The Captain's Folly by Clonesgirl
A note from the author.
In the 18th and 19th centuries wealthy men from the English upper classes were fond of constructing architectural follies, a great many of them in the form of useless towers and other outlandish structures that were of no practical use to man nor beast. So this is the story of a folly, a rather unusual one, even by the standards of the late 18th century...
It sat there quietly in the shadows. Entirely forsaken, it was surrounded by tall trees and dense shrubbery. The one path leading to it was so badly overgrown from disuse that it had ceased to be a path at all and long been forgotten by the inhabitants of the nearby house. The compact structure was littered with dead leaves and twigs and sheer neglect had made it appear much older than its years. Its original colour was now so badly stained by exposure to the harsh elements as to be almost unrecognisable with moss and fungi covering its exterior. However, here and there in the crevices the original surface could still be discerned, the polished stone showing a pale pink. Though only yards from the lakeshore it was invisible even from there as thick shrubs screened it from view. Though its shape was barely discernable now it had once been that of a shell - highly unusual and quite unique, as were the intricate wrought iron trellises on either side of it. Though they, too, were forgotten, rusting and mostly overgrown with weeds the roses somehow continued to bloom, twining their way gently around the trellises as they had been trained in the beginning so many years before. Their lovely perfume permeated the surrounding woods even though no human ever came near to appreciate them.
However, one summer's morning the curious structure had a visitor. His shirt was somewhat awry and torn in one place from pushing through the shrubs to reach it and there was a leaf caught in his thick, dark, wavy hair. As he finally reached the place he stood gazing on it quietly, a look of sadness on his face as memories came flooding back to him. Memories of working on the design with the architect who had wanted it to have a more traditional shape such as a tower or a temple, but he had said no. He'd wanted the shell shape to remind the one he loved that he was at sea, and the solid stone to remind her that his love for her was enduring, and that he would always return to her.
Edward Pellew would never forget the afternoon he had brought Caroline here to see it, and her words of scorn echoed back at him now over all the intervening years. He had planned it as a surprise and the construction had taken place while she was away on one of her regular visits to London to see her family. Oh, she'd been surprised all right, he remembered.
"But what is this?" she'd demanded in dismay. "What have you spent my father's money on now?"
"Darling, I never touch your father's money as you well know. I paid for it myself."
"Oh, did you! And what kind of folly is this?"
He had explained that it was a lovely spot to view the lake from as the ground formed a small natural amphitheatre surrounded by trees on three sides and the lake on the fourth.
"Amphitheatre? If it's an amphitheatre then why on earth didn't you build a Roman temple? This is the queerest looking thing I've ever seen!"
"But, darling, won't you come and sit in it? You know, try it out? It's very comfortable and I'm sure you'll like it," he'd coaxed.
"Like it?" Her voice was contemptuous. "Why it's the most ridiculous looking thing I've ever seen in my life. It isn't even marble."
"No," he'd admitted with some reluctance. "It's polished granite, but I assure you it will last as long as marble and it's really very attractive."
"Hah! I knew it! The very least you could have done was use Italian marble. All my friends have Italian marble, but what does my husband build me - common granite! Why it's ugly and I'd be ashamed for anyone to see it. Get rid of it!"
He'd protested that it was a lovely spot and the structure was really very comfortable and he also intended to add a telescope.
She'd looked at him almost piteously, shaking her head at his perceived naiveté. "Edward, I've a thousand things more important to do than gazing at the stars. However, if you really insist on keeping the wretched thing at least plant some shrubs so my guests won't see it from the lake!"
Caroline had gone then, leaving him to stare stupidly after her retreating figure as she had walked back along the path.
Left alone, he had stood there a long time, his eyes roaming over the edifice. The only sounds were the rustle of a slight breeze in the trees, the chirping of birds and the quacking of some ducks and waterfowl on the lake. The gardener had done a wonderful job with the roses choosing exactly the right variety so that their colour matched the shade of the granite. It even had large, matching pink cushions made for the curved seat which sloped upward at either end for reclining comfortably. You could view the sunrise or moonrise, or simply view the stars from this lovely spot.
He'd walked down to the lakeshore only to turn and gaze up at the shell-shaped structure for which he'd waited so long to be complete while he was away at sea. The architect had had to pay handsomely for someone skilled enough to carve the unusual shape with its distinctive curves, grooves and hollows. There were no hard angles in the whole structure and it was all circles, ovals and ellipses. There was nothing else like it anywhere, and he loved it, not just for its comfort, or its view, but for the fact that it was quite unique.
