Author's note: This chapter continues with their second day at Westerville Abbey.
July 1921
Kurt
After a light lunch in the kitchen, Kurt waits patiently outside the abbey's garage. Rory has washed and waxed the Anderson's 1911 Renault car until the sun's rays gleam off its bonnet. It's been less than 24 hours since they arrived at Westerville, and Kurt already misses Blaine. It's not that they don't do things independently. Kurt has his flying club and sewing, while Blaine has his tennis and spends time with Hans. It's the idea that they can't be with each other that bothers him.
They are both spending time with their families, which is as they should be. However, it feels strange that they can both be under the same roof at the abbey but never have their lives intertwine… not like they do in America. But it's only a four-week visit, and they will make the best of the precious time they get together during the day. Thanks to the Dowager Countess, nights belong to them.
Blaine has come up with the idea to have Kurt give him driving lessons while they are at Westerville Abbey. Initially, Kurt thought the idea was crazy - British drive on the left-hand side of the road while Americans drive on the right. However, Blaine managed to convince him that it's a perfect excuse to spend time with each other every day. He told his parents that he wants to learn on country lanes and not in the heavy traffic in Manhattan. Who could argue with that logic?
Blaine bounds toward the car and greets Kurt. "I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long. Luncheon took much longer than I expected. Mama and Quinn were carrying on about the village fete tomorrow. I managed to convince them that I would be able to take care of my nephews and niece without the help of the nanny."
Kurt arches an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
"I'm sort of hoping that you'll help me," Blaine sheepishly admits.
"Yes, of course, I'll help you. I'm really looking forward to the village fete," Kurt replies. It is one of the few events during the visit that both their families will attend.
"I'm looking forward to my first driving lesson. Are you still game to teach me?"
Kurt nods. "As long as your father has approved it, I'll be happy to be your instructor. Did you know that this is the very car that Quinn used to teach me how to drive?"
"Yes, I suppose it is." Blaine leans in and whispers, "Thank goodness you turned out to be a better driver than Quinn."
Kurt opens the driver's door, and Blaine slides into the seat, grabbing the steering wheel and quickly turning it left and right. Kurt quietly snickers as he walks around the car and sits down on the passenger seat. Blaine is as excited as a little boy with a new toy.
Blaine juts his lower lip out. "I can't reach the pedals."
"That's because Rory is taller than you. Kurt leans across Blaine to show him the lever that allows the seat to push forward.
Once the seat has been adjusted to the proper position, Blaine asks, "Can I have the keys?"
"Not so fast, mister. I have to explain the gearbox to you. There are four speeds that are controlled through a gear stick."
"I want to go very fast. Is that the fourth speed?" Blaine asks.
"It doesn't quite work that way. Fourth gear does allow the car to go its fastest, but you have to work the car's speed up through the gears. There is also R for reverse and N for neutral."
"What's neutral?"
"When the engine isn't working."
"Why would I want to drive a car when the engine isn't working? Doesn't that defeat the purpose?" Blaine asks.
Kurt sighs. This is going to take a lot longer than he had thought. "When you're stopping at a traffic light, for example."
"But there are no traffic lights anywhere near Westerville. Let's go!"
"Steady on! You might have to stop when cattle or sheep cross the road, and you'll certainly have to slow down before turning," Kurt reminds him.
Kurt spends the next 30 minutes explaining about when to use which gears, how to use the clutch pedal, and more importantly, how to use the brake. He watches Blaine become more fidgety by the minute, his body practically thrumming with the anticipation of driving. Once Blaine can answer the most basic of questions, Kurt decides it's time to put Blaine's new knowledge into practice. Nothing can go wrong in the middle of nowhere, right?
When Kurt has handed over the car keys, Blaine's mouth breaks out into a huge grin. "For a moment there, I thought this was going to be a driving lesson without any actual driving."
"Make sure your foot is pushing down on the clutch pedal before you start the car," Kurt instructs him.
