Correspondence

Part Two

I know, I know. Why am I starting another fic when I have so many others to be updating? A good idea is a good idea, that's why!

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Kai Hiwatari Esq.

Long Birch Manor,

Surrey

Dear Tyson,

It's easy for one to criticise literary leanings in a person's character when one has no such inclinations oneself. My books are all valuable, both in currency and in sentimentality. As far as I've seen, the only things you hold dear are food, pleasures of the flesh and strong beer. Not that I don't share your fondness for carnality, but to be honest, you eat like a pig and drink like a camel. That little flower of youth you fancy so much will probably be shocked into an early grave after your first meal together. I would be prudent if I were you.

Anyway, it looks like my books will be staying here for a good long time. Things are good, much better than they've ever been before, but muddled. My Grandfather is immensely confused, and his manservant speaks no English. The running of the house is completely up to me. Not that I mind, of course. I was dreading the thought of going over the accounts, paying out the wages and such, with the old coot breathing down my neck, but I'm in luck. He has grown very fond of Rei, and although he is a right bastard to everyone else, once he likes someone that person leads a charmed life. He now spends his days imparting valuable knowledge to Rei, despite the boy's lack of English. Once you get past Grandfather's troubling tendency towards megalomania, he's actually rather wise.

Rei is very competent, but he troubles me greatly. There are aspects of his personality that make me understand why his departure from Kunestov's household was so scandalous. He is a terrible temptation to predatory folk, and completely oblivious. I suppose it must be Chinese custom to embrace your employer every time you meet, but it is most inappropriate here in England, and no-one has told him. He can be rather clumsy, especially when serving meals. I cannot count the number of times he has tumbled into my lap at the table. His clothes don't appear to fit him correctly either, which makes for some awkwardness when he's lifting and putting down objects. There's rarely a moment when a certain amount of flesh is not on show. Perhaps his previous employers encouraged this kind of slatternly attire, but I am no pervert. I must not allow his virtue to become endangered. I may be an honourable man, but not everyone is so stoic.

Speaking of which, I must say that I was most disappointed to read in your letter about how you wished to "pounce on the boy and ravish him senseless." How dare you, Tyson! After that business with that French boy in the tavern I would have thought you had learned your lesson. If a bunch of villagers decide to chase you out of the county with hedge clippers again I won't be around to pay them off. For God's sake, be careful boy!

Yours sincerely,

Kai Hiwatari.

Rei Kon,

Long Birch Manor,

Surrey

Dearest Max,

My, my! What a pleasant surprise!

I was quite afraid that you were one of those strange people who went through life with a complete lack of carnal exuberance. I am so glad to hear you express desire for a young man. Now all you have to do is tempt him into your bed! That should be easy enough, you are exceedingly beautiful. After that, your only other worry lies with trying to disguise the affair from the gazes of nosy peers. I suggest many outdoor excursions, using your ill health as an excuse to bring your beau along. Just be mindful of what trees you use for leverage when in the throes of passion. You could end up with some rather nasty scratches.

Speaking of which, I can't help but long for some nasty scratches of my own. My seduction of the young Lord Hiwatari is not going well. I've tried every trick in the book, Max. I touch him in overly familiar ways, I 'accidentally' trip and fall on top of him, I dress in a provocative manner and flutter my eyelashes at him, but nothing works. I don't think I could make my intentions any more obvious, unless I barge into his room naked and beg him to take me. But then again, that would be letting him know that I do speak his mother tongue. I think it would be more prudent to let the first words of English he hears out of my mouth be spoken in the throes of passion.

Oh Lord, I am horny.

Seriously, I would have slept with someone else by now. The only other men in this household are the butler, who is ugly as sin, and crazy old Lord Hiwatari. I'm not that bloody desperate. Although, the butler has the look of a man who was handsome in his youth…

Ugh! Did I really just write that? I'm sorry, Max. I've never gone this long without sex before! It's probably good for me to abstain for a while, but I'm not feeling the benefit. Do you know what makes this worse? On one of my excursions to tempt Lord Hiwatari while he was in his room I walked n on him while he was bathing. I hope you don't think it too crudely of me if I mention that he is very well endowed. Just my type, really.

Oh Lord, I am horny.

Going mad,

Rei Kon.

Tyson Granger,

Roselawn Lodge,

Bath

How dare I? How dare you take such a pompous tone with me! That French boy had his hand on my knee first, and anyway they were chasing me with sausage slicers, not hedge clippers! You can't condescend to me. It's obvious you're lusting after that Chinese manservant.

I had to have a good laugh at your letter, Kai. You went into such detail about Rei's immodest little habits, but as far as I can tell you're doing little to discourage them! It's easy to get a servant to stop doing something, and you've never been one to hold back with a good scolding. Admit it, you like catching little glimpses of exposed skin every time he bends over, don't you? All that talk about guarding his virtue… you make me sick, but in a good way.

As for your comments regarding my "little flower of youth," you needn't worry. Max is possessed of the most overprotective parents I have ever met. Lady Mizuhara frets about every tiny thing, from an open window in Max's room to microscopic dust mites caused by her enormous skirts. She is a tiny woman, barely bigger than a child, but it seems she is trying to make herself look more imposing by wearing gargantuan gowns. It doesn't work, though. She just looks even smaller. And Max's father is convinced that I am a lecherous young cad out to seduce his precious son. Well, maybe I am, but how the hell did he find out? Blast. Ant time I'm alone with Max, he will appear within a few seconds. I can put up with it, though, because Max is so adorable.

We are spending a lot of time together, and I couldn't be happier. The poor dear is so very fragile though. He has these fainting spells that trouble me terribly. We could be out walking in the gardens, or having tea together, or even just talking, and suddenly he'll just keel over on top of me. I've had to carry him home more times than I can count. I can admit to delaying my progress by a few minutes on purpose, just to savour the moment.

I am smitten, dear friend!

I only hope that you can find someone so wonderful in your lifetime, but that may be impossible because you're an absolute bastard.

Your friend,

Tyson Granger.

Max Mizuhara,

Roselawn Lodge,

Bath

Dearest Rei,

I am sorry to hear that your enticement of Lord Hiwatari is not going as well as you had hoped. I don't understand, you've never had any trouble seducing someone before! I swear, if you end up sleeping with the ugly butler I will never speak to you again. Maybe you should just crawl into his bed some night and let nature take its course. If anyone can get him, you can.

My own attempts to secure my carnal future are not going too well, either. It is not because of a lack of interest on Tyson's behalf, nor on mine. I did catch that little twinkle in his eye as he talked with me that you told me about. I have done what I can to tempt him, which mostly amount to swooning over him at every opportunity. I feel quite embarrassed doing so; he must think I am like one of those weak-willed, heavy-bosomed heroines from those ridiculous novels that stock my mother's library. But it is worth it to feel his…interest…growing.

The problem is my bloody parents. Mother is worrying herself into an early grave merely because I had a small bout of the 'flu. She blames poor Tyson, of course, for keeping me out in the cold night air. And my father is dreadful. He accuses Tyson of being a shameless libertine, and says he is leading me astray. Well, he is, but so what?

I am desperate to have him, Rei! My thighs are practically screaming for his attention. I need debauching, and soon. Must I be a damned virgin forever?

Also going mad,

Max Mizuhara.