S.H: Rise Of An Empire - 2: The London Connection

 

 

The lengthy journey from Oak Wood Village in West Yorkshire had been strange for both Melissa and David, while for Xander not being aware of the danger’s that could befall him while in the company of the two adults he had became overwhelmed with excitement of the many different sights, sensations and experiences around him; as Melissa knew only too well he had not been out of Cacciatori Wake Manor since before his mother had died just over five years ago, and so everything that he saw around him looked so unusually large; the different shapes and sizes of the cars that passed on the roads and motorways, the coaches that travelled alongside with the happy, smiling people at their windows waving down to the excited young man, the trees that lined the many road sides and the various shaped lakes that led into becks and rivers before winding under bridges, viaducts before they disappeared into towns. Travelling carefully down old and new motorways and through the various towns, villages and shortcut country dirt tracks, while stopping off at few rest stops that were seen to have very little or no customers and staff, Melissa and David finally sighed a welcome relief when eventually reached the Harbour Road of London’s west bank of the Thames – they had made it home.

 ‘I will take us around the back, Ma’am,’ David whispered softly as he looked through the rear view mirror to see that Xander was laid fast asleep within Melissa’s tender arms.

 ‘Excellent. I will phone ahead and make sure Xanders’ room is ready for him.’

Without a second thought Melissa rang up to the apartment and awaited one of her House Maids to answer the phone, though this was not the case, there was no answer by anyone. With a shrug of her shoulders and a blank look on her face she shook her head from side to side slowly at David in the mirror.

Suddenly, without any warning the car screeched to an abrupt stop as both Melissa and Xander tilted forward in their seats almost falling out of their places but for the seatbelts holding them in firmly.

 ‘Christ almighty…!’

Melissa’s words trailed off into silence as she looked up and out of the front window, her eyes meeting the sight of several black cars parked together in an attempt to block the road ahead as they approached the final one hundred yards to the underground car park that would allow them access to the apartment block. The sight was unnerving for the fact that each window of the cars in front was black and tinted the occupant’s invisible to be known or distinguished between being those of Criminal or that of the Authorities.

 ‘Is it the police?’ Melissa gasped nervously.

 ‘I doubt it, more like Spooks, the cars are unmarked,’ David answered turning around in his seat while pulling the gear stick of the car into reverse, only to have another three black cars pull up behind them – now they were completely boxed in and unable to escape.

For a few moments none of the cars from either the front or the rear made any attempt to move, nor did any of the occupants make any effort to exit their vehicles. It was only when the situation became tense that Melissa reached over for her door handle to get out, until David turned and told her to wait in a loud firm stern voice.

 ‘I’ll go Ma’am, it would be safer for you and Xander to stay here while I go and find out what they want, as if I don’t know already,’ David exclaimed opening his door and stepping out.

Melissa was scared. ‘Be careful David.’

Closing the door securely behind him before popping his head through the open window and leaning inside he pointed over to the passenger seat where the gun he had used to kill Giles sat under his coat. ‘If you need to use it, don’t hesitate okay?’

Nodding her head vigorously while wanting to tell him not to go, Melissa snuggled herself into Xander while kissing him gently on his rested head. Xander had stirred from his sleep due to the abrupt emergency stop that David had been forced to make, though he had not awoken enough to be aware what was going on around him at that time.

From the lead black car in front of David a man dressed in a dark black suit stepped out and immediately ordered him to stop where he was, and then from the back seat of the same car another man, also dressed in a dark black suit stepped out while fastening up his jacket before walking quickly towards him with an angry looking expression hanging from his face.

 ‘Is there a problem?’ David enquired with a casual smile.

 ‘David Price, surrender your weapons and place your hands on the bonnet. Do it now,’ the man ordered while continuing to walk toward him.

David opened his jacket slowly and carefully to show that he was not armed, and then placed both hands, palms down onto the bonnet. Inside the car Melissa reached out in front of her to take a hold of the gun from under the coat before sitting back quickly and quietly to reassure Xander, who had now awoken, that everything was going to alright and for him not to worry.

 ‘Who are you?’ David demanded looking at the man’s face.

The man now stopped to straighten his tie before giving a single raised wave of his hand to the cars behind him. ‘I am your worst fucking dream come to life, I am you’re…’

 ‘Nightmare,’ David interrupted suddenly, ‘it’s you’re my worst nightmare, you thick prick!’

Lunging forward and punching David in the ribs with a single punch, David was winded, his legs almost buckling beneath him, but he managed to stay on his feet as the man advised him to keep his mouth shut and not to say another word. Of course, Melissa’s traits had rubbed off on David quite significantly over the past few years of his service with her, and this was quite unfortunate for the man that had just struck him as he was about to find out exactly how much of Lady Cartwright’s hot blooded temperament had effected David.

 ‘You know…I’ve faced girls that have punched harder than that.’ David cried as he gasped for breath.

With a spring in his legs David jumped up and swung his fist directly into the man’s face sending him up in the air, off of his feet and down onto the road where he was instantly knocked unconscious. After David realised that the man was down, he returned to the car and replaced his hands on the bonnet.

It was now, that from behind Lady Melissa Cartwright’s car he heard the sound of hands clapping together, slowly and yet excitedly as though applauding his actions against the man who had attacked him and this was followed by the sound of footsteps approaching him. The sound was getting louder until finally in front of him a tall, well-dressed man in a Bowler hat, long cashmere coat and smoking a long, thick cigar stood staring into his face with a wide open smile, one which quickly angered David.

 ‘Well done, Mr Price, it’s good to know that you’ve still got it in you. Rumour was that with you working for a woman, you had become pussy whipped, and now I know that’s not true.’

Still weak with the punch to his ribs from the man lying on the ground, David gazed up and came face to face with Lord Chesterton – Law Lord and Chief Confidante to Lord Kasabian London’s.

 ‘Not really, he would have kicked my arse if he hadn’t been admiring himself like a pufter so much, I just took advantage of the situation,’ David replied dryly with contempt in his voice.

The man laughed for a brief moment before throwing down the cigar onto the road before he crushed it under his foot to extinguish it.

 ‘I take it that Lady Cartwright and her Nephew Xander is in the car with you?’ He asked before leaning forward and attempting to look through the car’s passenger window, until being stopped by David who now pushed himself up and away from the bonnet to divert his attention.

 ‘Are you going to arrest us or just talk us to death, Lord Chesterton?’ David growled.

Waving a hand in the air three of the four cars that were blocking the road in front made their way up to the car and passed them by, while the other three cars that were behind manoeuvred into safe positions to allow the cars to leave before they too, followed closely behind until they disappeared into the night. As for Lord Chesterton, he instructed David to get back in the car and continue to drive into the car park under Lady Cartwright’s apartment block. Doing as he asked David climbed back into the driving seat where he was met by the barrel of the gun by a very scared Lady Cartwright, whose hands were shaking.

 ‘Hey, it’s okay it’s me, its David’

 ‘David! What’s going on?’

Another few seconds and Lord Chesterton entered the passenger seat next to David and gave a smile to Melissa, who in turn moved her aim from a perturbed David, to that of a worried looking Lord Chesterton.

 ‘Lady Cartwright, is that really necessary?’ He spoke out calmly.

Reassuring Melissa that it was alright to put the gun away, David started the engine and continued into the basement car park where he pulled into the parking bay marked with his employer’s apartment number – 303A.

 ‘Okay, what now?’ David asked Lord Chesterton, keeping his hands firmly upon the steering wheel and looking forward through the windscreen.

 ‘Now, now we get Xander up to his room, get him settled into bed and sit down like adults to talk about the mess you two left in Oak Wood Village. Or, Melissa could simply shoot me in the head and wait for the police to come and take you both away to prison for murder.’ He replied in a dry tone.

Melissa and David were confused by the way in which they had been greeted by the Lord, though the whole incident had not been without its hint of suspicion regarding the servant to the Lords, especially the sudden backing off of the other vehicles and his accompanying them to the apartment alone. Lord Chesterton would be otherwise completely vulnerable to any kind of attack or assault. Of course, all of this was strange in the fact that the Lord’s never travelled anywhere without a bodyguard or some form of protection - So why was Lord Chesterton being different and why was he being so confident within his present company of both Melissa and David?

 ‘Well, I for one agree on getting Xander to bed and then jumping into a nice warm bath, if only to get out this dirty underwear, this thong is really digging into the crack of my arse!’ Melissa said suddenly leaning forward and putting the gun into David’s hand before opening her door.

Without any response to the unexpected remark both men got out of the car, while Lord Chesterton made his way around and assisted both Melissa and David in getting Xander out of the car carefully. Securing the car David led a very tired Xander to the lift while both Melissa and the uninvited guest gazed at one another with an expectant look.

  ‘You look absolutely radiant, Lady Cartwright,’ Lord Chesterton smiled.

  ‘If I was you, Alan, I would save the oral bullshit for your wife!’ She exclaimed stepping into the lift.

  ‘Seriously,’ he responded with a blush, ‘you have been missed. London will want to know what happened with the arranged meeting with Saunders, but, I for one can tell you the mess up in Oak Wood Village, was pretty much superficial compared to other matters. In the few days you've been away, however, you should know there have been some changes to the way in which things are now being run around here,’ he replied, explaining little, but revealing nothing.

 ‘What do you mean by changes, Alan?’ Melissa exclaimed.

 ‘Well, the Minister of Interior has stepped down you know, health problems and all…’

 ‘You mean he was forced out?’ David piped up moving forward out of the lift with Xander still holding onto his arm.

Lord Chesterton fell silent while showing a slight agitated glare in his eyes when looking over into David’s direction. Of course, when Melissa noticed this look she immediately took hold of his arm and escorted him toward the apartment door with a diversionary smile.

‘Where is he right now, Alan? Lord London, I mean?’ She asked calmly.

Shaking off the anger Alan took from his jacket a mobile phone. ‘Well, according to his schedule here, he will be just about touching down in Libya. I can say that he so wished to be here when you returned, but obviously, with his busy work schedule he is in very great demand these days, as you can imagine.’

 ‘Libya!’ Melissa gasped suddenly.

 ‘Is there something wrong, Melissa?’ Lord Chesterton asked puzzled.

Nodding her head in silence she continued to walk across the hall and through the open door that David had now opened and taken Xander through as both Lord Chesterton and Melissa strolled into the hallway and headed for the sitting room where they made themselves at home, as for David he continued on down and into Xanders’ bedroom. Switching on the light that lit the way over to the bed, David led the half-awake young boy over and then settled him down into bed before pulling up the bed clothes to his chest. It was now that Xander awoke fully and asked David where his Aunt was. Crouching down at the side of the bed David told him that Melissa was in the sitting room, but he would have to sleep now to get some rest and be ready for the morning.

 ‘Will you be here in the morning, David?’ Xander asked with a long yawn.

Nodding his head David tried to explain that he had to go away for a while, but it would not be for long, and until he returned, his Aunt Melissa would look after him. With this Xander corrected David, telling him that it was Aunt Mel and not that of Aunt Melissa, to which David gave a gentle smile while rising to his feet. Seeing that Xander was far from leaving the bed before he had had a good night’s sleep, David took from around his neck a long silver coloured necklace that held a rounded talisman.

 ‘I want you to take this Xander and keep it safe for me,’ David whispered while putting it into the young boy’s hand. ‘When I return, you can give it back to me, Okay?’

For a moment David stood looking down at Xander, and then with a kind rub on the boys shoulder he bade him goodnight before making his way out of the bedroom and on to the sitting room to join Melissa and Lord Chesterton.

In the sitting room Lord Chesterton and Lady Cartwright had sat down on a nearby white sofa where they awaited David to return to make them all a drink, though the suspicions of the PA were directed at the one question that had not yet been queried by either Lady Cartwright or himself, and that question was where were the rest of the House Staff?

 ‘Just how much damage has been done, Alan? I’m sure that you’ll tell me with us being such very good friends and for the fact that you hated Terrence O’Neil more than I did,’ Melissa asked crossing her legs with a stray hand that left the top of the hem of her skirt just above her knee exposed enough so as to leave a significant amount of covered flesh on full display.

Lord Chesterton noticed all too well what she had done purposely, nonetheless, he stared at the exposed black silk stocking that was covering her shapely leg.

 ‘Well, Lady Cartwright, in answer to David’s question your staff have been relieved for the evening. Don’t worry, you will have them back in the morning after we have had our little talk, and then, if you wish I can arrange for you to see Lord London. Now, the answer to your question Lady Cartwright…’ Alan replied looking across to Melissa.

 ‘The damage that Giles spoke of, how bad is it?’ Melissa spoke up.

 ‘As I said, the damage is pretty much superficial. However, the meeting with Saunders was not carried out, and as a punishment for this mistake, you will be without David for a little while,’ Lord Chesterton declared handing a small envelope over to Melissa.

Upon opening it she found that the signature at the bottom of the page was that of Lord London’s, while reading through the message typed neatly and clearly, it was instructions of an exchange – Xander for David.

Turning to Lord Chesterton with a loathing stare Melissa bit her bottom lip before standing to her feet to look down at him. ‘Unacceptable, I will not be bullied into…’

 ‘You misunderstand the message, Lady Cartwright, if you fail to do this you will lose your Nephew to Father Richards. As you already know from your research he is not a man you would want to leave any young child with. Am I correct? Or is our research of The Church of The New Found Faith out of date?’

Walking up to her and holding out his hand for the letter David asked for her to hand it over to him, but for Lord Chesterton to stop her momentarily with a long drawn out series of tuts. ‘Melissa’.

Ignoring the warning she handed the note over to David before sitting back down to see that Lord Chesterton was a little saddened by her hot headedness in ignoring him.

 ‘This is an order of exchange, Chesterton, what the hell does this mean?’ David demanded angrily.

Running his hands through his hair Lord Chesterton shook his head. ‘It is the consequences of your actions David that is what it means, son, the actions you took in Oak Wood Village with Marie and Giles were not authorized. Though you believed your life and the life of your client were in danger, the fact that there was no risk to you or that of Lady Cartwright whatsoever brought the agency great embarrassment. You have to understand that in your line of work, for every action there is a reaction, consequence’s too, David, and unfortunately your actions have brought these consequences to everyone within The Bakers’ Dozen.’

Lord Chesterton didn’t mince his words, nor did he pussy foot around in speaking his mind to an otherwise capable and efficient man who could just as easily kill him than rest easy and accept the agreement. However, as David was of a respected and loyal upbringing he agreed with a brief nod before bowing his head to the floor.

 ‘What will happen to Lady Cartwright and Xander, Lord Chesterton?’ He asked looking over to Melissa.

 ‘Oh, I’m sure that they will be left alone to get on with their lives for now, or maybe that of The Church of the New Found Faith will have some crazy plan hatching to get Xander back to face his fate. In all honesty, Son, that is something that is no longer your concern…Or ours.’

This was bad news, more than bad news for Melissa for the fact that David was all that she had. For three years she had shared everything with him; secrets, routines, things that no other person knew, and now he was going to be taken away by the Agency.

 ‘You know I can’t allow this, Alan, and if I was Lord London, I would…’

All of a sudden Lord Chesterton rose to his feet and in protest of her outburst he put out a hand to stop Melissa from saying another word.

 ‘Lady Cartwright…Melissa, I’m sorry, but there is nothing that you can say or do that will change the minds of the Agency seniors. I can promise one thing only, however, and that is that they will be fair on David. Other than this there is nothing that I or you can do.’

The atmosphere became still. Sombre to the extent that the three were almost too scared to speak another word, but for David manning up and asking if either of them wanted a drink? This cracked the ice a little as Lord Chesterton thrust a hand up in the air. ‘I’ll have a scotch…if that’s alright with you Melissa?’

Nodding her head to confirm to David, she too, asked for the same before rising from her seat and walking over to the nearby window and looking out into the street below.

 ‘Is there anything that I can do to make this right, Alan? Surely there is something that Lord London needs that I have?’ Melissa whispered.

It was now that both men looked at her with no surprise as to the undertone suggestion that her voice carried through the remark.

 ‘If you are suggesting offering yourself as means of sweeping this under the carpet Lady Cartwright, then I can tell you now, Lord London told me to relay the answer as soon as you asked it. He said, and I quote “If she offers herself in any way the answer is still NO.” I’m so sorry but there is nothing that can stop this. It is an order from above London, Lady Cartwright,’ Alan declared taking the drink from David and drinking it down in one gulp.

Shocked by the news Lady Cartwright made her way over to the bar to snatch the drink that David had prepared for her out of his hand, drinking it down with one single gulp and then poured another before gulping it down in just three mouthfuls. Then, again, she poured a third glass, only this time she staggered over to the sofa and slumped down by the side of Lord Chesterton before giving a very strained smile.

 ‘I will give you anything Alan, anything at all if you can call off this order,’ she slurred.

Lord Chesterton gave her a quick glance, and then looked away to David as though he could not find the courage to face his friend of many years.

 ‘There is only one way, Lady Cartwright, but it is dangerous and it could…’

 ‘I’m not running Lord Chesterton, I’ve tried that before and failed,’ David exclaimed.

 ‘Then there is no other way but to face Lord London and the others to prove your worth to the Agency, if not then I have no idea what the outcome will be.’

Asking Lord Chesterton when David would stand in front of the Agency, he gave a slight nod before bowing his head silently. It was this silence that told both Melissa and David that the plan was not to have him standing before a tribunal or a Court Marshall, but to be subjected to something more unsavoury.

 ‘I’m sorry Lady Cartwright, but already I have told you both too much. But, like I have said, I will ensure that they give David a fair hearing and that there are no hidden surprises…’

 ‘And what if there are?’

 ‘Then I will see to it that he has the chance to run.’

This was exactly what Melissa was waiting for, Lord Chesterton to swear his loyalty in such a way that she and David would realise that they had an ally in the ranks of The Bakers’ Dozen who would, if and when the need arose put their neck out for all the right reasons.

Looking at his watch to see the time Lord Chesterton told David to drink his scotch before he escorted him back downstairs to where the last car from the dramatic welcome earlier that evening would be waiting to take them back to the Agency, and from here David would be handed over to Lord London’s security team for debriefing.

Lady Cartwright didn’t want this to happen and she was in two minds on whether to stand up and fight for her PA, a man she had become very fond of, or to call the politicians and leaders that she knew and use up some of the favours she was owed. But, on knowing that David had killed both Marie and Giles in their hotel rooms back in Oak Wood Village, the whole situation was a complete mess. There would be no way that she would get support through the circumstances, because there were no circumstances, there were no reasons or grounds in which to free him from what he did – David was guilty.

 ‘I need a moment with David alone, Alan.’

With a nod Lord Chesterton left the room to allow Melissa and David to talk, and once the door closed shut the two looked at one another for a moment before moving closer.

 ‘I want to help you, David’

 ‘No, not this time, Melissa, this is something that I’m going to have to face on my own. In a way, I guess this could be one of the best things that ever happened…I mean, if it wouldn’t have been for getting rid of…’

Before David could say another word, Melissa had grabbed a hold of his head and pulled him to her kissing him deeply and passionately on the lips, something that David did not fight or resist against. As they embraced one another their arms clung, squeezed and hugged at each other’s clothing, neck, hair, even the waistlines of their garments as though they were never going to release their grip again. But, finally, with a slow push from Melissa, David pulled away to move his head to one side of Melissa before giving a low whisper into her ear.

 ‘Everything is going to be okay, Melissa, you’ll see.’

 ‘David, I need to tell you something…’

Pulling his head away from her and putting a finger to his lips to hush her, David gave a glad smile. ‘I’ll see you soon.’

Letting go of her he made his way to the door, opened it and with a slight pause in which Melissa hoped it to be a backward glance he walked out to meet Alan who was now ready to leave the apartment. A few moments later both men were gone. The strange silence that fell upon the apartment now became an enemy of Melissa, with nothing making a sound whatsoever, not even the various scattered clocks that had been placed in and around the rooms, hallways or kitchen.

Making her way through into Xanders’ bedroom with tears in her eyes Melissa looked inside from the doorway at her sleeping Nephew who was laid flat on his back, head to the side, but was deep within a soothing restful dream. Watching him sleep for a good while, Melissa herself decided to turn in for the night and get some sleep – something that turned into an hour of weeping for the absence of her PA, her best friend, until finally she too fell into a deepened dream.

 

 ‘Good morning Ma’am, my name is David Price, I believe the Agency have sent you my details prior to my arrival?’ A tall, very well dressed young man in a Rahun jacket and matching trousers announced stepping through the door and into Melissa’s apartment hallway.

