Blake greeted them warmly, turning most of his attention to his young charge. "Did you enjoy your journey, M'lord?" Blake asked Joseph, noticing that Lance was a little distant.

Smiling, Joseph replied, "Very much so, thank you Blake." Noticing that all was quiet within the palace, Joseph asked curiously, "Has Lord Christopher arrived yet?"

"Yes, M'lord," Blake replied. "He is in the study awaiting your arrival."

Nodding, Joseph thanked Blake and went to make his way to the study. When he was a few steps away from Lance and Blake, he turned back to his husband. "Would you like to meet Lord Christopher tonight, or wait until the morning when the excitement of today has passed?"

Lance looked down. "Y...yes, I would like to meet him," he whispered quietly.

Holding his hand out for Lance to take, Joseph waited until they were hand in hand to continue down to the study where his friend would be waiting. Upon arriving in the room, Joseph smiled as Lord Christopher looked up from the book he was reading aloud to Josh and Justin. "It is good to see you again Christopher," he said, releasing Lances' hand and embracing the brown eyed lord.

"Likewise, my friend," replied Lord Christopher as he returned the hug. "It has been too long." The short dark-haired lord was about Joseph's age and had a warm, friendly manner about him. "I am truly sorry that my business kept me away from the festivities yesterday. I understand that the wedding was truly magnificant."

"Mostly the same as my first two weddings," Joseph answered with a playful shrug. Turning breifly to Lance, he again held his hand out for him. "This is Lance, my third husband. Lance, this is Lord Christopher; one of my dearest friends."

Lance looked at Lord Christopher, who smiled warmly at him. "Hello, M'lord," Lance whispered as he bowed politely, which brought snickers from Justin and Josh.

Joseph turned a disapproving glare towards Justin and Josh as he heard Lance choke back a few tears. When he turned back to Christopher, a curious look met him. "I must apologize for them Christopher. They seem to have forgotten their manners as of late."

"So I see," Christopher replied, shaking his head. Turning to Lance, he put a hand on the trembling blond's shoulder. "Hello, Lance...it's very nice to meet you. And don't worry...I found your polite gesture very charming."

"I...I'm sorry if I didn't use proper protocol when greeting a guest, M'lord," Lance replied in a shaky voice, looking at Joseph.

"You did just fine Lance," Joseph replied, a pleased smile upon his lips. "If I could get some other people to bow when meeting a guest, I would be throughly happy."

Standing close to Joseph, Lance was still unsure. He was extremely embarrassed at his mistake and in front of Justin and Joshua, at that. Lord Christopher sensed his nervousness and attempted to make him feel welcomed. "You told me you were to be wed again, Joseph and that your new husband had come of age, but you did not tell me how handsome and enchanting he was."

"I had no idea myself until he lifted the vail," Joseph replied, moving to sit on the couch. "I had hoped for another handsome husband, but my dreams were far surpassed when I saw him."

Lance sat down next to Joseph, a blush creeping up his cheeks. "And a beautiful smile as well," Christopher remarked. "You are truly a very lucky man, Joseph."

"Thank you Christopher," Joseph replied, a smile of his own creasing his lips. "You have no idea how happy Lance makes me, just by being in the same room."

Justin and Josh sat glaring at Lance. All the praise Lord Jospeh and Lord Christopher were heaping on the little commoner was getting to be too much.

"He's a very fine horseman too," Lord Joseph said. "One of the best I've seen since Justin entered my household."

Justin instantly perked up. "You know how to ride?" he asked Lance. "I didn't think you would have time for such lesiure with all the work there is to do on a farm."

Without looking towards the other blond, Joseph asked, his voice taking on a stern tone, "Justin, what was instructed to you and Josh this morning before Lance and I left for the country? Or have you forgotten what your husband and lord ordered of you so soon?"

Justin looked up and instantly put on a confused look. "I have not forgotten what was instructed to us this morning, M'lord," he replied in a soft voice. "And I wasn't trying to be mean to Lance. It is a lot of work to run a farm. I was merely surprised with all the hard work he had to do that he had time for riding."

"And how would you know what hard work is Justin?" Joseph asked. "I have yet to see you lift a finger to help Kennith with his daily work."

Lord Christopher laughed heartily at his friend's comment. "You are full of jokes tonight, Joseph...and you seem very relaxed," he remarked. "Your ride must have done you good."

"Just being close to Lance has done me worlds of good Christopher," Joseph replied. When he noticed Lances' reddened face, he laughed quietly and kissed his cheek. "Come now, do not be telling us that this is flustering you Lance?"

