Voyage Home

by icevuk2634

7 Apr 2017 875 readers Score 9.2 (41 votes) PDF Mobi ePub Txt


“What are you saying? Surely you must be mad with thinking like that.” Callum said as he looked at Upton, standing across the drawing room but a scant few paces away from him.

“No, Quintan, I am not mad, not at all. I just see a different way as it were.” Upton said, turning his attention away from the painting on the wall of the woman to look at Callum, “Can you not see that?” Upton asked, Callum seemed confused, folding his arms over his chest, “Let me explain it this way to you.” Upton said, looking upward for a moment and then back at Callum, “Does this war make any sense to you? I ask you, what is it that we are fighting for?”

“To stop the threat of Napoleon Bonaparte and what he means to do.” Callum said.

“Spoken like a true pawn in this.” Upton said in his icy voice, “Let me tell you what it is actually about. It is about control…control and power…power over countries, nations, lives.”

“He wants to rule the world. He has said so before.” Callum said, firm in his stance.

“Yes, he does.” Upton said, the icy voice was there as the eyes narrowed, “But, what he wants, his vision for that world is unreal, Quintan.”

“I would agree with that.” Callum said.

“Good.” Upton said. There was a brief smile, a smile that was not evil, but almost a smirk, “He wants to control the world, that is not possible. There is too much to levy to obtain that type of control, too many differences continent to continent. No, what I propose is control over what we know, what we hold.” The icy voice was graveled again, the right hand emerged and became a fist to further press the point, “The Continent, the continent of Europe only. Don’t you see, with one hand, one mind, all here could lead good, productive lives for generations to come. A better way of life for all.”

“Led by one man, a tyrant. And those that do not conform to your vision, what happens to them?” Callum asked.

“They would have to be…removed.” Upton said, his tone sent chills up Callum’s spine.

“And naturally, you would be that one man.” Callum said, holding fast in his stance again.

“Of course. It is my right, my birthright.” Upton said.

“Really? And who said so? It seems to me that you have an obstacle in front of you. One that can stop you from trying to obtain what you desire so very much.” Callum said.

“Who? You, Quintan?” Upton asked.

“No, not I.” Callum said and smiled with a shake of his head. He dropped his arms and went back to the chair at the table, turning it, sitting on it and crossed one leg over the other, his sword dangled beside him, “You pursued the boy at great length and probably at great expense to you as well. He would be the one that would stop you.”

“He is nothing, nothing but a boy and has no power or influence whatsoever.” Upton said.

“I find that hard to believe after what you have done.” Callum said.

“What makes you think differently?” Upton asked, taking a careful step forward. Callum smiled out of the corner of his mouth at the older man.

“The Guardsmen for one. Battenou for the other. You tried over and over to obtain the boy and were unsuccessful.” Callum said carefully watching the reaction of the older man, “You sent Battenou out to destroy merchant shipping, to throw us off from the real plan. You could not obtain what you wanted and had to force the Dutch to bend to you, to give in as it were. The boy was sent out by a mere set of circumstances, but you knew that, and you could not let that chance slip by you. You acted and acted swiftly. And with your actions, you condemned your agent, Battenou, to destruction.”

“And you reveled in it, didn’t you?” Upton asked and the evil smile returned. He took another step forward carefully.

“No, I did not.” Callum said and looked at him, watching him carefully, “For you see, what you caused, what you did, causing the deaths of friends of mine, good men, men of true character, something that you know nothing of. I was pleased, I will admit, when that madman was stopped, yes, but the cost was too great.”

“Those men that you speak of, loyal officers I suppose, loyal to The Crown and what it stands for.” Upton said.

“Exactly.” Callum said, narrowing his own eyes.

“The boy is unimportant to me now. He, thanks to you, has been removed from any possible involvement to try and take what you might think is his birthright. I, and I alone, am the only one that can offer any type of peace.” Upton said.

“It is not peace that you are speaking of. You are talking about loss, great loss of life to try and stop what it is that you are proposing. No one, man, woman, or child, wants to be ruled by some despot. You offer nothing, but want everything, and expect it, don’t you?” Callum asked.

“And why not? You have no idea, no idea at all.” Upton said, his eyes flashed.

“Then enlighten me.” Callum said. Upton withdrew slightly. Upton drew in a deep breath through his nose and let it out slowly.

“Let us change subjects for a moment, Quintan, shall we?” Upton asked. Callum thought for a moment and then nodded, “Your father, James, what do you know of him, really?”

“What does that matter?” Callum asked.

