The Tight Spot, part 2
Bard detested Sir Garner with an unholy passion. He was afraid Mey-rin was a hair's breath away from whipping out a gun and just plugging Sir Garner in the head, too, judging by her gritted teeth. Bard knew he was ready to shoot the man, himself.
What had gotten them to this point was when they had settled Master Ceil and Sir Garner down for dinner, the guest actually took out his checkbook and asked, "How much?"
Bard could tell Master Ceil was just playing innocent when he rested his cheek on a balled up fist and asked, "For what?"
"That boy you tucked away. I want him."
Master Ceil snorted and said with utter disdain, "He's a piss-poor gardener. You don't want to engage him."
Bard wanted to defend Finny, but it struck him what Ceil was doing. He was forcing the man into some honesty. If the man kept his badgering, then he'd put himself out as to what he wanted Finny for. Which, Bard could tell, was the man wanted to bed Finny, regardless of what Finny would want. The man's greedy lust was way too obvious.
Being a soldier, he knew things like same sex coupling existed. In his world, he knew them as "battlefield trysts," and they were generally ignored in the army if they were kept private. Finny was still too young to have this sort of thing, or sex of any sort, shoved under his nose. He hadn't quite hit puberty yet! And, Finny never really had a proper childhood.
Bard now knew he had to talk to the kid about more than just the basic "birds and the bees." He admitted, Finny was growing into an attractive, young man that people like this Sir Garner would snap up if they could. Bard wouldn't mind if Finny wanted that type of relationship. Hell, a close friend of Bard's that had died on that one particular day his unit got wiped out only liked battlefield trysts and wouldn't go with the girls when they went on leave. That man had even taken a bullet for him, so he didn't look down his nose on that type of things like others did.
What Bard wanted to make sure of was that Finny wasn't getting bullied into doing things he wasn't comfortable with. Finny had been pushed around too much in his life and didn't need any more of it. He deserved to find a mate, no matter who they were, without money obligating him to affection.
Bard clenched his fists at the idea; Finny was like an innocent kid-brother to him. He'd sooner lick broken glass than let this creep lay one finger on Finny. There was just something about Sir Garner he hated and didn't trust. Bard's estimation of Master Ceil's intelligence and instincts were raised even more. But, he wasn't comfortable with the game, no matter how smart Master Ceil was.
Bard knew he, Finny, and Mey-rin were expendable to the Phantomhive household. If his two companions died of gunshots or something like that defending this household, Bard could accept it. He was a solider, after all. That was what a soldier needed to accept could happen. What he couldn't stand was the thought of either of his two companions suffering being violated by some gruesome, horny jerk.
He glanced over and met Sebastian's crimson eyes. It was as if the man had read every one of his thoughts. The butler gave a subtle smirk and and nodded. Sebastian said, "Bard, Mey-rin, you're dismissed. I'll serve the dinner tonight. You and Mey-rin should rest, since you both worked hard today."
"Yes, Sir," he said along with Mey-rin.
They left, but not before Bard heard Sir Garner said, "10,000.00. And that's the most I've ever paid for a boy. He has everything I want, and I'll make him a footman rather than some gardener."
"You misunderstand," Ceil's voice said coolly. "Part of my contract with him is that he feels sunlight on his skin. You ruined that for three days so I'm rather put out." Bard glanced over his shoulder and saw Ceil sneer at Sir Garner's smirk. "He's a horrid gardener, but he's learning, thanks to Sebastian. He has other qualities that make him an ideal Phantomhive servant.
"So, no, you can't have him even at 10,000,000.00. I don't sell humans. Even though they're only pawns to me, pawns can have a certain value. A good game player will not sacrifice pawns needlessly, only with purpose. Finnian's value to me is high, or I wouldn't have bother with such a damaged individual. His face might have beauty, but his muscles and bones that are what is of value. You can't comprehend that. So I recommend you stop trying to buy him. Besides, you're only incriminating yourself and confirming the nasty rumors around you."
The man chuckled and shook his head. "I'm just offering to engage a new servant. You seem very displeased with him, in spite of your praise."
Ceil looked up to where Bard and Mey-rin were lingering by the dining room doorway. Ceil's left, blue eye narrowed and he snapped, "You heard Sebastian. Find something to do!"
Bard hurried Mey-rin into the kitchen and looked at her. Bard whispered, "That Garner guy isn't trustworthy."
"Master Ceil won't let Finny go anywhere."
"Well, we better make sure Finny is tucked away," Bard said, leading her towards the room he shared with Finny. Bard grabbed the latch and tried it. It was locked. Bard knocked on the door. "Finny, let us in."
"I can't. Sebastian locked it with his master key, rather than our regular room key." Finny's muffled voice came through the door. That meant only Sebastian had access to Finny.
