Fic: A night of Pleasure and Education (part 1)
Title: A night of Pleasure and Education
Beta's: aquila_star and dizilla
Rating: NC-17
Pairing/Characters: Kirk/McCoy (unrequited), Scotty, Kirk/Areel Shaw, McCoy/Areel Shaw and Sir Anthony Fanshawe (borrowed from the incomparable Georgette Heyer)
Kinks/Warnings: Regency AU, Voyeurism
Word count: 10,643
Disclaimer: Not mine, dammit.
Summary: Any young buck, hoping to make a splash amongst the Ton, should make the acquaintance of a high-flyer. Luckily for Lord Jim Kirk, Marquis of Uisneach, one of his friends has a plan. Unluckily it involves learning something new about his best friend, the man he has loved since he was sixteen.
A/N: This is a small interlude to a considerably larger story called The Masquerade, which I have been working on for a while. It is set during the late Georgian/Regency time period in London. As such, most of our crew have some additional titles. Scotty is the Duke of Doohan. McCoy is the Earl of Stonehaven and Kirk is the Marquis of Uisneach. Also Scotty is referred to as Monty. Another change is that Kirk and McCoy met when Kirk was 16 and Scotty and McCoy have known each other since childhood.
As this is a Regency fic, I have tried to keep to a similar style of writing for that period, and the characters are referred to by their titles. To call someone by their first name is exceedingly intimate and very rare.
Areel Shaw (who appeared in TOS:"Court Martial") has had her name changed to Ariel Shaw and while this story primarily features het scenes, there are strong undertones of the possibility of future Kirk/McCoy. ;)
Further notes here with links to the art and clothing referenced within for those who are interested.
Also posted at AO3 here
London, 1809
Jim wandered into the blue salon, where tables had been set up for those guests who wished to game, or escape from the matchmaking mothers in the ballroom below. No Ball or Rout would be held without some rooms catering for the gamblers of the Ton. He didn’t spy Monty anywhere within the room, but Jim knew he hadn’t been seen in the ballroom for quite awhile, such was the number of times he had been asked where the Duke was.
Leaning back in his chair, over on the far side of the room, was Bones. Jim knew he had a good hand on him, purely from his relaxed posture. Bones was playing with Sir Anthony Fanshawe and with it just being the two of them and remembering Fanshawe’s preference, Jim guessed the game was Piquet. He wandered slowly through the room, greeting acquaintances and stopping for a few words now and then.
As he reached Bones’ table, Jim nodded a greeting at Fanshawe, resting a hand on the back of Bones’ chair and glancing at his cards. Bones indeed had an exceptional hand. If he lost this round of points then he should be banned from ever playing the game for the rest of eternity, or Jim might hide the scotch from him for a week.
“Uisneach,” Fanshawe said, causing Bones to glance up in his direction. Jim had to hide the momentary flinch the title still caused him. It would be eons before he became used to it. Up until recently, the title had been his brother’s.
“Escaping, Jim?” Bones asked.
“I thought I needed to allow some others a chance to dance with the ladies. Also, I was summoned by a note from Monty.”
“Where is he?” Bones asked as he looked around the room, before looking back to see what card Fanshawe had discarded.
“I thought you might be able to inform me. The note ordered me to come and rescue you from Fanshawe’s fleecing,” Jim replied, hiding his pleasure at seeing the card Bones selected to discard in response.
Fanshawe looked up at Jim, his hooded, grey eyes giving a small expression of amusement at Monty’s order. Jim was surprised he didn’t lift his quizzing glass. He might be over four score in years but Jim knew that the old gentleman was as quick of mind as he had always been.
“He must be around here then, we have only been playing this hand,” Bones replied, leaning back a little in his chair.
Jim tensed as he felt Bones’ shoulder contact with his hand. He gripped the cold, smooth wood harder and resisted the temptation to push his fingers out and caress Bones. The blue superfine of his coat was a little rough on Jim’s fingers. It was a new coat and moulded superbly over Bones’ shoulders. Jim had approved of his ensemble before they left for the Ball earlier.
Bones hadn’t bothered to look around the room for Monty. While Jim liked to think that he was closer to Bones, he was constantly reminded in little ways that the friendship between Monty and Bones was of considerably longer standing.
A final discarded card lay on the pile as Bones laid his hand down. The points were his and Fanshawe smiled as he pushed the obviously promised notes in Bones’ direction.
“I believe the fleecing that mad Scotsman needs to be worried about is from Stonehaven here,” Fanshawe drawled out. “A rematch some other time?”
“Of a certainty. I would be much obliged,” Bones agreed as he swept up the bank notes and folded them before placing them in the inside pocket of his coat.
Jim’s eyes greedily drank in the brief flash of white cambric of Bones’ shirt, contrasting with his heavy gold brocade waistcoat.
“An excellent opponent is hard to find in town these days. Come, Jim. Let’s track our errant Duke down.”
They both bowed their farewells to Fanshawe before departing the room. Jim paused when he noted that Bones had stopped once he had entered the hallway.
