Valmont

"Where have you been? I've been trying to get a message to you!"

Lady Ross was almost frantic as Brendon made his way slowly up the stairs of her home. She took the young man's hand and led him into the sitting room. She sat down herself and tried to figure out how to start.

"Did I ever show you the cabinet that I bought Ryan?"

Brendon shook his head no.

"It is a beautiful piece. I handed him the key to it and said, ‘You can lock all your secrets in there’ and do you know what he told me?"

Brendon shook his head.

“‘Mama, you know it will never be locked’. Isn't that sweet?"

Brendon nodded. That's when Lady Ross's face changed.

"Well it's locked. Naturally I have another key for it, and do you know what I found?"

Again Brendon shook his head.

"Letters. Love letters from that so called music teacher of his."

Brendon started to say something, was cut off.

"Yes yes, I know he is young like Ryan, but he knows he is betrothed. His behavior is wrong."

Lady Ross thought for a moment.

"Now my problem is I don't know what to do. Ryan doesn't know I have a key and even though I read the letters, I did not confront him. Could you please go and talk to him?"

Brendon nodded again figuring that his words were not needed right now. Lady Ross squeezed his hand fondly and then watched as he walked off towards his son's room with great relief that he would get to the bottom of everything.

*

*

*

Ryan was laying on his bed when a knock came to his door.

"Come in?"

Ryan looked up and smiled when he saw Brendon.

"Brendon!"

Ryan jumped out of bed, careful of his frilly outfit and hugged him.

"I missed you, where have you been?"

Ryan led Brendon to a chair.

Brendon took in Ryan's outfit as he sat down, holding both of the young boy's hands in his.

"Oh how lovely you look. We should go to the operetta again sometime."

"Oh yes please, it was amazing! The chandeliers and all the beautiful clothing."

Ryan looked lost in his thoughts.

"You should ask your music teacher teach you some songs from the operetta."

Brendon said as he placed his fan on the table beside him.

"I will."

Ryan was still far off in his mind.

"Are you happy with your music teacher?"

"Oh yes, he is a wonderful music teacher."

Ryan looks down and then up.

"He's been writing me letters."

"Has he?"

Brendon asked slowly, a smile on his lips.

"Yes. He writes beautifully too."

"And what does he say?"

Brendon encouraged.

"So many things. He has all these feelings and longings...it's a bit of a mystery."

"Do you love him Ryan?"

"No, no of course I don't."

Brendon sagged slightly...if it were love, this could be the answer to his problems.

"So do you think I should write back?"

"Well..."

Brendon said sadly, looking down at the boy who was now knelt at his feet.

"If you don't love him, it would be very wrong to encourage him."

Ryan looked away again and then looked back with tears in his eyes.

"I lied to you Brendon, I lied. I do love him, I'm so in love."

Ryan looked down.

"I don’t want to marry Magistrate Bryar, he's old."

Brendon almost felt sorry for the boy...almost. He smiled sympathetically at Ryan.

"So what should I do?"

Brendon thought for a moment...this could be perfect.

"Let's write him a letter."

"I actually already did. Would you like to read it?"

"May I?"

Ryan nodded and ran out of the room. He ran down the stairs and into the music room. He looked around for anyone and then reached under the harp cover.

Brendon leaned quietly over the stair rail to watch the younger boy, then ran quickly back into Ryan's room and stood nonchalantly by the window, as if he had never left the room. Ryan fell running back. He really did not like heels. He ran up the stairs to Brendon.

"Here, tell me, is it okay?"

Brendon smiled at Ryan as he opened the letter. He started to read, then looked back at the boy.

"You are not telling him what you want to tell him Ryan..."

He looked over at Ryan's writing desk, then back.

"Get your pen."

Ryan nodded and went to his desk. He sat down and picked up his quill. He dipped it in ink and waited poised over the paper, but careful to not drip the ink.

Brendon walked slowly across the room, it helped him to think. He opened his mouth to begin dictating, but paused instantly, turning to look at Ryan.

"What do you call him?"

