Peering out from the carrage window, Joseph smiled when he spotted Lance emerge from the castle. "Angel," he called, Lances' tears not yet catching his attention.

Quickly saying his goodbyes to Edward and Jason, Lance climbed into the carriage, his body shaking.

"Angel?" Joseph asked, the tears now visible to his eyes. "What happened? Why are you crying?"

"Ho...hold me, Joseph," Lance sobbed, holding out his arms to his husband. "Hold...hold m...me."

Of course, Joseph obliged, taking Lance into his arms. Knowing something else was bothering him, Joseph asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Pulling back slightly, Lance looked up at Joseph as they rode away from the castle. "I...I just want to...to be with you," the young lord whispered.

"Oh Angel," Joseph cooed. "I only want to be with you too, but you know that we can't. At least not for this week."

"Bu...but you...you said we'd be alone here in the carriage," Lance replied softly. "I...I thought..."

"That I did," Joseph whispered, kissing Lances' temple. "And we will be alone for a few hours."

Lance tenderly kissed Joseph's lips as he choked back a few sobs. "Ple..please," the young lord begged. "I...I want to...to be with you."

"Shh Angel, don't cry," Joseph comforted, drying a few tears. Leaning down and kissing Lances' neck, Joseph knew there wasn't much more they could do within the confines of the carriage. But he was going to try and make the last few hours with Lance as enjoyable as possible.

Moaning as Jospeh nibbled on his neck, Lance reached up and wrapped his arm around him. Joseph emitted a moan of his own as his desire for Lance increased. Bitting a little harder, Joseph placed his hand lightly upon Lances' crotch, and began massaging his member through the black pants he had on.

"Jo...Joseph," Lance whimpered softly, his eyes half-closed. "I...I..."

"Shh Angel," Joseph whispered, his stroking becoming a little more intense. "We don't want the driver to hear us do we?" he asked, a laugh lacing his voice.

"Jo...Jospeh," Lance whimpered again, "Jo...ple...please..." Just as swiftly as the massage started, Joseph pulled his hand away, but kept nibbling at his neck.

"N...no...please," Lance whispered, taking Joseph's hand and trying to put it back where it had been.

"No Lance," Joseph whispered. "We don't want anyone knowing what we're doing in here." Seeing the expression on Lances' face, Joseph kissed his eye lids. "Angel, please understand. I want nothing but to be with you, but it wouldn't look good for two members of the royal family to be caught in such acts out in public." Lowering his head, Lance nodded, although he was disappointed. "I'm sorry Angel. If we were back home, then I would not hesitate to comply with your wishes. Please...tell me you understand?"

Lance wanted to answer him, but the enormity of what he'd almost faced in Joshua's chambers, combined with not being able to be with Joseph overwhelmed the young lord, who broke down into tears in Jospeh's arms.

Joseph said nothing as he craddled Lance in his arms. He thought the tears were for how much his young husband was going to miss him. If only he knew the complete truth.

In a few minutes Lance had fallen asleep in Joseph's arms. Watching him sleep, Jospeh kissed the top of his forehead as he, too, drifted off to sleep.

A light tapping at the carriage window awakened him. Looking around, he realized that they had reached the farm.

Nudging Lance slightly, Joseph whispered, "Angel. Wake up, we're here."

Rubbing his eyes, Lance sat up and looked around. A slow smile crept across his face when he realized where he was. The driver climbed down and opened the carriage door. Lance stepped out, followed by Joseph, who asked the driver to knock on the front door of the farm.

"Of course M'lord," the driver said, bowing slightly as he walked up to the door and knocked quietly, while the coachman helped with Lances' bags.

The door opened and James walked out onto the porch, beaming when he saw his son. Bowing, James acknowledged Josephs' presence. "You do us honor with your presence here M'lord."

"Papa," Lance whispered, hugging his father.

"My son," James replied, embracing his son. "We are so happy that you can stay with us for the weekend. You're mother has not stopped cleaning house since you and Lord Joseph left a few days ago. She wants everything to be perfect for a young lord."

"Papa, there's good news," Lance replied. "I will be staying the entire week. Joseph has business in Stratford and will be gone for the week, too. He has allowed me to stay here while he is gone."

James' eyes started to tear at the sound of his son being home for an entire week. "M...M'lord," he voiced, obviously trying to not cry. "Th...thank you so...so much."

Joseph nodded, a smile creeping across his face. "You are more than welcome, James," he replied. "I will be away for the whole week and I thought Lance would enjoy being with you and Rebecca rather than being at Herfordshire without me there."

"We would be happy to look after him M'lord. We are honored that you allow us time with our son," James again thanked. "Are there any special orders?" he asked, looking from Lord Joseph to his son. "Any special requirements?"

