A/N: There is a couple of mentions of "The Rowdy Earl" in the manga, so I made a reference to it.
The Tight Spot, Part 3
Finny was trembling horribly. His upper, left arm didn't feel bruised under the butler's firm grip, but he was very aware of the hand firmly pulling him along. Sebastian hadn't even cast him a glance or said a word. He had just plucked up Finny from the horse stall and started marching him back to the mansion through the rainy morning under a black umbrella. Finny hadn't even been given a chance to check on Pluto.
When he had disobeyed his former owners, he would get hit with a leather strap. He expected he was about to get the same, even though Master Ceil hadn't raised a hand to him in two years, in spite of all his screw ups. But Finny had never disobeyed like this. He tried to stop his tears, but that wasn't happening.
"Please... Mister Sebastian... I only wanted to..." he sobbed.
"Silence," was the only dry, crisp word Sebastian gave him. When they got to the mansion's back door, Sebastian let go of Finny's arm, and then tended his umbrella. "You've been a naughty boy, Finnian. How should Master Ceil punish you?"
"I..." Finnian was choked up and shook his head. "I don't know. I'm so sorry. I thought getting Pluto calmed down was the right thing!"
"Not by a long shot. Obeying me is always the correct coarse of action for my servants," Ceil said with a glower from the pocket door that lead to the rest of the house. He was still only dressed in a sleeping gown and robe.
"How do you want him punished, my lord?" Sebastian's cool tone made Finny shiver all over again. Ceil slapped a riding crop against the palm of his left hand. Finny tried to swallow, too afraid that crop was going to be used on him.
"Lock Finnian away in the wine cellar, and then truss up that stupid hell-hound! Sebastian, I don't want to hear a thing from that stupid mutt this weekend... and that is an ORDER! Finnian is not to have visitors for one day because of his disobedience. Feed him regular meals, of course, Sebastian." Then Ceil smacked the counter with his riding crop. "Don't test me on this, Finny! I can't use pawns that move on their own. Do you understand?"
Finny swallowed and could only nod. He didn't understand a thing about chess, but what he did know was the pawns were supposed to obey their king without question. His face was hot, and he couldn't stop shaking. "So... so... sorry..." was all he managed to choke out as he vowed to himself to be a better pawn to Master Ceil.
"I know," Master Ceil said with a gentler tone and a frustrated sigh. "Get some rest and stop worrying about your duties. Sebastian will take them on for a few days, including taking care of that stupid flea-bag. Okay?" Now Sebastian shuddered and looked very put out.
Finny swore he saw the well-composed butler actually grimace. Finny thought it was a shame Pluto wasn't a cat at this moment. Visions of how the butler would pamper and preen Pluto if he were a cat came to mind. The pampering wasn't going to happen from the butler, since Pluto happened to be canine rather than feline.
Master Ceil smacked the counter with the riding crop again and snarled at the butler, "It is an ORDER you tend that stupid flea-bag this weekend!"
Sebastian bowed with more composure and said, "Yes, my lord."
The the riding crop's tip was in Finny's face suddenly. "And you! Stay put in this house! You understand me?"
"Yes, Sir," Finnian said glumly.
Ceil waved a hand at Finny and said, "Sebastian, tuck him away. Securely."
Sebastian gave another bow and said, "Yes, my lord."
He didn't talk with the butler. He was being locked into the wine cellar with a pallet and nothing else. Except, he did ask, "Can I still have tea with Bard this afternoon?"
"You made the choice. The master's order stands. I'll see to it that you have tea tomorrow with Bard. It is very necessary that you have that talk with him."
"Thank you, Sebastian," Finny said, getting a little brighter.
Sebastian gave him a lopsided grin. "Keep in mind..." the man said, walking out of the wine cellar, "...you can use your strength to defend yourself, not just the young master."
Finny fell back on his pallet and started to worry about his employment. What would he do if Master Ceil cast him out?
He looked at his hands and flexed his fingers a few times. He was always told to never use his strength for himself. Those in charge dictated how it was used and he was never to use it against them or he would be killed. What Sebastian had just told him was a frightening concept. Wasn't it up to his master to dictate how he used his strength and how he was treated?
