The Winter Manor 16/? (End of Arc 1)
Name: The Winter Manor
Author: Cards
Rating: pg-13 this chapter
Summery: Okay, Historical AU for Regency/Napolianic wars, Jared is the second son of a Duke and Jensen works at the families normally vacant Manor house. The family goes back for the Christmas season for the first time in 10 years.
Warnings: Mentions of past abuse,
Pairing: j2 (eventually)
Jensen came up to the room to pack Jared’s clothing and Jared sat on the bed.
“Oh.” Jensen said softly “I didn’t know you were here Sir.” He moved back.
“Jeff told me I was a pest.” Jared said. “I wanted to go out riding with him, before we both go back to school and he told me I was a pest and to mind my own business.” Jared sighed “I’m not a pest am I?”
Jensen smiled “No you’re not” He said and looked to the dresser. “If I may, I need to pack your bags.”
Jared nodded, “Are you sure I’m not a pest. Chadwick says I talk too much.”
“The maids think that Chadwick is an idiot.” Jensen said softly under his breath, he’d heard Sophia complain to Jessica about the young boys stupidity ardent affection toward her.
Jared laughed “He is. Its one of his charms. I suppose. Or at least you grow used to it. And then tell everyone it a charm.” He smiled. “I just… I miss how me and Jeff were.” He sighed “Now he’s hardly had any time for me. And once we leave he’ll have even less. I’ll be at school, and he’ll be at University. And then he’ll be going with Father to the House of Lords and to a club.” He gulped. “And I’ll be at the London house…. Alone.”
Jensen bit his lip. “Jeffery is only excited” He said as he carefully started packing Jared’s items away. His every movement worried. “He doesn’t realize its at your expense yet.”
Jared sighed and blew a lock of hair out of his face. Jensen caught that and smiled at it. “I’m going to miss you” Jared said looking over at Jensen. “When we leave.” And for some reason the realization that he wouldn’t see Jensen until Easter hurt. He sat watching Jensen pack him, knowing that within a few hours he’d be gone.
“I’ll miss you too” Jensen whispered, it was sometimes tortuous to be so close to the young boy, to want him, to wonder if he would be more gentle then Mr. Hartley and those men or if it would be the same, if that was all he would feel. If that was what it was supposed to feel like. He imagined it would be better if Jared took him, but he didn’t want to think too much on it.
Jared grinned “I wish my school allowed us to bring servants. Then I wouldn’t just have Chadwick to talk to.” He sighed. “All he talks about is the maids. I just don’t understand it. He spent an entire day when we were at his manor following one of them about and watching her bend over.”
Jensen laughed, “Joshua did that as well, until one of them saw him and boxed his ears. Then my mama found out and nearly tanned his hide.”
Jared grinned “You learned your lesson from him then?” He said.
Jensen looked down, his breath hitching slightly “I never… spent much time looking at the maids.”
Jared breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m not the only one!” He said. “All the boys at school are exactly like Chad, they once tried to sneak into the woman’s bathhouse.” He shook his head. “They were nearly expelled from school for that and we all had to listen to a lecture on the sin of lust.” Jared sighed.
Jensen bit his lip. “I’m sure you’ll wake up one morning fascinated with Sophia in an entirely different way.” He said softly.
Jared scrunched up his nose “Ewww.” He said laughing. “Sophia’s practically family.” He said “Her mother was my wet-nurse.” He shook his head “Mama will probably find me a match once I get to that age. I know I’ll never win one on the dance floor, and if I tried I’d ruin Meghan’s chances at finding a husband. Step on the foot of the wrong girl and everyone would think she follows after me in grace. ”
“You’ll have no trouble charming women” Jensen said. He looked over at Jared who was grinning. “And you aren’t a terrible dancer. I speak from having survived.” He said smiling.
Jared laughed “You have to say that.” He said “to make sure I don’t become a hermit and never leave this room and doom you to wait on me hand and foot.”
“You’ve found me out.” Jensen said smiling eagerly and Jared looked at him, the long hair falling across his forehead, the light freckles dotting his pale skin, even in the midst of winter, and he gulped.
Jensen smiled up at him again and Jared wondered how he did it. How he looked so composed at all times and how he managed the pressure of his day. “Are you back in the kitchens?” Jared asked softly “Now that the guests have all gone home?”
