangerous?" The old woman sighed and pushed back her plate. "Such brave boys. Helen, I think this tale would go down better with a cup of tea." Jack turned a brilliant smile on Allyson. She blinked as if she were dazed. "Would you like to help me make the drinks, then your mum can have a well-deserved rest?" "That's very thoughtful, Jack." Helen Curtis smiled a little uncertainly. "Lead the way, Ally," Jack got to his feet and 97

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

grinned down at his partner. Rolling his eyes, Mark waved him towards the kitchen. "She'll eat him alive," Lee commented in a loud whisper. "Take a good look now, Mark, 'cause you might not get him back." "Don't be so rude to your sister," his mother snapped. Used to brotherly mocking, Allyson poked her tongue at Lee and dutifully led the way, Jack trailing behind her. Phil looked over to Mark who had a strangely sad expression on his face. Of course, Mark didn't have any siblings, and he had missed the bickering and loving that came with being part of a family. For the first time, Phil found himself grateful for his family, despite the inherent tragedies of losing his brothers. Aware of Lee's questioning eyes upon him, Phil gave him a slight smile. The relief on his lover's face was instant. "Mrs Renfrew, what's going on and why does it involve my son?" Mr Curtis asked as he cleared away some of the plates. Waiting for him to come back to the table, Mark answered for his gran. "It's no coincidence that we contacted you, Mr Curtis, although we didn't know Phil and Lee had met separately until today." 98

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Phil was still looking at Lee and wasn't really paying attention to the conversation. "Call me Tim, please," Tim Curtis insisted. "So we really are connected to Jonathan Curtess and to you?" "Yes, you are, and your son is tied up in breaking the curse, just the same as Jack, Phil and myself, plus young Dr Lester and Daniel Foster." Tim's eyes widened, and Helen fell back against her chair with a gasp. The significance of Mark's words suddenly hit Phil like a hammer between the eyes. Tearing his eyes away from Lee, he asked, "You knew there were descendants of Curtess living nearby?" "Not until Jack met Helen in the post office. They got talking, and Helen introduced herself. Jack mentioned it to me, and I did a bit of digging. That is my job after all." Mark cast an apologetic look at Helen and Tim. "So you already knew Lee was going to be the seeker?" Phil asked. Shaking his head, Mark accepted the cup of tea from Lee's sister and said, "No, I was literally just looking at the fact there were Curtesses close by. Lee—" He smiled at the young man. "—was a total shock, but it made sense. Jonathan Curtess wants full restitution." After thanking Allyson for his own drink, Lee said, 99

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"Phil wanted to talk to Jack about where Jonathan might have hidden his fortune." "Clever boy," Alice said. "Mark and I came to the same conclusion earlier on." "I have some ideas," Phil admitted. "But I think we'll need everyone there to find it. Curtess is going to intervene somehow." "Wait a minute!" Helen's voice was sharp. "You waltz in here telling me that my son is involved in some ancient curse nonsense—" "Mum, please," Lee intervened. "No, Lee, I have a right to know why these people are dragging you into something we all know is made up." Phil could feel anger bubbling up inside him at this casual dismissal of the living torment his family had gone through. "Mrs Curtis, my family has endured this made-up nonsense for centuries. It's taken my parents and two brothers, and my older brother's babies." She looked surprised at Phil's vehement defence but still unconvinced. "Maybe you think that, but every family has bad luck." "Helen, stop." Tim Curtis said. Phil was thankful because he wasn't sure he could remain polite under the circumstances. "I did some investigating when we first arrived, and the curse is real. The Fitzwarrens have lost 100