“It matters a great deal, Quintan.” Upton said. His expression changed slightly. “You know of the Montrose?”

“A merchant ship, the largest ever built. She sank in a gale off the west coast of Africa. My father was a sailor aboard her.” Callum said.

“Partly correct.” Upton said and that evil smile was there again, “The Montrose did sink in a gale. Most of the crew did perish, yes. Your father amongst them. But what you do not know is that your father was working for me at the time. He was acting for my interests.”

“Your interests?” Callum asked.

“Yes. You see, I co-owned the Montrose.” Upton said.

“What?” Callum asked. He remembered now, the painting in Upton’s chambers at Parliament, the painting of the ship that looked familiar to him somehow. It must have been a painting of the Montrose.

“It is true, I assure you.” Upton said, shifting his weight to his other foot, “I dare say that you know of the elder Phelps?” Upton asked, Callum nodded in reply, “He also co-owned the Montrose with me.” Upton said and Callum narrowed his eyes again, “The value of the cargo that was lost was more than what the ship was worth, I dare say.”

“What of the loss of all those men? You place more value on the cargo than lives?” Callum had shock in his voice.

“Do not be such a child, Quintan. Men of that sort can be found on any street or alley anywhere.” Upton said with a roll of his steel eyes.

“My father…” Callum said, his voice trailing, his mind spinning with questions of what if.

“He was a cold and callous man, Quintan. Quick to temper and did not have a care for anyone. One reason why he made an excellent servant to me.” Upton said watching Callum carefully, seeing the thought processes going through his mind. That evil smile was there again on his face, “However, he had told me that there was a child at home, you. After the loss of the ship, after quite some time, I visited your mother and you in Birmingham. I offered her my help with you because of the service that your father had given to me. I felt it was only right to try and make up for his loss somehow. She would not accept my help at first, but then, after some time, she accepted my offer to send you to school, to have you become something in your life other than some dirt farmer or sheepherder. And here you are, Quintan. You owe your existence and your career to me.”

“My mother…she…” Callum said slowly, stunned and thinking as he reeled in his chair, Upton watching him closely, knowing the time was now right, but they were interrupted.

“Excuse me.” The almost feminine voice said from the wide doorway.

“What do you want?” Upton asked coldly as he looked at Hiram standing there.

“There is an officer here to see Captain Callum.”

“What officer?” Upton asked, his voice was icy and graveled.

“A Lt. Marston.” Hiram said. Callum snapped out of his haze of thoughts and stood. He looked at the exquisite looking young man with the dark hair.

“Send him in.” Callum said softly, turning away and walking a few steps by the table, his head was down slightly, his back to Upton. He was thinking of everything that had been said, what this meant to him now, all of it. Every step of his life had been calculated, planned, without his really knowing it. Did he really owe his existence to this evil man?

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“Good evening, Captain. I was told that you wished to see me, sir.” Lt. Marston said breaking Callum from his thoughts. He looked up and turned fully to face him.

“Thank you for coming, Lieutenant.” Callum said and looked to his right. Upton had been standing right there, but the room was empty now, “Where did he go?” Callum asked.

“Where did who go, sir?” Marston asked. He looked about the room from where he stood, only seeing Callum and looked back at him. Callum was mystified and looked at Marston.

“Did you pass anyone coming in here?” Callum asked.

“I’m sorry, sir, I did not. The young man led me in and left.” Marston said and looked at Callum carefully, “Are you alright, sir?”

“I am not certain.” Callum said and let out a breath.

“Who was here with you, sir?”

“Lord Upton.” Callum said. Marston went a bit wide eyed hearing him. Callum became angry as he realized that he had been used, “Come with me.” Callum said with a growl, walking by Marston quickly into the wide hall. Marston turned and followed close behind. Callum strode down the hall passing one room with the door closed and then saw the exquisite young man step out of another doorway. Callum reached him and pushed him out of the way and stepped in where Hiram had just come from. Callum saw the elder Haskill in the room and came up to him quickly, grabbing him with both hands on the lapels of his formal jacket, pushing him up against the wall, getting in his face.

“Captain…” Haskill said, fear filling his eyes.

“Why?” Callum growled, “What does he have over you?”

“I…I…”

“Out with it, man.” Callum growled, “Where did he go?”

“It was not I, Captain, you must believe me.” Haskill said as Callum tightened his grip on the jacket. He narrowed his eyes and then realized who it really was.

