Howard and the Hellfire Club (12/19)
Title: Howard and the Hellfire Club (Part Twelve of Nineteen)
Genre: FPS - AU (very!)
Pairing: Howard/Vince overall
Rating: 18
Word Count: This part: 3,017
Warnings: Male/male sexual activity
Summary: Set in England during the 1740's. Howard is a gentleman and Vince his servant. A libertine and an innocent-sh lad... At Stowe, secrets are coming to the fore.
Author's notes: Betaed by the wonderful waqaychay , with hand holding and consulting by monooccularcat . Awesome header by emptyheaven . Thank you also to my flist for putting up with me talking about this relentlessly. And to everyone reading; I was convinced everyone would have been bored by now. Thank you my lovelies.
You will note I've got nineteen chapters only now... I've been playing with a couple of the middle chapters and so even though you're getting the same amount of fic, where I've split it is different. Hence this one being a bit small. :)
Names and dates have been tampered with to protect the innocent. This is particularly true in terms of West Wycombe house and park, which wasn't complete by the dates given. However, in terms of the look of the house and property, I have tried to stay as true as possible to the landowner's plan. Please note that there was no Duke of Buckingham during this time period. ALSO, the inspiration for this was Fielding's bit-part in Plunkett & Macleane. I liked it so much, I stole Rochester.
Previously in Hellfire: The Earl of Rochester is reunited with his sister after his mother's death. Sissy - the sister - is in love with a prostitue, Jasmine, who Vince gets to know. As lovers, Howard and Vince spend time in West Wycombe, where Howard tells his parents how he feels about Vince. They take it well; concerned only for their son's happiness and the security of he and Vince. They travel to West Wycombe for a meeting of the Hellfire Club, where Vince loses his virginity and becomes friendly with the Hellfire Club. They turn on Dodington, who is trying to ruin the Moon family, and send his fleeing from the caves. Howard and Vince go into hiding at Stowe.
In the meantime, what's happened to Fossil?
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Part Eight
Part Nine
Part Ten
Part Eleven
Part Twelve
08.43, Stowe House, Buckinghamshire, 16th April 1748
Vince's eyeballs felt lumpy and dry when he was awoken by the smell of bacon, sausages, eggs, black pudding and toast. He realised, with a soft kind of happiness, that he'd never awoken to the smells of cooking before. He had, however, dozed a few times whilst Mrs Gideon was cooking breakfast. She never forgot a thing. A Mrs Gideon fry up smelled, well, just like the current smell.
Vince's happiness faded a little as he thought of her. Mrs Gideon. Alone in the London house, knowing little of what was going on. There would be gossip by now, Vince was sure of that. Sir Stephen had been confident that the only person Fossil told about Howard and Vince was Dodington. The information was only worth money if placed in the right hands. A story that was spreading through locals nags and gutter press beforehand wasn't worth a penny. After that, it would depend on how flashy, or not, Fossil was with his cash. Vince opted for flashy. Mrs Gideon would be the centre of a scandal whilst he and Howard were kept safe. It just wasn't right. He knew that he was safe through dint of Howard's love. Dave was safe because he was useful. Mrs Gideon had been left behind. It bothered Vince, though he knew he wasn't in a position to ask for favours from men who had done so much. Especially not a man like Buckingham. Vince didn't know what to think of him.
Before he could ponder the subject more, he sensed movement close by. The bed he was lying in dipped. Bed. Stowe. Howard. Howard?! Vince opened his eyes.
"You've been talking in your sleep again," Howard said. "Hungry?" He motioned to two trays on a table at the foot of the bed. Howard must have collected one, left it here and gone back to collect another. No wonder Vince was awoken by the smell of food.
"Starving," Vince admitted, smiling. He sat up in bed and took the tray Howard proffered. He then took Howard's tray as the older man positioned himself at Vince's side. The trays were stacked with a cooked breakfast, toast, jam and tea. It was, Vince considered, heaven. The two men sat and ate for a few moments in silence. Then, he remembered. "Did I say anything interesting?"
"When?" Howard asked, loading scrambled eggs on top of a forkful of bacon.
"In my sleep?" Vince reminded.
"Oh, yeah, you were asking for Mrs Gideon," Howard said calmly.
"She's all on her own," Vince said sadly.