Melissa was surprised that the Agency had sent her someone so young and athletic, as the last Close Protection Agent, or PA as they prefer to call them that they had sent was but a couple of years older than Melissa herself. All the same, she needed to lay down the rules of the house, the instructions of what, where and when his duties would be welcomed, and if and when they were going to cause a problem.

 ‘Welcome to Lupo Cresta Aumento, Mr Price,’ she greeted with a warm smile inviting him into the hallway, her eyes falling to the young man’s well shaped buttocks that were tucked away within the confines of the well-kept black trousers he wore.

Pulling behind him a large suitcase on wheels David cleared it of the door before pushing it back up against the wall, and then releasing the handle catches on either side he replaced the handle into the foldable telescopic poles back into their places with ease.

 ‘I see you have come prepared!’ Melissa exclaimed.

Looking down to his case David gave a smile. ‘Well, I have two other appointments to attend, Ma’am, if, of course, you are in no need of my services.’

Melissa was already happy with David’s physical appearance as well as his up-front and honest attitude, especially as all the other PA’s and Bodyguards were more like ‘Following Sheep’ and ‘Yes Men’, rather than having the inclination in their Male Brain to speak up for themselves once in a while.

 ‘Alright David,’ Melissa exclaimed, turning to walk down the hallway, ‘I will let you into a little secret…One which I hope you will keep to yourself. Are we on the same page?’

Deliberately, Melissa’s use of the inter-society jargon fell lightly upon David’s’ ears, and yet, it would appear that the actual term was more associated with his past life as a civilian than even the agency knew.

 ‘Yes Ma’am,’ he replied straightening each sleeve of his jacket by pulling at each cuff.

 ‘I was not born into the life that I am now in David, I was introduced, and by that I mean that I stole this whole charade that I am now playing out. My late brother-in-law, Terrence O’Neill from…’

 ‘Cacciatori Wake Manor, Ma’am! Yes, I’m quite aware of the reasons behind your move to Lupo Cresta Aumento. Lord London briefed me on the details.’

Melissa was suddenly agitated, but not as visibly as anyone would expect, and the show was quite the opposite. With a glare Melissa told David to follow her into the sitting room where she was met by Mrs Angelis, the Head House Keeper of the apartment.

 ‘Good morning, Ma’am, is there anything that you and your guest require?’ She asked with a wide, happy smile that certainly indicated that she was happy working for Melissa.

 ‘Would you like a drink, David? Or would you prefer to get right down to it?’

The discreet hidden smirk which Melissa hid from the afterthought of the statement in which she directed at David fell away quickly, as standing before her with a solemn look on her face was Mrs Angelis, who averted her eyes to the ceiling before turning to the guest.

 ‘I believe we should get right down to it, Ma’am, no point beating around the bush.’

Excusing Mrs Angelis from the room Melissa pointed a hand to the sofa and offered David a seat, to which he accepted and sat down to relax. His well-positioned fingers made their way down to both his knees as he gripped and pulled the soft material up so as not to let the fabric crease with the bend, then upon release he relaxed while allowing himself to fall back against the tall cushion behind him.

Remaining stood up Melissa made her way over to a large mirror in the wall where she pressed a small silver button that was followed by a loud clicking sound, the sound which had David leaping to his feet to find out where the strange sound was coming from, until Melissa put up a hand and told him to relax.

 ‘It’s alright, David, it’s only the bar, nothing to worry about,’ Melissa informed him with a low chuckle. The bar that Melissa spoke of emerged from a sliding wall to position itself within the room, allowing her to access the large selection of drinks upon a highly polished dark oak construct which resembled a realistic public house bar.

Shaking off the embarrassment the best he could, David returned to his seat and again, he made himself comfortable.

 ‘When Terrence banished me from Cacciatori Wake Manor, my sister signed this place over to me,’ Melissa began to explain while pouring herself a drink, ‘which, of course, my own thoughts were to conclude that my beloved sister did this to sooth that of her conscience. Over the two years that I have been here, Mr Price, I have met many people who…Well, let’s just say that they are a little alien to me, but I manage to surpass this by convincing myself that I can be just as important as they are. Does any of this make sense to you?’

Everything that Mellissa had told David made perfect sense, more than Melissa herself could or would understand. What niggled at the back of David’s mind, however, was the fact that the woman who was confronting him with all of this didn’t give a reason as to why she was now being completely open with such a big secret after only just being introduced to her. Did Melissa have an alternate agenda? Did Melissa have some kind of sick and twisted plan on holding something over him?

 ‘The way I see it, Lady James-Cartwright, it is of…’

 ‘Lady Cartwright!’ Melissa interrupted.

 ‘Excuse me!’ David asked puzzled.

 ‘My name, my name is Lady Cartwright, and it will be this name that you will address me as when we are in this house, you will call me Lady Cartwright, is that clear?’ Melissa replied in a very firm tone.

 ‘Very well, Lady Cartwright, as I was saying it is of no consequence to me or my services to you whether you are of a Lady or a Queen. If you wish my services of protection and advice, then my loyalty will be to you and you alone,’ David finally finished what he wanted to say.

Melissa was more than happy with the response, so much in fact that she showed a smile that was not usually seen upon her face by anyone. It was a satisfactory smile that was one of the first indications that she was taking a shine to the new PA.

 ‘Have a drink with me David,’ she exclaimed suddenly holding up a decanter of bourbon.

 ‘Is that an order, Ma’am?’ He replied cautiously.

Nodding her head from side to side while still wearing her smile Melissa bit her top lip.

 ‘And if it was?’

David stood from his seat and approached the bar. ‘Then I would obey, Ma’am.’

Pouring a second drink into a small crystal glass, Melissa handed it over to David.

 ‘This may sound a little above my station here, Lady Cartwright, but can you tell me why I was told such a secret as the one you told me?’ He asked pulling a seat from under the front of the bar and sitting down to lean his arms across the smooth hard surface.

 ‘It’s a test David, nothing more, so relax. You’ll be glad to know that I want you’

 ‘You…You want me!’ He stuttered his words nervously.

Realising that she had not quite put the confirmation of his services correctly, it was the moment in which Melissa was in that brought a very naughty thought to the forefront of her mind, one which she could not resist but to play on for a moment.

 ‘Oh yes, David, don’t worry everyone goes through the initiation,’ she teased.

Almost choking on his bourbon David leapt from his bar stool and stepped back.

 ‘But I…erm, wow, this is awkward!’ He gasped.

The situation was making him uncomfortably as quickly he began to break out into a very cold sweat, his clothes irritating his skin as the material clung to his legs, arms and neck. Looking at the glass of bourbon he reached out awkwardly to place it onto the bar before stumbling slightly over the leg of the bar stool that was obstructing him. As David tripped forward Melissa instinctively reached out and grabbed him around the chest and waist to steady his legs and if she could, stop him from falling.

 ‘Oh my god David, are you alright?’ Melissa yelped tightening her grip around his waist.

Reaching out and steadying himself from falling arse over tit with embarrassment, David glanced down at Melissa’s hand spread out across the front of his shirt.

 ‘Yes, yes I’m fine.’ He gasped managing to stand up straight.

Silence filled the awkward moment as a few moments past without a word exchanging between the two, and as Melissa was still holding her hand against his chest, there was no time like the present for one of them to finally break the silence. As Melissa was now totally oblivious to her palm moving gently across the young man’s shirt as though probing for the soft, warm feel of muscle tone, it was now down to David to make the first move.

 ‘So…your husband, Lady Cartwright,’ David suddenly declared clearing his throat with a low cough and a diverting step back towards the sofa.

Upon realising that she was still holding up her hand in mid-air, Melissa shook her head as though shaking away her most deepest and darkest of thoughts and began to focus on answering the question directed at her.

 ‘My husband…Yes, my husband, what exactly do you want to know?’

With a nervous smile David gave her a moment to come out of her dream-like state before making his way back to the sofa and sitting down with a sigh.

 ‘Lord London informed me that you are married, but the paperwork is for you alone, Lady Cartwright. Is your husband under the protection of the agency too?’ He asked finally.

Melissa became preoccupied again, only this time it was nothing to do with that of David’s physique, or the rugged ridged contours of the hardened muscles that were hidden under the pure white, well ironed shirt that he was wearing. This time Melissa was almost trapped within a deep thought that was meant to remain in the locked confines of her mind.

 ‘My husband is dead Mr Price, he was killed by his work almost a year after we married…’

 ‘Jesus Christ! I mean, I’m sorry, Lady Cartwright, I had no idea,’ he apologised sincerely.

 ‘That’s okay, David, I am past the point of the crying widow now. I’m glad to hear that Lord London kept his word, however, I am no good at explaining things that are mysteries’ – and Lord James’ death sure is one of those.’

David was intrigued, but at the same time he saw that the moment for further questions on her husband was not appropriate. However, he did give Melissa one piece of hope in this moment of sad reflection, and that was his services in helping her anyway he could to bring some form of closure to the matter.

 ‘So, you can have full run of the house, except for my bedroom, of course. Breakfast is at eight sharp and Mrs Angelis will have one of the other staff wake you with a knock. As for the rules Mr Price, there is but one…Do not make me regret giving you this job.’

 

The following morning Melissa was woken by a series of sounds; the opening and closing of doors out in the hallway, the house staff chatting while passing the bedroom door and finally, the sound that had her turning over and sitting up against the four poster headboard was that of Xander speaking to Mrs Angelis. A few moments later the bedroom door opened and in walked her Nephew wearing nothing but a smile upon his face – he was naked.

 ‘Aunt Mel, there’s a woman…’

 ‘XANDER, Jesus Christ!’ Melissa shrieked jumping out of bed with haste.

Having walked from his own room to Melissa’s bedroom completely naked, Xander had already managed to upset half of the female Staff that were now stood at the bedroom door covering their eyes and asking if everything was alright with low stifled giggles. Waving them away to carry on with their work, Melissa grabbed hold of the bed quilt and threw it around Xander to cover him up the best she could.

 ‘I was looking for Stacey, Aunt Mel, but she isn’t here. Stacey isn’t here, Aunt Mel!”

Stood helplessly cuddling into Xander who was now half decent in appearance, Melissa searched for something to tell him which would somehow make the situation less difficult, but there was nothing that she could say except that everything was going to alright.

 ‘Where is she Aunt Mel? Where is Stacey?’ He cried.

 ‘Well, Stacey has gone away for a while,’ she replied quickly.

Xander looked up at Melissa, looking her directly in the eyes as though searching for some sign of truth in her words that would give him comfort.

 ‘You mean she’s gone on holiday?’

Nodding her head with a sudden realization that he would fall for the excuse, Melissa guided him over to sit on the edge of the bed with her before reaching over and taking a head band from the bedside dresser to tie her hair up into a pony tail. Then turning back to face him she prepared her words carefully.

 ‘Stacey has taken some time out to go on holiday so that we can have some time together and have fun…’

 ‘No,’ Xander interrupted with a loud objection, ‘Stacey would not leave me on my own. Stacey has never left me on my own before, not even when Father Richards took me to Uncle Eric’s house in the country.’

This was going to be a hard few weeks for Melissa, especially as she was now without David and, in all the pandemonium of getting Xander away from Cacciatori Wake Manor she had failed to get Stacey’s contact details. Now she would have to contact London and ask him to make some enquiries into the whereabouts of Stacey, but only if she had escaped the house when Melissa had instructed her to do, then all of this could prove difficult if she hadn’t.

 ‘I tell you what Xander, why don’t we go to your room and get you ready for a trip into the city, would you like that?’ Melissa asked with desperation in her voice of Xander accepting.

Sitting quietly on the edge of the bed swinging his exposed legs back and forth against a single hidden box which Melissa always had pushed under her bed away from prying eyes, Xander nodded his head reluctantly, and then finally raised his head with a smile. ‘Okay.’

Helping Xander from the bed with a supporting hand and leading him out of the room into the hallway, Melissa was stopped by Mrs Angelis, who handed her the telephone.

 ‘Lord Chesterton would like to have a word with you, Ma’am, he says it’s urgent. Will Mr Price be having breakfast with you this morning, Ma’am?’ Mrs Angelis asked.

Nodding her head from side to side slowly Melissa lifted the phone to her ear.

 ‘Alan, please tell me you have some good news?’

On the other end of the phone Alan explained that David had been formerly charged with murdering both Marie and Giles in Oak Wood Village, and that the Agency Prosecutors had entered their recommendations for David to be tried by the Agency, however, this was not to be by a public court. Of course this was bad news for David and even worse news for Melissa, as she knew exactly how they worked; If David was found guilty he would be sent to an army barracks in the UK to serve his sentence, and of course, if he was found guilty of murdering the two agents in cold blood whilst under the services of Lady Cartwright, then his license to serve as a PA and Bodyguard would be revoked. Either way Melissa was going to lose him forever.

 ‘I see, could you…could you keep me up to date Alan, please?’ Melissa stammered hanging up the phone before Alan could reply to her request.

 ‘Is everything alright, Ma’am?’ Mrs Angelis asked taking the phone from Melissa.

Everything was far from alright, though Melissa found the strength to push it all to one side for to tend to Xander before breakfast was served. Leading him back into his room Melissa walked over to a large walk-in wardrobe where she looked out some clothes for him to change into; a white long sleeved shirt, blue jeans, a light blue pair of CK boxer shorts, white socks, and a casual grey sports jacket that once belonged to her husband. After looking these out she turned to face Xander who had become engrossed with something that he’d found on the bottom sheet of his bed, something that Melissa did not recognise at first.

 ‘What have you got there, Xander?’ She asked walking over to him.

 ‘It’s a present,’ he replied holding it out in front of him.

Looking more closely at the object that her Nephew was holding, she suddenly gave out a low gasp which seemed to startle Xander.

 ‘Oh My God, that used to be David’s, how did you get that?’

Xander shrugged his shoulders. ‘The man that you call David who brought me from the car gave it to me before he said goodbye.’

The object was that of a small silver pendant on a long chain, more precisely it was of the Archangel Gabriel, one of the most important possessions that David once made it known that he would never hand over to anyone without a fight.

 ‘Before he said goodbye, what do you mean?’ Melissa demanded.

 ‘He told me that everything was going to be alright and that I had to keep this safe until he came back,’ Xander replied placing it over his head before looking at the engraved picture that covered the whole inner circle of the pendant. ‘Who is the man with the wings, Aunt Mel, is it a picture of David?’

Melissa began to weep quietly at first as she listened to Xander talk of David, and of what David had told him the night before he left for the Agency with Lord Chesterton. It all seemed too much for her, the thought of David telling Xander that he would return for the pendant was an almost sure sign that he would, if he could, but the phone call that very same morning from Lord Chesterton that had taken away every hope of his return.

 ‘The man…The man is called Gabriel, Xander he is a very special person to those who keep him close to them. You see, Gabriel is an angel, an Archangel of purity, creativity and most importantly the communicator within the circle of substance and peace. Did David tell you anything else Xander?’ Melissa replied wiping away her tears.

As soon as Xander knew of the identity of the man on the pendant he was brimming with joy at the fact that he was wearing something special, although the answer to Melissa’s next question was not to bring any such comfort as to that which she had just given to Xander.

 ‘He said that I must look after you…that together we can make life good and that the men who upset you I must send away. He said that he likes you too much to let you go.’

It was now that Xander shrugged off the quilt from his shoulders and stood by the bed awaiting to get changed into his clean clothes, as Melissa tried hard to avert her eyes she passed him the boxer shorts and demanded that he put them on as quickly as possible. Without a care in the world Xander stepped into the fabric and pulled them up to cover himself so that Melissa herself could help him into his shirt and trousers.

When he was fully dressed both he and Melissa made their way out of the bedroom and into the dining room where they found Mrs Angelis and two other staff members, Mr Bevan and Miss Briant. With a smile Melissa thanked them for their hard work in preparing breakfast before sitting down at the table to eat, while Mr Bevan approached Melissa to ask if she would like him to pour the coffee that had just been prepared with freshly ground coffee beans that gave off a very strong and aromatic odour.

 ‘Yes please, Mr Bevan. Xander, do you drink coffee?’ She asked a very confused looking young man who was wondering what to start eating first from the large choice on the table.

 ‘I was…I was never allowed to drink black water Aunt Mel, and that looks so hot!’

The rage was starting to rise through Melissa’s body at the sheer sight of such a fragile young man sat before her pausing to take the food which would otherwise help him get through the day, while another part of her filled with sympathy and pain of not being able to understand why such a handsome young man had been treated with so much neglect as to know what Melissa believed to be trivial and simple things.

 ‘Would the young man prefer…’

 ‘Master Xander! His name is Master Xander,’ Melissa cried out suddenly slamming a heavy hand down onto the table top.

Taken by surprise of the sudden yell, Mrs Angelis, Mr Bevan and Miss Briant jumped half out of their skins. A moment later, however, Melissa wiped her lips with the napkin before she bowed her head to avoid any eye contact.

 ‘I’m sorry, I’m so very sorry.’ Melissa apologised raising her head and looking over to the uncomfortable members of her staff. ‘This is my nephew, Xander, and he will be referred to as Master Xander from now on, if you please. And, so that you all know, I’m sorry to have to inform you that Mr Price is no longer with us. He is…Well, it matters not why.’

This was a hard time for Melissa, especially as she could not discuss the matters of her life, private or otherwise with the house staff. There were many things that were not unfamiliar to the select few regarding certain aspects of the High Society guests and visitors, but as far as Melissa’s private life was concerned, nobody knew any the wiser of her involvements with the Agency – not like David did.

Apologising on behalf of them all Mrs Angelis clapped her hands together as a signal for them to leave both Melissa and Xander alone to their breakfast, and in return Melissa gave a short nod of appreciation to the Head Housekeeper.

Pouring Xander and herself a glass of pure orange juice Melissa passed it over before taking two slices of toast from the holder that sat in the middle of the table and began buttering them sparingly with a knife, it was while doing this that she occasionally looked up to see that Xander was watching every move that she made. It was on a closer observation that she realized that this was something that a person would do who didn’t know how to prepare toast it was as though he had never seen any of them done before.

 ‘Do you like toast Xander?’ She asked offering him a half cut slice from the holder.

Shaking his head vigorously Xander pointed at the plate of bacon in the centre of the table.

 ‘May I have a slice of bacon and some scrambled egg, Aunt Mel?’

 ‘Sure,’ she replied taking a hold of his plate and putting a single piece of bacon and a half ladle full of soft scrambled egg onto it before placing it down in front of him.

Straight away as soon as it landed on the cork coaster Xander started to tuck in, cutting the bacon and mixing it together with the scrambled egg before directing it to his mouth. His table manners were somewhat different considering he had been under the instruction of both Lord O’Neill and that of Father Richards.

For the next fifteen minutes they both ate their breakfast while occasionally Melissa would show him how to hold his knife and fork, and then they drank in a half silence, enjoying the time together before the rest of the day would bring more important issues to face. Just to watch Xander eat his scrambled egg and bacon with enjoyment showing in his face was enough for Melissa, and, it was a surety that the feeling was mutual for Xander, as this was the first time in five years that he had eaten breakfast while in the company of anyone.

 ‘Okay Xander, we have to finish getting ready and go,’ Melissa exclaimed picking up an apple from the fruit bowl as she made her way over to the door.

 ‘Will we be meeting Stacey?” Xander asked buttoning up his coat.

Unprepared for the question Melissa placed a finger to her lips for a couple of seconds before turning to meet Mrs Angelis who had just entered the dining room.

 ‘If there are any calls from a Miss Stacey, could you please redirect them to my mobile phone please, Mrs Angelis? Everyone else…Well, they’ll just have to wait until I return.”

Agreeing to transfer the one call Mrs Angelis followed Melissa and Xander to the front door of the apartment before waving them off to the lift and closing the door behind her. On the short journey down in the elevator Xander looked at the illuminated buttons as though mesmerised by the shininess of the silver plated panel.

 ‘Have you never been in an elevator before Xander?’ She asked.

 ‘No, I’ve seen them in books and magazines, but never moving like we are now’

 ‘What about a plane, Xander, have you ever been on a plane?’

Thinking hard about the question Xander decided not to answer and proceeded to rub his finger down the crack of the mirrored doors, until suddenly they opened and gave him a big surprise when two men who were waiting for the lift tried entering without checking first if there was anybody else in it.

 ‘So terribly sorry Son, I didn’t see you there,’ one of the men spoke up apologetically.

Xander said nothing. His reaction was not as Melissa thought, as he bowed his head and began walking quickly out of the elevator and across the hall of the foyer to the exit.

