Looking up from his fingers as Justin and the others continued to stare at him, Blake started feeling uncomfortable. "I...I did not mea...mean to cause so...so much trouble M'lord," he whispered, looking at Christopher shyly.

"You didn't, my love," Christopher whispered softly kissing him. "Joshua will just have to learn his place and accept that you are going to be mine."

"I do not want to cause any trouble within Lord Josephs' household, amoung Lord Joshua and the other servants," Blake whispered after Christopher pulled away. "Perhaps I made the wrong choice."

Taking Blakes' hand, Christopher looked from the ring on his finger to his young husband-to-be. "Blake, you did not make the wrong choice," Christopher whispered. "I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Joshua will just have to learn to accept it."

Looking momentarily towards Lord Justin, Blake questioned, "But what if he refuses to let me go? To let us marry?"

"He has no say, Blake," Christopher replied. "Joseph knows how I feel. That is all that matters. Do not worry, my love."

Watching as Justin left the room silently, Blake could tell by the way he walked that the youngest lord was not pleased with the events either. "I...I...I do not know what else to do except worry. I do not want anyone else hurt on my account."

"Blake...my sweet...sweet Blake. Always thinking of others before himself. That is what I love most about you," Christopher whispered, as he lay down next to Blake. Tenderly touching his cheek, Christopher dropped a sweet kiss on his lips. "I love you so very much."

Turning onto his side, Blakes' face winced as he moved his legs slightly. Closing his eyes, he kept as still as he could until the pain subsided. "Wh...what will hap...happen to..." he started to ask, then let the question fade from his mind as quickly as it had appeared.

"What is it, my love...what were you going to say?"

Shaking his head, Blake moved carefully and cautiously towards Christopher, until he was snuggled against him. "It...it is not important M'lo...Christopher. It does not concern me any."

"No...I am interested in knowing what you are thinking," Christopher replied.

Not wanting to anger Christopher, if that were even possible, Blake finished his sentence in a whisper. "What will happen to Lord Joshua? Because of his outburst?"

"Do not worry, my love," Christopher assured him, snuggling close to him. "Joshua will be dealt with severely for the way he acted. He had no right to behave the way he did."

His body tensing for a moment, Blake feared that once Joshua was dealt with, the severity of anger towards him would only increase. Trying to get as close to Christopher as he could, to feel the safeness of his arms, Blake again moved his leg; another bolt shooting up his spine. "Ow," he squeaked before he could stop himself.

"Easy, my love," Christopher whispered, cradling Blake gently. "It is all right, I am here." Leaning over, Christopher gently kissed Blake.

"I...I am sorry to be such...such a bother," Blake whispered. "I know there must be more pressing matters for you to attend to instead of staying with me."

"There is nothing more important to me right now than being with you, Blake," Christopher whispered. "You are the most important thing in my life and I love you so very much."

"I...I...lo...I..." Blake tried to say, but the words got lost between his mind and his mouth. "I...I..."

"Take your time, my love," Christopher replied. "Take you time and say how you feel."

"I...lo...lov..." Finding the words extremely difficult to say, Blake shook his head and buried his face against Christophers' chest. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I...I can't...it's too hard."

"It is all right, Blake," Christopher replied softly. "I do not have to hear the words...I feel them in my heart. I know that you love me as much as I love you. Am I right?"

Closing his eyes, Blake stayed still for a moment, concentrating on the new feelings he was having. "I...I...yes M'lo...Christopher."

"That's all I need to hear," Christopher assured him. Reaching over, he pulled the small container of salve that the doctor had left and gently applied it on Blake. Blake emitted a small whimper as Christopher completed his task. Wiping his hands, he lay back down and once again snuggled Blake in his arms until both had fallen asleep.

Murmuring, Lance turned over. "M...Mama?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

"Right here Angel," she replied, taking his hand lightly. "I'm right here." Speaking softly, Rebecca tried to not let her voice crack as she saw how sick her child had become in only a matter of hours. She cursed herself, thinking about the night he and Joseph returned to Herfordshire in the rain. Perhaps if she had told them sooner, then Lance would not be sick.

"Mama it hurts," Lance moaned, tears sliding down his face.

