Stirring slightly, Lances' eyes fluttered open at the feel of someone next to him. When his eyes focused on Lord Joseph, he for a moment tensed, then relaxed. "Good...good morning, M'lord," Lance whispered, looking shyly at him.

"Good morning Lance," Lord Joseph replied. "Have we forgotten what was instructed to you last night?"

Looking down for a moment, then back up at his husband, Lance replied in a shaky voice, "I am sorry...good morning...Joseph," he tried again, bringing a smile to Lord Jospeh's face.

"That's better," he praised. "Good morning." Leaning over to lightly drop a kiss upon his husbands' forehead, Lord Joseph asked, "Would you like Blake to bathe you before meeting my other husbands?"

"Ye...yes, thank you," Lance replied, a small smile crossing his face. Nodding, Lord Joseph smiled back and was about to get up when Lance put his hand on his cheek. "J...Joseph?" he called softly.

Turning to look back at his young husband, Lord Joseph replied with a sweet, "Yes?"

Looking up at Joseph, Lance's voice trembled slightly. "Than...thank you for being so patient with me last night...and for understanding. I...I...thank you," the young blond whispered as he leaned over and softly kissed him. Touched at Lance's gesture, Lord Joseph took his young husband in his arms, deepening the kiss.

Every emotion even thought possible in the world were felt between the two as Lord Joseph probbed Lances' mouth with his tongue. Pulling Lance up with him, he held him close and tight.

Moaning, Lance put his arms around Joseph as the brown-eyed lord explored the insides of Lance's sweet mouth. Joseph's desire for Lance was strong, but he knew he needed to take his time with his young husband. Lance whimpered softly as Joseph laid him gently on the bed.

"Tonight," Lord Joseph whispered. "We shall continue our fun and games tonight."

"Ye...yes, M'l...Joseph," Lance replied softly.

Smiling down at him, Lord Joseph turned around and left the room. Shortly thereafter, Blake entered the room, with a set of new clothes in hand for his lord.

Helping him put on the robe he had brought with him, Blake led Lance to the bathing chamber. After bathing the young lord, Blake helped him to dry off and once back in the wedding chamber, helped him to dress. Presently, Lord Joseph returned to the room and smiled at the sight of his young husband.

With his white button up tunic and black pants with matching boots, Lance looked very similar to his other two husbands. Walking up to him, Lord Joseph smoothed out a few wrinkles in the shirt before nodding and smiling in approval.

Bowing, Blake looked at Lord Joseph. "Does he meet with your approval, M'lord?"

Nodding and keeping his back to Blake, Lord Joseph replied, "Yes Blake. Thank you."

"Will M'lord be needing anything else?" Blake inquired.

"Not in here Blake," Lord Joseph answered. "But will you go assist with the kitchen staff or with Devin and Kennith please."

"Yes, M'lord...as you wish," Blake replied as he left the chamber and headed toward the kitchen.

When they were alone once again, Lord Joseph stole a kiss from Lance before whispering, "You look very handsome on this fine morning husband."

"Than...thank you, Joseph," Lance replied, smiling. "I...I guess I am ready but..."

Catching on his hesitation, Lord Joseph asked, "But what?"

Looking down, Lance replied softly. "Your other two husbands...they were born with royal blood. They are so much more sophisticated than I am. I...I just hope they will accept me."

Lifting his chin up to look into his eyes, Lord Joseph kissed Lances' forehead before addressing the concerns of his young husband. "They have been told to treat you like any other member of my family. If they do not show you the proper respect, inform me and I will deal with them." Smiling, he added, "You have nothing to fear from them Lance. They will love you, just as I do."

Looking shyly at his brown-eyed husband, Lance smiled again. "I hope so," he whispered.

Taking his hand, Lord Joseph squeezed Lances' fingers lightly as he led him out of the wedding chamber. Before starting down the hall, he turned and closed the door, locking it as well. "Blake will show you to your bed chambers later today. There is no need for us to return to the wedding chambers now."

"Yes, Joseph," Lance replied as he followed Joseph into the spacious dining room. Lance gasped at the spendor of the large room. All eyes were on the young blond-haired lord as he and Lord Joseph made their way to the table.

As they walked towards the end of the table where two men sat, dressed in similar garb as Lance, he looked up at them. They both had stunning blue eyes, which reminded him of the lake by his house. The one on the left had brown hair, whereas the one on the right had golden locks, like Blake, but kept shorter. They both had plates before them, and another plate next to the golden haired one.