“Your son.” Callum whispered and let the older man go. He turned and saw Marston standing behind him with a look of shock on his face. Callum pushed past him and charged across the room out into the hall, Marston following him. Callum looked about but the young man was gone. He turned and looked at Marston, “Stay here, keep your eye on him until I return.” Callum said, nodding toward the older man now behind Marston. Marston nodded and turned back. The older man was sinking down the wall to the floor. Callum headed for the stairs, taking them three at a time, pulling his sword as he went up them. He reached the landing on the second floor and went down the hallway on a run, reaching his room, he threw open the door and charged in, sword at the ready.

“Get away from him.” Callum growled, coming forward, sword up. The young man was on the other side of the bed where an unconscious Dustin was. The room was lit by lamps on each side of the bed. Callum saw the flash of steel, the dagger in the young man’s hand. It trembled as it was starting to lift.

“I have no choice, Captain.” The almost feminine voice said. The eyes of Hiram looked sad, scared, a tear was dropping out of one of them.

“There is always a choice, Hiram. He has done you no harm.” Callum said as he slowly came around the bed to the end on his side.

“You don’t know…you don’t know what it’s been like.” Hiram said, his eyes looking down at Dustin for a moment and then looking back at Callum. More tears rolled down the cheeks.

“Put the knife down. I can help you.” Callum said, “Don’t make me kill you.”

“If I don’t, he’ll kill me…and my father.”

“I can protect you.” Callum said, as he came along the end of the bed, getting closer to Dustin’s side, “Put the knife down, Hiram.” Callum watched as the knife was raised a bit higher. It was shaking even more now in the hand that held it.

“I’m sorry.” Hiram cried. He closed his eyes for a moment, Callum moved. He spun the sword in his hand, point down, reaching out to grab the shaking wrist with his left, thrusting the pommel into jaw of the young man as he crashed into him. Hiram grunted with the hit and was pushed hard into the wall, Callum taking the knife from him. Hiram crumpled to the floor in a heap. Callum stood over him. Hiram groaned and went to move, his head turned and started to look up, Callum bent down and smashed the exquisite face with the sword pommel again. Hiram slumped to the floor and was still. Callum turned and looked over at the love of his life, resting peacefully in the deep luxurious bed. Callum stood, turning, bent down and kissed Dustin on the forehead.

“I love you.” Callum whispered. He straightened and looked at the beautiful tanned face and smiled at it briefly. He put the dagger in his belt behind him and sheathed his sword. He looked down at the body on the floor and reached down, grabbing the back of the jacket collar.

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Callum drug the young man into the room he had left Marston and Haskill in. He saw the look of horror on the face of the older man, Marston again had a look of shock seeing Callum dragging the body in one handed.

“Hiram.” Haskill said and went to move, Marston put up a hand and stopped him. Callum came halfway across the room and stopped, dropping the young Haskill fully to the floor on a rug.

“He is not dead.” Callum said, “But he could have been if he had carried out what he was going to do.”

“What the devil is going on, Captain?” Marston asked.

“I would like to find that out myself, Lieutenant.” Callum said as he came toward the older Haskill. Callum grabbed him by a lapel, balling up his other hand into a tight fist, “Tell me.” Callum growled, “Tell me now, or it will be worse for you than it was for him.” Haskill’s eyes were filled with more than just fear, it was almost terror. Callum had seen the look before, knew it well. He raised his fist, pulled his arm back, Haskill putting up his hands and shrinking back.

“Captain, please…” Haskill cried out, closing his eyes.

“Tell me.”

“Lord Upton…we owe him a debt, Hiram…we had no choice. He came…found out that you were here from one of his men…” Haskill wailed, “He said that if we did not do what he wanted…he would have us killed…please, Captain, please…you must believe me, we had no choice.” Haskill cried out and sank to his knees in front of Callum.

“What of your cousin?” Callum asked.

“His visit was brief. We were told that if he came, we were to send word to Lord Upton, to try and keep Arthur here as long as possible.” Haskill cried, Callum still holding the lapel.

“He was going to send men then, men to murder His Grace, wasn’t he?” Callum growled. Haskill nodded, his hands coming together as if in prayer.

“Dear God.” Marston said.

“But that didn’t happen. Why?” Callum asked.

“As I said, his visit was brief. He only told us to expect your return. There was not enough time to send word to Lord Upton.”

“You son-of-a-bitch, he’s your family. You would help to have him murdered? What kind of man are you?” Callum was growling.

“You don’t understand…we had no choice, none at all.” Haskill said. Callum let him go and pushed him back to the floor.

