Smirking as he heard Blake whimpering from outside the door, Justin crepted quietly towards Joshuas' chambers. When he peared in around the corner, into the room, his heart dropped. Joshua was not in the room. "Joshua?" Justin called softly, thinking he was in the bathe chamber. But there was no answer. "Joshua?"

Starting to worry about his lover, Justin ran down the hallways, searching in every room until he found him. "Joshua!" Starting from the store room, 2 levels below the servants' rooms, Justin looked for his love. Running down the hallways, he did not care if he was causing a scene. Running for at least 15 minutes straight, Justin was about to give up. The only chambers that were left unsearched were Christophers' chamber and Josephs'.

Checking both of these, Justin found both empty. Tears forming in his eyes, Justin walked down the hall, his heart heavy until he came to his chambers. Opening the door, his face at once lit up when he saw his love waiting for him in his bed.

"Joshua," Justin cried quietly, running into his arms. "Where have you been? I have been searching everywhere for you."

Joshua just held out his arms to his love. "I've been working, preparing a surprise for you."

Sniffling and looking down at Joshua, Justin held him close. "Wh...what surprise Ang...Joshua?"

Bringing his hand from behind his back, Joshua produced a small black velvet box, handing it to Justin. "This surprise, my love," he whispered.

With a shaky hand, Justin took the small box and looked opened it. When his eyes caught sight of the contents, the tears began to flow. "Oh Joshua..."

Cupping Justin's cheeks in his hands, he smiled at the tears shining in his love's eyes. "Does this prove to you how much I love you?" he whispered.

Pulling a thin gold chain from the box, Justin held it up and marveled at how it shined in the light. "Oh Joshua." Throwing his arms around the elder one, Justin cried like a new born baby. "Yes...yes...I will never doubt your love again."

Taking Justin in his arms, he kissed him passionately. Finally breaking the kiss, Joshua pulled back as he put the chain around Justin's neck.

"You're welcome, my love," Joshua replied. kissing the crook of Justin's neck.

Closing his eyes and reaching behind him, Justin buried his fingers in Joshuas' hair as he continued to kiss his neck. "I love you so much," he whispered. "More than you'll ever know Joshua."

"Likewise, my love," Joshua whispered, as he slowly began to remove Justin's clothes. His breathing starting to become slightly heavier, Justin caught Joshuas' hands again as they moved to undo the buttons of his shirt. Lowering them to his side, Justin undid the buttons himself, his eyes never leaving Joshuas.

"Justin," Joshua whispered, his eyes never leaving Justin's. Finally, they collapsed onto the bed, their lovemaking wild and passoinate. Attacking Joshuas' neck as he lay on top of him, Justin ran his nails roughly over his loves' back, moans filling the room.

Joshua climaxed first, his declarations of love filling the room; Justin joined him shortly after.

Looking up at Joshua when their breath slowed, Justin found himself wipping away the tears that formed in his blue eyes.

Cradling him in his arms, Joshua brushed back Justin's hair. "What is wrong?" he asked.

"I...I do not understand...I mean...I know why you...you chose me, but...I do not see what is so special about me."

"Justin, everything about you is special, my love," Joshua began. "From your eyes to you sweet, sweet smile. No one could ever mean as much to me as you do. You're my life, Justin," Joshua continued, tears slowly spilling down his cheeks. "You're the first thing I think about when I wake in the morning and the last thing I think about at night. I can't wait for breakfast so I can see your beautiful face. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"I...I want to stay with you for always too," Justin began, cupping Joshuas' cheek in his hand. "I want to be able to share the same bed with you, every night, without fear of being on the receiving end of Josephs' wrath." An idea forming within his mind, Justin looked up and asked quietly, "Is there a way...a way we could...I mean, if you want to, and will have me..."

"If I could, I'd marry you today," Joshua declared. "I just don't know how to do it without incurring Joseph's wrath. If he finds out about us, there will repercussions the likes of which we have never seen. I do want you, Justin, very much...right now our relationship is threatened as long as Lance is alive."

Nodding and lowering his head, Justin felt a small sense of devastation falling around him. He wanted nothing more then to be with Joshua, yet Lance was stopping him from being truely happy. Mumbling under his breath, Justin grumbled, "Then why do we not just do away with Lance that way we can be together."

"I have a plan in mind, too," Joshua said.

Lifting his head, Justin looked up at his love. "Anything, anything to get rid of Lancey, and I will gladly go along with it."