"This is not good for Finny," Bard said, chopping potatoes for breakfast as Mey-rin started polishing silver in the kitchen. They heard from Tanaka that Finnian was now locked in the wine cellar, because he snuck out to tend Pluto. Bard huffed and said, "Dumb kid should have stayed in our room! I'll smack that dog the next time I see him!"
"Don't be so mean! He was just trying to take care of Pluto!" Mey-rin exclaimed, lofting a spoon.
"Finny still should have known better!" Bard said, stabbing a potato.
"Are Phantomhive servants bickering?" Sebastian's placid question stopped them cold. They both got back to their tasks. "Bard, your tea and talk with Finnian is to take place tomorrow, since he is on punishment."
"Talk? What talk?" Mey-rin asked innocently. Suddenly, Bard's face turned scarlet, Sebastian sighed and hung his head, while Tanaka gave out a slight "ho, ho, ho," in the background.
"You know... The Talk... the stuff about guys and girls... Damn it! Go read one of your bodice busters and figure it out!" Bard raged at the maid.
Mey-rin's face turned fuchsia after a couple of long seconds. "Oh...! That talk. I got it now! I guess some man should tell Finny about that stuff."
"I could give him The Talk today before tea time if you're not feeling up to it, Bardroy," Sebastian offered, but the butler had that smug expression that just irritated Bard.
"No way! That's my job! I got it!" Bard snapped, pointing towards Sebastian. "I'll take care of the kid!"
"As you wish," Sebastian said in a teasing tone. "Don't worry about Finnian today, just the master's guest. I want you to report to me anything strange or anything you see him write or hear him say outside of the young master's presence, however don't hover around the man. Mey-rin, forget your glasses today and read anything you see him write from a distance. You both understand, right?"
"Yes, Sir!" They answered and got to their duties as Phantomhive servants.
"Lord Phantomhive, I realized I may have offended you last night by offering to buy your servant."
Ceil bit back his "you think" tart remark and said instead, "My servants aren't for sale."
"But you know, you're wasting that boy. Keeping him as a worthless gardener isn't a smart move. Keep him listed as a gardener, but have you thought of turning a real profit on him?"
Ceil, since he hadn't had dinner for Finny's sake, tore into the quiche and tomato juice Sebastian had just placed in front of him for breakfast. He kept a smile off his face. This was the "in" he hadn't been expecting. "How is that? How would I make money off of Finnian?" he asked flatly, needing the man to confess what he was doing.
The man gave a chuckle and said, "Since you're young, I'll explain. There are a lot of men that would want to share a bed with that servant of yours. They'd pay good money for it, and I could arrange dates for him for a small fee, which I'll wave. Mostly, they're people in the insurance industry."
"I make plenty from Funtom. Why would a want my gardener pawed over for pocket change?"
Sir Garner chuckled. "He's just a servant, after all, so it's really no big deal."
Ceil fought to keep his face neutral. He had to trap the man, not spit in his face like he wanted to do. "Why would you wave the fee to arrange dates for Finnian? Would he be such a prize?"
The man took a sip of his morning tea Sebastian had just poured and said, "I want him. Let me have free access to him when I want, and I'll make sure you turn a profit on him. If you won't sell him, then lets compromise. No need to be so greedy with him. I'll train him to like it, and I'll make sure he won't complain."
Ceil scowled and wanted to throw his hot tea in the man's face. To let this cretin paw any of his servants would be a serious stain on the Phantomhive honor. Ceil took a deep breath through gritted teeth; his own experience would never let him submit another person to that sort of thing willingly. But to play along with this man would trap him.
"Fine. You may have Finny. But only...," Ceil said with a firm tone and finger in the air, "...after I see you've arranged dates for him over the next month with prices set. I want a list because I won't be cheated. How much for each date?"
"It depends on what I can get him to do. If he's teachable, the more money you can have. But," then the man took on a nasty smile, "if he wants to be naughty and rebel, I have those types of clients, too. They do pay the best."
"Line both types up. Finnian will do whatever is required. Sorry I was so short with you earlier. I guess we can agree."
"So... may I see him tonight?" Lord Garner asked in ill-concealed lust.
"No, he's being punished today. The last night you're here, you may try to claim him. Sebastian..." Ceil stopped his order for more tea, realizing his butler was gone. Now the butler was gathering evidence against this slime.
