Then arrangements had to be made for the journey back to England. Lex was now a returning Nabob, a man of wealth and status. He booked a passage on the Belvedere, a ship of 988tons, that had already made a couple of round trips from England to India. It had three decks, an overall length of just under 151feet, and a breadth of 39feet. Her captain was Charles Christie. . No more would he be crowded into a small cabin with five young clerks of the company. He booked a more spacious cabin for himself and his companions. He thought eyebrows might be raised in some quarters; but he was sufficiently sure of himself to be brazen in the face of that eventuality. The cabin was spacious by late eighteenth century standards, but tiny and cramped by twenty-first century standards.
A month after their arrival in Calcutta, Lex, Sahl and Mohi embarked. It was very early morning when the Belvedere cast off and began to drift down the Hoogly River. It was the first time Sahl and Mohi had seen such a wide river, and the three men stood with the other passengers watching the shore line drift past. Then much later in the day they reached the open sea of the Bay of Bengal. There was a gentle swell, which had an immediate effect of Sahl who was soon feeding the fishes with the contents of his stomach. Mohi found the movement exhilarating.
Their cabin was small by later standards. There were two narrow bunks, and a hammock was fitted up at night for one of them to sleep in. The bunks were certainly too narrow for any comfortable closeness of an intimate nature. Mohi made the first move to overcome the difficulty. Sahl was still feeling miserable on one of the bunks. Lex was getting undressed. He had removed his britches, when Mohi grabbed him round the waist and pushed his face between Lex's buttocks. "I wish to push my hard lund in your wonderful gand."
"You certainly won't get it asking in Bengali. Ask properly in English."
Mohi replied in halting English. "I want...... my pizzle.... in arse hole you."
"Well done. But don't use any of those words when there are others around. Go on then, get me ready."
Mohi used his spit to prepare Lex, and soon Lex was leaning against the bunk while Mohi thrust away.
When Sahl saw what they were doing, he moaned and turned his face to the bulkhead. "I don't know how you can do that while we are pitching up and down."
"Don't worry, Sahl, in a couple of days you will be used to it, and you'll be joining in."
That proved to be so. Though Lex was now nearly thirty seven, with Sahl slightly older and Mohi slightly younger, they were all eager to enjoy each other. It was only in the most violent storms, or the greatest sultry heat of the equator that a day went by with out two if not three of them enjoying each other.
"We must keep our pizzles up," proclaimed Mohi. "If we don't use them, they will wither away and drop off."
"And where did you hear that?" asked Sahl.
"From my special sex guru," added Mohi with a laugh. "He teach me many things."
The first real test for Sahl and Mohi came when the Captain, Charles Christie invited Lex and his companions to join him for dinner in his cabin. Lex had been instructing the two on table manners, and had got them using European cutlery. They were not yet adept. Sahl was scared stiff, but Mohi rose to the occasion. He was almost the life and soul of the party. His broken English was barely intelligible, but he had the Captain and other guests in fits of laughter. The whole meal was an ordeal for Lex and Sahl as they were both fearful he would say or do something that would be disastrous. He did not. The other two returned to their cabin nervous wrecks; but Mohi strode in. "And now I want to fuck at least one of you, if not both. Who's it to be first?"
"Mohi," said Lex and Sahl in unison. "We're exhausted."
"How can you be. All you've done this evening is sit and eat. Both of you hardly said a word all the evening. I had to keep the talking going."
"Yes, my dear friend," said Lex. "And you did very well. But poor old Sahl and I were so worried that you would put your foot in it."
"Foot in it! I do not understand?"
Lex put his arms round Mohi. "Give me a few minutes to recover, and I will see what I can do."
Mohi undid his britches, and used his hands to bring his prick to hardness.
"I am ready for you now."
They had only been three or four days out of Calcutta when Mohi had a quiet word with Lex. "All these men on board! No women at all. How do they manage?" The look on Mohi's face told what he was thinking about.
"On the ship I came out on the Captain had a very attractive young cabin boy Every night while we were at sea the boy spent with the Captain. I was told that the Captain's pizzle went up the boy's arse, and then he would go to sleep sucking the boy's pizzle. I was told he would do it until the Captain found his mouth filled with the lad's juice. Then the Captain would find another boy."
"The Captain only liked them young?"
"Yes."
"Some are like that. But what about the sailors. Do they just toss themselves off in their hammocks every night."
"Possibly not."
"Come on, Lex, you know something, why aren't you telling me?
"On the ship coming out there was a place right down in the bottom of the boat, where men went who wanted to be alone togther, or to have a bit of fun."
"Did you go down?"
Lex nodded. "I was very young then."
"I wonder if there is a place on this ship."
"Be careful, Mohi. Remember Sahl and I have first claim on you, and we don't want a drop wasted on someone other than one of us."
Mohi grinned.
The next day he came up to Lex. "There is somewhere down below on this ship. I got one of the sailors to tell me. But he warned me about going down there. They may not like an Indian, and a respectable passenger going down there. But I got him to tell me what went on. Quite a lot, sounds interesting."
Though he was very tempted Mohi did not go to the place down below.
There were no crossing the equator celebrations as all except Sahl and Mohi had already crossed it at least once. British arrogance did not see them meriting a special visit from Father Neptune!
When they were rounding the Cape of Good Hope they ran into a considerable storm. Sahl got into his bunk and cowered in fear. Lex remained in the cabin with him, trying to help him deal with his fear. Mohi remained on deck enjoying the wind and rain until he was firmly ordered below by Captain Christie.
Lex had found the voyage out to India long, the return seemed even longer. They were nearly three weeks in Cape Town, where some minor repairs had to be done after the storm when they were rounding the Cape. The ship also had to re-victualled. Lex rented a small house for them, and they enjoyed stretching their legs. There was also a bed that could sleep two of them, and enable the three of them to have full enjoyment of each other.