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

almost everything because of it." Somewhere in the discussion, Lee had walked around the table, pulling up Jack's chair close to Phil's to hold his hand. Phil hung on tightly. He didn't want a row with his future mother-in-law—and wait, where had that come from? Helen glowered at the sight of her son supporting him but said nothing further. Jack and Allyson had brought in the last of the drinks and had taken the empty seats. Jack looked over to Phil and Lee. "Did I hear you also think that Jonathan Curtis might have hidden his fortune away?" "Lee does," Phil agreed, "and I have an idea where. Lee is working tomorrow. If Mark takes Alice home, you and I could go over the site." Feeling Lee stiffen beside him, he gave Lee's hand a squeeze. "But we all need to be together when we search; we're more powerful together." Mark grinned at him. "It's the first time I've seen you actually accept that we can help you." "Oh fu… go away," Phil muttered, knowing that Mark was correct. "Is it diamonds and gold?" Allyson asked. "Can I look too?" "No, you can't," Lee told her firmly. "Why not?" She pouted at him. "I'm a Curtess too. 101

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Whatever you find is partly mine." Phil's head snapped up. Whatever Lee said, if the Curtesses made a claim on any finds, the Fitzwarrens would be back in the financial mire again. "Any finds will be on Fitzwarren land," Mr Curtis said firmly. "Don't get any ideas into your heads, either of you," he said, addressing both his daughter and his wife. They looked disappointed, and Helen looked as if she was going to argue the point, but Phil breathed easier. "Isn't my dad great?" Lee whispered in his ear. Nodding, Phil leaned against him, resting his head against the black curls. It had been a hell of a day, and all he wanted to do was curl in Lee's arms and go to sleep. Maybe if he promised to drive Lee to work tomorrow, Lee would agree to come back to the gatehouse. "Going to let me come back tonight?" Lee whispered. "Hmmm," Phil agreed. The moment was ruined by the mock-retching noises coming from Lee's sister, but they ignored her as Lee enclosed him in a hug.

102

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Chapter 9 The following morning found the massive refectory table at the gatehouse covered in aerial photos of the castle and the estate. Jack had spread them out so they now had a bird's eye view of the whole estate. Coffee mug in hand, Charlie was chatting to Jack about the forthcoming university excavation, which had given him a welcome outlet from worrying about Carol and baby. Phil was carefully studying the photos. He had a feeling he couldn't shake off that the answer to their problems lay in plain sight. "You've been staring at those photos for twenty minutes. Have they given you the answer yet?" Jack asked. Phil hadn't even noticed Jack was by his side. He hummed thoughtfully. "If you were in hiding, knowing what was about to happen to you, what would you do?" "Apart from carve out a living curse with my blood, you mean?" "Apart from that," agreed Phil. "I'd be angry and frightened," Jack started. "I'd want to make sure Fitzwarren didn't hurt my son." "And what else?" Jack narrowed his eyes. "What are you thinking?" 103

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"If it were me, I'd hide my wealth from my murderer." "But he's already going to get the house and the lands. What would he care about the money?" "He wouldn't—then. All Sir Belvedere wanted was to erase the hurt that Curtess had caused by destroying him. He ached to destroy the man, but Curtess wasn't thinking like that. He'd want to hide the things that he could control—his wife and son, and his fortune. He'd hide the money so his wife could get it later. So where would he hide it?" Phil tapped the photographs. "Somewhere on this land is the answer." Scanning the photos, Jack said, "Why hasn't it been discovered before?" "Because no one was looking for it. Curtess was the one who gave us the clue that there even was something to find." Phil bent over one section of the estate. "This is all that's left of Eastbridge Hall. It was used as an ice house for the castle for two hundred years, but it fell into disuse in the nineteenth century when the walls became unstable." "Who owns the land where the ice house is standing?" Jack asked as he examined the aerial photo of the tumbledown buildings. Phil frowned. "The estate does. Why?" "Because if we find anything valuable, there are 104

