Chapter 2. Yuletide hell.

Jeremy was silent on the drive home, he watched the girl sitting in the back from the rearview mirror with hawkish eyes. For the first time since her mother had taken up with the man, Sarah felt uncomfortable in his presences and he was aware of her discomfort. Linda sat in the front seat beside Jeremy, but she was turned so she could speak with her daughter, and seemed to be oblivious to the tensions. She asked about the flight, and school and other mundane questions that Jeremy found irksome. The girl was different; she was not the same child he'd seen only six months ago while the play he and Linda were staring in was on tour.

Sarah answered quietly, not wishing to disturb the driver. She looked up at Jeremy now and then, and once when their eyes met in the mirror she found herself fearful. Something in his eyes was not at all friendly, it was treacherous. Sarah had a feeling this trip had been very unwise, she was sure it would have been better to have stayed home and watched Toby while her parents went to all the holiday parties they'd been invited to. Something in the way Jeremy looked at her gave her the willies! Sarah wondered why it was her mother was so unaware of the look in her lover's eyes. When she looked in the mirror again, the look was gone. Sarah wondered if it were just jetlag she was suffering from.

The townhouse in the fashionable end of London was decorated in English style for the Holidays, which meant it was far less ornate than if the house had been in the United States. Compared to how Karen decorated the old Victorian they lived in, the townhouse was not decked out at all. Karen had lights and animated figures on the lawn, little pixie like figurines in windows and green boughs everywhere. The townhouse had a wreath on the door; Sarah looked at her mother and smiled. It was unpretentious and in that understatement, elegant. The steps were swept clean, and the brownstones of the façade had a Dickens like quality.

Jeremy left the car at the curbside and was the first up the steps when the door opened he handed the keys to the man in a dark and elegant suit and gave him orders. "Harper, see to it that Miss Williams' things are placed in her room… have Nan put her things away… and put the car in the carriage house we won't need it anymore this evening." He motioned Sarah to come to his side. "Sarah this is Harper my butler. Harper, this is Miss Sarah Williams, our guest."

Harper looked at the girl with more than a little interest. 'So this is she who bested King and Labyrinth,' he thought to himself. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss." He greeted his master's guest courteously.

Sarah smiled at him charmingly, "Nice to meet you, Harper."

The manservant seemed impressed; this young foreigner seemed to be most at ease in this setting. What impressed him was her manners, for he'd the idea that most of the children of America ran wild. If one took the news seriously, one was given that impression. He was relieved to see it was not entirely accurate.

Jeremy led the way into the parlor, "Sarah, you must be tired after your journey."

"I am a bit." She admitted, as she looked about the handsomely designed and decorated room. She could understand why her mother was so fond of this lovely home.

"Dinner will be served at eight, and we dress for dinner in this house." Jeremy informed her gently as he settled in his arm chair, without a doubt and unmistakably the master here. "I suggest that once your things are put away, you take a nice nap…and refresh yourself… we'll be expecting a few guests this evening for dinner, a few friends who wish to welcome you."

Sarah looked at her mother who was seated on the arm of Jeremy's chair. "Well that's exciting." She smiled and tried to relax. "I look forward to meeting your friends."

Linda smiled as well, mother and daughter resembling each other in their smiles. "I know it's a lot on your first evening here, but you have so short a time with us. We wanted to let some of our friends get to know you right away."

"How many of us will there be at dinner?" Sarah asked.

"It's only a small dinner party," Jeremy sounded like he was trying to bolster her confidence. "There's only the three of us and four other couples."

A maid came into the room, dressed in a maid's uniform that was hardly modern, yet not really old fashioned. It revealed very little, except that the woman wearing it had a very becoming figure. The woman appeared to be on the young side, somewhere between Sarah and Linda in age. She was average in height, and her coloring while not as fair as Jeremy was no where near as dark as Linda, her sandy brown hair was pinned up neatly under a maid's cap. She was pleasant in appearance and in voice and manner. "You called for me, Sir?" Nan asked sweetly.

"Nan, this is Miss Sarah… I'd like you to take her up to her room and after she's had a rest draw her bath and see to her garments for this evening."

"As you wish, Sir;" Nan smiled at the girl; "If you'll follow me, Miss." She was polite and welcoming.

