Whimpering, Justin held his breath until Joshua was fully within him again. "I...I wan...want you too...Angel," he whispered, hoping Joshua wouldn't be upset with his using a new nickname for him.

His body growing rigid, Joshua tried to contain his anger at Justin's use of Joseph's nickname for Lance. "Don't call me that," he murmured.

Turning his head to look away from Joshua, the younger one regretted having used a nickname that wasn't his to use. "I...I'm sorry," he whispered.

"It is all right, Justin," Joshua whispered, as he increased his rhythm, his desire for Justin building quickly.

Sniffling, Justin didn't turn his head to look back at Joshua, scared that he had hurt him again. A few moans were the only sign Joshua received from his love, but Justin didn't speak a word. Joshua moaned as he snaked his arm around Justin, wrapping his hand around his member and began stroking.

Closing his eyes and trying to focus on the sensations coursing through his body, Justin found himself moaning a little louder then before, but still, no words came out of his mouth. He was scared that he would say something to again upset Joshua, and he wasn't going to take any chances at doing just that.

Joshua grunted as he reached his climax, taking Justin with him. Spent, they fell asleep in each other's arms, not waking until it was close to time for the evening meal. Joshua woke first, hearing the light tapping at the door.

"M...M'lord?" Blake called, peaking his head into the darkened room. "M'lord?"

"What is it, Blake?" Joshua replied in a sleepy voice.

Walking into the room to light the candles, Blake had no idea that his charge was not alone. Lighting enough candles to cast a soft glow about the room, the young servant looked up and gasped in surprise when he saw Lord Justin laying in bed with his charge.

"This is not to be repeated, do you understand, Blake?" Joshua warned. "What you have seen here remains with you."

Locking eyes on the sleeping Justin, Blake didn't know what to do. He had heard when Joseph said that Justin and Joshua were not to be alone in either room. And now his charge was telling him to defy Lord Josephs' orders.

Looking at Blake Joshua smirked at him evily. "I will repeat myself, Blake...what you have seen here is to remain here. If I find that you have said anything..." he trailed off, letting his threat hang in the air. Justin, having woken up, just stared at Blake, his face full of fear and worry.

"B...but Lo...Lord Joseph..." Blake stammered, taking a step back. "He...he..."

His anger rising, Joshua reached back and slapped the young servant across the face. "You dare question me?" Joshua hissed.

His hand shooting up to where Joshua had hit him, Blake looked back up at his charge, tears in his eyes for the countless time that day. Oh how he missed serving Lord Lance. At least he treated me decently he thought to himself.

"I asked you a question, Blake," Joshua repeated. "Do you understand me?"

The conflict was still swirling within the young servants' mind. Who should he listen to? Lord Joseph, or Lord Joshua? He just didn't know what to do, except keep quiet and lower his head.

"I'll take it by your silence that you do understand," Joshua replied. "Now, what was it you wanted?"

"Din...dinner is re...ready Josh," Blake started. Shaking his head slightly, he quickly corrected himself. "I mean M'lord."

Deciding to let the name slip go for now, Joshua nodded. "Thank you, Blake. Justin and I will be down soon."

"Yes M'lord," Blake replied, bowing and turning to leave the room; on his way to Lord Christophers' chambers. All the way there, he couldn't stop thinking about what Lord Joshua told him. And then again, he couldn't stop thinking about what Lord Joseph had said either. If he listened to Lord Joseph, then he would be in serious trouble with his charge. But if he listened to Lord Joshua, then he would be in trouble with Lord Joseph. Blake knew he was in a catch-22, and he couldn't see a way safely out of it.

"Come in," Lord Christopher called, as Blake timidly opened the door. "Ah, Blake. Is it time for dinner?"

Clasping his hands behind his back, Blake looked down at the carpetting and whispered timidly, "Y...Yes M'lord."

"Thank you," Christopher replied, smiling warmly at the young servant. Blake said nothing as he went about straightening the room for Lord Christopher. There wasn't much straightening for him to do, but he did not want to be in the same room with Lord Joshua, with or without others present.

"I just don't want to be with him right now," Blake explained as Edward asked him about his wanting to help in the kitchen. "He...he...Edward, if I tell you something, will you promise to not tell anyone?"

Gently taking Blake's arm, Edward led the young servant to a small room next to the kitchen and bid him sit down. "Blake, what is wrong?" Edward asked quietly, watching his eyes fill with tears.