A hint of teasing in his voice, Joseph nodded. "Yes, there is. I require you to go and get your wife, James," Joseph replied laughing softly. "She should not be apart from her son one minute longer than necessary." The breath James held when Joseph told him that there was a requirement was let out slowly in reliefe. Bowing and turning on his heals, James disappeared into the house, only to return moments later with Rebecca trailing behind him.

Upon seeing his mother, Lance's eyes filled with tears. "Mamma," he whispered.

"Lan...Lansten," Rebecca voiced, her tears brimming her eyes. "Oh Lansten." Stepping forward, she embraced her son. "You're home," she whispered. "My son is home."

"Mamma," Lance whispered again, as he savored the feeling of being in his mother's arms.

"Your father told me the news," she spoke, looking up at Lord Joseph. "Thank you so much M'lord."

"Just the happiness on your faces is thanks enough, Rebecca," Jospeh replied.

The driver walked over and stood next to Lord Jospeh. "Beggin M'lord's pardon, but we must be going soon if we are to make Stratford before sunset."

Nodding, Joseph agreed. Turning to his husband, he rested a hand lightly upon his cheek and stared into his green eyes, trying to memorize them; and how soft his skin felt. With a small, crooked smile, Lord Joseph turned and climbed back into the carriage. "Behave Angel," he said, his voice somewhere between being serious and joking. "I do not wish to have your parents tell me you were a handful when I return for you in a week."

Lowering his eyes, Lance fought hard to keep from crying, but failed miserably. "I...I shall mi...miss you so," he replied in a shaky voice.

"I shall miss you too my Angel," Joseph said as the horses' whinneied and jolted forward, sending the elder lord into the back of the carriage slightly. "Enjoy your time Lance. I will see you in a week. I love you."

"I...I love you, too," Lance whispered,tears beginning to fall.

Shaking his head, Joseph whispered, "No tears. I want to be able to remember your bright eyes and smiling face." Lance choked back some of his tears, a slight smile crossing his face. "That's the Angel I want to see waving goodbye," Joseph whispered; reaching his hand out of the carriage window. "I love you so much Angel," he said as Lance took his hand. Running his fingers over Lances' knuckles, Joseph again memorized the eyes of his angel before he reluctintly pulled his arm away and told the driver he was ready.

"Goodbye, my love," Lance whispered as he watched the carriage until it was out of sight. Once it was, Lance turned to his mother, breaking down in her arms.

Helping Lance into the house, Rebecca gently sat him down on the small couch, careful to not break his embrace. Running her hand up and down his back, she let him cry for his husband. "The week will go by quickly Lansten," she whispered.

"Ye...yes Mama," Lance replied as he lay his head on her shoulder, much like he had done when he was little.

Smiling as a few memories of when her son was a child of 3 and tugging on the skirt of her dress, Rebecca turned her head slightly and dropped a light kiss upon Lances' head. "Your father has to go into town to sell some of the furs he has," she informed. "Would you like to go with him?"

Looking at his father, Lance smiled as he nodded. "Yes, I would."

Returning the smile, James said, "Then I'll go get a horse ready for you Lance. I'm afraid our best tack went with Midnight though, so you might have to use Thomas'."

"That is fine, Papa," Lance returned. "It'll be wonderful just riding with you again."

"I've missed riding with you too my son," James said before turning to go to the stables, leaving his son alone for a while with Rebecca.

"I am so happy to be here with you, Mama," the young lord replied, smiling at his mother. "And to know that it will be for seven days instead of just two."

"Lord Joseph is very generious in allowing us to all be together," Rebecca replied. "This will be just as it was before, before you went to live with him Lansten."

"Yes, Mama," Lance replied. As he stood and started to join his father in the stables, Rebecca put a hand on his shoulder. Something was bothering him, Rebecca could feel it and inquired about it.

"Are Lord Joshua and Lord Justin upsetting you again?" she asked. She could always read her son, there was very little he could hide from her.

Shaking his head, Lance looked away. "N...no," he replied softly.

"Lansten?" Rebecca insisted. "It was not more then 10 minutes ago that your husband told you to behave. Must I tell him that you broke his order not 10 minutes into your stay?"

"N...no...no...please," Lance replied, his body shaking.

"Then what is bothering you?" she repeated.

"I...I am worried about Blake," the young lord replied.

Not fimilar with the name, Rebecca echoed, "Blake?"

"Blake is my...my servant," he explained. "Or at least he was."

"What happened to make you worry about him now?"

"Som...something I...I saw," Lance whispered, instantly regretting he had said anything to his mother.

Taking hold of his shoulders lightly, Rebecca looked her son straight in the eyes. "Lansten, what happened? What did you see?"