Sarah giggled, "I've never had a maid before." She confessed nervously to Jeremy. "I'm not sure what to do with one…"

"It won't be hard to get use to, Sarah." He promised watching her with those hawkish eyes. "Run along now…" He dismissed her when she had left the room he smiled up at Linda; "Happy, dear?"

"Overjoyed;" She slid into his lap. "Only one thing would make me happier… to have a child with you, my darling…before it's too late to have another child."

Jeremy looked at her and his feelings for her softened yet again. "Perhaps we could…"

Linda cuddled into him. "It would be bliss itself!"

Eden held her close, not wanting her to see the trouble that was in his eyes. He had promised her daughter to the Keeper of the night, made a devilish bargain to keep his youth for a few years longer and keep her…. Now he was thinking of having a child with this woman, what kind of monster had he been turned into he wondered.

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Nan led the way up the stairs to the second floor of the townhouse and then up to the third floor where the room had been prepared to receive it's guest. "This is your room, Miss. Your mother sleeps on the second floor." The young maid was speaking factually without malice. "All your clothes have been put away…and your mother has bought you some lovely things to wear during your stay with us." She opened the armoire to show the garments to the girl. "I hope this room is to your liking, Miss Sarah."

Sarah looked at the room, it was larger than her bedroom back home and furnished in a style that was much older than she was use to. "It's lovely." Her voice breathed out in a tone that said she was absorbed by the beauty. The rose colored bedspread was satin, and there were matching satin drapes on the windows. Everything in the room was in tones of rose. Even the wood in the furniture was rosewood, very expensive and very old. It was a girl's dream room there seemed to be an enchantment to it; it could have come out of the pages of a Dickens Novel.

Nan watched the girl with cold eyes, even as she smiled friendlily. She had her orders and she would fulfill the orders given by the Goblin King. She wondered how this slip of a mortal could have bested the King, let alone the Labyrinth. "I shall return in an hour to draw your bath, Miss."

"Thank you," Sarah said taking a seat on a comfortable chaise-lounge. "I'm going to close my eyes now." She murmured, yawned and closed her eyes as she rested her head on the backrest.

Nan closed the door behind her and found herself face to face with Harper. "She's resting," she informed the man who stood looking expectantly.

"And your impression?" He asked without sentiment.

Nan looked back at the door, "I don't understand how that girl, who seems so…ordinary… bested our King. I mean, Harper... she's only a child. Hardly a match for a Fae let alone a Fae King… how could she have outwitted him?"

"Matters not," Harper stated coolly. "All that matters is he wants her returned to him and in the same condition as when she left him…innocent."

"She's a tempting little peach, just ripening." Nan nodded; "We'd best keep Eden busy or he'll forget his promise to the Master… she's too tempting for him not to want to sample in spite of her mother being available."

Harper nodded, "I agree, we tighten our reigns on Eden…the girl is never to be left alone with him if we can help it, and you had best make yourself availed to him when Miss Linda is not keeping him busy. We must also keep an eye out for his guests… especially Davis." Nan nodded as they walked away from the room.

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Jeremy left his bedchamber pulling his cuffs straight, and wandered down to the main floor where he went to his study instead of going to the parlor. He looked at his reflection as he entered the room, and adjusted his jacket once more, then raised hands to smooth his hair. He contemplated what to do about the girl, and when he heard her youthful foot falls on the stair he moved to his door. "Sarah, could I have a moment of your time, my dear?" He called gently.

Sarah nodded and joined him in the study. She was wearing one of the new dresses her mother had purchased for her and wanted his opinion. "Do I look presentable?" She pirouetted slowly, the full skirt moved attractively almost sensually.

Jeremy looked at the soft dress of crape in shades of green and gold. "Lovely," he assured her. "Please take a seat." He told her in hospitable fashion. He had to remind himself why he had called her into the study.

"Am I in trouble already?" she asked a bit worried. Jeremy had been acting oddly as far as she was concerned and she wondered what he was up to now. Before, when ever she'd seen him, he'd always been rather sociable. Affable, and joking with her good-naturedly. Jeremy was the only man outside of her father that she'd danced with…until… but she chased the thoughts of a certain Goblin King out of her mind. Jeremy had been even a bit reckless in his flirting with her when she turned fifteen… now a year later he was different, and it was a difference Sarah found baffling and somewhat alarming.