"Well, only because she kicked all of James' other staff out of the kitchen." Howard shook his head. "She was worth it for this breakfast, though."
"What?"
"I asked Sir Stephen to make sure she was safe. He sent her here." Howard gave him a sideways look, a grin lurking somewhere under his moustache. "You didn't think I was going to leave her behind, did you?"
"Er... I hoped you weren't," Vince replied, biting his lip. He leaned over and kissed Howard's cheek. "Thank you."
"What for?" Howard asked, blushing. "For not forgetting Mrs Gideon? You don't think she'd allow that, do you?"
"For not forgetting any of us." Vince rested his head against Howard's shoulder. "For knowing all of us. Do you think the Duke knows the name of his cook or housekeeper?"
"Buckingham you mean?" Howard stroked Vince's back. "I have no idea. I can ask him if you want."
"Well, you can, but it's not really the point, is it, Howard?"
"It's not?"
"You and him are so different." Vince looked down at his plate and nibbled on a bit of bacon. He didn't quite know how to say what he wanted to say. He just knew it was important to him. He couldn't help it; he couldn't figure out why a man like Buckingham was helping them. "How did you meet him?"
Howard sighed.
"You don't have to tell me," Vince said, knowing his tone told the lie that that particular phrase was. He needed to know. He was in the household of a man who he had always taken as an untrustworthy, predatory figure. Vince needed to know they were safe.
"It's funny, James - Buckingham - is the reason that I know the Hellfire Club," Howard admitted. "He introduced me to Rochester first and, well, he and Sissy took me in. Once I'd hit it off with Sandwiche and Frances, I was welcomed into their association, like a new family. James and I were in the army together, too. We were the same age, in a strange country. We weren't in the same regiment or anything, but we were in a few tight spots. It was just one of those things."
"That doesn't tell me how you met." Vince spoke through mouthfuls of food, eating despite a gnawing sense of nerves in his stomach.
"School," Howard replied briefly. "We were both pretty miserable, but our parents thought they knew best. I don't really remember when we learned to get on; I was so quiet and he was... well, he was like he is now. He taught me a lot. He taught me how to fight, how to drink, how to..."
"I get the gist," Vince said sharply. He speared a sausage violently with his fork.
Howard laughed. Vince gave him a look which suggested he was next.
"Vince, you know the sort of man I was," Howard said before slurping his tea. "But James and I were never lovers, though he taught about sex all the same. If you hadn't come into my life when you did, I might have loved him. But you are here, Vince. That is all that need concern you."
"He wouldn't have a grudge against me, would he?" Vince knew there was something else, something Howard wasn't telling him.
"For what?" Howard took Vince's fork from his hand and began to kiss and lick his fingers.
"For getting in the way?" Vince suggested, his voice softening as he watched Howard caress his hand. "For getting you in trouble."
"James is no stranger to scandal, Vince. He'd rather it be created by love than something worthless, like hate," Howard told him. His expression clouded over. "He and I were... we became brothers in the army. Brothers with a bond known only to us. I cannot describe what occurred any better than I have, not yet. I don't wish to discuss it further now, though I know it hurts you. I will, just... can you give me time, Vincent? The time I gave you?"
"Do you trust him, Howard?" Vince asked. There was an ache in his chest, a tightness created by Howard's secret.
"With my life," Howard replied. Vince looked at his master. He was telling the truth.
"Then you have my time, and he my trust," Vince told Howard, the formal tone returning, though he hated that it had. It was something he had learnt from his master. Politeness in the face of pain.
"It is all either of us could ask for." Howard put his arm around Vince's waist and pulled him closer. "I love you with all my heart, did you know that?"
"I do," Vince said with a shy smile. "Even when I'm nervous."
"Good. Are you going to eat that sausage?"
***
Vince waited until Howard was safely chatting with Buckingham, Rochester and his sisters before he descended to the kitchen. The Duke's house was palatial, less a country home and more a small country itself. The below stairs area was, therefore, a hive of industry, with a laundry, a kitchen, store rooms, the housekeeper's office, the staff dining area, an area for the cleaning materials used around the house and a workshop where repairs could be made. Vince knew quite a few of the Duke's staff, having been here a number of times with Howard. As he walked through the various areas, the servants greeted him, hugged him and teased him. Generally, the banter was kind; the fact that Vince was lodging above stairs was seen with a certain grace. After all, the Duke had taken a few of his previous staff members as lovers. There was a code of behaviour that Vince had seen exhibited by those women, mainly, and he copied it. A trip downstairs to ask people's health and to fulfill duties was allowed. However, dining with the staff was not. Whilst they were off duty, they didn't want to feel that they couldn't talk about what went on above stairs. It was one of a number of simple distinctions that kept the balance. Today, though, Vince was here to find his friends. He needed their counsel.