"Lance thinks we have accepted him, right?"

"Right," Justin asked, turning onto his back and resting his head on Joshuas' lap, so he could look up at him.

"I say we pay him a visit at the farm and see if he would like to go riding with us," Joshua replied.

"But Darling, I thought we did not want anything to do with Lance?" Justin asked. "Why would we want to invite him to go riding with us? Especailly now that we can be alone for a few days."

"We will invite him to go riding with us and take him deep into the woods away from the estate. Lance is not familiar with the area; it'll be easy to lose him. We'll have to do it early...there is an impending snowstorm coming."

"What about his parents? What if they say 'no'?" Justin asked. "If they grew up on the farm, then they will know how to tell if a storm is coming."

Joshua sat lost in thought. Suddenly, a smile crossed his face. "I know! We will tell them that Joseph came home a few days early because of the storm and sent us to get Lance. Since he believes that we are his friends, he won't suspect anything."

Smiling, Justin reached up and drew Joshua close. "I love it, but not as much as I love you."

"I love you, too Justin," Joshua whispered, hugging his young lover. "Once we are rid of Lance, we will be free to be together...at least until Joseph comes home."

"It is too late to start today. And Lance only got to be with his parents for 2 days. Perhaps we can pay him a visit day after tomorrow?"

"Then it is set," Joshua agreed, kissing Justin. "We only have to wait two more days...then Joseph's little farm boy will be out of our lives...permanently."

"And then we'll have Joseph all to ourselves," Justin said quietly. "He will finally have no more distractions that will take him away from us."

Justin looked up at Joshua, his eyes full of love. "I just don't want any distraction that will take me away from you."

Remembering something he wanted to show Joshua, Justin smiled and reached up to cup his lovers' cheek. "You know, everything we have is matching. What one of us has, so does the other. Until now at least."

"What do you mean until now?" Joshua inquired, smiling at his love.

Sitting up, but not before stealing one last kiss, Justin stood and went to his closet and pulled out his robe. Placing it over his shoulders, he headed for the door. Looking back, Justin smiled and whispered, "Wait here. I'll be right back love."

"Hurry back," Joshua whispered. "I shall be lonely without you."

Blowing Joshua a kiss before disappearing around the corner, Justin scurried down to Joshuas' chambers and pulled a set of clean clothes for him, then quickly returned to his chambers. Setting the clothes down on a chair, Justin walked over to Joshua and held his hands while gazing down into his eyes. "Did you miss me?" he asked sweetly.

"More than you know," Joshua replied, smiling.

"Do you want part one of your surprise, or part two darling?" Justin asked, his fingers running lightly over Joshuas' knuckles.

"Um...part one first," Joshua replied, tiliting his head.

Laughing at Joshuas' reaction, Justin pulled away and explained, "Alright. For part one, you'll have to be alone for a while longer. And you'll have to close your eyes."

Looking up at Justin, he held out his arms. "I don't want to be away from you a minute longer than I have to," he whispered in a shaky voice. "Don't leave me, Justin."

Smiling and filling Joshuas' arms, Justin promised, "I would never leave you Darling. I will only be a few feet away. I will not leave my chambers. If I do, then...well...you can decide on how I will learn my lesson for lying to you. Deal?"

"Deal," Joshua replied. "Just hurry back."

"I will," the younger one replied. "Now, close your eyes so I can get started on your surprise." Obliging, Joshua closed his eyes, waiting for Justin to return.

"No peaking," Justin whispered, dropping light kisses on Joshuas' eyelids. "And wait until I tell you to open your eyes. I will be right back." Moving out of Joshuas' arms, Justin went quietly about the room, gathering items from hidding places he had found.

A few minutes later, Joshua felt Justins' hands resting upon his. "Keep your eyes closed Darling. Come with me." Getting up and allowing Justin to lead him, Joshua made his way across the room until they stopped.

"Alright Darling, you can open your eyes," Justin replied, inwardly hoping Joshua would like the first part of his surprise. "I hope you like it."

When Joshua opened his eyes, he found himself in Justins' bathing chamber. Vanilla scented candles were everywhere, and white rose petals were sprinkled in the warm tub of water. Clean towels hung on their racks, and bottles of oils sat on a table near the tub.

Looking at the scene before him, Joshua's eyes filled with tears. Justin's love was everywhere he looked in the room. Turning to his love, the tears began to spill over. "Oh Justin, it's beautiful," he replied. "It's beautiful and special and perfect...just like you."