"No, not at all," he assured her as he took a seat at his desk and smiled what he hoped was a warm and winning smile, but he knew his eyes were on the verge of devouring her sweetness. "I only wanted to speak to you about Sir Ellery…."

"Oh, the nice gentleman from the flight?" She relaxed thinking Jeremy was going to giver her a bit of gossip as he'd done in the past about persons she'd met while in his and her mother's company. "What of him?"

Jeremy tried not to stare; he'd forgotten how lovely a girl she was. She had matured in the last year, and was no longer an immature adolescent. The dress was testament to that, in fact she had blossomed remarkably well in the last year. Her shapely figure was more than pleasing to the eye, and he knew he'd have to be careful. He wondered if this was the reason the Master wanted her, if so he could not blame the Fae, but he envied him the first taste of this lovely innocent maiden. "Sir Ellery is a very lonely old man, without a family." He began circumspectly. "He's very powerful and use to getting his way… he is also known to … be overly …nice… to pretty young ladies."

"He's a dirty old man?" Sarah asked suggestively raising one brow.

"Quite." Jeremy said quietly. "But it's kept very hush hush… now I don't want to make you worry, but do be careful if you happen on him again… be polite… but not overly friendly. Keep a safe distance… he's harmless for the most part. However..."

Sarah stood up, "I understand." She had a peaceful look on her sweet face. "Thank you for your concern."

Jeremy approached her; his hand went to her cheek softly. "Sarah, what else could I be, we are after all, nearly family." Something in his touch scared Sarah. She felt nervous and timid as she moved slowly away. Jeremy dropped his hand as if nothing had passed between them. "We best get ready to greet our guests." He opened the door and watched as she passed by. Her bottom had taken on a womanly roundness and he wondered if the master would notice a bite mark on her derrière cheek. He watched the sway of her gait and smiled to himself.

Harper was answering the door as they exited the study. He noted the heightened color in the girl's cheeks and wondered if Eden had done something. Linda joined them just as the first guests came though the door. She was dressed in a cream and brown cocktail dress and looked enchanting. Eden reached for her hand and became the attentive lover that all of London saw him as. Harper relaxed a bit, knowing that in Linda's presences the man would behave appropriately and the King's prey was out of harm's way and protected for the time being.

The guests greeted Sarah warmly, and they were mostly backers of the last play that Linda and Jeremy had stared in who'd been long time friends as well. There was Dr and Mrs. Langston, Mr. and Mrs. Devonshire, Mr. and Mrs. Browning, and last but not least Mr. Mark Davis and his date Miss Paula Clark. Sarah learned that in this crowd the men were addressed by their last names and the women by their given names, but she was expected to call the women Miss or Mrs. because she was still considered a youngster.

Mrs. Langston was seated beside her at dinner and she found the older woman to be very good company. Dr. Langston was directly across from his wife and he told racy jokes, slightly cleaned up during the meal. If Sarah had to describe him she'd have compared him in appearance and manners to the actor James Mason and his wife to the actress Clare Bloom. The Devonshire's were a nice couple in there middle ages and reminded her of Kirk Douglas and Lauran Becall. The Browing's were the oldest in the crowd and were likened to Charles Coburn and Helen Hayes. Davis on the other hand was of an age closer to Linda and Jeremy appeared to be. He was tall and handsome and as dark as Jeremy was fair. He was bold and brassy and didn't seem to notice that Sarah was but sixteen years old. His chocolate eyes flirted with her all through dinner shamelessly just to see her blush and it was not going over well with his date. Miss Clark watched the goings on with pursed thin lips that were painted way to red for her fair complexion and she kept twirling a lock of her blond hair nervously her pale blue eyes were cold and lacking any kindness.

When the dinner had been finished Sarah expected the men would stay at the table for port and cigars and the women would adjourn to the parlor for coffee and small talk. It came as a surprise to her when everyone gathered in the parlor. She tried to cover the surprise but had not managed to before Davis had noticed.

"Something amiss, Sarah?" he asked as he accepted a cup of coffee from her mother.

Sarah feeling all eyes on her knew she was trapped and had to make an answer. "I was under the impression that at an English dinner party, the men traditionally stayed in the dinning room for port and cigars…" she said taking a seat and trying to look casual.