"How will we be sleeping in England?" asked Sahl.
"I shall try to get the three of us in rooms near to each other, so we can come and go easily. I have been thinking. I shall probably build an extension on to the Hall, if my nephew will let me. Then we can live in that, and get up to what we like, and when he marries he won't want to have three old men to cater for."
"I know what I want to get up to," said Mohi, "though I don't like the idea of being an old man."
Their English slowly improved on the voyage.
They had a lengthy passage of the doldrums, and Lex grew increasingly impatient, and irritable. This was very rare for him, but it meant that Sahl and Mohi saw another side of him, and for several days tried to keep out of his way.
Eventually the Trade Winds picked up, and soon the Belvedere was bowling along with all her sails set and the wind behind her.
It was late one August evening with the sun declining in the West that they caught sight of the Lizard low on the port side. It was their first sighting of England. It took them two days to sail up the Channel, days of west wind, and heavy showers. Through the rain they had glimpses of Portland Bill, the Isle of Wight. In the moonlight they saw the white cliffs of Dover over to their left. They turned north, and then west ready to sail up the Thames. It was then they had problems. The wind remained in the west, and they could only proceed when the tide was flowing strongly to help. It took another two days. Just before at midday on the third day they crept past the white buildings of Greenwich and in the far distance caught a sight of the dome of St Paul's. It was early evening when they finally docked. It was too late to find somewhere to stay that night, so they stayed on board.
Early the next morning, with much shouting and activity on board, they made their farewells. All their luggage on the Belvedere was unloaded. Lex had gone ashore, and found accommodation for the three of them in the inn where he had stayed with Ralph Tooley on his last night in England.
Sahl and Mohi were all eyes and wonderment at the sights, sounds and smells that greeted them. London was then the busiest port in the world. It was fast becoming a centre of world trade. One of the first things Lex did was to take his two friends into St Paul's Cathedral. It was the first time they had been into a Christian church. They were filled with awe, but asked where the gods were, as there were no statues of gods, or indeed of God, in the building. Lex found himself trying to give them a lesson in an aspect of Christian theology, it was the first time that he had given really serious thought to such matters since he had departed those shores about twenty years before.
They spent a week in London, as there was much to be done. A tailor had to be visited because Sahl and Mohi would need English clothes, and warmer clothes than those they had brought from India. Lex went to the lawyers, Ward, in Limeburner Street. He learnt they were still lawyers to the Penbarton family, and that Georgina had died two months before his letter had arrived. He was saddened at that news, as he so much wished she had been able to read his letter. He had hoped that they would be able to speak together.
Lex also visited the offices of the East India Company. He was lavishly entertained, as being seen to have done a good job as Resident. While at the Company headquarters in Leadenhall Street , he made some enquiries about diamond merchants in the City. He was recommended to see a Mr Jacobsohn, in Hatton Garden. He's a Jew, originally from Holland, but thoroughly honest and reliable'. Lex wondered whether the but' referred to his religious ancestry or original Dutch nationality.
Lex visited Mr Jacobsohn. His eyes lit up when he saw the uncut diamonds. "So many." He put a magnifying glass to his eye, and examined each diamond slowly. This took him well over half an hour. Lex sat patiently.
At length Mr Jacobsohn looked up. "After only a cursory examination of each stone I can see they are of finest quality. May I ask from where they originate."
"Landerabad, in India."
"Ah, yes. I wondered if that were so. I have seen a few before from there. They are excellent. I hardly need to tell you Sir Alexander that these make you an exceedingly wealthy man." He paused, and looked at Lex. "May I give you some advice. "Use them like money in the bank. When you want some money we can cut one of the diamonds. Cut and polished they are worth a great deal more than uncut, as you well know. Unless diamonds are found in profusion in Bethnal Green these will only appreciate in value."
"Where do I keep them safe?"
"Gentlemen returning from India like you often leave their uncut diamonds with me. I have a store room as safe as any bank. They will be locked away, and only you will have access. I will not. When you want some money you come and see me. We will select one of these uncut diamonds and then cut and do what is necessary. The only drawback is that it will take time. I am not like a bank. You cannot come and ask for the full value on demand. Such gems deserve and demand the best. I like to think carefully about a diamond such as these for a week or two before beginning to cut."
They talked further, before Lex said, "Mr Jacobsohn, I will take your advise. You have been strongly recommended to me by the Company."
Mr Jacobsohn bowed slightly.
"There is however something else I would like to show you." Lex brought the ornate box out of a pocket. He opened it, inside were the two ear rings that Kainshka had given Lex on his death bed. He pushed the box towards the diamond merchant. "What of these?"
Mr Jacobsohn's eyes lit up. He took one of ear-rings out of the box and examined it closely. Again the eye piece was fastened to his eye, and the diamond examined. "This is, of course, an Indian setting, and an Indian craftsman has cut this diamond. Such is not the fashion in Europe, and I believe our cutting now excels that of the Indians. Our diamonds have more sparkle, and we are improving all the time. We have still so much to learn about such stones. But these are beautiful. Were they are gift?"
"Yes, from Kainshka, Rajah of Landerabad on his death bed."
"He must have thought much of you, to give you such a king's ransom. Such a jewel would have an honoured place among the crown jewels of His Majesty King George that are kept in the Tower of London. Thank you for showing me this jewel, I may well not see another equal to it for many years."
"He was a very good and dear friend." Lex's eyes moistened.
"I hope you have a beautiful wife to wear such a jewel."
"No I'm not married."
"May you find a beautiful wife."
Lex just smiled.
It was early on a wet August morning when Lex and his two companions left London on their way to Whitgest. When they got to open country north of Camden Town the clouds began to break up, and everywhere looked fresh and sparkling. Sahl and Mohi were all eyes, for this was the first time they had ventured into the English countryside. They were full of questions.