He'd walked back up the slope and sat in it for a while enjoying the view. Eventually, he'd become sleepy and had lain down on the deep, curved seat, its thick cushions gently moulding to the shape of his body. A single tear ran silently into the cushion beneath his head, for he knew that he would accede to Caroline's wishes though every part of his being warred against it. He would plant the shrubs to destroy the view and hide it from anyone out on the lake, and it would take only a season or two for the path to become overgrown. For love of his beautiful wife he was prepared to forsake it. After all, he reasoned, it was only a thing, not a person, and for Caroline it was an object of ridicule - and it was his beautiful Caroline that he loved above all and in spite of everything. Besides, he spent so much time at sea, and Caroline ran the household, not him.
The sun had already set when he'd awakened and twilight was upon the land. For a while he remained there until, finally, he'd risen to gaze on the unusual structure for the last time, running his hands possessively along its gentle curves, its polished stone cool and very smooth to the touch.
*
Captain Sir Edward Pellew brought himself out of his reverie as he once more gazed on the sad-looking structure that had cost him a pretty penny and which he had dearly hoped his beautiful wife would love. After she'd condemned it to obscurity he'd damned himself for a fool for wasting so much money on a folly. In the years since her death he had never come back here as he could never think of it without hearing the words of his late wife as she ridiculed it. As he gazed at the leaves piled high on the seat he pondered how greatly his life had changed since that time. He decided that perhaps it was time for another little surprise and, if he was any judge of character - and he was now - this one would turn out far different to the last.
His mind made up, he strode away, pushing his way determinedly through the thick undergrowth and tree branches.
Some time after that there was a flurry of activity as a small army of men cut and sawed their way through the shrubbery blocking the only path. On reaching the stone structure, they proceeded to sweep away the dead leaves and twigs, cleaning them out of all its nooks and crannies. That done, they began to scrub and scour the stone surface from top to bottom while others proceeded to cut down the shrubs that had screened it from the lake as well as scything the grass around it and weeding the roses. Several hours later after being given a final polish the structure glowed as it once had in the beginning, its burnished pink exterior shining brightly in the afternoon sunlight reflected from the lake. The men stood back to admire their handiwork before finally leaving to return to their other tasks on the estate.
One more person visited the odd structure that afternoon. Mrs Kelly, Sir Edward's housekeeper, arrived with an armful of cushions. At Sir Edward's request she had sent Sean up to the attic to fetch them from whence they had been placed all those years ago.
She recalled the day the master was going to surprise the mistress with this thing. She had been minding the specially made cushions for him and keeping them out of sight of the mistress and she well remembered the day he'd requested them to be placed in the Rose Shell, his face glowing like a small boy as he had instructed her about the specially made shapes and which ones went at the back. Later, he'd asked her if she would be so good as to collect them and put them away somewhere. Of course she had no knowledge of what had been said but, judging from his expression and knowing the mistress as she did, she could easily guess - and her heart had gone out to him. A week later he'd given orders to the gardener to plant a row of shrubs down near the lakeshore to effectively hide the structure from the only place from whence it could possibly be viewed for it was not visible even from the house. The path was to be let go and no one was to use it - and no one had, not in all the intervening years. In the early days the servants referred to it quietly as the Captain's folly, but as time went by it was simply forgotten.
Now, as she gazed on its shining surface once more, she was surprised at how excellent it looked. The men had done a wonderful job of cleaning it and she was pleased at how new it appeared, like it had just been built yesterday.
Carefully, she placed the cushions on the wide, curved seat, remembering from all those years ago which ones to place at the back for she was the only one still alive outside of Sir Edward who had seen it as it once was - and was now again. She was grateful that she'd wrapped the cushions carefully and stored them in boxes so at least they were not dusty.
She turned to gaze out at the lake and admire the beautiful view. Glancing at her watch she decided that she had a couple of minutes to spare and no one was around so she sat down to enjoy the peace and tranquillity. She was most pleased that the master had chosen to restore the curious structure to its former glory - and she could easily guess why. No doubt he intended to entertain his young guest Lieutenant Hornblower here this evening. She smiled. No doubt they'd be enjoying the peace and quiet here.
She had been sitting there only moments when her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the path. Fearing it was Sir Edward, she jumped up and waited for him to appear, only to see her husband, Sean.
"Moira, there you are!" he exclaimed.
"Sean Kelly, don't startle me like that! I thought you were the master."
"My, my! Just look at it will you! Why you'd think it was only built yesterday."
"That you would! Isn't it grand? Very comfortable too. Come and sit a minute."
"Moira, we shouldn't. What if someone's looking for us?"
"Well they're not going to find us here, now are they?"
She sat down once more and patted the cushions beside her. "Sit down a minute, Sean. It's lovely here."
Somewhat reluctantly he sat beside her. "Oh, 'tis grand!" he decided.