"Are you okay?" Mey-rin asked.
There was a long pause, but he answered, "I'm fine. Can you stay until Sebastian comes back?"
Bard didn't mistake the tremor in Finny's voice. "Of course. We won't go anywhere."
They sat by the door and Finny's fingers slipped out from underneath the door. Mey-rin took his fingers and Finny said, "I didn't mean to cause a problem."
"You didn't cause a problem. The problem is that visitor," Bard snapped.
"He said some odd things about me. What's a Botticelli?"
"He was a classic painter," Bard explained. He lit a cigarette and admitted darkly. "The man was complimenting your looks. He thinks your face is... nice looking."
"Why would he think that?" Finny asked. How to answer that put Bard off guard, but he knew he had to explain such things to his young companion. Bard would sleep on it and handle it during afternoon tea, tomorrow for certain.
Bard felt his face flush. Thankfully, Sebastian showed up with a cart. On the cart was a fabulous meal. Bard recognized it as the same that Master Ceil and the guest had been served. Mey-rin moved after she said, "Your dinner is here."
Sebastian took out his master key. Bard jumped up and glared at Sebastian. "Hey, do you think it's a good idea to leave Master Ceil alone with that guy?"
"It's the young master's order I feed Finnian the dinner from his own plate and check on him. Tanaka is currently by his side," Sebastian said coolly as he unlocked the door. "By the way, Bard, I want you to take some of your belongs with you for this weekend. You'll be staying with Tanaka while we have company."
The door swung open and Finny looked up at Sebastian in worry. "But can't you let Bard keep me company?"
"No. Bard needs to attend to his duties, and he couldn't do that if he were locked away with you."
Bard felt stung by those big, sorrowful, turquoise eyes. Finny was usually such a sunny person, but he could get emotional every now and then. This was one of those times where Finny had tears in his eyes.
Mey-rin went over and hugged him. "It'll be okay. We'll visit as often as we can," she promised.
Sebastian parked the cart by Finny's bed. Bard sighed and took a drag off his cigarette before he got to packing. "Hey, Sebastian, why is Finny being locked up anyway? It's just that visitor, right?"
"Because the young master ordered. It's all we need to know as Phantomhive servants," Sebastian answered firmly.
Bard sighed, crossed his arms, and puffed away. He didn't like the "because you're ordered to" answer, because it had led him into a bloodbath before. He was disgruntled about the situation, but he decided to act like an obedient solider. There was something about Sebastian he could trust; the butler saw more of the battlefield, but he was smart enough to know the moves they had to take to avoid a slaughter. Master Ceil wasn't going to just throw Finny to the dogs.
There was not much he could do about it if Sebastian and Ceil decided to throw them to the dogs, anyway. Besides, it probably was in Finny's best interest to be locked away from that creepy Sir Garner.
He patted Finny's hair, now free of red barrettes. He gave Finny a bright smile and said, "Don't worry about a thing. Just get some rest and enjoy your time off."
Mey-rin took his cue and smiled, too. "On Monday we can have a nice breakfast together. It'll be fun. And I promise we'll visit, won't we, Bard?"
"Of course. We'll go for a walk. Even have a picnic, if you want," Bard said. "But, you and I will have a special talk tomorrow over tea, okay?" Tea, an English custom the American cook had quickly learned to enjoy.
Finny got joyful and nodded. Sebastian prompted gently with a softer smile, "Eat, Finnian, so I can get back to the young master."
"Yes, Sir," Finny said. Bard picked up his bag and left with Mey-rin.
"Damn it!" Ceil swore as Sebastian was getting him prepared for bed. "Tanaka has that piece of slime tucked in. He didn't take the bait as planned."
"You were to be the bait, but he's not interested. Maybe he's too afraid of making an overture to such a prominent person, or maybe he just prefers blonds," Sebastian said with the barest hint of teasing.
Ceil gave off a snarl and glared as his eye patch came off. "Stop being impertinent! How am I supposed to break up his slavery ring without infiltrating it."
"You could take him up on his offer for Finnian."
"Are you kidding me?! Finny would blow it and panic. He's too traumatized to use to infiltrate into anything like that. You said it yourself, he isn't even doing well locked in his own room. He's been allowed to go and come as he pleases for the last two years. If he were locked up again... well, I don't think he could handle it very well, even if I were to ask. Sir Garner would run off too quickly if he suspected I was up to anything like sending a servant to spy. I can't risk that."
"True. Besides, I'd rather not let a Phantomhive servant too close to an outsider and show too much of our hand. Too much could be spread around, and people could plan around those three. They're good, but with enough planning..." Sebastian chuckled. "It's like that book, the Scarlet Pimpernel. Our servants are like Baron Percy Blakeney. They need to stay as such."