Jeremy answered before Davis could; "In most cases that is still the tradition. However, this being your first evening with us we are forgoing the port." He too accepted a cup of coffee.

Mrs. Devonshire graced Sarah with a pleasant smile. "Been reading up on your English manners and traditions have you?" she teased gently.

Blushing slightly, Sarah nodded. "I'm afraid I have…." She confessed.

Davis took a seat between his date and Sarah, looked at the young woman and commented. "I rather think that's very commendable."

Paula Clark looked at Sarah with a hard gaze. "How long are you visiting?" she asked coldly.

"Only a fortnight," said the girl with real regret. "I doubt it's time enough to see all that I would like to… and some of what I'd like to experience is… well out of season."

Linda smiled at her daughter, "Sarah is thinking of coming here to do her freshman year at university." It was clear the mother was proud of her daughter.

The young blond stirred her coffee a bit too aggressively; "What do you intend to study?" She asked but was plainly not really interested.

Linda looked at the blond, "She's going to study drama of course."

"Actually…" Sarah interpreted her mother gently. "I'm thinking of changing my major focus… I've been thinking of studying literature… and becoming a teacher…" She could see the surprise in her mother's eyes, but watched as the actress covered by seeming to accept the change with a pleasant demeanor.

"Whatever makes you happy, dear." Her mother said.

Sarah worried that she had upset Linda. She'd have preferred to have told her in private that she was no longer thinking of following her onto the boards… however that had not been possible.

Kindly Mrs. Browning smoothed any rough waters. "What a fine thing to do… I've always maintained that there are far too few teachers who appreciate the written word…"

"Spoken like a retired teacher," her husband teased.

The old woman nodded, "That's true, tell me child, what kind of literature do you prefer? Prose, plays, or novels?"

Sarah sighed and looked dreamy for a moment, "I love it all…."

Mrs. Browning tapped her chin with knotted old fingers. "I think you should make an effort to see the Royal Library… They've some fine manuscripts on display…"

Paula pursed her lips; she could see that Linda was still somewhat disappointed by her daughter's new direction. "Pity you've chosen against the will of your mother's influence…"

"Hardly…" Sarah said, coldly. She didn't like the woman and could not hold back. "You see it was my mother's influence that gave me my love for the written word…. She is my guiding light."

Linda was set at peace by that proclamation. "Cake anyone?" Her voice was light and pleasant.

Davis made a point of monopolizing Sarah in conversation. No one was happier than Sarah when at eleven Jeremy suggested she might want to go up to her room. She quickly said her goodnights and raced up the stairs as quietly as she could and locked her door. A few moments later Nan called though the lock.

"Miss Sarah, I'll help you with your gown." Nan's voice was quiet and respectful.

Sarah opened the door a crack to peer out, "Are you alone?" she asked carefully.

Nan looked about the hall, "Yes Miss."

Sarah's hand snaked out of the opening, gripped the arm of the maid and hauled her into the room before slamming the door and locking it. "That Mr. Davis…." She began.

Nan nodded, "Yes, he takes liberties… and gets away with it because he's very rich." She moved behind Sarah and began to undo her zipper. "Not to worry Miss, he'd never go so far as to come up here."

Sarah looked at Nan, worriedly she was not convinced. "I'm still locking that door." She said flatly.

Nan smiled at the girl. "That is a wise precaution, Miss." She took the pretty party dress and hung it in the armoire before bringing a pretty new nightgown out for Sarah. "Your mother and the Master will be busy with the guests for a few more hours. Breakfast is served at eight in the morning, Miss." She ushered Sarah into a seat before the vanity and lifted a brush to brush out Sarah's long silky hair. "Your hair is like your mother's." Nan commented.

Sarah closed her eyes; the touch of the maid's hands seemed to be the only comfort she was going to get this night. "Thank you, Nan."

The maid kept brushing the long chocolate locks of hair, until it was smooth. "If there is anything you need Miss, there is a cord by your bed. Just pull it and I will come to you." She ushered the girl to the bed, and tucked her in. "Good night, Miss Sarah."

Sarah closed her weary eyes, "Good night, Nan." She heard the maid turn the lock before she left and heard it catch as the door closed.

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Jeremy looked up from his morning coffee as the girl entered the breakfast room; "Ah Sarah! Did you sleep well, my dear?"