“He wasn’t in there, yet he knew what you were doing and he knew where to find me. How will we find him?” Jim asked, after he had turned back to see Bones looking over his shoulder.
“He’ll find us,” Bones said with a certainty as he looked down the hallway, behind Jim.
Jim turned and smiled as he saw Monty walking towards them. “Speak of the devil himself, where to next, your Grace?” Jim asked as he gave Monty a flourishing bow, making an elegant and neat leg. Jim had done his duty at this Ball, now was the time of the evening when they normally made their way to another Ball or to a Club. To be seen and see others was the main aim of the Season.
“Where we are going, you will need those skills to not be directed at me,” Monty declared. “Come along.”
Jim and Bones followed Monty back downstairs and made their farewells to their hostess, before waiting in the foyer for their cloaks to be brought.
“Brooks is it?” Jim asked.
“Nay laddie, I have a better place to visit.”
“Not the docks again. I am fond of this waistcoat,” Bones grumbled as the footman placed his cloak over his shoulders.
“Patience, my dear Leonard, patience,” Monty said, a teasing smile on his face before he turned and walked outside and to their awaiting carriage.
Jim couldn’t hear the directions Monty was giving to his coachman, Harris, before the door was held open and Monty alighted the coach.
Jim smiled to see Monty sitting with his back to the horses, arms extended along the top of the seat, being the ‘gentleman’ and putting Jim and Bones in the position for a lady. Jim sat in the far corner and waited while the door was closed behind Bones, who took a seat next to him. Jim wanted to reach his hand out to cover Bones’, which was gripping the leather of the seat, like always. From their first acquaintance, Bones had never hidden from Jim his dislike of being cooped inside a closed carriage or a cabin on a ship.
“Well, are you going to reveal our destination, or are you going to sit there in your smug and perceived cleverness?” Bones asked.
“I am helping our young protégé out. I have procured an invitation to an elegant house with delightful impures inside.”
Bones snorted as he leaned back in the seat.
“Still finding me women, Monty?” Jim asked, a devilish impulse he knew, but he did not like to have Monty forgetting about a memorable night three years ago.
“Ones which can be dallied with, of course,” Monty replied, as calm as he often was, unless it involved one of his machines. Then it was obvious why he was called the ‘Mad Duke of Doohan’ by the Ton.
“You forget,” Jim replied. “The mothers adore me. I understand and respect their concerns. Their daughters are safe in my company.”
“Tell that to the betting book at Brook’s. And I have heard similar wagers have been entered at White’s,” Bones said.
“Betting on me with whom?” Jim asked, intrigued about what the wagers would be, and for how much.
“The lovely Lady Anna, who has shown a marked preference for your company this past sennight,” Monty informed him.
“How much?” Jim asked, as he mirrored Bones’ posture and leaned back in the seat.
Monty started to open his mouth but Bones held up and hand to stall his speech. “Don’t encourage him.”
“You approve of this plan?” Jim asked.
“The Marquis of Uisneach should squire a light o’ love around the town. No self respecting gentleman would do otherwise. Monty has excellent taste.”
“We shall see,” Jim replied, before the three of them settled into a comfortable silence while their journey was completed.
“Number seven, Hart Street, as you requested your Grace,” Harris called from his perch as the carriage pulled to a stop. Jim looked out the window to see a door opening and a footman walking down the front steps towards their carriage.
“Madam Brown’s,” Bones stated, as he nodded his approval at Monty.
“I’ve missed her lovelies,” Monty replied as he exited the coach and proceeded up the steps to the house.
Jim waited for Bones to enter before him and looked around with interest to see what the inside of a well regarded house of ill repute looked like. Candles were everywhere, lighting all of the expansive foyer and the myriad of art works. The furnishings looked to be of excellent quality and the servants quiet and efficient.
“Welcome back, your Grace, Lord Stonehaven,” the butler said, bowing slightly in deference to the pair of them.
“Thank you, Roberts. This is a particular friend of mine and Stonehaven’s ward, the Marquis of Uisneach, Lord Jameson Kirk,” Monty introduced him.
“My pleasure, Lord Uisneach. I hope you will find all within this house to be to your liking.”
“I am sure I will. His Grace and Lord Stonehaven speak well of the establishment.”
“This way, gentlemen. Madam Brown would be delighted to receive you in the Titan salon,” Roberts said as he gestured down the hall.
As before, Jim followed Monty and Bones into the salon. Roberts was leaning over to talk quietly to an older woman he could only presume to be Madam Brown. She had a dark green diaphanous overdress over a black petticoat. It was dramatic and suited her dark colouring wonderfully.
“Letitia, m’dear,” Monty said as he walked forward, hand held out.
Roberts straightened up before removing himself from the room, while Monty was bending over ‘Letitia’s’ hand. Jim took the opportunity to glance around the room and observe the other occupants. There were two other men he didn’t recognise, but their clothing said they were well born. Four young ladies were being spoken to by the two men. The dresses were just the other side of proper on the women and Jim noted the looseness of the bodices and the dampness of the petticoats. Bones was standing close to him and Jim smiled to see the coquettish looks the women were sending in their direction.
