This is a love story following the life of two young men who fall in love and have to overcome tragedies in their lives. All the characters are fictional.
Warning - it contains some m/m sex.
The Earl's Son
The following morning, George arrived on the dot of eleven as planned. He too had a chauffeur driven car but his chauffeur was nowhere near as good looking as Nigel. He clearly knew his way around since as soon as George was out of the car he drove round to the garage where no doubt he knew he'd find Nigel for a chat and hopefully a cup of tea.
George warmly shook Julian's hand and placed the other on Julian's arm.
"How are you?" he asked smiling gently, "Stupid question isn't it; you must feel exhausted and still in shock like the rest of us".
Julian nodded as he led George into the sitting room where Robin was standing waiting for them to come in.
"I take it Robin can sit in on this meeting" Julian said indicating for George to sit down opposite to where he and Robin were going to sit.
"Of course he can" George smiled as he shook Robin's hand, "You need all the support you can get at a time like this and I'm sure Robin is the ideal person to do just that".
George had a knack of always saying the right things and making people feel at ease so the three sat down and George opened up his briefcase to pull out a sheaf of official looking papers. He then explained that Julian's father had indeed made provisions for such an eventuality.
"As you will see from this document that your father prepared several years ago, it was his wish that the firm remained in the family rather than being sold off. However, there is no legal requirement for this so you could if you wished sell the business off, sit back and enjoy the rewards of such a transaction."
Julian knew very well that one thing his father did not want was to see the firm sold off unless there was very good reason to do so.
"What is the financial state of the business at present?" Julian asked.
For a moment, George was surprised at being asked such a question but then smiled. Julian was very much like his father and it was just the kind of question he would have asked.
"I'm pleased to say that it is very good at present as you will see from these accounts but you may wish to have them checked out by an independent person.
One thing Julian did know was how to read a balance sheet and understand business accounts so as he flipped through the document now in his hand he quickly realised that what George was saying was correct. He noted that these were the last set of audited accounts and were only two or three months old. George then gave him a set of the accounts to date and they too showed things to be going well.
"So what did my father want to see happen in the event of his death?" Julian asked.
George then passed over the document he'd been holding onto and explained that his father's wish was that George be made Chairman and Julian become a non-Executive Director.
"Your father realised that it was not your wish to become closely involved in the firm but felt this way it would at least provide a family involvement.
"But I know nothing about the business" Julian exclaimed as he read his father's words before him.
George smiled and assured him that he would be given every support and in any event it was only a non-executive position so he would not have to make any major decisions.
"The key thing Julian is that the City sees the firm as being still in the family and not being in turmoil over your father's death. You are now the major shareholder so you ideally need to have a say on the board should it be necessary."
Julian thought for a moment and re-read his father's wishes.
"I presume I could do that with your help George if you're prepared to guide me along."
"It would be my pleasure Julian" George replied although he had a feeling the young man before him would need little guidance from what he'd seen of him over the years".
"What do you think Robin?" Julian asked.
Robin said he thought Julian could undertake what would be required in addition to his other responsibilities. They then discussed these and George gave them some useful ideas and information on how he could organise things.
"It comes down to delegation" George smiled, "You find the right people to delegate to and put in sufficient measures to monitor their performance so you can quickly step in if you need to. With the money you now have at your disposal you should have no problem in finding and retaining the best people."
Having discussed the issue further and agreed to attend a board meeting in three days time, Julian felt more at ease with his new responsibilities.
After lunch when George had left them, Robin and Julian set to and made a list of how they planned to manage things along with the names of those who could assist, plus questions that were still to be decided upon. They agreed that Thomas could manage the house without much problem but someone needed to take over day to day responsibility for the outside areas. Julian had already agreed with his mother that the horses would go, not that anyone blamed his father's horse for what happened, but although he could ride, it wasn't something he was that keen on doing and his mother had given up several years ago. His sister used to ride a pony which was somewhat old now and she too had said she was no longer interested. The three horses would therefore be sold but what would happen to Tim, the stable lad, was yet to be decided.
"Perhaps the Estate Manager could use him" Robin said but Julian had his doubts about that. Although everyone referred to Tim as the stable lad he was in fact in his mid thirties.
It was clear that the Estate Manager should continue with his duties since Julian knew that his father thought highly of him even though he wasn't the easiest of guys to get on with but he knew his job and that was the main thing.
