Debt of Dishonour Book II: A Gothic Palace

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Part II
 

As midnight struck, Archie and Horatio accompanied a thoroughly tipsy Admiral Briggs up the steep, circular stairs of a tower to his room high in the nunneries. Indeed it would be fair to say that the man would never have made it up all the stairs without their help for Archie had for the last hour been not only adding extra rum but laudanum as well to the man's wine. Neither of the younger men could understand how the Admiral was still on his feet at all.

As all three entered the room, the older man could barely stand unaccompanied.

"You two, help me with me uniform!" he demanded, his words decidedly slurred. "And I want to see you n..." he hiccuped loudly, "...naked as the day you were b-born."

Behind his back the younger men smiled at each other as they dutifully undressed him.

Shortly thereafter all three were in bed, the Admiral trying valiantly to stay conscious. A naked Archie sat astride his corpulent body as the older man played with Archie's somewhat reluctant member while Horatio leaned over to kiss the man's rough cheek. However, just as he did so, the door burst open to admit three other people.

"I say, Stansford, don't you have any rooms that aren't up some damn tower?" Nelson wheezed as he entered. "Never seen so many bloody towers in my life."

The bed's occupants froze.

"Forgive me, my dear Nelson, but I love to sleep high myself and forget that others may find the stairs a trial. However, here we are now." His voice rose in some alarm. "But what is this? What on earth is going on here?" he demanded. "This is quite outrageous. This room has been assigned to Admiral Nelson for the duration of his stay."

Nelson appeared as though he would have an apoplectic fit. "Briggs! Admiral Briggs, you will stand to attention and explain yourself, sir!" he demanded imperiously. "You two, get off him!"

The two young officers, who had turned to salute Nelson, moved to one side. Briggs, however, was not interested in rising to attention.

"You d-don't outrank me, Admiral!" he slurred.

"As Rear Admiral of the Red I most certainly do! Now on your feet, sir, and I will have an explanation of this disgraceful behaviour!"

Briggs got out of bed and attempted to salute on legs that were decidedly wobbly. With one hand he managed to hold a corner of the sheet over his private parts.

"I repeat: Explain yourself, sir!" Nelson again demanded.

"I, too, would like to hear an explanation of your presence here with my officers, sir!" an indignant Edward now demanded.

"*Your* officers?" Nelson queried, turning briefly to Edward. "Why they have been with Briggs all night."

"Indeed, my lord."

"Look here, Briggs, I want to know what you're doing in Nelson's room!" Stansford demanded.

"I... I..." Briggs passed a shaking hand over his sweating brow and attempted to concentrate on the other people, however, the room insisted on spinning around him. The effects of his continual imbibing of Archie's doctored drinks finally proved too much and he collapsed to the rug like a sack of flour.

Nelson stood over him. "It is clear, sir, that your intentions toward these young officers are less than honourable. Your behaviour is disgraceful, sir, and I will have a full explanation."

"Sir Edward, I believe an explanation is also in order from you, sir. However, the morning will suffice." He turned to Stansford. "Stansford, I trust you have no more surprises in store. Now do you have another room, preferably not up another damn tower?"

A deeply apologetic Stansford led Nelson out of the room leaving Edward alone with his once more fully dressed officers and the naked, somnolent Briggs, now passed out on the floor.

They grinned cheekily at him as he hugged both of them.

"You did it! You did it, my loves!"

"Are you proud of us, Edward?" Archie inquired.

"Always!"

"And Archie did a great job!" Horatio beamed.

"Thank God I'm not your enemy!" Edward laughed. "Anyway, we're not out of the storm yet. I still have to face Nelson in the morning."

As they went to leave the room, Archie glanced back at the naked man sleeping on the floor.

"Do you suppose he'll get cold there?"

"Yes!" Edward and Horatio answered.

All three shared a satisfied smile. However, as they left the room, the woman walking towards them accompanied by a servant turned out to be Admiral Briggs' wife. As the three naval officers paused to let her pass in the narrow passageway, she entered the room briskly, calling out to her husband.

The men in the passageway hesitated, wondering what would happen next. This was a possibility they had not taken into account.