Ceil smirked. There was no way this jerk was going to take Finny's innocence. Ceil would run the man through with a sword before that would happened. Finnian had the right to give such a precious gift to someone he fell in love with, considering what he had suffered and been twisted into, he at least deserved that dignity.
Ceil then said, "Lets go for a walk." Garner agreed and Ceil spent the part of the day waiting on Sebastian to come back with evidence.
"Nothing out of the ordinary in his home, but I wouldn't figure he'd keep his victims there," Sebastian said.
"He's pretty blatant," Ceil frowned up at his butler. "I want him dealt with before this weekend is over. We just have to find any children he may still have and get them home."
"Yes, my lord."
"Mister Sebastian!" Mey-rin called out and ran into west parlor. The toe of her shoe caught the edge of the carpet and she stumbled right into the butler. She had a piece of paper she was waving around furiously.
Sebastian caught her and plucked the paper from her hand. He gently set the maid down on the carpet. "I watched him making a list and wrote down what he was writing. He didn't suspect anything. I was in my room and I watched as he sat on the patio below."
"Impressive work, Mey-rin. You may proceed with your duties," Sebastian said. The maid jumped up with a bright smile.
"Yes, Sir," Mey-rin said and then raced from the parlor.
"Where is Sir Garner?" Sebastian asked.
"Looking over Funtom's new product lines with Tanaka," Ceil replied. "What is it anyway?"
"It looks like the list you demanded of him. There are names of several prominent people and prices. I assume these are to be Finny's dates."
"Then that's where you'll start looking after lunch. I'm sure this wouldn't be the first time these men had done this sort of thing. Still," Ceil's frowned deepened, "just to hand over a list like this to the queen's watchdog is very suspicious. Keep your eyes open."
"Yes, my lord."
Finny was shivering under several linsey-wollsy blankets. The wine cellar was chilly, however he was shivering because of the memories. This was too much like the place he had been held. There was little to do in here, so he decided to rest a little, but his stomach was starting to growl, now. Bard would tease him about eating more than a whole unit of army men.
The door unlocked and he gave off a startled scream, hiding his head under the blankets. He didn't stop shaking until he heard, "It's me, Sebastian."
Finny took a couple of deep, calming breaths and poked his head out. The cart was laden with all sorts of treats: pies, both sweet and savory, pudding, and mint tea, Finny's favorite.
"Thank you so much, Mister Sebastian!" He said in glee before attacking his lunch.
"Your healthy appetite never ceases to amaze me," Sebastian said with a pleased smile.
"So, how are things going?"
"Fine. Sir Garner will buy some Funtom products for his stores."
"Good! I'm glad Master Ceil made the sale." Finny's heart then started pounding and his face flushed. He couldn't quite meet those crimson eyes any more. "Is Master Ceil still angry with me?"
"No. His temper runs hot, but it flames out quickly," Sebastian explained. "He was nervous about your safety."
"I didn't mean to worry him," Finny said, sniffing back some tears. To think of someone worrying about his safety made him feel so strange. His stomach just kept flopping, his pulse racing, and sweat pouring down his face. "I feel kind of funny all of the sudden."
Sebastian laid a hand on Finny's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "It's fine to experience emotions, but controlling them is something you should concentrate more on. You're growing into a young man now. Here," he handed him a copy of the latest The Rowdy Earl book and said, "entertain yourself."
"The Rowdy Earl! I love The Rowdy Earl!" He chuckled and snuggled the book. "You know he reminds me a lot of Master Ceil, but don't tell him I said that!"
Sebastian smiled and said, "It'll be our secret. I have to go, now. The young master wants me to run some errands, but I'll bring you dinner."
"Okay."
Sebastian left and Finny turned on two more lamps so he could read. He snuggled into his pallet and cracked open the book, delighted to read the adventures of the fictitious Rowdy Earl that disguised himself as a masked Highwayman to serve out justice at midnight.
Master Ceil had impressed on Finny how important it was for a hero to keep secrets from villains. If the villains attacked, he was to attack back with everything in him. Other than that, he was to remain disguised like The Rowdy Earl.
He was a slow reader, but he had managed a fourth of the book by the time he heard a click of the door lock. He sat up and as the door swung open and asked, "Mister Sebastian? Is it dinner time?"
