His Best Intentions chapter 14
Travis Wade started his day with a stabbing pain behind his eye. His mouth was dry, and his face felt like brittle sandpaper. The light coming from the window told him he needed to get moving. Next to him in bed was the young man from last night. He had broad shoulders that tapered down to a slim waist. His chestnut-colored hair was a little too long for Travis’s taste. What was his name? Thomas? Marcus? Something that ended in’s’ because Travis had made that hilarious joke about the man’s ass. Travis smirked to himself. It had been a nice tight ass, but it was morning now, and Travis couldn’t be seen leaving with him.
He dropped the young man’s clothes on his bare back to wake him up. “Get up and get your ass out of here! And use the backdoor, I don’t want anyone seeing you walk out. Understand?” he barked at the young man staring bleary-eyed at him.
The guy sat up and nodded. He looked up at Travis through his bangs. “Sure, Travis.Thanks for last night,” he grumbled as he pulled on his clothes.
“Yeah, just get out of here already,” Travis responded while he crossed the room and finished getting ready for the day.
Jared was nearly unrecognizable early that morning. He had combed his hair down to cover his eyes, and his clothes were smudged with dirt and dust. Rob reached out to dust him off, but Jared stopped him and stepped away. “No. This is exactly how I want to look,” he explained. “I’m off to see Travis at the mill. Remember, stay back. It can’t look like you’re with me.”
“Whatever you say, Sir. But if there’s trouble, just signal, and we’ll step in,” Rob reminded him.
“Thanks, but there won’t be trouble.”
“We should have a code word, just in case. Like if you need help, you could yell ‘turnips!’ and the men and I will be at your side,” Rob offered again.
Jared paused and studied him for a minute. Was he serious? Turnips? With a shrug, Jared decided he would probably never yell turnips by mistake. “Okay. If I yell ‘turnips,’ you and the men come running.”
Before they set out across town, Jared had transformed Brock into a beggar. “Upon my signal, you approach Travis, beg for some money or some food and offer a chance to work for it.”
Brock looked at his clothes in disgust but nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Just Jared,” Jared reminded him. They were nearly at the mill, so with an encouraging shove, he sent Brock down the street to meet Travis. Richard and Rob blended into the morning crowd, and Jared watched for Travis.
Richard leaned against a building, looking like a young man loitering on his way to work; however, his eyes never left Jared. Even though his orders were to protect Jared, Richard’s loyalties rested with the Prince. If Jared was unfaithful to the Prince, Richard would know about it.
The moment Jared saw Travis, a rage percolated inside him. The anger he had been carrying ever since Travis abandoned him almost made him forget to send Brock the signal to approach Travis.
“Excuse me, good Sir. My family and I haven’t eaten in days. Have you any change?” Brock asked in an accent he thought sounded foreign.
Travis wrinkled his nose and tried to move past him.
“A crust of bread?”
Travis pushed his way around Brock. “Let me get by.”
“Please, Sir. I can work for it. I’m strong and healthy,” Brock offered as Travis stepped around him.
“Leave me alone. Go beg at Lord Morgan’s door,” he growled over his shoulder at him.
Brock glanced at Jared, who signaled he could stop.
Travis hadn’t become more generous in their time apart, Jared noted. He ran a hand through his hair to comb it into his eyes. Then he loosened the top button to his shirt and scuffed his shoes. Glancing at his reflection in a store window, Jared thought he looked similar to how he did when he last saw Travis. It was now or never, he thought.
Taking a deep, fortifying breath, Jared put on a fake smile and stepped onto the street. “Travis?! Travis!” he called out as he approached the man. “Is that really you?”
Travis turned to see who called him and froze. It couldn’t be. His mouth fell open. How the hell? “Jared?”
“Travis!” Jared squealed and threw his arms around him. “I can’t believe I’ve found you! It’s been so long!”
Travis stood there stiffly, looking about to see if anyone was watching them. Other than a few people stepping around them, no one seemed interested. He gently pushed out of Jared’s embrace. “Jared, what are you doing here?”
Blinking in shock and confusion, Jared replied, “Looking for you, of course.” He hugged Travis again. “I’m so relieved to have finally found you. It’s so good to hold you again!”
Travis patted Jared’s back and, again, broke out of the hug. “Yes, it’s good to see you, too. I meant, I’m surprised to see you is all.” He took Jared by the elbow and walked towards the mill.