"John! John, wake up, do you hear me? John, you drunken sot, get off that floor this minute or I swear I shall kick your fat arse!"

There followed the sound of two soft thuds as Mrs Briggs apparently kept her word while Horatio and Archie tried desperately not to laugh.

"Damn you anyway, John!"

The men outside in the passageway quickly moved out of sight around the corner as the woman strode out of the room and knocked on a door across the passageway.

"Beth? Beth, are you there?"

The door opened and a woman's voice exclaimed. "Cecilia? Cecilia darling, what's wrong?"

"Oh, Beth, John's passed out on the floor! Would you have some smelling salts?"

"Never mind the smelling salts, Cecilia. Leave the blackguard right where he is and don't you worry your pretty head. You can stay here with me, my dear."

"Oh, Beth, dearest friend, what would I do without you! I'll just fetch a nightdress."

"Never mind that, Cecilia. My bed is nice and warm and you won't be needing it, my dear."

"Oh, Beth!" Mrs Briggs sounded positively charmed by her friend's proposal.

"Come, my darling Cecilia!"

"With pleasure, dearest Beth!"

The door closed leaving the three naval officers somewhat mystified at the ways of the fairer sex.

However, as they turned to leave, the door opened once more, followed almost immediately by the sound of the other door opening as well. Very shortly, there followed a small noise.

The listening men exchanged puzzled glances.

The door closed again.

"Cecilia, what have you done?"

"I opened the window - to air the room," she added.

"I should have done that years ago!" her friend exclaimed.

The door quietly closed behind the two women.

Horatio tried to suppress a smile. Archie suppressed a giggle, holding his hand over his mouth. Edward gave up trying to keep a straight face.

"Gentlemen, as amusing as this situation might seem to us, we can not allow the inevitable to take place," he remarked with some reluctance.

"Why not?" his officers demanded.

"We would be parties to a criminal act, quite likely murder. We need the man alive to explain what he's done with the money. Besides, do you really want Mr Stansford to have a dead body on his hands? I very much doubt the man would be pleased to have the local law tramping all over his fine abbey, hm?"

"You're right of course, Edward," Horatio concurred, his expression sober.

Edward gazed at Archie.

"Quite right, Edward," Archie agreed.

"Good. Wait here while I close the window."

Softly, Edward went to the door, opening it as quietly as possible. Briggs was as they had left him on the rug, however, the breeze entering via the open window was already making the room's air quite cold.

Closing the window gently, Edward Pellew studied the man on the floor. Sure enough, on his rear there were two red marks now showing where his wife's foot had connected. Taking the quilt from the bed, he covered the unconscious man with it.

"You are finished, Admiral!" he whispered, gazing malevolently down at the supine form at his feet. "Your life is over! You thought you were clever, sir, appropriating Mr Stansford's money, but you made the blunder of your life the day you dared to lay your filthy, gluttonous hands on my officers. You took them for mere... catamites!" He spat the word. "For that, I shall personally see to it that you die a broken man - if your good and long-suffering wife does not rid the world of you first!" he added. "And if she does, I shall personally pin a medal on her!"

He leaned over to pull the quilt away from the man's ample rear end, deliberately leaving it exposed to the room's chill.

A satisfied smile on his lips, Edward Pellew strode out of the door.

*

Downstairs in the octagon, the revellers, guided by servants, were drifting away to their rooms, mostly in pairs, Horatio observed.

"What a love nest!" Archie hissed. "Now where do you suppose we're sleeping?"

However, as if by magic Stansford appeared once more along with a servant carrying their luggage to explain that he had accommodated Nelson in the Lancaster Tower. However, due to construction work he was now extremely short of rooms and had no choice but to offer them his own for the night.

Edward cleared his throat. "Sir, I have no wish to turn you out of your own bed, even if only for one night."

"Oh, I shall find other accommodation no doubt," Stansford responded airily. "I can always sleep right here in the octagon."

"My dear sir, I will not have you turned out of your own bed on my account..." Stansford glanced pointedly at Archie and Horatio, "... ahem ...and on account of my officers."

He glanced at his officers, who in turn nodded. "I believe I speak for all of us, sir, when I ask if we might share your bed, just for this one night of course."