Blaine gives a mock salute and starts the car. He shifts the stick into first gear and releases the hand brake. He slowly takes pressure off the clutch, while at the same time applying pressure on the accelerator. The car jerks before it moves forward.
Kurt points to the tachometer "You need to keep an eye on the RPMs. When it's around 3,000, you need to shift up a gear."
Thirty minutes later, Blaine has mastered cruising speed and stopping, although the car jerks and lurches during gear changes. There is a layby on the side of the road, shaded with trees, and Blaine pulls over and stops the car.
When Blaine gets out of the car, Kurt asks, "Is there something wrong?"
"Yes. I haven't had my quota of kisses from you today."
Blaine takes off his jacket and sets it down on the seat, then climbs into back seat and lies down. When Blaine gives him a come-hither look, Kurt realizes what he has on his mind. He's totally on board with the plan. After he has taken off his jacket, Kurt climbs over to the back seat and lies down on top of Blaine. He can already feel Blaine's stiffie pressing against him, and Kurt is secretly pleased that Blaine's body responds to his closeness.
"When you talk gears, tachometers and clutches, you sound so smart... It does something to me. How did you become such an expert?"
"I'm a pilot, remember? There are a lot more instruments inside an aeroplane cockpit, let alone technique flying and firing a machine gun at the same time."
Blaine grabs the back of Kurt's neck, pulling him into a dirty, messy kiss. When Blaine's tongue makes its way into his mouth, every inch of Kurt's body tingles. Kurt immediately starts to loosen Blaine's bow tie and undoes the top few buttons of his shirt. There is skin there that he wants to give his undivided attention.
Kurt pulls away, breathless, and smiles down at him. Blaine's lips are red and puffy from the kissing they have already done. "If I had known that I was going to be groped in the back of a Renault, I would have brought a change of clothes."
Blaine grabs the loose material from the back of his shirt. "I missed you so much this morning, sweetheart. Less talking, more action," Blaine groans, and tugs Kurt's head closer. He pulls out Kurt's shirt from inside his trousers, sneaks his hands underneath, and claws at Kurt's back.
Kurt is so hard and throbbing in his trousers. He aligns their clothed cocks and thrusts down.
Blaine grabs Kurt's buttocks and urges him to go faster. "Oh god, Kurt, that feels so good."
Soon, they are working together, and the car is rocking with their movement. Kurt licks and kisses along Blaine's neck, and he can feel every moan as it travels up Blaine's throat.
Kurt can't believe how quickly they are racing toward the finish line. Kurt can feel every muscle in Blaine's body tense as he cums. After a few additional thrusts, Kurt follows, allowing the rushing wave of pleasure to overwhelm him. Kurt collapses on top of Blaine, and he peppers soft kisses along his neck.
When Kurt regains control of his senses, he says, "We better get up before someone comes down this lane and wonders why a car is parked in the layby."
Once they are sitting upright on the back seat, Blaine pulls out a handkerchief from his pocket and offers it to Kurt. "Why don't you clean yourself first?"
"Always the gentleman, even after having a mind-blowing orgasm," Kurt teases.
"I might not be able to control myself around you, but I like to pay attention to details, like the mess that's in both our briefs."
It's getting late, so Kurt expertly drives back to Westerville Abbey. Kurt thinks that these driving lessons will soon become the highlight of his day. Let's hope that Blaine actually learns how to drive.
Kurt walks with his father and Mrs Hummel to the village green for the opening of the memorial garden. His father isn't looking where he's going, too busy reading lines from a piece of paper.
"Are you nervous, Father?"
"Not really - I'm used to addressing the staff. We're honoring those soldiers that were lost in war, and I really want everything to go perfectly."
"Finn gave Blaine an invaluable piece of advice before he testified at the war crime trials," Kurt remarks.
"Oh, really?" Mrs Hummel asks.
"He said that it's much easier to address people when you imagine them wearing only underdrawers."
Mrs Hummel giggles. "That sounds like something my Finn would say."