Dave was sat outside with Mrs Gideon. They both looked a little nervous; they were here without their usual purpose. They needed jobs, in short. All of that was forgotten, however, when Vince walked out into the grey morning to greet them.
"Vincent, my boy!" Mrs Gideon stood and threw her arms around him. "I have missed you. Are you alright?" She looked at him with the way she had. It made him wibble a bit. "You look tired and worried. What's up, hmm?" Mrs Gideon pulled him over to an area of the staff quarters concealed from the back door. They sat down on a wall that ran around a square of grass. Mrs Gideon sat one side of Vince, Dave on the other. "David told me all about your escape from that cave. He said that the Buckingham Duke was very nice to you. So why do you look like a kitten has left a message in your stockings?"
Vince giggled despite himself. He looked at her. She'd been his mother, for all intents and purposes. He'd had a father; a slightly wayward one, but a father nonetheless. Mrs Gideon, though, had filled a gap in his life. She had been what he needed when he needed it. He loved her.
"I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to tell you about me and Howard before we left," Vince said, holding her hands in his. "Do you, well, you know, don't you?"
"My theory about Howard is that he has been bedding so many because he couldn't have the one he wanted. He has you now." Mrs Gideon smiled at him. "All I worry for is that it's what you are wanting. He's loved you for so long, his brains trickled out of his nose a long time ago. You're not the same. It's not your nature. Are you happy with him, Vince?"
"I am," Vince said immediately. He knew where he belonged. "It's just that... what do you know about Buckingham?"
"We know he saved your life, don't we?" Dave said, looking stern.
"I wouldn't go that far..." Vince pulled a face.
"I would," Dave continued. "I heard the gunshots."
"The what?" Vince hadn't even questioned why they didn't just walk out of the front entrance of the cave.
"Bloody Dodington and his valet were waiting at the bottom of the hill, you pillock." Dave shook his head. "Rochester and his sisters jumped into Buckin'ams carriage and hid, whilst the old twat was shooting at them. As soon as Sir Francis arrived, they fucked off. They weren't really after Rochester, I don't think. Well, I think Dods wanted all of you."
"Are you sure? I know you were chatting to them when Buckingham changed carriages, but... Well, Rochester has been known to exaggerate."
"Want me to show you the bullet holes in James' carriage?"
"James?" Vince's jaw dropped. "That's a bit familiar, isn't it?"
"We got talking, that's all," Dave said; his blush said even more. "Look, I know you freak out about Howard's friends, but honestly, Buckingham is on our side."
"Do you think?"
"I've known Bucklington since I've known Howard," Mrs Gideon added. "He's always been a very good friend to Howard and nice to me. I know he has grabby hands, but he did once buy me a very nice bookmark..."
"You can't just judge people based on bookmarks, Mrs G," Vince said, scowling a little. He felt like a fifteen-year-old telling his mum why he didn't like the bloke in the butcher's. "What about him chasing people around? Howard was always quite protective of me around him, you know? He isn't anymore, but then, Buckingham has been, well, a bit different."
"Like he's realised that you and Howard are together and he should look after you both?" Dave suggested laconically.
"Maybe," Vince said softly. "It could be a trick, though. What if he's on Dodington's side really and he's just pretending..."
"It's not possible, Vince." Mrs Gideon stroked his cheek. "Howard and James are very good friends. There is... well, I used to think that James owed Howard money or something. There was a something that happened in the war and I don't know what it is, but I know that it was important to them both. My late husband, Lord be resting his soul, used to say that you don't mess around with those sorts of bonds."
"S'what Howard said, more or less," Vince murmured. He nibbled his thumb nail until Mrs Gideon put her arms around him.
"There isn't a Dodingham on every corner," Mrs Gideon told Vince, rocking him gently. "You're safe here."