Tears slowly making their way down his face, Lance looked at his mother. "Joshua...he...he did something horrible to Blake."

"And you did not try to stop him?"

"I...I did not actually see what happened, but Blake...he...he..."

Before Rebecca or Lance could finish, James called from the stable doors. "Lance, the horses are ready."

"All right, Papa," Lance replied as he stood and started to walk toward the door. Before he reached it, his mother took his arm.

"Lansten," she said. "If you know something that shouldn't have happened, then you need to tell Lord Joseph when he returns."

Lance lowered his head. "I...I wanted to but Joshua...he threatened me if I did."

Standing before her son, Rebecca lifted his chin. "What is more important Lance?" she asked, her voice a hushed whisper. "Blakes' safety, or Joshua and his threats?"

"H...his safe...safety," Lance agreed.

Nodding, she stated, "Then, in a week, when your husband returns for you, you need to tell him what you saw. And hopefully it will not be too late for Blake."

"Y...yes, Mama," Lance replied.

Turning to join his father, Lance mounted a brown mare named Juniper. Grabbing the reins, Lance and James waved to Rebecca as they made their way into town.

Bowing, Kenneth addressed his charge. "Good morning, M'lord," Kenneth replied. "Yes, Lord Joshua is in his chambers and has asked after you."

Smiling and looking down the hallway, Justin asked that they be left alone until the mid-day meal. "We have business of our own to discuss," he explained.

"As you wish, M'lord," Kenneth replied. "Would you like me to draw your bath water now?"

Figuring that since Joshua had given him a surprise the night before, he would return the favor. Turning to his servant, Justin replied, "Yes please Kenneth. But before you go, would you please choose an oil that you think Joshua would think Joseph will like?"

"The musk scent is one of Lord Joseph's favorites," Kenneth replied.

Scrunching his nose, Justin knew that Joshua didn't like that scent. "I know he likes the musk scent. What is his second favorite?"

"He likes one called Evening Sunset," Kenneth replied.

Nodding, the young lord answered, "Then I would like to try that one please."

"Very well, M'lord," Kenneth replied, getting the oil as he filled the tub with warm water. After his bath, Kenneth helped his charge dress and prepair for the day.

Slipping on his black boots, Justin stood before the full length mirror, smoothing out the wrinkles in his white tunic and making sure he looked presentable. "Thank you Kenneth," he said as his servant brushed out the wrinkles on his back.

"I will see to it that you and Lord Joshua are left alone, M'lord," Kenneth said, straightening Justin's room as the young lord left his chambers and knocked on Joshua's door.

Holding the small oil bottle behind his back, Justin bounced on his heals, worried that one of the servants would see him waiting outside Joshuas' door. He hoped that Joseph and not spread the word that while he was away, should Justin or Joshua meet in the others' room, that the door was to remain opened.

"Come in," Joshua called from the other side of the door.

Opening the door quietly, Justin peered in and smiled when he saw Joshua curled up in a chair, a heavy leather bound book in his arms, his blue eyes flying over the words. "I see that you're busy," he said, a smile playing his lips. "I'll just come back later."

"Oh no you don't," Joshua teased, putting the book down and closing the door, pulling Justin into an embrace. Keeping his hand behind his back, Justin smiled into the kiss; fully knowing that the week was theirs, as long as they did nothing to get caught. Breaking the embrace, Joshua looked at his young love curiously. "What are you hiding behind your back?" he inquired.

A coy expression on his face, Justin replied, "Since our massage was stopped to early last night, I brought something that would help make it look like that was what we were doing."

"Would you like me to finish what we started last night?" Joshua teased.

"Perhaps," Justin whispered, taking a small step back. Moving to sit on the edge of Joshuas' bed, the younger one set the bottle down and fingered a few clear buttons on his shirt. "It took Kenneth quiet a while to help me dress. I wouldn't want to have to call him away from his duties, just so he could dress me again."

Kneeling in front of Justin, Joshua slowly removed the younger lord's clothes and carefully placed them on the back of a nearby chair. Laying him gently on his stomach, Joshua moved to lay next to him. "Now what was it you were saying about getting dressed?" Joshua whispered huskily.

Justin turned his head to look at Joshua and smiled. "It seems to have slipped my mind. I'm sure it wasn't important."

Moving to straddle Justin, Joshua leaned down and kissed the back of his neck, slowly moving to the side.

Closing his eyes and letting out a deep sigh, Justin arched his shoulders as Joshuas' lips kissed over a sensitive spot for him. "Jo...Josh," he whispered, a shiver running down his spine.

"I'm here, my love," Joshua whispered as he spread Justin's legs and slowly entered him.