On the side wall and in pride of place was a painting. It was unusual in that it was situated on its own along the one wall. The other wall held a bookcase filled to the brim and on the far one, many smaller paintings in a format Jim was more familiar with. He was interrupted from his perusal of the room when Monty walked over with Letitia on his arm.
“Letitia, young Lord Uisneach here needs some companionship and I am sure you will be able to assist.”
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, ma’am,” Jim said as he gave a small bow in Letitia’s direction.
Shrewd eyes were assessing him as he straightened up. “Very pretty manners are always welcome in a gentleman,” she said, giving Monty a little sideways look.
Monty took the bait and looked mock offended.
“I do believe I need to compliment you, Lord Stonehaven, on Lord Uisneach’s excellent manners?” she continued, ignoring Monty’s animation.
Bones smiled at the madam, one of his little flirtatious smiles which had Jim resolutely pushing down the feeling of jealousy he experienced when one of those smiles was directed at anyone else but him.
“If it keeps me in your good graces, madam, then I shall allow you to think well of me.”
Jim bit his lip, desperate to not make a remark which he normally would, were it only the three of them. Bones had charm, and he knew how to use it, no matter his protestations otherwise.
“Do you have a preference, my Lord?” Letitia asked him. Before Jim could answer, Monty was leaning in to whisper in her ear again, a mischievous look on his face. Jim just shook his head slightly at Monty’s managing ways. Bones snorted slightly under his breath, his thoughts presumably in alignment with Jim’s.
“Jim, go admire the art,” Monty said as he waved in direction of the single painting on the wall.
“I have been summarily dismissed,” Jim observed to Bones.
“He is a duke and he thinks he owns everything,” Bones replied.
Monty looked offended while Letitia just laughed.
“You can go away too, you sea devil. Go away. This is my plan and I don’t need the two of you messing it up.”
“We should go, before he declares either of us to be a sassenach,” Jim pointed out.
“You go, Jim. I need to have words with his Grace,” Bones said.
Jim looked at the two of them, and decided in this instance the better part of valour was discretion. He wandered slowly over to the painting, which depicted a lovely, half naked blonde beauty and two little cherubs. The woman was more than likely meant to be Venus, and she was attempting a modest pose. It was an interesting choice for a house of Women of London. It must have had some significant meaning for the pride of place it was afforded. It had the look of an Italian master, but Jim had not been able to go on his Grand Tour, the wars had kept his education confined to Scotland and a little of England.
The two other men who had been in the salon previously had disappeared during the time Jim was conversing with Bones, Monty and Letitia. Also missing were two of the women, which left the other two standing together and looking between Jim and the other group. They were attractive, but paled in comparison to the Venus.
Jim chuckled to himself and turned back to admire the art when he heard a quiet grunt of frustration from Bones. He didn’t need to look to know the posture of Bones’ body, the resistance Bones would have been doing stop himself putting his hands on his hips and glare at Monty. Jim stepped closer to the painting to look closely at the brushstrokes. His perusal was short lived as he next heard Bones greeting a woman, in a tone which he had used lately towards Miss Darnell. Jim looked over in the direction of the sound of Bones’ voice to see a young lady who could almost have been the twin of the Venus on the canvas, such was her loveliness.
Jim decided she would be a woman he might like to know better, and if it took Bones’ attention away from her, all the better. One of the other women started to walk over towards him, so Jim headed over to Bones and the other woman.
“Bones, what a poor guardian you are. Not introducing me to the loveliest woman in the room,” Jim said as he held out his hand toward the beauty.
She smiled archly at him and placed her gloved hand in his. Jim wasted no time in lifting her hand up and pressing a kiss to the back of her hand, while glancing cheekily in Bones’ direction.
“Guardian? You look remarkably young for one to have such a responsibility,” the beauty said. Her voice was pleasant and not a hint of the lower classes in her diction.
“Infant,” Bones growled in Jim’s direction. “This one is enough to age anyone well beyond their years, Miss Shaw.”
“I have the advantage of your name, Miss Shaw and seeing as how age has made Bones forget his manners, I am Lord Jameson Kirk, but you can most definitely call me Jim.”
“I am not sure you should be lecturing anyone on manners, Jim,” Bones responded.
“Bones?” Miss Shaw asked.
“Just a name Lord Uisneach has bequeathed to me. I do not appreciate it,” Bones said quite formally.
Jim smiled at the slight frostiness of Bones’ speech. Bones had not complained about the name for many a year. “I had an exemplary tutor in manners. I am sure I could even produce a curtsy Prinny would approve of.”
Miss Shaw laughed, one of those delicate little laughs from behind a fan, eyes twinkling as she peered over the edge. His mother had been a master at fan etiquette and Jim knew the trick rather well.
“Jim!” Bones growled out warningly.
