Lance and his father arrived back home just as Rebecca was placing the last bit of the evening meal back on the fire. The sun had long since set and she thought her husband and son had taken rooms in town. Looking up as they entered the house, she smiled at seeing the happiness in her sons' eyes.

"Mama," Lance whispered, running into her arms, much like he had done as a child. Rebecca wrapped her arms around her son, her heart full of happiness that he would be with them the entire week.

"Did you enjoy your time in town?" she asked quietly, wrapping her arms around his waist. " Did you listen to your father, or run off in every direction like you used to do as a child sometimes?"

"Yes Mama," Lance replied shyly, as he sat down in front of the fire. "Riding with Papa again was wonderful."

Moving to get two bowls down from the cabinet, Rebecca kneeled down next to her son and spooned in the hot stew she had made for dinner. "I hope you still enjoy vegatable soup," she said, looking up towards Lance, a bright smile upon her face.

"My favorite," Lance replied happily.

Handing him a brimming bowl, Rebecca stole a kiss from his forehead as he took hold of the bowl. "Then I hope you are hungry Lansten. This entire pot is all for you."

"And what about a hungry hard-working man?" James teased as he washed his hands and took his place at the table.

"You'll have to ask your son," Rebecca answered, winking over at James. "If he does not want to share the soup, I can always scrape together something for you. A slice of bread and some vegatables perhaps." It was evident in her voice and in the twinkle of her eyes, that she too was teasing as she set a bowl in front of James and then placed one in front of her chair. "Really James, this pot is for Lansten. There is another in the kitchen for both of us."

Smiling, James looked at his son. "Very well." Soon all three were enjoying the small but simple meal. After dinner was done, Rebecca began to clear the table. Lance started to help her, but she stopped him.

"No Lansten. You should not have to do some tasks. Go sit by the fire and warm yourself. I will see to the dishes. You only have to rest while you are here."

"Yes, Mama," Lance replied softly as he went to sit next to his father.

Her heart aglow as she looked back at her son before disappearing into the kitchen, Rebecca cherished the moments she had with her child.

"What would you like to do tomorrow Lance?" James asked, stoking the fire a little.

"I'd like to just stay here and help you around the farm, Papa," Lance replied.

Shaking his head, James answered, "A young lord such as yourself should not be doing manual labor Lance. I would love to have you by my side, but it would just not be right."

"Papa, please," Lance begged. "I want to help. I always liked working in the orchards with you."

"Well," James said, a deep sigh not too far off in his voice. "It is fall, and the fruit does need to be picked before the first frost." Looking into his sons' eyes, James saw just how much Lance wanted to help him. Harvesting time was always one of Lances' favorite times of year James thought to himself. Finally letting the sigh out, he relented. "If it is alright with your mother, it is alright with me."

Turning to look at his mother, Lance was hopeful she would agree. "Will it be all right, Mama?" he asked.

Tilting her head to the side, Rebecca pondered over the decision. "I do not know Lance. If you were to get hurt, Lord Joseph would be very angry with us."

"I won't get hurt...I promise," Lance replied. "Please, Mama...please allow me to help Papa with the orchards."

Shaking her head, she knew her son wanted to help, but there were too many chances of his hurting himself. "I am sorry Lance, but I do not think it is such a good idea for you to help your father. You may go with him, to keep him company, but Lord Joseph would not want you doing such tasks now."

"But...but I...I," Lance began. Seeing the looks in both his parents' eyes, he knew better than to challenge them. Lowering his head, he whispered "Yes, Mama."

"Please understand Lance," Rebecca whispered, lifting Lances' chin up to look at her. "That we are not doing this to be mean. We know how much you love helping in the orchard. But, now that you are a lord, there are tasks that you can no long do. Harvesting the orchard is one of them."

His eyes filling with tears, Lance just nodded. "May...may I be excused?" he whispered.

"Of course you may," Rebecca answered, looking on in concern as Lance left the table and went down the hallway to his room. When he closed the door quietly, she sighed heavily and took her seat next to James. "He wants so much to help," she pointed out the obvious. "But there is just too much of a risk now."

Hearing a small sound coming from Lance's room, James stood up and walked to the door, Rebecca following him. Opening the door, they looked on in concern at the sight of their son lyang across his bed, silent tears slowly making their way down his face.

Walking quietly into the room, Rebecca sat gently next to her son and rubbed his back. "Lance," she whispered. "Please, do not cry."

Turning to look at her, Lance sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Oh Mama," he whispered. "It's just that...my life is so much different than before. Simple things I loved to do I can no longer do anymore because of my title. Sometimes...I...I don't feel much like a lord, that I don't belong at Herfordshire."

Drying his tears, Rebecca held his cheek lightly and replied, "Weather you feel like a lord or not Lansten, you are one regardless now. You may not be able to help your father now, but just think of all that you are able to do that you weren't able to do before. You live in a fine palace, eat the finest meals, wear the finest robes and tunics."