“You sicken me.” Callum said. He heard a groan behind him and turned. Hiram was coming around, lifting his head off the rug he was lying on.

“What should we do, sir?” Marston asked, “Shall I send for His Grace?”

“Absolutely not.” Callum said, “They must be watching the house at this very moment. If His Grace were to come, their plan might be acted upon. God only knows how many that there are out there.”

“I am certain that we might handle them.” Marston said. Callum shook his head.

“Upton has tried this before. I was there. He set six men to try and murder His Grace and Lord Hood at the Admiralty. Thankfully they were all stopped.”

“My God.” Marston said, “I had no idea.”

“It was close, closer than I care really to admit.” Callum said.

“So, why did you ask me here, Captain? You could not have known of this.”

“I suspected something, but you are right, Lieutenant, I did not know of this.” Callum said, “I know that you are a trusted officer, and as such, I need you to get something to His Grace. I could not take the chance of going to him directly myself, not with his home being watched as well, the possibility of him being attacked, even with the amount of security about him. But, you can.”

“I am at your service, Captain.” Marston said softly.

“In my carriage, under the rear seat, there is folder. That folder contains documents, documents that need to be given to His Grace. He will know what to do with them then.” Callum said.

“What about these men?” Marston asked.

“I will deal with them myself.” Callum said. He reached up a hand and put it on Marston’s shoulder, “Go now, see to it for me.”

“I will, sir.” Marston said and gave a brief smile.

“Thank you.” Callum said returning the smile and giving a nod.

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“Grandfather, forgive me for interrupting, but I am rather confused.” Dustin said as he sat on the ottoman in front of the old man.

“Confused? Confused about what?” Andrew asked as he looked at Dustin. Their eyes met and the old man smirked slightly.

“Forgive me.” Dustin said at Andrew, looking a bit put out.

“It is quite alright, Dustin, I assure you.” The old man said as looked at his grandson, “I was confused about the entire thing for quite some time myself.” The old man smiled as Dustin looked at him and eased a bit. He rolled his eyes over toward Andrew.

“There, you see? I’m not the only one.” Dustin said, thinking he had his grandfather to help him.

“It seems obvious to me what happened next.” Andrew said and sounded confident with what he thought.

“Oh, really?” Dustin asked.

“Quite.” Andrew said, cocking his head slightly as he looked at Dustin, “He had no choice, no choice at all but to kill the both of them for what they had done.”

“He could not murder, Andrew, not Grandfather.” Dustin said with a bit of shock.

“Well, I would have, given the circumstance that he was in.” Andrew said.

“Do you two require a minute?” The old man asked, going back and forth between them with his look.

“I should say not, Andrew. There are many possibilities that might have occurred in this.” Dustin said as his hackles went up a bit, “To reduce him to simply murdering those two men would be animal as it were, unconscionable for him to do it. He would never do that.”

“Thank you for coming to my defense, my boy, but…” The old man started to say but was cut off.

“That’s not what I’m saying, Dustin.” Andrew said, clearing becoming angry over the argument.

“Then what are you saying?” Dustin asked as he glared at Andrew.

“I am simply saying, that under those circumstances, I would have had no problem with killing the both of them, as I’m certain that he did.”

“You brutal beast.” Dustin said and rose to his feet, the old man followed him with his gaze, “You cannot simply go around murdering people just because. Have you not heard of law?” Dustin asked and exaggerated his words.

“Dustin, please.” Andrew said.

“I cannot believe this.” Dustin said and turned away, “And to think that I share a bed with you, a would-be murderer.” Dustin folded his arms over his chest.

“Gentlemen, if you please…” The old man said. He turned his gaze and looked at Andrew as he set the notebook and pencil aside on the settee.

“Dustin, how can you think that? I am not some would-be murderer. You should know that by now. I am simply saying that I understand from what he has said.”

“Gentlemen,…” The old man started to say as he rose up a hand.

“There is no circumstance that would make him commit…” Dustin said.

“Gentlemen,…enough!” The old man and both young men looked down at him, “That’s better. Now, if you please, I can tell you what happened if you would like.” The old man said, Dustin eased a bit and gave a half smile briefly. Andrew seemed to be still angry but looked rather embarrassed at what had just occurred, “Now understand, none of this was ever revealed to the general populace nor the newspapers, this plot to take over the government.”

“Why, sir?” Andrew asked, “I would think that with the papers backing this, letting it be known as it were, that Lord Upton would have been stopped right then.”