 ‘Hang on a second Xander, I have to check something,’ Melissa shouted after him while she walked over to the Concierge standing at a small desk.

‘Good morning Aaron, I would like to introduce you to my Nephew, Xander…’

Looking around to see that Xander had entered the revolving door and become trapped within its confusing rotation to be forced back into the building, Melissa waved to him to come to her immediately, to which he did while looking back at the door with contempt.

‘Xander, this is Aaron, he is the Concierge.’ She introduced, informing Xander that if there was ever a time that he needed his assistance then he could call down to him here.

Walking around from the desk Aaron made his way up to Xander and put out a hand.

 ‘Very pleased to meet you Xander,’ Aaron greeted, ‘and don’t go worrying about that door now, of course there have been people getting stuck in there for days, but nothing for you or your Aunt to worry about while I’m around. Shall I get you a taxi Lady Cartwright?’

 ‘No thank you Aaron, I think we’ll walk.’

Telling Xander to stay close to her they left the building and began walking down the street and into the city where the first place that Xander caught sight of was a burger stall that was parked on the side of the road, something that he had definitely never seen before.

 ‘That smells Aunt Mel, what is that man putting in that bread roll?’

Amused by the lack of knowledge that Xander possessed of the outside world, Melissa took him by the arm and walked over to the man who was at that time serving a customer. When it was their turn to be served Melissa took from her purse a twenty pound note and handed it to the man.

 ‘We would like two of your finest hot dogs please, one with mustard and one without.’

Getting to work on the order Xander watched with amazement in his eyes as the man took out a long hot dog with what looked to him like pliers while at the same time cutting into and across the bread roll to make a space. Once this was done he pushed the hot dog into the wide groove before taking hold of the bottle of mustard and squeezing a fair amount of the contents into the space across the meat. Handing the hot dog to Melissa, she smiled and thanked the man before waiting for Xander to receive his, and then continued on their way down the street eating their snack. Xander took a single bite from the roll to chew it slowly before turning to Melissa with a very strange look on his face, an expression that changed from a dislike of the food to that of a very satisfied look after a few seconds.

 ‘Do you like it?’ She asked with a giggle.

 ‘Its…Well, it’s kind of soft and chewy all at the same time,’ he replied.

 ‘That is the texture of the meat and bread roll coming together Xander, you have had bread before have you not?’ Melissa explained.

Xander nodded. ‘Freshly baked by the bakers Aunt Mel, and the flour, wheat and the butter made on the grounds of Cacciatori Wake Manor, too.’

Patting him on his back gently without replying to what would have been an otherwise most interesting conversation they made their way across the road to a shop which Melissa wanted to visit, until out of nowhere they were both suddenly surrounded by three men dressed in plain black suites. At first glance Melissa believed the men to be businessmen on their lunch break, or some other small group of men travelling through the city, but it was when one of the men tilted his head slightly to greet her, that she realised that these were not your usual businessmen out of the office for coffee.

 ‘Lady Cartwright, what an unexpected pleasure,’ the man exclaimed.

Leading both Melissa and Xander into the shop where she was headed, the man who had spoken up first made sure that everyone was inside before he turned and locked the door from the inside, and then instructed the other two men to secure the premises while he talked with Melissa.

 ‘Do I know you, Mr…?’

The man remained silent until he was told that the shop was secure, then he turned to Xander and told him to go look around while he discussed business with Melissa. With a quick nod of her head she told Xander that it was alright, that the man standing in front of her was an old friend who just wanted to catch up. But of course this was all a complete and utter fabrication of the truth, as the man stood before her was in fact Lord Scott Davies, another member of The Bakers’ Dozen.

Watching Xander wander off to the back of the shop his Aunt gave a wide sarcastic smile before asking the Lord if he would like to see her portfolio and discuss lunch, to which the man facing her with all but an angry grin on his face nodded his head.

 ‘Cut the shit Lady Cartwright, I know that you are well aware of who I am. Lord London has a knack for talking in his sleep, it’s no big secret, however, but the fact remains the same as always, whores like you have no discretion.’

Almost completely shocked by the approach and bedside manner of the Lord’s acid tongue, Melissa glanced around to see where exactly Xander was, and that he was out of ear shot before giving the Lord a very intense stare.

 ‘Then it’s a good job I’m not a whore Lord Scott Davies, or I may have pressed the redial on my mobile phone and let the press know of your paranoia about M.I.L.F’s who are out to make illicit money from little men like yourself. Talking of which how is the tiny penis since I hurt its feelings, Scott, all well I hope?’

Lord Davies glared at Melissa with a building rage before suddenly striking her across the face with the back of his hand. ‘I don’t appreciate your fucking tone, Lady Cartwright. A word to the wise, watch your fucking mouth.’

Raising a trembling hand to her split bleeding lip and wiping away the blood, Melissa made an attempt to walk away, but was stopped in her stride by Lord Davies who grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her back toward him.

 ‘Let me go you Bastard!’

 ‘Or else what, Lady Cartwright, you forget that we have your man in custody,’ he replied with a taunting laugh as the other two men joined in with him.

 ‘David!’

 ‘Yes, David. He murdered two of Lord London’s best agents in cold blood, and yet you saw it fit to continue the kidnapping of Xander anyway. You really don’t have any idea what you’re involved in, do you? In your success of ruining Father Richards’s day of triumph I salute you, but for creating that which has brought embarrassment to our secret Order, I hope you learn a very valuable lesson from the mistake and can live with the repercussions of all this on your conscience.’

Melissa knew exactly what Lord Davies was speaking about, and to be honest, Melissa could not understand why he should be so concerned with the changes in Parliament, as the person now in the seat of the Interior Minister was that of his brother Lord Lucas Davies.

 ‘The Agency forced David’s hand, you know that. When the truth comes out the Agency…’

Lord Davies burst into rapturous laughter. ‘The truth, Lady Cartwright, the truth doesn’t mean shit these days! If I was you, I would cast your mind back to when Lord London pulled you out of the gutter and made you into a…Well, let’s just say that he made you into what you are today, and do you know what, he still pukes his guts up knowing that he failed in his attempts to make you into a better person. You’re lower than an Ace of Spades in fact I’d go as far as a real life fucking Joker!’

Without further thought Melissa raised her hand and slapped Lord Davies across his face that was immediately greeted with a look of pleasure through the feeling of pain.

 ‘You son of a bitch, you know my circumstances were a lot different back then, my whole life had been turned upside down by that mother fucker, Terrence O’Neill…’

 ‘Circumstances that turned you into a whore, Melissa, the one thing that everyone in The Chambers saw you as…and still see you as today, I may add. Lord O’Neill was the one man who would have brought The Four Houses together, but you ended all that the day that you went running off to Lord London with your accusations. Tell me, now that you’ve seen that old fucker off into the ground, doesn’t it burn at your very soul that you weren’t able to carry out your original plan of killing him yourself?’

This was the moment that Melissa had been waiting for. The precise timing was to be crucial if Melissa was to get the upper hand over Lord Davies.

 ‘Oh Lord Davies, you are so blinded by your affliction of being such a wanker that you can’t see what’s in front of you. What makes you think that I didn’t get my revenge on Lord O’Neill? What makes you think that Lord O’Neill didn’t die by my hand?’ Melissa purred.

Lord Davies became suddenly perturbed by Melissa’s statement, not to mention her cold hard staring eyes that didn’t blink, especially as by what she was telling him, Lord O’Neill could well have fallen foul of murder.

 ‘Well…I’m sure that is a fantasy that you will bask in for a long time to come, but for now I am here to give you fair warnings of the road ahead. And, don’t for one minute however believe that I am doing this out of the goodness of my heart, I’m simply following orders of those peer’s that I respect and serve. The Four Houses will be applying their attention to getting custody of Xander from you, and the way that I see it, with the mess you and David left behind in Oak Wood Village, they won’t have much of a challenge.’

 ‘Again, the circumstances and statements from both David and I will change all of that in due course. I’m sure that The Four Houses will understand if I don’t roll over and take it up the arse!’ Melissa growled.

Waving forward one of the men Lord Davies clicked his fingers together while the man took from his coat pocket a small palm sized box – a hard drive - and then with a low cough he handed it over to Lord Davies before returning back to his place by the shop door. Lord Davies looked down at the small silver box in his hand, his eyes blinking almost erratically as he then attempted to pass it to Melissa.

 ‘What’s that?’ She asked, refusing to take it at first.

Allowing his hand to fall down by his side Lord Davies bowed his head slightly and then lifted the shiny box one last time to offer it to the reluctant, cautious woman.

 ‘There are people within The Four Houses, Lady Cartwright, people who actually believe that you and that Nephew of yours is worth risking more than they can afford to lose. This is the information that you will need to know before Lord London returns from Libya, because if you don’t have the information, then you will have no idea what he wants from you and Xander. Now, take the fucking box so I can go get some lunch with some real people.’

Taking the box from him Melissa stood looking at it while with a last wave of his hand to the two men Lord Davies turned to walk for the shop door. It was now that Melissa was a little angered by the way she and Xander had been treated for a such a small token to be handed over to her, considering that the gift from The Four Houses could have easily have been put in the post to her.

 ‘That’s it? A fucking quick slap and gift and you’re gone to suck some old friends cock?’

Lord Davies stopped to take a deep breath, then continued to the door and looked back at the woman he had just struck across the face.

 ‘There are times Lady Cartwright, when I look at you and wonder what the hell he saw in you, but then, he was always attracted to the slappers. Goodbye Lady Cartwright.’

Continuing on his way he paused for a moment to allow one of the men to open the door for him before disappearing outside into the passing crowd, and then a few moments later Melissa took hold of Xanders’ hand and led him outside where she saw nothing of the three men. When she was satisfied that the men were gone she held onto him tightly to pull him closely behind her until she was safely inside the apartment where she had all the doors and windows locked. Mrs Angelis was one of the first to ask if there was anything wrong, and if it was to do with the reason why she wanted the whole apartment secured, but Melissa said nothing that would answer the question.

When Xander came walking into the sitting room with his coat fastened asking to go out again into the city, Melissa gave a loud angry answer of ‘No’, before telling him to sit down and be quiet. Of course, Xander had been under the constraints of Father Richards and The Church of The New Found Faith, so he would not disobey the command, nor would he move from the seat where he sat in fear of the consequences. It was this observation and this thought that made Melissa regret her words that she spoke in anger toward him.

 ‘I’m sorry Xander, for shouting at you like that I’m just not having a very good day. Do you forgive me?’ She pleaded an apology finally.

Xander showed a warm smile before rushing over to his Aunt and wrapping his arms around her waist to give her a big hug and in response Melissa hugged him back while kissing the top of his head gently. After a little while she released her hold and pushed him forward to see that his eyes were filled with tears, and yet, she was unable to distinguish whether or not they were tears of joy or that of pain.

 ‘Hey, why are you crying Xander?’ She asked wiping away a tear from his cheek.

 ‘I’m so happy that I am here Aunt Mel,’ he replied.

Guiding Xander over to the sofa she sat herself down beside him.

 ‘Well Xander, I’m so happy that you’re here with me, too. I know that David would be happy that you were around this place, I just know he would, but as he isn’t here, we’re going to have to make the most of a bad day and have a celebration.’

Running the mornings events through her head over and over, Melissa began to wonder what had brought Lord Davies to following her like he did and why he had cornered her in the shop before bringing to her attention the plans of the agency against David. But, no matter how much she thought, how much she tried to make sense of the whole thing, she could not quite put a finger on an answer – not yet anyway. It was now that she took from her pocket the small hard drive that he had given to her and sat staring at it in her hand.

 ‘Will Stacey be coming, Aunt Mel,’ Xander asked quite suddenly.

 ‘Well, we will see Xander, we will see.’

Picking up the service bell from the table she rang it twice before Mrs Angelis came walking into the room  holding a small silver tray that had a café tier of freshly ground coffee and two small white cups that had been turned upside down in their saucers. Placing the tray down on the table the Housekeeper asked if there was anything else that she could do for her or Master Xander, to which Melissa instructed her to make preparations for an evening celebration there at the house. Immediately Mrs Angelis informed Lady Cartwright that arrangements had already been made for that evening and that while she and Xander were out in the city she had received a phone call – but it had not been Miss Stacey.

 ‘Arrangements, Mrs Angelis, what arrangements would they be?’ Melissa asked confused.

 ‘Lord Fielding and Lord Billington are calling over, Ma’am, they were most insistent on both you and Master Xander being home tonight. While you were out in the city this morning they phoned to leave instructions, it was Lord Billington who made the arrangements with Mr Bevan, who, I am sure will be very clear on repeating them for you as soon as he returns from the doctor’s, Ma’am,’ Mrs Angelis explained.

Sighing with disappointment that the celebration had to be delayed, but happy that it was for the arranged company of the two Lord’s; Lord Fielding being one of the youngest of The Bakers’ Dozen, serving a large constituency in the North Yorkshire, and Lord Billington, several years older than his esteemed friend, who was the land owner of “Seacrest” a notably large piece of land on the East London outskirts.

 ‘And what about Katrina, Mrs Angelis, will she not be accompanying them?’

 ‘We could certainly be in for a big treat this evening, Ma’am, I heard Mr Bevan mention the two Catherton girls were accompanying the Lords, though Katrina’s name was not actually mentioned to me. Now, will there be anything else, Ma’am, or will that be all for now?’

Nodding her head with a warm smile Melissa nodded her head and dismissed Mrs Angelis from the room as Xander turned to see that his Aunt was happy for some strange reason, opposed to a few minutes ago when she had shouted at him.

 ‘Are we having visitors Aunt Mel?’

 ‘Yes Xander, we are having very important visitors, and you are going to love them.’

 

 ‘…So the man with the spade in his hand turns to the police officer and says “Do I look like a tourist to you?” and the Police Officer turns around holding a dildo in his hand and replies “I don’t know, do I look like a fucking policeman to you?”’ Lord Fielding told a roomful of people who burst into spontaneous laughter at the hilarious joke.

Melissa remembered back to when she first moved into Lupo Cresta Aumento, some five years ago in a time when The Bakers’ Dozen Lords were less eager for power and wealth, and more on the side of the regular person. Lord Fielding was at that time based in what was regarded as “The Rentals” in Shepherd’s Bush, while Lord Billington had his place in Westminster itself. It was the early 1980’s, times were very bleak for the norm’s, while for the society riser’s that dared seek higher positions the gifts of power and riches were both widely available and endless.

 ‘Oh My God, Henry, did you just say dildo?’ Lady Judith Chance gasped.

 ‘I certainly did Lady Chance, and if you try to tell me you don’t know what I am talking about, I’ll let slip about the collection of Coye & Coye Lingerie accessories that you have left so accidentally on purpose in my city apartment.’ He warned jokingly.

The whole room was alive with happy, rowdy and very entertaining people. A very select group of friends, associates and business clients that Melissa had invited as a celebration for the company she had invested in only a few months before, and a company that had done so very well that it would allow her to buy the apartment outright from her sister instead of waiting for Lord O’Neill to evict her as some cruel excuse as to not being able to afford it any longer within his financial cloud base.

 ‘You are such a randy bastard, Lord Fielding!’ Lady Chance cried out almost spilling her glass of champagne over the newly laid carpet.

 ‘Well, you know what they say about mixing your drinks with man-dong juice and tooth paste, don’t you?’ He declared making his way over and falling into her arms.

 ‘I don’t know what they say about mixing man-dong juice and tooth paste, Henry, but I’m sure you will tell me.’

Turning to the rest of the crowd that were awaiting an answer Henry rose his glass into the air with anticipation. ‘The best damned orgasmic clean that you will ever have.’

Henry was the life of any party back then, but more so with his partner in crime that made up the soul within the celebrations, Lord Billington, the man of the hour who would have nothing less to say about anyone that didn’t deserve it. But tonight, tonight his way was to show Lady Cartwright that politicians did have a sense of humour.

 ‘Lord Billington, you seem to be quiet tonight, I do hope you are not coming down with a touch of cold,’ Melissa whispered rubbing her hand quickly through his hair as she sat down beside him on the comfortable sofa that faced the rest of the guests.

 ‘It would take more than a cold to get me down, you should know that by now, Melissa,’ Lord Billington spoke up with a cheeky grin.

After sitting down Melissa was suddenly approached by one of the serving girls who offered her a glass of champagne, to which Melissa accepted by taking one from the large tray that the girl was holding.

 ‘So, Seamus, tell me about this new venture that you and Henry are invested in?’

With a slight perturbed look on his face Lord Billington looked around him slightly before turning back to Melissa.

 ‘And what investment would that be, Lady Cartwright?’

Putting down her glass upon the small table by her side she took hold of Seamus’ hand and stroked it gently.

 ‘The investment is safe Seamus I just need to know a little more about it so that I can put a little into it myself, and besides, what is the point of you teaching me all there is to know about investing if you’re not going to trust me?’

Melissa was probing for the answer to the final piece of the puzzle that Lord London needed for a concrete block, or, more better known as ‘Leverage’ against both Seamus and Henry for a rainy day. In knowing that both Lords were investing their money in ‘Inside Trades’, the whole matter of giving up other information would then become second nature.

 ‘Okay, I’ll tell you, but not here,’ Seamus replied suddenly and unexpectedly.

 ‘Alright, how about you meet me in my bedroom in fifteen minutes, Seamus?’

Nodding his head and giving a short discreet wink, Lord Billington pointed over to Henry, who was now making a complete arse of himself in front of two young women that Melissa did not recognise.

 ‘Is it time to go already, Seamus?’ Henry called over excusing himself from the company of the two women.

Nodding his head from side to side he pointed at Melissa. ‘A little business Henry, nothing to worry about old chap, you carry on…Well, you stay here and mingle.’

Melissa left the room first before meeting up with David outside in the hallway.

 ‘What’s happening?’ David asked pulling her to one side.

 ‘Seamus is happening, David, he’s going to give me The Message,’ she replied with a smile.

David was impressed, but at the same time he was somewhat concerned, too.

 ‘Be careful Lady Cartwright, if he knows that you’re…’

 ‘Hey, don’t worry, I’ve got this.’

Patting him gently on the arm she made her way to the Master bedroom at the end of the hall where she entered and made herself comfortable on the edge of the bed, while Seamus slowly made his way out of the toilet near to the kitchen and staggered half drunkenly down the hallway, passing David along the way to finally stand outside the bedroom door.

Hearing the first knock, Melissa rose quickly from the bed and rearranged her dress while walking over to stand in front of the mirror and check her hair. And then, upon the second knock she made her way over and took hold of the handle with a slight pause as not to appear too eager and opened the door to see a very happy looking Seamus.

 ‘Come on in Seamus, have a seat,’ she greeted with a sweeping hand.

 ‘My, my, my, this is a lovely room, Melissa,’ Seamus remarked scanning the room.

 ‘Oh, I didn’t know you were into pink, Seamus!’

 ‘P-P-Pink, Lady Cartwright, its looks like peach to me,’ he replied with an embarrassed blush while finding the edge of the bed and sitting down.

Making her way over to him she sat down by his side before placing a tender hand around his shoulders while clearing her throat to speak.

 ‘So, Seamus, The Message,’ she declared.

 ‘The Message, Melissa’

 ‘Let me keep this simple Seamus, then we can both get back to the party and you can step in on Henry’s action. Lord London wants something that you have, but the problem is, you are going to give that something to me so he can’t do what he is going to do to you. Am I being simple enough, Lord Billington?’ Melissa spoke slowly and clearly.

Seamus knew exactly what Melissa was asking for and for a moment he was evasive of the whole idea of just handing something so powerful over so easily, however, there would be no other person he would rather have it than Melissa, for the fact that he trusted her more – more than anyone else within the circles he walked.

 ‘And if I was to hand it over to you, Lady Cartwright, what guarantees would I have that you won’t just hand it over to Lord London?’ Seamus asked, now having been brought down to Earth with a very big bump that sobered him up almost immediately.

Melissa looked at him with sympathy. ‘You have my word that Lord London will not get a hold of it from me, Lord Billington. My relationship with Kasabian is what you may call a lost cause in effect,’ she replied dryly.

Seamus laughed out very loudly before standing to his feet and loosening his tie.

 ‘Well, Lady Cartwright, as beautiful as you are and as honest as you sound, I cannot do what you’re asking…’

 ‘I’m not asking, Seamus’

 ‘No, I know you’re not asking, if you were asking you would be sat in here with that young man you have as a PA…David, what’s his name?’