Sarah took a seat at the table, "Yes, thank you." She nodded to the man who most likely would become her stepfather. "The room is wonderful, thank you Jeremy."

"My pleasure, pet," He said cordially. "Your mother is having a sleep in today…poor dear… So I offer to you my services as a tour guide… I thought we would take in the exhibit at the Royal Gardens…"

Sarah at one time had entertained a very large crush on Jeremy, and at that time the idea of being alone with him would have been thrilling. However those days were past and the idea of being alone with this man only served to make her nervous. "Oh I don't want to be of any trouble," she said politely.

Ignoring her nervous state, Jeremy smiled at her with the same smile he'd used in her presences for years. "No trouble at all, Sarah."

Sarah wondered if his smile had always seemed so phony or was it only now… Why had she not been aware of his hawkishness she wondered? Sarah had understood it was Jeremy's idea for her to come for this visit, and she knew he had paid her way. She was pretty sure he had also covered the bills for the new clothes her mother had purchased for her. Sarah was beginning to feel less like a guest and more like a …. She looked at him and politely accepted his kind offer. "I'd love to see the Royal Gardens… I've read about them, of course, but seeing them will be out of this world. Thank you Jeremy."

He rang a bell and breakfast was served to them.

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The Royal Gardens Exhibit in the Palm House was extraordinary, and Sarah enjoyed it so much that she began to forget some of her apprehensions of being out alone with Jeremy. He was a very good tour guide it turned out. After the first hour or so she even managed not to jump out of her skin every time he tapped her arm to draw her attention to something he felt she should see.

They were looking at one of the showpieces of the exhibit when a voice called to them, it belonged to Davis. "I say, Jeremy! I had no idea you were coming here today." He strolled casually over to where they stood. "Good day, Miss Williams." He greeted Sarah, but the look in his eyes was thinking more along the lines of 'Good Night' and he noted the girl blush.

Sarah saw Jeremy's jaw tighten; he didn't look any too pleased to see Davis there. "Davis," even his greeting was unenthusiastic and reserved. He tightened his arm's clench on Sarah's hand.

Davis smiled smarmily at the pair. "And where is our lovely Linda?" He looked about for a glimpse of Sarah's mother.

Jeremy regarded the man with icy eyes. "Linda is resting; I thought that Sarah would enjoy seeing this exhibit before it closes. What brings you out to the Gardens? I thought you once told me you detested plants."

"Duties of a Patron," Davis sighed bored this conversation already. "Sarah, why not allow me to show you some of the more uncommon extraordinary points of interest here in the Gardens?" He openly leered at the teen.

Sarah reminded herself she'd faced bigger and better than this snake, and addressed him coldly. "Kind as that offer is, Mr. Davis…I prefer to stay with Jeremy as I am his guest. But thank you for the offer."

Davis looked at the pair, "Well at least allow me the pleasure of your company for some hot chocolate. They have very good chocolate here." He motioned to the little café that had been set up for the guests comfort.

Jeremy nodded, not wanting to offend this important man if he didn't have to.

Sarah would have preferred to leave and return to the safety of the Townhouse. The idea of drinking anything with this man gave her apprehension. If the choice had been hers she and her mother's lover would have turned heel and left. Instead she was seated in a chair at a very small table between the two men. She felt awkward and uneasy and found that she had nothing to say while the men conversed. She found that the chocolate was hard to enjoy with the eyes of the odious Davis upon her. When they finished Sarah thought that Davis would go his way, and they theirs, that didn't happen. Davis decided to see the rest of the exhibit with them. He planted himself firmly on the opposite side of the girl as the fair colored man. Sarah found being sandwiched between them very disquieting. Every now and then Davis tried to touch her, and she pulled away from his touch. At one point he went so far as to suggest something in her ear. Sarah fought the urge to behave brazenly and haul off and slap the man.

"Sarah," A friendly voice called out to her. "Sarah Williams."

The girl turned and saw it was Sir Ellery walking towards them. She noticed that Davis pulled back an appropriate distance. She also noticed that Jeremy had gone stiff. She looked toward the older man and suddenly felt he was safer than either of these two men. "Sir Ellery! How lovely to see you again," she greeted him warmly as he drew near.

