This is a love story following the life of two young men who fall in love and have to overcome tragedies in their lives. All the characters are fictional.
Warning - it contains some m/m sex.
The Earl's Son
The next morning Robin drove Kevin down to Drayton House in the Jaguar. Julian had meetings he had to attend over the next two days, one of which was to dismiss the new member of staff who'd been bullying a gay guy. At the meeting the guy showed no remorse at all and just laughed.
"Fucking poofs should be put down at birth" the guy said when Julian asked him to explain his actions.
"This company prides itself on equality and doesn't discriminate on the grounds of sex, race, religion or sexual orientation" Julian replied trying to control himself from getting up and punching the guy, "so if you can't work within those bounds then you are in the wrong company".
"You sacking me then?" The guy sneered.
"Since you are still within your three month probationary period I think it would be best if we parted company so we'd like you to leave immediately" Julian replied.
"What about my month's notice?" the guy almost shouted when he realised what was happening.
"If you read your employment contract you'll find you are only entitled to one week's notice during your first three months" Julian said feeling rather satisfied.
"Fucking wankers" the guy exclaimed and stood up.
"Would you see Mr Potts off the premises please Mr Hughes" Julian asked the guy's manager who'd been sitting there somewhat shocked at the employee's behavior and glad that Julian was handling the meeting and not him.
"Did you get all that down" Julian asked George's secretary who'd been taking notes of the meeting.
"Yes, word for word" she replied with raised eyebrows, "I'll type it up immediately so you can send a copy with his termination letter" she added and then said "I wonder how someone like that got through our selection process".
Julian had thought the same and made a mental note to speak to George about it to see how they could improve their procedures. As he left for the evening he had a feeling the family firm was going to take up more of his time than he'd reckoned.
When he got home the apartment was empty of course. It was the first time he and Robin had been away from each other since their Civil Partnership and he immediately missed him. He also missed Kevin so the first thing he did was to call Robin to check they'd arrived safely and that Kevin was okay.
On the Thursday, Julian made his way to Oxford by train since Robin had taken the Jaguar. He'd arranged for Nigel to meet him at the station and he was waiting in the Bentley when he arrived.
"How's Kevin?" Julian asked once he was seated beside Nigel and on their way out of the station forecourt.
"He doesn't look good to be honest; we were all rather shocked to see how much weight he'd lost and he hardly eats anything. He's going to be okay isn't he?" Nigel asked giving Julian a quick glance.
"Yeah, I'm sure he is once the doctors have worked out which drug he needs; Kevin's a tough guy so I'm sure he'll get through it" Julian added although he had no real evidence for that remark.
"Well, Robin hardly leaves his side he's so worried and your mum is fussing round him like an old hen" Nigel giggled.
He knew Robin was worried and he could imagine his mother fussing round Kevin and probably causing more problems than she solved.
"And how are you and Thomas getting on in your shared accommodation?"
"Brilliant" Nigel giggled, "You can't beat having a warm naked body beside you when you wake up each morning!"
"Very true" Julian grinned.
"And Tim, how's he doing?"
"He's brilliant" Nigel replied enthusiastically, "He's quite knowledgeable with gardening matters and very handy with mechanical things. To be honest I think his skills were being wasted when he only looked after the horses and he's certainly much happier now he's not reporting to John.
Julian chuckled. He knew John was a difficult individual but he was glad that Tim had worked out okay.
"And he likes his new accommodation then" Julian asked.
"Yeah, you bet he does, not that I ever see him have any friends to visit; he's very much a loner; can't quite make him out; I mean, what does he do for ... you know ... sexual gratification do you think?"
Julian laughed, "Well perhaps he prefers using the five fingered widow rather than a woman, or a man for that matter".
"Yeah, perhaps he does; shame really because he's a nice guy."
"Are you offering your services then Nigel?" Julian chuckled.
"Really Julian, would I do such a thing when I have a loving boyfriend ... but come to think of it if he was really desperate I'm sure Thomas and I could help him out!"
"Hello my love" Julian called out once he'd found Robin sitting beside Kevin in the garden, "I've really missed you" he said as he pulled him into a tight embrace. "And how's the invalid?" he added when they'd kissed.