Turning a quick look towards James, her expression revealed all her fears. Turning a smiling face, though it was obviously forced, back to her son, she asked quietly, "Where Lance? Where does it hurt?"

"My...my head...my head hurts," Lance squeaked.

"James, can you go get a glass of cold water, and the pills on the mantle please?" Rebecca asked, reaching for the dry cloth on Lances' head and soaking it again. "It will be alright Lansten," she reasured. "Everything will be alright."

"It hurts so bad, Mama," Lance whispered. Before anyone could say or do anything, Lance leaned over the side of the bed and threw up.

Rubbing his back lightly and pulling the wash basin from the nightstand, Rebecca soothed her son as best she could. "It's alright Lansten. I'll send your father to town at once to get the doctor." Looking towards the door, she kept her promise. "James?"

"I'm on my way," James replied, running her fingers through his son's hair. "Hold on Lansten, I will be back as soon as I can."

Watching her husband leave, Rebecca held her sons' hand until he had moved to lay back in bed. "I'll be right back Angel," she whispered, using Lord Josephs' name for him, hoping to put Lance at ease somewhat. Picking up the wash basin, she left the room and returned a minute or two later, after rinsing it out.

"Mama, wha...what's wrong with me?" Lance asked in a scared voice.

Shaking her head, Rebecca answered truthfully. "I don't know Lansten. But, whatever it is, we will help you get through it."

"Mmm," Lance moaned, lying back down and closing his eyes. "Mama...hold me, Mama." Nodding, she gently helped her son to sit up for a moment so she could let him rest his head on her lap.

In a few minutes, Lance had fallen asleep. Rebecca was worried because he hadn't eaten much all day and she knew he needed nourishment. Just as she eased him down in his bed and stood up to go to the kitchen, James returned with the doctor.

"Thank you for coming so quickly," she whispered, closing the door to Lances' room behind her gently. "We do not know what is wrong with him."

"Let me see him," the doctor replied as Rebecca opened the door again. She looked up to see Lance's head over the side of the bed getting sick again. Concerned, she rushed to her son's side, James following her. The doctor set his bag down beside Lance's bed and began to examine him. Taking his temperature, he saw that it was 101.4. "Has he complained of any pain or discomfort?" he asked James and Rebecca.

"This is the second time today he's gotten sick," Rebecca replied, looking up from where she knelt. "And he's had chills one moment, then he's hot the next. His head hurts as well."

Looking at the two concerned parents, the doctor nodded his head and smiled. "Do not be alarmed. What Lance has a sever case of the flu. This is the reason for the nausea and his chills. Keep him in bed for the next 24 to 36 hours and give him plenty of liquids. I will leave some medicine for him as well," he added, reaching in his bag and producing a small brown bottle. "He's is to take two of these three times a day until they are gone. They are for the fever, which should break soon. If his temperature has not gone down in the next four hours, please come and inform me."

Nodding and taking the medicine, Rebecca handed it to James, explaining she would be in the kitchen making vegatable soup for Lance. "Is it alright if he drinks the broth from the soup?" she asked the doctor.

"Yes, the broth from the soup will be fine," the doctor replied as he prepared to leave. " I will return in a day or two to see how Lance is doing. In the meantime, if you should need me do not hesitate to let me know."

"We understand doctor," James said, shaking his hand. "Thank you so much for coming so quickly."

"You are welcome," he replied, looking toward the bed where Lance remained asleep. "He will be fine...just give it a few days."

Nodding again, James showed the doctor out. When they were alone again, he checked up on his son. Finding that he was sleeping soundly for the time being, he went to see if Rebecca needed any help in the kitchen.

"No, I am fine," Rebecca replied, smiling at her husband. "Go back and stay with Lansten in case he wakes up; I will be in soon."

"Alright Darling," James whispered, kissing the crook between her neck and shoulder lightly as he turned to leave. "Call me if you need anything."

"Okay," Rebecca replied, smiling at her husband as he made his way back to their son's room. It was reassuring to know that Lance only had a bad cold and would be feeling better soon.