"Our theatre production company is the biggest problem" Julian pondered as he re-read the list Robin had typed up on his laptop, "I can't see having the amount of time that needs" he added.
"Perhaps I could manage the day to day running" Robin replied.
"I need you my love to support me; you know how disorganised I am so I need a good personal assistant; I'd rather have you at my side rather than someone I don't know; you're good at organising things; would you be willing?"
Robin grinned and moved forward to kiss Julian, "Of course I don't mind, I'll do whatever you want".
"Mm!" Julian grinned.
"Yeah, that as well!" Robin responded. They'd not had proper sex for almost two weeks now because Julian had been so depressed.
"I'm sorry my love, I will make it up to you"
"So that's a vacancy as at the moment" Robin said returning to their list.
"Will you mind not doing so much acting? Julian asked wondering whether he was asking too much of the man he loved.
Robin said he wasn't too bothered provided he did some occasional work, especially since there were more radio plays in the pipeline, which he rather enjoyed doing, and the possibility of a TV serial for Channel 4.
Having completed their deliberations and gone through their list of decisions and actions, they decided to start the ball rolling by talking to Thomas. Robin wondered whether they should first tell Julian's mother of their proposals.
"She doesn't seem to be that bothered what I do; all she wants to do is to continue with her painting and her local committee work" Julian replied.
Robin had noted that she spent hours in her studio on the first floor and he had to admit that she was a good artist. She worked mainly in either watercolour or charcoal and had held several exhibitions of her work which mainly consisted of landscapes.
Robin called Thomas on his mobile and asked him to come and see Julian in the study. It was a large room that contained bookshelves and a big old fashioned desk at which Julian's father sat to do his paperwork. He'd not been one to use computers despite Julian trying to persuade him to do so on many occasions to make life simpler but he preferred pen and ink!
Thomas came in and hovered for a moment somewhat concerned as to what he'd been called in for. The other staff had already asked him questions about what was going to happen following the Earl passing away, and he had several of his own too.
Julian invited him to sit down in front of the large desk and smiled.
"Thank you sir" he said as he sat.
"First of all Thomas, there's no need to call me sir when we're on our own, Julian is fine."
"Oh, right sir ...um... Julian"
Julian then went through his proposals and said he very much wanted Thomas to continue managing the house and mentioned that the horses would be sold off.
"What about the outside areas and the garden, who's going to manage those?"
Julian hadn't given that much thought. He knew his father was a keen gardener and supervised the man who came in each week to do what he wanted, even though the Estate Manager was supposed to manage things.
"What do you suggest?" Robin asked sensing that Thomas had some ideas.
"Nigel is a keen gardener and would love to be responsible for the outside areas as well as general maintenance. Since you two are going to live mainly in London his driving duties will be less."
Julian agreed since he would only use the Bentley when he was at Drayton House and his mother preferred to use her own car most of the time.
"As the horses are going" Thomas continued, "Tim could assist Nigel; he's very practical and is interested in cars and gardening".
Julian smiled, it seemed Thomas had it all worked out. "What about Bert?", he asked, although he guessed what the answer would be. Thomas raised his eyebrows, "It's time Bert was retired off; your father only kept him on because he felt sorry for him".
Julian knew that was true. Poor Bert was almost seventy, knew precious little about gardening and was probably more of a hindrance.
"I think you'll find he will be more than happy to retire" Thomas added.
Julian agreed to the proposal put forward by Thomas and suggested they ask Nigel to join them to tell him the good news.
"There's just one other thing" Thomas said looking slightly uncomfortable. Julian and Robin waited for him to continue.
"You are no doubt aware that Nigel and I are a ... couple, so I was wondering if you'd have any objection to ..."
"Him moving in with you?" Julian interjected sensing a hesitancy.
"Um, yes" Thomas grinned somewhat relieved that Julian had picked up on what he was trying to say, "There's plenty of room for us both upstairs and it would mean Tim could use Nigel's flat above he garage".
He continued to explain that Tim currently lived in a tiny bedsit in the village so would appreciate better accommodation. Julian remembered when the old stable block was converted into a garage and workshop and the upstairs converted into a flat for the previous chauffeur. He also remembered being told that Tim occasionally went out with a local girl but mainly kept himself to himself.
"I have no problem with that arrangement" Julian finally replied. Thomas beamed and almost jumped up and kissed him.
