Still unbeta'ed.

CHAPTER 2

The next morning Castiel woke around 9 o'clock. He got dressed lazily after washing. He decided on his new blue coat, the one that was a shade darker than his eyes and really made them pop, a white shirt with cravat, white leggins and black shoes. he went downstairs where the family were eating breakfast. They were all deligted to see him and the two youngest girls, Hannah and Dora, jumped up and wanted a hug. Castiel felt happier than he had ever been. This was what he had been longing for since the long and cold Winter when he was alone in his house. Then he noticed Harry wasn't there and when he asked about him he was told that he would arrive tomorrow with a friend who didn't have anywhere to go for the Summer.

Uncle George took Castiel aside after breakfast and told him that Harry's friend had a gambling problem and that his family had refused him to stay with them over the Summer. They were very rich and therefore very embarrased by the situation because it tainted their name. They had told him that unless he got his act together they would have nothing more to do with him. He was the youngest son, just like Harry, so they didn't depend on him to take care of the family estate or to carry on the name. George trailed off as he said the last part. Then he leaned in close to Castiel and whispered: "There have been rumours about drinking parties, gambling,...orgies and ...sodomy" Castiel had trouble hearing the last part.

George said he was a little wary about bringing him here considering his bad reputation and now all the girls were here, but he was good friends with his father and he really wanted to help. Castiel smiled. It was just like George. He was the kindest man Castiel knew. He promised to help as much as he could and uncle George was very grateful. "You've always been such a good boy, Cas", he said, squeezing his arm. Then he went to look at his accounts. Castiel thought to himself that since he was going to have to talk to Harry about his gambling he might as well try to talk to his friend as well.

The day was spent leasurely, the girls played in the garden and persuaded Castiel to join them in some archery. They chatted on and on and made Castiel laugh. This year they had been permitted to go to all the balls and they couldn't wait. They had been practicing their dancing skills all Winter and had had new dresses made. And would Cas promise to dance with both of them? Of course, Castiel said. He was looking forward to it. He was so happy to spend time with his cousins and was excited to see what they had learned.

In the evening they had coffee in the big blue room. The girls took turns playing the piano and singing and the two youngest danced a little dance with their brothers to show they were worthy of coming to the balls. Castiel had a chance to discuss work with Adrian and Stephen. They all worked the land and it was good to have somebody to bounce ideas off once in a while. The day had gone by so quickly and Castiel fell asleep with a smile on his lips.

The next day, Harry arrived with his friend who was introduced to Castiel as Dean Winchester. The family already knew him but George and the boys were the only ones who had any idea of the rumours going around, so Phillippa welcomed him warmly and Hannah and Dora saw him as a new playmate, like Cas, though Hannah, being 16, also saw a possible suitor in him. George felt a nervous twitch coming on as the girls dragged Dean with them into the garden. They had still not tired of their archery game and wanted Dean to join them.

As they played, Castiel watched from the the shade under the vine where the family took tea. Dean had looked a little snooty but when his eyes had landed on Castiel they had softened a little, not that anyone had noticed. Now he was happily playing with the girls and he was really just a kid himself; 18 like Harry.

After tea Castiel decided to go and have a chat with his uncle in his office. He wanted to know more about Dean if he was to talk some sense into him. Uncle George told him that Dean was going to nstudy at the same university as Harry. They had met at boarding school three years ago and had fast become inseparable. Dean had been to visit them every Summer and at first he had seemed like a nice and well behaved boy. But after he had turned 18 five months ago rumours had started to spread about his behaviour. People said he had started frequenting brothels soon after his birthday and that he had met a man who gave 'private parties' where men and women could gamble, drink and... uncle George hesitated...fornicate, he said with a whisper. This was obviously very painful for him. After the boys had become friends their fathers had also struck up a friendship and uncle George held Dean's father in high regards. He had told George that Dean had admitted to owing a large sum of money to some shady people and that they would hurt him if he didn't pay. His father had agreed to pay but had told Dean he would have to stop gambling. He was old enough to know it was wrong and he couldn't rely on his father for money forever. Dean had promised to try but he had fallen in again just before the Summer holidays started. He didn't owe a large amount this time but if he didn't pay he would be in trouble. Castiel bit his lower lip. This could turn out to be a difficult task.

