That
the news of the betrothal of Joshua, Duc de Tournville, to Britney, Countess de
Chanté, caused a stir among society was a bit of an understatement.
It
caused a tidal wave of gossip, speculation, and pure jealousy.
Was
the Duc really serious about that girl? some asked. Yes, he must be. Of course, everyone knew
of his peccadilloes, his fancy for boys and the like, and no one cared. But the
Duc was from one of the oldest and most respected families in France. He could
trace his lineage back almost to Charlemagne. Of course he would marry some day.
He needed an heir, and the choice the de Chanté girl was a brilliant one. She
was beautiful, young and rich. She was a member of the noble class, so she also
knew what was expected of her. She would give him an heir quickly, most believed.
And then, the two of them could live their separate lives, like most of their
rank.
But
what of that boy?
some wondered. Isn’t he…oh, what’s his name again? Oh, yes. Justin du Lac. Isn’t he in love with her? Heavens no,
most scoffed. Don’t you remember that delicious scandal a few years ago, when
Claude du Lac, the shipping merchant, chased after his wayward son, and died in
the process? Justin had been in Algeria, accompanied by a man with whom he was
having an affair. No, Justin du Lac had no interest in the Countess outside of
friendship, most agreed.
Of
course, if du Lac wasn’t interested in the girl, isn’t he in involved with
the Duc? Deliciously so, the gossips concluded.
That’s what makes it all a wonderful mix of scandal and sex and most
couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen.
Wait!
What of Christophe Patric, Viscount Chambless? the skeptics cried. He has a signed
document agreeing to a marriage between him and the girl. What of his suit? The
man had been practically shouting his victory all over Paris, that he would be
marrying Britney within the month. Use you head, the rumormongers scolded. De
Tournville’s rank is much higher than Patric’s, of course the King would
choose his suit over Patric’s. Plus, you forget how rich de Tournville is,
almost vulgarly rich, it was whispered with malice.
Oh,
yes! He does carry that hint on mercantilism, they agreed. Would the de Chanté chit
agree to marry someone, even of noble birth, that deal indulges in trade?
Doesn’t matter, the shaking heads said. He’s getting the girl, no matter
what. Her thoughts on the matter were irrelevant. If the King decides it, the
matter is settled.
“The
matter is NOT settled!” Britney proclaimed, her voice rising to glass
shattering pitch.
Both
men in the room winced at the shrilled tones. They watched warily as Britney
started to pace around the room, her skirts moving so rapidly Justin was getting
nauseous watching them sway with each stride.
“Britney,
you must listen to us,” Justin said, but paused as Britney approached him, her
face a mask of anger and frustration.
“I
will not listen when my life is being arranged for me!” she proclaimed.
“That’s
not what we’re doing,” Justin attempted to explain.
“It’s
not?” she countered. “What would you call it?” She walked over to the desk,
picking up the paper and reading, “Banns* announced—Joshua Chasez, Duc de
Tournville and Britney, Countess de Chanté—marriage to be completed in two
weeks.” She threw the paper at Justin. “What ELSE am I supposed to think
other than you and him are trying to ruin my life!” she said, pointing an
accusatory finger at Joshua.
“We’re
saving your life,” Joshua said, his calm voice resounding through the room.
His words stopped Britney’s tirade where Justin’s arguments couldn’t.
“If you will sit a moment and let us explain, you will see that this is your
only option,” he continued.
Justin
walked over to Britney and escorted her to a chair, settling her down before
kneeling next to it. Justin held her hand as Joshua explained.
“Christophe
will use his influence with the King to force a marriage with him upon you,”
Joshua said. “If the King agrees to it, you have no choice.” Joshua held his
hand as Britney started to speak. “I know all about your father’s will, and
his previous dispensations,” he continued. “But this King has the right to
do what he wants, and if he wants to marry you to Patric, then that is what he
will do.”
“But
why?” Britney whispered. “Why would he do that to me?”