"Thanks Julian"
When Nigel heard that he was to be responsible for the house grounds, the garden and general maintenance as well as the cars, he was delighted, especially when he realised he'd have Tim reporting to him as well. Julian said he'd report to him and that he'd require a weekly report from him and Thomas.
"You will of course need to liaise with Thomas on certain items but I doubt you will find that a problem" Julian added with a grin. Nigel turned to Thomas who was sitting beside him, and grinned. Julian then suggested to Thomas that he tell Nigel the other good news. When he'd done so, Nigel took hold of his boyfriend's hand and thanked Julian.
"What mother will say when she finds out, I have no idea" Julian chuckled whilst Thomas went to find Tim, "but who cares".
Tim, on hearing the news that he was going to be working for Nigel was just as excited. He liked horses and he enjoyed working with them but it was time to move on so he had no regrets about them going, and he much preferred Nigel to the Estate Manager. Julian then told him that he could use the flat above the old stables. For a moment Tim thought he'd misheard and looked at Julian and Robin somewhat confused.
"Nigel is moving in with Thomas upstairs" Robin said.
Suddenly the penny dropped and his face lit up. He knew of course that Thomas and Nigel were an item so it all made sense.
"Wow, thanks, that's brilliant" he exclaimed, "Thanks very much".
"Another happy bunny" Robin giggled once Tim had left them smiling from ear to ear.
Julian grinned and said he'd better call John, the Estate Manager to tell him about the horses going and Tim no longer working for him. John seemed to be unfazed by the changes and seemed happy enough that he'd no longer have to concern himself with the grounds of the house or the horses. When told about Tim no longer reporting to him, his response was "He's a conscientious worker but not the brightest so Nigel will have to keep an eye on him". It was agreed that Julian would go and see him the following morning. He had a fair idea about what went on but wanted John to explain in more detail.
"I'd like you to come with me" Julian told Robin when he'd finished the call, "so you can make notes on your trusty laptop!"
"I think you should install a server system on a network" Robin replied, "That way we can login from London and look at the house accounts that Thomas said he kept and the estate accounts that John presumably keeps".
IT was somewhat of a closed book to Julian apart from doing emails and writing letters on his laptop.
"Sounds good to me, perhaps you'd like to look into it and get someone in" he smiled realising more and more that he couldn't cope without Robin who was now adding that to his list of things to do.
Over dinner that evening Julian told his mother what he and Robin had decided regarding their plans for the future and what they'd done so far. She seemed suitably impressed but in reality she wasn't that bothered. She'd always left it to her husband to deal with house and estate things and she certainly wasn't going to get involved now. He then casually mentioned that Nigel was moving in with Thomas upstairs and that Jim would be using the flat above the garage. She raised her eyebrows and made no comment. She knew that Thomas was gay and had noticed him and Nigel together so she wasn't surprised at the news.
"Would you have any objection if I redecorated the study?" he then asked, "I find it somewhat dark and both Robin and I need a desk each so I'd like to move grandad's desk out and get two new ones".
His mother chuckled before answering. It was the only room in the house that she hadn't managed to persuade her husband to let her refurnish and decorate. He had no sense of style or any idea about what went with what so he'd let her handle such matters. But for some reason he wanted to keep the study the same way as his father had it so she gave up saying anything about it in the end.
"It's about time" she replied, "I certainly have no problem with it". She also knew that her son had far more flair for such things than his father. It was one of the few traits he'd got from her side of the family who were all artistic in one way or another.
With that agreed, Julian asked Robin to arrange for a decorator to come in and to look for new office furniture. Robin smiled to himself. He could see he was going to be kept busy in his new role of personal assistant to the Earl!
"You don't mind me passing all these things over to you, do you?" Julian asked Robin after his mother had left the table to return to her rooms upstairs. Robin grinned and moved round to where his love was sitting.
"Not as long as I get my reward!" he giggled as he placed a hand into Julian's crotch.
"You will my love, you will!"
That night in bed, Robin did indeed get his reward and they had a very satisfying session of sex!
The following morning they drove to the estate office using the Land Rover. Robin drove and he rather enjoyed doing so. The Home Farm where John lived and worked was only ten minutes or so by road. The farmhouse was very picturesque with a pretty garden in the front which John's wife took great pride in looking after. John's office was at the back so they walked round the side to save bothering his wife but as it happened she spotted them so she came running out to meet them. She had always had a soft spot for Julian as a child and was pleased to see he'd grown into a handsome young man. She'd been surprised when she found out he was gay but she accepted the fact. John on the other hand felt uncomfortable in Julian's presence knowing this fact but he'd have to get used to it she chuckled now that Julian was his boss.