“Have you had breakfast? We could eat and you can tell me all about yourself and how you’ve been these past months and all about the life you made for us here,” Jared gushed.
Travis’s eyes widened, and his face paled. “Uh, yes, we have much to talk about, but now is not the time. You see, I’m on my way to work.”
“At your family’s business?” Jared asked, interrupting him.
Travis paused. How did Jared know that? Had he told him before he left? “Um, yes, at my family’s mill. I -”
“Oh,” Jared interrupted again. “I’d love to see where you work and how you spend your time,” he sighed like a lovesick teen. “You must be so vital to the business. I mean, it’s kept you away for so long they must not be able to function without you.”
“Yes,” Travis answered slowly. “I kinda run everything, so I must go now.”
“Of course! I’ll stay out of your way. But I was so well trained at Mr. Beaver’s store that I’m sure I can be of some help at the mill. Perhaps I can tend the books like I did for Mr. Beaver,” Jared suggested as he fell into step with Travis.
Travis squeezed his eyes shut. He had forgotten how eager and determined Jared was. “Today is not a good day to show you the business, Jared. Perhaps we can meet later.”
Jared nodded. “I totally understand. You’re probably too involved with running everything to take time to show me around. Why don’t we meet tonight? I’ve heard of a nice place.”
Relieved that Jared was leaving, Travis said, “Yes. Let’s meet tonight. That sounds good.” After all, Jared was still very handsome, and fucking for old time’s sake would be a great way to spend the night.
“The Boar’s Head pub. That’s the place I heard about. Let’s meet there. Say at six o’clock?”
Travis pulled a face. “No, not the Boar’s Head.” If anyone saw them together there, that would be the end of his engagement to Adriene. “That place is too loud. We want a nice quiet place for a proper reunion.” He thought of a place where people didn’t know him. “Let’s meet at Two Elks pub. It’s a little place at the edge of town. Six o’clock is fine.”
Jared sighed and made the most pleading expression. “Wonderful. I’ll be there. It will be difficult to wait after being apart for so long.”
Travis winked. “Don’t worry. I’ll make it worth the wait.”
Jared stayed in the street to watch Travis walk the rest of the way to the mill just in case the man turned around to check on him. Which he did. Jared waved, and Travis gave him a nervous half-wave in return.
Once Travis was out of sight, Jared walked back to the inn to wait and plan for the evening.
“Please excuse Lady Hillarie, Your Highness, she fears the excitement of your visit may have been too much, and she is resting. I’m sure she’ll join us for lunch,” Jeffrey said as he and the Prince sat down for breakfast.
Concerned marred Jensen’s features. “I can take lodging elsewhere, Jeffrey. Hillarie’s health is too important. There are several pleasant inns that could accommodate my men and me.”
“She would never forgive me if I let you leave,” Jeffrey replied. “She’s excited that you’re here, she’d be upset if you left. We’re in an unwinnable situation.” He smiled but shrugged in defeat.
Understanding ‘unwinnable situations’, Jensen nodded. “I need to discuss something with you in private. I said nothing last night because I didn’t want to upset Hillarie.”
“Leave us for now,” Jeffrey said, sending the servants out with a wave of his hand. “Please speak freely.”
“Thank you. Please understand I am truly honored you asked me to be the godfather of your child. However, I won’t be the Prince for much longer.”
Jeffrey looked confused. “What do you mean?”
“Jared refused to be my Intended, and I am unwilling to choose another. Therefore, my Father has banished me. I’m leaving the country next week.” Jensen impressed himself with the composure in his voice.
“But you said Jared had feelings for you.”
“That was before he reunited with his love. His feelings for me may not compare. Besides, it doesn’t matter. My father said if I went on this trip, then I’m not welcome back.” He shrugged.
“I don’t believe it. Your mother would never let that happen. And, for all his brusqueness, your father wants what’s best for you. He won’t banish you. He wants you to rule,” Jeffrey replied dismissively.
“It’s done, Jeffrey. My father decreed it.” Jensen sighed, then gave Jeffrey a small smile. “I’m honored you want me as the baby’s godfather, but perhaps you should choose someone who can be here for the child.”
Jared had Jake, one of Jensen’s men, follow Travis all day. Jared met with Dylan again to gather as much information about Travis as possible.