Miss Shaw lowered the fan, letting it drop to hang off the string around her wrist while she reached forward to touch Bones on the arm.
“Lord Stonehaven, I would be most interested in seeing a fine gentleman attempt a curtsy. It should be vastly amusing.”
Jim made sure to respond before Bones could go into an apoplexy.
“I would be very pleased to show you Miss Shaw, but I do not wish to share the vision of my skill with others. A private viewing, I believe, would be adequate.” Jim hid his smile as he felt Bones grip his arm hard in warning. Bones should have known by now Jim wasn’t going to reveal his past, but Jim still wasn’t above teasing him.
Miss Shaw glanced down towards where Bones was holding onto Jim.
“As Leonard, I mean, Lord Stonehaven was with us when the challenge was laid down, he should be included as well,” Miss Shaw said, apparently attempting to mollify Bones.
“Leonard? Unfair, Bones, unfair. I thought this visit was to introduce me to the lovely ladies of this establishment, and you have gotten in before me? I shall perish knowing Miss Shaw was not able to know me first. Never fear Miss Shaw, Bones knows my skill at the curtsy. I was a younger son and with the family dramatics I was doomed to always be the damsel in skirts.” Jim sighed dramatically. “Bones here though, he does enact an admirably solid tree.”
Jim ignored the glare from Bones he could see out the corner of his eye and smiled widely at Miss Shaw, who appeared to be delighted with the teasing going on.
“You are an amusing pair. I may have to request a private performance of a lady curtsying to a tree,” she teased.
“You have no idea,” Jim murmured as he reached forward to gently grasp and raise her hand for him to kiss again. He snuck a look over at Bones who was standing very stiff and erect in his ‘proper and disapproving Earl of Stonehaven’ manner. “Some have complained we appear to be joined at the hip.”
“Really?” she asked as she tilted her head slightly to the side. A look was imparted which spoke of her experience and interest in both of them.
“What say you, Bones? Miss Shaw has asked ever so nicely.”
Before Bones could respond, Miss Shaw had moved, elegantly, into the small space between he and Bones. She wrapped one arm around Jim’s arm and smiled up at Bones as she did likewise with his arm.
“To refuse would be poor form, Bones,” Jim pointed out, raising one eyebrow in a mocking tribute of one of Bones’ favourite expressions. He tilted his head slightly in the direction of the door.
“By all means, let youth lead on,” Bones countered and with the arm which was not claimed, he waved it towards where Jim had just indicated.
Jim took a step and was pleased to see that Miss Shaw was keeping pace with him. He didn’t know where they needed to go after they exited the room. The salon had double doors, so the three of them easily were able to fit through the space. The lovely woman on his arm did a small inclination of her head towards the staircase leading to the upper level. Jim took the hint and continued in that direction. The stairs were not wide enough, and Miss Shaw slid her arm out from Jim’s. As he looked down, he noticed she had done the same with Bones’. Jim paused as he watched her take the first few steps. The light from the candles was allowing Jim and Bones to get an excellent view of her figure. Jim was even able to note she wasn’t wearing any stays.
“After you,” Bones said.
“With pleasure,” Jim replied. Bones’ appeared to be allowing Jim to lead the way in this encounter for the moment. Jim was happy to take advantage.
In silence they climbed the stairs. A landing was revealed and from it a corridor which was typical of these type of houses in London.
Miss Shaw was standing with a smile on her face at the corridor opening. The walls were covered in a dark flocked wallpaper, which was revealed to be a deep red in colour from the light of the candles in the wall sconces.
“This way my Lords,” she spoke before walking swiftly down the corridor. At the third door, she opened it and entered the room.
Jim followed her in. He looked down as he entered the room, as there was something on the floor he could see out of the corner of his eye. A pair of shoes were lying discarded on top of the rug. As Jim looked in the direction of the woman in the room, he could see her bare feet peeking out from underneath the hem of her dress. She was leaning back against the bed, a finger playing with the top of her bodice. The top button had been undone and her chemise was in plain view. The sly smile on her face enticed Jim to walk closer to her.
“If we are to become better acquainted this evening, I would be honoured if you called me Jim,” he said as he came to stand in front of her. He had grown over the past year. He wasn’t as broad as Bones, but his height gave him a fine view down the front of her gown.
“Ariel,” she said, confusing Jim for a moment.
“Hmm?” he asked as he looked back up at her face.
“My name is Ariel.”
“Aptly named you are,” Jim said. “A sprite indeed. I come to answer thy best pleasure?”
She had started to undo the rest of the buttons on her bodice, smiling a wicked smile at Jim as he quoted at her. Jim’s eye-line was drawn back to the slow reveal. Her chemise was of a light green linen, almost matching the colour of the room. With her pale blonde beauty, the room and her clothing enhanced it magnificently. Best pleasure indeed.
The click of the door closing had Jim jumping slightly in alarm and turning his head to look towards the noise. Bones was standing just in front of the door and he had a heavy lidded look on his face as he glanced in Ariel’s direction.