Lowering his head, Lance ran a hand through his hair. "Yes. But I can't go riding unless someone is with me. I can't lift a finger to pick up any of my clothes, because that's not for me to do. And now, helping Papa in the orchards...something I was looking forward to, I can't do." Sighing, Lance laid his head on his mother's shoulder. "Even yesterday in town, people looked at me and treated me differently."

Looking up worriedly towards James, Rebecca did not know what to tell her son. They all knew Lance wanted to help, but if Lord Joseph were to find out, he would be very angry with them. He had sent Lance to visit his parents, not to help them on their farm. "But you are different now Lance," she whispered. "You are no longer a commoner. The towns people envy you. They all want to be you, to have the oppritunities you have access to now."

Looking at his mother, Lance nodded his head. "I understand, Mama," he replied softly. "May I be allowed to at least go out with Papa and watch him?"

"Of course," Rebecca whispered. "I will pack a picnic lunch for you both, so you can spend time together in the orchard; like when you were little. How does that sound Lansten?"

Smiling up at his mother, Lance nodded his head as he hugged her. "Thank you, Mama," he whispered. "It is good to be home."

Returning the hug, Rebecca replied, "It is good to have our son home too."

"I do believe someone is sleepy," James replied as he watched his son yawn. "Maybe we should Lansten get some sleep."

Nodding in agreement, Rebecca kissed her son on the forehead, then helped him to lay down. Pulling the covers over him, she ruffled his hair slighty before standing and turning to leave the room. "Goodnight Lansten."

"Mama?" he called as she started to leave the room.

Turning back in the doorway, she answered, "Yes Lance? What is it?"

"Will...will you sing to me?" he asked quietly.

Smiling, she nodded and went back to sit on the edge of his bed. "Close your eyes," she whispered.

Closing his eyes, Lance listened as his mother began to sing a lullabye she used to sing to him when he was little. In a little while, he was asleep.

Her smile growing, Rebecca stood and tucked the covers around Lances' shoulders and then tip toed out of the room into the waiting arms of her husband. "He's sleeping," she explained as she hugged James lightly.

"It is good to have him home," James replied as he and Rebecca walked into their bedroom and prepaired for bed.

Changing into her nightgown, Rebecca climbed under the covers and waited for James to change as well. When he joined her, she leaned over and dropped a kiss upon his lips. "Thank you for making today memorable for our son," she whispered.

"I love him....and I love you," James whispered as he and Rebecca snuggled close. Closing their eyes, they soon were asleep.

Sitting up, Christopher cradled the frightened Blake in his arms. "Blake? Blake wake up," he whispered so as not to frighten him any more than he already was. "Blake, it is all right. You are safe. I will allow no harm to come to you."

Opening his eyes, Blake gasped as the nightmare quickly changed back to reality. Looking around the room, his breathing heavy, he stopped when he was looking up at Lord Christopher. "M...M'lord?" he asked, in a daze, but that lasted only a moment. Breaking down, he clung to Christophers' shoulders. "I...I am sor...sorry M'lord," he sobbed. "I...I did not mean to...to..."

"Sshh," Christopher soothed. "You are safe...Joshua will not hurt you again."

Sniffling, Blake tried to control his tears. He could tell by the darkness of the room, that it was still night out. Dawn was at least an hour away. "Ye...yes M'lord," he whispered. "I...I did not mean to wake you," he apologized also. "You...you must think me childish...to be scared by a simple nightmare."

"It wasn't a simple nightmare...was it, Blake?" Christopher asked gently.

Closing his eyes and sniffling again, Blake shook his head 'no' gently after a moments time. "But...I should not have screamed," he replied. "It could not have hu...hurt me. It was only a dream."

Cradling Blake is his arms once more, Christopher just continued to hold him, rubbing his back lightly. "You will never have to worry about anyone ever hurting you again," he whispered. Looking at Blake, Christopher cupped his cheek and kissed him lightly.

Scared of the next sensation, Blake pulled away and looked down. "You...you do...do not have to...to do this M'lord," he whispered.

"I want to," Christopher whispered, his heart racing. "I...I have not felt this way about anyone since my husband passed away. I did not think I would find someone I could care for that way again,..until I saw you. In so many ways, you remind me of Lance." Smiling at Blake, Christopher tenderly touched his cheek. "I now know why Joseph loves Lance so much."

Confusion plainly on his face, Blake wondered how he could compair to Lord Lance. There just was not a way. Lord Lance was refined, regal, a noble. Blake thought of himself as nothing more then a servant, a commoner. There just was no comparrison between himself and his prior charge. "M'lord?" he asked, showing his confusion.

"You are shy and very endearing," Christopher began. "I've watched you each time I have visited Herfordshire and I have grown very fond of you."