"Told you!"
He kicked off his shoes and lay down, resting his head in his wife's ample lap.
"I suppose he'll be bringing the young lad down here," he ventured after a while as Moira ran her fingers through his greying hair.
Moira Kelly smiled at the way her husband's words echoed her own thoughts. "No doubt he will."
"And I suppose they'll be kissing."
"No doubt they will."
"Well all I can say is I hope the lad appreciates the master's folly better than her late ladyship."
Moira smiled to herself, her eyes gazing out at the sun sparkling on the water. "Oh, I've no doubt he will. No doubt at all."
*
It was almost dark when Horatio Hornblower looked up from his book to see his captain beckoning him.
"Come, sir! It is time!" he announced somewhat mysteriously.
"Time, sir?"
Wondering if his lover wished to retire early he had put away his book and followed him out of the library. However, far from retiring, his captain led him outside to the garden where he proceeded to light a lantern.
"A clear night, Mr Hornblower," he announced, gazing up at the stars overhead.
"Indeed, sir," his companion replied somewhat puzzled as he followed the older man. The light on the porch penetrated only a very short distance, so he was grateful for the lantern that his captain held in front of them as he kept pace with him.
At first, Pellew led them down toward the lake. However, before they reached it he abruptly turned aside. "This way," he beckoned, taking a narrow trail between the trees.
Horatio was surprised that he had not noticed this path before as it seemed to lead towards the shore of the lake. However, unlike the main path to the lake, he became aware that the further they walked the thicker the trees became and, most curiously, he would have sworn that he could smell roses. Even more curious, he could now see light shining through the trees.
"Here we are," Pellew announced mysteriously, ducking under a thick tree branch. "Watch your head, sir," he warned as Horatio only just ducked in time. "And now, sir, may I present - the Rose Shell."
As Pellew hung the lantern from a tree branch the first thing Horatio noticed was the large and intriguing shell shape now lit by several hanging lanterns. He estimated it to be around ten feet in height by around twelve feet in width in the centre of which was a deep and gently curved seat that ran almost the full width of the structure and sloped gently upward at either side. His keen eyes took note of the surrounding natural grotto and the fact that the structure was sheltered on all but one side, that side commanding a spectacular view of the lake, now a black body of water. The very air was permeated with the strong fragrance of the roses that wound their way around elaborately curved trellises on either side. To both men, long inured to the unholy odours of a ship at sea, the sweet and delightful scent was pure heaven to breathe.
Intrigued, Horatio proceeded to walk right around the structure, his hands occasionally reaching out to touch its polished stone and run along the soft angles which seemed somehow to invite touch. When he reached the far side he stopped to examine the roses once more and inhale their heady perfume. "Lovely," he murmured, before once more rejoining his lover to stand and gaze at the structure.
He noticed that cushions had already been provided as his long fingers ran along the cool, smooth stone which appeared to be pink in the lanterns' warm glow.
His captain smiled, as though discerning his thoughts. "It's pink. Polished pink granite."
"It's beautiful, sir. Most unusual, but I should like to see it in daylight so that I might appreciate the colour better."
"You shall, sir. You shall. However, first I wished you to see it tonight," his captain announced in that mysterious tone. "Won't you be seated?"
Horatio sat down, noting how extraordinarily comfortable were the thick, soft cushions. Indeed he decided he felt perfectly at ease.
Without further ado Pellew proceeded to put out the lanterns until both men were left completely in the dark before he rejoined his young companion.
"Now let us be comfortable, sir, while we wait."
"Wait, sir?" he queried, moving closer to his lover until their thighs touched, sliding his hand along the man's forearm until he found his hand and brought it to his lips. In the darkness he felt soft lips pressed to his cheek and a murmur in his ear.
"Not long to wait now, my dear. I promise."
"Then I shall wait, sir, but not for long," Horatio teased, returning the kiss.
In the darkness Pellew smiled at his young lover's eagerness. He, too, wanted more, longing for the pink and succulent lips which he so adored that he could never seem to get enough of them. However, for now, he was content to wait.
"Patience, my dear, and I can guarantee you shall be richly rewarded," he whispered. "Won't be long now so let us be comfortable." Horatio shivered in anticipation. "See? Look there. It begins already."
Even as the younger man gazed out at the darkness of the lake he now beheld a slight glow on the horizon which came to be reflected on the surface of the water. Gradually, the light increased, becoming brighter and brighter until the tip of the moon's golden disc appeared above the lake's surface to glow in a long, luminous trail seemingly leading straight to where they sat.