Looking at her son, Rebecca shook her head. "I'm sorry Lansten, but I think it's a little too soon yet." At Lances' saddened expression, Rebecca walked over to where he was sitting by the fire. Sitting down next to him, she leaned over and kissed his forehead. "Do not tell me you do not enjoy my company," she teased, trying to get his mind off going outside.

"I...I do. I did not mean to imply I didn't, Mama," Lance replied, looking out the window. "It's...it's just..."

"I know you want to go out in the sun Lance," Rebecca whispered. "But your fever broke just 2 days ago. There is still a chance of it returning. If it does not return tonight, then perhaps tomorrow you can go outside."

Sighing, Lance nodded his head sadly. "Yes, Mama," he whispered.

Rebecca was going to speak again, but James' calling for her from outside was heard instead. Smiling down at Lance, she stood and dropped another light kiss on his forehead. "Wait here. I will be right back." Walking outside on the porch, Rebecca went to see what James wanted.

"M'lords," James said. "My wife, Rebecca." Turning from the nobels sitting on proud horses, he added, "Rebecca, this is Lord Joshua and Lord Justin; Lord Josephs' first two husbands."

Narrowing her eyes, Rebecca nodded toward them. "So these are the two who upset my son so that he came home crying. You should be ashamed of yourselves for hurting him when all he's wanted was to be freinds with you and for you to accept him." James winced at his wife's outburst, but secretly shared her feelings. Looking back the two lords, he hoped they were not angry.

His blue eyes narrowing to slits, Joshua bit back, "You have no right to talk to us that way. You know nothing about life at Herfordshire. We are simply prepairing your 'baby' for all that he should encounter while living with us. It is not our fault that he is a cryer."

"Lansten is not a crier," Rebecca shot, her anger growing. "He's very sensitive and all he has wanted since he arrived at Herfordshire was to make friends with you and to be accepted by you, something that you two have made clear you don't intend to do. Your titles to do not matter to me; the well-being of my child does. If you are here to cause him any more hurt.."

Laughing, Joshua interupted, "Do you think we rode for the past hour and a half to simply torment your child? We simply came to inform him that Joseph would be returning home tomorrow night."

Looking from Justin to Joshua, Rebecca then turned to her husband. "James, didn't Lord Joseph inform us that he would be gone a week? Why would he shorten his trip by two days?"

"He received word that a massive snowstorm would hit Stratford within the week. He did not want to be caught in it so he had a messanger ride to Herfordshire and inform us," Justin explained politely, Rebeccas' harsh words slipping off his back. "Joshua and I were on our way out for our daily ride when the message arrived."

"And you wished to tell us of this?" James asked, his distaste for the two lords being kept in check.

"As I said, we were on our way out for a ride. We did not want to tire another horse when we could come and deliver the message ourselves," Justin answered, his voice slipping slightly into anger.

Her anger slowly dissipating, Rebecca nodded toward James. "Please forgive us, M'lords," James replied as he led Justin and Joshua into the farmhouse, Rebecca following. "We do not mean any disrespect in any way. It's just that Lance's life has forever been changed by his marriage to Lord Joseph and we are very grateful for that. But we are concerned about our son as well. We love him very much and we want to be assured that he will be accepted at Herfordshire."

"Your son will fit in just fine," Justin answered, Joshua still fuming from Rebeccas' outburst towards him. Entering the quaint farmhouse, Justin noticed Lance sitting by the fire. "Hello Lance," he said chipperly. "Enjoying yourself?"

Lance turned, startled to see Justin and Joshua. "He...hello," he whispered nervously, breaking into a coughing fit.

Rushing to support her son, Rebecca eased him gently onto the couch by the fire, drapping a blanket over his shoulders. "Easy Lansten. It's okay," she soothed, sitting down next to him, allowing her son to lean against her for support.

An amused look on his face, Justin nodded toward Lance. "What's wrong with him? He looks a little peaked."

"Just a slight touch of the flu," Rebecca answered, failing to address him properly. At that moment in time, addressing the two lords properly was the least of her worries.

Justin and Joshua exchanged glances, but inwardly smiling. This would work out better that they had originally anticipated. With Lance sick, it would be twice as hard for him to find his way back to the estate.