 ‘David Price, Seamus, his name is David Price. And we both know that in any normal case as this all that I would have to do is flash my tits and you would beg me to take it off of your hands, but this is not a normal case Seamus, you have something that will buy my freedom from that megalomaniac who has already made two attempts on your life. If you do this for me I will personally see to it that Lord London not only stops trying to kill you, but I will make sure that you have a front row seat to witness his downfall, too.’

It was difficult for Seamus to make the decision, especially as he knew that Lord London and Lady Cartwright were sometimes seen as an item under the roof of The Chambers, but, as he considered the offer from Melissa to be true and sincere he nodded his head to concede.

 ‘Very well, Lady Cartwright, but you have to know that this changes not only our friendship, but our relationship, too. If you do this we can no longer be seen as friends, even if you save my life from that bastard!’

Unfortunately, what Seamus was saying was true, indeed The Message was a point of no return in regards to their long and loyal friendship, but at the same time it was the very same if Lord London was successful in gaining the item from him.

 ‘I know old friend, I know,’ she whispered in a low saddened voice.

 ‘If you call into my office tomorrow, I will give you what you’re asking for and that will be the end to it all…It will be the end to it, will it not?’ He asked, making sure that there were no other surprises in store for him.

Standing up from the bed Melissa walked over to the bedroom door and before opening she looked back to see Seamus breaking down to cry. This was the very first time she had seen him this way, but, in the back of her mind she knew that they were not tears of hate or the result of believing that his life was over. For Melissa, the handing over of The Message would without a doubt save him from his persecutor, and into the bargain it would give her yet another card to play against the power hungry man who was out to destroy her – Lord Kasabian London.

 

That same evening both Melissa and Xander were ready for the scheduled meeting with both Lord’s, while Melissa herself was intrigued to learn the identity of the two young women who were to make both hers and Xanders’ acquaintance. When Mrs Angelis and Mr Bevan answered the door to the small group of guests however, it was as little shock to Melissa recognising the two women than it was to Lord Billington recognising Master Xander from Cacciatori Wake Manor. This was beginning to be the beginnings of a most enlightening evening.

Ushering the guests into the main sitting room which was no strange place for the four guests, Melissa nodded to Mrs Angelis, who then went to each guest in turn and asked if they would like refreshments. Both Lord’s asked for Scotch, while the two elegantly dressed young women preferred that of wine. As Mrs Angelis knew only too well that in situations like these Lady Cartwright would be drinking that of a non-alcoholic beverage, she left the guests to their privacy with Master Xander being introduced to them each in turn while going to the kitchen to prepare the refreshments along with Mr Bevan.

 ‘Lady Cartwright, I would like to introduce you to Brenda and Denise Catherton. Brenda, Denise, this is Lady Melissa Cartwright,’ Lord Fielding introduced the two young women.

Looking at the women more closely, Melissa noticed that they were familiar to her, more to the fact that they were actually sitting at either side of Henry in exactly the same seating positions as that of the last time she had seen them.

 ‘It’s ironic that you are both sat in the same places as you were the last time we had a get together here, but all the same I’d like to welcome you both to Lupo Cresta Aumento. This is my Nephew, Master Xander O’Neill, he is from…’

 ‘If I may,’ Seamus interrupted Melissa’s introduction. ‘We are well aware where Xander is from Melissa, and if it pleases you, it is Master Xander that we are here to talk about.’

Strange that the two men were to call upon her after all this time of absence, but even more strange was the fact that they were there to discuss Xander in a way in which she was not fully aware. In a way this perturbed her, it made her feel slightly vulnerable.

 ‘Okay, so you heard about Xander through one of the others, someone who…’

 ‘Listen to me very closely Lady Cartwright, what we hear, what we are told and what we say around The Chamber, all of that is pretty boring stuff when you look at the information that we get through other means. Master Xander was taken from Cacciatori Wake Manor less than two days ago, that we know through information circulating around The Chamber, and then, when we look at the information through other means we find that Master Xander is part of a big investigation by the Egyptian Intelligence Committee. Basically, what you have here is a heads up, Lady Cartwright, and one which will remain quiet until nine O’clock tomorrow morning,’ Henry explained.

This was bad. Melissa had thought the matter with Xander’s exit from Cacciatori Wake Manor had been settled – at least for a little while – but obviously, there was more to Father Richards keeping her Nephew locked up than that of the O’Neill family business.

Upon Mrs Angelis’ return with the drinks Melissa called her over and nodded over to Xander who was oblivious to the conversation about him by Lord Fielding.

 ‘Could you take Xander to his room please, Mrs Angelis, there is some business that I need to discuss with Lord’s Fielding and Billington. Give Master Xander whatever he requires until we have finished. Thank you Mrs Angelis,’ Melissa asked in a low discreet voice.

Telling Xander to go with the House Keeper, he did without question or resistance. Leaving his Aunt and the four guests to talk one another Xander followed the woman out of the sitting room and into the hallway, where suddenly distracted by a knock at the door, Mrs Angelis told him to stay where he was for a moment while she went to see who it was.

 ‘Hello Mrs Angelis,’ a young woman greeted with a very warm smile.

 ‘Oh my, Miss Billington, how very nice to see you,’ Mrs Angelis replied waving her inside.

 ‘My father left a note saying that he was calling upon Lady Cartwright, is he here?’

Nodding her head to confirm Mrs Angelis pointed at the sitting room doors. ‘He’s in there with Lady Cartwright and Lord Fielding. Shall I announce that you are here, Ma’am?’

Nodding her head before informing Mrs Angelis that she would announce herself, she made her way across the hall and entered the room very quickly before closing the doors behind her. The shallow voices of Lady Cartwright revealed that she had indeed made a grand entrance, while Mrs Angelis continued down the hallway and apologised to Xander for the minor interruption.

 ‘She was pretty,’ Xander remarked.

 ‘Yes, Miss Billington is very beautiful, Master Xander, but I have to warn you that her father does not take kindly to men falling at her feet. Well, here we are Master Xander, is there anything that you would like me to get you?’

Nodding his head Xander told Mrs Angelis that he was going to turn in for the evening and that he would see his Aunt when she had finished talking business with her guests. Inside the sitting room Melissa sat with Katrina Billington by her side while her father told Melissa more of the information which had been gathered on Xander, information that had involved one other person that she would have rather forgotten, Father Richards and his Church of The New Faith.

 ‘Are you telling me that the Egyptian Government is in possession of a dossier on my Nephew, and that the bastard who was holding him prisoner at Cacciatori Wake Manor is an internationally known criminal?’ Melissa cried out.

Lord Billington nodded. ‘This man that you are up against Melissa, he is not one to piss off. Five years ago, around the same time as you were banished from Terrence O’Neill’s home in Oak Wood, there was a large investment made to an Egyptian Terrorist Group in Cairo. This was followed by a trade of four men from the Egyptian city that arrived at the Manor with certain skills that you need not know. When the Egyptian Intelligence Services made checks into the money deposits from the UK, what they found were payments from one person…’

 ‘Xander O’Neill,’ Melissa finished the sentence to find to her horror that she was correct.

 ‘Tomorrow morning the Prime Minister will be receiving a personal call from the Egyptian Premiere, Lady Cartwright, and he will be discussing the extradition of your Nephew as the main priority of his visit.’

Giving as much information as possible to Melissa, she tried very hard to process it the best she could before standing to her feet and walking to the sitting room window. Looking out and across the city’s darkened streets, starlit sky and glowing street lights that shone brightly below the apartment, she turned quickly to face the guests who were waiting for some form of answer, a reaction, even a sigh, but there was nothing.

 ‘How is Xander settling in?’ Henry asked, joining her by the window.

 ‘Well, Henry, considering he’s been brain washed by Father Richards and The Church of The New Found Faith, he’s settling in as you would expect any other fucked up person would. The question is, however, can all of this be reversed?’ She answered.

Katrina had not said anything since she had entered the room, except to meet and greet Melissa with a big hug and kiss on the cheek. Though now, she was looking through her bag for something while holding a poised finger up in the air that was directed at Melissa.

 ‘If you give me a second…I have one in here somewhere…’

 ‘What on Earth are you looking for Katrina?’ Seamus bellowed finishing off his drink.

 ‘My card, Father, I’m looking for my card,’ she replied suddenly discovering that the card she was speaking of was not in her bag, but had been discarded in her coat pocket. ‘Ah, here we are, I’ve found it.’

Handing the card out for Lady Cartwright to take a hold of Seamus immediately grabbed at it, but he missed as Melissa got to it first and held it up to read. Upon the card was Katrina’s name, and the line of work in which she was in – Special Needs Tutor.

 ‘Are you saying that my Nephew is Special Needs, Miss Billington?’ Melissa growled angrily.

 ‘Certainly not, but he is obviously in some need of a refresher, wouldn’t you agree?’

Katrina was being kind, but she was also choosing her words very carefully and wisely.

Seamus sighed loudly before placing his empty glass onto the small table by his side.

 ‘Let’s get down to the business that we came here for shall we Henry?’ He exclaimed in a clear husky voice that grabbed everyone’s attention.

Melissa, Katrina and the Catherton Twins glanced over to Henry before returning their eyes to Seamus when Henry bowed his head and gave his friend the honours.

 ‘What’s going on Henry?’ Melissa asked cautiously.

 ‘The Message, Lady Cartwright, we want it back…’

 ‘The Message, Seamus, you mean the piece of information that was not as described!’

Seamus became uncomfortable all of a sudden. ‘Yes, that would be the one. Unfortunately, the way that we see it, you and Xander have only hours before the PM and Security Groups in London come knocking at your door for answers. The information providing the evidence is stacked up against your Nephew, Melissa, and only Henry and myself can make this whole thing disappear so you and Xander can get on with your normal lives.’ Seamus was brief but direct with his reason for wanting The Message back in his possession.

Melissa thought for a moment before Mrs Angelis knocked and entered the room with an apology. ‘I’m sorry, Ma’am, but there is a gentleman here to see you.’

Excusing herself Melissa left the room to see who the visitor was waiting outside in the hallway. Thanking Mrs Angelis, the man turned to stare Melissa directly in the face. It was Lord Kasabian London.

 ‘Melissa, how are you?’ He asked with a suspicious smile.

 ‘Lord London! And what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?’

Approaching her with open arms Melissa stood her ground and shook her head. Nonetheless, she accepted a brief cuddle and allowed him to kiss her lightly on the cheek.

 ‘What, can’t a friend call in and see how you are doing?’ He replied looking across the hallway at the sitting room door.

 ‘Friend, is that what you believe you are, Lord London?’ Melissa was irritated.

Breaking his stare from the door Lord London walked over to a nearby wall where there was a single red velvet covered wooden chair and sat down, his legs apart and elbows leaning on his knees as he sat forward to observe Melissa.

 ‘Still pissed at me for walking out that night I see’

 ‘No, as it happens I’ve let that part of my life go. I look at the here and now, which brings me to why you’re here in my apartment when Lord Chesterton told me that you were in Libya?’

Rubbing his hands together forcefully he looked up and winked. ‘As soon as I realised that my place was here to meet you from that awful business up in Yorkshire, well, I jumped on the first plane back. As you have a problem with David, my…’

 ‘David! David is in custody, you had him arrested and locked up,’ she barked out loudly.

Feeling uncomfortable sitting below the fury of a woman, he stood up very quickly and walked toward her while taking out of his pocket his mobile phone.

 ‘As I was not here when you returned from Oak Wood, Melissa, you can hardly blame me for the actions of my Agency. Protocols state that all staff must work to the guidelines of the rules and laws of the state, unfortunately, David was caught up in the red tape, not one of your conspiracy theories that make me out the cunt!’

Lord London was in himself a little het up with the situation, as was Melissa too, she was just as angry at the fact that he had turned up on her doorstep uninvited to tell her that he had no part in David’s arrest and detention. Yet, already the decision had been made not to believe him, but then again, the whole charade played out by Lord London over the years had grown thin and now it was almost at an end between Melissa and him.

 ‘You are a cunt, Lord London, that’s why I had you thrown out of this apartment more than two years ago – do you remember?’

Lord London remembered only too well, the image of David physically dragging him from the apartment by the scruff of his neck into the elevator to the ground floor and humiliating his image by tossing him out into the busy street where passers-by laughed and sneered at his misfortune of crashing awkwardly into his drivers car before hurrying inside out of public view. The reasons for David’s actions were simple his orders were clear and Lord London’s solemn promise never to return to the apartment almost made in blood.

 ‘Oh yes, that’s right, you had David throw me out into the street because you didn’t like the way that I was fucking you!’ He replied sarcastically.

 ‘Very clever, Kasabian, but you should know there is a big difference between fucking a Lady for the pleasure and fucking someone over for the loot. I guess these days you know exactly how that feels judging by your visit that just so happens to be when Henry and Seamus are here,’ Melissa hissed.

By the look on his face it was obvious that she had come very close to a truth, but of which truth it was she would have to wait and see, as the doors of the sitting room swung open to reveal two very startled looking faces of both Lord Billington and Lord Fielding.

 ‘Lord London!’ They both gasped in unison.

With a tilt of his head and the smile falling from his face Lord London made his way over to the two men, Melissa however, stayed where she was until Katrina emerged from the room and asked if she could speak with her in private for a moment. Within a few seconds Melissa agreed to talk and they both wandered down to Melissa’s bedroom while Lord London and the two other men disappeared into the sitting room and closed the doors behind them.

As Lady Cartwright and Katrina walked down the hallway passed Xanders’ bedroom, it was Katrina who noticed for a brief moment that the bedroom door was slightly ajar and the flicker of a naked man’s figure had caught the corner of her eye. Hesitantly Katrina slowed her strides and turned to return to the young Masters’ door, only for Melissa to shout her over to her bedroom door with a slightly puzzled look. With a slight display of suspicion in her panic to make out that it was her leg that had been giving her trouble in walking, it was with a knowing grin upon her face that Melissa waved a hand.

 ‘Oh, that’s quite alright Katrina, I will know for next time not to walk so quickly.’

Once inside the Master Bedroom Melissa put out a hand to offer Katrina a seat on a small soft leather covered sofa which had been placed next to the door, Katrina accepted and sat down quietly before preparing to talk.

 ‘Your Nephew, Xander, I was wondering whether he would be willing to accept a little private tuition, Lady Cartwright?’ Katrina asked suddenly.

Thoughts of being cautious and weary of the young woman began to wrestle their way into Melissa’s head, while in Katrina’s mind there was nothing but the thought of acceptance in teaching a friend’s family member of the knowledge in which she held herself.

 ‘Private tuition, Katrina, you mean as in educating Xander, or actually corrupting him in the ways that your family history is better known for doing to innocent young people?’

The words were too late to be retracted from such a furious woman’s tongue, nor able to be acceptable in a simple apology such as a person does spilling a drink or stepping on a toe would give to the bearer. Katrina Billington was, after all, the daughter of a Law Lord, and as such she had perfect reason in which to dispel the apologies of a woman such as Melissa.

 ‘I am fully aware of your protection over Xander, Lady Cartwright, and I do not blame you for being the slightest bit suspicious of my intentions toward teaching him on a one to one basis. However, I am not Father Richards, nor am I my father, Lord Billington I am a free spirit in this world of hierarchy’s and power seekers. The offer is there if you care to accept, if not, then the offer will be spoilt on someone else that is in need of the help.’ Katrina in a volley of intellectual responses to the various innuendos that questioned her abilities and that of her integrity returned calmly.

Awaiting the response of Melissa who was now smiling to herself behind the shock of such a strong willed young woman, she approached Katrina with an outstretched expectant hand.

 ‘I have to admit, Katrina, you certainly don’t pursue matters like your father, so why not come with me and find out for yourself whether or not your services are required?’

 Accepting her hand and allowing Melissa to lead her from the room across the hall to Xanders’ door, she asked her to wait a moment while she entered the bedroom to see if Xander was descent enough to receive visitors. Seeing that he was sat on the comfy sofa in front of the television watching an evening quiz show dressed in a brightly coloured pair of sports shorts and a ‘Maple Ridge’ T-Shirt, Melissa asked him if he would like to talk to Katrina. Xander was neither excited nor disappointed he was just keen to make his Aunt happy and so accepted.

Returning to the door and asking the young woman to enter, Melissa showed her in to be confronted by Xander standing his shorts and T-Shirt with a contented smile on his face.

 ‘Hello Xander, I’m Katrina Billington, what are you watching?’ She asked confidently.

Xander glanced over to see Melissa nod her head, something that would have been seen as a sure sign for him being allowed to answer.

 ‘It’s a quiz,’ he replied sheepishly, ‘do you watch quizzes Katrina?’

Making her way around the sofa and sitting herself down Katrina nodded her head sharply and then asked Xander to join her. It was now that Melissa’s attention was diverted to the low sounds of voices outside that had started up out in the hallway, and so excused herself while she went out to investigate. Left inside the room alone with Xander, Katrina began making her assessment of the young man as to his reactions, his attention to the television and the answering of the questions which were being asked of the contestants on the quiz show. At first the assessment was becoming difficult, but then Katrina picked up on that of a slight flaw in Xanders’ concentration.

 ‘Do you like quizzes Katrina?’ He asked again, accepting the invitation to sit down.

 ‘I love quizzes Xander, but not the hard questions though,’ she replied pointing at the TV screen. ‘Like this question here, what is the capital of Russia? Do you know the answer?’

Xander sat scratching his head for a moment before turning to face the television with a strong will of determination in recalling the answer.

 ‘Is it…Moscow?’ He replied suddenly with doubt in his voice.

 ‘Bloody hell…I mean, yes, it is. Well done Xander.’

Already Katrina was off to a good start with the young man that at first seemed so strange and placid, but in the back of her mind she knew that with a little time and patience she would be able to bring him out of his shell and teach him great things. By the time Melissa returned to see how the two of them were getting on, Xander had adopted a wide smile and attached the need to involve Katrina in all present routines.

 ‘Come along Xander, it’s time for supper,’ Melissa informed him.

 ‘Can Katrina have supper with us too?’

Looking over to a surprised young woman who began looking down at her watch, Melissa thought for a brief moment. ‘If Miss Billington is not otherwise engaged, then I don’t see any harm in her staying for supper.’

Whether through discomfort at the previous exchange of words between her and Melissa, or something else that made her slightly nervous with the unexpected invitation, Katrina attempted to make an excuse in which to decline. Unfortunately, the words that were put forward in her mind were interrupted by the insistence of joining them for a small supper.

 ‘Please, Katrina, we’re having milk and cookies,’ Xander cried with excitement.

This changed her mind immediately to accept with a joyous smile. ‘Alright, but only one cookie, I’m watching my figure.’

Making their way quickly to the kitchen Melissa was stopped momentarily by Katrina to enquire about the other guests and her father, to which Melissa informed her that they had made their way home just before she returned to Xanders’ room. There was no more talk of the Lord’s or the Catherton Twins after that moment, just the sound of jokes and laughter in which had Mrs Angelis and Mr Bevan rushing to the kitchen to see what all the commotion was about.

 ‘Mrs Angelis, may I introduce Katrina, my…I mean, our new friend,’ Xander declared passing a plate of cookies across to both Melissa and Katrina.

Mrs Angelis was happy to see the young Master in high spirits, as was Mr Bevan and his Aunt. It had been strange not seeing him laugh this way over the past couple of days.

 ‘Mr Bevan, if you would be so kind as to prepare the milk for everyone, please, you may help yourself to cookies,’ Melissa laughed along with Xander and Katrina.

With a sharp nod Mr Bevan made his way to the refrigerator and took out the large six pint bottle of milk while Mrs Angelis took from the overhead cupboards five crystal clear glasses ready for Mr Bevan. And for the next hour, the five of them enjoyed the little get together, which for the house staff didn’t find strange as Melissa usually allowed them all to have the time that they deserved to have some fun time and so made the best of it.

After their milk and cookies Xander invited Katrina into the sitting room where they sat down and watched television a little more before finally looking at her watch to discover it was getting late, the expression of dread clearly showing on her face. Melissa had gone to use the bathroom, Mr Bevan retired for the evening and Mrs Angelis had turned in only a short time before Mr Bevan announced that he was going to bed.

 ‘I will have to go Xander I have to look for a job tomorrow, things aren’t going so well at home with my father, so I have decided to leave home and find my own place. Do you understand what I’m saying?’ Katrina asked in a way that she was aware that Xander was not all that well rehearsed in the basic logics of life, but in explaining it the way that she did he would process the information better.