Blushing slightly, Blake whispered a quiet, "Tha...thank you M'lord. I...I do not know what...what to say."

"You can start by calling me Christopher," the elder lord replied.

Startled, the servant looked up. "Oh...but I...I could not," he stammered. "It is...it is not allowed."

"Try it, Blake," Christopher urged.

"M'lord, please," he began. "I...I cannot call you by a title as lax as your name. Lor...Lord Joseph does not allow it."

"I am in charge in Lord Jospeh's absence and I say that I want you to call me Christopher," he insisted.

Scared that he would upset Lord Christopher, Blake nodded his head. "I...I will try M...M'lord."

"M'lord?" Christopher teased, a twinkle in his eye.

Lowering his eyes, Blake whispered, "I...I am sor...sorry...Chr...Christopher..."

Smiling, Christopher kissed him lightly on his cheek. "That's better," he whispered, leaving his cheek and tenderly placing a kiss on his lips. Gasping quietly into the kiss, Blake again pulled away, scared that Christopher would end up hurting him too. Cupping his cheeks, Christopher looked at Blake. "Do not be afraid, Blake. I will not hurt you." Leaning over once more, Christopher tenderly kissed Blake again.

Once more, Blake gasped into the kiss. But this time, he did not pull away, though every muscle in his body was telling him to do such. Gently laying Blake down, Christopher continued to kiss him and caress him, telling him how much he cared.

Fearful that Christopher would bed him, Blake whimpered as soon as his back was on the covers. "M...M'l...Christopher...please...I...I..."

"Ssh, it is okay, Blake," Christopher whispered as he rubbed Blake's cheek. "Do not be afraid..I will not hurt you."

Trying to slip out of bed, Blake thought of any excuse he could. "I...I...I have to go help with...with...with the kitchen st...staff M'lord." Pushing the covers back, careful to not let any of the early morning air graze Christophers' skin, Blake turned and was going to stand, but a hand on his wrist stopped him from doing so. "M...M'lord, if I'm not...not in the kitchen soon..." he said, then trailed off.

"Blake, remember, you are not serving anyone today," Christopher smiled at him as he helped him back to bed and laid him down gently. "Just relax."

Trying to do as he was told, Blake tried to let the softness of the bed ease his nerves, but to no avail. "Wh...what shall I...I do today then M'lord?" he asked as Christopher drew the covers over him once more.

Cradling Blake in his arms,Christopher kissed him on his cheek. "All you will do today is rest...rest, and think about Williamsport."

Looking up at Christopher, Blake whispered, the curiousity again getting the better of him, "Williamsport M'lord?"

"Yes, Blake. Williamsport is my estate...left to me by my husband...and will be shared with me now by my new husband to be."

Not understanding, Blake shook his head. "Am...am I to go with you M'lord? To serve in your staff? Lord Joseph never said anything to me."

"I haven't told Joseph yet of how I feel, but I will," Christopher replied, smiling at Blake.

Finally, it dawned on Blake. "M...me M...M'lord? You wan...want me to be...be your...your..."

Kissing Blake softly, Christopher looked at him, tears in his eyes. "Yes, Blake," Christopher replied, getting down on one knee and taking Blake's hand. "Will you do me the honors of becoming my husband?"

Looking around the room, anywhere except back at Christopher, Blake shook his head slightly. "I...I...cannot M'lord..."

"And why is that?" Christopher asked his, head tilted to the side.

"I...I was not trained to...to do the duties of...of a noble," Blake whispered, pulling his hand away from Christopher. "I...I would not know how to act, or speak, or anything else a noble is expected to do." Lowering his head in shame, he added, ever so quietly, "And I...I...because of what Lord Joshua did...I...we...the wedding night..."

"Blake, look at me," Christopher asked gently. Once Blake did so, Christopher looked at him as he spoke to him gently. "Everything you will need to know, I will teach you. You do not have do anything but be yourself...I will show you the rest. Blake," Christopher whispered, tears beginning to fall, "I love you and I want you to be a part of my life for always. Please...please say you will make me the happiest man in the world and consent to become my husband."

"I...I..." Blake whispered. "I...I think I need some time M'lord. Time to think this over, and discuss it with Lord Joseph. I...I will need his consent first before...before I can give you mine."

"Okay, I will confess," Christopher began. "I have already discussed this with Joseph. He has given me his blessing."

Shaking his head, Blake again whispered, "He...he has?" When Christopher nodded, the servant replied, "I will still need some time M'lord. If...if I may think it over?"

"Blake, I love you," Christopher whispered, cradling Blake in his arms. "And I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I will give you time to think about it, but please know that I will continue to ask until you say yes."

Forcing his body to relax in Christophers' arms, Blake only nodded and whispered, "I understand M'lord."

"Christopher," the brown eyed lord replied.

Blushing as he tried to correct himself, Blake whispered, "I understand, Chri...Christopher."