The Naughty Ward (historical romantica)

(Characters are Joss', not mine)


A fortnight had passed since that awful day at the brothel, and yet, Alexander did not wish to forget it entirely. William had held him for hours, cradled him, whispered comforting words and apologies. He knew from experience that moments like that were few and far between when it came to a man as hard as the Duke. Thus he cherished and treasured the memories of the remainder of that day. They’d spent it together, discussing everything under the sun, including William’s time in the war... his friendship with Alexander’s father, and fighting techniques.

Alexander smiled at the thought of how he’d talked the Duke into agreeing to take over his fencing lessons. Under any other circumstance than William wallowing in guilt, Alexander could not see the Duke committing that much time to training him when a very able instructor was already on hand.

Naturally, the request had been a means for Alexander to secure contact with William. To make sure even if he grew distant and cool again, he wouldn’t or couldn’t entirely avoid him without breaking a promise.

He had to admit that William was treating him much better... no longer completely ignoring him. They’d gone back to their old routine, from before the night they’d slept together... sometimes spending time together, at least sharing quite a few meals and at times turning up at the same events. Their circles were not exactly the same, but the Duke would ask for accompaniment at times.

William strode into the large, empty ballroom, and found Alexander leaning on the hilt of his sword, his back slightly arched, and his firm round rear slightly thrust out. As his gaze swept over the boy’s form-fitting white attire and lingered at the sliver of skin revealed at his unbuttoned collar, he knew the lack of a cravat was not an over-sight. This was classic Alexander... the battle of wills was on again.

“Good morning William, do you like what you see?”

Eyes flashing, William shook his head no as he ran his hand over his blade. “Not at all. I see a man abusing his sword.”

“Perhaps if you were more generous with yours, I wouldn’t have to abuse mine.”

The words hung between them. As William’s gaze locked with Alexander’s, the older man couldn’t help but visualize Alex touching himself, stroking himself into a frenzy, then calling his name.

“Are you thinking about it?” This time the boy had the nerve to laugh.

More than slightly irritated at being caught out, William moved into position, gave the barest of the swordsmen salute, and launched at Alexander.

On the defensive, Alex blocked, moving as quickly as he could... concentrating, and yet managing to grin. “Oh William, you really are eager to have me, aren’t you?”

“Level your arm,” William snapped, “come on... thrust.”

“I much prefer it when you do the thrusting. In and out... in—” Suddenly, Alexander’s words were cut off when he had to defend himself against a flurry of thrusts and parries. William was so graceful, so experienced, his motions appeared to be at wrist level, fast, small, but deadly.

“Keep your left hand at your hip... right hand... stop moving it in such broad motions.”

Alex knew he must look clumsy to William, or at least in comparison, but he didn’t care. What mattered was that he was getting to him. He’d seen William fence with others and nothing they said angered him, or made him emotional, or pricked him into changing his pace. And here he was... clearly more than anxious to shut him up.

Mischief lighting his brown eyes once again, he shrugged one shoulder, letting his shirt fall down to his elbow on the left side.

As William moved to pin Alexander’s sword against his body, he noticed the boy’s shirt fall away. Smooth skin, soft... stretched taut over muscle... his gaze swept upwards, over the boy’s collarbone, then back down to his abdomen. It was almost too late, when he realized Alexander’s sword had moved, that he was the one on the defensive now. He swore up a storm, his blood only growing warmer at the fact that Alexander was enjoying this.

“This is serious business, keep your mind on what you’re doing,” he commanded.

“Do you mean follow your example?” Alex stepped to the side, and struck his blade against William’s. For an instant, their bodies brushed together. “Are you concentrating William, or are you staring at me?”

“Alex... I mean it, either you get down to business or I’m leaving.”

“To take care of what stands tall and proud in your pants? William, let me take care of it for you,” Alexander’s voice grew husky as his eyes glazed over.

Finding an opening, William took it, “hold...” the point of his sword was at Alexander’s heart.

“It’s already yours.”

Will dropped the sword and started to turn, when he felt a pair of strong arms circle his waist. Alexander dared to kiss his ear. William’s breath hitched, he closed his eyes as his body reacted. “Alex...” His voice held a strong warning tone.

“William. Please let me take care of it for you. Don’t you remember how well I took care of it before?”

“No.”

“Then you need a reminder.” Alexander dropped on his knees, holding the backs of William’s thighs as he swayed toward his thick fullness jutting out from under the material of William’s britches.

His throat dry and parched, William practically croaked, “no. Alex no.”

“Yes William... yes, yes, yes,” Alexander kissed his guardian, rubbing his mouth back and forth across his length, kissing him harder, and with his mouth open as he felt the man tense... felt him sway forward. Reaching up, he started to fumble with William’s trousers, almost had his hand inside when a knock sounded, breaking the moment.

