March 1914
Blaine
"Another gloomy rainy day?" Blaine asks when Kurt enters his bedroom in the morning.
"No, the storm has passed. It looks like it's going to be a glorious day," Kurt replies, opening the heavy curtains to let the sunlight in.
"Thank goodness for that. I'm going stir crazy inside the house."
For the past five days, Blaine has been housebound as the rains have been pouring down. He has spent his mornings at the stables with Firebird, Wesley and sometimes Sam, but it has been too wet and windy to ride. In the afternoons, he's played the piano and read novels. What he wanted to do was spend time with Cousin Rachel, however, she has been otherwise engaged. His mother and Quinn have monopolized her time with talk of the Season, and discussing the various eligible gentlemen that would be attending the balls. Blaine has made a point of avoiding the conversation, for fear that they would switch the discussion to eligible ladies.
When Cousin Rachel wasn't with the women, she could be heard in the library performing her vocal exercises. It only got worse yesterday, when Cooper decided to join her. Soon they were arguing about what songs to sing and whether to include dance in their performances.
Blaine had walked along the corridors both upstairs and downstairs, hoping to bump into Kurt, but he was never in sight. That was until he'd had enough of his brother and cousin, and escaped to the kitchen gardens. He had enjoyed talking with Kurt, finding out a little more about him. Blaine had surprised himself talking about his special place by the lake. He's never even told Sam about that. What is it about Kurt that pulls Blaine in like a magnet and makes him feel so at ease that he spills his innermost secrets? Blaine is plotting how he could contrive Kurt coming to the lake when his thoughts are disrupted.
"Will you be riding today, Mr Blaine?" Kurt asks.
"Most definitely. I'm hoping that Cousin Rachel will join me."
"I'll set out your riding attire, then."
While sipping his tea in bed, Blaine carefully observes Kurt taking out his riding gear from the wardrobe. His favorite part is when Kurt bends down to find his boots. However, Blaine frowns when he sees that Kurt winces when standing up again.
"Is something wrong, Kurt? Did you pull something while you were gardening?"
"No, I tripped and fell last night after dinner. I can be so clumsy. Thank goodness I wasn't carrying a tray, but of course it had to happen in front of Sebastian. It's just a bruise on my shoulder, so I'll be all right."
Blaine goes to his bathroom and returns with a jar of arnica salve. "I've fallen off Firebird plenty of times and this is just the thing to heal bruises. Let me rub some on you."
Kurt takes off his jacket, unbuttons his shirt and lets the material drop down from his shoulder. Blaine's mouth goes dry when he sees Kurt's pale smooth skin and, just for a moment, he wonders what Kurt would look like naked. Blaine immediately stops gawking when he sees the angry-looking bruise.
"That really looks sore," Blaine observes. He takes a dab of arnica salve and gently applies it to the area. Kurt's skin really is as soft and silky as it looks. "Why didn't you want this to happen in front of Sebastian? I would have thought Sebastian would find it highly amusing."
"Nothing I do is amusing to Sebastian. It just confirms to him that I'm hopeless as a footman... as if he didn't remind me of that constantly every day."
"Pay no attention to Sebastian. You're excellent at your job."
When the salve has been thoroughly applied, Blaine reluctantly takes his fingers off Kurt before he gets carried away, and wipes his hand on a nearby towel. "Take the salve with you and apply it three times a day. It will be better before you know it."
At breakfast, Cousin Rachel confirms that she too wishes to ride and they race each other to see who'll be ready first. After Blaine has changed into his riding attire, he waits to hear footsteps running along the corridor before leaving his bedroom. Cousin Rachel seems like the type of person who likes to win, and Blaine is nothing but a gentleman.
They quickly mount their horses and set off for the fields where they had ridden last week. "Last one at the lake is a rotten egg!" Rachel shouts, leaning forward and making clucking noises at Bluebell.
Although Blaine has allowed Cousin Rachel to beat him downstairs earlier, he's absolutely not going to allow her to win a race on a horse. He loosens the reins and his thighs squeeze Firebird, who starts galloping and speeds past Bluebell. When Cousin Rachel arrives at the lake, Blaine has already dismounted and laid out the blanket under the oak tree.
"It's not fair. Firebird is larger than Bluebell!" Cousin Rachel pouts.
Blaine smirks, knowing that it's his Sandhurst training and polo tournaments that helped him win the race, but he's too polite to suggest this to her. As soon as Cousin Rachel is sitting down on the blanket, Blaine pours the hot tea into the mugs and sets out the buttered currant buns.
"Do you swim in the lake during the summer?" Cousin Rachel asks.