Enthralled, the two men continued to watch as the light grew stronger and the disc of the full moon rose majestically, its enormous yellow orb seeming as close as the far shore of the lake until, finally, it broke free to ride the night sky and illumine the dark paths of men. Around them the pale golden light cast a strange glow making everything seem almost ethereal, the land now marked by grotesquely elongated shadows. A slight breeze rose to ruffle their hair and cause shallow ripples on the surface of the lake, which only served to make the moon's course even more dazzling.
Horatio, still gazing entranced at the brilliant passage of the moon, brought his lover's hand to rest on his lap. "I... thank you, sir, for sharing this scene of nature's bounty," he murmured.
"A pleasure, sir. A pleasure." Pellew hesitated before continuing. "I suppose you think me a fool for building such a useless object."
"Oh, no, sir! Never! It is... so beautiful here. So peaceful. May I ask, sir? You built it for your wife?"
"Indeed."
"She must have loved it here very much."
"To my certain knowledge she never came here at all except once."
"I am sorry, sir. I confess that I am at a loss to understand why she would ignore such a wonderful place."
"Like everything else around here it was not good enough for Caroline. She wanted a Roman temple. Alas back then my pay would only stretch to granite, and a temple - even a small one - was out of the question. Even so it cost a pretty penny to design and build."
A sudden idea struck Horatio. The deep, curved seat had been designed so that two people could sit, or lie, comfortably on it and yet be guaranteed privacy. Perhaps his lover would have liked to have rested his head on his wife's lap while enjoying the view. Or would a married man do that? He was never sure about these things as he'd had no example to go by. Or perhaps...
He turned from the magnificent view of the moon, now gliding majestically over the lake and shining full in their faces, to gaze on the man who was his captain and now lover.
Captain Sir Edward Pellew was not soft and feminine but powerfully male - and he was at a loss to understand how the man's wife had not found him attractive, nor seemingly found it in her heart to love him in any way. His lover wore his hair loose, the dark strands moving slightly in the breeze and shining in the reflected light - and Horatio thought him the most handsome sight he had ever seen.
That morning he had listened as his lover had related the story of his loveless marriage; had explained to him in halting terms how the beautiful woman whom he had adored had humiliated and scorned him for love of another; how the only reason she had married him was because he'd be at sea most of the time so she would be free to pursue the one she really wanted.
He had tried to halt the humiliating tale, but his lover had insisted that he know the whole truth. Afterwards, Pellew had risen to stand at the large window of the morning room, gazing out at the garden in silence, his back stiff, his manner now most formal after his overwhelming revelations.
Horatio, at a loss for words, had risen to stand behind him in silence. He did not touch him, yet his very closeness signalled his support more loudly than words.
After what seemed an eternity Pellew had turned to him. However, to Horatio, the look in his eyes spoke of uncertainty and he realised that what his lover needed now was reassurance.
"Sir, you are the commander of 'Indefatigable', and you are my captain. You are a man who commands respect wherever you go - and deservedly so. You will always have mine."
Pellew's gaze was searching. "Even now that you know the truth of my past and how my own wife humiliated me?"
"Now more than ever, sir. I am... honoured that you would trust me enough to reveal a part of yourself that no one else may know. I feel most privileged." He took a deep breath before continuing. "Nothing that you've said to me this day shall pass my lips. All that you've told me is our secret and shall remain so. The world will continue to think that you mourn for the beautiful woman who was your wife and we shall never give them reason to think otherwise." He hesitated, again groping for the right words. "If I could, my dearest Edward, I would take this burden from you and cast it to the four winds, but I have not the power. I know only that you are dear to me beyond reckoning, and that it would never occur to me to treat you as your wife once did. If I could, sir, I would make it up to you, somehow."
"You already have, my darling. You already have. Do you not know that?" He studied Horatio's fine features. "Do you not know how much you mean to me? Your care, your gentle affection - by God, the way you offer yourself to me! You mean the world to me, Horatio. With you by my side I feel as though I could move mountains, as though I could take on the might of the French and the Dons and defeat them single-handed. That is the power you give me, boy, and for that I shall always be grateful."
Horatio had held out his arms to him then, wrapping Pellew in the embrace he had longed to give him ever since his lover had begun to confess his past. For a long time he had simply held him in the bright morning light, infinitely grateful to be there for him, knowing that this guarded man would have unburdened his soul to no other. After a while they had kissed, not as a precursor to desire, but in celebration of their love and the sheer happiness they brought to one another.
Now, in the moonlight, he blushed a little as he remembered his captain's words of praise and deepest affection. He recalled also the kisses they had shared simply for the sake of enjoying kisses, an activity that they never had leisure time for when on duty, or even off, on the ship.
"Sir, may I ask? Your wife, she never kissed you, did she?"