"Spencer."

Ryan giggled.

Brendon smiled.

"Dear Spencer..."

He moved over to the bedroom door and peeped out before closing it quietly.

"Your love gives me the courage to follow my heart. I long to meet you somewhere, where we can finally be alone..."

*

*

*

"So, what did you find out?"

Lady Ross looked frantic. Brendon smiled reassuringly as he moved to sit on a gilt edged love seat in front of her.

"Oh there's nothing to worry about. You won't believe how innocent the whole thing is."

"Really?"

Lady Ross sat in the chair with such relief on her face.

"For example, do you know how those letters get exchanged?"

Lady Ross shook her head, but leaned in eager for the information.

Brendon sighed.

"But please, Ryan shouldn't know that I told you...the put them in the strings of the harp."

*

*

*

Ryan was trying hard to concentrate on his lessons, but knowing what he wrote in the letter to Spencer made it hard. Also his mother was sitting there with a strange expression on her face. When Ryan finished playing his personal maid clapped and they smiled at each other.

"Very good Master Ross, just watch the tempo on this part, you sped up a bit too much here."

Spencer pointed out the part and recited the correct tempo. Ryan nodded and stood up as Spencer grabbed the cover for the harp and placed it on.

"You son is a wonderful student Madam."

"Remove the cover."

Spencer looked alarmed as Lady Ross motioned to her personal servant. He crossed and lifted the cover revealing the letter that he had written back to Ryan.

"Madam I..."

"Quiet. Ryan, go to your room, I will be there in a moment."

Ryan left slowly making his way up the stairs. After a few moments, Lady Ross appeared. Ryan sat down.

"Tell me the truth, did you know about the letter?"

Ryan decided to lie.

"No, not at all."

"Then this is the first one?"

"Yes, of course."

Lady Ross looked at the cabinet.

"Then why is your cabinet locked?"

"Oh...is it locked?"

"Give me the key."

Ryan looked around.

"I don't know where it is."

Lady Ross tried not to show her anger.

"It's hanging around your neck Ryan."

Ryan looked down.

"Oh...so it is."

Now Ryan knew he was trapped.

"I'm sorry Mama, I truly am, please forgive me!"

Ryan ran and hugged his mother tightly.

*

*

*

Spencer was pacing back and forth waiting to find out what was to happen. He knew it was stupid to fall in love with a boy that was betrothed, but the thought of a grown man taking that sweet innocent boy to hand grated on his sensibility. He looked up and saw that Lady Ross had returned. In her hand were the letters he had written to him.

"Madam I..."

"Young man you have abused my hospitality and slighted my family. You have taken advantage of my son’s innocence. Here are your letters."

She tossed them on the table.

"I want the ones he wrote to you back and I want them today. You are dismissed."

"Madam, please I..."

"Do not make me call my footman."

Spencer began to get angry.

"Madam, I will not return those letters and I will not apologize for Ryan's affections. He opened his heart to me and I will not betray him. Goodbye."

Spencer went to grab his harp to make a grand exit, but instead made a fool of himself as it fell and made this horrible noise that even the footman winced at. He fumbled with his hat and as he left he heard Ryan cry and run up the stairs. He stormed out into the street trying to decide what to do when he heard his name.

"Spencer...do you remember me?"

Brendon called, leaning out of his carriage window.

"I have a letter for you, from Ryan."

Spencer's eyes widened and he walked over to the carriage. The door was opened for him. He looked at the woman and then climbed in.

*

*

*

"Dear Ryan..."

Brendon dictated as Spencer sat at Brendon's writing desk, quill in hand.

"To be alone with you is my greatest desire..."

Again he walked as he spoke.

"...and Master Urie has devised a plan for us to meet. He will explain all the details to you..."

*

*

*

Brendon leaned conspiratorially over a small table as he laid out his plan for Ryan.

"I'll invite you and your mother to the operetta."

"But I am grounded to the house?"

"Precisely...which is why you will decline my invitation like a good boy, so that your mother suspects nothing..."