They stopped for something to eat in Chipping Barnet. Then they continued north to Hatfield, and then off the Great North Road on to the lesser roads and tracks that lead to Whitgest. As the day progressed the sun shone strongly, and they were soon very warm in the August heat. It was very late afternoon when the sun was beginning to go down, and the shadows starting to lengthen that they topped the rise that gave them the first view of Whitgest Hall. It was the point where twenty years before Lex had turned for what he thought would be his last look at his ancestral home. The trees in the long avenue that had been planted by his father were now bigger, and approaching maturity. But it would be another twenty years or more before they would look as Sir Edward had intended when he had them planted.
They stopped.
"That is my home at the end of this avenue of trees." The red brick house, built about an hundred years before in the reign of William and Mary, sat peacefully in that summer scene. Though he had given the matter some serious thought, both back in India and later when they were in London, Lex had decided not to give any notice of his home coming. He wondered how things would go when he turned up at the door.
They rode down into the valley in silence, Sahl and Mohi dropping a few places behind. Then up the other side to the hill on which the Hall stood.
They slowly rode up to the front of the Hall. The main door was wide open, no doubt to let some cooling breeze blow through the house. They dismounted, and Lex handed the reins of his horse to Mohi. He went up the five steps to the main door, and could see through the house to the garden door on the far side. A door opened and a maid came out of the dining room carrying a tray full of used crockery and cutlery. She turned to see who was standing in the front door way, screamed aloud, and dropped the tray which fell to the floor breaking many of the plates on it. She stood there with her hands at her mouth as though she had seen a ghost. Or was she astonished at seeing two dark skinned men standing behind Lex.
Almost immediately the voice of Simcox, the butler, came from the dining room. It was an older voice now, but still recognisable to Lex after all these years. Lex remembered the rather officious delight Simcox had taken in his dealings with him during those last days before his exile to India.
Simcox came into the hall, now a much older man in his early seventies. "What have you done, you foolish girl? You'll have to pay for that." He looked up and saw Lex still standing in the door way. A fleeting look of surprise crossed his face. "Master Alec?"
"I hardly think I'm still Master Alec, Simcox!"
"Mr Alec."
"No, Simcox, I do not return as Mr Alec, I am come as Sir Alexander. Though you may call me Sir Alec." It was one of the very few occasions when Lex pulled rank to put another down!
Soon a third figure appeared in the doorway of the dining room. Clutching a napkin, Charles had come to investigate. He saw an older image of himself, and a more exact replica of the grandfather who he only knew from the portrait that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining room.
The two men stood for a second looking at each other. "Uncle Alec," said the one. "Charles," said the other. Then they moved towards each, flung arms round each other, and held each other tight.
"Mother said you might come," whispered Charles.
"I came as soon as I could. I'm so sorry I could not have got here sooner and seen her before she died."
They held each other at arms length. "Your father said you took after your grandfather and were like me."
"I'm so glad you've come. I've always wanted to meet you, you have been so much a man of mystery. Uncle Edward never spoke of you, and Father and Mother only did when Uncle Edward and Aunt Caroline were not present." Lex then looked and saw the two Indians standing outside looking in.
"I have brought two special companions with me. Let me introduce you." Lex led Charles through the door and down the steps to where Sahl and Mohi were still holding the horses. "Let me introduce to you Sahl, and Mohi."
The two bowed at Charles, and then they shook hands.
"You are welcome to Whitgest. But you must all be tired. I presume you have come from London today."
"Yes, we left early."
"Simcox, get someone to take care of the horses. They'll want something to eat. Get cook moving. Come on man, don't just stand there!"
Immediately the hall became a scene of feverish activity. Very quickly a young lad appeared to take care of the horses, Lex thought he looked suspiciously like a sprig of Ralph Tooley's. They went into the hall, and negotiated round the maid who was beginning to clear up the debris on the floor. They went into the dining room, where the remains of Charles' meal was being cleared away.
The cook, Mrs Fossett, an ample woman and new to Lex, came in. "I have some cold meats, that I can have before you presently, if you want something cooked it will take longer."
"Cold meat, some bread an butter, and a tankard of ale will suit us fine."
She bobbed a slight curtsy, and withdrew.
Within a few minutes a couple of maids brought in food and drink, and they sat at a corner of the table. Charles sat with them.
"I had hoped you would come back, Uncle Alec. There is so much I want to ask you, especially about India. But first, Mother told me you would probably come back. She said you would come and would help me, with the estate, the house and so on. So I want you to know that this is your home as much as mine."
"Thanks Charles, I will help in whatever way I can. I suppose you would call me a Nabob now. I have no further need to work, and I'll be no financial burden on you."
There was a knock on the door and Simcox entered. He gave a slight bow, "Sir Alec," this was said with a look on his face as though he had eaten a particularly sour gooseberry, "the housekeeper wishes to know if you wish to sleep in your old room?"
"Yes, please, Simcox, if that is not too much trouble. And will you place my friends in rooms as close to mine as possible?"
"Sir." He went out of the room.
It was dark outside when they had finished eating. This had taken a long time as there was so much talking, mainly between Lex and Charles. Mohi however did make one interesting comment. He looked from one to the other, "You know, Lex, Sir Charles, looks exactly like you did when we first spoke to you on our way to Landerabad."
Sahl coughed with embarrassment as he remembered the exact circumstances of their meeting.
"Sahl, Mohi, do not call me Sir Charles. As you are on Christian name terms with my uncle, I'm to be just Charles to you."
They remained talking, still seated at the dining room table until they heard the clock in the stable yard striking twelve. Charles led them up to their rooms. "You don't really need me to show you your own room, Uncle Alec. But this first night I will act the host." One of the rooms allocated to Sahl and Mohi had an interconnecting door with Lex's room. The other room was just beyond. They all wished each other goodnight, and Charles disappeared to his room.
