The Gatehouse

by Clonesgirl

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Part III - A Perilous Night

The rain continued to hold off and some twenty minutes later, above the noise of the wind, faintly they heard the sound of horses hoofs on wet ground.  In silence the two men in the Gatehouse picked up their weapons.

As the six men rode around the curve of the driveway and up toward the Gatehouse the wind picked up again, gusting hard, though there was still no rain.  Lightning, moments later accompanied by a thunderclap, made their animals whinny nervously, two of them clearly wanting to bolt and having to be controlled by their riders.

“All right, you blackguards, come closer,” Pellew muttered.  Beside him, Horatio was tense.

As they approached the arched central entrance with its high gates their leader pulled his horse up as he reached through to try and open them.

“David!  David, you said the bloody gates would be open!” he shouted over the noise of the wind in the trees.

“It was supposed to be open,” the one at the rear shouted back.

“Well somebody's been and shut it,” the leader yelled back.  Reaching out, he grasped the chain, tugging on it to no avail.

“Damn you, it's locked!” he yelled, turning back to the others.

The moon chose that moment to appear between heavy banks of cloud, its wan, silvery light illuminating the men on their horses, exposing them to the watchful eyes of the two naval officers with guns trained carefully on them.

Another man called out, “The key's probably in the Gatehouse.  We can break in and get it.”

As one, Horatio and Pellew pushed the window wide open.

“Shall I open the gates for you, sir?” Pellew called out.

Astonished, the men turned towards the sound of his voice.

“Throw down your weapons and you will not be hurt,” Pellew shouted.

The leader immediately withdrew his weapon and Pellew fired upon him, apparently wounding him for the man jerked back in the saddle.

The man whom the leader had addressed as “David” also drew a weapon and Hornblower fired at him, hitting him squarely, for he doubled over in the saddle clutching his ribs and groaning.  From the corner of his eye he also saw Pellew jerk and fall backwards against a cabinet before slumping to the floor as another member of the gang fired.  However, he had no time to tend to him as more shots rang out, one whistling past his ear to strike the opposite wall.

“Damn!” he muttered, picking up another pistol.

Although Pellew’s shot had hit the leader the man still brandished a weapon.  He fired at the man but missed, grabbing for another pistol.  This time he aimed at the man behind the leader and was gratified to see him fall, one of his feet caught in the stirrup as he hit the ground.

The rest of them all discharged their weapons now and he was forced to duck for his life.  His heart was pounding as he glanced anxiously at his fallen companion who appeared unmoving.  However, he dared not take the time to tend him for he knew that he had his chance now for their guns would be empty.

“Throw down your weapons!” he yelled at the top of his lungs, a third pistol in his hand.  But as he took stock of the men and aimed his weapon a shot hit the wall next to him, bits of the grey stone spraying outwards.  It was at that point that he heard another noise which appeared to come from the bedchamber.  As he turned toward the sound Pellew groaned - much to Hornblower’s relief.  However, as he bent down to his fallen companion to help him to sitting position, there was another sound from the bedchamber.

“Captain?  Captain Pellew?” Hornblower whispered.  “Are you all right, sir?”

Pellew opened his eyes.

“Sir?  Sir, I believe someone is entering the bedchamber.  Take this, sir.”  He handed Pellew a loaded pistol and the man nodded.

“Help me up,” Pellew muttered.

Hornblower helped him to his feet, glancing outside as he did so.  “Careful, sir.  They are still out there.”

Pellew nodded and Hornblower slipped away stealthily in the darkness toward the doorway of the bedchamber.  As he peered around the door he saw a man silhouetted as he clambered in the window.

“That will be far enough, sir.”

The man, halfway in the window and unable to fire his weapon, did not hesitate but fled the way he had come.  Hornblower strode to the window and saw the man mounting his horse.  Another one of the gang took a parting shot at Pellew at the other window and he fired back as the leader shouted to get out of there and the men turned to flee, one grabbing the reins of the horse with the fallen rider who was dragged away, one leg still caught, by the galloping horse.  Horatio managed to hit one of the other men before grabbing the last loaded pistol and getting in one final shot at the leader as they rode away around the curve of the driveway.

As the riders disappeared from view, the moonlight, which had aided his aim, faded as heavy clouds once more obscured the sky and the roadway was once more enveloped in darkness.