 ‘Yes, I had to leave home too. My Aunt Mel let me move here…Hey! Maybe she would let you move in too, that would be so great,’ Xander gasped jumping up from his seat and rushing to the door shouting Melissa.

The very moment that Xander suggested the idea Melissa was immediately concerned, as any normal relative would be at the very suggestion of a stranger to Xander being given the permission that others would deny. Of course, the thought that Katrina may be up to no good on behalf of her father, Lord Billington was certainly still fresh within her suspicions and the fact that Lord Billington had shown up that very night with a white flag and request for The Message, it left a large measure of trust weighing on the side of the young girl.

 ‘I’m sorry Xander, but the answer is no! Besides, Katrina has her own home, haven’t you Katrina?’ Melissa answered with disbelief at the request.

Nodding her head slowly she apologised for the misunderstanding and left for the front door of the apartment, as she reached out for the handle Melissa shouted her back for a moment so that she could say goodnight.

 ‘I just want to thank you Katrina, for the great evening. I can’t remember the last time I saw Xander so happy around people, especially with you,’ Melissa exclaimed warmly.

Becoming a little shy with the compliment Katrina acknowledged the appraisal with a very quiet thank you.

 ‘He’s a really smart young man Lady Cartwright, it is as though he has the ability to break out of his shell, but there is something that is stopping him. Have you had a Doctor, or a Psychologist take a look at him, to see if his experiences at Cacciatori Wake Manor have in some way caused him any trauma?’

The way in which Melissa looked at Katrina scared her to the point where she was literally grabbing for the door handle, until Melissa took hold of her arm and pulled her close.

 ‘Whatever you or anyone else think they know about Xander, or whatever you think is best for him, I want you to know that there is no better therapy for his state of mind than to be here, close to family and safe from Cacciatori Wake Manor. He will be okay. I know this because he’s a Cartwright, not an O’Neill, and certainly not the property of The Church of The New Found Faith.’

Melissa was not too happy by the slight blip in the evening from Katrina’s’ statement.

 ‘I…I didn’t mean to sound…’

 ‘Conde-bloody-scending, no, you didn’t. Thank you for the enjoyable evening Katrina and I will see again.’ Melissa whispered before allowing her last guest to leave.

That night Melissa observed Xander; the way in which he watched the television as if he only had a short time left before having to switch it off. The way that he thought before speaking, stood with a slight pause before sitting down at the table, and the extraordinary way in which he avoided eye contact while thinking of an answer or reply. All of these traits that he had made Melissa think back to her time at Cacciatori Wake Manor, to a time when she walked the halls in the wee small hours during times that she could not sleep, or at the times when she was awoken by strange noises that stirred her from her sleep.

 

 ‘What’s wrong, can’t you sleep either?’ Terrence asked suddenly appearing from one of the empty rooms along the top hallway of the West Wing, his dressing gown hanging from his hand with no attempt to put it on.

Startled by his presence Melissa gripped at her chest while Terrence watched her standing in the dim light of the moon, her negligée shiny in parts while in others the thin see-thru material revealed a thigh, a breast, even a small show of her smooth shaven pussy that was quickly moved into a position where he could now not be seen any longer. The sight of her untouched milky white skin by his own hands clearly exciting him to the point of being transfixed on Melissa’s body in the hope of seeing more, while Melissa herself, through no sexual attraction on her part looked down to notice the hardening erection of Terrence’s penis rising up and poking against the white thin flannel pyjama bottoms. With a low gasp she broke away her stare to look up at his eyes taking in the accidental display that was a result of the moons light exposing her in ways she had no control over.

 ‘You scared me, Terrence I couldn’t sleep so I thought I would take a little walk around the house, I’m assuming that is okay?’ She replied quietly and nervously.

Saying nothing Terrence approached Melissa with his dressing gown now clutched tightly between his hands and threw it around her shoulders before shushing her. ‘Here, take this, it will keep you warm.’

Flinching slightly at the touch of his hands straightening the garment around her, she let out a low gasp before stepping back away from him. Upon noticing this Terrence shook his head with a knowing smile.

 ‘Don’t worry, Melissa, you’re not my type,’ he exclaimed.

At first Melissa wasn’t sure what Terrence had said, until within a few seconds the whole statement had sunken into her mind and became like a match to a flame.

 ‘I’m sorry, what did you say?’ Melissa was confused.

Terrence, too, stepped back to look with puzzlement at Melissa’s sudden state.

 ‘I said, don’t worry, you’re not…’

With a deep breath Melissa pointed a shaky finger at his pyjama bottoms. ‘Oh, really, then what the fuck do you call that?’

Looking down at the large bulge between his legs, Terrence looked back at Melissa with a big smirk across his face. ‘Oh that!’

 ‘Yes, Terrence, that! I’m sure many cocks spring to attention at times like this, unless they are attached to an O’Neill. So, if I’m not your type, then why is it so hard?’

Lost for words of how to reply to such an unexpected question, Terrence sighed before walking past the expectant looking Melissa, then stopped to turn around and face her.

 ‘I’ll leave you to your walk and see you in the morning for breakfast.’

With this he turned and walked back to his and bedroom where he disappeared inside quietly. Now, Melissa was again alone on the hallway landing gazing into the low light of the house, her racing heart returning back a normal rate as she decided to suspend her walk and return back to her room and get into bed. That night she found it hard to sleep. The vivid image of Terrence was haunting her every thought, as in a semi-dream state she saw him entering her room and standing at the end of her bed completely naked while his long erect man-dong filled with the blood of his lust and rose to become a hardened penis like no other she had ever seen before.

 

 ‘It’s time for bed Xander, come on and I’ll tuck you in.’ Melissa announced reaching for the television remote and putting it on standby.

 ‘Will you read me a story before I go to sleep, Aunt Mel?’ He asked with a saddened look of now having to go to bed.

Melissa nodded her head. ‘Yes, of course I will.’

With Katrina gone, Mrs Angelis and Mr Bevan turned in for the night Melissa went around the apartment making sure that all the lights were switched off while Xander told her of his time with Katrina. Only half-listening and half concentrating on making sure there was no other lights left on, it was a brief comment that sunk in just a few moments later that had Melissa turn and ask Xander to repeat what he had said.

 ‘She said she doesn’t like cream cakes because…’

 ‘Not that Xander, the part about Father Richards,’ Melissa prompted him.

 ‘Katrina says that Father Richards is a bad man, and that I am better off away from him.’

This was the comment that had bored its way through everything else and settled upon her nerves like a feather landing on a nest of volatile dynamite.

 ‘And why would Katrina say something like that?’ She probed pointing over to his bed and telling him to jump in under the covers.

Xander was puzzled for a slight moment, then as though it was a natural thing to say he mentioned that she had a small healing scar on her arm, a scar that Father Richards made when Katrina refused to leave the house.

 ‘What house?’

 ‘Hunter’s Wake, Aunt Mel, you remember!’

This was information that had Melissa finding it very difficult to concentrate on the reading of a story for Xander, though she managed to struggle through it the best she could until he was fast asleep. Kissing him gently on the head she made her way back to her own bedroom and picked up the telephone from the bedside cabinet while typing in the number and awaiting a reply on the other end.

The reply came with a very drunk and tired Seamus Billington who had picked up the phone and was now wrestling with the twisted cord that had made him lose a grip of the receiver. Finally he took control of the head set and placed it to his ear with a deep sigh.

 ‘Hello’

 ‘Hello, Seamus, can you hear me? It’s Melissa’

 ‘I’m sorry who did you say you were?’ Seamus slurred.

 ‘Still the joker I see Seamus, may I speak to Katrina, please?’

Silence fell upon the telephone briefly before there was a clicking sound which Melissa thought was Seamus hanging up, but it wasn’t, it was the sound of the head set being placed onto the table while Seamus shuffled over to the bottom of the stairs and shouted his daughter down to take the call. Seamus did not return to the phone.

 ‘Hello, who is it?’

 ‘It’s Melissa…Lady Cartwright, Katrina,’ Melissa stumbled with her words.

With a slight pause Katrina switched the receiver into her other hand while taking from her pocket a cigarette and lighting it.

 ‘Lady Cartwright at this time of night, is there something wrong?’

Melissa kept the conversation short with an invitation to the house the following morning, to which Katrina agreed. Saying their goodbyes both hung up their phones. Melissa sat up in her bed half the night pondering on what Xander had told her about the young woman who was so interested in teaching her nephew, while baring heavy on her mind too, was that of David and how he was. Eventually falling asleep Melissa had a restful couple of hours sleep before she was awoken by Mrs Angelis tapping gently on her bedroom door and entering.

 ‘Good morning Lady Cartwright, and how did you sleep last night?’ She enquired.

With half closed tired eyes and weakened arms Melissa struggled onto her elbows to sit up against the headboard, then with an outstretched guarding hand she shielded her eyes against the bright morning sun that shone through the windows as Mrs Angelis flung open the curtains to allow the morning light inside the room.

 ‘Christ Almighty, Mrs Angelis!’ Melissa shrieked out almost painfully.

Looking back with a giggle Mrs Angelis nodded her head. ‘It’s almost time for breakfast, and if I were you, I’d be quick, Master Xander is onto his third round of toast.’

 ‘You’re a bad woman Mrs Angelis’

 ‘But you couldn’t…’

 ‘Function without you, my god, I really have to think of something more dreadful than that of a complement first thing in the morning.’

Melissa had always spoken her mind with the staff at the house, much more than Marie ever did on the rare occasions that she visited. And, although Mrs Angelis and Mr Bevan had no complaints against her sister, they had openly admitted on several occasions that serving under Lady Melissa Cartwright was much more relaxed and that there was never a dull moment when the many parties and functions were held.

 ‘I have some very good suggestions that I could run by you, but first, I really need you to get out of bed and get dressed for breakfast,’ Mrs Angelis chuckled walking up to the bedside.

 ‘And why would you need me to do that on this god awful morning of bright sunshine and bloody hot weather?’

The answer was simple and came very quickly from Mrs Angelis as though purposely in line to hurry her out of bed.

 ‘Well, Miss Billington is here to see you.’

The direct sunlight shining through the window and into her blurry tired eyes was one thing, but the news of Katrina’s early arrival was another. All the same, Mrs Angelis encouraged her out of bed by lifting up the top sheets and pulling them down to the bottom of the bed to expose Melissa’s naked body. And, as on every occasion that Mrs Angelis awoke her employer to the sight of Melissa’s bare nakedness, she reacted in exactly the same way.

 ‘Ma’am, I can’t believe you’ve allowed the peach to grow wild!’ Mrs Angelis gasped pointing down at Melissa’s crotch with a shocked look on her face.

 ‘I would worry more about your own cabbage patch Mrs Angelis, besides my peach isn’t seeing that much action these days.’ Melissa replied struggling out of bed and walking over to the bathroom.

 ‘The way I hear it, you aren’t getting any action at all these days, Ma’am’

The remark was heard and well noted by Melissa who tutted very loudly.

 ‘Really, Mrs Angelis, and how would you know? I could just as easily smuggle a young man into the apartment and you wouldn’t even know it,’ Melissa laughed continuing on her way and preparing the shower.

 ‘I very much doubt that, Ma’am, as you are well aware the apartment has very thin walls and the last time you entertained was three months ago. You really do need to get out more and mix with people,’ the House Keeper remarked passing her a towel.

Pausing for a moment to think Melissa suddenly turned and stared at Mrs Angelis.

 ‘Christ! It’s The Sancurian Annual Dinner tonight…’

 ‘Yes, and everything has been arranged. Mr Bevan is popping out for the Hog Roast soon, so don’t you worry about a thing, just jump in the shower, get dressed and we will see to all the preparations. Now, would you like me to ask Master Xander to leave you some toast?’

Melissa screwed up her eyes and looked at Mrs Angelis while making a funny face at her, and then with an outstretched hand she tested the shower water before stepping in and starting to sing Blue Pearl’s Naked in the Rain.

Leaving Melissa in the bathroom Mrs Angelis made her way back to the kitchen where she was confronted by a very anxious Katrina.

 ‘Is Lady Cartwright on her way?’

 ‘She will be here very shortly Miss Billington, would you like some breakfast, some toast perhaps, while you wait?’ She replied with a nod and smile.

Agreeing to have some coffee and toast and join Xander at the dining table, Katrina began chatting to the young Master about the evening before. Soon they were talking about his old home at Cacciatori Wake Manor, while eavesdropping behind them were Mrs Angelis and Mr Bevan who were wandering around the kitchen refilling Katrina’s coffee cup and tending to the food for the Annual Dinner that night.

 ‘Will you be attending the Dinner this evening Miss Billington?’ Mr Bevan asked suddenly.

Not quite finished swallowing the mouthful of coffee, Katrina put up a poised finger before finally drinking down the warm liquid.

 ‘Annual Dinner Arthur, here tonight?’

Sitting down between both Katrina and Xander, Mr Bevan took from his breast pocket a small book that he jotted all of his important priorities down in. Flicking to the last page of entry he passed it over to Katrina who read through it quickly.

 ‘The Sancurian Annual Dinner, I’ve never heard of it,’ she replied handing back the book.

 ‘It’s the celebration of Sir Anthony Reynolds,’ Mrs Angelis exclaimed.

The name, too, meant nothing to either Katrina or Xander, though Xander was completely oblivious to the many functions and parties. With the vacant look on the young woman’s face, both Mrs Angelis and Mr Bevan became surprised that someone such as Katrina Billington would not know this one particular celebration shared between all the important families and houses throughout London.

 ‘Sir Anthony Reynolds was a noble man who brought together three families, including his own. The country had befallen hard times by way of war and Sir Reynolds knew that only by initiating some kind of workable plan could the country be raised out of harsh times, after all it was necessary to survive, to live and for the children of the present generation to learn that the future could be cured of disaster. The fathers of the four houses sat under one roof of The Sancurian; a man sworn to oversee those Four Fathers and maintain order within the tough times ahead. Of course, while Sir Reynolds brought stability, others worked against him in secret to destabilize everything that he was building. Eventually The Four Houses vanished and The Four Fathers reported missing, killed or just forced to leave the country in complete secret. For what Sir Reynolds did to bring order back to the UK, however, his day of achievement was allowed to be marked in celebration that hope had conquered the odds of a total collapse of societies as we knew it. It is tonight we celebrate one hundred years of his great accomplishment.’ Mr Bevan shared his story with the others while Xander sat in silence holding his toast with all intentions of taking a bite, but didn’t until he knew that the man had finished telling his story.

 ‘So, who exactly was Sir Anthony Reynolds?’ Katrina asked.

Reaching out a hand to stop Mr Bevan from speaking up, Mrs Angelis gave a warm smile that had him smiling back with wink.

 ‘Sir Anthony Reynolds was the founder of “Salomonis Domum” which is the oldest of all orders within the British Empire,’ Mrs Angelis revealed.

 ‘And Salomonis Domum is?’ Katrina asked.

 ‘House of Solomon,’ Xander interrupted before Mrs Angelis could reply.

 ‘And how in the hell would you know that, Xander?’ Melissa cried out suddenly walking into the kitchen wearing a bright pink dressing gown and sporting an Egyptian white towel around her head.

Everyone in the kitchen was startled by the sudden loud entrance, more so Mr Bevan who had been concentrating on Mrs Angelis intensely for the past few minutes that he jumped from the seat holding his chest tightly.

Apologising for the surprise appearance Melissa rushed over to Xander and asked again how he knew about the house that Mr Bevan and Mrs Angelis talked about. At first, Xander was a little distant, but then turned to his Aunt and told her that Father Richards had told him.

 ‘Father Richards, he told you the story of Sir Anthony Reynolds, did he?’

 ‘No, he taught me Latin,’ he replied picking up the last slice of toast.

Angered by the fact that Father Richards’ name had been used in yet another conversation within the house, the lack of knowing exactly what Xander knew, what he was like and at what level of intellect he actually was, had Melissa grinding her teeth with rage.

 ‘May I say something, Lady Cartwright?’ Katrina spoke up suddenly.

Unable to speak for the anger she was feeling right at that moment in time Melissa agreed.

 ‘Xander, quam multa Latina num poteris loqui?’

Xander looked up and laughed. ‘Omnes, Katrina, quam tu?’

As the others around the room looked quite shocked, and at the same time puzzled at what exactly it was that Katrina and Xander were doing, or saying, Melissa grabbed hold of the young woman’s arm and asked what they were saying to one another?

 ‘I asked Xander how much Latin he knew,’ she replied with a worried look.

 ‘And what did he say?’

 ‘All of it. He said he knows all of it, before asking me how much of it I know.’

Melissa was impressed in a way, while at the same time she was as concerned as Katrina at the large measure of knowledge that her Nephew possessed. It was on this occasion that she could do nothing but commend Father Richards for teaching Xander this great gift, after all, she herself knew nothing in the lines of Latin, though she had picked up a little French while on a skiing holiday several years ago with Marie. The thought was of what Xander could benefit from learning the fading language, but also, emerging from the back of her mind was the real reasons of why Xander would be taught to speak a language that only resided as favourable within the church.

 ‘Do you know any other languages, Xander?’ Melissa asked.

 ‘No, but I can make a Moose smile,’ he replied clapping his hands together to rid his finger tips and palms of toasted bread crumbs.

Intrigued by the reply Katrina asked him how he could make a Moose smile, when it was obvious that there weren’t any Moose’s around that part of London. It was then that he began pulling at his face, pushing down on his cheeks and moving his eyes into a half squint to make a facial expression that had everyone in raptures of laughter. The impersonation of a Moose was fantastic and had Mr Bevan giggling about it for hours afterwards, which gave Master Xander his very first party trick trait in which to entertain the guests later that night.

 ‘Will my father be attending the party, Lady Cartwright?’ Katrina asked.

Nodding her head slowly Melissa reached over the table and took hold of the café tier.

 ‘Indeed he will, Katrina, and so will you,’ she replied to Katrina’s surprise.

 ‘But I do not attend functions with my father…’

 ‘No, but you will be attending the function as my guest’

 ‘I’m sorry, Lady Cartwright, but I…’

 ‘There’s no need to thank me, dear, it will be good for you to meet new people and get to know the ins and outs of the family business. If you call around six, Mrs Angelis will show you to the guest room where you can get ready.’

Not another word was mentioned on the subject of Katrina attending the function that night, except after Melissa had left to go back to her room and get dressed into something casual for the long day ahead, but happened to mention facial masks. It was now that she looked at Mrs Angelis with a blank stare.

 ‘I don’t believe she needs a face mask for her skin, it’s so young looking.’

At first Mrs Angelis didn’t realise what Katrina was talking about, until finally the penny dropped and she burst out laughing almost uncontrollably.

 ‘Did I say something funny?’ Katrina asked embarrassed.

 ‘I’m sorry, Miss Billington, I just realised what you said. What Lady Cartwright was talking about was the masks that are to be used at the function tonight, not a facial mask…Anyway, she has a point, we have several spare masks here at the house, as well as a very large and elegant wardrobe that I’m sure you will find appealing,’ Mrs Angelis replied.

This was something that Katrina was not prepared for, nor was she prepared for what was to come next as Melissa walked through the doors once again holding in her arms a large photo album with The Cacciatori Wake Manor family crest showing across the front.

 ‘I want to show you something Katrina, come, have a seat next to me over here and I will show you these photos. Oh, before I do, have you got a dress at home that you could have collected and brought over here?’

Before Katrina could answer Mrs Angelis perked up and informed her that the wardrobe in the guest bedroom would contain something that was to Katrina’s liking and there was no need to collect anything from Lord Billington’s home. This sounded fine to Melissa, who reached across the kitchen table for her cup of coffee before opening the photo album at the very first page.

 ‘I don’t wish to be forward or rude, Lady Cartwright, but you didn’t ask me over here to look at old pictures, did you?’ Katrina spoke up cautiously.

Gazing up from the photo album Melissa’s eyes met those of Katrina’s before giving a little wink, a wink that indicated that there was something else on her agenda of the meeting.

 ‘This photo here was taken…Oooh, I believe seven or eight years ago. Yes, yes, it was, and I remember Marie telling me that the woman in the photograph was a Librarian working in the village. If I remember correctly her name was Veronica, the woman that your father met with every Friday evening to discuss family values,’ Melissa explained without as much as a twitch or ounce of tact in revealing something that was, by the sound of it as bigger secret as Melissa’s daring kidnapping of Xander.

 ‘Excuse me, what did you just say?’ Katrina asked, making sure that Melissa knew that she had heard her correctly.