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

laws involved to establish who owns the property. We need to make sure that anything we find stays with the estate," Jack answered. "I can look up the exact details on my netbook." "I keep looking over all these photos, and my eye is always drawn back to the ice house," Phil said. "A gut feeling that Mark ought to take a look at these as well." "He'll be over soon," Jack said, murmuring his thanks as he accepted another coffee from Charlie. "Alice wasn't feeling well enough to travel today." "Is she all right?" asked Charlie, looking concerned. Jack had a grin on his face. "I think she just wants to be part of the action. The Renfrew Talent has been more of a curse than a blessing over the years. Now she has a chance to see it used for good. I don't think we'll see her gone until this is complete." Rolling his eyes, Phil said, "Must be a bitch on the love life." "You have no idea," muttered Jack. "I live with the family," Phil pointed out, smirking at Charlie's sigh. "Why do you think I'm so pleased Lee works shifts?" "Do I have to hear you boys discussing your sex life?" Charlie grumbled. "It just reminds me I'm not getting any." 105

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Jack patted Charlie gently on the back. "Sorry, man." The knock at the kitchen door saved the awkward moment. Phil glanced over to see Mark poke his head around the door, his green eyes—Curtess eyes—lighting up when he saw Jack. "Oh God, another one," Charlie groaned. "If you start discussing sex, I'm throwing you out," he told the startled new arrival. "Should I ask?" Mark grinned as he received a hug from Jack. "Do it and die," Charlie growled. Mark held up his hands in surrender. "You know you love it." Phil grinned, ducking away from a clap to the head his elder brother aimed at him. To head off more sibling bickering, Jack handed Mark the photo of the ruined remains of Eastbridge Hall and the ice house. The reaction was immediate, like Mark had been plugged into the mains. The other men looked at each other with a satisfied nod. "Damn, next time give me a chance to be prepared," Mark exclaimed, hastily handing the photo back to Jack. "Sorry, sunshine, we just needed to know we were on the right track," Jack said, kissing him by way of 106

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

apology. Suddenly hit by a wave of missing his boyfriend, Phil huffed a little. "It's all very well knowing where to look, but the ruins may be unsafe. We need to be careful, otherwise we'll have it crashing around our heads." Jack tapped the photo. "Let's take a look at the site. I know some guys who can make it safe if necessary." Charlie looked dubious at Jack's words. "We can't afford their fees, Jack." Waving a hand dismissively, Jack said, "I'm owed a favour. Leave it with me." Phil was exchanging a doubtful look with Charlie when his mobile vibrated. Flipping it open, he couldn't help the broad grin that spread over his face. "God help me!" Charlie stomped off towards the kitchen door. "I need to find my woman before I drown in the rainbow gay." Answering the phone with a suggestion to his brother that he could do worse than to embrace the cock, Phil greeted his boyfriend. "Who are you talking to?" Lee asked suspiciously. "My brother," Phil said. "That's so wrong, baby." Phil chuckled. "Don't call me baby. What time do you want me to pick you up?" Phil had driven Lee to work 107

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

simply so he'd have to pick him up later. "About four. I thought we could drop off at the Frog on our way home." "Cool!" Phil liked Lee's suggestion. "See you later." Jack and Mark were still chatting by the table. They looked up as he joined them. "We need to work out when we're all free," Jack said. Grimacing as he thought about trying to get six separate schedules to mesh, Phil picked up the phone. "There's no time like the present. I'll phone Sean and Daniel to get their free time. Sean's got surgery all this week, so it's going to be next weekend at the earliest." Jack groaned loudly. "Does that mean your gran will be with us all week?" "Hell no!" Mark exclaimed. "Not a chance. She can't be that cruel." **** Despite their best efforts, it was ten days before the six men managed to get together again. Ten long days that gnawed at Phil's soul. He spent a lot of time running his fingers over the crack in the cursed sarsen. The crack was deeper and wider than before, but not enough to break it. 108