His heart pounding, Hornblower returned to his companion.

“Captain?  Captain Pellew, sir!”

Pellew was leaning against the wall next to the window.

“They have retreated, sir.”

“Good lad.  I can always count on you, boy.”

Hornblower helped him to a chair before lighting the lamp again and closing the window.

“Let me see your arm, sir.”

“It's only a graze I believe.”

Horatio helped him out of his coat to reveal blood soaking the sleeve of his shirt just above the elbow.

“I'll see if I can find something to bandage it with.  Did you hit your head, sir?”  Pellew nodded.  “Let me see.”  Grasping a lantern he held it so that he could view the back of his captain’s head.  “I can't see any blood, sir.”

Pellew raised his hand to indicate where he had hit it and Horatio gingerly felt the swelling which was already starting, Pellew wincing as he did so.

“Let me see what I can find, sir.”

“See if you can find some rum too,” Pellew called out to him.

Pellew waited as Horatio disappeared into the kitchen and shortly he heard the sound of the pump.

Horatio returned with a basin of water and some rags before making a second trip to fetch two glasses and a half bottle of rum.  Pouring the rum, he gave Pellew a generous measure, a small amount for himself.  He pretended not to notice that Pellew’s hand shook a little as he raised the glass to his lips.  Ringing out one of the rags thoroughly, he pressed it gently to the lump on the man's head.

“There, sir.  It may help it to go down faster.  If you could hold it there, sir, I will check your arm.”

Carefully, he removed coat and shirt and Pellew sat bare-chested as Horatio carefully cleaned the blood from his arm.  Fortunately, the wound was only shallow but he realized that it must be stinging badly.  It was still bleeding but not nearly as much and he tied a clean, dry rag around it, praying that it would heal without difficulty.  Afterwards he placed Pellew’s coat
around his shoulders before throwing away the blood-stained water and rejoining him at the table.

“Hornblower, I must ask your forgiveness, sir.  I should never have involved you in this.  It was far too dangerous.”  He finished his rum in one gulp.

“Sir, this was not a matter of duty.  I was here and I was already involved for I had seen the gang earlier.”

Even as he spoke the words the rain began again, now striking against the windows as the wind rose once more.  Pellew, who was only wearing his coat around his shoulders, began to shiver and moved closer to the fire which was now no more than a few glowing embers.

Horatio put a blanket around him.  “Sir, you must keep warm and it is very late.  We should go to bed.  I do not think they will be back tonight.”

Personally, Pellew doubted that he would sleep at all - his arm hurt and his head throbbed.

He reached up to undo the braid in his hair but was immediately reminded of the injury to his left arm.  “Damn!” he muttered.  “Hornblower, might I prevail on you to help me with my hair?”

“Of course, sir.”

Hornblower stood behind him and carefully removed the braid, loosening the man's hair by gently running his bare fingers through it.

“Shall I brush it for you, sir?” he offered.

“That would be most welcome.”

Hornblower retrieved his hairbrush from his carry bag and began to brush Pellew’s long, dark hair.  He was careful not to brush anywhere near his companion's injury to the back of his head.  As the silky locks flowed through his fingers he found himself lingering over the task long after he had thoroughly brushed it all out.

Pellew too was enjoying it, the lad's touch far gentler than any servant's, and he was loathe for it to cease.  Finally, though he decided that he had imposed on his young officer more than enough for one night.

“Thank you, Hornblower, that is sufficient.”

Horatio smiled and Pellew looked at his lovely curls, the urge to run his fingers through them almost overwhelming.  However, before he could be tempted Hornblower picked up a lamp and disappeared into the small bedchamber.  Shortly he returned.

“Sir, the bed is ready.  It is a cold night, sir, and...”

Pellew nodded, rising as Hornblower shone a lamp for him to light his way.

While Pellew undressed Hornblower attended the fire in the main room, putting a couple of large logs on it and coaxing it back to life again.  He undressed for the second time that night, spreading his still-damp clothing out before the fireplace.

When he returned to the bedchamber it was to find Pellew lying in bed and shivering badly.  He was himself quite chilled now.  As he approached the bed Pellew pulled back the covers for him.

“Make haste, lad, before we both catch our death.”

As Horatio slipped in beside him and moved close to him Pellew felt the coldness of the young man's flesh through their thin clothing.