***
"It's time you told him," Buckingham said. He took a sip from the glass of water he held. "Of all of the people in this whole bally world, Howie, Vince is the last one who wouldn't give a toss about what happened. He will understand why you did what you did."
"But it changes who he thinks I am, James," Howard said, running his fingers through his hair. He'd clearly forgotten he'd put his wig on today. It fell off. He left it on the floor. Buckingham had always thought he looked better without it.
"Does it bollocks." Buckingham leaned against the mantelpiece. He watched his friend pace from one end of the drawing room to the other. "It makes you twice the man."
"It's just not that simple," Howard replied. He paused to pour himself a brandy, then downed it in one gulp. "He's been on at me for years to use my title. He thinks I should be proud of what I did."
"And every single time he said that was an opportunity lost for you to tell him the truth!" Buckingham was losing his temper. He threw his glass into the hearth where it shattered with a pleasing sound. "You realise, don't you, that he's probably thought of far worse explanations to account for our special bond? I mean, Howie, did you have to make it sound quite so... biblical?"
"I didn't know what to say!" Howard was wandering around in circles. Well, he did have one leg shorter than the other.
"Tell him the truth!" Buckingham stilled his friend by grasping his shoulders. They eyed each other with affection. "Don't fuck this up, Howard. He's the best thing that's ever happened to you. Tell him soon. It's not fair to let him worry."
"I'm sure he won't..."
"Tell him!"
*#*
Portsmouth Docks, 19th April 1748
The Lady Julia rocked gently. The gangplank, which ran from her deck to the shore, creaked slightly. In front of it stood three men. Facing them, standing at the bottom of the gangplank stood the Captain of the ship, Curly Jefferson.
"Are ye lookin' forward to life on the ocean, me lad?" Jefferson asked Fossil.
"Not really, sir, no," Fossil replied. He tried to pull his arms free of the arm-lock Dixon Bainbridge and Ian Thomson held him in.
"A joker, I see." Jefferson slipped his arm through the lock to slap Fossil on the back. He looked towards Bainbridge and Thomson. "Now, are ye sure, fellas, that ye can manage without this 'un? I don't wanta leave ye short staffed."
"How many times have we been through this, Jefferson?" Bainbridge managed to look bored yet irritated. "He's coming with you so I don't have to kill him."
"Right y'are, squire." Jefferson grinned and took a puff on his pipe. "Wha's yer name, sonny?" he asked Fossil.
"Bob, Sir," Fossil replied, starting to weep quietly.
"Bobsir?" Jefferson asked. "Unusual name. Have you ever been to Nam Viet?"
"No, sir," Fossil answered.
"Bobsir Nosir? My, that is a pretty name. Come along, princess, and I'll show ye to my quarters." Jefferson grabbed Fossil by the collar and dragged him on board the ship. Fossil's pale blue breeches were just out of view when the gangplank was hauled aboard and the Lady Julia set sail.
"Is 'ee goin'a' be awright?" Thomson asked, spitting on the dock.
"I shouldn't think so." Bainbridge watched the ship sail off towards the horizon. "Can I ask you a question, Thomson? Aren't you from Dudley?"
"Stone ver crows, can you turn'ah volume dahn a bit, geezer?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"I've bin undah the tutalidge o'vis green gent, en' I?" Thomson said. "I'ma cockney, I'ma cockney."
"My arse," Bainbridge responded. "What's this fellow teaching you?"
"'Ow ta cadge lifts off 'orseless carriages," Thomson answered doing a little dance.
"They haven't been invented yet." Bainbridge surreptitiously stamped on Thomson's foot to stop him jigging.
"S'wot I fort," Thomson replied, hopping. "I've given up on all 'at. I just loike the accent, dun' I?"
"Fair enough." Bainbridge nodded. "Now, I've got to head back to Buckers to my club. Do you want a lift as far as London?"
"V'at be maaarvellous, sunshoine," Thomson agreed. "Oi gotta go tail a posh bloke an' stop 'im from killin' a bloke wiv bread fetish, a geezer wiv a bad 'ead an' a monkey."
"Sounds like fun," Bainbridge answered. He signaled his coachman to bring his carriage round. "I'd love to help, but the rest of my cronies need me."
"Wossa name a'yer club?" Thomson asked.
"Kit Kat," Bainbridge replied as he watched Thomson climb inside his carriage.