When they approach the village green, it is covered with tents and marked-off areas for games. In the center is a large carousel with wooden horses and other animals to ride.
"I can't believe there is a carousel on the village green!" Kurt exclaims.
Mr Hummel replies, "His Lordship wants to make this a special day to remember, especially for the children."
They walk to the corner of the village green where the memorial garden is situated. It's abloom with irises, sunflowers, dahlias, lilies, and the famous Devon red and yellow roses.
The Hummels join the group of other servants from Westerville Abbey, who are milling about. Kurt decides to stand next to Mercedes and Mr Evans, and they discuss the stalls that will be at the fete. Kurt looks around and spots the Anderson family by the makeshift podium, where Blaine is standing next to his mother. With one hand, he holds a parasol so that it shades the Countess; with the other, he is holding hands with the younger Master Blaine.
The Earl steps up onto the podium. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I please have your attention? Mr Burt Hummel, the Chairman of the War Memorial in Westerville Village, will now open the memorial garden."
Mr Hummel takes his place on the podium and recites the now famous poem.
They fell with their faces to the fold.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning.
We will remember them.
Once a bugle has played "The Last Post", Mr Hummel steps down and is replaced with the Earl of Westerville.
"The committee has done an admirable job in planning the gardens. There will be something in bloom, no matter what time of year. Now, let the festivities begin. There is fun for everyone and a refreshments tent for when you need a break. All proceeds will be given to the Westerville Widows' Fund, so please spend generously."
The crowd disperses quickly, going in different directions, whether it's to the games, the White Elephant stalls selling used items, or the refreshments tent. Kurt spots Blaine walking with his nephews and nieces to the carousel. After buying a ticket, Kurt finds Blaine sitting in a carriage seat with baby Lady Margaret on his lap and Lady Elizabeth by his side, while the boys are on top of the horses.
"I wanna ride a horse, too!" two-year-old Lady Elizabeth pouts.
"I know you do, but Margaret is too young to ride, and I need to stay with her," Blaine replies.
"Lady Elizabeth, why don't I take you on a horse?" Kurt offers.
Lady Elizabeth gives her best puppy eyes. "Can I go, Uncle B, pretty please?"
"As long as you promise to do everything that Kurt tells you."
When Kurt picks up Lady Elizabeth, Blaine mouths a silent thank you. Kurt soon has her situated on a horse next to her brothers.
"Look at me, Kurt. I'm like Uncle B on a horse!" young Master Blaine exclaims.
"I'd rather ride in an aeroplane," Master Michael says.
"One day, Master Michael, you'll be able to take an aeroplane all the way to America to visit your uncle."
"You really think so, Kurt?"
"I know so."
When the carousel organ music begins to play, Kurt says, "Hold on tight, everybody!"
The carousel starts rotating, and the horses move up and down. Kurt's hands are near Lady Elizabeth to ensure she doesn't fall off as she shrieks in delight. When the song is over, the carousel comes to a stop.
"Again! Again!" the children shout.
Blaine stands nearby with Lady Margaret in his arms. "We need to give every person a chance to ride the carousel. There are a lot of other things we can do."
When they exit the carousel, Lord Cooper and Lady Quinn are standing there with the nanny. Lady Quinn takes her youngest from Blaine's arms. "We'll take Elizabeth and Margaret to the White Elephant stand. Do you still want to take the boys around?"
"Yes, of course I do. When they get tired, we'll go to the refreshments tent."
Kurt and Blaine take the three boys to the games section. They start with Hoopla and attempt to throw a wooden ring so that it lands around one of the set of blocks. When no one is successful, they move on to the 'Splat the Rat' stall. A toy stuffed rat sits on top of a drainpipe, which is attached to a slanted wooden board. When the rat slides down the drainpipe, the player must strike it using a bat before it falls to the ground in order to win a prize. Each nephew fails to splat the rat and are discouraged. Blaine saves the day by striking the bat not once, but three times, until each of his nephews has a new wooden top in their pocket.