“Lord, but you're colder than I am.  Come, let us get warm.”

Turning toward each other they began to rub each other vigorously, Pellew protecting his left arm.

As the minutes passed their shared body warmth had its effect and with the fading chill came a new-found warmth that brought comfort to more than just the flesh.

“Sir, perhaps if you were to lie more on your right side?” Hornblower suggested, turning a little more toward his captain.

“Yes.  All right.”

As Pellew turned more he found himself completely unnerved as Hornblower slipped an arm around him, gathering him close as though he had always done so.  He found his head pressed to the younger man's shoulder, his lips close to the warm flesh of his neck.  Somewhat astonished at Hornblower’s impetuosity he lay quietly as he took stock of their situation.

With every breath Edward Pellew was intimately aware of the closeness of their bodies and Hornblower’s own unique scent, a scent that he had been intimately acquainted with only once before.  Once was enough though and he would never forget it.  Now, in such close quarters that, if he wanted to, he could reach out and kiss the lovely, warm neck so temptingly close to his lips, he was helpless to resist the impulse.  He also decided, again somewhat to his surprise, that he rather liked being held this way.  Not since he was a small child had anyone held him like this.  Hornblower, on the other hand, seemed quite unconcerned, merely holding him with eyes closed.

In the darkness Pellew smiled.  He allowed himself to relax and wondered if perhaps he might be able to sleep after all.  His shivering was gone and he was beginning to feel lovely and warm.  Indeed all was well except for the pain in his arm and the throbbing in his head.

After a while during which time they lay quietly listening to the noise of the rain striking the window panes while the wind did its damnedest to blow them in, Hornblower whispered, “Are you comfortable, sir?”

“Very much so.  And you, sir?”

“Very comfortable, sir.”

Again they lay in silence but for the noise of the elements without.  After a while Hornblower ventured, “Earlier, sir, I was... afraid for you.”

It was Pellew’s turn to smile.  “My dear sir, it will take a lot more than a mere graze to the arm and a knock on the head to kill me.”

“Nevertheless, sir, when you fell senseless I feared for your life.”

A distant flash of lightning lit the room for a second allowing Pellew to see the tense look on his companion's face.  The young man must have thought him mortally wounded, he realized.  Searching for a way to reassure him, he reached to grasp his companion's hand, squeezing it in his own warm ones.

“My dear young man, you worry about your old captain far too much.”

The room was too dark for him to see his companion's expression until another flash of lightning again lit the younger man's features once more.  For a second he thought he saw moisture glistening in his eyes.

“Hornblower...”  He found himself lost for words.  “Horatio...”

“I... I thought that I had lost you, sir.”

“Horatio...”

For once Edward Pellew felt hopelessly inadequate to know what to say to this dear young man who meant so very much to him.  He slipped his bandaged arm around Hornblower allowing it to rest on his lean rib cage.

“It's all right, Horatio.  It's all right,” he whispered, feeling the younger man shaking in his arms.  “Shh.  I am here.  It was nothing.  Calm yourself, dear boy.  Calm yourself.”

To his everlasting surprise Pellew felt the delightful touch of warm, trembling lips pressed to his forehead.  Smiling with pleasure, he whispered, “My dear sir, your affectionate regard shall be my undoing.”

“I have never felt this before, sir, with anyone.”

Pellew nuzzled the boy's neck, feeling the life beating through the delicate flesh.  How lovely.  He pressed a kiss to the soft flesh there as another kiss was pressed to his cheek.

“My dearest boy,” Pellew whispered, reaching up to stroke the light coating of stubble on Hornblower’s cheek, “you are more than I can bear.”

“Oh, sir, the memory of that time... on the ship... when... when we...”

“I know, my dear.  I know.  The fates have been cruel, but no more.  No more, my dear Horatio,” he assured his companion before leaning closer to press his lips to the soft and vulnerable mouth.

For Horatio, the touch of his captain’s lips was as wondrous and intimate as he remembered and he revelled in the gentle kisses.  He felt alive, he felt marvellously excited, he felt loved.  He felt sheer bliss.

For Pellew, the young man's luscious kisses were the sweetest he had ever tasted and he wanted very much to continue, but...

“Damn!”

Alarmed that he had somehow hurt his captain, Horatio pulled back. “Sir?  Sir, what is it?”