After lunch Castiel asked Harry to come into a room at the back of the house where they wouldn't be disturbed. After a bit of small talk he said straight out to Harry that he would have to stop gambling. It was not fair to his father and he could get in serious trouble. Harry looked at him with surprise.

"Did Father ask you to tell me that? Does he know about my gambling?", he asked alarmed.

"No, he doesn't know. Yet. But he knows about Dean and it will only be a matter of time before he hears about you too", Castiel said.

"I'm discreet", Harry said, not worried.

"But don't you understand, because you are a friend of Dean's you are being associated with the same rumours that are going around about him", Castiel said.

Harry grinned at him. "Why do you think they're rumours?", he asked.

Castiel was silent for a moment, dumbstruck.

"Harry", he said, "You are acting irresponsible and you can't expect your father to pay your debt". He was cut off: "I know, I know. And I'm truly grateful that you bailed me out that time but I'm young and I want to have fun."

"Not at your father's expense", Castiel said. "And he will find out just how much money you have lost if you keep this up".

Harry brushed him off. He was getting nowhere. He said: "Just promise me you will think about what I've said".

Harry made a sound that resembled agreement and he obviously felt the discussion was closed because he said: "Dean and I are going down to the lake for a swim. Want to come? We'll ask the other boys as well."

"Sure", Castiel sighed. He would give Harry a few days to think and then try again.

The water was nice and cool. It was a very hot day and Castiel appreciated the boys' invitation. All the men from the house, except uncle George, had gone. They were all splashing about and jumping in and out of the water. On more than one occasion Castiel caught Dean looking at him, his eyes travelling over his body in a way that made Castiel feel uncomfortable. He decided he had had enough and headed off home. The others wanted to stay a while longer.

As he was walking along the narrow path in the forest he suddenly heard running footsteps coming his way from behind. He turned around and saw it was Dean.

"Had enough?", he asked when Dean had caught up.

"Yeah", Dean said. Then to Castiel's surprise he said: "Look, don't be too hard on Harry. About the gambling. He just likes to have fun."

"And is it fun to spend money you don't have and risk bodily harm and the ruin of your family name?", Castiel asked.

Dean gave him a long look. "I suppose you're referring to me now", he said. Castiel actually wasn't but he could see how it could have been misunderstood.

Dean continued: "My family didn't even notice me until they started hearing rumours about me. I was always too little to take part in anything. All my brothers and sisters are a lot older than me and I was never included. With Harry I have fun; we're equals".

"That doesn't really answer my question", Castiel said, refusing to let it go.

Dean said: "The thing about a rumour is it's a rumour. You don't really know it's true".

"Is it true?", Castiel asked.

"Is what true?", Dean said, being difficult.

"The rumour about you."

"And what rumour might that be?"

Castiel cursed inside. He did not want to go into specifics. He said: "People say you go to private parties".

"I do", Dean said.

That didn't clarify so Castiel decided to turn the tables and asked: "And what exactly goes on at those private parties?"

Dean looked him straight in the eyes and Castiel now saw they were a beautiful green. "We gamble...we drink", he smiled "And some people let off a little steam."

"How so?", Castiel asked.

"Well, it depends on peoples' individual taste...some men go with the prostitutes and some go with...the other...guests", he chose the last words carefully looking intensely at Castiel to see what reaction he would get.

Castiel wanted to ask if it were the female guests but he knew instinctively it wasn't. He was quiet for a moment trying to think of something to say when Dean suddenly said: "I'll race you!".

They had come to the field next to the grounds of the house and Dean raced off as fast as he could. Castiel let him run. He had a lot to think about. He would have to decide on something to say to Dean when he had his conversation with him. He was obviously already very defensive about his behaviour. This would be tricky indeed.