"Yes, I do. Although, on a hot summer's day, we can go to the coast. Devonshire is famous for its beaches."
"Swell! It'll be like the Hamptons in Long Island. We have an ocean-front house in Sag Harbor, and Papa, Uncle LeRoy and I always spend the month of July there."
"I haven't heard of an Uncle LeRoy before. Is he your late mother's brother?"
"No, he's not actually my uncle. He's like another father to me. Uncle LeRoy is my father's companion. He's always been part of the family. Uncle LeRoy came to live with us when I was one year old."
"I've only heard of single ladies having companions. Is Uncle LeRoy more like a manservant?"
"He's more like papa's best friend whom he loves and respects. When my mother died in childbirth, Papa wouldn't dream of taking another wife. He preferred to spend time at his gentlemen's club, which is where they met. Uncle LeRoy is from a well-to-do family, but as the fourth son, he was struggling with his meager allowance. Papa insisted that he come live with us, and that's where Uncle LeRoy has been ever since. They enjoy doing the same things, such as attending the opera and the like. It's quite unusual to see Papa without Uncle LeRoy by his side."
"Don't other people find their friendship rather odd?"
Rachel laughs. "It is odd, Cousin Blaine, but they love each other and it works. Mostly, other people turn a blind eye at them, for they are perfectly behaved gentlemen."
"It's a good thing they don't live in England. I'm certain that they would get tongues wagging."
"Don't forget that Papa is a very wealthy man and both he and our granny wield influence in New York's society. There's one law for the rich and another for the poor."
"Cousin Rachel, when you say they love each other…"
"There's all sorts of love, Cousin Blaine. The love of a married couple is public, but there are other loves that are more private. What I've learned is that no kind of love is wrong. Hate of our fellow man is what we should be worried about."
Blaine is reading the Gentleman's Magazine of Fashion, and considering Kurt's advice about the trousers. Should he really wear them more tightly fitted? His thoughts are interrupted when Sam enters the library.
"Mr Hummel said that you wanted a word with me. You should know by now that Kurt is the one if you want fashion advice."
"No, it has nothing to do with fashion. That was well played when you asked Hummel if Kurt could come to Exeter with us. It has to do with something else altogether. Kurt stumbled and fell in front of Sebastian yesterday, and I can't help but wonder if Sebastian was the cause of it."
"I wouldn't put it past Sebastian. He's always making trouble. He has it out for Kurt…. Constantly telling Kurt how useless he is in front of the other staff, giving him the worst jobs that Sebastian should be doing himself. Things like that."
"I thought as much, although Kurt is far too polite to say an unkind word about anyone. Do you think it's because Kurt's father is the butler? That somehow Sebastian wants to keep him in his place?"
"That has something to do with it, but I think it has more to do with the time he spends with you."
"With me? How can Kurt not spend time with me? He's the second footman; it's his job to spend time with me."
"It hasn't gone unnoticed that you spend time together in the kitchen gardens, or here in the library discussing fashion. Sebastian is jealous… He's not a ladies' man."
"Sam, are you telling me that Sebastian is one of those men who likes to be intimate with other men?"
"You got it. I think that Kurt might be inclined that way as well."
"You surely aren't suggesting that Sebastian and Kurt are involved!"
"God, no, Mr Blaine. For someone so smart you can be very slow to catch on. The way Kurt talks about you at night in our bedroom, he's like a schoolgirl with a crush. I'm saying that Kurt is sweet on you and Sebastian thinks of him as a rival."
It quickly dawns on Blaine what Sam is really telling him, and heat pools in his stomach, thinking that Kurt may actually think of him in that way. "You will tell me if the situation gets worse for Kurt?"
"Yes, I will. You're not going to get them fired, are you?" Sam asks nervously. "Neither Sebastian or Kurt would make advances on you, and Kurt has learned how to take Sebastian's jabs in stride."
Blaine shakes his head. "No, they are both excellent in their jobs. Besides, I think everyone has their own secrets. Speaking of which, how are things going with Mercedes?"
Sam confides to him that no progress has been made, as he's too shy to let Mercedes know about his feelings. Blaine listens sympathetically, but his thoughts constantly drift to Kurt and how he might feel the same way as he does.
Blaine has a coughing fit when Cooper lights up his cheroot and blows a puff of smoke in his face.
"Cooper, behave yourself," the earl admonishes. "Could you pass the port, Hummel?"
Hummel pours the port wine into small crystal-cut glasses for the menfolk, and sets out a platter of cheese and crusty bread.
"That will be all, Hummel. Leave the port decanter on the table and we can help ourselves."