Lance glanced up shyly at Joseph and smiled. "I...I am sorry...but ye...yes, I am a little embarrassed," he replied softly. "I am not used to receiving such compliments."

"I'll say it again, Joseph," Lord Christopher remarked, gesturing toward Lance. "He is very enchanting."

"And very shy at the moment," Joseph teased. "Why not go find yourself that book you were looking through earlier. Perhaps you could teach us a thing or two about horses that we don't know."

"Oh, I...I couldn't," Lance whispered, glancing at Justin and Josh quickly. "You are the experienced horsemen."

"But you ride just as well as any of us do," Joseph countered. "You have an uncommon knack with horses. They all trust you and do not ever shy away from you."

"That was something that my father taught me...to be gentle with them as one is gentle with a child. That is how they learn to trust you." Lance explained. Looking around the room, he realized that the other four men were listening intently to him. Blushing a deep red, he looked down. "I...I am sorry...I didn't mean to go on so."

"No, please," replied Joseph. "Go on. You are by no means beyond your bounds by simply joining in a conversation."

"Well, I used to ride with my father when I was younger," Lance continued, even impressing Justin and Josh. "There wasn't a lot of spare time because there was a lot of work to do, but when my father had the time, he would take me riding. It was my favorite thing to do and the only leisure activity I was permitted during my training."

"Did you not learn to read?" Josh asked. "Or write? Or was horsemanship the only thing your parents knew to do?"

Lance looked down, trying hard to fight the tears that filled his eyes. "My...my mother did teach me to read and write," Lance answered in a small voice. "She instilled in me a love for reading and for music."

Smirking and rolling his eyes, Josh whispered, "Music is for weaklings, and I bet you could not read a page from any of these books."

Looking at Lance, Justin inwardly smirked when he saw a lone tear begin to make its way down Lance's face. "Here, Lance," Justin spoke up, handing the young blond the play Hamlet. Picking up the black leather-bound book, Lance nervously opened it. His heart instantly dropped...there was no way he could read the eloquent words without stumbling over them. They had finally trapped him.

Closing the book, Lance looked up at Joseph, on the verge of breaking down. "M'lord, may I be excused? I am tired from the journey and would like to retire early."

Shooting a glare that translated into 'We'll talk about this later in depth' towards Justin and Josh, Joseph turned a smile to Lance and nodded. "Of course." Leaning over and again dropping a light kiss upon his cheek, Joseph wipped away the tear from Lances' cheek. "I will be in to check on you later."

"Y...yes, M'lord," Lance whispered as he stood up and started to leave the room. Standing in front of Lord Christopher, Lance meekly held out his trembling hand. "Good night, M'lord...it was nice to meet you."

Taking his out stretched hand, Lord Christopher smiled warmly at Lance, just as he did when they entered the room. "It was nice to have met you too, Lord Lance," he said, hoping that by adding the title, it would make the young blond feel more secure in his role within the household. "Perhaps tomorrow, we can read Hamlet together?"

Looking at Lord Christopher, Lance knew he had to leave then or be really embarrassed. "Y...yes, M'lord, I would like that very much. Good night," he whispered, as he quickly left the room. Running down the hall, he found himself lost. Finally sliding down the wall, he lowered his head and sobbed. Jumping when he felt a small touch on his shoulder, he looked up to see Blake.

"M'lord?" asked the young servent, concern for his charge plainly showing upon his face. "What are you doing down on the servents' floor?"

"I...I don't know...I...was trying to find my cha...chamber and I got lost," Lance sobbed. "I'll never find my way around the palace."

Nodding in understanding, Blake said, "I felt the same way when I first came here. But, in time, I learned my way around. I'm sure you will too M'lord." Extending a hand down to Lance, he offered to show him back to his chambers.

"Thank you, Blake," replied a grateful Lance, as Blake led him up three floors to his quarters. Walking into his spacious room, he sat down on the bed, nodding when Blake asked if he would like to take a bath. Lance soaked in the tub while Blake turned down his bed. Bringing him a robe, Blake helped him out of the tub and prepare him for bed. "If you don't mind, I'll just look out at the countryside before I go to bed," Lance informed Blake.

Looking outside, Lance thought about how happy he was to be able to see his parents again. Just as quickly, the scene in the study creeped up, bringing tears to his eyes. It was no use, Lance thought as the tears fell. Justin and Josh would never accept him.

