A Change of Arrangements
I had a lot to think about while I waited for Grant to get ready for dinner. Not least the fact that Cedric and Ivar expected to move into their positions as our valets as soon as possible. He was a bundle of nerves over meeting Gus and Pierre, and clearly worried about suddenly having ‘personal’ servants. I discussed this with him as we travelled to the Imperial.
“The penthouse is big enough,” Grant commented. “I mean we’ve four bedrooms, two patios, two en suite bathrooms and a third, a dining room, living room and our own private entrance.” Watching me, he grinned, “Why on earth did you buy such a huge apartment? Just for yourself?”
“Guilty, as charged.” It was actually something silly. I’d bought it on a whim, with a vague idea of being able to invite possible clients to stay largely because I loved the privacy it offered and the stunning views. The only people who had visited and spent a few days were old school or university acquaintances looking for a convenient and cost-free ‘hotel’. I’d considered selling it, but, to be honest, it was far too convenient to work, the Holbein Club, the art auctions, my preferred Gay venues … so I kept it and now enjoyed having a live-in lover and partner to share it. “It could work. We’d have to give them at least two rooms and a bathroom as their private quarters.”
“If you like.” Grant waited while I paid the taxi. “Do we really need a valet? What do they even do?”
“I’ve never had one — until two weeks ago, and then only for a couple of days.” I laughed. “He spoiled me. Fantastically careful, dressed and undressed me, laid out my outfits, provided information and anything I wanted, even ran my bath and passed me the towel, the dressing gown, turned down the bed … all very, very correct and without any sort of sexual innuendo — apart form his wearing rubber as I was.” Nodding to the Bellboy holding the door to the public lounge for us, I added, “And he tells me he was selected by Cadow.”
Further discussion was dropped as Gus and Pierre signalled us to join them. As we approached I noticed that Pierre wore a collar identical to that worn by Grant partly hidden by the dark blue silk scarf he wore knotted at his neck in the open collar of his extremely fashionable shirt and a superbly tailored jacket. Gus was just as carefully and fashionably dressed as they stood to greet us.
“So this is Grant.” Gus smiled, taking Grant’s hand, and drawing him into a one armed ‘man hug’. “Grant, meet Pierre, my custodian.” He winked as Grant shook hands with Pierre. “Pierre, this shy bird is Guillaume, my heir.”
“Stop teasing them, Gus.” Pierre was handsome and had an aristocratic air. Greying at the temples yet retaining a youthful look, he waved to the armchairs. “I have to keep him in check all the time.” We all laughed, turning a few heads. “Come, be comfortable, I have ordered a good Chablis as a pre-dinner refresher.” Pausing as the waiter delivered the four glasses with the wine, he accepted the taster and sniffed the sample. “Excellent. Thank you.” When we all had a glass, he raised his and said, “To the heir and his Cadow.”
It set the tone for the evening. The dinner was good, though not as good as that I’d enjoyed at Fontlebois, and it gave Grant a chance to learn more about our future. We took the taxi home again, tired, a little tipsy with the superb wines selected by Pierre and tumbled into bed more than ready to enjoy a little sexual pleasure together.
The next week proved to be quite a challenge. First I had to attend a lawyer’s offices to go through some really ancient agreements and other legal documents. Then there were Deeds of Gift to be signed, Trusteeships to be accepted and explained and, it seemed, a never ending stream of things to agree and accept. Cedric proved a lifesaver, agreeing instantly to take care of the Gallery while I shuttled back and forth to various offices to be introduced, provided with briefing material as to what I would eventually be responsible for and really got to grips with what my new role was to be.
“You look exhausted, love,” Grant said as I joined him on the terrace in the Penthouse. “Ivar has whipped up dinner for us.”
Almost unnoticed Cedric and Ivar had arrived in the apartment and more or less taken charge while Grant was at classes and I was rushing about with the legal stuff. Suddenly they had control of the kitchen and neither of us got a chance to do even fetch a snack or a drink. They’d even rearranged the two small bedrooms so they had a bedroom and a sitting room and the ‘spare’ bathroom was now theirs. It was strange, but they were so good at this we got used to coffee being delivered in bed, meals beautifully prepared and laid out for us almost magically. And they were discreet …
“I am.” Hugging him, I kissed, him and flopped into the swing seat. “At least it’s all now legally settled, and tomorrow we head off to Fontlebois and your acceptance and test.” I grinned. “I’m looking forward to your response and how you like the house.”
“Do you think I’ll be accepted ..?” Grant handed me a glass of wine. “What if ..?”
“No, there’s no ‘what if’, my love.” I waited while he seated himself beside me. “You’re wearing Cadow’s collar.” Putting my arm round him, I kissed his cheek. “That should tell you all you need to know. Stop worrying. You’ll love Fontlebois and you’ll discover, as I did, that Cadow and Guillaume are very welcoming.”