“My head, dammit.”  It seemed to be throbbing worse than ever.

“Forgive me, sir.”

“It is I who must ask your forgiveness, sir.  I am in no condition even to kiss.”

“It was my fault, sir.  I should not...”

“Shhh...” He rested his head back on Hornblower’s shoulder once more, closing his eyes, hoping that the pounding in his head would go soon..  “In the evening...”

“Yes, sir?”

Pellew smiled at the hopeful note in the boy's voice.  “There will be time, my dear.  Plenty of time.  In the evening, if you still wish it, then we shall take the time to express our affection for one another.  Will that please you?”

The boy caught his hand and pressed it to his lips, kissing it again and again.  “That would please me no end, sir,” he murmured between kisses.

Pellew grinned.  “Then you have my word, sir.”  His hand over the boy's mouth, he felt the smile there.  “We shall do anything our hearts desire.”

“Anything we wish?”

“Anything you wish, my dear.  You have only to desire it.”

Horatio grinned.  “Kisses.”

“You shall have a thousand and more.”  He felt the boy's body still, felt him swallow hard.

“Oh, sir, is that a promise?”

Pellew heard the slight tremble in the voice and glanced up at the dear face so close to his own.  As a flash of lighting, closer this time, lit the small room brightly, he was sure that he saw fresh moisture glistening around the large eyes.

“You have my word, my dearest Horatio.”

“Then may I offer you a promise, sir?”

“Of course, my dear.”  In the darkness Edward Pellew smiled.

“I shall give you a thousand caresses, sir.”

“Mmm...  Mr Hornblower, I believe we shall enjoy each other's company very much.”

They pulled the bedclothes up high and intertwined their legs, the boy softly stroking his hair.

“You know I have been thinking,” Pellew murmured after a while during which they listened to the sounds of the tempest outside.  “The gang is still at large and I need someone to man this place at night for the next week until the servants return.  Someone who can defend it.  And the only suitable servants are all away.”

“I would be happy to volunteer, sir.”

“Horatio, you are my guest,” Pellew chided gently.  “I would not dream of asking you to defend my property.”

“You do not have to ask, sir.  I volunteer and, as you know, I am well capable of defending your property.”

“My dear sir, it was myself that I had in mind.”

“Then in light of tonight's events  I insist on accompanying you, sir.”

“I suppose there is no deterring you.”

Hornblower knew his captain well enough to know that he was not displeased at the prospect.

“Indeed not, sir.  I shall be here every night.”

Pellew smiled.  “Then I shall look forward to your company here every night, sir.  In the meantime, in the morning we shall ride up to the house and devour a hearty breakfast.  Then I shall show you around the house and, if the weather improves, the grounds as well.  They are quite extensive and I believe you will like them.”

“I look forward to it, sir.”

Sleepy and comfortable, the throbbing pain in his head easing somewhat, Pellew whispered, “Merry Christmas, my Horatio.”

“And to you, sir, a very merry Christmas,” Horatio whispered, pulling the bedclothes up high around them.

Pellew pressed his lips to the warm flesh of the boy's smooth neck in sheer affection.  Who would have dreamt that inviting the brave lad to his home would literally save his own neck and probably the lives of the servants as well?  An attack on his own estate was virtually unthinkable - prior to tonight, that is.  The outlaw gang was wounded but who was to say that they would not return seeking vengeance.

“My Horatio,” he whispered.

In response the boy stroked him, his touch at once proprietary and gentle. “Always, sir.”

A bright flash of lightning lit the opposite wall and for a moment Hornblower could have sworn that he saw a shadow there - the shadow of a small, slightly-built man with a large hat.

In the following darkness Pellew felt his companion freeze, then the shiver that ran the length of his body as thunder once more rumbled outside.

“What is it?” he whispered, acutely aware when his companion finally took a breath once more.

“Nothing.  ‘'Tis nothing, sir.”

“Then calm yourself, my dear.  The storm cannot hurt us.  We are safe at anchor now,” he whispered, once more pressing his lips to his companion's neck and feeling the rapid thrumming of his heart.

Soothed by his captain’s words, the chill faded.  Hornblower kissed his forehead once more before closing his eyes and allowing himself to sleep, the person dearest to him in the world safe in his arms.

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