Pellew gave a soft chuckle. "Caroline would have cheerfully died before kissing her own husband!" he remarked, the irony of his words not lost on his younger lover.
"Do I kiss you enough, sir?"
At first Pellew had thought his lover was joking, that is until he realised that the boy was gazing at him in all earnestness waiting for an answer.
"No, you do not, sir!" he barked. However, the sternness of his answer was belied by his smile as he took the beautiful face with its sweet, sensual mouth in both hands, stroking the hollows of the smooth cheeks with his thumbs, his fingers playing in the soft curls at the nape of the neck as he gazed into his lover's eyes. "Never enough," he whispered, as their mouths met, tongues playing delectably together.
"I shall never allow you to want for kisses, sir," Horatio whispered, understanding that the man he loved had been deprived of affection and the things that lovers shared together for all of his adult life.
"That seems unlikely now," his captain remarked, as Horatio pressed kisses to his cheek. "Come, rest your head on my shoulder, my dear."
The boy didn't just rest his head on his shoulder but nuzzled his neck and ear as well, making his lover smile, his teeth gleaming white in the moonlight.
"Horatio, do you know that you have fulfilled a wish for me? A wish from long ago," he murmured, holding the boy close.
"You mean... this was how you'd imagined it might have been?"
"Yes," he whispered, sighing a little, "once upon a time, but you've changed everything, my dear. Everything. With you, I am content as I never was before."
"And yet... I am not the lover you expected, am I?"
"No - you are better!" His lover smiled. "Far better. You have fulfilled all my wishes, nay surpassed them, my dearest."
He pressed his cheek to his lover's smooth one, for the moment quiet. However, his lover was not, and was now determined to once and for all lay the ghost of Caroline Pellew to rest.
"Then allow me to fulfil a wish you never had, sir."
As his lover turned to him, somewhat puzzled, Horatio turned around and allowed himself to slide down until his head lay in his captain's lap, his long legs stretched out on the cushions.
For the older man, the sight of his marvellous lover resting comfortably in his lap with the moonlight shining on his fine features astounded him. The gesture had been totally unexpected and the sight of the lad, happy and confident and smiling up at him, simply undid him. Resting his hand over his lover's heart he could only murmur, "My dearest boy." With his other hand he traced the outline of the smiling lips. "My Horatio."
His lover caught the wandering fingers and kissed them. "Yes, my Captain. *Your* Horatio."
For Horatio, the sheer intimacy of resting his head in his captain's lap was simply luxurious, and he revelled in it. The strength of his lover's muscular thighs and the warmth of his groin, his wonderful scent and the sheer affection in his expression as well as the hand now running through his hair combined to make him almost giddy.
"Sir? Would your lady wife have done this?"
In a bold move he turned his head and deliberately nuzzled against his captain's groin, Pellew's quiet gasp of surprise music to his ears. Continuing, he began to kiss it through the soft material of his breeches, gratified to hear the man's breathing increase and a bulge that had not previously existed shortly became manifest. Turning more, he pushed his head deeper as his lover parted his legs to accommodate him.
For Edward Pellew, the sight of the boy insistently nuzzling against his groin was something he knew he would never forget for the rest of his life. He had built this place for a woman who had cared nothing for it, and even less for him, and it had been abandoned and forgotten these many years since. He had never come here again, not wanting to be reminded of the one time he had brought Caroline here, instead condemning himself for a romantic fool for ever having built such a thing in the first place. He had even considered having it demolished, never dreaming all those years ago that one day he would have a real lover, not merely a wife who disdained his very presence in her life, but a beautiful, strong and vibrant lover who would appreciate this place for what it was.
He stroked Horatio's back and hips, all the while running his fingers gently though his curls as desire coursed a familiar and fiery path through him. As the boy opened his breeches and drawers to expose his needy member to his tender ministrations, he heard himself groan softly, turning and reclining on the soft cushions as he parted his legs further, his eager lover now lying on top of him. He found himself gasping the boy's name as Horatio took him fully into the warmth and glory of his mouth.
Edward Pellew decided that to have this most willing and marvellous of lovers suckle him, his hand gently squeezing and manipulating his balls while the moon shone a silver blessing on them both was simply to exist in heaven. Utterly helpless, he lay there, his heart pounding as he felt Horatio stroke at his hole with a slippery wet finger.
Yes, my darling, yes, yes! was all he could think, as the boy's finger slipped inside the entrance and he grasped it repeatedly, encouraging - nay imploring - it to penetrate him further.
"God, yes!" he groaned, the breath hissing through his teeth as the long finger pushed in further, the tip stroking again and again over that blissful spot deep inside him, causing him to cry out in his rapture.