"Cheers, I do try ta stay fit."
*#*
Genre: FPS - AU (very!)
Pairing: Howard/Vince overall
Rating: 18
Word Count: This part: 3,017
Warnings: Male/male sexual activity
Summary: Set in England during the 1740's. Howard is a gentleman and Vince his servant. A libertine and an innocent-sh lad... At Stowe, secrets are coming to the fore.
Author's notes: Betaed by the wonderful waqaychay , with hand holding and consulting by monooccularcat . Awesome header by emptyheaven . Thank you also to my flist for putting up with me talking about this relentlessly. And to everyone reading; I was convinced everyone would have been bored by now. Thank you my lovelies.
You will note I've got nineteen chapters only now... I've been playing with a couple of the middle chapters and so even though you're getting the same amount of fic, where I've split it is different. Hence this one being a bit small. :)
Names and dates have been tampered with to protect the innocent. This is particularly true in terms of West Wycombe house and park, which wasn't complete by the dates given. However, in terms of the look of the house and property, I have tried to stay as true as possible to the landowner's plan. Please note that there was no Duke of Buckingham during this time period. ALSO, the inspiration for this was Fielding's bit-part in Plunkett & Macleane. I liked it so much, I stole Rochester.
Previously in Hellfire: The Earl of Rochester is reunited with his sister after his mother's death. Sissy - the sister - is in love with a prostitue, Jasmine, who Vince gets to know. As lovers, Howard and Vince spend time in West Wycombe, where Howard tells his parents how he feels about Vince. They take it well; concerned only for their son's happiness and the security of he and Vince. They travel to West Wycombe for a meeting of the Hellfire Club, where Vince loses his virginity and becomes friendly with the Hellfire Club. They turn on Dodington, who is trying to ruin the Moon family, and send his fleeing from the caves. Howard and Vince go into hiding at Stowe.
In the meantime, what's happened to Fossil?
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Part Eight
Part Nine
Part Ten
Part Eleven
Part Twelve
08.43, Stowe House, Buckinghamshire, 16th April 1748
Vince's eyeballs felt lumpy and dry when he was awoken by the smell of bacon, sausages, eggs, black pudding and toast. He realised, with a soft kind of happiness, that he'd never awoken to the smells of cooking before. He had, however, dozed a few times whilst Mrs Gideon was cooking breakfast. She never forgot a thing. A Mrs Gideon fry up smelled, well, just like the current smell.
Vince's happiness faded a little as he thought of her. Mrs Gideon. Alone in the London house, knowing little of what was going on. There would be gossip by now, Vince was sure of that. Sir Stephen had been confident that the only person Fossil told about Howard and Vince was Dodington. The information was only worth money if placed in the right hands. A story that was spreading through locals nags and gutter press beforehand wasn't worth a penny. After that, it would depend on how flashy, or not, Fossil was with his cash. Vince opted for flashy. Mrs Gideon would be the centre of a scandal whilst he and Howard were kept safe. It just wasn't right. He knew that he was safe through dint of Howard's love. Dave was safe because he was useful. Mrs Gideon had been left behind. It bothered Vince, though he knew he wasn't in a position to ask for favours from men who had done so much. Especially not a man like Buckingham. Vince didn't know what to think of him.
Before he could ponder the subject more, he sensed movement close by. The bed he was lying in dipped. Bed. Stowe. Howard. Howard?! Vince opened his eyes.
"You've been talking in your sleep again," Howard said. "Hungry?" He motioned to two trays on a table at the foot of the bed. Howard must have collected one, left it here and gone back to collect another. No wonder Vince was awoken by the smell of food.
"Starving," Vince admitted, smiling. He sat up in bed and took the tray Howard proffered. He then took Howard's tray as the older man positioned himself at Vince's side. The trays were stacked with a cooked breakfast, toast, jam and tea. It was, Vince considered, heaven. The two men sat and ate for a few moments in silence. Then, he remembered. "Did I say anything interesting?"
"When?" Howard asked, loading scrambled eggs on top of a forkful of bacon.
"In my sleep?" Vince reminded.
"Oh, yeah, you were asking for Mrs Gideon," Howard said calmly.
"She's all on her own," Vince said sadly.
"Well, only because she kicked all of James' other staff out of the kitchen." Howard shook his head. "She was worth it for this breakfast, though."