With a few deep breaths, Blake began, his voice a whisper. "Lord Joshua, he...he's been hurting me..."

"What do you mean, Blake?" Edward asked. "What exactly has he done?"

"He...he punishs me for...for no reason," the younger one explained. "And he does not stop even when I have learned my lesson."

Kneeling in front to Blake, Edward looked at him "Blake, has Lord Joshua...has he taken liberites with you that he shouldn't have?" Lowering his head, Blake began to sob.

"He...he said he...he was teaching me a...a lesson," Blake cried into his hands. "He would not st...stop...even aft...after I had...had learned."

Cradling the young servant in his arms, Edward rubbed his back. "Ssh, it is all right. You will stay down here and work in the kitchen tonight," Edward replied. "I will tell him that I had extra work for you to do and by the time you were finished, you were exhausted, so I sent you to your chamber."

Shaking his head, Blake replied, "He...he will only call for me again; either tonight or tomorrow morning." Wrapping his arms around Edward, Blake begged him to place him with anyone else in the family, except for Lord Joshua.

Nodding, Edward agreed. "You know that I cannot override what Lord Joseph orders...but perhaps I will allow you to serve Lord Christopher while he is here, just until Lord Joseph returns. You are aware that he must be told about this?"

His eyes shooting up, Blake looked into Edwards' eyes, fear clouding them moreso then before. "N...no Edward, please. Do not tell anyone, even Lord Joseph. You promised me you would not tell anyone. If Lord Joshua were to find out I disobeyed him, his prior punishments will seem like nothing, compaired to what he would do to me then."

Sighing, Edward winced at the frightened tone in Blake's voice. "Very well," said Edward. "I will say nothing for now. But Lord Joseph really needs to know about this. He would not allow this to happen in his household."

Sniffling, Blake mumbled, "He cares nothing for me. If he did, he would have allowed me to serve Lord Lance, even after my mistakes. But instead he has me serve his first husband. He cares nothing for me Edward. Lord Joseph hates me."

Cradling Blake in his arms again, Edward allowed the young servant to cry. "Do not worry, Blake," Edward whispered. "Stay here. I will inform Lord Joshua of the change in service. Devin can go back to serving him for the time being."

Sniffling again, Blake whispered, "If...if Lord Joshua co...comes near me Edward, I will not hesitate to leave this household, until Lord Joseph returns."

Edward, extremely worried for Blake, attempted to calm him. "It will be all right Blake," he replied. "I will see that no harm comes to you while Lord Joseph is gone. Oh, Lord Christopher," Edward called, seeing the dark-haired lord pass by. "There has been a change in your servant."

Peering into the room, Lord Christopher noticed Blake and his tears. "Oh?" he asked. "And what is wrong with Blake? Why are you crying?"

"Blake isn't feeling well, M'lord," Edward explained. "I have decded to lighten his duties a bit until he is feeling better. He will be serving you for the remainder of your stay until Lord Joseph returns."

Smiling and walking over to Blake, Lord Christopher placed a hand upon his forehead. "He does not appear to have fever," he said to himself as Blake flinched at his touch. Looking curiously over at Edward, his expression asked him why Blake had pulled away from him.

"He is tired and run down, M'lord, because of all the extra work he had over the past two days," Edward replied. looking at Blake. "Will it be all right with you if he becomes your servant while Lord Joseph is away?"

"Of course it is alright with me Edward," Lord Christopher replied. Looking down at the young servant, he asked, "Is there anything you need Blake? To make you feel better?"

Looking up into Lord Christopher's warm brown eyes, a few tears fell from the young servant's eyes. "Ple...please M'lord," he whispered. "Do not leave me alone with Lord Joshua."

"Why would do you wish I not leave you alone with him?" Lord Christopher asked, confusion written clearly on his features.

"I...I...I am sorry, M'lord," Blake stuttered, realizing his mistake. "I am tired and am babbling. I am sorry, please forgive me."

"Of course," Christopher answered. "Um...I have no need for your services for the rest of the night Blake. If you'd like to retire to your chambers, you are more then welcome to. Or you may come back to my chambers, and we can talk. Whatever you perfer to do."

"I...I'd like to talk if that is permitted," Blake replied quietly.

Smiling, Christopher held his hand out for Blake to take. "Would you like to talk in my chambers? Or yours Blake?" he asked, helping the boy to his feet slowly.