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Still not enough. Lee was there as well, taking him to bed at every opportunity and distracting him with his hands, dick, and so, so wicked mouth that licked and sucked his flesh until Phil was a mindless puddle of need beneath him. The only piece of good news was that baby Edward was holding his own. Every day was a new battle fought, but Charlie and Carol had lost the haunted looks in their eyes that appeared when they contemplated the possible survival of their child. They hadn't needed to wait as Sean pointed out to Phil. Whatever had to happen was down to him now, and the other five were really irrelevant. Phil knew that as well as they did, but he needed to have them there, needed the closure with all of them. There was a light pattering of rain as they walked around the ice house. They had left Alice behind at the gatehouse as the ground was so uneven. Centuries of footsteps had not completely disguised the fact they were walking over rubble. Sean was staying close to Daniel, with Lee also close by, ready to help if he should stumble, blandly ignoring the resentful glares from the ex-soldier. Lush green grass covered most of the site. It had been years since Phil and his brothers had played around here, despite their parents' dire warnings of collapsing 109

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

brickwork. Jack's face was animated as he explored the area, comparing the aerial photos with the evidence in front of him. Phil showed them around, as good as any tour guide, describing the layout of Eastbridge Hall. For the first time, the men were able to visualise a small part of Jonathan Curtess's life before it was crushed by Sir Belvedere Fitzwarren. Mark and Lee wandered off together for a while, and the others let them go, knowing that this place held a different meaning for them. On their return, the men decided it was time to venture into the ice house, which was really just a small part of the underground kitchen of the old hall. At the entrance to the dark cave, everyone put on the hats Jack had provided, pausing as he handed one over to Mark. The psychic was pale, his hand visibly shaking as he took the hat. "There is so much anger trapped here." Mark shuddered. "Sir Belvedere killed anyone who supported Curtess." Jack pulled him close against his body. "Are you sure you're up to this?" "We have to. I started this whole process. Now we need some closure." There was a cough at the back of the queue. Phil 110

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

turned to see Daniel leaning heavily on his cane. "Why don't you stay out here with me, Mark? I can't say as I'm up to trying not to trip over anything in the dark." Phil grinned as he heard the low-voiced "Now you're being sensible" from the doctor and the answering growl. "Go on." Jack gently pushed Mark towards the light. "We'll call you if we find anything—or don't find anything." Mark kissed him gratefully and walked back to give Daniel an arm to the top of the stairs. Taking a deep breath of the dank air, Phil ducked his head into the dark tunnel. "Here goes." He switched his torch on and pointed it at the floor. The others did the same, waving their beams of light at the tunnel walls. No one was really sure what they were looking for in the pitch blackness. It struck Phil that leaving behind the two people with psychic abilities may have been self-defeating. "Jack, what are we looking for?" Sean asked, his voice echoing in the closed space. "Buggered if I know," Jack said cheerfully. "Until we get in here, I don't know what we are going to find." The only one that had been into the ice house was Phil, and his memory wasn't of the exact details. As a kid, 111

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

he was more concerned with the game they were playing than the structure of the ruin. The brick tunnel opened out into a larger space, part of the original kitchen. All around there were tattered burlap sacks and broken stoneware, testimony to its use in previous centuries. Jack wandered off to look at the far wall, which was effectively a solid wall of rubble. If the "fortune", which Phil had to admit could amount to absolutely nothing in today's terms, was hidden behind that wall then they were stymied. Nothing short of a bulldozer would get that down. "I don't get why the fortune or whatever it is didn't go to his wife and child," Sean said as he ran his hands over the walls, looking for something, anything that might give them a clue. "Maybe because he thought Fitzwarren could get his hands on it," Lee suggested. "But it's his family," Sean protested. "Do you think Curtess was thinking of anything beyond revenge? Fitzwarren wasn't," Lee replied, frowning as he knocked at the wall. Jack came to stand by him. "Have you found something?" "I'm not sure. It seems hollow here." Following Lee's direction, Jack took a step backwards, looking at the blackened stones. "It looks like 112