“Was he stopped, Grandfather?” Dustin asked. The old man smirked a bit and held out a hand to have Dustin return to the ottoman in front of him. Dustin gave Andrew a side glance and then sat back down. Andrew returned to the settee, picking up his notebook and pencil.

“Was he stopped? Yes, he was, eventually.”

“What of the two men, Captain?” Andrew asked. The old man looked at Andrew for a moment.

“Andrew,” The old man said then looked at Dustin in front of him, “Dustin, I will tell you both what happened, but first, I feel that we need to settle this between you, this sudden anger over a possible action of mine.”

“I apologize, Grandfather.”

“I need no apology, my boy. But, perhaps Andrew needs one.” The old man said and Dustin had a look of question on his face, “Am I above killing someone? I think you know the answer to that, Dustin. I have killed many a man, all with good reason. I do not regret doing my duty and what that entailed. Would I do it again?” The old man asked with a raised eyebrow, “If I was younger, and if I was in the same circumstance, yes, I would.” The old man said softly, “Have I committed murder?” The old man asked and thought for a moment, “Killing those stranded sailors from the Avion on the deck of the sloop,…yes, I have murdered. Abel Collingwood saw that action and thought that as well. I will have to answer for that when I am judged after I die. Most likely I will burn in Hell because of it.” The old man said and paused a long moment. He smiled briefly at his grandson, who looked so very much like his own Dustin, “Did I murder those two men in the boarding house? No, I did not. Did I kill Lord Upton? No, but I should have.”

“What happened, sir?” Andrew asked softly, breaking the long silence in the room. The old man turned his head and stared at him.

“I was uncertain as to what to really do at first…” The old man began to explain further.

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“Captain, if I may…?” Haskill said and Callum whirled on him.

“Say the wrong thing and it will be your last in this world.” Callum growled putting his hand on his sword. The older man’s eyes widened with fear again, “The past two days have been quite enough for me, Mr. Haskill.”

“What are you going to do?” The older man asked.

“I think I will leave up to His Grace and his clarity of thought. What do you think?” Callum asked and the older man looked scared again.

“We are going to prison, I have no doubt.” Haskill said and lowered his head.

“Perhaps.” Callum said, “But for the time being, I cannot let you or your son out of my sight. Once Lt. Marston has done what I have asked of him, I can only imagine that there will be Regulars here in short order.” The older Haskill only nodded as he sank onto a chair. Callum heard the groan behind him and turned to look down at the rug.

“Oh, my head.” Hiram said with a groan as he touched his face with the flat of his hand. Callum reached down and pulled him up to his knees rather quickly. He leaned into the exquisite but bruised face.

“On your feet.” Callum growled. He pulled and got Hiram up, guiding him to another chair near his father and pushed him into it, “Sit there and do not move. I warn you.”

“What are you going to do?” Hiram asked.

“I am going to wait, as I was just telling your father that. I am certain that there will be soldiers here shortly to collect the both of you.” Callum said and folded his arms over his chest, “Now, explain it to me, all of it.” Callum waited, watching the both of the Haskills. They looked at one another briefly, Hiram dropped his head, his father looked at Callum.

“There is a portrait in the drawing room, a portrait of my late wife, perhaps you have noticed it, Captain.”

“Yes, I have. I also noticed that Lord Upton was staring at it as well.” Callum said.

“Indeed.” The older man and tears formed in his eyes, “My wife became ill a few years ago. The house was not doing well for boarders. The doctors became more and more frequent in their visits to try and treat her. We fell into hard times, financially.”

“I am sorry to hear that.” Callum said.

“Thank you.” The older man said and looked at his son again, seeing the tears dropping from the bent down head into the young lap, “Hiram was desperate, as was I, not only to save my wife, his mother, but also the house. He was out one evening with friends. A man approached him, a tall and rather gawky man in stature, but finely dressed. He said that he could offer assistance for our plight. Hiram jumped at the chance.”

“You speak of Bancroft.” Callum said, the older man nodded.

“Hiram brought the man, Pennysort, as you know him as Bancroft, Albert Bancroft home with him that evening. He listened to our difficulties and said there was a solution to our problems,…but for a price. It was too good to be true. He introduced us to Lord Upton the very next evening. He gave us the money to catch up our debts and to put the house right.”

“But there was a price, a very large price, wasn’t there?” Callum asked. Haskill nodded, “Your cousin. He was lead to be brought here as one of your boarders, wasn’t he?”