Groaning again, William couldn’t help but run his hand over his own length, squeezing once as he straightened his clothes. Clearing his throat, he shook his head. “Never do that again... or the lessons end.”

“I have so much to learn, William. Teach me... I want you to be my teacher.”

“Come in,” William turned his attention to his butler, grateful for the interruption... though his body protested only too loudly against it.


* * *

It was another party... another opportunity for him to watch as the Duke was introduced to one female after another. It wasn’t that he, himself wasn’t receiving similar treatment, but Alex’s eyes were on William. He knew damn well that William found these innocent chits boring, that he was more apt to sleep with their mothers or the demimonde, but seeing him charm them... seeing him take them out on the dance floor for a waltz irked him.

Sometimes he imagined the two of them dancing just so... was that even possible? For two men to dance the waltz? If he stared long and hard, he could imagine the Duke’s arm was around his waist, that he was clasping his hand and spinning him around, making him breathless and gay like those young women with flushed cheeks.

William gritted his teeth as he listened to the ingénue’s idle prattle. Honestly, he cared not a wit about fluffy white poodles, powdered pink or purple or with a variety of colors to match either the dusk or their owner’s attire. Though he looked down at her face, his gaze skimmed around the edges of the ballroom, coming to rest on Alexander.

Alexander who was staring at him through velvety dark eyes... dreaming. That boy was an open book, and he knew just what he was thinking. And suddenly, he was right there with him in his thoughts. What would it be like to dance with Alex instead of this chit? To hold him tight ... so tight he could feel every breath the boy took, to hear him whisper ... not irritating prattle, but words that taunted... that made him go hard in an instant? To feel that tongue dip into his ear, feel his warm breath... to want to fuck him so bad, he’d dance them off the floor and push him into the library... take him against the shelves...

The gel’s tittering drew his attention to the fact that his cock was now pressed against her thigh. Quickly, he brought her to her mama, gave a stiff bow and walked away... but not getting away fast enough to miss the exchanges of congratulations. As if that schoolroom miss could excite a bloody poodle.

Alexander rushed out behind the Duke, rushed into his carriage before it left. He practically dove into the seat across from William, and eyed the man’s stern features, before noticing his clearly visible cock pressed up against his trousers. It made him breathless just to think of William so. Swallowing hard, he started to take off his cravat, and then unbuttoned his shirt.

“Don’t.”

The word cracked like a whip.

Smiling, Alexander’s hand wandered down to the next button.

“Alex...”

“William?” He raised his chin.

“Stop that,” William knocked Alexander’s hand away, his gaze dropping to the boy’s exposed chest gleaming under the soft moonlight.

“You want me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. Catherine was...”

“Madeleine... that girl’s name is Madeleine.”

“It wasn’t her name that got me into this state...” William met Alex’s gaze, steeling himself.

“I’ll hazard it wasn’t her body either.” Though he hated thinking about it, he’d watched William long enough to know that flat and narrow women weren’t to his liking.

“You can hazard what you like, just keep your tongue in your head... I’m going to take a nap.”

Alexander laughed. “In that state? I can make it go away, William.”

Watching Alexander’s finger move down to unbutton yet another button, William’s cock strained unbearably against the material of his clothes. Again, that intense need to fuck the boy... or his mouth ... that taunting mouth. He was playing with him!

This time... this time sweet little Alex wouldn’t get the best of him.

He was preparing to strip his shirt off completely when he caught the brief flash in William’s eyes. His apprehension was not for naught. One minute he was teasing the Duke, the next, the Duke had him pressed back against the cushions of the couch.

Alex’s gaze fell to the hand on his chest. He started to read out, but William caught his wrist and pinned it on the seat. Heart beating, he licked his lips.

“You know what you need? You need someone to tear your shirt off.... to use his mouth to undo your trousers... you need him to suck you so hard, you’ll come off the seat... higher and higher, begging for release.

Just like that, Alexander’s eyes glazed over and he lifted his hips up ... meeting air, but unable to stop himself at the thought of William’s mouth on him. He whimpered. “Please William, do it.”

“Squeeze you hard, then turn you over... press you into the cushions and mount your sweet ass.”

Alexander’s heartbeat against this chest, his trousers bulged. “Oh yes... please ...”

“Fuck you... hard.... until you’re raw...”

“William!”

The carriage stopped, and William smiled. “Now you’ll know how it feels to be worked up and left like.... that.” He trailed one finger over Alex’s cock, then hopped out of the carriage, whistling.

“Fucking hell...”

“Master Alexander?” One of the servants came to help him out of the carriage, causing him to pull his hands out of his pants. “Damn you William... damn you...” he muttered, rushing past the servant and heading for his own quarters. It wasn’t as if he ever wanted to leave William like that... it wasn’t his bloody fault William didn’t take him up on his offers!