Tenderly, he stroked the boy's head as Horatio's tongue swirled repeatedly around the head of his needy prick before taking him deeper once more, the finger pushing deeply inside him over and over, loving him as his late wife would never have dreamt of contemplating.
Forcing his eyes open, the sight he beheld - that of the beautiful boy concentrating only on pleasuring him - was to prove his undoing.
Groaning his lover's name, he clutched at his head as his hips thrust forward and delirium overtook him, his passion spilling over as he fucked the greedy mouth which was frantically sucking on him while the boy's long finger rubbed blissfully over that heavenly spot deep within him.
*
When Edward Pellew eventually came to his senses, it was to see the Moon bathing all in her radiance, most of all, it seemed to him, a pair of lovers seemingly locked in a frozen tableau of love. Briefly, he wondered what his late wife would think of him now, reclining in that shell-shaped pink folly he'd built for her, feeling oh-so-deliciously comfortable and satisfied, his clothing undone, his sated groin exposed and the lover he adored lying quietly on him, his sweet lips still touching the tip of his bare cock.
He ran his fingers through the softness of the boy's curls until Horatio, who seemed to have also drifted off, began to stir and, with a final touch of his gentle mouth to his softened cock, pulled back to refasten his lover's garments before moving up to lie beside him.
Horatio turned to gaze at his lover. The sight of the man's satisfied smile was all the gratification he needed. His captain would always remember this night now, and that was all that mattered.
"Let me take care of you, my dear."
Horatio's smile was a trifle sheepish. "No need, sir."
Pellew reached down to his lover's groin only to find a damp stain, at the same time becoming aware of a distinct salty odour. He smiled.
"Sit up, my dear, and let us change places."
Horatio glanced at the sorry state of his breeches. "But, sir, I don't think..."
"But I do. Come on, boy, change places."
For Edward Pellew, to spend idle time lying in the moonlight with his head in his lover's lap was a luxury he could never afford aboard ship. As Horatio had done, he buried his nose in his groin, smiling as he inhaled the musky proof of the boy's sweet carnality. Unfastening his clothing to expose the sticky member, he reached out to taste it with the tip of his tongue.
The boy gasped. "Oh, sir!"
Pellew glanced up at his young lover, gazing on his features highlighted in the soft, silvery light, and without further ado began to worship him with greedy tongue as the dear boy gently caressed every part of him he could reach. As he took the whole of the quiescent member in his mouth, licking and adoring it, gradually a change came over it until it grew so much that he was forced to pull back a little for his lover was generously endowed. Gratified to see that he was pleasing his young lover, he turned, smiling up at him.
Horatio, enraptured by his commanding officer's tender ministrations, pulled him higher in order to kiss him, their lips joining again and again in utter delight until both were breathless with cherished kisses and Pellew returned to the generous girth of his lover's cock to savour and adore it, the dear one's gasping breaths testimony to his own zealous desire to please.
How intrinsically sweet was the culmination of his efforts. Intimately, as though it were his own, he felt his lover's body jerk and tremble as the waves of sensation crested and, having passed, left only calm waters in their wake. Above him, the boy was still, his eyes closed in sheer bliss - and Edward Pellew felt the most pure and perfect love he had ever known.
Afterwards, he had tucked his lover's member back into his clothing before taking the boy's hands and allowing him to pull him to a sitting position, once more to receive the most grateful of kisses, tongues mingling to share the taste of their desire.
They remained a while longer, enjoying the scene before them. The lake seemed to be especially active tonight with ducks, swans and waterfowl swimming about and chattering.
"Fancy a swim, sir?"
Horatio had more than a few misgivings. "I imagine the water would be somewhat chilly, sir."
"Nonsense! Come, sir! 'Tis a fair night for a swim."
"Yes, sir."
Putting aside his misgivings he joined his commanding officer in removing his clothing and walking barefoot to the water's edge where he proceeded to stick a toe in. Chilly indeed, he decided. However, a stern look from his captain put paid to his doubts.
"Ah, bracing!" Pellew decided, wading out into the calm water.
Shivering somewhat, Horatio followed him, his eyes on his commanding officer's shapely buttocks until they disappeared beneath the water. It occurred to him that a midnight swim was also something that his lover's late wife would definitely never have indulged in, and that this was one more thing he could give to his lover; one more memory to cherish of this already unforgettable night.
Stroking in time with his captain, Horatio found the swim invigorating after his earlier lassitude. The moon, now riding high in the sky, illuminated the whole lake and surroundings so that they could clearly see all about them.
A pair of swans squawked and got out of their way in alarm, as did several ducks with some irate quacks. As they swam toward the north side of the lake the rushes loomed large and dark before them, their tall shapes waving gently in the breeze as they turned to swim vigorously back to shore.