"What?"
"I asked Sir Stephen to make sure she was safe. He sent her here." Howard gave him a sideways look, a grin lurking somewhere under his moustache. "You didn't think I was going to leave her behind, did you?"
"Er... I hoped you weren't," Vince replied, biting his lip. He leaned over and kissed Howard's cheek. "Thank you."
"What for?" Howard asked, blushing. "For not forgetting Mrs Gideon? You don't think she'd allow that, do you?"
"For not forgetting any of us." Vince rested his head against Howard's shoulder. "For knowing all of us. Do you think the Duke knows the name of his cook or housekeeper?"
"Buckingham you mean?" Howard stroked Vince's back. "I have no idea. I can ask him if you want."
"Well, you can, but it's not really the point, is it, Howard?"
"It's not?"
"You and him are so different." Vince looked down at his plate and nibbled on a bit of bacon. He didn't quite know how to say what he wanted to say. He just knew it was important to him. He couldn't help it; he couldn't figure out why a man like Buckingham was helping them. "How did you meet him?"
Howard sighed.
"You don't have to tell me," Vince said, knowing his tone told the lie that that particular phrase was. He needed to know. He was in the household of a man who he had always taken as an untrustworthy, predatory figure. Vince needed to know they were safe.
"It's funny, James - Buckingham - is the reason that I know the Hellfire Club," Howard admitted. "He introduced me to Rochester first and, well, he and Sissy took me in. Once I'd hit it off with Sandwiche and Frances, I was welcomed into their association, like a new family. James and I were in the army together, too. We were the same age, in a strange country. We weren't in the same regiment or anything, but we were in a few tight spots. It was just one of those things."
"That doesn't tell me how you met." Vince spoke through mouthfuls of food, eating despite a gnawing sense of nerves in his stomach.
"School," Howard replied briefly. "We were both pretty miserable, but our parents thought they knew best. I don't really remember when we learned to get on; I was so quiet and he was... well, he was like he is now. He taught me a lot. He taught me how to fight, how to drink, how to..."
"I get the gist," Vince said sharply. He speared a sausage violently with his fork.
Howard laughed. Vince gave him a look which suggested he was next.
"Vince, you know the sort of man I was," Howard said before slurping his tea. "But James and I were never lovers, though he taught about sex all the same. If you hadn't come into my life when you did, I might have loved him. But you are here, Vince. That is all that need concern you."
"He wouldn't have a grudge against me, would he?" Vince knew there was something else, something Howard wasn't telling him.
"For what?" Howard took Vince's fork from his hand and began to kiss and lick his fingers.
"For getting in the way?" Vince suggested, his voice softening as he watched Howard caress his hand. "For getting you in trouble."
"James is no stranger to scandal, Vince. He'd rather it be created by love than something worthless, like hate," Howard told him. His expression clouded over. "He and I were... we became brothers in the army. Brothers with a bond known only to us. I cannot describe what occurred any better than I have, not yet. I don't wish to discuss it further now, though I know it hurts you. I will, just... can you give me time, Vincent? The time I gave you?"
"Do you trust him, Howard?" Vince asked. There was an ache in his chest, a tightness created by Howard's secret.
"With my life," Howard replied. Vince looked at his master. He was telling the truth.
"Then you have my time, and he my trust," Vince told Howard, the formal tone returning, though he hated that it had. It was something he had learnt from his master. Politeness in the face of pain.
"It is all either of us could ask for." Howard put his arm around Vince's waist and pulled him closer. "I love you with all my heart, did you know that?"
"I do," Vince said with a shy smile. "Even when I'm nervous."
"Good. Are you going to eat that sausage?"
***
Vince waited until Howard was safely chatting with Buckingham, Rochester and his sisters before he descended to the kitchen. The Duke's house was palatial, less a country home and more a small country itself. The below stairs area was, therefore, a hive of industry, with a laundry, a kitchen, store rooms, the housekeeper's office, the staff dining area, an area for the cleaning materials used around the house and a workshop where repairs could be made. Vince knew quite a few of the Duke's staff, having been here a number of times with Howard. As he walked through the various areas, the servants greeted him, hugged him and teased him. Generally, the banter was kind; the fact that Vince was lodging above stairs was seen with a certain grace. After all, the Duke had taken a few of his previous staff members as lovers. There was a code of behaviour that Vince had seen exhibited by those women, mainly, and he copied it. A trip downstairs to ask people's health and to fulfill duties was allowed. However, dining with the staff was not. Whilst they were off duty, they didn't want to feel that they couldn't talk about what went on above stairs. It was one of a number of simple distinctions that kept the balance. Today, though, Vince was here to find his friends. He needed their counsel.