“You refer to them as if they’re still alive.” Grant remarked, relaxing into my arm across his shoulders.
“In a sense, they are …” Gus had tried to explain this. “The best way to understand it is, I suppose, that they do live there. In and through their heirs and successors …”
The weather was perfect for the drive in the Z4. Cedric and Ivar had left an hour ahead of us in a car they’d brought with them from Fontlebois, but not before they’d laid out our breakfast and packed our traveling bags, a picnic basket for us to take along — they had our travel bags with them — and laid out our clothes for the drive. As we would be staying a full week this time, I’d arranged for a staff member to open the gallery and take care of the business while I was away. It hadn’t been hard to find someone either — Gus had recommended a friend of Pierre’s who needed employment!
Gus and Pierre had explained that our arrival experience would be very different on this occasion. Grant was to be taken, bound, to Cadow’s Tower prison, and I would be taken in chains to the crypt.
“It’s part of the acceptance of our responsibilities as chatelains of Fontlebois,” Gus explained. “Grant will learn Cadow’s story and why he changed the Mage’s curse, taking a part on himself, and you will hear what changed Guillaume’s intention toward Cadow.”
We were both nervous about what awaited us, but determined to go through with it. We took our time en route, especially as Grant had not been to this part of the country, and his artistic eye really loved the country and the picturesque villages we passed.
“Damn, I’ve really got to come this way again, love. There’s just so much I want to put on canvas! It’s not fair … it’s so beautiful!”
“Wait until you see Fontlebois, love. And we’ll be seeing a lot of it after this I think.” I retorted, accelerating as we left the outskirts of Gruntt and recalling Cedric’s comment on my first visit that those who had visited seldom wanted to leave, and some didn’t. “It gets a bit wilder from here on, and the ‘park’ is partly on a sort of part island, part peninsula. There’s probably a geological term for it, but the bit the house and it’s ‘park’ is on is separated from the rest of the estate by a deep gully with the sea filling it.”
The guard, again in tight fitting leather, greeted us and opened the gate as we approached, waving us through cheerfully. Slowing the car I called a greeting and drove on slowly to allow Grant to appreciate the stunning landscape as I eased the car down the slope to the cliff road, and then across the bridge and into the underground car park.
Cedric and Ivar greeted us, Cedric in skintight black rubber, his companion and lover in a heavy harness and boots. Both wore hoods covering all but their lower faces.
“Welcome home, sir,” Cedric greeted me as he held the door for me. “We’re to dress you and escort you from here to the Great Hall. His lordship will attend you there.”
“He told us what we’d have to do,” I responded as Grant, looking slightly lost, took in Ivar’s harness and exposed genitals. “We’re ready, I think. Just one thing first.” Walking to Grant, I took him in my arms, drawing him into a hug, and planted a firm kiss on his mouth. “Welcome to Fontlebois, my love. I don’t know how long this ritual takes, but I know we’re both okay — and I’ll be ready and waiting to get another real hug and some serious loving when we’ve done it.”
“Thanks … I think.” Returning my embrace, he kissed me and his tongue teased mine briefly. “I’m nervous as hell — and know I’m going to make a fool of myself, but … I love you.”
This time Cedric led me to a smaller ‘room’ and I stripped, then let him assist me in getting into a bondage suit, boots and finally a hood with openings for my eyes, mouth and nostrils. The suit left my genitals completely open, and as usual I was semi-hard by the time I was fully secured. I asked why I would need to be in bondage for my time in the crypt.
“The first Guillaume was captured by agents of his opponent, sir. And bound in a similar suit which was bewitched and would slowly crush him to death. His lordship will explain what followed.”
“Gus — I mean Lord Fontlebois will explain?”
“No, sir, Lord Guillaume will — in the crypt.” Cedric finished fastening the cuffs restraining my arms and stepped back. Smiling, he explained, “All of us who elect to remain at Fontlebois as its servants visit the crypt and make a pledge to his lordship and to Cadow, sir.” Having finished applying polish to the rubber, he put the polishing tools aside and said, “If you’ll follow me, sir, Mr Grant will be waiting for us.”
Grant was waiting with Ivar. My lover was now naked with light rubber ankle boots on his feet, a hood encasing his head, and his arms secured by cuffs at his elbows secured to a belt around his lower chest, and his wrists secured by cuffs to the front of it. His beautiful cock, semi tumescent, dangled free and I couldn’t miss the fact his pubic hair — he’d not had much anyway and very little anywhere else — was now gone. He laughed as I approached.
“If I’d known how sexy you look like that, my love …” His laugh echoed.
“You never said you liked this sort of outfit, love.” I managed to peck his cheek. I’d offer to hold your hand as we get taken to our doom, but I think we’re a bit restrained … I like the hairless look by the way.”
“So do I!” Returning the peck on the cheek, he said, “I guess we’re committed now …”