Very quickly Sahl and Mohi appeared in Lex's room.
"Charles is like you," said Mohi.
"A real cub of the old lion," said Sahl.
"You know that. But you are not to say anything that would let that secret out. If any other people knew it would lead to all sorts of problems and difficulties."
They talked about the day for a while, and when Sahl yawned for the fifth time he announced he was going to bed. He gave the other two a hug and a kiss and retired to his room, closing the door.
"Can we have a cuddle?" asked Mohi.
"Yes."
"A proper one, on your bed with nothing on."
"Are you sure you just want a cuddle?" asked Lex with a laugh.
"Yes, just a cuddle." He began taking his clothes off. Lex followed, and the two of them got onto the bed and lay in each others arms.
"I just want to hold you, Lex. I too am tired. But I wanted to say to you, I think we'll all be very happy here. I like your home, and I like Charles. That man Simcox, I'm not so sure about."
Lex laughed. "He always was a pain, especially to me. He rules over the rest of the servants very strictly. But you are a guest, this will become your home. Charles in the real boss, but we will arrange things so that we can do the things we want freely."
"How?"
"I've got some ideas forming in my mind."
"What?"
Lex put a finger on Mohi's lips, then taking his finger away he kissed him. "Thanks for coming back with me." He paused for a moment. "I hope you don't mind me saying this, somehow with the two of you around Kainy is not so far away. You knew him too. I can talk about him with both of you."
"We understand, Lex. Thank you for bringing us to England. I think it is a wonderful place. I think life is going to very interesting and exciting."
"Wait until you don't see the sun for a couple of weeks, and it has been raining for days on end. Then we'll see if you still like England."
They fell asleep in each others arms. Mohi woke after a couple of hours, untangled himself from Lex, and stole back to his room.
The birds had been singing outside for at least a couple of hours when Lex awoke. At first he did not realise where he was. He got out of bed, and began to search through the room to see if anything from his boyhood was still there. He knew that Edward had given what things he had left behind to the `deserving poor of the parish' as Thomas had said in his letter. He hoped that there was something, perhaps some toy from his childhood tucked away in some corner. There was nothing, and he felt very sad. He washed, dressed, and made his way down to the dining room.
The same maid who had dropped the tray the evening before appeared. She stood for a moment with her eyes going from Lex to the portrait of his over the fireplace.
"You think we are alike?"
"I thought you was he. I thought I was seeing a ghost."
Lex laughed and came and stood beneath the picture. "Will Simcox make you pay for what was broken?"
He face fell at the reminder. "I expect so, Sir."
"Don't worry, it was my fault, coming back so unexpectedly. I will sort the matter out."
She bobbed a quick curtsey. "Thank you, Sir. What do you want to eat for your breakfast?"
"I'll have the same as my nephew has."
As she went out of the room, Charles entered. "Did you sleep well, uncle."
"Yes, very well."
Charles stood comparing Lex with the portrait of old Sir Edward. "Yes, you are alike."
At that moment Simcox entered. "Sir Alec, Tooley is in the kitchen, been there since just after dawn. I'm afraid he is wanting to see you. He says he won't move until he has, and the cook says he's cluttering up her kitchen."
Three Empires were clashing in that kitchen. It was more than life in the whole house was worth for Simcox to upset the cook, and he had no jurisdiction over Ralph Tooley. Cook could remove Ralph, but they were often in league against Simcox.
"I'll come at once." Lex strode through to the kitchen. There standing in the middle of the kitchen engaged in friendly banter with the cook stood Ralph Tooley.
"Ralph!"
"Sir!"
"I told you over twenty years ago that as long as young Sir Edward was not within hearing you were to call me Alec or Lex." Lex strode up to Ralph and they flung their arms round each other. Cook looked on and grinned. Simcox looked horrified, and compared Lex's greeting of Ralph, with what had happened the day before.
Ralph looked older. He was now in his late forties. His hair was grey, but there was still the same twinkle in his eye.
"Will you two men get out of my kitchen, or there will be nothing to eat for the rest of the day!" She shooed them out through the kitchen door.
"Do you remember being just here, making single footsteps in the snow?" asked Lex.
"Yes, and much else beside."
"Ralph, how many children have you now?"
"Eight. You saw one of the boys yesterday evening when you arrived."
"I thought he must be one of yours."
Lex put his arms round Ralph's shoulders, and they walked slowly out of the stable yard. They talked, snatches of conversation leading from one thing to the next, in their excitement and joy to be back together. They came to a gate leading into a grassy field, the home paddock it was called. There were several horses grazing. They stood leaning on the gate. Lex's arm still round Ralph's shoulder. They heard a horse's neigh from the far side of the field. An elderly horse began to trot towards them.
"Artie!" shouted Lex, he climbed over the gate and ran towards his horse. They met in the middle of the paddock, and it was difficult to see who was the more pleased to see who. Lex put his arms round Artie's head, and kissed her muzzle. Again there were tears in his eyes.
They both stood there, and Ralph walked slowly across to join them.
"I thought she was dead, Ralph. Often Thomas would mention her in his letters but he said nothing about her in his last few letters. I thought she must have died, and he did not want to tell me because he knew how upset I'd be."
"No. She's fine. You couldn't hunt with her now. She can't gallop. But she can canter for a couple of miles." He patted her, "She's good for a few more years yet."
They were interrupted by shouts from the gate. Charles was coming through the gate with Sahl and Mohi. They all walked towards each other. Lex made the introductions. "These two are my special friends from India, Sahl and Mohi. This is Ralph Tooley who taught me to ride amongst other things."
Mohi grinned as he got the implications of the last statement.