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

one of the hearths for the fires. There might have been a recess in the wall." "If so, it's been blocked up," Lee said, feeling around with his fingers. "Perhaps with the destruction of the house?" Phil suggested, going over to have a look. Even as he did so, he could see he was wrong. Whatever was blocking the recess had been filled in deliberately. "I'll get Mark down here to see if we're on the right track," Sean said, walking out of the tunnel. He came back after five minutes, Mark hard on his heels. The psychic went to the recess and placed his hand over it. Jack grabbed him swiftly as Mark's knees buckled. "Easy," he gasped. "Let's get you out of here." "We've found it." Lee sounded exultant. "I'll get Mark out of here and come back with some tools," Jack said, his arms around his boyfriend. "I'm fine," Mark groused, but he didn't protest as Jack herded him out of the old kitchen. Phil eyed the sledgehammer that Jack brought back warily. "I'm not sure this is a good idea, guys. We could bring the roof down on our heads." "We'll go carefully," Jack promised. "Why don't Sean and Lee get out of here? Phil, you ought to be here as 113

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

the landowner." Sean grunted in agreement, but Lee shook his head. "I'm a Curtess and the partner of a Fitzwarren. I'm staying," he said firmly. "Lee…" Phil began. "My decision," Lee said, cupping the side of Phil's face with his hand and pulling him down to kiss him. They knocked their hats in the process and laughed, tilting their faces a little. Sean groaned. "Guys, there is a time and a place for sappy moments." "Fuck off," Phil retorted and carried on kissing his seeker. "I'll go and see if Daniel's still upright. If anyone is interested." Phil waved a hand and carried on kissing Lee to within an inch of his life. Jack was tapping at the recess. Phil heard Sean sigh and walk off. "Could I interrupt you for a moment? There's a curse to be broken here." Jack sounded very amused. "Sorry." Phil licked his lips, getting himself together. Jack pointed to one part of the wall. "I'm going to knock in this part. It's hollow compared to the rest of it. Here goes." 114

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

As Jack swung the sledgehammer, Phil held his breath, letting himself be gathered against Lee's chest. The whole tunnel shuddered, and the space filled with dust, but after an apprehensive moment, it was clear the structure was still holding. The brickwork crumbled under one strike. Phil and Lee waited as Jack felt inside the hole he had made. "Nothing." "What?" Phil exclaimed. Jack turned to face to them, his disappointed expression just visible in the torchlight. "There's a cavity here, but there's nothing in it. Zilch. Nada. I can't even see ash or the remains of anything." Anger coiled in Phil's stomach. "The bastard is playing with us. There's no fucking fortune to find." Not thinking of what he was doing, he grabbed the sledgehammer from Jack and took aim at the wall. "Phil, no! The walls aren't that safe!" Jack leapt forward to stop him, but it was too late. With a resounding crash, the sledgehammer hit the brickwork. This time, stones crashed down around them, and there was a resounding crack. "We need to get out of here now, guys," Jack said, coughing as the dust flew around them. "Let's get out of here and talk to the others." 115

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

There was an ominous crack overhead. All three men looked up to see a jagged line splitting down the wall. "Run now!" Jack barked. Lee shoved Phil in front of him, and they hurried towards the exit at the end of the tunnel. The rumbling around them got louder and more violent as they ran, choking on the heavy brick dust. Behind them, Phil could hear the sounds of bricks crashing to the floor. "Come on," Lee urged. Phil saved his energies for trying to get out without landing flat on his face. Phil managed to get outside just behind Jack, Sean and Mark running towards them, horrified looks on their faces. "Get back! Back!" Jack gasped out. Mark wrapped an arm around his boyfriend to help him clear. As Sean was reaching for Phil, he said, "Where's Lee?" Phil spun around. Lee had been right behind him. Where the hell was he? He launched himself back towards the entrance, ignoring the clouds of dust billowing out of the ice house. "What are you doing?" Sean yelled. "You can't go back in there!" 116

