Fic:Glamorous Glambert (21a/?)
Title: Glamorous Glambert (21/?)
Author: Amberwinters
Pairing: Adam/Simon; Adam/Kris
Rating: R
Summary: AU fic that takes place in a fictional country around the 1700s. Kris is a landowner, Simon is a powerful trader and Adam is a theater sensation.
Wordcount: 4829
Notes: Here is part 21. This chapter took longer than expected and was so long it had to be in two parts. Lj is very restrictive on length. Comments/Concrit are loved and appreciated.
Warnings: Not too many, some cursing, some sexy times, light violence, domination.
Adam had grown pale in reaction to the news. He looked at his Mom, “Do you think Kara knows?”
“I am sure she suspects. I don’t think she is very far along because the sickness is usually in the beginning. Is it Simon’s?”
Adam just thought for a minute, “I don’t know.” His mother raised an eyebrow in surprise but decided to leave it be.
“Well, unless Simon is going to take her back, you should do the right thing and marry her. The child cannot grow up a bastard.”
“I know. Kara and I will head down to the coast this afternoon.”
His mother hugged him, “I am sorry your life is becoming so complicated and you are being forced to make hard choices.” Leila became tearful, “I hate watching you become someone you don’t want to be and losing your true self.”
Adam hugged his mother, “Don’t cry for me. I will make it work and I will find a way to be happy.”
“Adam, people are not sophisticated in the province and do not take kindly to people living flamboyantly. You and Kara are going to have to tame your behavior and conform to society. People looked the other way because you were with Simon Cowell and he is powerful and you were just an actor. Now you are going to be a landowner and are going to have to earn their respect.”
“Relax, mother. I will adapt to the role. I always do. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to inform Kara we are leaving for the coast immediately.”
Adam walked out through the balcony and grabbed Kris by the wrist. He pulled him into a secluded area.
Kris turned to Adam and pulled him into a deep reassuring hug. Adam hugged him back and then slowly pulled away look at him. Kris stared back trying to ascertain Adam’s emotional state.
“Adam, are you OK with this?”
“I am still in shock and trying to work through it. I didn’t factor this into the plan.”
“Maybe you should talk to Simon. If it is his, he may want Kara back and then you won’t have to marry her.”
Adam shook his head, “It won’t work. Simon needs the ports in Pratsia and I can’t marry a Princess. Besides, I am not 100% sure it is not mine. Kara and I were together a few times while she was blackmailing me about you.” Kris looked at Adam feeling guilty,
“I am sorry some of this is my fault.”
Adam smiled, “Kris, you are the key to my happiness. All this other stuff is just games. Granted they are high staked games and carry dire consequences but they are still separate from us. Keep them separate and trust our feelings for one another.”
“I am worried, Adam, because it is getting more and more complicated.”
“Yes, I agree there seems to be a few more layers then I like but it is still simple. We must play the game, act one way publicly and appreciate our private moments together. Now, smile and kiss me goodbye. I have to go get married and prepare for fatherhood.” Kris tried to give Adam a small smile and then just kissed him with all the emotion his sadness was fueling. When the kiss ended and Kris finally opened his eyes to see Adam was gone.
+++
Kris did not get another chance to talk to Adam before he and Kara departed for the coast. Neil and Leila accompanied the couple to provide support in case Kara got sick. Kris decided to spend the day assisting his father with the sowing of the fields. He needed to avoid everyone around him so they would not notice his distress over Adam.
The next evening they were invited to the Girauds for dinner. The Allens arrived and were shown into the main hall where the Girauds were greeting their guests. Kris noticed Simon and Princess Paula were present and speaking to the Sarvers. After going through the reception line Kris headed toward the back of the hall hoping to avoid sharing social pleasantries with shallow people. Katy had other ideas and insisted he introduce her around. Despite feeling melancholy, Kris found he enjoyed how friendly and bubbly Katy could be. She seemed genuinely interested in everyone they met. Katy pulled Kris over to speak to Simon and Princess Paula. Katy seemed to get on well with her. Kris was surprised how sweet and feminine Princess Paula seemed to be. She was very different from Kara and seemed to just dote on Simon. Simon looked at Kris,
“Did Adam and Kara head to the coast?”
“Did they have a choice?”
“Everyone has choices. Some just have better consequences.”
“And some benefit one person while crushing the dreams of others.”
Simon looked at Kris and laughed bitterly, “Life is about compromise which usually means everyone gets something but not everything so everyone is equally unsatisfied. How is Kara doing?”
“Kara is very upset and so is Adam. I don’t think they are happy getting married to each other.”
“Kara will get over her anger and accept the situation. Adam was perfectly happy getting married.” Simon pulled Kris away from Katy and Paula. Kris was getting worried.