"Is this your horse, Lex?" asked Sahl.
"Yes, this is my Artimis, my Artie. She recognised me after all these years."
"Must like you for some reason," said Mohi,
They all laughed.
Sahl and Mohi proceeded to examine Artie. They examined her mouth, and felt her legs. "She's in good condition. She has been well looked after." said Sahl.
They began to walk back towards the house, Artie followed closely. When the arrived at the gate, she would not be dislodged from keeping her head over Lex's shoulder.
"She wants to be with you, Uncle Lex."
"I think I'll take her out for a little ride."
"Do you want me to saddle her up, Sir?" asked Ralph.
Lex glared at Ralph. "Did I not tell you Ralph Tooley twenty odd years ago that you were only to call me Master, Sir, when my brother Edward is about, I can't see him around."
"I thought with Sir Charles present I ought not to be familiar with you," said Ralph.
"Sir Charles is my nephew, and not my older brother. You can be familiar with me whenever you want."
Ralph hoped he did not blush, and Mohi restrained a giggle with much difficulty.
"And no thanks, Ralph, she's my horse, and I will saddle her up."
Lex saddled up. This was something he had not done since he became Resident at Landerabad, as there was always servants, and usually Sahl or Mohi to do that task. They stood watching intently, and critically. English saddlery was not exactly the same as that used in India. They were slightly puzzled.
Ralph looked on with approval. "You haven't forgotten how to do it."
"You taught me well. As you taught me so many things well in my boyhood."
Mohi had a fit of coughing.
Lex mounted and rode Artie out of the yard. There was a sprightliness in her step, as though she was proud to be carrying Lex on her back again. He rode for half an hour along some of the tracks that he remembered so well from his childhood.
It was about ten days later, when Lex and Charles were alone together on the terrace. It was a wonderful warm summer evening. Sahl and Mohi were in the stables, where they spent a lot of their time, with the new horses Lex had bought for them. These were not like the working horses they had bought in London, but thoroughbred hunters. The two Indians had never thought they would have such magnificent creatures as their own.
Lex and Charles lent against the parapet; much as Lex and Georgina had done on that fateful evening twenty years before.
"So Charles, Thomas wrote several times saying that you were taking after your grandfather."
"In looks?"
"In more than looks."
"So he said."
"I gather you've a liking for the lasses."
"I'll not lie to you Uncle Lex. Yes, I like to go with a lass." Charles was now blushing brightly.
"How many have you made to catch on?"
"Only two so far."
Lex laughed. "Only two so far. You expect more?"
"I hope so. I like going with a lass."
"Did your father make you do your duty towards them in the same way as your grandfather did?"
"Yes, he made me give them a large sum of money."
"Are they happy? Any complaints?"
"No. None. In fact I am getting quite a reputation."
"What for?"
"Being good at it."
"Like your grandfather, you're good at fucking?"
A bright crimson Charles nodded.
"I hope if you marry, your wife is as understanding as my mother was."
"I've got a girl in my sights."
"Oh! Who is she."
"Her name is Adelaide. She's the daughter of Sir William Coverly. They live over St Albans way."
"When will the wedding bells ring out?"
"Not for a while yet. She's only sixteen. Her father will not allow her to become betrothed to me as she's so young. But there's an understanding between us."
"Does she know about your philandering?"
"Yes, I've told her."
"And she still wants you?"
"Yes, very much. We're in love. She's let me...she's let me feel her breasts. But she won't let me go any further until we are married."
"Wise girl. So when does her dad say you can wed."
"We can make our intentions public when she's eighteen, and he says we can marry when she's nineteen."
"Meanwhile you'll continue to sow your wild oats round the parish of Whitgest."
"When I can." He gave Lex a brazen grin.
Lex put an arm round Charles, "As long as you behave honourably towards the lasses concerned, good luck to you."
"Thanks uncle. I was afraid you'd turn out to be like uncle Edward. He would not have approved."
Lex laughed. "You can say that again."
"Uncle Lex, can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Why did you go to India? I gather you went just days before mother and father were wed. Was it a sudden thing? Why did uncle Edward and aunt Caroline never speak about you? I was strictly told by mother and father never so much as to mention your name in the presence of uncle Edward. Did you do something terrible to him?"
"No, not to him, except perhaps to his pride."
"What happened?"
It was now Lex's turn to feel embarrassed at the way the conversation was going. He was afraid of rejection followed by hostility from the younger man.
"I was caught with my britches down."
Charles' mouth opened wide. He still had some of that difficulty of the young in realising and accepting adults engaged, and probably still did engage in sexual activity. "Who was she? A servant girl?"
"No. It was not with a she, but a he. His name was Billy Blackstone. There are still some of his family in the village, I gather. We were up in that old linhay in the top field. We were having a good time, when round the corner of the building came Edward, Caroline, and several of their friends from the County set."
"What happened?"
"What didn't happen. What Billy and I were doing was against the law. Could go to prison if not worse for it. I suppose Edward was good in some ways. Within a few days he had arranged for me to go out to India as a clerk with John Company."
"What happened to Billy Blackstone?"
"I don't know. You may be interested to know he was a half brother of mine."
"One of my grandfather's?"
"Yes."
Charles burst out laughing. "Thanks for telling me. Do you still do it with men?"
Lex nodded. "I'll not be in competition with you."
"Good. I'll have the lasses, you can have the lads." Charles face suddenly became serious. "Sahl and Mohi?"
Lex nodded. "Yes."
Charles gave Lex a hug. "I'm glad all that's in the open. We both know these things about each other. I dreaded you finding out about me."
"How much more I feared you would find out about me."
"I feel so close to you uncle Alec. I feel I can talk with you, as I could never talk to my father. Can I ask another question?"
"As we are revealing these things I suppose you must," said Lex, now rather fearful at what might be asked.