As Lord Joseph approched the head of the table, he leaned down and dropped a light kiss upon both their lips, before taking his seat. "Lance," he spoke, motioning for him to take the second seat on his left, where the empty plate sat. "This is Josh..." He indicated the gentleman to his right. "My first husband. And Justin..." Now to his left. "My second. Gentleman, this is Lance, our newest family member."

Josh and Justin exchanged knowing looks before returning their gaze to Lance, who glanced at both of them nervously.

"Good morning, Lance," Joshua replied, extending his hand for Lance to shake. Lord Joseph nodded approvingly and turned his gazed to Justin, who continued to glare at the blond newcomer, instantly disliking him.

Looking up at Lance, then to Justin, Lord Joseph could literally see the nervousness flowing from Lance, hoping to be excepted by these two. Josh seemed to be excepting, but Justin on the other hand was not. "Justin," Lord Joseph said, addressing the matter before Lance had a chance to let him pray on him anymore. "Is that how we welcome a new member into my household?"

Glancing at Lord Joseph, Justin extended his hand in a fake greeting. "Hello, Lance. How's life down in the lower lands?"

"Justin," Lord Joseph barked, his voice serious. "Josh did not act this way when you entered my home a year ago. I expect you to show the same attitude towards Lance."

Already in a foul mood when he was told that Lord Joseph had married again, his husband's reprimand made it worse. Looking from Lord Joseph to Lance, Justin extended his hand again. "I am sorry...hello, Lance," Justin replied sarcastically.

Shaking his head and looking down, Lord Joseph took in a deep breath, then slowly let it out. Upon looking back up, he nodded for Lance to except Justins' hand, for the time being. "Justin, I will want to see you in my study after breakfast."

Seeing the anger in Lord Joseph's eyes, Justin became quiet. "Yes, Joseph," he replied.

Looking up at Lance as he took his seat timidly next to Justin, after shaking his hand, Joseph replied soothingly, "Lance, allow me to apologize for Justins' behavior. He normally is quite charming; but he does have his moments."

Looking from Justin to Joseph, Lance lowered his head in shame. He had so hoped that Joseph's other two husbands would accept him and not look down on him because of where he came from. It didn't look like that would be the case, though. "Y...yes, M'lord," Lance replied softly.

Snickering, Josh tried to hide his amusement. He knew Joseph had told Lance not to call him M'lord unless there was company, yet he had done it anyway.

Hearing Josh's laugh, Lance begain fiddling with his hands. He had feared this kind of reaction from Justin and Josh, but he wasn't prepared for how much it would hurt. Never before had he missed his home and his parents more than that moment.

Quickly standing up, Lance uttered a tear-filled, "Excuse me," and ran out of the room, Josh and Justin's laughter following him. Running into Blake, Lance asked him to show him to his chambers. Once there, Lance fell on the bed and sobbed. They would never accept him, he thought...never. Concerned for his young lord, Blake went to find Lord Joseph, who entered Lance's room and cradled his young husband in his arms.

Rocking him gently back and forth, Lord Joseph ran his hand up and down Lances' back soothingly. "Lance, don't listen to them, please. Don't let their snickers and comments bother you. Nothing they say will change the fact that you are part of my family and that you came from the farm lands. They will learn to except you in time."

"I...I had so...ho...hoped that we coul...could become fri...friends," Lance choked between sobs. "They are...are of royal blood and I...I..." Lance stopped, too emotional to continue.

"You are of royal blood now too Lance," Lord Joseph whispered. "Just because they were born with it, and you gained it by marriage means nothing, except that you are their equal now. No more, no less, but the same."

His tears beginning to slow, Lance looked up at his husband. "Y...yes, Joseph," he replied timidly. Fearful that Lord Joseph would be angry with him for leaving the dining hall, Lance backed away. "I,..I apologize for my behavior. I did not mean to act so."

"It is totally understandable Lance," Lord Joseph replied, no hint of anger in his voice. "I will deal with both of them after breakfast. Would you like to be present when I speak with them, or would you like to explore your new home?"

"I...I'd like to explore, if that's all right," Lance answered.

"Of course it is already," his husband answered. Standing and offering his hand, he added, "Come now, let us return to the dining hall. They won't be bothering you anymore today. I promise."