He smiled.

"Do you understand?"

*

*

*

"Mama! Mama, please, please can I go, I don’t want to be alone!"

Lady Ross looked at her son. He was frantic and pleading.

"Now Ryan, you know that you are in trouble and..."

"Please Mama, I will be good, I promise!"

Brendon stood quietly at Lady Ross' side on the grand staircase, listening to the argument between mother and son.

"No Ryan, now please stop."

Ryan bowed his head and slowly walked away. He watched as his mother and Brendon continued down the stairs and then ran to his room to get ready to leave.

*

*

*

Brendon was enjoying the operetta...or he would have been if Lady Ross would just sit still. He turned to her.

"Is everything alright?"

He asked quietly.

"I'm sorry, I can't. I'm so worried about Ryan. The look on his face is haunting me. You enjoy, I'm going to go home."

Lady Ross patted Brendon on the shoulder and left the box. Brendon watched her leave in mild horror, then stood and quickly left himself.

*

*

*

Brendon arrived at the apartment he secretly kept for his liaisons. Climbing quickly from his carriage, he dashed inside to find his maid stood on top a stool, looking through the peepholes into her 'private room'.

"So?"

He asked urgently as she turned at his arrival. The maid rolled her eyes in exasperation. Brendon huffed.

"Idiot!"

He turned and pushed quickly into the room, seeing Ryan playing the harp in the ridiculously scandalous outfit he'd had his maid dress the boy in, and Spencer singing.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but Ryan has to go."

He moved the harp away from the boy and pulled him to his feet.

"Get dressed."

He ordered briskly. Ryan did not argue. He apologized to Spencer and watched as he was ushered out by the servant. Then Ryan got dressed and was pushed into Brendon's carriage without being told anything.

*

*

*

Lady Ross was furious. She had gone home to console her son, but found he was not there and his personal maid knew nothing the silly twit. She went back to the operetta wondering if that music teacher was involved. She opened the curtain and saw...Ryan with his head on Brendon's lap sobbing. Brendon looked over at the door, giving a sympathetic smile as he removed his hands from where he'd been stroking Ryan's back comfortingly.

"Mama!"

Ryan ran to his mother and started to cry. Brendon smiled at Lady Ross, a slight laugh in his voice as he spoke.

"My dear, don't be harsh with him...he's sorry, he's so sorry."

Ryan would not stop crying and Lady Ross hugged him and pet his hair lightly.

Brendon stood and closed the privacy curtain as almost everyone in the theatre was craning to see what the disturbance was about...it did little to shield them though, as it was basically a very thin lace.

*

*

*

Brendon sat opposite Lady Ross at a small table in her drawing room, listening to his cousin lament.

"I don't know what to do. He is so different now. Perhaps I should have left him at the monastery."

"Oh no, no..."

Brendon said softly, his elbows rested elegantly on the table.

"I would just get him out of London for a while..."

He smiled.

"If you like, I could take him to the country."

Frank was taking a quiet walk along the tree lined drive of Lady Rush's estate as he read a letter he had received that morning, when he heard a horse galloping up behind him. He folded the letter and tucked it into his vest before turning. He was not surprised to see Gerard sat astride the large chestnut mare.

"Well there you are. I have been looking all over for you. I have a surprise for you."

Frank gathered himself together to speak to the persistent man.

"Master Way, I must talk to you."

"Come then."

Gerard held his hand out as he leaned a little from the horse.

"No!..."

Frank shook his head, stepping back out of Gerard's reach.

"No."

"Why didn't you ever tell me?"

Frank tipped his head a little.

"Tell you what?"

"That you were such a brilliant archer."

Gerard gave a look that said he was slighted by not knowing this knowledge.

Frank smiled slightly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Come I will show you."

Gerard smiled at Frank and held out his hand once again.

"I'm a brilliant archer?"

Frank laughed lightly as he accepted Gerard's hand and allowed himself to be lifted up onto the horse, to sit in front of the older man.