"Have you ever been with a woman?"
Lex nodded.
"Many women?"
Lex shook his head. "No."
Charles looked thoughtfully at Lex, and then spoke very slowly as though considering every word. "We are very much alike. We look alike. We do things the same way. The way you hold a knife, all sorts of little ways. There is the portrait of grandfather in the dining room, and there is you like him, you must be about the age when he was when it was painted. Then there is myself. Mother and father both said how much I was becoming like Alec my uncle out in India." He paused, and continued looking at Lex. Did he dare ask it? "Uncle Lex, are you my father?"
Very softly Lex replied. "Yes, Charles, I will not lie. You are."
Charles face lit up, and he flung his arms round Lex. "I am so glad. It feels so right. I am pleased to be your son."
"I'm proud of you, Charles......my son."
"Can I ask? What happened?"
"It was the last evening before I left for India. Georgina and I were talking out here, on an evening like this. I was sad and fearful. We'd always got on well together. Lot of talk and laughter. It sort of just happened. We went into the gazebo over there, and....... It was the only time I made love to a woman. Now I am more than ever glad it happened because that once made you, my son."
They hugged, and to the surprise of both found themselves kissing.
"I always felt there was something that did not fit with father Thomas. He was a good father. I owe him so much. He loved me, and I loved him. He played with me when I was a kid, when I could get him away from his books. He taught me to read and write. I appreciate all that he taught me. But somehow he did not fully fit. Now he fits perfectly. He was my uncle and not my father. I feel I fit with you. It is as though the missing piece in the puzzle of my life has been found. I now have the family picture."
There was the sound of footsteps and Sahl and Mohi appeared round the corner. Lex and Charles stood with an arm round each other.
"Sahl, Mohi, I want to introduce you to my father, " said Charles.
Lex's heart was filled with pride and delight.
"I'm glad all that's in the open between us." said Mohi.
"And he has told me about the three of you."
"Do you want to join us?" asked Mohi.
"No, Mohi. I'm afraid I'm one for the lasses."
"Pity. I would have liked some fun with you."
This was greeted by a loud cry of "Mohi!" from Lex and Sahl, and laughter from Charles.
The warm sunshine of summer changed into the cooler winds of autumn. The trees changed colour, and dropped their leaves, much to the surprise of Sahl and Mohi.
When the hunting season began Sahl was found to be more cautious, but Mohi was bold, jumping hedges, and when necessary across the Mirran.
Lex spent long hours with Charles, catching up on the years. They began to make plans for the future, for the extension of the Hall, so that Charles and his wife, and Lex and his two companions, would be able to live closely, but not in each others' pockets.
Sahl formed a good friendship with Ralph Tooley. They shared their knowledge of horses, and each came to value the judgement and opinion of the other.
Mohi was the friend of all. He became an especial favourite with the children of the village. He would join in their games, which few adults ever did. He answered their questions, and teased them endlessly. He told them stories of India, of dragons, and monsters, of rich Rajah's and fighting armies. The younger ones listened with open-eyed belief; but as they grew older they began to detect the line between fact and fiction; but that did not stop their enjoyment of his tales.
Soon after his arrival back in England Lex had written to Hugh North telling him the news. There came an invitation for the three of them to visit Hugh's home in Yorkshire. The visit was arranged for May. The three of them set out on the four day journey up the Great North road into Yorkshire. Hugh's home was on the edge of the Dales, an area of dry stone walls, stony streams, and the distant prospect of the moors.
Hugh had returned to England, and bought the estate. His wife was shy of English society, but they were happy. They had five children. Sahl and Mohi were made very welcome, especially by Urmila. Any difference of caste, which would have been an impediment in India, was put on one side.
Lex's party stayed for a month, and in the middle of June began the journey back south. They were about twelve miles out of Stamford when they noticed thunder clouds building up to the west. Soon there were flashes of lightening to be seen in the distance. Then they heard the crashes of thunder as well. They began to hurry. They must have been about eight miles out of Stamford when Lex's horse cast his shoe. It then began to rain. They discussed what to do, and Lex persuaded Sahl and Mohi to go on and find a room at the inn, where they had stayed on the way north. He would walk his horse carefully back to the town. He did not want him to go lame.
Soon Lex was soaked to the skin. He walked on, guiding the horse, avoiding the stoniest and roughest of the road. It was late afternoon when he arrived in Stamford. He enquired about a blacksmith who could see to his horse. He was told where there was a large blacksmith's, that catered for the busy traffic up and down the road. It was a very wet, rather bad tempered, Lex that presented himself at the blacksmith's. A small man who owned the place greeted him. Yes, he could get one of his men to shoe the horse. He led the horse away to where the men were working. There was a great din of iron being struck, and the bellows being worked, and all the usual smells of a blacksmith's.
Lex stood just inside the building, watching the rain begin to ease. Blue sky could be seen off to the west. Typical,' he thought, it fairs up the moment I am under some shelter.'
He began to wander round, keeping out of the way of all the work being done. The man shoeing his horse had his back to him. He could see he was a tall man, with broad shoulders, and grey hair that once was fair. The man lifted the red hot new horse-shoe from the fire with his large tongs, and began to carry it over to the anvil a couple of paces away. He looked up at the man standing against the wall, and opened his mouth in astonishment.
The same emotion was there on Lex's face. They looked at each other, both incapable of believing what they saw. So their next words were a questions. "Billy? Billy Blackstone?" said Lex, and the same time as the blacksmith said, "Lex, Lex Penbarton?"
Bill dropped the horse-shoe and tongs on the floor with a clatter, and took the three or four strides necessary to reach Lex. He held back, because he was conscious of his filthy working clothes. Lex held back because he was still wet through, and beginning to steam because of the heat from the fire.