A light smile crossing his tear-stained face, Lance accepted Lord Joseph's hand as they made their was back to the dining hall. Both Josh and Justin looked at Lance with amusement, but said nothing.

Helping Lance to his seat, Lord Joseph dropped a light kiss upon his lips as well, like he had done when they first entered the dining hall. Pulling back, he smiled lovingly down at Lance before returning to his seat. "Josh," he stated. "I expect to see you with Justin in the study immiditaly after breakfast. Am I understood?"

Exchanging glances with Justin, Josh nodded his head. "Yes, Joseph," he replied meekly.

The meal was quiet, with very little said between the four men. Whenever Josh or Justin looked up at Lance, Joseph was watching them, his gaze telling them both to not make him any angrier then he already was with the two of them.

Once breakfast was finished, the servants came to clear away the table. Lance started to leave, but Lord Joseph had decided that he should hear what he had to say to his other two husbands for the way they had behaved toward his newest one. He motioned for Lance to wait.

Standing and asking the other three to accompany him to the study, he asked the servants leave the area; they had no business hearing the discussion that would take place within the study walls. When the four of them had entered the room, Lord Joseph offered a plush chair to Lance, but when Josh and Justin went to sit, he barked at them to remain standing. "What do you have to say about yourselves?" he ordered, his arms crossed, his brow knitted in anger. "You acted like school children, and here I thought I had 3 husbands, not 1 husband and 2 children."

Both Josh and Justin were instantly embarrassed and inwardly resentful of Lance. "I am sorry, Jospeh," Justin began. "I did not meant to upset Lance...we were just having a little fun."

"A little fun!?" Joseph shouted, causing all three to jump slightly. "Justin, having a little fun is riding through the country side, playing a game of cards by the fire, or discussing a book. Or almost anything else for that matter! Having fun usually ends up with everyone smiling and laughing, having a good time. So if you both were having fun, tell me, why did Lance leave the room in tears!?"

A little nervous at the sound of Lord Joseph's voice, Josh also voiced his apologies. "Lance, we humbly apologize to you," he began, hiding his contempt for the young blond. "We did not mean to upset you in any way. Please accept our deepest apologies."

Lord Joseph stood back and watched Lance shake his head, excepting the apologies. When both Josh and Justin thought they were out of trouble, their husband began again. "In two days, we had plans to go to the coast for a week. Those plans have been changed as of right now. Instead of the three of us going to the coast, you two will remain here, while Lance and I visit with his family." Turning to his blond husband, Lord Joseph added, "If you'd like to Lance."

Looking up at Lord Joseph, a smile crossed Lance's tear-stained face. "Ye...yes I would...very much. Tha...thank you, M'l...Joseph," Lance replied softly.

Returning the smile, Joseph wipped away the tears, ignoring both his first two husbands for the time being. "THen we shall go see them in two days."

Impulsively, Lance put his arms around Lord Joseph and hugged him. Realizing what he'd done, he shrank back in fear. "For...forgive me, Joseph. Again, I didn't mean to be so forward."

Pulling him back, Lord Joseph replied, "Hugs, like kisses, my dear Lance, are always welcomed within my house."

Lance smiled up happily at his new husband as Lord Joseph continued to envelope him. Justin and Josh looked on in anger and resentment at the affection between the two. This would not do, they thought. Lance hadn't been in the family 24 hours yet, and already seeemed to hold a large place in Joseph's heart. He would have to be dealt with and quickly.

Looking down at him, Lord Joseph kissed his forhead lightly, then turned his attention back to Josh and Justin. "For the remainder of the day, and until I tell you both otherwise, unless you have a compliment to pay your new family member, he is to receive no more of your harrassment. Am I understood?"

Exchanging glances, Justin and Josh both nodded their heads. "Yes, Joseph," Justin whispered, shooting a hateful glare at Lance. "We are sorry."

Joseph crossed his arms in front of him, and waited for both Josh and Justin to leave the room. Once he and his third husband were alone, he took hold of his hand and led him room. "I have a surprise for you. I do hope you enjoy this."

"You've given me so much already," Lance whispered, following Joseph. "What more could I ask for?"

With a sly smile upon his face, Joseph stopped infront of a large wooden door. "Everyone in my family takes great joy in these," he began. "If you do not know how to use them, then we shall hire a tutor to teach you." Opening the door, he stepped into a large room with bookshelves covering the walls, and hundreds, if not thousands of books upon the shelves.