*

*

*

Frank quite enjoyed the ride through the gardens, but it wasn't long before they arrived at a clearing, where Gerard's servant was lounging on the grass.

Patrick heard his master coming and stood up. He watched them come to a halt in front of him and smiled.

"Patrick...what are you waiting for?"

"Oh right!"

Patrick pulled a whistle out and blew on it. Two hounds came out carrying a bow and arrow. Frank laughed at the sight as the dogs tried to evade Patrick's attempt to retrieve the bow and arrow.

Patrick finally got the pieces from the dogs and handed them to Gerard.

"Alright, here you go. You hold it like this."

He set the arrow up and then placed Frank's hand on it.

"Now pull back and let go."

Frank did as he was told, a smile on his lips as the arrow left the bow, flying high up over the nearby trees.

"Let's go!"

Gerard lightly kicked the horse to start canting away through the arch. Patrick ran after him as fast as he could. After a few moments they arrived at a huge oak tree at the edge of a larger clearing. Under the tree was a table laid out with a feast. There was a roasted pheasant in the center of the table with an arrow sticking out of it. Frank laughed at the absurdity of it.

"Nice shot! I was right, you are a brilliant archer."

Gerard lifted Frank off the horse, nearly losing his balance and dropping him slightly. He then dismounted and walked to the table where Frank was standing.

"Now, what do you think would happen if I gave you this coin and told you to throw it in that bush over there."

Frank grinned. He took the coin and threw it as hard as he could into the bush. A small band of minstrels came out and began to play. Gerard turned to Frank and bowed. Frank gave his hand and they started a simple dance. Gerard was enjoying his time when he noticed that Frank was no longer smiling or dancing.

"Is anything wrong?"

Gerard stepped up to Frank, but Frank walked toward the table with the feast on it again. Gerard walked over and sat down in one of the chairs.

"May I read you something?"

Frank asked, retrieving the letter from inside his vest.

"This letter is from a close friend of mine."

He unfolded the paper and began to read.

"All his life, Mr. Way has been and is a consummate master in the art of seduction..."

He glanced up at Gerard to see he was listening avidly, though his usual cocky smile had now slipped away. Frank continued.

"Hundreds of men and women, and I am not exaggerating my dear, have paid for it. He has charmed his countless victims, designing his every gesture, every word, every smile in a cold blooded scheme, that has only one squalid end...to destroy his victim's honour."

He lowered the page as he finished and turned disappointed eyes to Gerard.

"Is this true?"

Gerard looked at Frank and then down at the letter in his hand.

"Who wrote that letter."

It wasn't a question, he was pretty sure he knew who.

"Is it?"

Frank waited but received no reply. He sighed, folding the letter and returning it to its envelope.

"Mr. Way, don't waste your time on me. I...I am not, nor will I ever be one of those fools."

"I know that."

Gerard spoke with true sincerity, but inside he was boiling with anger.

"So, why do you keep trying?"

Genuinely curious.

"I don't even know."

Gerard knew he had to leave before he lashed out at Frank...he stood and walked away.

It was not Frank's fault that Gerard's plans were thwarted...it was a certain bitch that...Gerard's thoughts were interrupted by a carriage coming down the road. It stopped a few feet in front of him. He knew that carriage well.

Brendon stuck his head out of the carriage window with a smile on his face.

"Gerard, can we offer you a ride?"

When Gerard simply put his hands on his hips and stared at the other man, Brendon continued.

"Look who I brought with me."

He sat back into the carriage so that Ryan could lean out, then joined him.

"You remember my little cousin."

He turned to smile at Ryan.

"It is nice to see you again Master Way."

Gerard gave him a small smile. Brendon smiled back at Gerard as Ryan disappeared back inside the carriage.

"Would you like to join us?"

He smirked. When Gerard simply shook his head, Brendon rapped on the inside of the roof, and grinned at Gerard as the carriage pulled away.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks...how's you?

Brendon's a sneaky bitch, ain't he?!...he's fun to write too!

Until next time...PLEASE COMMENT, and peace out babies!
<3