But it was Lex who moved, flinging his arms round Billy. "Thank God my bloody horse cast his shoe. Otherwise we wouldn't have met."
They pulled apart so that they could look at each other properly. A conversation was just about to start when the master blacksmith came along. "Billy, thou hast work to do......." His voice tailed away. He looked from one to the other. "Are you two related?"
"We're bothers." said Lex.
"Half brothers," added Billy. "I was born the wrong side of the blanket."
"I've always suspected that. But you've got work to do, Billy. Do your family gossiping when you're not working."
"Lex, I live just round the corner. Come and see me this evening. In about two hours time." Billy gave Lex directions.
Two hours later Lex, now in dry clothes and well fed, made his way down a narrow lane. He knocked on the door of what really can only be described as a hovel. It was small, unkempt, and certainly not a cottage. The door quickly opened.
"Come on in, Lex. I know it is not what you're used to. But this is my home."
Lex entered. Two young children, about eight and ten, stood alongside Billy looking at Lex.
"These are my two kids. George, and Charlotte. Say `hello' to Lex."
Lex greeted them, and asked the usual questions an adult asks of children of their age.
"Now, you two. You must go to bed." said Billy. They climbed up a rough ladder that gave access to the room above. As Charlotte's legs disappeared from view, the two men turned their attention to each other.
"Long time, Lex. I never thought I'd see anyone from Whitgest again, let alone you."
"I know. I'd given up hope of even hearing about you. I'm sorry for what happened when we were last together."
Billy shrugged his shoulders. "It weren't your fault. It were both of us. Pity we were interrupted, it were a good time." He smiled at Lex.
"Yes. We had many good times together."
Billy nodded.
"But what happened to you. I know Edward sent you away."
"Next day he came down to my home. Told my folks I'd just been caught doing something for which I could go to prison. You can only avoid that by getting out of this parish today' he said. He gave me some money. Just said, I wish you well, Billy.' But what happened to you, Lex?"
"He went up to London. Got me a post as a clerk to the East India Company. I was on a ship bound for India within a couple of weeks. I was told never to return. But then Edward died, and about two years ago Thomas also died. I have a nephew, Thomas' son. So I decided to come home."
"So how has life been for you?"
"Good, Billy. Very good. And for you?"
Billy opened his arms pointing to the room. "It's been mixed. It were hard for a while. Then I became a blacksmith. Learnt my trade. I'm a good blacksmith, one of the best. I hitched up with a lass. We had a couple of kids." He raised his eyes towards the room above. "Then she died, giving birth. I had a bout of drinking, trying to drown my sorrow. My woman's people looked after them two upstairs. After six months or so, I pulled myself together. Got off the booze. Got me job back, but can only live in this place." he looked round at the bleak poverty-stricken surroundings. "My women's folk look after kids when I'm working. I have them when I'm not, and at night. They are my kids," said Billy proudly. "Did you wed, have any kids?"
"No kids. When we were last together you'd just been with a girl for the first time. I remember you telling me."
Billy nodded as the memory came back to him. "Have you ever been with a woman?"
"Just once."
"Once enough?"
Lex nodded.
Billy smiled. "You still like you was when we was back in Whitgest?"
Again Lex nodded. "I suppose you having had a woman means you are now only go with women? I suppose some woman will have you?"
"I haven't asked any. I soon discovered that for me they were second best." Billy looked at Lex. Billy pointed to a couple of hard benches, and they sat down opposite each other leaning on the table between. "So do you still go with men?"
"Yes. I have two friends. They are with me, here in Stamford."
Billy grinned. "Like that time in the stable loft with Ralph Tooley. The time when it snowed."
Lex laughed. "Something like that."
"What about you?"
"Not very often. Once or twice a year, if I'm lucky. Nowhere to go, where I could be safe."
"And the linhay in the top field wasn't as safe as we thought!"
"Them was good days, Lex. I were happy then."
"You're not happy now?"
"What, in this place? I work hard, but get little for it. I just hope to see me kids grow up to be off me hands."
Lex reached the short distance across the table and held Billy's big rough hands. "Billy, our boyhood fun has spoilt your life. It changed mine, and I have no regrets now about India. I did well out there. Very well. But you. We were good friends in those old days, Billy. I've often thought about you. Every letter from Thomas and I hoped there would be some news of you. I daren't ask, but there never was a word." There was a long silence, full of sad and painful thoughts for Billy; full of active thinking for Lex. "Billy, you say you're a good blacksmith. Is that really true?"
"God's truth, Lex, I'd never lie to you."
"Do you have to stay here in Stamford?"
"Not really. Only my woman's folks."
"Whitgest needs a good blacksmith, Billy."
"'as Bonfield died or something?"
"No, he's still alive. He struggles on. Got the rheumatics in his hands. He said that he wants to give up; but he has no son."
"Good little business that. Village blacksmith."
"What about you becoming the village blacksmith of Whitgest."
"Me? I couldn't pay to buy him out."
"But I could, Billy."
"You can't go throwing you money away setting me up as blacksmith."
"I can, Billy, easily. Do you remember the first time we got together? The day of the cricket match with Bunting?"
"Yes, we went into the bushes at the corner of the field. You fucked me, and then I fucked you."
"Yes, and what did I say when we were done?"
"I've forgotten."
"I said that when I'd made my fortune I'd reward you for that time together. I've come back to England and found you, now I intend to give you that reward. It'd be good to have you back in Whitgest. Since I came back the place has felt sort of not complete without you there."
"But what of my folk there? Is my Mum still alive? I have nought."
"You're Mum is still alive. She's nearly reached her fourscore. She does well. I was talking to her about a month ago. I asked if she'd heard from you. She said, no."
"Me brothers and sisters?"
"They're still there. All with families of their own. Your kids' cousins."
"Where'd I live?"