Richard and Rob were already at the Two Elks drinking at a small table near the bar. They needed to supply the barman with items for Jared’s plan to work. Brock, now clean and well dressed, sat at the bar to ensure that Travis would have to sit next to Jared.
Travis spotted Jared the moment he entered the pub, but Jared waved and called out to him like an excited school child. Travis cringed but forced a smile and joined Jared at the bar.
Jared stood and greeted him with another hug. “It’s so good to see you, my darling, I have missed you so very, very, much.”
“Yes,”Travis coughed. “I missed you too. How did you come to Lancaster?
“Oh, I rode a horse. I ride horses now. I’m quite good,” Jared replied with exuberance.
“Really? That’s nice, but I meant how did you know I was in Lancaster?”
“I didn’t. I just got lucky. I’ve been searching for you for months. Mr. Beaver lost the store so I no longer have a job. I took all my savings and bought a horse and headed north. I planned to stop in every town from the capital to Porthcawl until I found you. ”
Jared looked so earnest Travis was struck dumb for a moment. Finally he blurted out, “Why?”
Doing his best to look hurt, Jared responded, “Because we made promises to each other. I mean we’re practically engaged!” Jared smiled. “And now I don’t have my apprenticeship so I am free to be with you just like we planned. Remember?”
“Sure, I remember, but things change, Jared.”
“You still love me, don’t you Travis?” Fortunately, Travis paused. It was the exact reaction Jared wanted. “Travis?” he repeated with a quavering voice that threatened tears.
Travis looked like a cornered animal. Jared could ruin all of Travis’ plans for the future. He was supposed to marry the wealthy Palicki girl and inherit the family mill. If either his father or her father learned about Jared, it would all be over. He smiled reassuringly and with his most soothing voice he said, “Jared-”
“You don’t! You don’t love me anymore!” Jared whined.
“I care about you, Jared, I do. But, my life is up here now. A lot has changed since we were together.”
“But you made promises to me. I have stayed true and I gave up everything to find you,” Jared argued.
“I didn’t ask you to,” Travis countered.
“You didn’t have to. That’s what one does when they’re in love.” Jared let him sit with that for a moment then he asked, “Have you fallen for someone else in our time apart?”
Travis was torn between trusting Jared to do what’s right and thinking that Jared would vengefully destroy everything, when he was struck with genius. “There’s this girl-”
“A girl? !”
“Yeah, and we’re getting married.” Before Jared could say anything, Travis added, “It’s the right thing to do since she’s” his voice dropped to a whisper, “carrying my child.”
Jared feigned shock. “Oh, oh my. Well, I understand. I mean you should do what’s right. Fine. I, um, I release you from all your promises.”
Relief washed over Travis. “You do?”
“Of course,” Jared replied curtly.
Travis narrowed his eyes. That was too easy. “You’re going to ‘release me from all my promises’, huh? Just like that? After travelin’ all this way?”
Jared pursed his lips indignantly. “You forget I know what it’s like to grow up without a family. I wouldn’t wish that on any child. I said I release you and I do.”
Travis studied him for another moment. “I’m sorry you came all the way from the capital but I can’t support you and have a family of my own.”
“I’m not asking you to!” Jared said with resentment in his eyes. Then he huffed, “Fine. Do you want it in writing or something?”
Travis’s eyes widened as he considered the suggestion. “Yeah. You know, I would. I think it would be best.” He wasn’t about to risk his family’s fortune or his future to some boy he used to fuck for fun. “Hey, barman, do you have any quills and paper?”
The barman gave him an odd look and replied, “I do. I have paper and a quill.”
“Excellent,” Jared said. “I need to borrow them for a moment.” He took the paper and quill and rewrote Chad’s paper from memory and then he signed his name. “There.” He handed it to Travis. “In writing. I want nothing from you except -” Travis quirk a brow wondering what Jared wanted - “the same. I want you to put in writing that you want nothing from me and that you release me from all promises made.”
“You have nothing,” Travis sneered
“True. But I want to be free to find love like you did,” Jared responded calmly.
“Fine. It’s my pleasure to be rid of you. Barkeep, another sheet of paper!”
The barman handed him the paper Rob had provided him earlier and Travis copied Jared’s paper and signed it. “There you go. You are free and clear from all promises we made each other. Happy?”
Jared took the paper and a grin spread across his face. “I’m about to be the happiest man on earth. Thanks, Travis.” He folded the paper and tucked in the breast pocket of his coat then ran from the bar.