Jensen looked over “Yes. I still help my mother in the morning. There is a lot to do.”
Jared nodded “Why don’t you do that all the time?” He asked, remembering how at ease Jensen had been when they were in the kitchen, when he’d been relaxed and laughing, how he’d worn his apron. His mind quickly returned to the way Jensen’s hands had felt over his own how his chest had felt over Jared’s back.
Jensen blinked “My father assigned me to help you.” He said, “If you have any issue_”
“No!” Jared said almost standing up with the force of that. “I like having you here. You’re amazing at helping me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Jensen blushed, his face turning down at the praise. “Thank you Sir.” He said softly. He looked at the clothing he’d packed away, along with books, packed in tightly into another crate, Jensen felt his breath hitch at the fact that he wouldn’t see Jared for a long time after this.
Jared walked over, “Um, I know this is late” He said “But we weren’t here on boxing day.” He said suddenly “And I didn’t want you to think I didn’t know I was supposed to… or that I wouldn’t or that I didn’t think it was my responsibility.”
Jensen looked confused. “What Sir?”
Jared blushed and walked over to his desk “Here” He said thrusting the envelope into Jensen’s hands. “I know traditionally I’m supposed to give you my clothes, but you can’t wear them, and no one else here is my size, and the shops in town won’t give you a good rate.” He said speaking quickly. “And I asked Joshua before I did this, because he knows if anything’s proper. Well so do you, but I couldn’t ask you this, Because I have a feeling you’d tell me it doesn’t matter, or that you aren’t really my valet.”
Jensen smiled. “What is it?” He asked softly, trying to put Jared at ease.
“Your Christmas Gift.” Jared said simply. “And don’t try and give it back when you open it. Because I won’t take it back.”
Jensen laughed, covering his wide smile with his hand. “Thank you Sir.”
Jared bounced slightly “Aren’t you going to open it?” He asked smiling widely now that the envelope was out of his hands.
Jensen looked at him, curiously.
“I want to see you open it.”
Jensen paused and opened it, several notes fell out and he quickly counted them in his head, his mouth opening wide “Sir.” He said looking up trying to push the money back at him. “This is too much.” He said.
Jared shook his head “No it isn’t.”
“I don’t need this.” Jensen said quickly. “Really. I just.. I’m just your valet over the winter. This is unnecessary.”
Jared shook his head “No it isn’t. Its my pleasure to do for you.” He said softly.
Jensen shook his head again then bowed “Thank you Sir” he said.
“You deserve it.” Jared said.
Jensen smiled shaking his head, remembering all the other times he’d heard that phrase, and how different it felt when Jared said it. “Thank you” He repeated, unsure what he’d do with that much money, what he could do with that much money.
Jared grinned, his expression blissful as he watched Jensen, he sat back and grinned relaxing on his bed glad that he’d managed to do something right. He hadn’t given Jensen much more then the clothing would have garnered him if he’d taken it into London as opposed to a place like this, which couldn’t pay at full value.
He gulped suddenly as Jensen bent down to clasp something shut on his luggage he gulped realizing then that he was watching Jensen as Chad had the Jessica the maid. His eyes widened as he watched Jensen stand back up easily lifting the suitcase and taking it out into the hall where he knew a footman would come and collect it.
Jensen came back in and Jared looked at him closer, trying not to seem to be doing so he could see in the days since the guests had gone Jensen’s bitten lips were healing over and that Jensen had been biting them lightly, causing the bottom lip to brighten and seemingly swell. Jared gulped as he felt his blood rush down his body.
Jensen looked over as he picked up the last of the bags. “Thank you Sir” He said softly “For everything.”
Jared practically leapt up as Jensen moved away and without thinking leaned against him, standing on his toes and pressing his dry lips against Jensen’s, he could feel Jensen’s breath catch as they stayed like that for a second then Jensen pushed ever so gently against his lips. Jensen stayed like that pressing gently back against his lips, Jared could feel the full bottom lip give under his and he pulled away, blushing furiously.
He ran off, outside ignoring Meghan who called him and Mrs. Ferris who was overseeing the packing of something up from his mother’s chambers.
Jensen stood there for a second, and looked after Jared as he ran then slowly pressed his fingers to his lips still able to feel the pressure of Jared’s lips against his. He closed his eyes and he could feel his grip tighten around the notes in his pocket.