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"I've got to. I can't leave him." Evading Sean's restraining hands, Phil ran back into the tunnel, frantically looking for Lee. He dragged his hoodie over his mouth and nose, in a futile attempt to avoid breathing the choking dust. The torch was worse than useless in the haze. Unable to see where he was going, Phil tripped on the uneven surface of the ground, going down on one knee. As he got to his feet, pain shot through him, almost sending him to his knees again. "Lee? Lee? Where the hell are you?" he screamed, listening for any response above the noise of the walls crashing down. "Lee!" "I'm here, baby, I'm here." Emerging out of the dust and the darkness, Lee was clutching something to his chest. Phil reached out to grab him, and they headed for the exit, Lee supporting Phil as he limped on his injured knee. They got out just in time, the tunnel collapsing as they emerged. Jack and Sean rushed forward, helping them to a safe distance. His knee giving way, Phil collapsed to the ground, biting back the cries of pain. Instantly, Lee was by his side. "What's the matter? Where are you hurt?" "Where the hell were you?" "Let me look," Sean said, falling to his knees on the other side of Phil. "Is it your knee?" 117

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"Of course it's my fucking knee," Phil gasped out. "Ow, fuck, get your hands off it. And where the fuck were you?" he managed to bellow at his boyfriend. Lee had the grace to look apologetic. He gestured to a bag Jack was pawing through. "I saw that poking out as we ran. I thought it might be interesting." "More interesting than a brick crushing your head in?" Daniel asked, hovering nearby. "You could say that," Jack said in a strangled voice. They all looked up to see him holding out his hand. Attempting to get up to have a look, Phil fell backwards with a cry as pain jolted through his upper leg. "Stay there, you idiot," Sean told him, pushing him back down carefully and examining his knee. "It's only bruised, but we can get it x-rayed just to make sure." Leaning back against Lee, Phil did his best not to wail like a three-year-old. Jack knelt beside Phil, the others crowding around them. "Look at this." Phil looked at the tarnished coin in Jack's dirtstreaked palm. "Is that what I think it is?" "If you think it's a silver crown, you'd be right. The bag is full of them." "How much are they worth?" Mark asked, looking through the bag, "There's a good number here." 118

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"I don't know," Jack admitted. "But I've got a friend who can give us a better idea." "Was that the only bag?" Daniel asked Lee. Shrugging, Lee said, "I wasn't sure. I saw this bag poking out of a hole as the wall split. When I tried to yank it out, it was stuck. That's why I wasn't right behind you," he said with an apologetic kiss to Phil's mouth. "I was scared," Phil said, but he put his face up for another kiss. Jack took the bag back from Mark. "Let's get back to the gatehouse and I can look at the coins properly," he suggested. "We need to get Hopalong up and walking," Lee pointed out, grinning at Phil's scowl. Phil really didn't want to move, but swallowing hard against the rising bile, he held out his arms. Crouching, Lee and Sean put their arms around his back and helped him up, keeping their arms around him as he balanced. "Do you need my stick?" Daniel asked, a grin playing around his lips. "Fuck off," Phil muttered. "Sean and I can help Phil back," Lee said. "Jack can help Dan if he needs it. Only if you need it," he said quickly at Daniel's black look. Phil looked back at the ice house. Dust was still 119

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

rising over the pile of rubble. For a minute, he felt regret. That was a part of his childhood in ruins. No other Fitzwarren child would play in the dark tunnels as he had with his siblings. "Ready, baby?" Lee murmured in his ear. "Don't call me baby," Phil said automatically, flushing at the snicker from Sean. Lee gave him a lazy smile, his gorgeous green eyes not dimmed by the fact he was covered in brick dust. Phil had a split second to really distrust that smile before Lee drawled, "Would you prefer me to call you my lord?"