Dave was sat outside with Mrs Gideon. They both looked a little nervous; they were here without their usual purpose. They needed jobs, in short. All of that was forgotten, however, when Vince walked out into the grey morning to greet them.
"Vincent, my boy!" Mrs Gideon stood and threw her arms around him. "I have missed you. Are you alright?" She looked at him with the way she had. It made him wibble a bit. "You look tired and worried. What's up, hmm?" Mrs Gideon pulled him over to an area of the staff quarters concealed from the back door. They sat down on a wall that ran around a square of grass. Mrs Gideon sat one side of Vince, Dave on the other. "David told me all about your escape from that cave. He said that the Buckingham Duke was very nice to you. So why do you look like a kitten has left a message in your stockings?"
Vince giggled despite himself. He looked at her. She'd been his mother, for all intents and purposes. He'd had a father; a slightly wayward one, but a father nonetheless. Mrs Gideon, though, had filled a gap in his life. She had been what he needed when he needed it. He loved her.
"I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to tell you about me and Howard before we left," Vince said, holding her hands in his. "Do you, well, you know, don't you?"
"My theory about Howard is that he has been bedding so many because he couldn't have the one he wanted. He has you now." Mrs Gideon smiled at him. "All I worry for is that it's what you are wanting. He's loved you for so long, his brains trickled out of his nose a long time ago. You're not the same. It's not your nature. Are you happy with him, Vince?"
"I am," Vince said immediately. He knew where he belonged. "It's just that... what do you know about Buckingham?"
"We know he saved your life, don't we?" Dave said, looking stern.
"I wouldn't go that far..." Vince pulled a face.
"I would," Dave continued. "I heard the gunshots."
"The what?" Vince hadn't even questioned why they didn't just walk out of the front entrance of the cave.
"Bloody Dodington and his valet were waiting at the bottom of the hill, you pillock." Dave shook his head. "Rochester and his sisters jumped into Buckin'ams carriage and hid, whilst the old twat was shooting at them. As soon as Sir Francis arrived, they fucked off. They weren't really after Rochester, I don't think. Well, I think Dods wanted all of you."
"Are you sure? I know you were chatting to them when Buckingham changed carriages, but... Well, Rochester has been known to exaggerate."
"Want me to show you the bullet holes in James' carriage?"
"James?" Vince's jaw dropped. "That's a bit familiar, isn't it?"
"We got talking, that's all," Dave said; his blush said even more. "Look, I know you freak out about Howard's friends, but honestly, Buckingham is on our side."
"Do you think?"
"I've known Bucklington since I've known Howard," Mrs Gideon added. "He's always been a very good friend to Howard and nice to me. I know he has grabby hands, but he did once buy me a very nice bookmark..."
"You can't just judge people based on bookmarks, Mrs G," Vince said, scowling a little. He felt like a fifteen-year-old telling his mum why he didn't like the bloke in the butcher's. "What about him chasing people around? Howard was always quite protective of me around him, you know? He isn't anymore, but then, Buckingham has been, well, a bit different."
"Like he's realised that you and Howard are together and he should look after you both?" Dave suggested laconically.
"Maybe," Vince said softly. "It could be a trick, though. What if he's on Dodington's side really and he's just pretending..."
"It's not possible, Vince." Mrs Gideon stroked his cheek. "Howard and James are very good friends. There is... well, I used to think that James owed Howard money or something. There was a something that happened in the war and I don't know what it is, but I know that it was important to them both. My late husband, Lord be resting his soul, used to say that you don't mess around with those sorts of bonds."
"S'what Howard said, more or less," Vince murmured. He nibbled his thumb nail until Mrs Gideon put her arms around him.
"There isn't a Dodingham on every corner," Mrs Gideon told Vince, rocking him gently. "You're safe here."
***
"It's time you told him," Buckingham said. He took a sip from the glass of water he held. "Of all of the people in this whole bally world, Howie, Vince is the last one who wouldn't give a toss about what happened. He will understand why you did what you did."