“Your
father was not well liked at court,” Joshua explained. “He refused the King
when instructed to bring you to court, on more than one occasion. I’m afraid
that made Louis resentful of him, and now you.”
“Can’t
he be reasoned with?” Britney wondered.
“Not
really,” Joshua said. “The only way is to present him with a better match
for you, one that he cannot refuse to allow.”
A
small smile ghosted over Britney’s lips. “You?”
Joshua
nodded. “Me,” he agreed. “I outrank Patric. There is no way the King would
allow Patric’s suit over mine.”
Justin
looked at Joshua quickly, asking a silent question. The other man gave a small
shake of his head. No need to tell Britney of the money that had changed hands.
The King, though rich in land and title, had little personal wealth. His father
had borrowed heavily to finance his wars, and therefore, had left many debts and
few coins. Joshua had offered a tidy sum for Louis to agree to this marriage,
but had decided that for now at least Britney had not need of this information.
The girl was feeling impotent enough without feeling like she had been sold to
the highest bidder.
Justin
smiled his thanks, turning back to Britney. “This really is the only solution,”
he said.
“Why
would you do this for me?” Britney asked. “You don’t love me, you know
I don’t love you.” She looked at them in confusion. “So why are you doing
this?”
Joshua
was silent for a moment, wondering the same thing. This was, for him, completely
against his nature. He’d always been self centered, his actions geared only
toward his own pleasures and life. He was never malicious, or evil, or cruel,
no. But then again, he’d never gone out of his way to help anyone before,
unless he expected to receive something in return.
He
looked at the boy holding Britney’s hand. Maybe he had received his reward,
and this was the cost to keeping it.
“I
have my reasons,” he finally said.
Britney
nodded. “Then, I accept your proposal, your grace,” she said, rising from
the seat and curtsying in front of Joshua, then reaching up and kissing him on
the cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Joshua
looked into her eyes, smiling. “Thank you,” he countered. “I would hate to
lose you, Britney. You’ve become very dear to me, and of course Justin loves
you beyond anything, so…” he shrugged. “It’s really a selfish thing
I’m doing, just to shut him up.”
Britney
raised a skeptical brow, but did not comment on Joshua’s comments. She saw
something else in his eyes, but wouldn’t press, not now.
Plans
for the marriage proceeded at a rapid pace. Justin, for all his dislike of
business, was nothing if not organized, so he took charge of all the
arrangements. He ordered a dress, contacted the priest, and arranged for food
and wine and musicians. Though it was going to be a small wedding, it was
nonetheless an important one. It wasn’t everyday that the Duc de Tournville
married, so it must be done properly.
Of
course, everyone wondered what would happen after the wedding. It was now an
open secret that du Lac was living at the Duc’s town home as more than
platonic friends. The idea of this arrangement so titillated society that the
gossip eventually reached Justin, who had been so busy, not to mention so
oblivious to most things going on in society, he’d paid scant attention to
what people were saying.
But
one day at the tailor shop it was impossible to avoid the talk.
Justin
was behind the changing curtain when he overheard two men of noble rank wonder
just which one Joshua would sleep with first on his wedding night, his bride or
his boy. Justin’s movements stilled as the discussion became even more
salacious as the men theorized that Joshua could probably do both in one night,
even both at the same time.
The
men’s discussion ended abruptly when Justin pulled back the curtain and faced
them. They cowered a bit as Justin passed them, but no words were spoken as
Justin gathered his cloak and left the shop.
“Justin?”
Joshua entered the dark bedchamber. “Justin, are you in here?” he called
again. He walked over to the bedside table and lit a candle. He spied Justin
sitting in a chair next to the empty fireplace. “Justin? What’s wrong?”
“Are
you going to sleep with Britney?”
Joshua
approached the younger man, trying to see his face in the dim light. Justin’s
eyes were dark and hurt. Joshua put the candle on the mantle and sat in the
chair opposite the boy. “What do you mean?”