"My dear sirs, I would be honoured to have three such handsome and brave men share my humble bed this night," Stansford beamed.

"Then 'tis settled. And, sir, may I congratulate you on your strategy. Your plan was flawless, your timing superb."

Stansford blushed as the younger officers echoed the Commodore's words and all congratulated him, shaking his hand.

"I thank you, gentlemen. Believe me when I say that the pleasure was all mine!"

From the octagon Stansford led them through the long St Michael's Gallery with its beautiful thick carpet of scarlet with white roses past hundreds of precious books, objets d'art and exquisite black laquer cabinets until they reached the far south end of the building with its enormous oriel window facing over the lake. Turning off to the right, he led them through a long drawing room, full from one end to the other with precious objects, and up two flights of stairs in the south-east tower. Opening a narrow, arched door, he led them into a room that was as tastefully and beautifully decorated as the rest of the place.

Although Stansford had referred to his bed as 'humble', it was anything but, Edward decided. In size, it was simply outstanding, and one of the most elaborate he had ever seen. The drapes were of purple with gold fringes and large gold tassels. As Archie admired the purple silk quilt, also with gold trim, Stansford
explained that it had once belonged to Henry VII and really was the genuine article.

*

William Stansford lay wide awake. Seldom had he ever shared a bed with three people. In fact, he could not remember doing so since he was a guest of the Carthusian monks. What a time that had been, he fondly mused. However, tonight he had promised to be on his best behaviour - and he had - not withstanding that he was surrounded by temptation on every side, which indeed was the reason for his current wakefulness.

By the dim light of a single candle he could make out an arm around his waist; said arm belonging to Sir Edward who was sleeping contentedly on his right. Horatio, on the far side of Sir Edward, slept with his head on the man's shoulder. On turning his head to the left, he beheld Archie sleeping peacefully beside him.

Stansford turned toward Archie, gathering him closer. He wondered if it was possible to fall in love with three people at once. He did not think so, but just because it had never happened to him before did not mean that it was an impossible feat. Lightly, he stroked a hand through Archie's soft hair.

This beautiful, fair one, he thought. What is there about him that is so special?

Archie moved a little in his sleep and now flung an arm carelessly around him. Stansford could not help but smile as he noticed that the boy's hand now covered Sir Edward's as they rested on his flat abdomen. He covered their hands with his own.

As he drifted off once more he pressed an affectionate kiss to the sleeping boy's forehead. How he yearned for more but it had been a long day and he was so very tired. Besides, he had no wish to disturb them.

Allowing his mind to drift into a favourite reverie, finally he slept.

*

Less than an hour later all four occupants of the room were awoken by repeated knocking, Stansford admitting his somewhat flustered valet, Richardson, proffering a silver salver with a single card.

"Oh, sir, I beseech you to come immediately!"

"For heaven's sake what is it? Is it Lady Hamilton? It's not time for her confinement, is it?"

Stansford took the card and read it.

"Lady Frances Nelson! Good God! Is this some sort of joke?" he threatened.

The tall, blonde man shook his head frantically. "No, sir."

"Where is she?"

"I left her in the octagon, sir."

Stansford jumped out of bed and began to dress frantically. "Now what on earth is Lady Nelson doing here? I most certainly did not invite her."

"Begging your pardon, sir, but you did."

"Never!" Stansford asserted.

"You most certainly did, sir. Lady Nelson is on the invitation list. Shall I get it?"

"Not now!" Stansford snapped. "The point is what am I going to do with her?"

"She is requesting to see his lordship, sir."

"Oh, but this is a pretty pickle!" Stansford muttered. "I'm quite sure his lordship will not want to see her!"

"If I may say so, sir, the lady seems to be a trifle inebriated."

"How do you mean?"

"I mean, sir, that she is calling out for her husband and in a rather loud manner. She keeps repeating that she wants her Horatio."

"Now what am I going to do! She'll wake the whole household!!" Stansford moaned.

The bed's other occupants, now all wide awake, exchanged perturbed looks.

"So the lady wants her Horatio, does she?" Edward mused.

Four faces turned to Horatio.

Horatio shook his head frantically. "Oh, no! She doesn't want me, she wants her husband," he protested.