“It is becoming very mundane to have you speaking to me like I am this evil mastermind corrupting Adam. Adam is a big boy and perfectly capable of making decisions. I admit I was threatened by whatever is between you and him but I am confident given the choice he would side with me. He may want you, hell he may even love you but Adam is pragmatic and won’t risk losing everything for you. You are not as big an influence on Adam as I feared and it seems you are no a factor in his decisions.”
Kris winced at Simon’s tactless insinuation that he did not impact Adam’s life or that Adam would ababndon him for practical purposes. He decided not to stoop to refuting them.
“Simon, do you even care about Adam?”
“I think the world of Adam and I care for him very deeply. In some ways I am closer to him than his own family. I have been his guardian, mentor, lover and friend for almost a decade. In all that time, I have never made Adam do anything he did not want to do including getting married. Adam is smart, charismatic and extremely manipulative. He is not a passive person and he has been directing his own future for years. Relax, Kris, if Adam wants you he’ll have you but it will be on his terms not yours. You need to decide if you are willing to give someone that much power. I never was.”
“You don’t know Adam. You only see one side of him. There is another side to him from before you met him and before he became jaded. I see glimpses of the person he was and could be again.”
“You are ridiculous. What makes you think Adam even wants to be that person. You see what Adam thinks you want to see because he is still pursuing you. He won’t keep the façade up forever and you may not like the man underneath. In fact, you may find his…overbearing tendencies a trifle too much. Why don’t you stick to convention. You have a lovely fiancé and the opportunity to live a fairy tale life. Don’t screw it up on a passing fancy.”
“If you think Adam is using me and our relationship won’t last, why are you expending so much energy to keep us apart?”
Simon seemed to lose his patience, “Because, you idiot, even a short lived affair will ruin everything. I told Adam you would not workout and would screw this up. Look, if you don’t want to marry Katy, fine, personally I’d rather she married Adam’s brother, Neil. He is less of a wild card.”
Kris became angry, “Neil Lambert would not be a good husband to Katy. He is too young and lazy. She would never agree.”
“Well, I don’t think I would ask her first. Besides, given the right circumstances people do things they normally wouldn’t do all the time. Ask Kara.”
Kris glared at Simon, “Are you threatening to do something to Katy?”
“Save the tough guy routine. I am just trying to illustrate how unimportant you are and how easily replaceable. The only thing that keeps you alive is the fact that I do not want to set Adam off and have him lose focus. If you care so much about Katy, why don’t you try being a good fiancé and not chase after a married man. Surely, an adulterer is worse than a lazy youngster.”
Kris had lost any control over the conversation he had hoped to gain. He decided to switch tactics, “Why did you jilt Kara? Princess Paula is pretty and sweet but forgive me for saying not so much your type.”
Simon looked remorseful, “Some things are bigger than individual desires and we must make sacrifices.” Simon became angry, “Stop goading me. I already don’t like you, Allen and you have not been doing much to get in my good graces. You really don’t want me as a full blown enemy. If you screw any of this up, including your own impending marriage, I will destroy you and your family.” Simon just walked away angrily. Katy glanced over and Kris just shrugged.
Kris spent the rest of the evening avoiding Simon and focusing on being a good escort to Katy. Matt cornered him for gossip on Adam and news of his own wedding. Kris, not wanting to divulge anything just said he was surprised about Adam’s marriage too. Matt went on anyway,
“I really thought he only liked men. I also thought Simon and Kara were a good couple. I wonder if this means Adam is cut off from Simon’s good graces? Without his support, I doubt his estate will succeed. So, when are you going to walk down the aisle?”
“We haven’t set a date yet. I think the wedding will be in Mauritia.” Kris tried to sound more excited then a condemned man but based on Matt’s quizzical look, he had probably failed. Kris decided to just go find Katy and hope for time to pass quickly. The party ended a couple hours later and the Allens returned home and went to bed.
+++
The next day Katy asked Kris to take her riding. Kris dragged Daniel along as a sort of chaperone but as usual he disappeared once they were far enough away from the house. They decided to rest by a shaded area on the edge of the woods. Kris put a blanket down so Katy would not mess up her dress.
“Kris, you seem very pensive. Do you still want to marry me?”
“Of course, Katy. I think you are beautiful, funny and sweet. I am just a little shocked about Adam and Kara.”
“It is awful that she has to marry him. Prince Archie insists they were having an affair but I think Simon just wanted someone fresher and higher on the social chain. I will say I am surprised Adam agreed.”
“Adam, is a good man and I think he felt bad for Kara.”
“I think Adam did it for himself. I know you like him but I don’t trust him. I also…never mind.”