“It was part of the plan, but the timing was never right.” Haskill said and paused, “My wife…died in her sleep…I could not carry out what he wanted after that. I only found out three days ago that he had seen Hiram, secretly, knew that you were coming to London, knew that you would be here, placed with us, and that would be the right time for him to act.”

“Yes, well, we know now, don’t we?” Callum asked and shook his head. He thought a moment, what this might mean, and then narrowed his eyes at the older man, “How much are you into him for?”

“I beg your pardon, Captain?” Haskill asked.

“How much did he give you to pay your debts and to set your house in order?” Callum asked.

“Six thousand pounds.” Haskill said, “Why do you ask?”

“It is simple. You owe him a debt of money and if you do not repay it with what he wants, according to your son, he will kill you both, is that not so?” Callum asked. The older man nodded, “Fine, then I have an idea. I will share it with you only if you give your word to me that you will not carry out anything that that monster wants, do you understand?” Callum asked. The older man nodded slowly.

“What are you thinking, Captain?” Haskill asked.

“He bought your loyalty, didn’t he? I can do the same.”

“Forgive me, Captain, I mean no insult, but have you the means?” Haskill asked and looked scared again. Callum smiled briefly.

“Indeed I do, Mr. Haskill, indeed, I do.”

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“You bought them off, Grandfather?” Dustin asked and was wide eyed.

“In a manner of speaking, yes. I needed to safeguard His Grace from coming to possible harm. Money, the sight of it, the promise of it, can be a powerful ally. I was going to make certain that Upton did not have that corner completely to himself. However I could hurt him, slow him down, I had made up my mind to do just that. He had to be stopped at all costs, short of committing murder.” The old man said. Dustin smiled and nodded. The old man reached out and pat his knee with a smile of his own, “Now, on this good note, what’s for supper?”

“You know very well. I am roasting a hen that I got for a good price at the butcher this morning. I have small potatoes and something that I found in the Square at one of the merchants, she said they were string beans, I have no idea what they are or will taste like, but she told me how to prepare them.” Dustin said.

“Well, it smells wonderful.” The old man said as he continued to smile.

“Yes, it does smell wonderful.” Andrew said. Dustin rose off the ottoman, Andrew stood himself, setting the notebook and pencil aside. They looked at one another for a long moment, “I am sorry, Dustin, I did not wish to upset you or offend you with what I said earlier.” Andrew said. The old man watched his handsome face, the way it showed sincerity in his words. His eyes were soft and the old man’s heart melted at seeing them that way. Dustin was square jawed as he stared at Andrew, his eyes narrowed a bit.

“I suppose I do owe you an apology for jumping to conclusion like I did.” Dustin said.

“Please, think nothing of it, not anymore, I beg you. I want nothing to come between us ever.” Andrew said.

“I would agree with that.” Dustin said and stepped once toward Andrew. He reached out a hand and touched Andrew’s arm.

“I hope and pray nothing ever will.” Andrew said softly. He was staring into Dustin’s eyes, never once flinching or turning away.

“Well, if you don’t kiss him, I will.” The old man said as he stared up at the both of them. Dustin smiled and leaned forward kissing Andrew softly, a simple touch between them telling them both that everything was alright between them. Dustin pulled back and looked at Andrew.

“I suppose I should go and check on supper then.” Dustin said.

“Do you want some help?” Andrew asked.

“If you’d like, yes.” Dustin whispered. The old man sat back in his chair watching the pair walk into the kitchen together, hand in hand. He smiled and his mind went back to another time, that time that he was in, the boarding house, and his drugged and sleeping Dustin. He could see it so clearly in his mind, the wave of Dustin’s long brown hair, undone from the tie that Callum had placed there so long ago, the hair spread out over the case of the pillow that he rested on in that deep and luxurious bed. A sight of pure beauty to Callum that it took his breath away.

“I so miss you, my love.” The old man said softly with his eyes closed.

“Where am I?” The voice asked from the bed. Callum smiled and looked over his shoulder as he sat on the other edge.

“In our room, here in London. How are you feeling?” Callum asked.

“I am not sure. I have never felt this way before. It is almost like being drunk but not.” Dustin said as he sat up. The covers dropped off him. He put his hands to his face and tried to squeeze the feeling out of himself, “What happened?”

“You were drugged. The wine.” Callum said, shifting himself to bring up his leg on the bed, placing a hand near Dustin and leaning on it toward him. Dustin lifted his face out of his hands and looked at Callum, his long brown hair draped over his shoulders partially covering his face.

“And you were not?” Dustin asked.