Kurt is surprised to find his father and Mrs Hummel at the Coconut Shy stall. Everyone cheers when the butler throws a wooden ball and successfully knocks a coconut off its post. He picks a bottle of scrumpy, a locally-produced alcoholic apple cider, as his prize.
Men wearing white shirts and dark trousers linger near a trio of musicians. There is a fiddler, an accordion player, and a drummer with a small tambor.
Jake breaks from the group and approaches Kurt. "Do you know how to Morris dance? We're short a man."
Kurt nods. "I haven't been Morris dancing since I arrived at Westerville Abbey in early 1914, but I suspect that I remember all the steps. I don't have the outfit either."
"Never mind," Jake replies. "You'd be doing us a favor if you would join us."
"Certainly."
Kurt takes off his jacket and waistcoat and hands them to Mrs Hummel. He joins the group and is given a pair of pads with bells to wrap around his shins. They each pick up a stick, and they form two lines facing each other. When the band begins to play, Kurt dances the steps learned long ago in Somerset. The bells on their shins ring as they move around each other, jump, and pound the sticks to the ground.
When the Morris Dance performance is over, Kurt has lost sight of Blaine and his nephews. After Mrs Hummel has returned his jacket and waistcoat, Kurt strolls the grounds looking for them. He passes an impressive-looking food hamper that the Andersons donated for the lottery. Although he has no need for the hamper, he stops to buy a ticket. He also passes Mrs Sylvester standing behind a huge fruitcake for the "guess the weight" stall.
He finally spots Blaine, who looks like the Pied Piper with his three nephews in a line following him toward the White Elephant stalls. Kurt pauses when he nears his father and His Lordship, and he cannot help but overhear their conversation.
The Earl says, "Blaine is such a natural with children. All his nephews and nieces simply adore him. Now that he is settled with a home and a business, I hope he falls in love and marries. He would make a great father, even better than me."
"Sir Blaine is rather good with children," Mr Hummel agrees.
"Our sons have a strong bond based on their days at Westerville Abbey."
"You could say that, My Lord," Mr Hummel replies cautiously.
"Now it's time for them to find ladies and marry, don't you think? Old bonds are fine for business, but they don't keep the bed warm at night."
Mr Hummel has a small coughing fit. "I'm not sure if Kurt will ever marry. He's ambitious and is still focusing on his new life in America."
"Don't you want grandchildren one day?" the Earl asks.
"I doubt that Kurt will return to England to live, so I would never see any grandchildren, really. I trust Kurt to know what is best in his life."
Kurt walks the long way around so that the Earl and his father don't discover him close by. Something clenches in his stomach. Blaine is good with children, whether it's Carole, Hans, or his nephews and nieces in England. That long-standing fear of taking the experience of parenthood away from Blaine bubbles inside him. He has already raised this issue with Blaine, who has admitted that although he loves children, he still chooses Kurt until death do them part. At the time, Kurt had thought Blaine really meant it, but that doesn't stop him from feeling that he's holding Blaine back.
"Kurt! We're over here!" Blaine exclaims.
Kurt looks up to see Blaine and the children in front of the refreshments tent.
Blaine's nephews are trying to drag him inside, but he won't budge. "We need to have a quick look at the flower show tent before we have a treat."
"Aw, do we have to, Uncle B? I see flowers all the time," Master Richard whines.
"What would Grandmama say if we didn't have a look at her prized roses?" Blaine admonishes.
Kurt follows Blaine and the boys into the flower tent, where there are tables displaying a variety of locally-grown flowers. They take a cursory glance around while making their way to the front table, where the Dowager Countess's roses sit next to the first place Anderson Cup.
Blaine whispers to Kurt, "Grandmama always wins the first place prize. I think the committee feels obliged to give her the cup for the best bloom as a kind of local tradition. In a fairer world, Ryder's father would have won first place."