"Very good, my lord," Hummel replies. Before he closes the dining room doors, Roly runs in and sits by his master's chair. The earl scratches behind the Labrador retriever's ears, which elicits a thumping tail.
"There's something we need to discuss with you, Blaine. The upcoming Westerville Ball and London season will be significant cash outlays. There are new wardrobes, extra staff needed, and the expenses associated with spending the Season in London."
Blaine is surprised at his father's remark, for he's never spoken about money with him before. Financial matters are usually discussed with his counsel and Cooper behind closed doors in the study. "I'll do what I can to help; I can forgo the new wardrobe and stay in Westerville during the London season if that helps," Blaine replies.
"Nonsense, my boy. We'll have none of that. It's even more imperative than before that you attend the London season. You see, some of my investments haven't done so well."
"Perhaps granny in America can help?" Blaine suggests.
"If only," Cooper mutters.
"I'd better start at the beginning," the earl replies. He takes a sip of his port before he continues.
"Your mother brought to our marriage a sizable dowry, that in normal circumstances, would allow the Westerville estate to continue for generations. However, in 1894, the House of Parliament introduced a new type of duty, which the estate would have to pay upon my death and every successor's. At the time, I appealed to your American granny for additional funds, but she wasn't able to help. The remainder of her late husband's estate is tied up in trust and will be passed to your Uncle Hiram upon her death. There is simply nothing she can do."
"Can some of mama's dowry be used to pay the estate tax?"
"That's a good idea, Blaine, but there's more to the story," Cooper says shaking his head.
The earl continues the tale. "Based on advice of my good friends in the House of Lords, I invested in the Canadian Grand Trunk Railway, which is laying thousands of miles of new track. It's supposed to be a financial success when it links with the train network across the border in the United States. And of course, a war would mean a huge expansion of railways everywhere. Every forecast was certain. Rail shares were bound to make a fortune."
"It sounds like a great investment, so what happened?" Blaine asks.
"A little thing called British Columbia," Cooper says bitterly. "After British Columbia joined Canada, the government forced the company to extend its railway network to the pacific coast. There was major cash needed to build additional tracks, and it wasn't managed well. Unfortunately, there's little income from the cargo using these lines."
The earl gets up from his seat and starts pacing. "It's the main railway in British North America, for god's sake! It wasn't just me. Everyone said we couldn't lose! We knew hard times were coming for estates like Westerville, and this investment would make it secure for the rest of time."
"What's changed then? I don't understand," Blaine replies.
"Rumor has it that the company will soon go bankrupt and the railway will be nationalized. The investment isn't worth the paper it's printed on," the earl says bitterly.
"Are you really telling me that all the money is gone?" Blaine asks.
"I'm afraid so - the bulk of your mother's money has been lost. Once again, Westerville's future is not secure. I have spoken to my counsel at length about this, and their only suggestion is that the estate could be broken up and sold."
"It sounds very serious," Blaine remarks.
"I am expressing myself badly if you think it is not serious. I won't give in, Blaine! I've sacrificed too much to Westerville to give in now. I refuse to be the failure, the earl who dropped the torch and let the flame go out."
"But what will you do?" Blaine whispers.
"There is a way around this disaster, and it has to do with you," Cooper chimes in.
The earl sits back down at the dining table and lights his pipe. "Blaine, as you know, you'll be attending the London season with a view of finding a suitable wife. The suitable wife now must have a dowry of sufficient size to keep Westerville financially secure."
"And do you know an eligible lady that not only has a large dowry but isn't interested in a title and estate?" Blaine asks.
"Not yet, but both your grandmama and I are putting out feelers about the families whose daughters are coming out this Season. We'll identify those ladies with large dowries who might be willing to marry a second son."
Blaine doesn't like the way his father referred to him as a second son, someone who doesn't have anything to offer. "Does Mama know?"
"I refuse to tell her until we have ladies identified. I can't be the bearer of bad news without some hope for a speedy resolution."
"I keep telling father that Mama needs to be part of the plan. After all, there's Cousin Rachel. There's no law forbidding you to marry her," Cooper says.
Blaine's eyebrows jump up to the top of his head. Is Cooper really suggesting that he marries Cousin Rachel?
The earl shakes his head. "Your Uncle Hiram sent her to stay with us so that she could find a titled husband, not to marry her cousin with no estate, and move to the backwaters of India. It would be difficult to find an American heiress for Blaine in his circumstances. No, I think we shall try to find a British wife, even if she's Scottish. Do you understand what is expected of you, Blaine?"
Blaine slowly gulps and nods.
"Is anything wrong, Mr Blaine? You look rather pale," Kurt remarks as he tends to the bedroom fireplace at the end of the evening.