“I only pretended to drink it, so did Haskill.”

“You knew then. Why didn’t you stop me?” Dustin asked.

“I suspected. I needed to find out for certain.” Callum said and Dustin narrowed his eyes.

“You used me as bait.” Dustin said and weaved a bit.

“No, that was not my plan. But had I said anything, it might have gone another way. You must see that.” Callum said, “They were going to kill us as we slept from being drugged.”

“How do you know?” Dustin asked.

“I stopped Hiram from killing you.” Callum said and Dustin looked shocked.

“Is he dead?” Dustin asked and Callum shook his head in reply, “I see. What did I miss?”

“I had quite a chat with Lord Upton in the drawing room.” Callum said and Dustin looked even more shocked, “He is quite mad. There is no doubt of that.”

“He was here?” Dustin asked, “What did you do?”

“I listened, and he gave me something to think about, something that I never knew before.” Callum said with a blank look on his face. Dustin saw it and became worried.

“What?” Dustin asked. Callum blinked and looked at him.

“My father…he worked for Upton. The ship he was on when he died, the Montrose, was owned by Upton. He obviously has been planning this for many years.” Callum said, his voice was soft.

“Oh my God, Quintan, I had no idea. I am sorry.” Dustin said putting a soft hand to Callum’s cheek. Their eyes met and Callum smiled out of the corner of his mouth. He put his hand over Dustin’s that was still at his cheek.

“I am sorry myself over it. But it was my father’s choice, long before my time, and it is not mine. He must be stopped.” Callum said.

“He will be.” Dustin said firmly, taking his hand back, “Where are the Haskills?”

“They are downstairs being questioned.” Callum said, “Lord Eldon has been summoned.”

“Good. Maybe this is over then.” Dustin said.

“Not quite.” Callum said and leaned forward, kissing Dustin softly. He pulled back and stared into the soft brown eyes that he loved so very much. There was a knock on the door. Callum sighed and got up off the bed. He walked over to the door and opened it.

“Beg pardon, sir.” A young Regular stood there and snapped to attention, “Your presence is requested downstairs, sir.”

“Thank you. I’ll be down presently.” Callum said. The young man snapped stiff again.

“Yes, sir.” He said, saluted smartly, turned and went down the hall. Callum closed the door and turned back looking at Dustin.

“Will you be alright?” Callum asked.

“Yes. I’ll get up and wash, then join you downstairs.” Dustin said as he got out of the deep bed. Callum saw the young naked body and sighed again. Dustin gathered his clothes, Callum opened the door and went out.

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Callum stepped off the bottom step of the staircase. Regulars were at the front door of the foyer, at rigid attention. Callum looked to the room he had left the Haskills in, two Regulars were on side of the open doorway, at rigid attention, their muskets at rest beside them, in one hand. Callum stepped into the room and saw the scene.

Both Haskills were in chairs, sitting there watching as the man paced slowly in front of them, going a few steps, turning and then going back. Callum knew him, had left the Haskills with him and two others, along with the Regulars after telling them the events of what had happened so far.

The man that was pacing was Judge Frobisher, the hanging judge. Another man was there as well, standing off to one side, near a sideboard, Lord Ameson. The man that had come to Callum’s defense in Lord Hood’s chambers at the Admiralty to give Callum time to find more proof of the possible insurrection led by Upton.

“I see your position in this, but I do not agree with what you have done.” Judge Frobisher said, his voice rich and deep, accented from being from the north. Callum watched him and also looked at the Haskills, sitting there in their chairs, “You have conspired to commit murder. Thankfully that has not happened. It would be a great loss to all of us if His Grace were to be killed.” Judge Frobisher stopped in front of both of them, his hands clasped behind his back, “You will both hang for this.”

“Captain Callum.” Lord Ameson said.

“My Lord.” Callum replied with a bow of his head, and then looked at Frobisher, “Your Honor.”

“Thank you for joining us, Captain.” Frobisher said, “How is your companion?”

“He is well, Your Honor. He is up and about and will be joining us presently.” Callum said.

“Excellent. He can lend to giving more evidence in this then.” Frobisher said.

“Excuse me for saying so, Your Honor, but I don’t see how. He was drugged and unconscious.” Callum said.

“Yes, I recall from what you said earlier, Captain. But, perhaps he might have a different perspective on all of this.” Frobisher said with a slight cock of his head. Callum raised an eyebrow. Frobisher looked beyond Callum, giving a slight smile. Callum turned as Dustin was walking up slowly, “Mr. Perkins, isn’t it?” Frobisher asked and Dustin seemed a little cautious. He gave a slight nod as he stepped up next to Callum, “Do come in, young sir. I would like to ask you some questions about the events of last night.”