Turning the page and turning the photo album around to face Katrina, Melissa pointed at the woman that she had named Veronica. ‘There she is at thirty-six weeks.’

Mrs Angelis made her way over to Melissa and placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder.

 ‘It’s alright Isabelle, I’ve got this.’ Melissa exclaimed very abruptly.

Leaning forward to look closely at the photograph, Katrina noticed something that was very odd about the woman; her eyes, nose and chin were almost identical to her own. Even her hair was so alike that you could have placed both Katrina and Veronica on either side of a glassless mirror and not notice that the glass was missing from the fixture.

 ‘Who is she?’ Katrina asked with a slight gulp.

 ‘Isn’t it obvious?’ Melissa replied with a devilish smile working up across her face.

 ‘My father says that my…’

Melissa slammed the album shut with a loud snapping sound half scaring Mrs Angelis to death, then jumped up from her seat to pour more coffee from the table, but as she got up to reach for the café tier she noticed that it was empty. It was now with a short nod directed at Mrs Angelis that she turned back to face Katrina.

 ‘There are many things that your parents would do for you in a time when you are young and vulnerable, Katrina, and one of those things is protection. To protect a child you must first rid their world of anything out there which could possibly hurt them, and then of course, there are the male and female predators that would render your daughter or son pregnant, diseased or an addict to fuck knows what these days. The point is, you were put under a very secure, high security shield that could never have been penetrated, forgive the pun, except for one person your father never actually thought knew about his seedy little affair back there at Oak Wood Village.’

 ‘My father was having an affair?’ Katrina exclaimed putting a trembling hand to her mouth in awe.

Melissa shook her head with a confused grimace. ‘Fuck yeah! Every Lord in this land has at the very least half a dozen women – and men – in every port, or as this isn’t the Navy, let’s assume every city…or even town.’

Trying hard to process the information which had pretty much turned out to be that of a huge bomb-shell Katrina leant forward on the kitchen table before placing her head between her arms to find the perfect darkness in which to think.

Nodding again to Mrs Angelis, Melissa made the hand gesture for her to leave them alone in the room together while she talked to the young woman. When Mrs Angelis pointed at Xander, Melissa again waved for her to take him along with her.

Moving closer to Katrina, Melissa placed an arm around her shoulder as comfort.

 ‘Do you know, The Sancurian Annual Dinner, it is not just a function where everybody who is anybody gathers together and shows off their worth. The function is a kind of…How can I put this? When Sir Anthony Reynolds was killed, he left a wealth of knowledge and insights into his own societies’ mistakes, but also its growing triumphs which crushed many Orders that in their own wisdom stepped over the line of the laws that bound them. Your father is a very good man Katrina he has sacrificed so much for his house, his Order - and the other Order’s too. He, like me, has clocked up many enemies along his way, but the only reason he has continued to fight the good fight is because he has watched something, someone so special that all the fighting has been worth it. You are that special person Katrina, and without you Lord Billington would be just as lost as the other pompous arseholes that sit in government. Of course, telling you of your fathers’ sins was not why I asked you to call over today, even if you did arrive at the crack of dawn’s arse,’ Melissa told a very quiet Katrina before letting out a loud giggle.

Lifting her head from between her arms Katrina wiped her eyes of tears.

 ‘But my father had me believe that my mother was Jessica, Lady Cartwright,’ she wept.

Making her way over to the kitchen windowsill, Melissa grabbed a box of tissues and pulled out a few before returning to the table and handing them to Katrina.

 ‘There are few reasons to hate your father, but so many reasons to admire him. If your father hasn’t told you of your real mother, then he must have had his reasons, I cannot think of any reason more than to protect you from the very people who are out to hurt him, to damage his career and to hurt the people around him, too.’

Wiping the skin around her moistened eyes of the fallen tears Katrina moved around in her chair to face Melissa directly, and then with a deep breath she managed a strained smile.

 ‘Can I ask you a question?’ Katrina asked blowing her nose into one of the tissues.

 ‘Sure you can’

 ‘The woman that is my mother…My real mother, I mean, is she still…!’

Melissa bowed her head in anticipation of answering the question.

 ‘You mean, is she still alive?’ Melissa finished the sentence for her.

Katrina nodded with a sad look that would indicate that she was not expecting Melissa to return a good answer.

 ‘Okay, if I told you that she was still alive, what exactly would you do?’

 ‘Then she is alive?’ Katrina gasped anxiously.

Shaking her head from side to side Melissa grabbed both her arms. ‘Answer the question.’

 ‘I would do what any other child would do, I would go out and find her,’ Katrina answered sharply.

Letting go of her arms Melissa stood from her seat and walked over to the kitchen sink with her cup, running the tap water into the sink for a few seconds before turning back to face Katrina, who was now waiting for an answer.

 ‘Right now you are feeling overwhelmed with the news that you’ve heard, and in a moment I am going to ask you to come and work for me, for Xander, and for this house. Tonight at the dinner you will have two options, the first will be to approach your father and ask him for his permission to work under my instructions concerning my nephew, or to ask him why The Bakers’ Dozen had your mother killed! If you choose the latter, Katrina, I can offer you only that which your father can offer. However, if you choose to work for me and bring Xander out of his shell, you must be aware that you will become a target, but you will have all the protection you need. Now, I need you to go see Xander and do an evaluation. Once you have done this, we will get ready for the dinner, is this okay with you, Katrina?’

Katrina was given the answer to her most needed question about her mother, while the offering of a job with Xander seemed less important. It was this that Melissa did not want to get in the way of any progress with her nephew, as it would affect the future relations of the Cartwright family by jeopardizing the many plans in motion.

 ‘Katrina! I need to know that you are on-board with this, if you need more time, then I can give you until the start of the dinner. This is important to you, I know that, but this is a time when you should have a clear mind on what you want to do in life. Are you okay with this?’

Crying with anger Katrina rose quickly, knocking the chair over as she stormed off out of the kitchen and out of sight from Melissa. Melissa herself remaining where she was to give the young woman time to think, she sat down at the table.

Having left the kitchen to find peace and quiet in the sitting room Katrina was suddenly met by both Mrs Angelis and Xander, who were sat in the sitting room watching a documentary about the value of oil and fuel. At first Xander was quiet until seeing that Katrina had been crying, and then Mrs Angelis, too, noticed that the streaks in her makeup were clearly visible on her cheeks.

 ‘Are you alright, dear?’ Mrs Angelis asked with concern.

 ‘I’ll be fine Isabelle, I’m just not in a talkative mood at the moment, I’m sorry,’ Katrina apologised sitting down hard on the sofa next to Xander.

Respecting her honesty Mrs Angelis told Xander to stay where he was and not to disturb their guest, which he acknowledged with a smile and proceeded to watch the television program in silence.

In the kitchen Melissa had received a telephone call from Lord Chesterton in regards to the progress of David’s case before the bench of his Peers, something that made no real sense until Alan mentioned the matter of her bodyguard being unarmed upon confronting Marie.

 ‘They want to know whether David was ever carrying a weapon when in your service, it’s a pain the arse swings and roundabouts thing Lady Cartwright, but it would be helpful if you could let me know of any occasions when he had a gun or any form of weapon.’

Melissa thought hard before answering the question, a question which was as delicate as asking a woman whether she was wearing underwear or having safe sex.

 ‘David never had any weapons, Alan, just the gun that he managed to get from that bitch who at the time was trying to kill him with it. How is David, Alan?’

A brief moment of silence told Melissa that the answer which was to follow would be a lie.

 ‘He’s fine, look, I’ll catch up with you later at the dinner, Okay?’

Within seconds Lord Chesterton had hung up the phone allowing Melissa to return to her fresh coffee that she had just made, which she took a hold of and made her way out of the kitchen and into the sitting room where she found Xander and Katrina talking about Cacciatori Wake Manor, again. Hearing Katrina asking about Father Richards and the rest of the Brethren from The Church of The New Found Faith had Melissa’s blood boiling in her veins, though stepping back behind the door before either of them noticed her presence, she listened while biting her tongue.

 ‘On my last visit to Cacciatori Wake Manor, I found Father Richards to be a very kind and considerate man, he must have really looked up to someone such as you,’ Katrina said.

Xander stared at the television, his eyes not leaving the screen, though his hands were rubbing hard together as the young woman spoke of the priest.

 ‘I remember another man there…Father Knowles, he spoke fondly of you’

 ‘He is a High Guard,’ Xander exclaimed suddenly, his stare breaking away from the screen before settling on Katrina’s deep brown eyes. ‘Father Richards was his Understudy, and when the weekly meetings were called to the house, Father Knowles would protect me from Father Richards and the others that arrived there.’

Katrina was flabbergasted at the fact that Xander was almost certainly speaking of abuse carried out by one or more of the people who attended the manor house on the outskirts of Oak Wood Village. In the moment of opportunity she had to keep the conversation open.

 ‘Protect you, Xander! Protect you from what?’ She asked with dread in her tone.

Turning back to the television screen Xander closed his eyes and nodded slowly.

 ‘The men called themselves “The Order of the Lord”, and Father Richards was given the rights to serve punishment for my sins. Father Knowles would hide me from the Brethren when they found it necessary to punish me, but sometimes they would find me and take me to the Sapphire Room, here I would be beaten and ordered to make promise on paying for those sins that I had committed. Did Father Knowles ask about me, Miss Katrina?’

Though there was sadness in Xanders’ voice, the tone certainly suggested he believed that his punishments were justified, but for what crimes against the Order was not known.

 ‘Father Knowles was…Silent during my stay at the manor, except for when I was leaving. He told me that there was a light within the heart of god and that if I was to ever need safety through the dark times, then I should look to the place within my soul. Obviously he takes his faith seriously,’ Katrina replied repeating that which Father Knowles had told her.

Xander knew exactly what the priest was talking about, and he also knew that what he had told Katrina was a message directed at him – to Xander himself – even though there was the chance he would never receive it.

 ‘I owe Father Knowles my life, and more,’ Xander said standing up from his seat to walk over to the television and switch it off.

 ‘Because he protected you from paying for your sins, is that what you mean?’

Becoming angered by the sudden judgement from Katrina, Xander turned and glared at her with a look which almost froze her to the spot.

 ‘Sins are for the weak, not the strong, and I am strong. Father Richards was a good man, once, until the Order made him into…’

Giving him a moment to finish his sentence, Katrina rose and joined him by the television before reaching out a steady hand. All of a sudden Xander pulled away and walked around her and back to the sofa before jumping down back into his seat.

 ‘Tell me Xander, what did Father Richards and the others refer to as sins?’

This was a question that both Katrina and Melissa was half expecting an angry response to, but the reply came with a half calm, soothing voice which had Katrina holding back a tear.

 ‘My first punishment was when I slept in my bed without my pyjamas, as Father Richards was displeased that someone such as me would humiliate myself by sleeping naked under the roof of God. The Order was called that same week and I was punished by being stripped and lashed with a leather belt across my bare back, the following week I urinated in my bed and the Order made me spend one night locked in the Sapphire Room with only a pair of Deck Shoes to keep my feet warm. Father Richards hurt me so bad that today, but I do not feel fear any longer, I feel pity for the man who will die lonely and sad.’ Xander explained in great detail.

Realising that now was the time to enter the room and show her presence before the two, Katrina almost beat her to it by standing up and making her way to the sitting room door where she was greeted by Melissa’s embarrassed expression.

 ‘Ah, Lady Cartwright, I was just on my way to find you,’ Katrina greeted.

 ‘That’s okay, I’m here now. I need to speak with Xander for a moment, if I can tear him away from your company?’

Katrina knew that Melissa had overheard the conversation that she was having with Xander, but just how much she heard, she did not know. Nodding her head silently she ushered her into the room and pointed over to the sofa where Xander was sat silent.

 ‘I need to go and get some things from home, nothing major, just some books that I was hoping to try Xander on this afternoon. May I ask you something, Lady Cartwright?’

Melissa glanced over to Xander, and then looked back and folded her arms as though she was a little agitated by something.

 ‘Of course, but, as I have just taken you on as Xanders’ Tutor, Katrina, I must insist that you call me Melissa. Now, what was it that you wanted to ask?’

Placed more at ease by the permission Katrina began to talk quietly.

 ‘It’s about David, I mean Mr Price, will he be returning anytime soon?’

This was something that Melissa did not expect being asked, especially as Katrina rarely had any contact with him. All the same, Melissa had to fill her in on his absence and have her new staff member promise not to mention anything of the truth to Xander.

 ‘That is the only reason that I am asking. Xander misses him, Melissa, he was telling me that David told him that he would be back, but he didn’t say when,’ Katrina informed her.

It was difficult to explain to Katrina, but, for all intent and purpose, there was much that she left out of the explanation that Melissa believed the young woman had bought. There could have been an easier way by just saying that there was an emergency with David’s’ family, or that he had been relocated for a short time, but Melissa was not one for keeping the truth from anyone – unless you were Lord Kasabian London.

Xander did miss David, even though they had spent little time together, and Melissa knew that by being gently evasive as possible for a little while longer then something may come along to divert his attention elsewhere.

 ‘I will talk to Xander, Katrina, will you go and see if Mr Bevan is back from his shopping trip and give him a hand to finish the preparations for the Dinner tonight, please?’ Melissa whispered straightening her clothes and walking into the sitting room.

Without another word Katrina nodded and went to look for Mr Bevan.

 ‘Hey, Aunt Mel’

 ‘Hey back. Can I talk with you Xander, about David?’

Melissa’s voice was filled with emotion, sadness and a slight hint of anger, too.

Suddenly he was excited at the thought that what his Aunt was saying was that David was home. Unfortunately, by the long pause of silence and the look on her face, it became more obvious that Melissa hadn’t come to inform him of David’s return.

 ‘Is he…?’

Twisting her face indicating that she wasn’t sure what he was getting at, she suddenly had a niggling thought that shot straight through from the back of her mind. He thought that she was coming to give him bad news.

 ‘Oh My God, no, David isn’t…Listen to me Xander, David is fine, Okay? He has had to leave for a few days, maybe a week or so to…’

Now Melissa was beside herself with the thought that telling her Nephew something that would ease his worry, would in fact add more worry, and so chose the last resort.

 ‘To what, Aunt Mel, is he sick?’ Xander spoke up expecting an answer.

 ‘He has gone to tend to his Mother down in Wales, Xander. You see, when parents get sick they can’t depend on Doctors and Nurses to see to their every need, so they depend on the people they know and trust to look after them until they are well again. David was called away to his parents’ house where he can see to his mother and then return here so he can look after us,’ she explained easily.

For a moment Xander was looking confused, until finally he gave a short smile.

 ‘Does that mean Katrina is here to look after us until he comes back, Aunt Mel?’

As Melissa was about to reply to Xander, Katrina walked through the door along with Mr Bevan, who had a large package balancing in his arms. With a loud knock on the door Katrina apologised for the interruption before pointing at the package.

 ‘A man dropped this off as I returned, Lady Cartwright, there is a note but I don’t know or recognise the signature.’ Mr Bevan piped up.

Taking the package from Mr Bevan, Melissa took it to the low dark oak coffee table that stood in front of Xander on the sofa. Opening the small envelope that Mr Bevan had put back carefully she read out aloud the message, which simply said: Something to help you mingle at tonight’s dinner X.

 ‘The Courier that dropped the package off…’

Mr Bevan, already knowing the question that she was about to ask answered abruptly. ‘It was not a Courier, Lady Cartwright it was a man that arrived in a limousine, Ma’am.’

 ‘Is it a present, Aunt Mel?’ Xander asked attempting to lift the lid and take a peek inside.

With a swift tap of his hand to stop him from doing so, Melissa asked everyone to leave the room so that she could have a little privacy. Agreeing to the request, Mrs Angelis and Mr Bevan both carried on with their duties in the kitchen, while Katrina suggested that she and Xander go to his room and have a talk in private. Finally Melissa was alone with the package sitting on the table top unopened.

 ‘Well, you’re certainly not ticking, so I will assume you’re not a bomb!’ She spoke aloud to herself while sitting down in Xanders’ seat.

Slowly and carefully lifting the first cardboard flap up and away just enough to see inside she saw that there was a beautiful green coloured box, its top etched with the word “Melissa”, while across its side the words: “All The Love in the World”.

This was odd, strange at best that she would receive such an anonymous gift that had so much thought put into it. Was this from Lord London? Lord Billington perhaps or was it from someone who was completely off of the grid who had absolute advantage over their very identity being kept hidden?

Opening the package fully and taking out the box Melissa set it down on the table while discarding the packaging of the original box to one side so that she could observe the gift. Finally taking a deep breath she unclasped the small holder that held the lid in place, and with both hands she pushed it to finally lift the lid and catch sight of the contents inside. The sight was shocking, overwhelming, and of lack of air in which to gasp, Melissa gave out a loud shriek that had the four who had just left the room rushing back inside to make sure that she was alright.

 ‘What…What is it Melissa?’ Katrina begged rushing over to her side.

Mr Bevan, too, asked what had made her scream in such a way.

Realising that the four people, including Xander, who had followed the other two into the room were glaring at her, Melissa quickly apologised for the overreaction before lifting the lid and revealing the contents to everyone. Inside sat the brightest, shiniest and the most beautiful diamond necklace that Melissa had ever seen in her entire life. Its sparkle alone had Katrina looking with envy at the present, while Mr Bevan just gazed down and whistled at the half dozen or so of cut diamonds that were fitted around the platinum gold chain.

 ‘I figure that cost whoever it was who got you it a lot of money, Melissa!’ Katrina wooed.

 ‘Yes, I suppose it did, and, because there is no return address on the card, I have decided to give it away to a good cause,’ Melissa exclaimed closing the lid with a flick of her wrist.

Sitting down by the side of her Mrs Angelis asked Melissa if she would like a drink, to which Mr Bevan offered to make one up for her. Accepting a Gin and Tonic, which was a drink that Melissa drank only when she was beside herself with dilemma’s, Mr Bevan asked if she was sure that was the drink that she wished to have.

 ‘No, actually, Mrs Angelis, if you don’t mind would you make some coffee please?’

With a surprised pause in her step Mrs Angelis gave a quick glance at Mr Bevan who in his slight surprise too, shrugged his shoulders and joined her into the kitchen. Standing in silence along with Katrina, Xander stared down at Melissa, while occasionally moving his eyes to the box which Melissa was sat looking at.

 ‘I was wondering if Xander and I may have…!’

 ‘Katrina, I’m sorry to cut you off like that, but could you tell me…If a man was to buy such an item, where exactly would they go in the city to get it?’ Melissa interrupted with an apologetic smile and wave.

Katrina thought for a moment. ‘That would have to Briars and Willets, of course.’

This was a store that Melissa knew only too well, with only the reminder of the name from Katrina that brought back the memory of Lord James, and the day that he swept her off her feet by taking her to the “Small shop with the big heart”, as Lord James referred to it.

Excusing themselves from Melissa’s company Katrina and Xander made their way into the kitchen where they were greeted by Mrs Angelis, who was herself leaving to take Melissa her cup of coffee that she asked for. Mr Bevan stayed behind to inform the two that he was expecting a delivery any minute from the outside caterers who were providing the function with a traditional carvery and a magnificent ice sculptor of the “House of Grey Crest”, which impressed Katrina for all of five seconds before she began to pour a large cup of black coffee for herself and then instructed Xander to follow her back down to his bedroom where they could work on an exercise that she had devised for “Memory Recall”, something that had been very successful with previous students she had helped in her work.

In the sitting room Mrs Angelis was stood chatting with Melissa about the mysterious gift that she had received, though the answer and resolve in what to do with such an expensive and anonymous item was preying on Melissa’s mind. Unbeknown to Mrs Angelis, however, was the fact that Lady Cartwright’s Annual Private Function was about to be the talk of the entire Four Houses.

 ‘You could always phone around the jeweller’s, Ma’am,’ Mrs Angelis exclaimed picking up the local telephone book and holding it out in front of her.

Melissa waved a hand in the air. ‘No. I have a better idea, and besides, I would need some form of receipt for something as beautiful as this. Is everything prepared for tonight?’

Mrs Angelis nodded silently. ‘We are awaiting the House Crest, Ma’am, and then we will be ready for the guests to arrive in a couple of hours.’

Drinking the rest of the coffee from her cup Melissa asked Mrs Angelis to return to the kitchen and help Mr Bevan while she had a little knap, instructing the House Keeper to wake her in an hour, when she would go to her room and finish getting ready for the ball. Carrying out her orders Mrs Angelis left the room, closing the doors behind her and returning to the kitchen where she found Mr Bevan having a sly smoke of a cigarette and blowing the smoke out of the open window.