Sir Garner's face became clear as he stepped into the lamplight. Finny gasped, surprised to see the man's brown eyes. There was something in them making him nervous. Still, he was in so much trouble with Master Ceil he had to treat this man with a lot of respect and do everything he requested.
"Sir Garner? Is there something I can help you with? Were you looking for some wine? I can try to find what you want." He put on a bright smile so the man wouldn't feel slighted by a Phantomhive servant in the least.
"I want something from you, but it isn't wine," Sir Garner said, kneeling by the pallet, a strange looking, gold key dangling from his fingertips.
Finny kept very still, too afraid he'd accidentally harm this man with his strength. He really didn't want any more trouble. "Your master made a deal with me."
"What deal?" Finny asked as his turquoise eyes went wide in bafflement.
"He's going to let me hire you." The man smiled in an attempt to calm Finny as he tucked away the gold key in his jacket pocket. The man then caressed Finny's cheek. Finny started trembling in shock. This didn't feel good in the least. There was a tightness in his chest and he just wanted to run.
"I'm supposed to be your gardener now?" He still wanted to work for Master Ceil. The idea that Master Ceil would cast him off hurt so deeply. He did everything he knew to do. Maybe Earl Phantomhive was sick of all his screw ups, and Sebastian was just trying to soften the blow with a nice lunch? Hot trickles of tears ran down his checks. Garner cupped his chin and started rubbing the tears away with his thumb.
"Don't worry. I'll make you very happy," Garner said in a husky whisper.
"I don't believe Master Ceil would just toss me out!" Finny wailed pitiful, breaking free of the man's grasp on his chin.
A piece of paper was put in front of Finny's nose that stilled his oncoming tantrum. "He said he was looking to sell you because you're lousy. He gave me a list of names he was looking to sell you off to. I wrote them down in case you didn't believe me." The man looked at the paper and smirked. "The first named he suggested was Count Trancy. Not a pleasant old goat to deal with if you're a young, tender boy. That spider would devour a little moth like you rather than treat you well. You're better off with me. Besides, you've bitterly disappointed the Earl, and you'll keep embarrassing the Phantomhive household." The man gave a sly smile. "Ich habe die perfekte Arbeit für dich. Verstehen mich?"
Finny started panicking and nodded. Hearing that language, German, always made him shiver. It was what those men that experimented on him spoke. Sir Garner nodded and said, "Sehr gut, ich dachte, du Deutsch verstanden."
What kind of work did Sir Garner have for him? Was Master Ceil angry enough to cast him away? It seemed so. The man yanked him up by the wrist and started tugging him towards the door. He had wanted out of the wine cellar so badly, but now all he wanted to do was stay!
Finny wanted the man to let go of him so badly. Now more tears flowed. This man scared him to death, but what was he to do? Wasn't he to be Master Ceil's pawn? Wasn't he supposed to obey and do as he was told? If Master Ceil sold him, he was to go.
"Finnian, is it?" the man asked, with a slow smile. He nodded, his throat choked up. "Good. You're to come with me, now." The man put his hand on Finny's shoulder and applied only the slightest pressure. "Now you call me Master Dean. Earl Phantomhive tossed you away. Verstehen mich?"
Finny nodded and let the man yank him out of the wine cellar and across the lawn where a carriage waited. Garner pushed Finny into the carriage and gave the orders to the driver, "Take him to my home and chain him to my bed." He chortled. "Make sure this little one is welcome and prepared for me when I come home tonight. I'm sick of dealing with that Phantomhive brat, and I got what I wanted."
"Yes, Sir!" the coachman answered and slapped down the reigns on the horses. Finny started to panic horribly. He looked out the window and bit his bottom lip as the Phantomhive mansion shrank in the distance. All he could do was ball up on the floorboard and sob, terrified about what was to come. He was just so confused.
To be continued.
A/N: I used "du" because Finny is still too young to be addressed as "sie" in German. I haven't used German in a while so forgive my rust.
Ich habe die perfekte Arbeit für dich. Verstehen mich? = I have the perfect work for you. Understand me?
Sehr gut, ich dachte, du Deutsch verstanden. =Very good, I figured you understand German.
Verstehen mich? = Understand me?