Lance gasped at the spacious room and the many books covering the shelves. Being from the lower lands, he had not had a formal education, but his mother had made sure he knew how to read and write a little. "I...I would like that very much...thank you," Lance replied, again smiling at Joseph. Maybe being here wouldn't be so bad after all.

Seeing his husband smile, Joseph stepped aside. "Feel free to come here whenever you wish Lance. All these and more are at your total disposal. And if you'd like a tutor to help you, then we shall find the best in the land."

"Thank you, M'l...Joseph," Lance whispered in a shaky voice. Remembering something, Lance looked up at his husband. "Joseph? Can you do something for me?"

"Of course Lance," Joseph answered, taking a seat in one of the chairs scattered around the room. "What is it you'd like me to do for you?"

"Can...can you take me horseback riding?" Lance asked. "I used to ride with my father when I was young, but all leisure activity was stopped when I began my training to become part of your family."

"But I was comfortable," Joseph replied. Seeing the disappointed look upon Lances' face, the elder one laughed and stood. "Of course I'll take you riding Lance."

"We don't have to go right now," Lance replied, sitting next to Joseph. "I...I just meant that that I'd like to go."

Smiling, Joseph said, "I have some work to do this morning, but how would you like to ride down to your family instead of traveling in a coach?"

"That would be wonderful," Lance exclaimed happily, his childlike enthusiasm bringing a smile to Lord Joseph's face. Yes, his father had done well with this one, Joseph thought.

Nodding happily, Lord Joseph leaned over and kissed his husband lightly. "If you'd like to explore, have Blake go with you. You needn't worry about Josh and Justin now, they will not bother you, not after our talk. Or, you may stay here and loose yourself in a book. It is up to you Lance."

"I...would like to stay here with you and read," Lance replied. Even though Joseph had reprimanded Justin and Josh, Lance still was a little fearful of being alone with them.

Nodding his head towards the bookshelves behind him, Joseph answered, "Then go find yourself a book. As you can see, there are many to choose from. I'm sure you will find something to your liking."

Lance smiled at him and nodded as he searched the shelves for something he might be able to enjoy. His eyes lighted on a large leather bound book with a picture of a magnificent brown horse on the front. Pulling the book down, Lance curled up on the sofa and began looking through the book. His eyes filled with tears as he ran his hand over one particular picture, one of a beautiful black mare. Lord Joseph quietly left the room, but when he returned, he saw the expression his young husband's face. Concerned, he walked up and knelt beside him.

Looking down briefly at the page Lance had stopped on, then back up to his husband, Joseph asked quietly what was bothering the young one so. He had been so happy when he was given access to the books, yet now, he seemed saddened by the one he held in his hands. "You miss riding don't you?" he asked quietly, wiping a tear away as it slid down Lances' cheek.

"Y...yes...but it...it isn't just that," Lance whispered, his voice shaky.

Pulling the book gently from Lances' hands and setting it aside, Joseph took hold of his hands and looked into Lances' eyes. "What else Lance? Tell me and I'll do my best to see that you get all that you want."

Lance looked at Joseph, his heart full. "You...you were born into royalty," he began. "Justin and...Joshua, too. You were taught how to speak, how to act...you're so much more sophisticated and refined and cultured than I. It's true that I was reared and trained for the day I became part of your family...but I...I love my new home and everything you've done for me but I..."

"You what Lance?" Joseph coaxed easily. "And do not think that you are less then us, simply because you were not born with royal blood in your veins. That makes no difference now. Anyone who says you are simply a commoner is greatly mistaken now. You are so much more."

"But look at what has happened," Lance tried to protest. "For 16 years I was trained to be a part of your family, and yet last night I broke very important rules my father drilled into my head since I was 5. I...I angered you," Lance whispered, his head lowered in shame. "And I know that Justin and Joshua feel nothing but contempt for me being here. They made that clear this morning that they will never accept me in this family."

"Lance, look at me, please," Joseph asked. When Lance lifted his head slightly, Joseph continued. "Do not think that you were the first to break the rules on a wedding night Lance. Both Josh and Justin broke them as well, and I did get upset with them, but only for a while, just as I did with you." When Lance still wasn't satisfied that he would do fine within the household, Lord Joseph added, "Who is in charge of this family?" When the blond mumbled his answer, Joseph smiled. "Then if I am in charge, then I will say who is accepted into my family and who is not. And Lance, I say that you are accepted in my family. I am the only person you need listen to about that topic."