"You...yours...please," Blake replied, timidly taking Christopher's hand. Lord Christopher was very kind, Blake thought...just like Lord Lance. Blake's eyes began to mist over. How he missed Lord Lance.

"I will not bite," Christopher teased, noticing the shyness in the boy. This is not like Blake, he thought quietly. He never was this timid before. Something must have happened to frighten him so. "Are those tears I see in your eyes Blake?" he asked gently, reaching into his pocket and pulling a finely stitched handkerchief.

Reaching Christopher's chamber, Christopher opened the door allowing Blake to enter first, then led him over to his bed. Blake winced as he sat down, still a little sore from his earlier encounter with Joshua. Christopher kneeled in front of Blake and wiped a tear from the young servant's eyes. Looking at the elder lord, Blake buried his head in his hands and sobbed.

"Now I know something is bothering you," Christopher whispered. Pulling the servant into his arms, with his hands still over his face, Christopher rubbed Blakes' back, trying to get the boy to calm down. "Please Blake, what happened to you?"

"I...I cannot tell...tell you," he choked in a frightened voice. "He...he warned me..."

"Who warned you Blake?" Christopher pushed. "I cannot help you unless you tell me what is bothering you."

Looking up at Christopher, the frightened boy decided to tell Christopher the truth. Somehow, he felt he could trust him. "Lor...Lord Joshua," Blake whispered, his voice barely audible. "He...he forced me to...to bed with him."

Concern for the boy clearly showing on his features, Lord Christopher sighed heavily as he shook his head. "Why did you not tell anyone Blake?"

"I...I was scared, M'lord," Blake sobbed. "Lor...Lord Joshua told me if I spoke a word to anyone, he...he would punish me worse."

Holding the boy close, Christopher explained that he would not let Joshua harm him anymore. "Not while I am here. You are to remain in my sights at all times. I will have Edward fix a bed for you in here, so you will not have to be alone at nights. When Joseph returns in a week, I shall tell him what you told me, and we will let him deal with Joshua."

Frightened, Blake clung to Christopher. "M'lord please..." Blake whispered, his body shaking. "Lord Joshua, if he learns that I told anyone...Lord Christopher, I am afraid of him and what he might so to me."

Holding Blake tighter, Lord Christopher reassured him that Joshua would not be able to come anywhere near him. "Joshua knows better then to test my orders Blake," he explained. "And with Joseph leaving me incharge, I will see to it that you come to no more harm."

Realizing that his nightmare was over, Blake sobbed with relief. "Than...thank you, M'lord," he whispered the tears continuing to fall. "Thank you."

"Shh," Christopher whispered, continuing to rub his hand up and down Blakes' back. "Everything will be alright now." Laying Blake gently down on the soft bed, Christopher whispered, "In the morning, I will have to send for the doctor. To make sure that you were not torn, or ripped."

"I...I...ye...yes, M'lord," Blake replied softly, hoping that the doctor would not hurt him any more than he had already been hurt.

"Rest now. I will not leave the room for the rest of the night, I promise," Lord Christopher whispered, running a hand through Blakes' hair. "That is all I want you to do; rest tonight, and tomorrow as well. You are relieved of your duties for tomorrow."

"Bu...but, M'lord I...I..." Blake began, but Christopher put his finger to Blake's lips.

"Hush," the elder lord whispered. "Rest now," he repeated, a tiny smile upon his lips. "You do not have to serve anyone tomorrow."

Laying his head back on the soft pillow, Blake clutched the covers as he looked up at Christopher timidly. "Than...thank you, Lord Christopher," Blake whispered softly, as he closed his eyes.

"You're welcome," Christopher answered. Moving around the room quietly as Blake started to fall asleep, Christopher changed into his sleepwear, then went about lighting a few candles, giving the room a peacefully glow, at least until he got the fire going in the fireplace. When the orange and yellow flames were dancing on the hearth, Christopher found himself smiling and walking quietly back to the bed. Climbing in carefully, he gently pulled the sleeping Blake into his arms. Emiting a quiet whimper, Blake snuggled a little closer to Christopher, feeling warm and protected for the very first time in his young life. "Shh," Christopher whispered to the sleeping one. "Everything is alright. Relax. I am right here for you. No one will hurt ever again Blake. I promise."

Blake's even breathing told Christopher that he was in a deep sleep. Holding him close, Christopher realized that he was starting to develop feelings for Blake, feelings that both surprised and warmed the elder lord. For the first time since his husband had died, he felt as if he could love again.