Ellery was dressed to perfection; he was what everyone dreamed the proper English Gentleman should be. He held a silver knobbed walking stick in one hand and his hat in the other. On his hand were soft leather gloves in a doe color that went well with his expensive wool camel colored coat. His hair looked like a white cloud perched on his head, and his gray eyes danced with merriment. "I see you're taking in the sights. I'm so pleased you found time to see the Gardens before they close this exhibit." He looked at Jeremy and smiled frostily. "Good to see you, Eden…" He looked at the other man and added him. "Davis."

"Sir Ellery." Jeremy kept his tone respectful. He too appeared to be relieved at the old man's arrival. "How nice to see you again, won't you join us?"

Davis huffed some greeting and made an excuse to depart, quickly.

Sarah watched the dark man leave and felt an overwhelming sense of joy. She looked at Sir Ellery and said happily; "This is a wonderful place! So unusual and almost magical!"

Ellery nodded, "You know they have stories of little Fairies dancing in here late at night… they say that's what makes the plants grow..." He gently teased the girl. "Or are you too grown up to believe in Fairies?"

Sarah giggled, "I doubt I'll ever be too old for Fairies, Sir Ellery… I can well believe that they come here to spin their magic and dance in the dark among the blooms."

Ellery looked at Jeremy again, this time he was friendly towards the younger man. "I hear you've turned down two scripts… are you planning on retiring?" His manner of speaking was good natured and congenial.

The actor stiffened but only slightly, discerning that no offense was offered he softened amicablely. "Not at all…Linda and I simply wanted to take some time to spend with our dear Sarah… we were unable to spend her sixteenth birthday with her, and wanted to show her the very best time we could. Now we would never be able to do that if we were involved in a play."

The elderly man nodded in agreement. "Quite," he muttered softly before turning his eyes back on the girl. "Sarah, I find myself with two tickets to a concert at the Royal Opera House, could I entice you to being my guest? It's wonderful to hear the Royal Philharmonic in a proper setting… Something one should not miss." He could see Jeremy becoming alarmed and it pleased him to put the man on notice. "Tomorrow evening if you've nothing planned."

Sarah looked at Jeremy, "Is there any plan for tomorrow evening?" When he shook his head she smiled at the elderly Gentleman. "I'd love to."

"I shall come by for you in my car at seven tomorrow evening. I shall be the envy of all London Society by escorting the daughter of Linda Williams about." He looked over at the deflated Jeremy; "Eden, always a pleasure to see you." He strolled away with a happy expression on his handsome features.

Jeremy looked at Sarah, "I understand why you felt you could not turn him down, and I'm grateful to you Sarah… Ellery is more powerful than anyone knows. He could break your mother and me if he wanted to." He looked away, and didn't see the look Sarah gave him.

Sarah let him think it was to be accommodating, when in truth she had a feeling that Ellery was worlds safer to be with than even Jeremy. "I think you were right, he's just lonely… and I think he's just trying to be nice to me. He was very good company on that long flight over. I think he's fairly harmless…"

Jeremy was watching the direction that Ellery had taken and was now eager to leave. "I think we've seen all that is of interest, don't you?"

"I'm ready to leave," she conceded softly.

Again he was silent on the trip home, and this time with Sarah sitting in the front of the car beside him she didn't have to worry about his eyes wandering off the road to seek her out. She thanked him for the outing when they arrived at the Townhouse, and excused herself to go rest before dinner. When she arrived in her room, she fought the urge to break down into tears. She was Sarah Williams and she didn't want to be weak. She had fought a goblin King and won… these mortal men, Eden and Davis were nothing compared to that. She curled up on the lounge and wondered what her Labyrinthian friends were doing. Soon she found herself drifting into a gentle sleep. She didn't hear or see the barn owl that perched in the branch of the tree outside her window. It watched her for a few short time before it vanished.

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Jeremy paced his study, apprehensive, nervous, and fretful dreading what was coming. This was getting out of hand and far quicker than he'd anticipated possible. He'd no idea that Davis was going to be such a nuisance, he regretted having invited him to dinner… and then there was Ellery. Something about that man vexed Eden to no end…It was bad enough that he had to be pleasant to the man, but now he had to allow his attentions to Sarah. Although the attentions of the elderly Ellery were by far safer than those of Davis, it still vexed him. Jeremy resented that it had been Ellery's presences that had rescued them from Davis when he himself could not shake the man off. He was also vexed that he was turning Sarah over to the Keeper without so much as a struggle … He resented having to turn her over to the Fae at all, and was still wondering if he could at least set teeth marks on her sweet little ass…. He poured himself a brandy, raised the glass to his lips but before he could sip a voice ran in his ears. "I'll take one of those."