120

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Chapter 10 With Phil's family and Alice watching from the castle, the six men, still covered in brick dust, aligned themselves around the sarsen, and once again, Daniel drew a line along their palms. Lee awaited his turn with his jaw clenched but managed to watch this time. They each took a coin from the bag, covered in their blood and grime, and laid it in the crack and waited, rain soaking them to the skin, for whatever was to happen. In the end, it was quite prosaic. There were no possessions and no apparitions of Jonathan Curtess or Sir Belvedere appeared. Jack had his arms around Mark, but the psychic was conscious and watching like the rest of them. As the last blood-covered coin was placed in the deep, jagged crack by Lee, the stone shuddered and split in two. When they all bent over to look, there was no sign of the coins. Mark knelt to touch the stone, looking up with something like awe on his angular face. "It's gone this time. There is nothing there anymore. The price has been paid in full." Phil looked doubtful. "Are you sure? There isn't 121

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

another random demand or more shit to be thrown at us?" "Could you be any more glass-half-empty again?" Lee suggested as he tucked Phil back into his arms. "I know but…" Phil stopped as the others approached. "Is it finally all over?" Diana asked hopefully, her hand on Alice's elbow. Alice gave a contented smile. "Yes, my dear, it is. The curse is lifted, and the Fitzwarrens are finally free." She leaned forward. "Now you can have that baby without any worries." "What?" Diana looked startled. Will choked. Shocked, Phil looked up to see Mark rolling his eyes. "Gran, that was naughty. You're not supposed to give out that sort of information," he scolded. "I'm sorry, dear, didn't you know?" she asked, her contrite tone belied by the twinkle in her eyes. Diana laid a hand over her stomach. "I'm pregnant?" she asked wonderingly. Swallowing back the lump in his throat, Phil watched as Will laid a hand over hers. "We're having a baby?" he asked. "You are," Alice said. Charlie stepped forward and hugged his sister and 122

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

brother-in-law, and Phil limped forward to do the same. They huddled together in the rain, and if there were more than a few tears shed, the rain washed them away. Then it was the other men's turn. They hugged Diana, kissing her on the cheek. Jack, Lee and Mark shook Will's hand, while Daniel pulled him into a half-hug. Looking over at his brother, Phil could see worry mixed in with joy in his face. Trying to have a baby had been a constant source of sorrow for Charlie and his wife. Despite Mark's assurances that the curse was lifted, no one could really be sure that Diana would be all right. Sean put his arm around Charlie. "I'll watch her every step of the way," he promised, obviously understanding the look on his face. "Shouldn't you be making that promise to Will and Di?" asked Daniel, grinning to let the doctor know he understood. "I get the feeling I may be the dad, but the uncles are going to be very involved. You are not teaching my kid to wear pink," Will warned. "I don't own anything pink," Phil said, offended. He moved and then wished he hadn't as pain shot through his knee. "Shall we get the invalids inside?" suggested Lee, putting his arms around Phil again. 123

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"Watch who you're calling an invalid," growled Daniel, but he didn't seem adverse to the idea. Overhead the rain had stopped, and weak rays of sunshine peaked through the clouds. Alice looked up into the sky. "Even the weather approves," she said, with a smile. Jack looked eager to get back to the gatehouse to examine the remaining coins more closely. It was too soon to place a value on the find, and it was unlikely to get the Fitzwarren estate out of the financial hole it was in, but it would make a difference and possibly get them through another year. Jack suggested excavating the site to see if there were any more bags waiting to be discovered. "I wonder what happened to the coins that we offered up as payment," Sean said as they crowded into the kitchen. "If that is what it took to get Curtess to leave us alone, it is a small price to pay," Charlie said, and the rest of them nodded in agreement. A mobile phone rang, and Charlie went pale. He dug the phone out of his pocket. There was a sudden hush as he answered it, all aware of what a phone call could mean. Phil held his breath as Charlie talked to his wife. From the expression on his face it didn't look like bad 124