At one point Horatio stopped to tread water and gaze on the Rose Shell. Pellew, realising that Horatio was no longer swimming alongside him, turned to see what was the matter. Following the young man's gaze he, too, studied the unusual structure now appearing a shining silver in the moonlight and reflecting brightly on the lake's surface.
"It's... amazing," Horatio murmured. "Edward, did you know that it would look like this when you built it?"
Pellew shook his head. "Hardly, my dear. I am as pleasantly surprised as you are. It seems almost... almost as if..."
"...as if fairies and woodnymphs might come to play in it," Horatio thought out loud. Then, realising what he had said and to whom he had said it, he shook his head. "Sorry, sir. I mean... it's almost as if there's something magical about it."
Pellew gazed thoughtfully at him. "If I didn't know you better, Mr Hornblower, I'd suspect that you really believe in fairies and woodnymphs."
Horatio appeared somewhat embarrassed and mumbled an apology before realising that his commanding officer was teasing him as Pellew could no longer keep a straight face. Their laughter rang across the lake until Pellew, turning once more to gaze on the Rose Shell, murmured, "I do understand, my dear. There is a quality about it that is..." He shook his head at a loss for words.
"It's so beautiful, Edward. It's like it belongs there."
"Almost like it was always meant to be there," his lover murmured.
"Yes..." Horatio whispered.
Horatio, entranced by the view of the moonlit Rose Shell, failed to detect the distinct look of mischief on his lover's face.
"Beat you back to the Rose Shell, Mr Hornblower!"
Having issued the challenge, Pellew began swimming powerfully. Horatio, hesitating for only a moment in surprise, hot on his heels. By the time they reached the shore he had caught up considerably and, as they both ran to the Rose Shell, he found that he had been bested, but only by seconds.
Once there they decided to put on only their breeches and shoes as they were far too wet and they had nothing with which to dry themselves after their impromptu swim.
Arms around each other's waists, they gazed at the moonlit lake for the last time until Pellew, turning to his lover, murmured, "I thank you for this night, Horatio. I... You cannot imagine how much it has meant to me."
Horatio hugged him. "I believe I can, sir, and," he glanced up at the shell-shaped edifice looming quietly above them in the soft light, "I love it too."
Pellew chuckled. "You're not just saying that to please an old man? I mean I'll get rid of it if you really think it's awful."
"Sir, I trust you would never dream of disposing of this lovely structure for, if you did, I should be forced to defend it with my sabre."
"Your sabre, sir?" Pellew queried, observing his lover's stubborn, jutting chin.
"Yes, sir. My sabre." Deliberately, he took his lover's hand and brought it to rest against his groin, feeling Pellew's fingers immediately mould themselves around its soft bulge. "My sabre, sir," he repeated, already hardening a little as his cock reacted to the warmth of his lover's hand.
"Well, well. Are you challenging me to a duel, Mr Hornblower?"
"I believe I am, sir."
Pellew grinned, bringing Horatio's hand to rest against his own groin. "I believe you'll find that my sabre is more than a match for yours, sir."
Horatio licked his lips, deliberately pushing forward with his hips. "Then I welcome the challenge, sir, and trust that you will give me satisfaction on all counts."
Pellew chuckled aloud. "You know very well, sir, that I don't believe in duelling; a perfect waste of good men. However, in this case I shall make an exception. Should the occasion arise, I can promise you you shall have satisfaction on all counts, boy!"
Horatio grinned at him, throwing his arms around his neck.
"On *all* counts, sir?"
"All!"
"And I trust that it will be kept in good order for us whenever we return."
Pellew smiled. "It will, my love. It will."
Horatio kissed him full on the lips, his hands tangling in his lover's wet mop of hair.
"I love it, Edward. I think it's great and I'm so glad that you had it built. Whenever I think of the Rose Shell I will think of you; the way you taste, the way you smell, and the way we loved each other this night." He nuzzled his lover's neck. "I love your scent," he murmured, inhaling the faint aroma of sandalwood oil that seemed to linger even after their swim and remembering the musky perfume of his lover's member and the salt-sea taste of his ejaculate.
"Dearest boy," Pellew murmured, still somewhat amazed by the boy's devotion. "You know," he mused, "I suppose I just built the ridiculous thing for the wrong person."
"No, Edward, you built it for me. You just didn't know it at the time."
Pellew grinned openly at Horatio's audacity before embracing him, their bodies rocking a little, hands smoothing their way over damp flesh.
"By the by, you don't mind that it's polished granite and not Italian marble, do you?"
"Why of course not, Edward. Why should I mind?" Puzzled, Horatio pulled back to gaze at his lover's expression.