Jeremy turned to find himself face to face with the Keeper, whose face was showing seriousness. "Master," He dropped the glass and the amber fluid spilled everywhere as he stepped back quickly from the Fae. He wondered guiltily if the Fae had read his thoughts and now he was about to be punished for having dared to have thoughts of a cardinal nature towards the prey of the King.

"Careless," commented the Fae as he reversed the incident and now the glass, filled again was in his gloved hand. "Better." He sniffed the fluid in the glass and made an approving face. "I see your taste in libations has improved."

The actor quivered before the man; "Why are you here?"

"I felt your need…" the Keeper mocked.

Jeremy acquiesced nodding swiftly, "I do need you!" He paced again and spoke as he did so. His hand went up to smooth the hair on the back of his head dramatically. "I had no idea this was going to be so difficult! My friend, well he's not actually a friend, more of a professional acquaintance, is sniffing about the girl." he made a face of dislike and distaste thinking of Davis.

Lounging in an armchair, one leg hooked lazily over the arm, the Keeper sipped his brandy. "I suggest you find something else for him to sniff after and do so quickly. I want the girl as innocent of men as a rosebud. The only one who will pluck that rose is myself."

The actor scoffed, "Find something else? Have you any idea of how difficult a task that will be… Have you looked at her? I'm having enough problems keeping my own hands off her!"

Jareth snickered, "Keep it in your pants or I'll snip it off, Laddie. That would be both a waste and a shame…"

Jeremy winced, he was certain it was no idle threat. "Then there's the matter of Ellery…"

Jareth snapped to attention, "Whom?"

"Ellery… an elderly gentleman of the peerage who's taken an interest in Sarah," Jeremy explained. "She met him on the flight over and than again today at the Palm House. He actually came to both our rescue at the Palm House…"

Jareth downed the remains of the liquid in his glass in one gulp. He looked pale, more than ever, at the mention of the name Ellery. He also seemed angry. "Don't do anything to draw this man's attention more than you already have." He warned harshly as he stood up. "If he wishes to be kind and attentive to Sarah, you will damn well allow it!" Jeremy looked crushed by the harsh words, and Jareth beckoned him closer with a gloved hand. "Poor dear," he crooned. "Did I frighten you?" He began to stroke the pretty face of the actor.

"Master, I do what ever I can for you," Jeremy's voice rasped huskily. "I don't wish to displease you…"

Jareth was aware of his effect on those who had turned themselves over to him. He enjoyed the unbridled look of adoration on Eden's face. He moved the man closer with the gentle movement of his gloved hand on the young man's throat. "Nevertheless, I am displeased… can you think of anything that would… improve my mood?"

Jeremy opened his mouth to speak and found the other's lips covering his as a tangy tongue slid into his parted lips. He groaned longingly as his hands moved to hold onto the Fae. He felt his inhibitions, what few he had, dissolve like ice. His tongue began to dance with that of the Fae and he hungrily met each passionate thrust. It was devastating to him when the Fae ended the kiss.

"That will do for now," The Fae spoke remotely. "I expect you to see to your duties… Keep the girl chaste… and don't alarm Ellery." He mercilessly reached down and squeezed the younger man's bulging shaft. "And if you want to keep this, keep it in your pants when you're not with the girl's mother…" He vanished leaving the feeling of his hand on the younger man's throbbing manhood.

Jeremy sat down, his heart pounding so hard he thought it would break though his chest. He had never considered himself a pansy, nor a Nancy-boy; nevertheless the willingness to throw all sensibilities of sexual preference to the wind for this creature of the night and air had nearly overwhelmed him. He was aware that five more seconds and he'd have offered himself to the Fae. He could still feel the pressure of the Fae fingers upon his stiffened shaft. Closing his eyes he imagined the Fae stroking him and making good on the unspoken temptations. His own fingers acted as understudies for the missing fingers of the Fae. Slowly Jeremy gave himself over to the pleasures that could be had at the hand of the Keeper.