* * *

It was still dark when Alexander heard noises in the hall, booted feet walking back and forth. Voices.

Unable to go back to sleep, he pulled a robe on and walked out into the long hall. Unlike his bedchamber, which was warm even despite the fact there was only the glow of dying embers in his fireplace, the hall was cold.

He found the butler. “What is happening?”

“His Grace is about to ride.”

“Where to? He doesn’t have a trip.”

“Another duel.”

“Oh.” Well... that happened often enough. “Whose wife?”

“His Grace’s second sent a note around that he won’t be able to attend to him.”

The old retainer appeared very worried. “Who’s wife... who is he dueling?”

“Baron Vladimir Romanov.”

“What...” The Russian had a reputation for being skilled and merciless with the sword. “I’ll act as his second.” Without allowing the servant to give an opinion, he ran to his chamber to prepare.

*

The early morning mist swirled about the ground, at times covering the horses’ ankles and knees. They passed through a clump of trees in the forest, and William unerringly found the designated clearing. “We’re early,” he said, dismounting.

Alexander was on the ground a moment later, as were a few more of his Grace’s men. His knees were shaking slightly, even if William appeared to be as cool as the morning.

Licking his lips, he did as one of the older men told him, took the Duke’s sword to him. “William, is there any way you can get out of this? He’s...”

William weighed his sword, moved his wrist slightly and nodded with approval at the slashing sounds. “One does not get out of this,” he answered slowly.

“But... he’d deadly. You might—“

“Today’s as good a day as any,” the Duke gave him a somber smile, then took pity. “You’re not used to these affairs, you should go home.”

“You said I could come.”

“Only because McAllistair and Devonshire wouldn’t get their arses out of bed.”

There was a softness in William’s eyes that was at odds with the sternness of his features. Alexander’s heart felt like it was being squeezed. “William. I lo—“

“Shshsh, they’re here.”

The affairs of gentlemen. That made Alexander want to snort. With cold-blooded precision and outward civility, these men of wealth and entitlement worked out the terms of acceptable murder. That was how he saw it... so long as no one broke the rules, death was an acceptable result. And for what?

His gaze went to the Baron’s carriage. The window coverings had moved earlier, and he’d caught sight of blond hair piled high in curls. A cold beauty... rather like William.

The sound of metal clashing against metal startled him. He was supposed to be watching to make sure the rules were complied with. Moving to a better vantage point, he found himself holding his breath... moving forward every time the Duke lunged, balling his fists and moving them back and forth as if to assist him.

If Alexander hadn’t known of Vladimir’s reputation, he would have enjoyed the way the two skilled men danced around, thrusting and parrying... their swords leaving showers of sparks as they met. Come on Will.

Adrenalin surged through Alex, as if it were he that was doing the fighting. As the two men’s foreheads started to shine with sweat, so did his own. He didn’t like the bitter twist of the Baron’s lips, nor the way he was needling William with words. But it made him ever so proud to see William maintain his cool, refusing to answer the barbs and clearly concentrating. It was so unlike their own fencing sessions, which usually lead to one very aroused Duke stomping away.

The baron’s blade moved so fast, Alexander didn’t see it.... but he gasped at the sight of blood now marring William’s shirt... at his breast and his arm. Fear seized his heart so tight, he could hardly breathe. Come on, come on, come one, Will. Another red slash and he felt his eye start to sting.

They had to stop the fight, they had to. He looked around, but the others, men from both camps looked on... watched as if this were naught but a cockfight. Word’s bubbled to the tip of his tongue, but fought and held them back... he didn’t want to embarrass William, he didn’t want to break his concentration or help the Baron do what he had been unable to.

An expletive broke from William’s lips. Alexander felt a cold sweat drench his body. His stomach was clenched so tight, his muscles hurt. That bloody foreigner was going to kill William... was intent on it. Fear gnawed at his stomach as red spread across the weave of the Duke’s shirt.

Baron Vlad gave out a nasty laugh, and lunched forward, his sword aiming straight for William’s heart.

Alex almost closed his eyes, but staggered forward when as if by miracle, William rallied and stopped the forward motion of Vladimir’s blade by knocking it aside. A small movement of his wrist, and this time it was the tip of William’s sword that touched the Baron’s heart... walking the Russian backwards until his back touched a tree.

Heart thumping against his chest, relief making him sag against a tree... Alex watched as final words were exchanged, and the Duke left for his carriage without achieving satisfaction.

Right there, William took off his shirt and allowed his servant to bandage him. William could see the cuts weren’t as deep as he feared, and yet they could have been worse!

“We’ll ride back alone,” William told the others, sensing Alexander would explode if they didn’t have a moment alone. “Have the port waiting.”