“Are
you going to sleep with Britney?” he repeated.
“Justin…”
“You
are, aren’t you!” he exclaimed, his voice hoarse with emotion. “It never
occurred to me, never even entered my mind!”
“Justin…”
“How
could I have been so stupid!” Justin said. “Of course you’ll sleep with
her…you need an heir, don’t you?”
“Justin…”
“And
she’s the perfect person, isn’t she?” he continued. “Nobel birth,
beautiful, well versed in social graces…you and she will make exceptional
children.”
“Justin…”
“How
could I have been so blind?” he asked himself. “Of course you’ll sleep
with her…you never said you’d be faithful to me, did you? And I imagine
you’ll still have your affairs, like all of your class, fucking whom you want,
when you want…”
“JUSTIN!”
Joshua’s
shout finally penetrated Justin’s foggy mind and stopped his tirade. He faced
Joshua squarely. “Are you?” he asked again, his voice trembling with
emotion.
“No.”
Justin
crumpled into a chair, head on his hands. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I
have no right to question you. What you’re doing for Britney is…I
shouldn’t act so ungrateful.” He looked up at Joshua, his eyes bright.
“And I am grateful for what your doing. More than I…”
Justin’s
words were stopped as Joshua pulled him off the chair, slamming his lips against
the younger man’s mouth. “I don’t want your gratitude,” Joshua ground
out as he ended the kiss, moving his mouth down Justin’s neck, biting the
sensitive flesh before lapping it with soft flicks of his tongue. “Don’t
ever say you’re grateful to me,” Joshua continued, moving his wet mouth up
to suck on Justin’s ear. “I am doing what I’m doing for purely selfish
reasons,” he continued, anchoring Justin’s head with his right hand, while
the left one was busy tearing at the other man’s clothes.
Justin
felt buttons post and heard cloth tear as Joshua’s assault continued. His own
hands helped, grasping at Joshua’s clothes, pushing away the confining
garments until only their heated skin separated their heartbeats. Joshua lowered
Justin to the floor, spreading the boy out like a feast for his eyes and hands,
kissing and touching and demanding a response Justin was all to eager to give.
Their
frantic movements stilled as Joshua pushed inside Justin. Eyes locked, breaths
held, Joshua moved with grace and power, each thrust of his body into Justin’s
a stamp of possession. Justin answered back, each parry an acceptance that he
belonged to Joshua, no matter what.
There
was pounding on the door, Joshua realized. He removed the sleeping Justin from
his chest, and bid whoever was at the door to enter. His houseman Emile entered.
“Your
grace,” Emile said, coming to the bedside with a lit candle. “I apologize
for the disturbance, but there are some gentlemen here to see the young
master,” he explained, motioning to Justin.
“What
do they want?” Joshua asked, rising from the bed and pulling on the robe Emile
handed him.
“They
would not say, your grace,” Emile stated. “But insisted they were here on
official business.”
“We'll
be down directly, Emile,” Joshua said.
Ten
minutes later, both men walked into the study, where three men were waiting. Two
were dressed in regular clothes, the other was in the uniform of an officer of
the Gendarmes. Joshua had woken Justin, explaining there were men of some
importance waiting to see him. Justin had been confused, but both agreed it was
probably something to do with Justin’s many business ventures.
Neither
was prepared for what was to come.
“Justin
du Lac?” one of them asked Justin, who nodded. “Monsieur du Lac, it is my
duty to inform you that you are under arrest.”
Justin
blinked. “Under arrest?” he questioned.
“For
what?” Joshua said.
“Your
grace,” the other man said. “I regret to tell you that your fiancée was
found dead this morning.” He turned from Joshua, pointing a finger at the
Gendarme, then at Justin.
The
uniformed man approached Justin and quickly bound his wrists with iron cuffs.
“Justin
du Lac, you are under arrest for the murder of the Countess de Chanté.”