He moved downstairs, a small party was going on in celebration of Joshua’s leaving and Jensen gulped, he’d almost forgotten that Joshua would be leaving with the Padalecki’s. And suddenly he wanted to cry again, he bit his lip to stop the tears as Joshua hailed him over “Come on Little Brother.” He called, Sophia was giggling on his knee and Jensen smiled at the two of them both fairly drunk as was several of the footmen and the stable boys. “Drink to me!” He said.
Jensen laughed as he took a deep gulp.
Thomas, the stable boy looked over at Jensen, “I heard about Mr. Hartley.” He said softly. “Its not about you.” He said “He does it so you’ll work harder next time. He probably got jealous after seeing the way the young lord looked at you.” He said off handily.
Jensen blushed as the other stable boy thrust a glass into his hand “If anyone give you too much trouble, you’re welcome in my stables” the man said. “The Padalecki’s won’t mind.”
Jensen looked confused and the man laughed “Tommy told me about it. Don’t worry, its safe with me” He said. “Next time we come out here though, don’t be such a stranger. The stables are a good place to be. Less of his sort” he pointed out James Van Der Back.
Jensen smiled “I will” He said taking a drink and moving to his brother. “I’ll miss you” He said and Joshua hugged him.
“I’ll see you soon” He said “Easter isn’t that far away.”
Too soon though Jensen was standing in his room alone, looking at the empty bed that would probably soon be filled by Cody or one of the other hall boys. He sat back on his bed and listened to the quiet of the empty house, tracing his fingers over his lips and trying not to think what it meant.
Historical Notes: Valets, butlers, and handmaidens made most of their money from tips and also from the christmas gifts the people they served gave them. Traditionally this was their clothing from the previous year, which the servants could sell or wear. Jensen wouldn't fit into Jared's (who at the age of fifteen is shorter then him) and Jared pointed out he couldn't sell it for its full value. Jared gave him about 70 pounds. Which is totally within the norm, the presents were normally given on boxing day, but as Jared said he and his family were gone. He did check with Josh, and it is the normal amount and totally appropriate.
Author: Cards
Rating: pg-13 this chapter
Summery: Okay, Historical AU for Regency/Napolianic wars, Jared is the second son of a Duke and Jensen works at the families normally vacant Manor house. The family goes back for the Christmas season for the first time in 10 years.
Warnings: Mentions of past abuse,
Pairing: j2 (eventually)
Jensen came up to the room to pack Jared’s clothing and Jared sat on the bed.
“Oh.” Jensen said softly “I didn’t know you were here Sir.” He moved back.
“Jeff told me I was a pest.” Jared said. “I wanted to go out riding with him, before we both go back to school and he told me I was a pest and to mind my own business.” Jared sighed “I’m not a pest am I?”
Jensen smiled “No you’re not” He said and looked to the dresser. “If I may, I need to pack your bags.”
Jared nodded, “Are you sure I’m not a pest. Chadwick says I talk too much.”
“The maids think that Chadwick is an idiot.” Jensen said softly under his breath, he’d heard Sophia complain to Jessica about the young boys stupidity ardent affection toward her.
Jared laughed “He is. Its one of his charms. I suppose. Or at least you grow used to it. And then tell everyone it a charm.” He smiled. “I just… I miss how me and Jeff were.” He sighed “Now he’s hardly had any time for me. And once we leave he’ll have even less. I’ll be at school, and he’ll be at University. And then he’ll be going with Father to the House of Lords and to a club.” He gulped. “And I’ll be at the London house…. Alone.”
Jensen bit his lip. “Jeffery is only excited” He said as he carefully started packing Jared’s items away. His every movement worried. “He doesn’t realize its at your expense yet.”
Jared sighed and blew a lock of hair out of his face. Jensen caught that and smiled at it. “I’m going to miss you” Jared said looking over at Jensen. “When we leave.” And for some reason the realization that he wouldn’t see Jensen until Easter hurt. He sat watching Jensen pack him, knowing that within a few hours he’d be gone.