He started reaching for the reins of one of the two horses they’d left behind, when Alexander through himself at him and gave him a great big hug. Smiling slightly, William patted his back. “You’re still a child—“

“And you’re a fool... was she worth it... this?”

“Who?” William raised his brow, “oh, the Baroness? I have no clue, but I bloody well hope she’s as good in bed as her husband thinks.”

“You mean... you didn’t... then WHY!”

“He challenged me... in full view of the gentlemen at our club,” William answered, mounting his horse. “It’s the way of things Alexander... it’s the way of things.”

“Things should change.”

William locked gazes with his ward, then tugged on the reins and turned the horse around, heading for home.

By the time Alex caught up, he was frustrated and angry... William should never have put his life at risk, he could have died. And what business did he have acting as if he’d been to tea rather than in the midst of a heated sword fight? But every time he tried to broach the subject, William fobbed him off. Nor would he let him talk about how he’d felt... how he would not have been able to stand losing the blond.

Slowly, he slid off his horse and cracked his whip. The horse galloped away, while Alex dropped to the ground and shouted for William.

William rode back at breakneck speed, then walked his horse around Alex, making sure the boy was fine now. “You’re not hurt.”

“No... not hurt. Although... I do need a ride.”

There it was, that winning grin. William cursed up a storm, but put his hand out.

Immediately, Alexander mounted up in front William, and leaned back against the Duke’s firmly muscled chest. He swallowed hard, and moved as far back as he could on the saddle, sucking in his breath at the feel of William’s cock lodged against his ass, touching and moving away with every step the horse took.

He turned and looked up at William, stared at his mouth.

“Stop that.” William tried to look straight ahead, to ignore the throbbing between his legs, the relentless heat that came in waves with each press of his thigh into the back of Alexander’s. And now his mouth was so close...

“William... you won. You need to celebrate... and to relax...”

“I know what you’re trying to do Alexander, now stop. For God’s sake...”

He knew he had the Duke then, twisting, Alexander brought their mouths together. He knew what came next, and wasn’t wrong.

William slid his hand down and circled Alexander’s waist, dragging him closer as he kissed him. A half candle mark ago, he could have been a dead man... and now he was alive... alive to taste life, to taste what his ward was giving him... and he wanted it... had wanted it ever so long. Making a guttural sound deep in the back of his throat, William took a breath, then brought his mouth down on Alexander’s again, this time hot and unrelenting, sliding his tongue inside and out the silky warm cavern, running his free hand over the boy’s abdomen.

The horse stumbled slightly, bringing William into firmer contract with Alexander. He groaned and moved his pelvis, seeking relief where he ached so.

“Fuck me Will...”

“Alex...”

“Yes, here... now,” Alex ground his ass against William’s cock, feeling it surge so good.

“No...” despite his words, William couldn’t help thrusting against Alexander, nipping his throat, then kissing it better.

“You have guests... we won’t be able to... William...” All he knew was he was that the material separating their bodies had to go. No more questions... no trying to get William’s approval, he undid his trousers, lifted his ass off the saddle and leaned forward, almost lying on the horse.

“Bloody hell...” William tugged the reins, leading the horse to a longer path back, then undoing the front of his trousers. “I don’t have any...”

“I don’t care... do it...”

Seeing the boy lying prone in front of him, his ass exposed... well he was but a man. William mounted him, as surely as he’d mounted his horse, pushing inside him and kissing his tears away as he held still to allow the boy’s body to acclimate to his.

Between Alexander’s tightness and the horse’s movements, there was some friction ... just enough to have William burning to fuck the boy, burning to pump into his ass and seek relief. “Alex?” He was breathing hard.

“Wait.... oh God wait ... yes there...” Alexander relaxed and forgot the pain... needed William again.

William involuntarily thrust, then started to apologize...

“Don’t stop... go on...”

Almost mad with desire, William covered he boy’s body, gripping his waist with one hand, and holding the reins and the boy’s shoulder with the other, he started to buck against him, fucking him into the saddle, panting with the exertion as lust blinded him to everything but release.

Alexander was practically forced up and down, his face rubbing against the soft fur of the mare’s neck each time William thrust his cock deep into him. He didn’t even have to beg for more, he got more... William gave it to him, again and again, and again, until he wanted to scream... and then he did... or they did....

The birds flew out of the trees, their wings making rustling sounds. His breath labored, William pulled back, dragging Alexander up with him. “You... my boy... are a very, very naughty ward,” he declared.

Alexander laughed, and put his arms around William’s shoulders, collecting one last kiss. He didn’t expect these moments to last... but he’d make them last as long as he could.

(Please leave FB... I suffered writing this, lol - I have house guests and writing/posting in stealth mode is a bitch!)

(Absolutely fabulous book cover MANIP for this story by ladyflame_uk - check it out at http://community.livejournal.com/redhotwords/19874.html)