Part two this way.
Beta's: aquila_star and dizilla
Rating: NC-17
Pairing/Characters: Kirk/McCoy (unrequited), Scotty, Kirk/Areel Shaw, McCoy/Areel Shaw and Sir Anthony Fanshawe (borrowed from the incomparable Georgette Heyer)
Kinks/Warnings: Regency AU, Voyeurism
Word count: 10,643
Disclaimer: Not mine, dammit.
Summary: Any young buck, hoping to make a splash amongst the Ton, should make the acquaintance of a high-flyer. Luckily for Lord Jim Kirk, Marquis of Uisneach, one of his friends has a plan. Unluckily it involves learning something new about his best friend, the man he has loved since he was sixteen.
A/N: This is a small interlude to a considerably larger story called The Masquerade, which I have been working on for a while. It is set during the late Georgian/Regency time period in London. As such, most of our crew have some additional titles. Scotty is the Duke of Doohan. McCoy is the Earl of Stonehaven and Kirk is the Marquis of Uisneach. Also Scotty is referred to as Monty. Another change is that Kirk and McCoy met when Kirk was 16 and Scotty and McCoy have known each other since childhood.
As this is a Regency fic, I have tried to keep to a similar style of writing for that period, and the characters are referred to by their titles. To call someone by their first name is exceedingly intimate and very rare.
Areel Shaw (who appeared in TOS:"Court Martial") has had her name changed to Ariel Shaw and while this story primarily features het scenes, there are strong undertones of the possibility of future Kirk/McCoy. ;)
Further notes here with links to the art and clothing referenced within for those who are interested.
Also posted at AO3 here
London, 1809
Jim wandered into the blue salon, where tables had been set up for those guests who wished to game, or escape from the matchmaking mothers in the ballroom below. No Ball or Rout would be held without some rooms catering for the gamblers of the Ton. He didn’t spy Monty anywhere within the room, but Jim knew he hadn’t been seen in the ballroom for quite awhile, such was the number of times he had been asked where the Duke was.
Leaning back in his chair, over on the far side of the room, was Bones. Jim knew he had a good hand on him, purely from his relaxed posture. Bones was playing with Sir Anthony Fanshawe and with it just being the two of them and remembering Fanshawe’s preference, Jim guessed the game was Piquet. He wandered slowly through the room, greeting acquaintances and stopping for a few words now and then.
As he reached Bones’ table, Jim nodded a greeting at Fanshawe, resting a hand on the back of Bones’ chair and glancing at his cards. Bones indeed had an exceptional hand. If he lost this round of points then he should be banned from ever playing the game for the rest of eternity, or Jim might hide the scotch from him for a week.
“Uisneach,” Fanshawe said, causing Bones to glance up in his direction. Jim had to hide the momentary flinch the title still caused him. It would be eons before he became used to it. Up until recently, the title had been his brother’s.
“Escaping, Jim?” Bones asked.
“I thought I needed to allow some others a chance to dance with the ladies. Also, I was summoned by a note from Monty.”
“Where is he?” Bones asked as he looked around the room, before looking back to see what card Fanshawe had discarded.
“I thought you might be able to inform me. The note ordered me to come and rescue you from Fanshawe’s fleecing,” Jim replied, hiding his pleasure at seeing the card Bones selected to discard in response.
Fanshawe looked up at Jim, his hooded, grey eyes giving a small expression of amusement at Monty’s order. Jim was surprised he didn’t lift his quizzing glass. He might be over four score in years but Jim knew that the old gentleman was as quick of mind as he had always been.
“He must be around here then, we have only been playing this hand,” Bones replied, leaning back a little in his chair.
Jim tensed as he felt Bones’ shoulder contact with his hand. He gripped the cold, smooth wood harder and resisted the temptation to push his fingers out and caress Bones. The blue superfine of his coat was a little rough on Jim’s fingers. It was a new coat and moulded superbly over Bones’ shoulders. Jim had approved of his ensemble before they left for the Ball earlier.
Bones hadn’t bothered to look around the room for Monty. While Jim liked to think that he was closer to Bones, he was constantly reminded in little ways that the friendship between Monty and Bones was of considerably longer standing.
A final discarded card lay on the pile as Bones laid his hand down. The points were his and Fanshawe smiled as he pushed the obviously promised notes in Bones’ direction.
“I believe the fleecing that mad Scotsman needs to be worried about is from Stonehaven here,” Fanshawe drawled out. “A rematch some other time?”
“Of a certainty. I would be much obliged,” Bones agreed as he swept up the bank notes and folded them before placing them in the inside pocket of his coat.
Jim’s eyes greedily drank in the brief flash of white cambric of Bones’ shirt, contrasting with his heavy gold brocade waistcoat.
“An excellent opponent is hard to find in town these days. Come, Jim. Let’s track our errant Duke down.”
They both bowed their farewells to Fanshawe before departing the room. Jim paused when he noted that Bones had stopped once he had entered the hallway.