“I’ll miss you too” Jensen whispered, it was sometimes tortuous to be so close to the young boy, to want him, to wonder if he would be more gentle then Mr. Hartley and those men or if it would be the same, if that was all he would feel. If that was what it was supposed to feel like. He imagined it would be better if Jared took him, but he didn’t want to think too much on it.
Jared grinned “I wish my school allowed us to bring servants. Then I wouldn’t just have Chadwick to talk to.” He sighed. “All he talks about is the maids. I just don’t understand it. He spent an entire day when we were at his manor following one of them about and watching her bend over.”
Jensen laughed, “Joshua did that as well, until one of them saw him and boxed his ears. Then my mama found out and nearly tanned his hide.”
Jared grinned “You learned your lesson from him then?” He said.
Jensen looked down, his breath hitching slightly “I never… spent much time looking at the maids.”
Jared breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m not the only one!” He said. “All the boys at school are exactly like Chad, they once tried to sneak into the woman’s bathhouse.” He shook his head. “They were nearly expelled from school for that and we all had to listen to a lecture on the sin of lust.” Jared sighed.
Jensen bit his lip. “I’m sure you’ll wake up one morning fascinated with Sophia in an entirely different way.” He said softly.
Jared scrunched up his nose “Ewww.” He said laughing. “Sophia’s practically family.” He said “Her mother was my wet-nurse.” He shook his head “Mama will probably find me a match once I get to that age. I know I’ll never win one on the dance floor, and if I tried I’d ruin Meghan’s chances at finding a husband. Step on the foot of the wrong girl and everyone would think she follows after me in grace. ”
“You’ll have no trouble charming women” Jensen said. He looked over at Jared who was grinning. “And you aren’t a terrible dancer. I speak from having survived.” He said smiling.
Jared laughed “You have to say that.” He said “to make sure I don’t become a hermit and never leave this room and doom you to wait on me hand and foot.”
“You’ve found me out.” Jensen said smiling eagerly and Jared looked at him, the long hair falling across his forehead, the light freckles dotting his pale skin, even in the midst of winter, and he gulped.
Jensen smiled up at him again and Jared wondered how he did it. How he looked so composed at all times and how he managed the pressure of his day. “Are you back in the kitchens?” Jared asked softly “Now that the guests have all gone home?”
Jensen looked over “Yes. I still help my mother in the morning. There is a lot to do.”
Jared nodded “Why don’t you do that all the time?” He asked, remembering how at ease Jensen had been when they were in the kitchen, when he’d been relaxed and laughing, how he’d worn his apron. His mind quickly returned to the way Jensen’s hands had felt over his own how his chest had felt over Jared’s back.
Jensen blinked “My father assigned me to help you.” He said, “If you have any issue_”
“No!” Jared said almost standing up with the force of that. “I like having you here. You’re amazing at helping me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Jensen blushed, his face turning down at the praise. “Thank you Sir.” He said softly. He looked at the clothing he’d packed away, along with books, packed in tightly into another crate, Jensen felt his breath hitch at the fact that he wouldn’t see Jared for a long time after this.
Jared walked over, “Um, I know this is late” He said “But we weren’t here on boxing day.” He said suddenly “And I didn’t want you to think I didn’t know I was supposed to… or that I wouldn’t or that I didn’t think it was my responsibility.”
Jensen looked confused. “What Sir?”
Jared blushed and walked over to his desk “Here” He said thrusting the envelope into Jensen’s hands. “I know traditionally I’m supposed to give you my clothes, but you can’t wear them, and no one else here is my size, and the shops in town won’t give you a good rate.” He said speaking quickly. “And I asked Joshua before I did this, because he knows if anything’s proper. Well so do you, but I couldn’t ask you this, Because I have a feeling you’d tell me it doesn’t matter, or that you aren’t really my valet.”
Jensen smiled. “What is it?” He asked softly, trying to put Jared at ease.
“Your Christmas Gift.” Jared said simply. “And don’t try and give it back when you open it. Because I won’t take it back.”
Jensen laughed, covering his wide smile with his hand. “Thank you Sir.”
Jared bounced slightly “Aren’t you going to open it?” He asked smiling widely now that the envelope was out of his hands.
Jensen looked at him, curiously.
“I want to see you open it.”
Jensen paused and opened it, several notes fell out and he quickly counted them in his head, his mouth opening wide “Sir.” He said looking up trying to push the money back at him. “This is too much.” He said.