"Into your clothes, lad," Edward ordered. "Mr Stansford has done us a favour, it's time we returned it."

"But, sir!" Horatio complained.

"She wants Horatio, we'll give her Horatio," Edward reasoned, "and we'll give her Archie too for good measure." An outraged Archie glared at Edward. "Into your clothes, now there's a good lad."

Stansford smiled. "An excellent suggestion, Sir Edward!" He turned to Richardson once more. "Have you told Lady Nelson that her husband is here?"

"Uh, no, sir. I deemed it unwise. I merely said that I had not seen him arrive."

"Very good."

"Sir, all the rooms are occupied and where is Madame to sleep if not with her husband? Their invitation specifically said that they would be accommodated in the state bedroom in the Lancaster Tower."

"Oh, my head is aching. This is surely bad for my health," Stansford moaned. However, he gave a long sigh and came to a decision. "Very well. The lady expects to be accommodated in the state bedroom so that's where she will sleep. If the Admiral doesn't want to sleep with his wife he is going to have to share my bed. I shall go and rouse him myself. In the meantime escort the lady to the grand drawing room, make her comfortable and offer her food and refreshments. Above all do not let her near the octagon until I have his lordship safely out of sight."

"And Lady Hamilton, sir?"

"What about her?"

"I believe she is also in the Lancaster state bedroom, sir."

Stansford rolled his eyes. "She can sleep with her husband - for a change!" he muttered.

"Very good, sir."

Richardson duly departed.

Stansford turned to Horatio and Archie, both now fully dressed. "Off you go, dear boys, and be your naturally charming selves. I shall be along shortly."

As the reluctant officers were about to leave the room Stansford called out, "Do you require help to find your way back to the octagon?"

"You need not worry, Mr Stansford. We are quite capable of navigation," Horatio muttered sourly.

"Did you bring your compass and sextant? You know you're better at sea that on land," Archie remarked.

The door closed behind them.

"I swear those two get too big for their boots!" Edward remarked, now also dressed. "But they're good lads."

Stansford smiled conspiratorially at him. "They are superb lads. You are a fortunate man, Sir Edward."

Edward appeared as though he were assessing Stansford.

"And you, sir, are losing your heart a little, are you not?"

"I very much fear so, sir, but do not concern yourself on my behalf." Edward looked at him oddly. "I regularly lose my heart. 'Tis of no matter."

"I see." Edward appeared most sceptical.

"I must go. I shall return shortly no doubt with his lordship."

"Then I shall accompany you."

To his credit, Stansford did not argue, merely bowed slightly.

"I thank you, Sir Edward. I confess that I would welcome your company. Nelson can be somewhat..."

"Prickly?" Edward suggested.

"Quite."

They smiled at each other and left the room.

*

Stansford tapped quietly on the door of the Lancaster state bedroom. On receiving no response he knocked twice more, each time somewhat louder until finally a bleary-eyed Nelson answered the door himself, demanding to know who was knocking at such an ungodly hour.

"It is I, Stansford, my lord. I must speak with you."

"Good God, man, what is it that could not wait until morning? My ship? The war? What?"

"Your wife, my lord. She has just arrived."

"Good God! What on earth is Fanny doing here? Surely you didn't invite her?"

"My Lord, it appears that, through some ghastly oversight, Lady Nelson was indeed invited. I do most humbly apologise. I have arranged to accommodate the good lady here in the Lancaster Tower."

"Not with me! Find somewhere else!" an outraged Nelson demanded.

Stansford stood his ground, explaining that due to building works in progress there were no more rooms available at present and that if his lordship did not wish to share a bed with his wife, he would therefore have to sleep in the abbey's south wing.

"But what of dear Emma?" Nelson glanced at the bed to where an oblivious Lady Hamilton slept peacefully on.

"She can sleep with her husband in the cedar boudoir."

"You expect dearest Emma to sleep with her husband?" he queried indignantly, shaking his head in exasperation. "What kind of place are you running here, Stansford!"

*

After an equally indignant Lady Hamilton, accompanied by Richardson, had been moved to Sir William's bedchamber, Edward and Stansford helped Nelson into his clothes. Thereafter, the two men, accompanied by several servants, escorted the disgruntled admiral on the lengthy walk to Stansford's room.