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

news, but—God, not bad news now, he prayed. Snapping the phone shut, Charlie looked at his audience. "My boy is well enough to be moved out of NICU," he said, with a grin at the pleased exclamations. Phil just stared at him, sure if he tried to speak he would blubber like a baby. "All right there?" Lee asked, cupping Phil's cheek tenderly. Unable to speak, Phil nodded at him, his eyes prickling with unshed tears. It was unbelievable. In one short afternoon, he had been handed so much good news that, for a moment, he just couldn't take it in. The other shoe had to drop, he knew that. The Fitzwarrens just weren't that lucky. "It's about time you took the weight off your knee," Sean suggested, breaking the moment. "How about a hot bath?" Lee suggested. Charlie groaned, and Di snorted derisively. "What?" Lee asked, all faux innocence. "We're dirty, and it will help his knee." Phil was sure he couldn't get any redder if he was dipped in crimson. "Let's go for a drink at the Red Lion once you've cleaned up," Will suggested to the others. "We really want to be out of here." "We'll come for a drink too," Phil said. 125

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

"Later," said Lee, his voice dropping so that only Phil could hear. "Much later." Phil wanted to protest at being topped in front of his family, but he got the feeling that it wouldn't make any difference. Lee was always going to be the one in charge no matter who was the lord. **** Drowsy and content, Phil couldn't remember being this relaxed for so long. He was lying in a steaming bath, one of Lee's arms holding him snug against his solid chest, as Lee washed off the grime with a flannel. Lee was stroking the flannel down him in long strokes, ending with a swipe under his balls. "You're being unfair," Phil said, his voice slurred, turning his face to get a kiss. "Hmmm?" Lee hummed into his mouth. The kiss was sloppy and off-centre, but Phil didn't mind. "You're trying to make me hard." He spread his legs wider as Lee made another slow swipe with the flannel. There was a low snicker in his ear. "Not having to try very hard, baby." Phil wanted to protest, but honestly, he was enjoying the attention too much to make much of an effort. 126

The Lord's Tale

Sue Brown

Water sloshed over the side of the bath as he draped his uninjured leg over the edge to give Lee better access. "Is that it now, do you think?" Lee asked suddenly. "Can you finally move forward and quit waiting to die?" Sighing a little, Phil pressed a kiss to Lee's collarbone. "I think so," he said, "although it might take me a while to stop thinking the world is going to fall apart all the time." There was silence for a few minutes, the only noise in the room being the splashing of the water as Lee slid the flannel over Phil's slick, aroused skin. "I love you," Phil gasped suddenly, needing to say the words out loud, finding the words light on his tongue. "I love you, baby," Lee said, sounding pleased that Phil had finally admitted it. "Don't call me, ba—" He arched his hips as Lee cupped his balls and tugged gently. "Bastard!" he gasped out. Lee bit down on Phil's shoulder, licking the hurt. "You were saying?" He was saying something? Phil couldn't remember. The End

127

About the Author Sue Brown is owned by her dog and two children. When she isn't following their orders, she can be found at university listening to lecturers discuss long-dead theologians. In her head, however, she's plotting how to get her cowboys into bed together; she just hopes the lecturer doesn't ask her any questions. Sue discovered M/M erotica at the time she woke up to find two men kissing on a television series. The series was boring; the kissing was not. She may be late to the party, but she's made up for it since, writing fan fiction until she was brave enough to venture out into the world of original fiction. Come over and talk to Sue at http://suebrownsstories.blogspot.com/ or contact her at [email protected]. Her website can be found at http://www.suebrownstories.co.uk/ Website: http://www.suebrownstories.co.uk/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/suebrownstories Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/suebrownstories Blog: http://suebrownsstories.blogspot.com/ Email: [email protected]

Also by Sue Brown Available at Silver Publishing: Chance to be King The Backpack THE FITZWARREN INHERITANCE The Psychic's Tale, by Chris Quinton The Soldier's Tale, by RJ Scott The Lord's Tale, by Sue Brown Available at All Romance eBooks: Nothing Ever Happens Morning Report The Night Porter Twisted Creature "Possession" in Mine "The Sacrifice" in Making Contact Available at Torquere Books: "Lipstick" in Toy Box: Make-up Prey Time Mr Plum