Tears forming in his eyes as the realization of just how much he loved Joshua, Justin shifted his hips slightly, inabling Joshua to slide further into him, a sniffle mixed in with his satisfied moan.

"Oh Jus..Justin," Joshua grunted, his rhythm increasing as much as his desire for Justin did. "I...I love you...so very much."

"Pl...please," Justin whispered, wanting to keep the moment from ending. "Ju...Josh...Joshua...pl..." Snaking his arms around Justin, Joshua pulled him closer, thrusting deeper into him. Justin whimpered, savoring the feel of Joshua inside him. Trying to match Joshuas' rhythm, Justin bucked his hips back, a low moan eminating when he felt Joshua a little deeper then before.

"Tha...that's it, my lo...love," Joshua urged as Justin whimpered again. "I...I wan...I want you so much, Jus...Justin." Again bucking his hips back, Justin soon was matching his loves' thrusts perfectly. Together they had formed what looked like the perfect unison, moving in perfect syncranization with each other.

His climax imminent, Joshua's speed increased again as he tightened his grip on Justin. Justin's whimpers increased as well as he called out Joshua's name over and over.

"Oh G...God J...Jos...Joshua," the younger one cried, high pitched moans mixed in. "Bab...baby pl...please...oh God...please...."

"I...I'm wait...waiting for you, Justin," Joshua moaned, snaking his hand around Justin's waist and down, wrapping his hand around Justin's member and stroking it as he continued to thrust deep within him.

Trying to hold back his own climax, to keep the moment lasting as long as he could, Justin soon failed, moaning into Joshuas' pillow as he shook with the force that enveloped his body.

With a few thrusts, Joshua joined him, savoring the feeling of Justin's quivering body beneath him. Once their breathing started to return to normal, Joshua pulled out and cradled Justin in his arms.

Sniffling and nuzzling closer into his love, Justin sighed again as he pressed his hands lightly against Joshuas' chest. "Th...tha..." he tried to say, but decided on, "I love you, Joshua," instead, dropping a kiss on his sternum.

"I love you too, Baby Boy," Joshua whispered, using his pet name for Justin.

"I...I wish we could be...be together...always," Justin whispered, closing his eyes. "I wish we didn't have to sneak around, just so we could have a few stolen moments of intamincy."

"I know, Justin, but we would be in a world of trouble if we were ever to be...oh no," Joshua explained sitting up.

Looking up at Joshua, Justin sat up next to him, worry written clearly on his face. "Wh...what?" he asked, scared of what his love would tell him. "What's wrong?"

"Lance," Joshua explained. "I was teaching Blake his place in the household and Lance saw it. He threatened to tell Joseph."

"But...Joseph allows us to teach our servants their places," Justin whispered, confusion still clearly on his face. "What is so wrong with Lance seeing you teach Blake a lesson?"

"Blake saw you and I when we had our session with Lance. He was curious, so I satisfied his curiosity. Lance saw what happened and heard Blake crying...then the little farm by had the nerve to threaten me."

Finally what Joshua was talking about dawned on Justin, and instantly he was filled with worry. "Di...did he tell Joseph?" he asked, fully knowing that if Joseph was told, then he and Joshua be exspelled from the family, and would be seperated. And Justin couldn't bare to never be with his love again.

Joshua smirked. "I gave our little farm boy a threat of my own to insure he would remain silent, but we can't take any chances. We have to get rid of him, and soon."

"He's away for the week, visiting with his parents," Justin whispered. Sensing how tense Joshua was, he moved to kneel behind him. "And so is Joseph. We have time Darling, to decide on how we're going to get rid of him."

A wicked smile crossing his face, Joshua looked at Justin. "I have the perfect plan. We will take a ride down to the farm before the week is out to visit our 'friend', maybe ask him to go riding with us into the woods. He doesn't know the area; it will be easy to lose him there."

Returning the smile, Justin leaned down and kissed Joshua. "Tell me again why I love your ideas?" he whispered.

"Because you love me, silly," Joshua teased, smiling at his love as he kissed the top of his nose. "And I love you as well, Justin...so very very much."

"How much do you love me?" Justin asked, the topic of Lance having been put to the side for the time being. They had a week alone, without worry of Lance and Joseph walking in on their times together. "Lets not worry about them now Darling," he whispered. "This week is ours to do as we please."

Wrapping his arms around Justin, Joshua kissed with a passion that overwhelmed the younger lord. "That...that much" Joshua whispered, trying to catch his breath.

Smiling, Justin locked eyes with Joshua as he said, "I...I have something for...for you. But you'll have to dress and follow me to receive it."

"I would like to see it," Joshua whispered, laying Justin on his back, placing the young lord's legs onto his shoulders. "But right now, I want you more," the elder lord added, as he eased himself into Justin once more.