Kris looked at Katy and based on her worried expression was not sure he wanted her to continue. Unfortunately she did,
“Kris, do you ever notice Adam looking at you?”
Kris did not like where this was going, “Katy, it is getting late and I don’t know where Daniel is. We should get back.”
Katy grabbed Kris’ arm, “Kris, we should go to Mauritia and get married sooner. I don’t like all the drama here and I don’t think you like it either. I don’t know why but I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen and if we don’t leave soon our future will be damaged.”
Kris hugged her, “Katy, nothing is going to ruin our future. As much as I would like to marry you sooner than the usual year engagement, I think it would look strange.” Katy seemed to accept his response and just smiled up at him. They headed back to the house in companionable silence. Kris was concerned that Katy might be aware of Adam’s attraction to Kris. He only hoped she did not realize it was mutual. Another part of him was hoping he was caught so she would free him.
+++
A couple days later the Lamberts returned and announced that they would be moving into their estate the next morning. Adam seemed emotionally distant as he accepted everyone’s congratulations and played the role of a happy newlywed. Lady Kara seemed genuinely happy and was chatting about the wedding.
Adam claimed he was exhausted from the travel and pleasing a new wife. Lady Kara laughed and bid him goodnight. After exchanging glances with Kris, he left the group to retire for the evening. Lady Kara looked at Kris,
“Kris, why don’t you go check on Adam. I think he is still overwhelmed from all this and may appreciate a good ear.”
Kris turned to Kara in surprise over her words. Lady Kara just smiled and continued talking about the small town on the coast they had stayed in. Kris looked over at Katy who was looking at him pleadingly not to go. Kris looked away and went upstairs. He knocked on the door to the room Adam and Kara would be sharing for the night. Adam opened the door and lit up when he saw who his visitor was, “Kris, come on in.”
“Congratulations, Adam. Lady Kara seems happy.”
“I think she is on board with her future and focusing on revenge. You know ‘no hath the fury of a woman scorned’,” Adam laughed.
Kris was looking up at Adam with sadness, “I was hoping you wouldn’t go through with the wedding. I was hoping you would find a way to be with me.”
“I have. I am going to be staying up in the Province for a while to get the estate going which will give us the opportunity to get together quite often. We are neighbors after all.”
“I told you I wouldn’t commit adultery and I meant it.”
“Well, I would be committing adultery and you would just be my sexy accomplice.” Adam went to kiss Kris but Kris backed away. Adam seemed to get annoyed,
“Are you serious, Kris? Lady Kara doesn’t mind. Please, don’t do this,” Adam begged desperately. Kris felt bad but he had known no matter how much of a farce Adam’s marriage was, he could not commit adultery. Needing to turn the tables and release is frustration, Kris responded coldly,
“You did this, Adam. I asked you not to get married and I told you the repercussions. I need to focus on my future now which is with Katy. I think we should stay away from each other for a while until things cool down between us.”
Adam’s eyes were tearful but Kris watched as they suddenly narrowed. He knew Adam was channeling his pain into anger and was getting nervous, in a tone laced with venom, “I didn’t realize love just cools off. Your future with Katy isn’t locked in stone. As a matter of fact, I am not sure it is that good a match after all.”
Kris looked at Adam not recognizing the cold tone and confused by the veiled threat, “Are you threatening me, Adam?”
“Are you ending our relationship?”
“I am redefining the nature of it.”
“And if I am not willing to give you up?”
“I don’t see how you have a choice if I am not willing to continue.”
Adam pinned Kris against the wall, “I always have choices.” Adam kissed him hard and ran his hands over Kris’ body like a cold predator. Kris was shocked at Adam’s aggression. He felt betrayed and hurt. He was struggling to push Adam away but Adam was not budging. Kris began to panic when he felt Adam’s press his hardness into him. Kris continued to resist to no avail but then Adam suddenly let go of him. He looked at Kris with eyes laden with self loathing, “Oh God, Kris, I am sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. Please forgive me. I would never force you.” Kris was still stunned and needed to get away from the man who hurt him.
“Goodnight, Adam.”
Kris walked out and shut the door. He leaned against it with his heart still pounding. He heard Adam slamming drawers and banging objects. Kris moved away and was going back to his room. He ran into Lady Kara. Kris felt like he owed her a warning,
“Adam is angry right now. Maybe you should sleep in by Katy.”
Lady Kara looked at Kris, “I am a newlywed my place is with my husband. What angered him so much?”
“I ended our…affair.”
“I imagine that did not go over well. Adam acts like a spoiled child sometimes but his tantrums don’t last long. Besides, it is too early in the marriage for the wife beatings to start.” Kara looked at Kris sympathetically, “Go to bed, Kris. Adam will wake up with a new attitude.”
~~~End Part 21a~~~