"Heavens above, Stansford, bad enough that the place is a mile long but how many more benighted turrets do I have to climb?" Nelson complained loudly.

"Only two flights, my lord, I assure you."

"Thank God for that!" Nelson muttered. "How many towers have you got in this Gothic mausoleum anyway?"

"Twelve, my lord."

"Twelve! That's eleven too many!" Nelson exclaimed. "And why are you also up at this hour, Sir Edward?" he inquired as they traversed the King Edward gallery.

"I... uh... was awakened by the commotion, my Lord."

"Huh! You'd think the servants would show a bit of discretion and not wake half the household just because my wife mysteriously appears in the middle of the night. Don't you train your servants properly, Stansford?"

"Indeed I do, my lord, and they are all most discreet."

"Huh! You must be sleeping very near to Stansford then," Nelson continued. Edward managed to keep a straight face. "And as for you, Stansford, I'll expect an explanation in the morning as to why my wife was invited."

"Of course, my lord." Stansford glanced in the direction of the elaborately carved oak ceiling as though beseeching his beloved St Anthony for help.

As they crossed the octagon both Stansford and Sir Edward glanced in the direction of the east transept but could hear nothing from the grand drawing room.

Finally they reached Stansford's bedchamber where Nelson promptly ordered his escorts out of the room so that he could get some sleep.

"Unfortunately it is not that simple, my lord," Edward began. "This is Mr Stansford's bedchamber and he has graciously offered to share his bed with us for the night."

"Oh, for heaven's sake! Well God knows it's big enough. Get in, the two of you then!" Nelson muttered crossly. "I intend to get some sleep."

"An excellent idea, my lord," Edward agreed, beginning to undress once more.

"After I have seen to your lady wife's comfort, my lord."

Stansford left the room in haste.

*

Some ten minutes later Nelson was thankfully fast asleep when Stansford returned.

A sleepy Edward opened his eyes expecting to see his officers accompanying Stansford and was surprised to find the man alone. At his look of concern, Stansford whispered, "The lady dismissed me and insisted that your officers accompany her to her bedchamber."

"No doubt they have charmed the lady."

"No doubt."

Stansford climbed into bed beside Edward, shivering somewhat.

"Brrr... it's cold!" His teeth chattered slightly.

"I don't find it that cold, sir, but then I am used to conditions at sea."

"Ah, yes, you are fortunate. I'm afraid I feel the cold terribly."

Edward turned to him. "Then allow me to warm you, sir."

Stansford immediately slid closer. "Oh, but I would be most grateful." As Edward put his arms around him and rubbed his cold back Stansford sighed. "You are so lovely and warm." He wrapped his arms around Edward and buried his face in his warm neck. "Mmmm, wonderful..." he sighed.

Edward smiled to himself. It was becoming apparent that the man was indeed warming up - in more ways than one. However, his lovers would be returning any minute and he had no intention of any further intimacies with their host, not withstanding what had happened at his own house and for which he entirely blamed them.

He felt Stansford pull back slightly and glanced at him, only to see the man's large, expressive eyes filled with longing; to hear him murmur, "My dear sir, forgive me but I find myself drawn to you beyond all realm of probability."

Edward's whispered: "My dear sir, we should not," fell on deaf ears as Stansford's lips touched his in a kiss as light as a butterfly's touch.

However, at that moment they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Stansford queried somewhat testily.

"Sir, it is I, Richardson. May I come in. It is most urgent."

Stansford gave a resigned sigh. "Oh, very well if you must," he muttered.

"Oh, sir, I am so sorry to disturb you once more," Richardson began as he entered the room, silver salver once more in hand and another calling card on it.

"Never mind all that. What is it?" a frustrated Stansford inquired, taking the card.

"Sir, it is a Captain Hardy with an urgent message for his lordship Admiral Nelson."

"Well in that case you'd better show the man in then, hadn't you?"

"Yes, sir."

Richardson went to the door to admit a young, handsome naval captain.

As Captain Hardy entered the room and beheld the other occupants - three men apparently sharing the large bed, the white-haired one asleep - he began to wonder what on earth he had stumbled into. As Edward indicated the sleeping Nelson, Hardy nodded and walked around the bed to the far side.