“He wasn’t in there, yet he knew what you were doing and he knew where to find me. How will we find him?” Jim asked, after he had turned back to see Bones looking over his shoulder.
“He’ll find us,” Bones said with a certainty as he looked down the hallway, behind Jim.
Jim turned and smiled as he saw Monty walking towards them. “Speak of the devil himself, where to next, your Grace?” Jim asked as he gave Monty a flourishing bow, making an elegant and neat leg. Jim had done his duty at this Ball, now was the time of the evening when they normally made their way to another Ball or to a Club. To be seen and see others was the main aim of the Season.
“Where we are going, you will need those skills to not be directed at me,” Monty declared. “Come along.”
Jim and Bones followed Monty back downstairs and made their farewells to their hostess, before waiting in the foyer for their cloaks to be brought.
“Brooks is it?” Jim asked.
“Nay laddie, I have a better place to visit.”
“Not the docks again. I am fond of this waistcoat,” Bones grumbled as the footman placed his cloak over his shoulders.
“Patience, my dear Leonard, patience,” Monty said, a teasing smile on his face before he turned and walked outside and to their awaiting carriage.
Jim couldn’t hear the directions Monty was giving to his coachman, Harris, before the door was held open and Monty alighted the coach.
Jim smiled to see Monty sitting with his back to the horses, arms extended along the top of the seat, being the ‘gentleman’ and putting Jim and Bones in the position for a lady. Jim sat in the far corner and waited while the door was closed behind Bones, who took a seat next to him. Jim wanted to reach his hand out to cover Bones’, which was gripping the leather of the seat, like always. From their first acquaintance, Bones had never hidden from Jim his dislike of being cooped inside a closed carriage or a cabin on a ship.
“Well, are you going to reveal our destination, or are you going to sit there in your smug and perceived cleverness?” Bones asked.
“I am helping our young protégé out. I have procured an invitation to an elegant house with delightful impures inside.”
Bones snorted as he leaned back in the seat.
“Still finding me women, Monty?” Jim asked, a devilish impulse he knew, but he did not like to have Monty forgetting about a memorable night three years ago.
“Ones which can be dallied with, of course,” Monty replied, as calm as he often was, unless it involved one of his machines. Then it was obvious why he was called the ‘Mad Duke of Doohan’ by the Ton.
“You forget,” Jim replied. “The mothers adore me. I understand and respect their concerns. Their daughters are safe in my company.”
“Tell that to the betting book at Brook’s. And I have heard similar wagers have been entered at White’s,” Bones said.
“Betting on me with whom?” Jim asked, intrigued about what the wagers would be, and for how much.
“The lovely Lady Anna, who has shown a marked preference for your company this past sennight,” Monty informed him.
“How much?” Jim asked, as he mirrored Bones’ posture and leaned back in the seat.
Monty started to open his mouth but Bones held up and hand to stall his speech. “Don’t encourage him.”
“You approve of this plan?” Jim asked.
“The Marquis of Uisneach should squire a light o’ love around the town. No self respecting gentleman would do otherwise. Monty has excellent taste.”
“We shall see,” Jim replied, before the three of them settled into a comfortable silence while their journey was completed.
“Number seven, Hart Street, as you requested your Grace,” Harris called from his perch as the carriage pulled to a stop. Jim looked out the window to see a door opening and a footman walking down the front steps towards their carriage.
“Madam Brown’s,” Bones stated, as he nodded his approval at Monty.
“I’ve missed her lovelies,” Monty replied as he exited the coach and proceeded up the steps to the house.
Jim waited for Bones to enter before him and looked around with interest to see what the inside of a well regarded house of ill repute looked like. Candles were everywhere, lighting all of the expansive foyer and the myriad of art works. The furnishings looked to be of excellent quality and the servants quiet and efficient.
“Welcome back, your Grace, Lord Stonehaven,” the butler said, bowing slightly in deference to the pair of them.
“Thank you, Roberts. This is a particular friend of mine and Stonehaven’s ward, the Marquis of Uisneach, Lord Jameson Kirk,” Monty introduced him.
“My pleasure, Lord Uisneach. I hope you will find all within this house to be to your liking.”
“I am sure I will. His Grace and Lord Stonehaven speak well of the establishment.”
“This way, gentlemen. Madam Brown would be delighted to receive you in the Titan salon,” Roberts said as he gestured down the hall.
As before, Jim followed Monty and Bones into the salon. Roberts was leaning over to talk quietly to an older woman he could only presume to be Madam Brown. She had a dark green diaphanous overdress over a black petticoat. It was dramatic and suited her dark colouring wonderfully.
“Letitia, m’dear,” Monty said as he walked forward, hand held out.
Roberts straightened up before removing himself from the room, while Monty was bending over ‘Letitia’s’ hand. Jim took the opportunity to glance around the room and observe the other occupants. There were two other men he didn’t recognise, but their clothing said they were well born. Four young ladies were being spoken to by the two men. The dresses were just the other side of proper on the women and Jim noted the looseness of the bodices and the dampness of the petticoats. Bones was standing close to him and Jim smiled to see the coquettish looks the women were sending in their direction.