"But it changes who he thinks I am, James," Howard said, running his fingers through his hair. He'd clearly forgotten he'd put his wig on today. It fell off. He left it on the floor. Buckingham had always thought he looked better without it.
"Does it bollocks." Buckingham leaned against the mantelpiece. He watched his friend pace from one end of the drawing room to the other. "It makes you twice the man."
"It's just not that simple," Howard replied. He paused to pour himself a brandy, then downed it in one gulp. "He's been on at me for years to use my title. He thinks I should be proud of what I did."
"And every single time he said that was an opportunity lost for you to tell him the truth!" Buckingham was losing his temper. He threw his glass into the hearth where it shattered with a pleasing sound. "You realise, don't you, that he's probably thought of far worse explanations to account for our special bond? I mean, Howie, did you have to make it sound quite so... biblical?"
"I didn't know what to say!" Howard was wandering around in circles. Well, he did have one leg shorter than the other.
"Tell him the truth!" Buckingham stilled his friend by grasping his shoulders. They eyed each other with affection. "Don't fuck this up, Howard. He's the best thing that's ever happened to you. Tell him soon. It's not fair to let him worry."
"I'm sure he won't..."
"Tell him!"
*#*
Portsmouth Docks, 19th April 1748
The Lady Julia rocked gently. The gangplank, which ran from her deck to the shore, creaked slightly. In front of it stood three men. Facing them, standing at the bottom of the gangplank stood the Captain of the ship, Curly Jefferson.
"Are ye lookin' forward to life on the ocean, me lad?" Jefferson asked Fossil.
"Not really, sir, no," Fossil replied. He tried to pull his arms free of the arm-lock Dixon Bainbridge and Ian Thomson held him in.
"A joker, I see." Jefferson slipped his arm through the lock to slap Fossil on the back. He looked towards Bainbridge and Thomson. "Now, are ye sure, fellas, that ye can manage without this 'un? I don't wanta leave ye short staffed."
"How many times have we been through this, Jefferson?" Bainbridge managed to look bored yet irritated. "He's coming with you so I don't have to kill him."
"Right y'are, squire." Jefferson grinned and took a puff on his pipe. "Wha's yer name, sonny?" he asked Fossil.
"Bob, Sir," Fossil replied, starting to weep quietly.
"Bobsir?" Jefferson asked. "Unusual name. Have you ever been to Nam Viet?"
"No, sir," Fossil answered.
"Bobsir Nosir? My, that is a pretty name. Come along, princess, and I'll show ye to my quarters." Jefferson grabbed Fossil by the collar and dragged him on board the ship. Fossil's pale blue breeches were just out of view when the gangplank was hauled aboard and the Lady Julia set sail.
"Is 'ee goin'a' be awright?" Thomson asked, spitting on the dock.
"I shouldn't think so." Bainbridge watched the ship sail off towards the horizon. "Can I ask you a question, Thomson? Aren't you from Dudley?"
"Stone ver crows, can you turn'ah volume dahn a bit, geezer?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"I've bin undah the tutalidge o'vis green gent, en' I?" Thomson said. "I'ma cockney, I'ma cockney."
"My arse," Bainbridge responded. "What's this fellow teaching you?"
"'Ow ta cadge lifts off 'orseless carriages," Thomson answered doing a little dance.
"They haven't been invented yet." Bainbridge surreptitiously stamped on Thomson's foot to stop him jigging.
"S'wot I fort," Thomson replied, hopping. "I've given up on all 'at. I just loike the accent, dun' I?"
"Fair enough." Bainbridge nodded. "Now, I've got to head back to Buckers to my club. Do you want a lift as far as London?"
"V'at be maaarvellous, sunshoine," Thomson agreed. "Oi gotta go tail a posh bloke an' stop 'im from killin' a bloke wiv bread fetish, a geezer wiv a bad 'ead an' a monkey."
"Sounds like fun," Bainbridge answered. He signaled his coachman to bring his carriage round. "I'd love to help, but the rest of my cronies need me."
"Wossa name a'yer club?" Thomson asked.
"Kit Kat," Bainbridge replied as he watched Thomson climb inside his carriage.
"Cheers, I do try ta stay fit."
*#*