"I'm just thinking about the discussion I had with my father and Cooper after dinner. There seems to be no end of talk about the London season at the abbey."
"It must be so exciting to think about attending the Westerville ball and the London season."
"It seems to me like endless rounds of parties and teas. Changing numerous times a day and talking idly with young ladies. I'll be at Mama's beck and call for all manner of things. I'm also expected to find a suitable wife."
"But what better way to find a wife, Mr Blaine. I'm sure you'll have the pick of the crop with your dashing good looks and gentlemanly ways." Kurt places a hand over his mouth and blushes.
"You think I have dashing good looks?" Blaine teases.
"Err… I…"
Blaine feels badly that he's put Kurt in this position, and adds, "Never mind, Kurt. I think you're handsome too."
"You do?" Kurt replies.
Blaine can't believe that he called Kurt handsome to his face. What on earth was he thinking? And does Kurt have a hopeful look on his face? Or is Kurt teasing him back?
"You wouldn't be a footman if you weren't handsome." Blaine quickly busies himself with taking off his suit jacket and bowtie, hoping this will end the awkward conversation.
"Would you like some help washing the pomade from your hair, Mr Blaine?"
"Yes, please. You do a much better job of it than I do," Blaine replies with a chuckle.
Blaine walks over to the washstand and bends his head forward. He can feel the warm water poured slowly over his crown, and the press of Kurt's long and slender fingers loosening his curls. Each stroke feels so good that Blaine can feel his body react to it. Kurt places a towel over Blaine's head and starts to dry his hair.
"All done, Mr Blaine."
Blaine stands still while Kurt's fingers comb through his hair, trying to control the craziness.
"Say, Kurt, have you ever heard of a gentleman having a male companion before?"
"No, I haven't. Why?"
"Cousin Rachel told me this morning that her father has his best friend living with them."
"Do you think that this male companion might be… well, someone uniquely special to her father? Say, someone whom he loves in an uncommon way?"
"That's what I thought, but maybe they do things differently in America," Blaine suggests.
"New York must be a wonderful place," Kurt sighs.
"What do you mean, Kurt?"
Kurt's wistful expression changes. "It seems as if our lives are dictated by a rigid class structure, setting out what we can and cannot do… What's expected of us. It's wonderful to think that there's a place in this world where you can be who and what you want to be." Kurt shakes his head and adds, "I wouldn't expect you understand."
"You're not the only one whose life is dictated by a rigid class structure. I'm the one who has to find a suitable wife by the end of August, even if I don't want to."
Kurt giggles and replies, "I hadn't thought of it like that before, Mr Blaine."
"Kurt, you won't breathe a word of this to anyone, will you?"
"No, I won't, Mr Blaine. I'm not one for idle gossip."
"No, of course you're not. Shall I expect you at the usual time tomorrow morning?"
"Yes. Good night, Mr Blaine."
Once Kurt leaves his bedroom, Blaine changes into his night clothes and finishes his nightly routine. He climbs into bed, picks up his book and settles in for his usual bedtime read. However, after reading the same paragraph a dozen times, he sets it down and turns off the light.
Like him, Kurt assumed that his Uncle Hiram's relationship with LeRoy is homosexual in nature. That would explain why Uncle Hiram has never remarried. Kurt hadn't looked bothered by it at all. As a matter of fact, he seemed to embrace the idea that you could live outside the expected social norms. Blaine likes the idea of having Kurt as a long-term companion, spending days and nights doing things together. He quickly shuts down these thoughts, though, because it could never happen in his lifetime. The Westerville estate is counting on him to find a wealthy wife.
His father and Cooper were very clear about the problems surrounding the estate's future. Blaine knows what is expected of him, but that doesn't mean he likes it. Although he adores Quinn and thinks of her as an older sister, he cannot help but wish that she had a large dowry. It would certainly have taken the pressure off him. But no amount of wishing is going to have large pots of money appearing with a magic wand. He'll do what is expected of him, and seek out the ladies suggested to him. He lets out a deep sigh when he realizes that by this time next year, a wife will be by his side in bed.
Author's notes
Homosexual acts were punishable offenses, in both Britain and the United States in 1914. It's quite difficult to imagine how two men could be in a committed relationship during this time period. Hopefully, Rachel's dads' story is plausible and helps Kurt and Blaine think about their sexuality in a different light. Let me know how I'm doing with it. Positive and constructive comments are appreciated.
Many thanks to my fantastic betas, Fearlessly and Lilyvandersteen. I'm HKVoyage on Tumblr.
Next up: A trip to Exeter.