On the side wall and in pride of place was a painting. It was unusual in that it was situated on its own along the one wall. The other wall held a bookcase filled to the brim and on the far one, many smaller paintings in a format Jim was more familiar with. He was interrupted from his perusal of the room when Monty walked over with Letitia on his arm.
“Letitia, young Lord Uisneach here needs some companionship and I am sure you will be able to assist.”
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, ma’am,” Jim said as he gave a small bow in Letitia’s direction.
Shrewd eyes were assessing him as he straightened up. “Very pretty manners are always welcome in a gentleman,” she said, giving Monty a little sideways look.
Monty took the bait and looked mock offended.
“I do believe I need to compliment you, Lord Stonehaven, on Lord Uisneach’s excellent manners?” she continued, ignoring Monty’s animation.
Bones smiled at the madam, one of his little flirtatious smiles which had Jim resolutely pushing down the feeling of jealousy he experienced when one of those smiles was directed at anyone else but him.
“If it keeps me in your good graces, madam, then I shall allow you to think well of me.”
Jim bit his lip, desperate to not make a remark which he normally would, were it only the three of them. Bones had charm, and he knew how to use it, no matter his protestations otherwise.
“Do you have a preference, my Lord?” Letitia asked him. Before Jim could answer, Monty was leaning in to whisper in her ear again, a mischievous look on his face. Jim just shook his head slightly at Monty’s managing ways. Bones snorted slightly under his breath, his thoughts presumably in alignment with Jim’s.
“Jim, go admire the art,” Monty said as he waved in direction of the single painting on the wall.
“I have been summarily dismissed,” Jim observed to Bones.
“He is a duke and he thinks he owns everything,” Bones replied.
Monty looked offended while Letitia just laughed.
“You can go away too, you sea devil. Go away. This is my plan and I don’t need the two of you messing it up.”
“We should go, before he declares either of us to be a sassenach,” Jim pointed out.
“You go, Jim. I need to have words with his Grace,” Bones said.
Jim looked at the two of them, and decided in this instance the better part of valour was discretion. He wandered slowly over to the painting, which depicted a lovely, half naked blonde beauty and two little cherubs. The woman was more than likely meant to be Venus, and she was attempting a modest pose. It was an interesting choice for a house of Women of London. It must have had some significant meaning for the pride of place it was afforded. It had the look of an Italian master, but Jim had not been able to go on his Grand Tour, the wars had kept his education confined to Scotland and a little of England.
The two other men who had been in the salon previously had disappeared during the time Jim was conversing with Bones, Monty and Letitia. Also missing were two of the women, which left the other two standing together and looking between Jim and the other group. They were attractive, but paled in comparison to the Venus.
Jim chuckled to himself and turned back to admire the art when he heard a quiet grunt of frustration from Bones. He didn’t need to look to know the posture of Bones’ body, the resistance Bones would have been doing stop himself putting his hands on his hips and glare at Monty. Jim stepped closer to the painting to look closely at the brushstrokes. His perusal was short lived as he next heard Bones greeting a woman, in a tone which he had used lately towards Miss Darnell. Jim looked over in the direction of the sound of Bones’ voice to see a young lady who could almost have been the twin of the Venus on the canvas, such was her loveliness.
Jim decided she would be a woman he might like to know better, and if it took Bones’ attention away from her, all the better. One of the other women started to walk over towards him, so Jim headed over to Bones and the other woman.
“Bones, what a poor guardian you are. Not introducing me to the loveliest woman in the room,” Jim said as he held out his hand toward the beauty.
She smiled archly at him and placed her gloved hand in his. Jim wasted no time in lifting her hand up and pressing a kiss to the back of her hand, while glancing cheekily in Bones’ direction.
“Guardian? You look remarkably young for one to have such a responsibility,” the beauty said. Her voice was pleasant and not a hint of the lower classes in her diction.
“Infant,” Bones growled in Jim’s direction. “This one is enough to age anyone well beyond their years, Miss Shaw.”
“I have the advantage of your name, Miss Shaw and seeing as how age has made Bones forget his manners, I am Lord Jameson Kirk, but you can most definitely call me Jim.”
“I am not sure you should be lecturing anyone on manners, Jim,” Bones responded.
“Bones?” Miss Shaw asked.
“Just a name Lord Uisneach has bequeathed to me. I do not appreciate it,” Bones said quite formally.
Jim smiled at the slight frostiness of Bones’ speech. Bones had not complained about the name for many a year. “I had an exemplary tutor in manners. I am sure I could even produce a curtsy Prinny would approve of.”
Miss Shaw laughed, one of those delicate little laughs from behind a fan, eyes twinkling as she peered over the edge. His mother had been a master at fan etiquette and Jim knew the trick rather well.
“Jim!” Bones growled out warningly.