Startled by the sudden intrusion Mr Bevan dropped the cigarette out from between his nimble fingers and onto the windowsill outside, immediately as he attempted to recover it the light breeze caught a hold and carried through the air until it was gone from sight.

 ‘Has the House Crest arrived yet, George?’

 ‘N-N-No, err…not yet,’ he stuttered a reply.

 ‘Okay, well, let’s get on. We might have time for a little Trolley Dash before Lady Cartwright wakes up in an hour,’ Mrs Angelis purred with a beaming smile.

Saying nothing to the statement Mr Bevan walked quickly over to the worktop near to the large ovens and picked up the cordless phone from its cradle on the wall, and after he had dialled in the number for the caterers he waited while tapping his fingers on the top of the low cupboard for an answer.

 ‘Well?’ Mrs Angelis asked.

 ‘There’s no reply…Oh no, what if they have forgotten?’ He panicked.

 ‘No they haven’t forgotten Arthur that will mean they are on their way here to the house with the food and sculpture. Now why don’t you come and do a little cleaning up down in the Laundry Room while everyone’s busy up here.’ Mrs Angelis was a little beside herself, especially as Mr Bevan had made it totally clear earlier that he only had eyes for her. Like two love sick teenagers they made their way down the stairs and let themselves into the Laundry Room in the basement of the large apartment, while closing the door firmly behind them the loud click of the key ensured they weren’t going to be disturbed for a while.

Meanwhile in Xanders’ bedroom, Katrina had started to read the young Master a story from a book which she was carrying in her handbag – Ravished Heats. The false start to reading the story aloud when it was obvious that Katrina had already read several chapters seemed pointless to Xander, who talked her into starting from the beginning again, so that he would not miss anything that would later be important to the story line.

Laying on top of the bed sheets in just his short jeans and white coloured socks, Katrina sat slouched across the bedroom sofa with her head tilted and yet able to read the book upside down perfectly. It was half an hour later that Katrina asked Xander if it would be alright with him if she lay upon the bed alongside him to benefit the penetrating sunlight that he was now basking in – Xander agreed and moved over a little to give Katrina the room to lay between the trapped beams of sunlight that covered both her and Xander’s bodies with the warmth of the bright piercing sunbeams.

 ‘Are you comfortable?’ Katrina asked Xander opening the book.

 ‘Yes, are you?’ He replied turning onto his side to face her.

With a slow nod she continued reading the story for Xander, occasionally putting a whole string of expressions, accents and even noises into the reading while Xander himself laughed out and giggled at the young woman’s actions. Finishing on the second chapter she asked him if there was anything that he wanted to talk about, but, as he had done on so many other occasions fallen quiet, it was now this occasion that was not all that different.

 ‘I know, let’s play a game’ she suggested turning onto her side to face Xander.

 ‘You want to play a game?’

Holding her hand out in front of her Katrina instructed Xander to do the same, for which he did with a long deep sigh. It was now that she explained the rules of the game, which were to follow the hand, but not to make contact with the other person. If contact was made at any time throughout the game by any player, then that player making contact was the loser.

 ‘Do you understand the rules, Xander?’ Katrina asked with a devilish smile.

Looking into Katrina’s eyes Xander followed her hand as she slowly moved it around in a circle, then moved it down and back across to stop directly in front of his face. When a sudden shroud covered the sun outside a shadow darkened the spot where they both lay, Katrina now pushed her hand forward to take a hold of Xanders, much to his surprise as the dark shroud passed over to light up Katrina’s expectant face.

 ‘Tell me more about Cacciatori Wake Manor, Xander,’ she asked without warning and with all expectations of not receiving a reply.

Xander released her hand and looked down at the bed covers before looking up sharply.

 ‘You know my secret! But the question is…How?’

 ‘If I told you that it’s my job, will you tell me what really happened in that house?’

 ‘The things that happened in that house you never want to know, Lady Billington. The question that should have been asked is what can be done to stop those things continuing in that house, and maybe then you would have got the answers that you needed for my Aunt.’

It was right here, right at this moment in time that Katrina knew that she had been caught out by Xander, but not because of her continued analysis of his behaviour or the way in which he sank into himself, but because somewhere between Lady Cartwright taking her on as an employee and laying upon Xanders’ bed, her intentions had been compromised.

 ‘Your Aunt was concerned about you and all this business with…’

 ‘It’s nothing that can’t be fixed, Lady Billington…Trust me, I’m…’

 ‘Trust is not the issue here and you know that. You’re Aunt took you from that house with all intentions of freeing you from Father Richards and The Brethren, to her you were…Well, you were different when she brought you back here.’

Xander knew only too well what Katrina was trying to say, and even though she did not say what was on her mind, Xander needed to make sure that the secret she had discovered was kept a secret until he was ready to share it.

 ‘I didn’t really notice your eyes before, you know, when my Aunt Mel first introduced us’

 ‘My eyes, you’re going to talk about my eyes at a time like this?’

Moving closer to her Xander took a hold of her hand and squeezed it gently. ‘What I mean is, I never noticed the burning ambition that I can see right there in the back of your mind. If I was attracted to you in any way that is, which of course I’m not, then a Man-Dong Spritzer would fix this problem. Am I right, Katrina?’

Katrina was beside herself with building anger as she struck Xander hard across the face with such force, that immediately after her hand made contact with his cheek, she lunged forward and began to kiss him passionately on the lips. Surrendering to the advances of the young woman’s uncontrollable urge to rid him of all his clothes, Xander quickly forgot about the pain from the slap he had received and was soon scrambling out of his shorts while Katrina pulled at her clothes with desperation. Finally both were naked while kneeling to face one another.

 ‘Have you got a cock-sock?’ Katrina asked breathlessly.

Xander looked at her while patting his hands across his bare naked chest and rubbing his thighs. ‘Not on me, what about you?’

It was a silly question to ask, and in the heat of the moment when there could be nothing more disappointing to hear, the sound of Mrs Angelis and Mr Bevan walking down the hallway was followed by the voice of Melissa asking if they knew where he and Katrina were. Of course the last place that the two housekeepers had seen the two were heading for the bedroom before Melissa took her hour of sleep.

 ‘SHIT!’ Xander gasped, leaping off of the bed and searching for his shorts and dragging them up his legs in unison to get dressed.

 ‘Oh no, your Aunt will fire me for sure if she finds me here naked,’ Katrina cried.

Dressed and composed before Melissa stepped through the door, Katrina and Xander sat on the edge of the bed flicking through the pages of the book which Katrina had been reading out to Xander earlier. Only when Melissa asked if everything was alright did Katrina look up and acknowledge her presence.

 ‘Oh, Lady Cartwright…I mean Melissa,’ Katrina declared nervously.

Walking over to them both Melissa rubbed the top of Xander’s head before sitting down by his side and glancing over at the book they were looking at.

 ‘Is everything okay, Xander?’ She asked.

Xander had returned to his normal self, or at least the normal self that Melissa knew.

 ‘Look Aunt Mel, a book about willies!’ Xander exclaimed suddenly.

The whole room became filled with rapturous laughter as both Katrina and Melissa found it hard to stop, but Xander, having played this scene out many times before remained straight faced and looking confused at why the two were laughing. Eventually, however, they did calm down enough to be able to talk, if only for a couple of minutes.

 ‘I don’t think I’ve laughed that much since…since the last party that your father attended here, Katrina, and I can say that back then your father was very funny. Now, if I can just tell you both, the guests will be here shortly so you both need to get ready. As I am running a little bit late, I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind preparing Xander, just put your hands over your eyes and pass him a pair of boxer shorts and he’ll be fine after that. Can I leave him in your capable hands, Katrina?’ Melissa asked pointing over to the large wardrobe on the other side of the bedroom. ‘His clothes are in there.’

With a half-smile Katrina nodded before walking over to the wardrobe and opening the door to step inside, and then on turning around she suddenly came face to face with Melissa.

 ‘What the hell do you think you were doing?’ Melissa cried in a low voice.

Instantly, Katrina thought that she and Xander had been discovered, until Lady Cartwright raised the book up in front of her. ‘This is not the kind of material suitable for my Nephew, Miss Billington.’

Apologising for the would-be break in the rules, Katrina thought for a moment before she took hold of the book and asked why such literature should be kept away from a seventeen year old that was of an age to understand the concept of sex?

 ‘Excuse me! Have you looked at him, Miss Billington, he doesn’t even know what fucking day this is, never mind knowing the concept of sex. Just do your job and let me worry about the things that are best for Xander, do you understand?’

Considering herself warned and reprimanded Katrina agreed with a nod and then walked further into the wardrobe to take a hold of a clean pair of boxer shorts before returning to the bed. Calling Xander over to get ready, Melissa excused herself and left the room so that she, too, could go to her room and dress for the big event.

 ‘That was a bit harsh, don’t you think?’ Xander whispered.

Angered by his comment Katrina threw the boxer shorts through the air and hit Xander in the face, something that he found amusing, but a little childish all the same.

 ‘Just because she’s your Aunt, that doesn’t mean she can…’

 ‘Hey,’ he interrupted her, ‘I was referring to Aunt Mel being a bit harsh on you, actually.’

A little caught off guard by Xanders’ comment, especially as she wasn’t expecting anyone to side with her on the subject, Katrina shied away to evade any eye contact from the young man who was defending her. After a couple of seconds Xander unbuttoned his shorts, pulled down the zipper and allowed them to fall to the ground where he stepped out of before picking up the boxer shorts in his hand that Katrina had thrown at him.

 ‘She isn’t all that bad you know. If it wasn’t for Aunt Mel and David getting me away from that house, I don’t think she would have been able to cope with her life. Besides, I know that she has a soft spot for you, you can see it in her eyes.’ Xander said handing her the boxer shorts with a wide smile.

Turning to face him Katrina’s eyes were immediately diverted to Xanders’ penis, its long semi-hard erection showing that her presence was effecting him still, while every now and then the sight of it twitching while getting longer and harder made her feel wet and warm between the legs.

 ‘Christ, that is one big cock Master Xander O’Neill,’ Katrina gasped taking a firm hold of it.

 ‘All the more to fill you with, my dear,’ he joked.

 Falling back while pulling on Katrina’s blouse, they both collapsed on top of one another while locked in a passionate kiss. Katrina’s hands were busy working on Xanders’ manhood while Xander had undone, loosened and removed Katrina’s top and bottoms within seconds as opposed to some previous men she had been with who took minutes, and sometimes those who had her undress herself through their failure.

 ‘I-I-I have…No control. I fucking hate you, Xander O’Neill’

 ‘Then that makes two of us, now if you don’t mind I’d like a Royal Wave, please.’

Submerged in the heat of the moment Katrina slid down to take the long length and girth of Xanders’ Man-Dong deep into her mouth, sucking it in quickly half way before slowly forcing another inch or two into the back of her throat. As each attempt to take more was made, the almost silent moans from Xander goaded her to suck harder, faster and deeper. As she pulled up from his cock while sucking off the excess saliva from her mouth, she latched onto his shoulders and pulled herself up until she could position her pussy over the tool that she now wanted to plunge into her very depths and satisfy the burning lust that ached to be extinguished by such a fine Man-Dong.

 ‘No.’ Xander cried suddenly, pushing her over onto the bed by the side of him.

Shocked, surprised and a little puzzled by the sudden pause in the moment that had them both wanting one another more than ever, Katrina looked disappointed, but not in Xander.

 ‘Am I not what you expected?’ She asked in a low voice.

Raising his eyebrows and looking down at her nakedness, Xander smiled before letting out a slight laugh. ‘Good God no, I mean, yes, of course you are…’

 ‘Then there is something else?’

 ‘Oh yeah, there’s something else alright, I’m a Triple Shooter, Katrina.’

Lowering her head she apologised and sat back against the head board.

Taking hold of her hand and pulling her back toward him Xander cuddled into her before explaining why he said and did what he did. It was something that was unknown to the young woman who would appear to have lived a sheltered life within the Billington house hold and family circle.

 ‘I’m a Triple Shooter, I can, you know…Three times’

Katrina was lost. ‘You can what three times?’

 ‘Jizz, Katrina, you know, Cum! Spunk! Shoot my load! Empty my…’

Katrina threw up a hand. ‘Hey, okay, I get it. So why stop me?’

Nodding down to his softening penis Xander licked his lips. ‘It’s a kind of synchronized thing that needs to be approached with a little shall we say gustus et fixura!’

Taking in the Latin Katrina suddenly understood what all the fuss was about, simply because Xander was able to ejaculate a multiple Man-Dong orgasm, and in particular three times, it was all a matter of “Taste and Thrust” – as he had said in the most alluring way possible.

 ‘Okay.’ Katrina replied moving across the bed and taking his soft, warm throbbing long cock into her hand before working it up and down in long gentle strokes.

Xander relaxed while observing the young woman’s bare naked body at the side of him, her ample sized breasts, of which Xander enquired of being around a 38c in cup size amazed her with his accuracy. Moving his eyes down further to her nicely flat toned stomach, then even further to the clean shaven Peach Pot that had become moist around the excited swollen lips that begged to be taken and filled.

The more that she stroked his Rising Bishop that now throbbed with a most soothing rhythm, the lower she came to the wide bulbous helmet, its fresh smell of a recent spurt of pre-cum around its tip heightening the ache that burned even more inside her body – inside her very soul it seemed.

 ‘Do you want me to put it in my mouth?’ She heard herself whisper almost silently.

 ‘Yes, put it in slowly, feel every inch of me…’

Shushed by the feel of her tongue slowly licking around the tip of his now fully erect cock, Katrina opened her mouth wide to take in the top of the helmet, then wider to allow a further couple of inches slide in and into the back of her throat before pulling back her head just enough so as to be able to take it in again…then repeated this process several times before Xander rose himself up onto his elbows.

 ‘Now that’s what I call a Royal Kiss, Lady Billington,’ Xander gasped as the first jet of thick white cum forced itself out the end of his cock.

Groaning with overwhelming ecstasy in the growing feeling that accompanied his orgasm, Katrina opened her mouth as wide as she could to take in wave after wave of hot wet spunk, jet after jet pushing its way over her tongue, across the roof of her mouth until finally filling the back of her throat awaiting its journey into the lower depths of her stomach. The excess load splashing back from her throat spilled out over her lips and dripped ran and flowed against her chin, breasts and around Xanders’ smooth skinned groin. The whole experience had become a little messier than what Katrina had first imagined, but by the expression on her face she had become that of great satisfaction.

 ‘Turn over,’ Xander demanded dreamily.

 ‘What?’

Grabbing Katrina by her long dark hair Xander forced her down onto her stomach where he rose up onto his knees and straddled the back of her legs for a moment to get into the right position in which to enable his Man-Dong perfect entry into Katrina’s sapping Honey Pot. With a slight push of his hand to free the smooth lips aside he lunged his hips forward to fill her hole half way, and with a loud muffled groan from Katrina crying into the bed sheets, he continued to feed her more until finally through the tightness he managed to reach the very tip of her cervix. As he withdrew his penis just far enough for it to remain inside, Katrina began begging him to do it, to push it in again, to push it hard and make her cum hard – Xander obliged. Building up his rhythm he watched as his cock went in, its girth stretching her and then the lips returning to normal a couple of times before finally with a loud gasp he lowered himself down to whisper a breathless gasp in her ear. ‘I’m Cumming!’

Thrusting her bottom up into the air to meet his thrusts she gave a final last groan as from the end of his cock the warm liquid once again ascended his long, thick shaft, only this time it found its target deep within her body and filled the love canal that would bring a personal connection to them both. Again, jet after jet ejected to shoot its way up through her pussy and splash across her inner walls until at long last Xander released his hold over her hair and fell down by her side while his Man-Dong left her pussy with a low sounding squelch from the man-Dong Spritzer. A couple of seconds past before his full load began to make its way out of her pussy, dripping down between the two swollen lips and onto the bed sheets as though it was a river searching for an open ocean somewhere between her tired, shaking legs. Katrina was exhausted.

Breathing heavily into Katrina’s hair, she turned to face him with a strained smile.

 ‘That was fucking amazing,’ she whispered with contentment.

 ‘Well, it’s not…It’s not over…Not yet,’ Xander replied with difficulty of catching his breath.

Turning over onto her back Katrina asked what he was talking about, which with a very mischievous smile Xander slid over and took one of her erect nipples into his mouth and began to suck gently at first, and then started to bite the tip while watching for Katrina making some indication of it becoming painful. It was when her body began to flinch that he lifted himself up onto his knees while towering over the young naked body that he had just pleasured – twice in succession, so far.

Taking his Man-Dong in his hand he felt the wetness of Katrina’s cunt juice between his fingers, the drying moist liquid becoming almost powder-like, while the slow building rubs started to make him hard once more. The throb was now pulsating with the rush of blood that he could hear inside his ears, the beating thump that was attempting to escape through his chest and the rhythmic movement of blood flow flowing through his legs and arms which enabled him to follow like an erotic musical melody playing in his mind.

Katrina looked up to watch his face filled with absolute concentration; the thought that he was running the whole love making session through his mind again and again, over and over until finding a point of attachment where the sensation returned and his cock would again go hard, only this time it would be by his hand that the orgasm would be prompted.

Opening his eyes and glancing down over Katrina’s body; her legs, groin and pussy that was still leaking his cum, her stomach, lower chest and then to her swollen hard brown nipples that pointed at him with a personal longing to be pleasured once more. Finally, his eyes reached her beautiful face, his rhythm having become faster and faster, his almost agonising smile changing to that of a deep strain…Finally, with a series of jerking movements his body straightened, stiffened and from his cock came the last streams of cum that launched themselves across her belly button, then her pale white breasts, until with a last jerk the last stream landed upon Katrina’s face. Now Xander was spent…Now he was done.

Collapsing down onto his back noisily Katrina began to laugh with excitement at the most amazing sexual performances that she had ever experienced in her life, something that she didn’t even start to understand how it was done, but all the same, something that she could never tell another soul about – not at that moment anyway.

 ‘You are unbelievable, Xander,’ she complimented.

 ‘It’s all in the flick of the wrist, Lady Billington,’ he replied laughing along with her.

Gasping and panting for breath he got up off of the bed and made his way into the en suite bathroom where he jumped into the shower and began washing the sex from his body. It was a few minutes later that Katrina joined him under the cool water, each washing the other in silence while occasionally kissing, caressing, cuddling and even exploring one another’s bodies as though for the very first time. This was a time of body language, the time for replenishment of the soul, a time where unity without words became both Xander and Katrina’s moment in time – this was Bliss.

After they had showered and Xander was dressed – by his own choice of dress – Katrina made her back way to her room while checking that nobody was out in the hall watching for her leaving, and then she dressed too while awaiting Melissa calling her a visit. After waiting more than fifteen minutes for Melissa to call upon her, Katrina made her own way over to call on Lady Cartwright, where she was met by a most glamorously dressed looking woman sat at her dressing table crying into a handkerchief. Katrina was concerned.

 ‘Oh My God, what’s wrong? What happened?’ Katrina cried rushing over to her.

Choked up with emotion Katrina attempted to tell Katrina why she was so upset but for the tears that forced themselves from her eyes to roll down her blushed cheeks.

 ‘It’s a fucking mess Katrina…It’s a fucking mess!’

Katrina had no idea what Melissa was talking about, until she happened to look over her shoulder and see that several photographs of David were set out on the dressing table. In Katrina’s mind was the belief that Melissa was upset over her PA, but exactly what had caused the distress she was without a clue.

 ‘Okay, settle down and tell me what’s wrong Lady Cartwright, please, I want to help you.’

Breathing in deeply and exhaling slowly Melissa placed both arms straight out in front of her onto the dresser, and then with a much calmer voice she began telling of how she had just received a telephone call from Lord Lucas Fellows, the Bricklethwaite member of “The Bakers’ Dozen” who informed her that David had been transferred to an undisclosed facility in the South of England.

 ‘Nobody knows where he is, Katrina, not even your father,’ Melissa again broke down.

Comforting her with a gentle hug Katrina hesitated for a moment before telling Melissa that she was going to help her get David back, to which Melissa suddenly stopped crying and turned around in her seat to face the young woman with a surprised look on her face.

 ‘What are you saying?’

Katrina sat down on the edge of Melissa’s bed and took from her bag a mobile phone.

 ‘I’m saying that I will help you find out where David is being held it’s the least I can do.’