Kevin looked up and gave a weak smile. Julian was somewhat shocked to see he'd lost even more weight since he'd last seen him just on three days ago. He squatted down beside Kevin and put an arm round him before kissing the side of his face.
"We'll crack this between us you know, just hang on in there; everybody's routing for you" he said trying to cheer Kevin up but he could see it was an uphill challenge.
"Is he eating?" Julian mouthed to Robin who shook his head.
"You've got to keep your strength up my love" he said turning back to Kevin, "you must eat".
Kevin looked at him with a sorrowful expression before saying, "I feel sick all the time; if I eat anything I'll just throw it up".
"When's the doctor due to come?" Julian asked Robin.
"Tomorrow morning" Robin replied looking very upset.
Julian patted Kevin on the shoulder, got up and moved back into the house with Robin following on behind.
"What can we do Julian? He's getting so weak"
Julian said he was going to call the specialist Kevin had seen in London. It seemed to him that the drugs weren't doing any good at all, in fact if anything they were making him worse.
Fortunately the doctor was available and when Julian gave him an update he agreed that the drugs had to be changed immediately. He said he'd call the doctor due to come in the morning and ask him to change the prescription.
"Any chance of getting him to come over today?" Julian asked.
The doctor said he'd see what he could do and ring Julian back. Half an hour later he did so and said the local doctor would be along within the next two hours and would bring with him some new medication. Robin was relieved when he heard the news. One of the advantages of having private medical services he told himself when he kissed Julian and thanked him.
The doctor duly arrived and having checked Kevin over changed his medication. He was also concerned about changes in temperature. One minute he was hot and the next cold. He'd not had the energy to dress so was only wearing a pair of boxer shorts and a dressing gown which was really designed for cold winter. The weather was in fact quite warm but still he shivered at times.
"He's probably best sitting inside but in the sun if he feels able; his immune system is very low so could pick up anything even though he's on antibiotics" the doctor explained.
The doctor said he'd arrange for the district nurse to come in next Tuesday to take some more blood samples and he'd come back on the Thursday unless they were concerned about his progress.
"The new medication should help" he said as he left them but Robin took that with a pinch of salt. So far all he'd seen was the person he cared for gradually getting weaker and weaker.
Robin had put Kevin in the spare room next door to his and Julian's in the East wing so that he was on hand should Kevin want him during the night. His own sleep had been somewhat hit and miss over the past few nights because he was so worried. He'd set up a bell system so that Kevin could call him should he need to do so but he'd ended up staying awake in case the bell rang.
"You must get some sleep my love" Julian chided him, "I don't want you ill as well".
That evening Julian managed to persuade Kevin to take some soup and a very small portion of scrambled egg that Thomas had made for him. Now that Julian was in residence his mother had retreated to her rooms leaving the two of them to look after Kevin, although to be fair she did ask how he was doing before she went to bed.
It felt good to have his love beside him so once they were snuggled down, Julian pulled Robin into a kiss and a hug but Robin was too tired to respond in the way Julian had hoped for so they said goodnight to each other and Robin slipped off into a deep sleep almost immediately leaving Julian to hold his own arousal.
The following morning was no better since as soon as Robin was awake he rushed into Kevin to see how he was. Once again Julian had to massage his organ that ached for some action but failed to obtain a satisfactory conclusion!
The new drugs did make some difference and over the next few days Kevin perked up slightly but he was still very ill. When it was time for Julian to return to London on the Sunday evening, because he had meetings to attend over the next few days, Robin said he'd like to stay to look after Kevin.
"Would you mind?" Kevin asked in a mournful tone.
Julian pulled him into an embrace and said of course he didn't. It was typical of Robin to want to personally look after Kevin so he knew he had to agree. Julian had also mentioned that Adrian had offered to come and prepare some meals in Kevin and Robin's absence.
"Seems he's quite a culinary expert" Julian commented, "Would you mind if he did? He said he'd be happy to do some cleaning for us as well" Julian added.
Robin grinned and said of course he didn't mind and it was agreed that Julian would ask Adrian if he'd like to move in whilst Kevin was away.
"Lucky you!" Robin grinned and gave Julian a kiss.