They quickly leave for the refreshments tent. Blaine buys his nephews fudge and boiled sweets in cones of paper, and tea and slices of cake for Kurt and himself.
"What are we going to do next?" Master Michael asks.
"We could go on the carousel again, take a ride on the Haywain cart, or take a look at what they're selling at the White Elephant stalls," Kurt suggests.
"The carousel!" young Master Blaine shouts.
When they leave the refreshments tent, there are young men lined up for the tug-a-war contest, with the Westerville Abbey workers on one side, and the local farming lads on the other.
Sebastian approaches Kurt. "The farmers have one more person than we do. Come join us!"
Kurt takes off his jacket and hands it to his father, who is nearby. He positions himself behind Rory near the front of the line. When the whistle blows, both sides pull in opposite directions with all their strength. Dave Karofsky digs in his feet and pulls extremely hard, and the flag in the middle of the rope clearly comes to their side.
The Westerville Abbey servants and grounds crew slap each others' backs, delighted that their reputation is still in tact. Kurt glances over to see that His Lordship and Lord Cooper have joined Blaine and the boys. It's a reminder that no matter what he's achieved since he was a footman, he will always be with the working class and not part of their world.
Lord Cooper and His Lordship walk with the boys towards the Haywain carts, while Blaine remains behind waiting for Kurt.
"Well done, Kurt. You showed those farmers what Westerville Abbey men are made of," Blaine says.
"You mean people who work for Westerville Abbey," Kurt remarks.
"They only asked you because they were one man short. I don't see you like that. You're my partner."
Kurt knows that Blaine doesn't view him like a servant, and it's not fair to blame him. "Where are your nephews?"
"Cooper wanted to spend some time with them today. We're all on our own," Blaine replies.
"What would you like to do?"
"Perhaps I could have another driving lesson?" Blaine suggests, waggling his eyebrows.
With everyone at the village fete, the roads will be deserted. Oh, the possibilities!
x o x o
That evening, Kurt has a long and convoluted dream. Westerville has enemy forces marching toward them. Blaine takes off in the middle of the night to take charge of the foot soldiers. The next morning, he finds a note from Blaine, begging him to stay home and out of harm's way. After receiving no word for several days, Kurt packs a rucksack to go find him. He marches across the countryside, seeing dead bodies from both sides, but he can't find Blaine.
Kurt opens his eyes and bolts up, sweat dripping from his forehead.
Blaine holds Kurt in his arms. "Shh, my love. It was just a dream. I'm right here next to you."
Kurt takes a sip of water, lies back down with Blaine spooning him from behind, and tries to make sense of it all. He doesn't need to read Sigmund Freud's book to know that the dream wasn't about penises.
Next week, Blaine plans to tell Lord Cooper and His Lordship about their relationship. Knowing the two men, he can't imagine that it will go well. And where does that leave him? Will Kurt and his family become the mortal enemy? Will Blaine's sense of duty to his family cause them to split? Will Blaine be lost to him forever? One thing for sure is that once Blaine speaks with His Lordship and Lord Cooper, something will change.
Author's notes
The poem that Mr Hummel recites at the memorial "For the Fallen" by Robert Laurence Binyon (published in The Times newspaper on 21 September 1914).
Trivia: In Great Britain, there were 750,000 military men killed or missing during World War One, leaving 240,000 widows. Most of them were granted a war pension (with a supplement for the children). However, these pensions were insufficient to cover the daily needs of the widows, many of whom topped up their incomes by working, or relied on help from their families or new spouses. Some of the poorest widows also had recourse to charitable associations.
Thank you to Buttons'n'Bows for helping me research the village fete and being an all-around great cheerleader and friend as I was drafting this story.
Many thanks to my fantastic betas - Fearlessly, Lilyvandersteen, Dblmalfunction. I made the last-minute edits and performed the final proofreading by myself, so all mistakes are mine.
I'm HKVoyage on Tumblr.
Next up: Blaine has afternoon tea with his beloved (and scheming) grandmama.