This was a little strange hearing someone offer help instead of Melissa offering to help them out with their problems, and such a person as Katrina Billington of all people, with her father being connected to “The Four Houses” too, it was a moment of finding true clarity that Melissa searched for before giving her answer.

 ‘You…Help me? Are you serious?’

 ‘One call and I can have David Price found within twenty-four hours, what do you say?’

 ‘I say we stop talking and get our arses to the ball, that’s what I say.’

And with this Melissa stood to her feet and walked to the bedroom door followed by Katrina who put away her phone back into her bag. Before opening the door Melissa turned to face Katrina with a blank stare, and then looked the young woman up and down.

 ‘How do I look?’ She asked.

Nodding with approval Katrina smiled. ‘You look like the belle of the ball, Lady Cartwright.’

Thanking her for her kind words Melissa opened the door and continued out into the hallway where she called for Mrs Angelis, who was finishing off the final preparations in the sitting room with Mr Bevan. As soon as she heard Lady Cartwright call, she immediately left the room to meet up with her. At the same time as the three women met in the hallway, Xander too came walking out of his bedroom quietly to notice that Mrs Angelis’ dress was tucked into the back of her knickers, which was something that was to make her blush with embarrassment, but thanked Master Xander for noticing before any of the other guests arrived for the very private function.

 ‘Are we all ready?’ Melissa asked grabbing a hold of Xander and Melissa’s hands in turn.

A loud “Yes” sounded and echoed around the whole hallway as together they walked up to the front door and awaited the first of the guests to arrive, which the very first was that of Katrina’s father Lord Seamus Billington and his loyal friend Lord Fielding. As Melissa was the official host to the function it was she that the two men greeted with a customary kiss on both her cheeks before turning to Katrina and doing the same, as for Xander, a firm gripped handshake from both men officially welcomed them into Lupo Cresta Aumento House.

Taking hold of his daughter’s hands and holding them apart, Lord Billington gave a very pleased sigh. ‘You look absolutely beautiful my dear. Doesn’t she look beautiful, Henry?’

Henry glanced over and excused himself for second from talking with Lady Cartwright to take a look at Katrina, and by the way that his eyes almost left the sockets of his head, it was clear to see that she was just that.

 ‘She’s like an angel, Seamus.’ He finally declared.

Katrina thanked them for their kind words before inviting them into the sitting room for a drink while they awaited the other guests, but it was when Lord Billington suggested going straight up to The Hive, that Lady Cartwright agreed that it would be better to be prepared for uninvited guests in The Hive, than to have them arrive while getting drunk in the sitting room dressed up to the high doe.

 ‘The Hive, isn’t that where Bees live, Aunt Mel?’ Xander asked rather suddenly.

Upon realising that she had not shown Xander all the rooms within the house, she asked if it was alright if everyone could make their way up in five minutes so that she could introduce her nephew to the heart of Lupo Cresta Aumento House, for which they all insisted that it was the right thing to do and would give her ten minutes head start.

 ‘Would it be okay with you if Katrina joined us too, Aunt Mel, it’s just that I don’t know what to expect when I get there. Is that okay?’ Xander asked looking back at Katrina with a sly wink that only she would recognise as meaning something else entirely.

 ‘Alright, are you ready to join us Katrina?’ Melissa asked with an almost half welcoming tone that both she and Xander picked up straight away as soon as she spoke.

Joining Xander by his side the three of them walked out of the apartment and took an immediate left turn to what looked like another lift, but when Melissa opened the door and pushed Xander gently through it into darkness, it was only a couple of seconds later that a series of bright lights illuminated the whole room; from floor to ceiling it was almost sixty feet, from one door to the next facing them another two hundred feet at the very least, and in the centre of this huge room stood a wide winding spiral staircase that lead up to a series of branched walkways that connected to balcony’s overlooking the floor that they stood on. Within each corner of the room stood bars, food courts and music equipment for the light entertainment that would take “Anthony Reynolds’ Annual Masquerade Ball” into the early hours of the following morning, with music, dancing and mingling with the powers that be.

 ‘Welcome to The Hive, Xander, here is where dreams can come true, hearts broken and a true display of friendship be blossomed. If you will both excuse me, I will go and inform the entertainment staff of our scheduled start.’

Leaving them alone together Melissa walked across the gleaming tanned varnished wooden floor to the spiral staircase where she climbed each step with the loud clicking sound from her high heeled shoes until finally she arrived at the top, and from here she walked across one of the branched walkways and disappeared into a room where both Xander and Katrina heard her addressing someone before the door closed behind her.

 ‘What do you think?’ Katrina asked taking advantage of the alone time and twirling around while staring up at the ceiling and moving into the middle of the room.

 ‘Small,’ Xander replied sarcastically. ‘At Cacchiatori Wake Manor, we had a games room that was bigger than this, but of course, I don’t think that this is a games room.’

 ‘You’re absolutely right, Master Xander, it is anything but a games room,’ an unfamiliar voice echoed around the room.

Looking around to see where the voice was coming from, but more importantly, of whom the voice belonged, Xander and Katrina saw that a stranger was stood in the doorway where they had entered not a few minutes before.

 ‘Oh, hello, are you here for the ball?’ Xander asked waving over to Katrina.

The stranger didn’t answer, not at first, until Melissa came walking down the stairs and returned to her nephew’s side. It was now that the man introduced himself while giving a slight bow to Lady Cartwright.

 ‘I am Lord Peter Northbrook, I’m sure you have heard of me, Master Xander.’

Xander had heard of him, but never actually had the opportunity to put a name to the face of the person Father Richards had dragged off of the streets and placed into “The Bakers’ Dozen” to spy and feed information from The Order directly into the Leaders private Dossier on all of the Lords, and it was this lack of knowledge that Melissa would never be any the wiser to.

 ‘Yes, I remember now, you were the one with the raven stick,’ Xander exclaimed putting out a hand to greet him, but was not accepted.

 ‘And you, Lady Katrina, I see that you have a new project, how is your father?’

Katrina looked over to Xander whose hands were clenching up as if to strike out in anger, but for the present company that was now stood around awaiting the door to swing open and allow the hundreds of guests to pour inside.

 ‘My father is fine, Lord Northbrook, how about yours?’ Katrina replied dryly.

Melissa sniggered uncontrollably for a moment.

 ‘Still dead I’m afraid he died some two years ago from a fishing trip in Algiers. Anyway, as we are all here for the entertainment shall we begin with the first dance of the night Lady Cartwright, or am I to be challenged with a Duel ad Aurora?’ He replied somewhat not very amused at the statement from Katrina.

Approaching the Lord with a raised hand Melissa accepted the first dance of the evening as the back doors of The Hive opened and a number of men and women entered with musical instruments, to which the Lord bowed and awaited them to become ready.

 ‘Are you alright Xander?’ Katrina asked pulling him to one side.

Breaking his stare from Lord Northbrook, he calmed down very quickly before excusing himself from her company to return back to the apartment where her father was with Lord Fielding. Offering to return with him, Xander told her that he would like to go on his own, as he had something important to do before returning back to The Hive. Leaving her standing at the side of the door he left the room and made his way back to the main part of the building where he was met by several people asking if Lady Cartwright was around, and by simply pointing them in the right direction, he eventually realized that the more people that were arriving, then the safer Melissa would be.

After a few minutes Katrina followed after Xander to see where exactly he was going and what had made him so angry while in Lord Northbrook’s presence. Admittedly, it was the first time that she had seen such a reaction as what Xander showed, and, as concerned as she was, she had to find out the reason behind his fear.

Entering the crowded hallway of visitors Xander made his way into the sitting room where Lord Billington had been cornered by a tall woman who was not taking “No” for an answer from the worried looking man.

 ‘Lord Billington, I’m so glad I have found you…’

 ‘Master Xander…What, is it Katrina?’ He demanded with panic in his tone.

Taking Seamus by the arm Xander led him away with an apology to the woman, who was looking at him in the strangest way. Nonetheless, Lord Billington was thankful for the most welcome interruption.

 ‘Lord Northbrook is here.’ Xander whispered into his ear.

The thought of anything happening to Katrina was most unthinkable, but upon hearing that Lord Peter Northbrook was at Lupo Cresta Aumento House, that was something that made him go drip white immediately. Though the point of Xander informing him of this was not very clear, Lord Billington straightened his tie and leant toward the young man’s ear.

 ‘Where is he?’

Revealing that he was in The Hive with Aunt Melissa, Seamus called over to Henry in a tone that only he knew was as serious as a Double Dip Recession looming in the country. Telling his best friend the news both Lords hurried out of the sitting room and up the hall toward The Hive.

 ‘What are you doing, Xander?’ Katrina asked suddenly appearing out of nowhere.

Startled by her sudden presence Xander gave a suspicious smile. ‘Nothing, I was looking for some food a little wine.’

Almost frog marching Xander out of the sitting room and down the hall back to his room, she opened the door and pushed him forcefully inside before slamming the door shut.

 ‘Why are you telling my father that Lord Northbrook is in the building as though he is some kind of threat? And what was all that about when you two met? I need answers Xander, not evasive bullshit.’ Katrina was angry.

 ‘Okay, Lord Northbrook was the signee of some business that involved your father and Lord Fielding. The deal went south but the money changed hands, and it just happened that the only people who lost on the business deal were your father and Lord Fielding. Are you happy now, Katrina?’

Katrina wasn’t happy, she was beyond being happy or satisfied with the feeble answer that Xander stood and told her as though rehearsed.

 ‘And the truth is that my father had something to do with Cacciatori Wake Manor and our mutual scum bucket Father Richards, which is why your escape from the house with the help of both your Aunty and David was planned months before it actually happened…’

 ‘Hey! Listen to me, Lord Northbrook was fleecing your family for thousands, Katrina, and all that they needed was one thing from Cacciatori Wake Manor to end the whole scam. Your father is a good man Katrina, it’s just other people don’t see that,’ Xander interrupted her.

Tired of the stone-walling by Xander, Katrina turned and left the room before he could have the chance to call her back and talk about it. The problem was within the details, the details that he could not share with Katrina for risk of putting her life in danger.

Making his way back to The Hive, Xander searched the large room downstairs, asking some of the guests, but it became apparent that Lady Cartwright was not on the lower part of the room.

 ‘I saw Lady Cartwright with that awful fellow…Lord Northbrook, Master Xander,’ Mr Bevan shouted over the loud music that was being played for the guests.

 ‘Thank you Arthur, do you know where they are now?’

Pointing upstairs onto the balcony Xander caught sight of his Aunt, and by her side was Lord Billington, and then a moment later he saw both Lord Fielding and Lord Northbrook who were locked in an argument together. Rushing up the spiral staircase Xander made his way through the mass crowd to get nearer to the group.

 ‘Ah, here he is now. Xander, I’d like you to meet Lord Peter Northbrook, he is…’

 ‘Aunt Mel, I need to speak with you, it’s important,’ Xander gasped.

Worried that he may have hurt himself Lady Cartwright led him into a nearby room and sat him down on a chair. ‘What is it Xander, you’re not hurt are you?’

Filled with concern and worry about how he was going to begin telling Aunt Mel about his charade since her and David took him from Father Richards and Cacciatori Wake Manor, he stood up and asked her to take a seat while he explained. This obviously made matters a lot worse with the most tragic of thought’s going through her mind.

 ‘Lord Northbrook…He’s a…’

Waiting a moment for Xander to finish the sentence, Melissa prompted him with a raise of her eyebrows and a hand gesture. And at this moment Katrina rushed into the room and leant back on the door to make sure it was closed, while in her face she looked exhausted.

 ‘What the hell is the meaning of this Katrina?’

 ‘Lady Cartwright, you have to get Xander out of Lupo Cresta Aumento House, out of London and you have to do it now!’ Katrina cried looking passively at Xander.

The atmosphere was tense, and at the least viable of turning hostile with Melissa’s temper rising to such a dangerously unexpected level.

 ‘Xander, tell me, Lord Northbrook, do you know him?’ She asked in a reasonably calm tone.

Looking over at Katrina before Melissa demanded he stop looking at her and answer the question, Xander nodded his head to confirm that he did.

 ‘He was at our home in…’

 ‘Our home, now that’s funny, because I believed that our home was here at Lupo Cresta Aumento House. I also believed that you were…You know…’

 ‘Retarded, is that what you believed? Aunt Mel, I never meant to carry on this charade for this long, I’m sorry…’

 ‘Sorry, do you understand what has happened over the past couple of days? Do you know at what cost this whole business has had on me, my business, and my friends? I don’t really give a shit what any of those Lords get up to outside this house Xander it is my family that I give a shit about. Now, I want you to take Katrina downstairs, get your masks and meet me back here in The Hive in exactly five minutes, do I make myself clear?’

The time for explanations was over, as Katrina knew only too well by the loud and harsh tone that Melissa used. And that which stopped Xander from crying out his resolution and truth of the whole charade that had fallen by the wayside and into a place where the mere mention of it would cause more harm than good.

 ‘Yes, Aunt Mel, very clear.’ Xander replied turning to Katrina and telling her to join him.

Leaving the room the two did exactly what Lady Cartwright had instructed them both to do, only one difference made them completely compliant, however, and that was the moment that they both separated to go to their rooms and collect their masks for the highlight of the evening – The Masquerade Ball – and that was that for Katrina, she went through her bag and took from it a small Walther PPK Pistol. Checking that it was loaded she opened her dress slightly near the top and pushed it in between the material before fastening it back up. For Xander, he picked up a mobile phone which he had stuffed in between his socks whilst having a bag of clothes packed for the arrival of both Melissa and David to get him away from the house that his Aunt Mel had been exiled from. On typing in a code the phone began to vibrate slightly before stopping, and it was now that he pushed it into his inside jacket pocket before picking up the Masquerade Mask and placing it over his head and positioning it across his face.

 ‘Are you ready?’ Katrina asked meeting Xander outside his bedroom door.

Putting up an arm for Katrina to take a hold of they both walked confidently and without disruption up the hall and into The Hive where Lady Cartwright signalled to the band to begin playing the first song of the ball. Walking into the middle of the room the guests surrounding them cleared the way and took their places by the walls as they watched both Xander and Katrina take the very first dance.

 ‘Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Anthony Reynolds Annual Masquerade Ball, and may you all prosper in the year ahead.’ Melissa declared finally as the guests standing around the edge of the room moved closer to the young dancing couple.

With a hand on Katrina’s waistline and another hand within hers, Xander continued to dance while looking directly into her eyes without blinking and without looking away the whole time. When the music stopped and the two were supposed to break from their stance and bow and curtsy to one another, Xander kissed her deeply and passionately on the lips with no resistance from Katrina. However, there were many gasps, and only one demanding voice that cut through the next song that started from the band who ordered Katrina away from the dance floor and away from Xander– Lord Seamus Billington.

 ‘What did you do?’ Katrina cried.

 ‘I-I…I don’t know.’ Xander replied stepping away from her.

Turning and running away to join her father up on the balcony Melissa walked up to Xander and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. ‘You could have done worse.’

 ‘I have no idea what you mean, Aunt Mel, Jack’s and Queen’s don’t mix well.’

Saluting Lord Billington with a raised glass of champagne, Lady Cartwright’s attention was suddenly diverted to the main door entrance where a group of black suited men with radios stepped into the room and had a thorough look around before a tall man in a very smart white and gold suit entered the crowd, it was Romanov Ivancovavic – the Russian Royal Tsar. Spotting Lady Cartwright standing next to Xander he sent one of his men to inform her that he would like to see her as soon as possible, the reason was not given, though the message stated that it was of the most utmost importance. With this said Melissa excused herself with a slight smile and point of a finger in the direction of the top balcony.

 ‘Well, Xander, it looks as though you have a lot of catching up to do.’

Turning around to see that the Tsar was making his way to the spiral staircase to meet up with Melissa, Xanders’ eyes fell upon a smartly dressed young woman that he recognised for a brief moment, but then became curious as to confirm his suspicions of it being who he believed it to be…Stacey.

 ‘Stacey, is that you?’ Xander enquired tapping the young woman with her back to him on the shoulder gently.

Turning around to face him their eyes met with an ecstatic build of joy. It was Stacey.

 ‘Oh My God, Xander O’Neill, what the hell are you doing here?’ She screamed with excitement that brought several of Romanov’s security men rushing over before Stacey waved a hand to let them know that everything was alright.

Xander embraced her with a big hug before pulling away and asking what she was doing at the ball, to which Stacey informed him that she was working with Romanov as his Personal Assistant. This was good news, though it was also strange that she was working for Father Richards not seventy-three hours earlier, and now she was a Personal Assistant for a top Russian Diplomatic VIP.

 ‘We…My Aunt Mel and me didn’t know whether you had left the house or…’

 ‘Don’t worry I left as soon as you had gone. I was about to get on the first plane out of here when I met an old friend of mine, Tess, her father works for the government and he offered me a job with Romanov as his Confidante.’

 ‘Well, I’m just so glad that you got out of there before Father Richards could punish you for allowing my Aunt to take me. We’ll have plenty of time to catch up, how long are you here for in London?’

Stacey suddenly fell silent, her eyes looking down at the ground and a look of sadness falling across her face. The strangest feeling now came over Xander, a feeling that there would be no time for them to catch up on old times, not at the moment anyway.

 ‘Your mask…’

 ‘Yeah, my Aunt Mel’s holding the Anthony Reynolds Annual Masquerade Ball, it’s kind of kinky don’t you think?’ Xander laughed handing her the mask.

Looking it over before placing it in front of her face Stacey asked how she looked, to which Xander told her that it made her ears look big. Handing it back she told him to take care and maybe one day soon they could meet up the next time she was in London, or if he was in Russia at any time. After another quick hug she disappeared into the crowd to make her way upstairs to be with Romanov and Melissa.

Meeting up with Stacey again had Xander in high spirits, even though the questions that he had been asking himself when meeting her didn’t come back to be answered. The way that he saw things, Stacey had, like him escaped Cacciatori Wake Manor, and now they were both free from the madness of Father Richards and The Church of The New Found Faith.

Putting the mask back on Xander made his way over to the food and drinks table in the far corner of the room where he was met with a tap on his shoulder from a tall man standing behind him. Ordering a double Bacardi and Coke from the barman Xander turned to face the man and asked if he was trying to get his attention.

 ‘Lord London would like to have a word with you,’ the man replied telling the barman that Xander would not be requiring the drink.

 ‘What, just one word? I tell you what sunshine, go and give Lord London two words from me…Fuck Off!’ Xander rasped, signalling to the barman to make his drink order.

Grabbing Xander by the arm the man escorted him across the room and out through the main door into the hallway where another man who was without a mask ushered him into a side room, a room that Xander was not aware existed in the house. Once inside a deep voice told him to sit down and be quiet.

 ‘Who are you?’ Xander asked before feeling a painful slap around the back of his head.

 ‘Sit down Son and shut your fucking mouth.’ The voice came again, only this time Xander was helped to sit down hard on a nearby chair in front of a small desk.

Behind this desk a smartly dressed man sat with his hands firmly set out in front of him.

 ‘You’re in deep shit, Son! But don’t worry, you are in safe hands, we’re sending you away for a little while, Xander, somewhere nice so that you can brush up on your…Well, you’re attitude for one thing. Now, whatever you had here at Lupo Cresta Aumento House or at Cacciatori Wake Manor, that’s all gone now Xander. These men will show you to a car that’s waiting for you out front, and don’t worry, we’ve packed a bag for you.’ The man informed Xander who was now starting to worry.

 ‘And Lord London, what happens to him?’ Xander exclaimed.

 ‘Like I said, there’s a car waiting for you outside. Now fuck off.’

The man that had forced him down onto the chair now lifted Xander up and pulled him to the door, which was opened by a second man outside who took hold of his other arm and led him to the lift. No words were spoken between the three men as they made their way down in the lift, nor was anything said as they walked through the bottom lobby and out of the Main Entrance to the car. It was now that when the back passenger door opened and he gazed inside, a young and very attractive woman told him to get in and close the door.

 ‘Who are you?’ He asked getting in and sitting down next to her.

Instructing the driver to start moving, the young woman turned to Xander and handed him a letter which had an unfamiliar Coat of Arms on the front. Flipping it over and attempting to open the seal the woman stopped him by putting her hand over his and pushing down.

 ‘Not yet. When we get to our destination you will have all the time you need to read it, but for now, I would suggest you get some sleep Master Xander, it’s going to a long drive.’

 

 

Coming Next:

 

Suburban Heat: Rise Of An Empire – Chapter Three: The Amsterdam Connection.

 

Get all the New, Updates and More at the Author’s Official Website:-

 

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