"No reason at all, dear boy." He smiled, infinitely relieved at his lover's acceptance - nay fondness - of the structure after his wife's bitter scorn. "I'm... very glad that you like it, Horatio."
He hugged the youthful body once more, however, Horatio was beginning to feel the cold on his bare torso.
"Perhaps we should get back, sir. The air is beginning to grow chill."
"Quite right. Let us go."
Carrying their remaining clothing and with the lantern and moonlight to guide their way they were back at the house in no time.
Mrs Kelly was just beginning to lock up for the night as they entered. She glanced with dismay at the drops of water on the floor left by their wet hair.
"Oh, sirs, just look at you! Did you fall in the lake?"
"Nothing that dramatic, Mrs Kelly. Merely a swim," Pellew responded. "I wonder if we might have some tea sent up. We are a trifle chilled."
"Of course, sir. I'll see to it now. Will you be wanting a bite to eat?"
"Would there be any scones?" Horatio requested.
"Of course, sir."
She turned to Pellew.
"Scones will be fine, Mrs Kelly," he agreed.
"Yes, sir, I'll see to it right away. Will you be wanting a fire, sir?"
"No, no, we'll manage without, thank you."
Ten minutes later she carried a heavy tray upstairs to the master's bedchamber to find them in their night clothes, Horatio in the act of gently brushing out Pellew's damp hair. The captain indicated that she should put it on the table near the mantelpiece.
"Will you be wanting anything else, sirs?" she enquired politely.
"Thank you but that will be all, Mrs Kelly."
She bade them a good night and left as they sat down to drink their tea and tuck into the warm, buttered scones with plum and raspberry jam.
Later, they curled up in bed together, warm and cosy, Pellew's head on his lover's breast. Once he would have been afraid to show such vulnerability even to a lover, but after confessing the tale of his loveless marriage, he felt comfortable in just being who he was and was content simply to lie there, his mind drifting a little as he contemplated the events of this marvellous and sensual evening while lazy fingers wandered through his hair.
"Tired, my love?" he whispered, wondering if his lover had already fallen asleep.
"A little," his lover murmured, equally content.
"Then let us bid each other a good night."
"And love each other in the morning."
As avid lips claimed his own in a kiss that bespoke a promise for the morrow, Edward Pellew was content. Once upon a time he never would have believed that such happiness could be his; that he would one day have a brilliant and beautiful young lover who not only desired him but seemingly could not get enough of him. Whilst he realised that allowing himself to love the boy freely and with all his heart meant leaving himself open to the loneliness of separation when they eventually had to part, he found that he had no other choice. To have withheld even a small part of himself would have meant cheating the innocent lad who gave him everything and loved him without reserve.
To have earned Horatio's love and respect meant the world to him now. The pride he felt at winning a battle, tinged as it was with sadness for the inevitable lives lost, was as nothing in comparison to the pride he felt at winning the love of this brilliant youth whom he was convinced would one day outstrip him in achievement and rank - and that day would not be far in the future, he realised. For now, he was content to take advantage of every minute they had alone together to love the dear boy, Horatio's laughter and happiness lighting up his cold world; a world formerly filled only with duty and bitter memories of a wife who had spurned him. Yes, he had lost his heart to a beautiful youth; whether he would live to regret it or not was for the future. For now, what they shared was the most wonderful thing he had ever known.
"In the morning, my sweet," he murmured, lips barely touching his lover's.
"In the morning," his lover vowed with a final touch of tender lips as they settled down together for the night. "I love our Rose Shell, Edward."
Pellew smiled, amused that his young lover already thought of his old folly as theirs - 'our Rose Shell' the boy had called it. It was their very own folly to enjoy as they pleased, or at least as often as they were granted leave and the weather was clement.
As he lay there he mused that the life of the odd structure seemed to parallel his own, for his own love life had been neglected for many years. After his disastrous marriage had ended so unexpectedly he had had no desire to remarry and had concentrated solely on his career. Now, things seemed to have come full circle for not only was he a captain but he had even been knighted by His Majesty. Add to that the heady fact that, after all these years, he was in love once more. It was, he decided, a kind of miracle. Small wonder that, for the first time ever, he had no regrets about building an architectural folly, even though it had lain sadly abandoned for many years. Its time had come now, and it had been redeemed. So had he.
As he drifted off to sleep, his lover's soft breaths in his ear, the familiar perfume of his flesh in his nostrils and the taste of his tongue sweet in his mouth, he decided that in the morning he would arrange to purchase a good telescope for it. After all, it was what he had always intended, and now there was one by his side who would appreciate it. He smiled, anticipating the look on Horatio's face when he saw it.
"Mmm, yes," he whispered. "Our Rose Shell..."