"You're right. I don't want Finnian's advantages known at large. I want him to look like a foolish idiot for my sake." Then Ceil grew grave. "Also, he needs to look like a fool for his own sake, so he'll be overlooked and have an advantage." Ceil then gave Sebastian a determined expression. "I just want to handle Sir Garner quickly and get him off the Queen's mind. Make sure Finnian is comfortable this weekend, so he doesn't wander around."
"He enjoyed the dinner you gave him."
Ceil said with dry cynicism, "I lost my appetite being around that slime, Garner. No reason I couldn't let Finnian have a nice meal."
Ceil felt bad he couldn't provide like a lord should for his servant at this time. There was a bond of trust. A lord provided for those under him while they served him and took care of the mundane for the lord. It was a stain on the Phantomhive name for Finny to stay locked in his room. All Finnian had ever asked of Ceil was for him to feel sunlight on his skin.
He took a deep breath and said, "You know that servants have disappeared from other homes Garner's stayed at, all with notes quiting their service. Finnian would never leave me, I know that. Keep an eye on him. Garner might try to take him, but I want Finny's secret kept in our household. Tomorrow, get ready to research some of those missing servants."
Sebastian bowed and said, "Yes, my lord."
Pluto. His howling over the thunder prompted Finny out of bed. Oh this was bad! It was worse than his normal fits. The storm was fierce, and Pluto was expected to stay in the nice, dry, hay-lined stables. Though to Finny, it sounded as if the hell-hound was in the gardens, no doubt looking for him.
His stomach turned to knots. Sebastian would be furious if Pluto was out wandering around with a visitor. There was more howling as the grandfather clock down the hallway struck two. He had to get Pluto calmed down, quickly, or it could be real trouble.
He took a deep breath and felt so torn. He was to obey Master Ceil, but Pluto could also cause real trouble. One more howl with lightening made his decision. He opened the window. Their shutters were closed and locked. Finny casually pressed his hand against it and they swung open with twisting metal and cracking wood. He'd just have to beg Mister Sebastian's forgiveness later. He threw his coat over his sleeping clothes, knowing it was a cold, late autumn rain.
He was nervous as he climbed on the ledge of the forth level ledge and got battered by icy rain. He carefully grabbed towards the edge of the dormer next to his and Bard's room, but he crushed part of the trim with his hand and plunged downward. He screamed and smacked the brick patio below with a slight bounce. He got his air and stood, actually grateful those men that had owned him made him tough as well as strong.
His clothing was soaked instantly, but he didn't let the wool heaviness weigh him down as he made his way to the garden. He shouted, "Plu, Plu! Come here, boy! Please! I need to get you settled."
The hell-hound came bounding out of an English hedge, but was in his naked, human form. Pluto was obviously over-emotional, terrified of the weather, and needed comfort. Finny blushed horribly as the naked hound wrapped himself around the gardener's small frame. He started howling and howling! Pluto's weight was no problem for Finny at all, so he hustled him back to the stables.
He found a warm, clean stall with plenty of hay and blankets. He hushed him with Sebastian's dog biscuits and pats to his wet head. Finny tried not to flinch; Pluto stunk just like wet dog, in spite of his form. He tried to settle the sopping wet hell-hound down, but he had to dry him first.
When he got Pluto acceptably dry, he pointed to the hay and blanket pallet and said, "Get some sleep, Plu, Plu. Sebastian will be so ma..."
Suddenly, the hell-hound lashed out and grabbed Finny's hand when another crash of thunder struck. Before Finny could retreat, Pluto whimpered, clenched his hand tighter, and yanked him down to the hay lined bed with him. Finny found himself wrapped in Pluto's arms and legs. Finny could break free, it was just he felt so sorry for Pluto. And, to tell the truth, he felt lonely without Bard's snoring.
"Okay, but I have to get up early and sneak back in. You understand, Plu, Plu?"
The hell-hound looked up at him with drowsy, amber eyes and then slowly, sensually licked Finny from his throat to his chin several times and whimpered. Pluto started doing that with Finny's earlobes, licking them. Then Finny couldn't stop the pictures of Angela letting Pluto do this to her, and more risqué things. Finny was shocked at the sensations running through him.
He felt too good, and this wasn't normal; a hell-hound was a different creature and needed to find comfort with his own kind. Finny did smile and stroke Pluto's hair, but he made Pluto stop his intimate affections. The poor thing was just missing Angela, so Finny tried to be kind. Fortunately, Pluto just nuzzled him on the back of the neck after a while and drifted into sleep.
Finny sighed, now feeling so far from sleep. He did drift off into a dose that was interrupted horribly in the morning. Seeing those displeased, crimson eyes first thing in the morning was not a good thing.
To be continued.