Jared shook his head “No it isn’t.”
“I don’t need this.” Jensen said quickly. “Really. I just.. I’m just your valet over the winter. This is unnecessary.”
Jared shook his head “No it isn’t. Its my pleasure to do for you.” He said softly.
Jensen shook his head again then bowed “Thank you Sir” he said.
“You deserve it.” Jared said.
Jensen smiled shaking his head, remembering all the other times he’d heard that phrase, and how different it felt when Jared said it. “Thank you” He repeated, unsure what he’d do with that much money, what he could do with that much money.
Jared grinned, his expression blissful as he watched Jensen, he sat back and grinned relaxing on his bed glad that he’d managed to do something right. He hadn’t given Jensen much more then the clothing would have garnered him if he’d taken it into London as opposed to a place like this, which couldn’t pay at full value.
He gulped suddenly as Jensen bent down to clasp something shut on his luggage he gulped realizing then that he was watching Jensen as Chad had the Jessica the maid. His eyes widened as he watched Jensen stand back up easily lifting the suitcase and taking it out into the hall where he knew a footman would come and collect it.
Jensen came back in and Jared looked at him closer, trying not to seem to be doing so he could see in the days since the guests had gone Jensen’s bitten lips were healing over and that Jensen had been biting them lightly, causing the bottom lip to brighten and seemingly swell. Jared gulped as he felt his blood rush down his body.
Jensen looked over as he picked up the last of the bags. “Thank you Sir” He said softly “For everything.”
Jared practically leapt up as Jensen moved away and without thinking leaned against him, standing on his toes and pressing his dry lips against Jensen’s, he could feel Jensen’s breath catch as they stayed like that for a second then Jensen pushed ever so gently against his lips. Jensen stayed like that pressing gently back against his lips, Jared could feel the full bottom lip give under his and he pulled away, blushing furiously.
He ran off, outside ignoring Meghan who called him and Mrs. Ferris who was overseeing the packing of something up from his mother’s chambers.
Jensen stood there for a second, and looked after Jared as he ran then slowly pressed his fingers to his lips still able to feel the pressure of Jared’s lips against his. He closed his eyes and he could feel his grip tighten around the notes in his pocket.
He moved downstairs, a small party was going on in celebration of Joshua’s leaving and Jensen gulped, he’d almost forgotten that Joshua would be leaving with the Padalecki’s. And suddenly he wanted to cry again, he bit his lip to stop the tears as Joshua hailed him over “Come on Little Brother.” He called, Sophia was giggling on his knee and Jensen smiled at the two of them both fairly drunk as was several of the footmen and the stable boys. “Drink to me!” He said.
Jensen laughed as he took a deep gulp.
Thomas, the stable boy looked over at Jensen, “I heard about Mr. Hartley.” He said softly. “Its not about you.” He said “He does it so you’ll work harder next time. He probably got jealous after seeing the way the young lord looked at you.” He said off handily.
Jensen blushed as the other stable boy thrust a glass into his hand “If anyone give you too much trouble, you’re welcome in my stables” the man said. “The Padalecki’s won’t mind.”
Jensen looked confused and the man laughed “Tommy told me about it. Don’t worry, its safe with me” He said. “Next time we come out here though, don’t be such a stranger. The stables are a good place to be. Less of his sort” he pointed out James Van Der Back.
Jensen smiled “I will” He said taking a drink and moving to his brother. “I’ll miss you” He said and Joshua hugged him.
“I’ll see you soon” He said “Easter isn’t that far away.”
Too soon though Jensen was standing in his room alone, looking at the empty bed that would probably soon be filled by Cody or one of the other hall boys. He sat back on his bed and listened to the quiet of the empty house, tracing his fingers over his lips and trying not to think what it meant.
Historical Notes: Valets, butlers, and handmaidens made most of their money from tips and also from the christmas gifts the people they served gave them. Traditionally this was their clothing from the previous year, which the servants could sell or wear. Jensen wouldn't fit into Jared's (who at the age of fifteen is shorter then him) and Jared pointed out he couldn't sell it for its full value. Jared gave him about 70 pounds. Which is totally within the norm, the presents were normally given on boxing day, but as Jared said he and his family were gone. He did check with Josh, and it is the normal amount and totally appropriate.