“Last night?” Dustin asked, “What time is it?”

“It is near half past six,” Frobisher said, “in the morning.” Dustin was stunned and looked at Callum for a moment.

“I have been asleep all that time?” Dustin asked to no one in particular.

“Yes, you have.” Callum said.

“I had no idea.” Dustin said softly.

“May I ask you some questions, Mr. Perkins?” Frobisher asked.

“Of course.” Dustin said and nodded.

“Please, make yourself comfortable.” Frobisher said and held out a hand indicating an overstuffed chair near Lord Ameson. Dustin looked at Callum a moment and then went over to the chair after Callum gave a nod of reassurance toward him. Dustin sat down as Frobisher came close to him, standing in front of him, “Now, Mr. Perkins, do you recall last evening?”

“Yes?” Dustin answered.

“Can you tell me what happened after you and the Captain returned here?” Frobisher asked.

“Yes. We came in and were greeted by Mr. Haskill. He said that there was supper still available for us. He led us into the drawing room and had us sit down at a table. He poured wine for us and Mr. Haskill’s son appeared and set plates in front of us.” Dustin said.

“What happened after that?” Frobisher asked.

“I ate and was served more. I was very hungry.” Dustin said and rolled his eyes a bit. Frobisher smiled briefly down at Dustin.

“It’s understandable, a young man such as yourself should have a healthy appetite. What happened after that, Mr. Perkins?” Frobisher said.

“The Captain and Mr. Haskill were having a bit of a conversation. I was not really paying attention, but the Captain asked Mr. Haskill to join us and I recall he asked Mr. Haskill of the visit from His Grace, here at the boarding house. Mr. Haskill had poured more wine for me. I usually do not drink wine, or at least, not very much, but it tasted so good to me, and it usually doesn’t.” Dustin said.

“Most wines can be a bit heavy, perhaps even a bit bitter. How was the wine different?” Frobisher asked.

“It was sweet as I recall.” Dustin said, “I was rather enjoying it.”

“I see.” Frobisher said as he looked over at both Haskills in their chairs, “What happened after that?”

“The Captain gave a toast to His Grace, and I drank the last of the wine in my glass. It wasn’t but a couple of minutes later that I was not feeling quite myself.” Dustin said, “I remember the younger Haskill came in and offered dessert and I chose not to. That’s when things began to get a bit blurry to me. The Captain suggested that I go upstairs and wash and go to bed.”

“And did you?” Frobisher asked.

“Yes, but I remember the younger Haskill helped me up the stairs. He helped me into the room. After that, I have no memory.” Dustin said.

“You don’t recall him saying anything?” Frobisher asked.

“He did say something when we were near the top of the stairs.” Dustin said, clearly thinking hard, “But I don’t think he was speaking to me. He was speaking to someone else.” Dustin said and thought hard again, his eyes flashed and he looked up at the older man in front of him, “Yes, I recall, he said…downstairs…he is alone.”

“Did you see who he was speaking to?” Frobisher asked, cocking his head slightly. Dustin shook his head.

“No, I was trying to concentrate on my feet and where they were at the moment. I was apparently having a hard time in walking.” Dustin said.

“I see.” Frobisher said, putting a hand on Dustin’s shoulder, “Thank you, Mr. Perkins.” Frobisher turned and looked at both men with narrowed eyes, “What was in the wine?”

“An opiate, mixed with honey.” The elder Haskill said with a soft voice.

“Thereby making it sweet. Who gave it to you?” Frobisher asked.

“I don’t know his name. He brought it to the kitchen and gave us instruction on how to use it.” Haskill said.

“And you had no idea what it was?” Frobisher asked, “What were you to do next?”

“Let him know that they were asleep. We were to let him into the house then.” Haskill said and lowered his head.

“And he would murder them while they slept in a drugged state.” Frobisher said, he shook his head, “Sergeant?” Frobisher called out.

“Sir?” A Regular snapped to attention.

“Take these men into custody and take them away.” Frobisher said.

“Your Honor, if I may?” Callum asked as he stepped forward. Frobisher turned and looked at him.

“You are not thinking of stopping me from doing this, are you, Captain?” Frobisher asked.

“As a matter of fact, Your Honor, I was.” Callum said as he stepped near Frobisher, “At least hear me out.”

by icevuk2634

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Copyright 2024