"I'll be right back Angel," Rebecca whispered when Lance could sit up on his own. Standing quickly, she went to get the medicine the doctor had left for him and cool glass of water. "I know they do not taste good, but they'll help you," she said, handing the items to Lance.

Slowly taking the offered pills, Lance swallowed them and took a few sips of water before settling back down. Looking at Justin and Joshua, Lance's eyes rested on Joshua as memories of the shame he had almost suffered at Joshua's hand came rushing back. Sensing what Lance was thinking, Joshua came over and sat next to him, inwardly smirking when he noticed Lance's body begin to tremble.

Pulling the blanket tighter around Lances' body, Joshua stole a few glances at him before speaking. "Did you hear the news Justin told your parents outside?"

"N...no I...I didn't," Lance whispered, his fear of Joshua growing.

Smiling somewhat, Joshua replied, "Joseph sent word that he will be returning home in 2 days. His trip was cut short due to a snowstorm on the way."

Smiling at the thought of being in Jospeh's arms again, Lance looked at Joshua. "This is wondeful news," he replied softly.

"M'lords, please...you are more than welcome to stay the night here," James offered. "I realize it is not what you are usually accustomed to, but we offer what we have."

Rebecca shot a glare up towards James. She did not want these two to be staying anywhere near her son, not after what he told her about them. But, he had made the offer, and it would be rude of her to contradict him now. So, taking in a breath, she smiled as sweetly as she could.

"I will go and prepare the extra room," she replied, shooting her husband another sharp glance. "It may not be as fancy as you are used to, but we offer what we have."

Justin smiled and nodded as Rebecca left the room. Joshua remained quiet next to Lance as he started massaging his leg lightly.

"Josh...Joshua please...don't," Lance whimpered weakly, as his head dropped back on the sofa.

Smirking, Joshua continued kneeding the muscles in Lances' leg. "I am doing nothing. Only warming up your leg muscles. Surely you do not object to that."

"I...I," Lance tried to protest...but was too weak to do much.

Looking up at Justin, the smirk still upon his face, Joshua replied, "James, why don't you go help your wife. We will watch your son for you."

"Thank you, M'lord," James replied, going outside to gather more wood for the fire so Lance could stay warm.

Once the three were alone in the room, Joshuas' smile turned somewhat evil. "Have you been behaving yourself Lance?" he asked, the massage growing a little more intense.

"Jo...Joshua please..." Lance whimpered again, close to tears as Joshua's hand moved a little too close for comfort.

Looking up at Justin, Joshua smirked again. "I am doing nothing wrong," he whispered. "Only making sure you remember your 'training' that Justin and I taught you."

"I...I remember," Lance said weakly, sliently willing Joshua's hand to go away.

"I do not know," Joshua whispered. "He does not sound convinicing, doesn't he Justin?"

"Not really," Justin replied, kneeling beside Lance. "Maybe he needs a refresher course."

Looking back at Lance, Joshua asked sweetly, "Would you like that Lance? Would you like us to give you a refresher course?" While he was speaking, his hand slowly moved to the young lords' crotch, a satisfied grin forming upon his lips.

"Jo...Joshua...please," Lance moaned, too weak to fight back.

"Answer us Lance," Joshua whispered, his voice laced with evilness. "Or do we need to inform your parents that you are not listening and being a bad boy?"

"Ye...yes, Joshua," Lance whispered, his voice barely audible. "I've been...been listening to my parents."

"That wasn't my question," Joshua answered, his hand growing more intent. "I asked if you needed to be taught another lesson."

"N...n...no...no please," Lance whispered fearfully, the tears beginning to slide down his cheeks.

Leaning up and kissing away the tears, Joshua whispered quietly into his ear, "I think you do. But we will wait until later to teach it to you." Pulling his hand away when he heard noises from the other room, Joshua returned to they way he was sitting just as James entered the room.

Lance tried to stand and return to the safety of his room, but in his weakened condition, was not able to without assistance. James noticed Lance about to fall and rushed to help him.

"Careful Lance," James and Joshua said together, catching the young lord before he fell to the ground. Looking up at the elder man, Joshua smiled and suggested they help Lance to his room. "Perhaps he would be more comfortable where he can lay down?"