"Oh Joshua," Justin whispered, on the verge of tears again. "Do not cry. You might get the candles wet." Helping his love to the tub, Justin explained, "During the year I have been here, and the 11 months I have loved you, it has always been the servants who have bathed you. And this is the only way I can think of in which to repay you for the surprise within your chambers last night."

Nodding, Joshua allowed Justin to help him in the tub and leaned back with his eyes closed as Justin started to bathe him.

Washing his shoulders and back, Justin found himself leaning forward a few times, dropping kisses on Joshuas' wet shoulder, or to whisper terms of endearment in his ear. Once he was finished his task, he helped Joshua out of the tub and dried him off. Dropping the towel, he rubbed some of the oil on Joshua's damp skin.

Massaging his shoulders, Justin smiled when he received a quiet moan from Joshua. "Feel good Darling?" Joshua nodded, savoring the feel of Justin so close by.

Finishing massaging Joshuas' shoulders and rubbing in the oil, Justin moved back to the main room, helping Joshua as well. Helping Joshua to dress, Justin explained that the second part of the surprise was elsewhere. "We will have to do a little travling. I hope that is okay with you love?"

"All right, my love," Joshua agreed, following Justin.

Smiling and taking hold of his hand, Justin led Joshua out to the stables where Ares and Victory were waiting for them. "We will return sometime before dusk Jason," Justin said, helping his secret love onto Ares' back. "There are to be no questions asked to where we are going. Is that understood?"

"Yes, M'lord," Jason replied, smiling at them. "Enjoy your ride."

Not returning the smile, Justin and Joshua left the courtyard and rode off to a nearby village, some 45 minutes away. Upon reaching their distination, Justin dismounted first, then went to help Joshua. "I do hope you like your surprise," he whispered, taking hold of Joshuas' hand, leading him to where the goldsmith was.

Justin led Joshua to the goldsmith's shop and peered in. "What are we doing here?" he asked curiously.

"This is where your surprise is Darling," Justin replied. "Are you coming?" Nodding, Joshua followed Justin into the quaint shop, where the goldsmith greeted them.

"Good afternoon M'lords," the goldsmith said, smiling. "What may I do for you two today?"

"I was here a few weeks ago, to commission you to make a unique item. I have come to pick it up," Justin replied, holding onto Joshuas' hand.

"Ah yes, M'lord," the goldsmith replied. "It is ready. Let me get it for you." The goldsmith disappeared into the back of the shop and presently returned with a small black velvet box. "Here it is, M'lord. I hope it meets with your approval."

Releasing Joshuas' hand, Justin turned so that he was facing his love, before opening the box to examine the contents. Keeping what was in the box hidden from Joshua, Justin smiled and handed the goldsmith a small bag of coins. "It is perfect. Thank you."

"All right, Justin," Joshua replied. "Am I going to get to see the surprise now?"

"Oh," Justin started, his voice teasing. "You wanted to see it?" Closing the box and handing it to Joshua, he leaned up and kissed his cheek lightly, as the goldsmith was still watching them. Watching as Joshua opened the box, Justin knew he had chosen well for the surprise. "I will explain why I chose this when we are alone," he whispered.

Joshua's hand flew to his face as he looked at the gold band nestled in the box. "I...I don't know what to say...it's beautiful," he replied, tears sliding down his face.

"Does that mean you like it?" Justin asked quietly, taking hold of Joshuas' hands, perhaps keep him steady.

"Oh Justin, it's...it's..." Joshua stopped as realized there was something engraved in the ring. Looking at it closely, he saw what it said: J&J 4ever. The realization of Justin's love for him overwhelmed him as Joshua's tears fell faster.

"Oh Darling," Justin whispered, embracing Joshua. "I did not mean to make you cry."

"It's beautiful, Justin," Joshua whispered looking up at his young love. Never did he want to bed Justin more than at that moment. "Can...can we leave now?" he asked. "Or is there more to the surprise?"

Placing his finger upon his lips and looking up, Justin hummed, as if he were thinking it over. "Well...I think...hm..."

"Well?" Joshua asked softly.

"If you're anxious to get back to Herfordshire," the younger one replied. "Then we better get started back."

Smiling at each other Justin and Joshua mounted their horses as they headed back for the estate. Once arriving home, they went straight to Joshua's chambers where they remained until the evening meal was ready to be served.