Miss Shaw lowered the fan, letting it drop to hang off the string around her wrist while she reached forward to touch Bones on the arm.
“Lord Stonehaven, I would be most interested in seeing a fine gentleman attempt a curtsy. It should be vastly amusing.”
Jim made sure to respond before Bones could go into an apoplexy.
“I would be very pleased to show you Miss Shaw, but I do not wish to share the vision of my skill with others. A private viewing, I believe, would be adequate.” Jim hid his smile as he felt Bones grip his arm hard in warning. Bones should have known by now Jim wasn’t going to reveal his past, but Jim still wasn’t above teasing him.
Miss Shaw glanced down towards where Bones was holding onto Jim.
“As Leonard, I mean, Lord Stonehaven was with us when the challenge was laid down, he should be included as well,” Miss Shaw said, apparently attempting to mollify Bones.
“Leonard? Unfair, Bones, unfair. I thought this visit was to introduce me to the lovely ladies of this establishment, and you have gotten in before me? I shall perish knowing Miss Shaw was not able to know me first. Never fear Miss Shaw, Bones knows my skill at the curtsy. I was a younger son and with the family dramatics I was doomed to always be the damsel in skirts.” Jim sighed dramatically. “Bones here though, he does enact an admirably solid tree.”
Jim ignored the glare from Bones he could see out the corner of his eye and smiled widely at Miss Shaw, who appeared to be delighted with the teasing going on.
“You are an amusing pair. I may have to request a private performance of a lady curtsying to a tree,” she teased.
“You have no idea,” Jim murmured as he reached forward to gently grasp and raise her hand for him to kiss again. He snuck a look over at Bones who was standing very stiff and erect in his ‘proper and disapproving Earl of Stonehaven’ manner. “Some have complained we appear to be joined at the hip.”
“Really?” she asked as she tilted her head slightly to the side. A look was imparted which spoke of her experience and interest in both of them.
“What say you, Bones? Miss Shaw has asked ever so nicely.”
Before Bones could respond, Miss Shaw had moved, elegantly, into the small space between he and Bones. She wrapped one arm around Jim’s arm and smiled up at Bones as she did likewise with his arm.
“To refuse would be poor form, Bones,” Jim pointed out, raising one eyebrow in a mocking tribute of one of Bones’ favourite expressions. He tilted his head slightly in the direction of the door.
“By all means, let youth lead on,” Bones countered and with the arm which was not claimed, he waved it towards where Jim had just indicated.
Jim took a step and was pleased to see that Miss Shaw was keeping pace with him. He didn’t know where they needed to go after they exited the room. The salon had double doors, so the three of them easily were able to fit through the space. The lovely woman on his arm did a small inclination of her head towards the staircase leading to the upper level. Jim took the hint and continued in that direction. The stairs were not wide enough, and Miss Shaw slid her arm out from Jim’s. As he looked down, he noticed she had done the same with Bones’. Jim paused as he watched her take the first few steps. The light from the candles was allowing Jim and Bones to get an excellent view of her figure. Jim was even able to note she wasn’t wearing any stays.
“After you,” Bones said.
“With pleasure,” Jim replied. Bones’ appeared to be allowing Jim to lead the way in this encounter for the moment. Jim was happy to take advantage.
In silence they climbed the stairs. A landing was revealed and from it a corridor which was typical of these type of houses in London.
Miss Shaw was standing with a smile on her face at the corridor opening. The walls were covered in a dark flocked wallpaper, which was revealed to be a deep red in colour from the light of the candles in the wall sconces.
“This way my Lords,” she spoke before walking swiftly down the corridor. At the third door, she opened it and entered the room.
Jim followed her in. He looked down as he entered the room, as there was something on the floor he could see out of the corner of his eye. A pair of shoes were lying discarded on top of the rug. As Jim looked in the direction of the woman in the room, he could see her bare feet peeking out from underneath the hem of her dress. She was leaning back against the bed, a finger playing with the top of her bodice. The top button had been undone and her chemise was in plain view. The sly smile on her face enticed Jim to walk closer to her.
“If we are to become better acquainted this evening, I would be honoured if you called me Jim,” he said as he came to stand in front of her. He had grown over the past year. He wasn’t as broad as Bones, but his height gave him a fine view down the front of her gown.
“Ariel,” she said, confusing Jim for a moment.
“Hmm?” he asked as he looked back up at her face.
“My name is Ariel.”
“Aptly named you are,” Jim said. “A sprite indeed. I come to answer thy best pleasure?”
She had started to undo the rest of the buttons on her bodice, smiling a wicked smile at Jim as he quoted at her. Jim’s eye-line was drawn back to the slow reveal. Her chemise was of a light green linen, almost matching the colour of the room. With her pale blonde beauty, the room and her clothing enhanced it magnificently. Best pleasure indeed.
The click of the door closing had Jim jumping slightly in alarm and turning his head to look towards the noise. Bones was standing just in front of the door and he had a heavy lidded look on his face as he glanced in Ariel’s direction.
Part two this way.