On his drive back to London in the Jaguar Julian called Adrian to see if his offer was still available. Adrian said it most certainly was so Julian told him to pack a bag and be ready in just over an hour for him to pick him up. The thought of spending time alone with Adrian made Julian's cock twitch with excitement as he drove along!
"Down boy, down" he giggled giving himself a good hard feel, "I'm a married man!"
Whilst Julian was making his way to London, Robin was helping Kevin to bed.
"Would you give me a hug?" Kevin asked once he was in bed, "A proper hug with you in bed beside me" he added.
Robin looked at him and could see he really wanted the closeness of another person so he quickly stripped off and climbed in beside Kevin's naked body. Like him, Kevin never wore pyjamas even when he was ill so their naked skin touched. He put his arm round Kevin and hugged him tight. Kevin soon felt the reaction he was having on Robin and giggled. It was the first time Robin had seen Kevin smile for days so it was a lovely moment.
"Hope you're not going to take advantage of a sick man" Kevin giggled placing a hand round Robin's hard shaft.
"Would I do a thing like that" Robin laughed "but it's good to see you haven't lost your sense of humour" he replied taking hold of Kevin's organ and giving it a squeeze. It didn't react as much as Robin's had done but it certainly didn't remain totally dead!
After a while Kevin had fallen asleep but Robin didn't have the heart to creep out of the bed and leave him all alone. Instead he gently removed his arm from beneath Kevin's torso and lay beside him with an arm across his chest. They remained like that until the early hours when Robin was conscious of Kevin's arm across him.
"Thank you for staying" Kevin mumbled still half asleep.
Robin kissed him and they settled down for the rest of the night. It was the best night they'd both had since coming to Drayton House just on a week ago so Robin said he'd sleep with Kevin each night until he was better.
"Not sure what Julian would say if he knew" Kevin chuckled the following morning.
"It will have to be our secret then" Robin grinned "but you'll have to sleep alone when he's here".
Kevin said he could probably manage that knowing that he'd have Robin's naked body beside him at other times.
When Julian had found Adrian's address and parked the car as near as he could, he rang the bell to Adrian's flat. It was on the top floor of an old Victorian house in Camden so by the time he'd climbed the steep stairs he was puffed.
"Fuck, they're steep" he exclaimed on reaching the top.
"That's why the flat is cheap" Adrian laughed, "the landlord can only find young guys like me to climb them every day so his market is limited".
"Not surprised" Julian commented as he walked into a large room.
"I'd show you round but you've seen it all" Adrian laughed, "Apart from the bathroom out in the corridor".
"Cozy" Julian grinned as he took in the double bed and a sofa that were cheek by jowl with each other and a tiny kitchen area at one end.
"You can say that again" Adrian laughed "but it only takes ten minutes to clean each week.
"Wow, as long as that" Julian teased him.
"Fuck off" Adrian laughed, "We can't all live in palatial palaces like yours".
"Sorry, shouldn't have teased you but at least you can live the high life for a while."
Adrian grabbed a large holdall, locked the door behind him and followed Julian downstairs.
"Oh, thought the Rolls would be waiting for me immediately outside my door" Adrian giggled when Julian said the car was parked down the road.
"Sorry sir, left the Bentley for Robin to use so it's the Jag I'm afraid" Julian laughed as he placed an arm round Adrian's waist. As they walked he had a feeling he was going to enjoy having Adrian as company for a while and his cock was definitely getting excited!
When they got back to the apartment Julian showed Adrian the guest room nearest the main bedroom.
'There now, there was me thinking I'd be sharing with you!" Adrian said teasing Julian.
Julian looked at him and immediately replied, "If you can keep it to yourself and not tell Robin then you can".
Adrian was stunned and looked into Julian's eyes, "I was only joking Julian, I didn't really expect that".
"Maybe not but how about it?", Julian replied feeling the excitement transfer to a certain organ further down his body and wondering what the hell he was suggesting.
"Okay, if you're sure you want me to" Adrian eventually replied hardly believing it.
"Why not, I'm too used to having a nice warm naked body beside me and I've missed it since Robin's been away, but not a word though".
"My lips are sealed" Adrian grinned, "well, except when you want them to be unsealed" he added grinning.
"Right then, you'd better earn your keep and make us something to eat" Julian laughed walking off into the main bedroom, "I'm going to get out of these clothes and have a quick shower".