"Leave that to me."
"But what about my woman's folks."
"Tell them if they want to see their grandkids they can come as well."
"You can't do all that for me!"
"If you don't accept my offer I shall come back to Stamford and before your eyes throw into the River Welland the money that I would spend setting you up in Whitgest."
"You'd be a bloody fool to do that, Lex Penbarton," said Billy with a grin.
"And you, Billy Blackstone, would be an even bloodier fool to turn it down."
They looked at each other and grinned.
"Can I have time to think, and talk it over with my woman's folk?"
"Of course. Two weeks today I'll be back. I'll come with a cart to take you, your kids, your woman's folk, and everything else back to Whtigest."
"I'm thinking we might need the cart."
They looked each other in the eyes, and squeezed hands.
"Tell me about India, Lex."
They sat for a further two hours, catching up on the events of the previous twenty years, and recollecting their times together before that.
"You were the first person to fuck me, Billy."
"So I were. That were the first of many good days we `ad together. I'd like to fuck you again, Lex."
"Do you know, Billy Blackstone, I think I'd like you to do it again."
"Pity can't do it here and now. This is not the place."
"So you'll have to come back to Whitgest."
"That's almost the decider," said Billy with a great laugh.
"I'll have to ask my two friends. But they know about you."
"You've told them?"
"Yes, I told them all about you back in India, and I told them I'd met you just before coming round here."
"India! They Indians?"
"Yes. Very brown Indians."
"They good at it?"
"Very."
Billy sat for a moment in thought. They heard the church clock strike one.
"I must be going."
"And I have work in the morning."
They stood up, look at each other shyly for a moment, and then gave each other a long hug, and several parting kisses.
"Today, has been one of the best days of my life," said Lex.
"I'm certain it were mine."
As Billy stood at the door, Lex heard him muttering to himself, "Village blacksmith!"
One August evening, almost exactly a year after Lex's return to Whitgest, Lex and Charles were leaning against the parapet watching the sun go down. It was much like the evening a year before when they had the significant conversation when Charles discovered that Lex was his father; and also like the evening twenty one years before when Charles had been conceived.
"Are you pleased that you came back home, Father Alec?"
"Oh yes. I've no regrets. I'm pleased that it has worked out so well between the two of us. It could've gone wrong."
"True. But we are sufficiently alike to know how the other one works, and sufficiently different to be of interest to each other."
"That's a very mature observation."
"I'm interested in more than how I can get beneath the nearest dress."
Lex laughed. "I'm glad to hear it."
"Sahl and Mohi have settled into life here very well."
"I know. Sahl has struck a great friendship with Ralph. They'll talk horses all hours of the day and night."
"Is there anything more between them?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like there used to be between you and Ralph."
"How did you know about that? I didn't tell you; and I'm sure Ralph didn't."
"There are just little things the two of you have said when you are together, and the way you look at each other."
"Ralph introduced me to the things you are referring to."
Charles raised his eyebrows in a slight show of surprise. "He was the slightly older boy, who seduced the squire's son?"
"You can say that. I owe a lot to Ralph. He's a good man, and I count him still as a good friend."
"And what about Mohi?"
"Now that's another matter! A couple of months ago Mohi came back from the village with a look on his face. It was part a shamed face, and part the look of a cat that has had a large bowl of cream. Sahl and I looked at him, and then at each other. What have you been up to, Mohi?' asked Sahl. He looked very embarrassed. Billy Blackstone?' I asked. Even under his brown skin I saw that he was blushing. I looked at Sahl. Was it good?' I asked. Mohi grinned. Yes, very. He is a very loving man. He's only sorry, he's never been with you again since you came back from India. Why haven't you, Lex?' I told them, Charles, that it was because of the two of them."
"So Mohi, broke the magic trio of the three of you?" said Charles.
"Yes. We had a long talk about it all. Sahl is happy as long as the three of us are special for each other. Mohi goes with Billy from time to time.....quite often."
Charles laughed, as he knew Mohi well. "And you Father Alec, what about you?"
"I've been with Billy again a few times."
"Sounds good to me."
"And what about you?"
"I had farmer Robinson's daughter in their hay barn the other day. She was all for it, and wants to do it again."
"So another Penbarton side-kick on the way?"
"I hope so. I like seeing my children around in the village."
"You're as bad as your grandfather." Lex gave Charles a playful cuff on his ears.
"So things have come a full circle. Billy and yourself in the linhay being caught at it by uncle Edward. And now from India with two delightful Indian men, you're back at it with Billy!"
"A long journey. Some parts of the story are painful and sad. It was terrible when Edward sent me off to India. I still miss Kainy, he is the number one love of my life. But I'm home. I have good friends, and I have you, my boy. So I reckon life has been good."
That is the end of the story, but there are always those who want to know what happened to....?
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Charles married Adelaide three days after her nineteenth birthday. Lex gave them the diamond ear-rings as a wedding present.
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Charles and Adelaide had many children, and all the children appreciated the three uncles who in effect lived next door. Sahl, with Ralph's help, taught them all to ride. Mohi was just Mohi whenever he was with them there were squeals of laughter. He told them many exciting and amusing bed time stories. Lex introduced the boys to cricket, and played imaginative games with them.
-
The diamond ear-rings remained in the family until late in the Nineteenth Century when they were broken up and used to pay the gambling debts of one of the children!
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Sahl was the first to die, at the age of 77.
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When Lex was eighty two he was found dead one morning in bed, clutching an Indian jar of ointment, the whole room was full of the most wonderful scent.
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Mohi died six weeks after Lex.
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Lex, Sahl and Mohi were buried, at Charles' insistence, in the Penbarton family mausoleum in the churchyard at Whitgest.
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The early twentieth century sequel to this story can be read - Village Blacksmith also in the Historical section.