"M'lord?" Blake asked quietly from behind, unsure weather or not he should disturb Lance. "Will you be needing me for anything else tonight?"

"It will be all right, Blake," answered a voice from the doorway. Turning, Blake saw Lord Joseph standing there, looking with concern at his young husband. "You may go...I'll send for you if we need anything else."

Still feeling somewhat intimidated by Lord Joseph, Blake bowed. "Y...yes M'lord," he whispered. Turning to look back at his charge quickly, his heart sank for him. He knew what it was like to not be accepted into a new home. He himself was just starting to fit in. When he heard Lord Joseph clear his throat, Blake turned back to look at him. He was met with a slight glare. "I...I'm sorry M'lord. Goodnight," he said as he scurried out the door.

Oblivious to what was going on, Lance continued to stare out of the window, tears streaming down his face. "Oh Mamma I miss you so," he whispered to himself. "I'll never be...be able to fit in here...they'll never accept me no matter how hard I try. They've ma...made that clear. Oh Mamma, what am I going to do?"

His heart breaking for his young husband, Joseph stepped forward and embraced Lance from behind. "Shhh," he whispered, trying to calm Lance down. "Everything will work out in the end. You just have to wait and be patient."

Jumping at Lord Joseph's touch, Lance turned around and buried his face in Jospeh's chest. "Oh, M'lord," Lance sobbed as Joseph continued to hold and comfort him. "I...I am so sorry for leav...leaving so quickly. I...I kn...know I made a fool of my...myself and in front of such an impo...important guest...but...but..."

Rubbing his back lightly, Joseph replied, "You did not 'make a fool out of yourself' Lance. Christopher was very impressed with you and how you handled yourself, even with Josh and Justin in the room. He doesn't think any less of you. He knows you are still new to the family. You have nothing to fear from him."

"I was so happy today to see my mother and father. I was beg...beginning to think that I could learn to find my place here. But Joshua and Justin have ma...made it clear that no matter what title I have, I'll never be equal to them."

Looking down at Lance, but still holding him protectivly in his arms, Joseph asked quietly, "Do you consider yourself Christophers' equal?"

Lance looked up at Joseph, his tear-stained face a mask of confusion. "No, M'lord, of course not. Lord Christopher is...well is a lord as you are. You are his equal, not I."

Smiling, Lord Joseph lead Lance over to the edge of the bed and sat down. "That is what Justin and Joshua think," he began. "Christopher and I became friends before Joshua and I married, so Joshua was told that Christopher was born into nobility, when in acutally, he married into you, just as you have."

"You...you mean he is royal by marriage, too?" Lance asked shyly.

Nodding his head, Joseph explained that Christopher had been born a commoner like Lance, but when he became 18 years old, he was married to a noble, who had been friends of Josephs' parents. Christophers' husband had been killed some years ago, before he could marry any others, therefore leaving his entire estate to Christopher. "No one but himself, you, and I know this, and I expect to keep it this way."

Wiping his eyes, Lance nodded. "I will say nothing, M'lord," he replied. Looking up, Lord Joseph was pleased to see a slight smile cross Lance's face.

"That's what I love seeing upon your face Lance," Joseph whispered. "Feel better now? Now that you have someone with whom can relate to you?"

Lance nodded again. "Yes, M'lord. And Lord Christopher said that we would read Hamlet together when he returns for another visit."

"I take it then, that you will be reading it tomorrow then," Joseph answered. "He is spending a few days with us."

"That would be wonderful," Lance whispered as he sat on his bed and folded his hands on his lap.

"Maybe you two could come up with a trade," Joseph said. "He is not that well trained as a rider. Perhaps, you could teach him to ride, and he could help you with your schooling or such?"

"May...may I be allowed to do that, M'lord?" Lance asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"Why would I have offered if you were not allowed to help a fellow lord?" Joseph teased, a playful smile upon his lips.

Smiling, Lance put his arms around Lord Joseph and hugged him. "Thank...thank you, M'lord," Lance whispered. "I...I don't know what to say..."

Returning the hug, Joseph turned his head slightly and kissed Lances' neck. "You needen't say anything," he replied quietly. "I just want to see you happy."

Lance smiled at Lord Joseph. "You've given me so much...I...can't thank you enough."

"There is a way," Joseph whispered. "But, some other time. Today has already been filled with excitement for you."

"M'lord? May...may I tell you something?" Lance whispered.

"Of course," replied the older one. "You may tell me anything."

Shyly touching Lord Joseph's cheek, Lance looked at him, the smile still on his face. "I...I love you..."