Adrian grinned and hastily stripped off himself. He then went into the kitchen, found some eggs in the fridge to make some omelettes and opened a bottle of white wine. He grabbed two glasses and went into Julian's bedroom. He found him in the shower so he poured two glasses of wine and leant against the door frame watching Julian wash his naked body. His own cock immediately reacted and it was soon ballooning the robe he'd found hanging in the wardrobe of the spare room. Julian looked up and grinned when he saw Adrian. He shut off the shower and casually played with himself.
"Any chance of having one of those?" he grinned pointing to the glasses Adrian was holding.
Adrian moved forward to give him one but Julian held his hand up.
"Think you'd better remove that robe first" he grinned, "wouldn't want to get it wet".
Adrian grinned, removed his robe and joined Julian inside the shower area taking the two glasses with him.
"Cheers" Julian said holding his glass up with one hand and grabbing hold of Adrian's erection with the other.
"Mm, now that feels good" Adrian murmured as he took a swig of wine. He was rather glad he'd offered his services to Julian last Tuesday when he said how much he missed having someone to make meals for him since he was hopeless at cooking.
"To the naked chef!" Julian laughed as he continued massaging Adrian's now fully erect organ.
The following morning Julian had a meeting at the firm to discuss the setting up of an LGBT staff Forum and in the afternoon he'd been asked to assist one of his protégés at the theatre with a play he was putting on. It was another gay play in which there was some nudity and he wanted some advice on how to handle it. Julian had ideally wanted Robin to be there since he had practical experience of showing off his bits on stage but that was not to be so he had to handle it himself.
"See you around five" he told Adrian as he was leaving.
Adrian said he'd do some cleaning and general domestic chores in addition to getting some food in for them since he didn't have to be at the theatre until five to open the cafe bar for the evening performance.
"Thanks Adrian much appreciated" Julian said giving Adrian a hug and a kiss.
"Anytime" Adrian grinned feeling a stirring in his loins as Julian pulled him against his body.
Before Julian's meeting started, he had time to give Robin a call to see how things were.
"How is he this morning?" he asked having gone through the usual `I miss you and I love you' routine.
"He seems to be brighter this morning" Robin replied, "Last night he wanted me to sleep with him; said he wanted a hug and to feel a warm body beside him".
"And did you oblige?" Julian chuckled.
"Well, yes" he replied somewhat hesitantly.
"Great, I think that's a good idea; I'm not surprised he's looking brighter this morning then having your gorgeous body beside him all night".
Robin laughed, "So you don't mind then".
"Of course not my love; if he wants you then who am I to complain" Julian replied feeling somewhat better about having Adrian in bed with him.
"And Adrian, did he come over?" Robin then asked.
"Um ... yes" Julian replied casually.
"And I take it he slept with you" Robin then added.
"Um ... yes" Julian replied not expecting to be asked such a direct question.
"Lucky you; I bet he's gorgeous in bed isn't he" Robin laughed.
"Much prefer you beside me" Julian replied trying to play down the situation.
"Liar" Robin laughed, "but I don't mind; you can give him a suck for me too" he added.
When they finished their conversation, Robin decided to give Adrian a call.
"Just thought I'd make sure you'd found everything you wanted" he said as an opening gambit.
Adrian said he had and remained somewhat non-committal. He felt slightly uneasy about staying with Julian without Robin but he assumed it was okay.
"I'm okay about it" Robin said to break the silence.
"About what?" Adrian asked trying to work out what Robin knew and didn't know.
"About you and Julian sleeping together" Robin laughed.
"Ah, so he's told you then"
"Yep, but it's okay Adrian; just wish it was me" Robin replied without thinking.
"Yeah, so do I" Adrian replied before he realised what he'd said.
"Oh well, perhaps some other time" Robin chuckled.
"Thanks Robin, I'm glad you know; he loves you like mad you know."
Robin laughed and moved onto another topic to do with the theatre before finally ringing off. When he'd done so Adrian felt relieved that Julian had told Robin because he hated secrets, especially between two guys he really liked. At least it meant he could encourage Julian a bit more he told himself as he continued with his chores.
The next part of 'The Earl's Son' will be available shortly.
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See Prolific Authors for a list of other stories by Adam Stewart