"My lord!" he whispered rather urgently, shaking Nelson's shoulder. "My lord, I must speak with you!"

Nelson appeared to rouse somewhat, opening his eyes and blinking.

"Hardy, is that you? Good God man, it is you! Well what on earth are you doing in this benighted excuse for an abbey anyway?"

Stansford winced.

"Oh, sir, I came at once as I had word that your lady wife is on her way here."

Nelson burst our laughing. "You're too late, Hardy. Fanny has already arrived."

Hardy seemed completely crestfallen. "Oh. Oh, forgive me, my lord. I should not have disturbed you."

"Never mind, Hardy. You are a true friend and a man could not have a finer one." Nelson's voice was warm with affection.

"Oh, my lord!" Hardy sounded most embarrassed.

"Shh, my dear Hardy. You will always own my heart, you know that."

"My lord, I... I know not what to say."

"Than get into bed. I say, Stansford, you don't mind do you?"

Stansford, lying on his back, his fingers interlaced on his rib cage, his eyes staring at the ornate ceiling, murmured, "Why not at all, my lord," as he moved over to make room for Hardy, though it was hardly necessary as the width of the bed was more than adequate for four people.

Hardy hastily undressed, draping his uniform over a convenient chair, before getting into bed beside Nelson, the latter explaining that he had to sleep on his left side owing to his missing right arm.

"Then I shall support you, my Lord," Hardy gallantly announced, indicating that Nelson should put his head on his shoulder.

"Dearest Hardy," Nelson murmured, as he settled down once more.

Edward glanced over to see a tear roll down Hardy's cheek as he leaned over and pressed his lips to his commanding officer's forehead.

"My lord?" Hardy murmured.

"What is it, Hardy?"

"Only that... that..." He took Nelson's hand and placed it over his heart.

"My dear man, your heart is positively thumping," Nelson murmured, allowing his hand to remain where it was.

"It beats for you, my lord," Hardy whispered.

"Oh, Hardy," Nelson murmured, the note of tenderness in his voice unmistakable to the other occupants of the room.

"You own my heart, my lord," Hardy whispered, his voice choked with emotion.

"My dearest Hardy, I never knew you felt this way."

"Always, my lord. Always," Hardy avowed.

With his one remaining hand Nelson touched Hardy's cheek. "Then kiss me, my Hardy. Kiss me."

"With the greatest devotion, my lord!"

With utmost tenderness Hardy leaned over and touched his lips to Nelson's in a sweet, chaste kiss.

Stansford, captivated by the sheer poignancy of the scene being enacted immediately to his left, turned his head to glance at a smiling Edward. Unable to disregard his own yearning, he leant over and imitated Hardy's kiss. To his great delight, Edward did not resist but rather embraced him closely as they shared several gentle kisses.

Somewhat belatedly Nelson realised that they were not alone and turned to ascertain if his companions were, as he fervently hoped, asleep. His shock at the sight of the bed's other occupants not only wide awake but openly kissing almost left him speechless.

"Good God, Stansford, what did you put in the drinks, eh?" he muttered.

Stansford managed to murmur between kisses, "A spoonful of sorcery, a taste of temptation and a large dose of local enchantment, my lord."

Hardy, too, lifted his head to see what had so shocked his commanding officer. He had observed Nelson address one of them as 'Stansford' and assumed that this was therefore their host. However, he did not know the identity of the other man and decided to introduce himself.

"Thomas Hardy, Captain, Victory. At your service, gentlemen."

Stansford did not bat an eye as he reached out to take Hardy's outstretched hand while continuing to kiss Edward who was consequently forced to introduce himself between kisses.

"Commodore Sir Edward Pellew?" Hardy gasped. "Oh, but of course! I've heard so much about you, sir. Why I..." He paused as the two oblivious men continued to kiss. Smiling at the sight, he turned back to Nelson and murmured somewhat breathlessly, "You are always an inspiration to your men, my lord."

"And I expect every man to do his duty," Nelson murmured, his solemn words belied by the smile on his lips.

"Oh, yes, my lord!" a deliriously happy Hardy whispered before kissing his commanding officer once more.

* * *