"Hello Julian, hello Robin" she called out in her cheery manner, "coffee?"
Julian and Robin said they'd love one so she trotted back into the house leaving them to find John in his office.
"Morning John" Julian said on entering the office.
John looked up from his desk and muttered 'morning' back wondering why Robin had come along as well. Sensing the unease, Julian explained that Robin was going to be his PA so he would be in contact with John as much as he would. John grunted and sat back wondering what the young buck wanted from him.
By the time they had finished, he had to admit to himself that both knew what they were talking about since they'd asked a series of searching questions. Robin asked what computer system he used to keep the accounts and said they would be installing a network system so they could monitor things from London. None of this bothered John since he had nothing to hide having always run a tight ship.
"John doesn't have much charm about him, does he?" Robin commented on their way back to the house.
"Not really" Julian chuckled, "but my dad thought highly of him and his management of the Home Farm, and he keeps a close eye on the four tenant farms".
"He didn't seem that bothered about the horses going either"
"No, but he'll find a good home for them you can be sure of that."
As Robin drove along he was thinking what it must be like to ride a horse. He never had and wondered what it was like having an animal that size between your legs and under your control. He was just about to make a comment when Julian's mobile rang. It was Kevin and Julian was saying he'd ring him immediately, whoever `him' was.
"Apparently Craig has just called Kevin to ask if he thought we'd mind if he came to stay with us in London for a while. It seems he's had a bust up with his father."
"I'm sure Kevin won't object" Robin laughed knowing how interested he'd become of Craig in recent weeks.
They were almost home so Julian left the call until they'd arrived. As soon as they'd thrown off their coats in the hall, he went into the study to make the call.
"Hi Craig, I understand you've spoken to Kevin about staying with us in London for a while"
Julian could tell that Craig was upset so asked him what had happened.
"Had a blazing row with my dad" Craig replied.
Julian guessed over what since Craig had mentioned the friction between him and his father on a previous occasion.
"I presume it was over you being gay again was it?"
"Yeah, stupid bigot; for fucks sake I can't help being gay can I."
"I'm sorry Craig, what are you planning to do?"
"I can't stay here any longer so I've got to leave; I've decided to come and live in London but was wondering if you guys would mind if I stayed with you for a while until I sort myself out."
"What about your job?"
"Chucked it" Craig exclaimed, "It was a crap job in any event so have been thinking for some while I need to leave; I told my boss this morning and he said leave immediately; he's just as bad as my dad."
"Hope they're paying you money in lieu of notice" Julian chuckled.
"You bet they are; I made sure I got that out of the stupid fuckers; not that I was planning to work my notice but they didn't know that!"
"So where are you now?"
"Sitting in my bedroom with all my stuff packed up ready to go" Craig said despondently.
"You want us to come and collect you?" Julian replied knowing that Craig didn't have his own transport since he always drove his mother's car when he needed one.
"Would you Julian? That'd be brilliant; don't think I can spend another minute in this house with the bastard."
"Are you on your own? Julian asked as he waved to Robin to come and join him.
"Yeah, dad's gone to work and mum's gone to lunch with one of her friends."
"Does your mum know you're leaving?"
"I think she got the picture at breakfast when the row took place and I stormed up to my room shouting I'm not living here any longer!"
Julian smiled to himself. He could imagine Craig doing and saying that. He then told him that he'd be straight over so should be with him within the half hour. When he ended the call he gave Robin the gist of what had happened and said they would leave immediately. Before they left, they informed Thomas that there'd be another person for lunch.
When they reached Craig's house he was packed and ready to go with all his belongings, or at least all those he wanted to take with him, down in the hallway. The three of them soon had everything packed into the Jaguar and Craig made sure the note he'd written to his mother was clearly visible on the hall table. He didn't think she'd be that surprised and if the truth be known probably relieved since the rowing between him and his dad had progressively got worse over the past few months. He had decided some while ago that he wasn't prepared to pussyfoot around the issue of his sexuality. If his father couldn't accept it or cope with it then that was his problem, not his.
On the way back to Drayton House, Julian explained they would be travelling to London the next morning since Julian had to attend a board meeting at the family firm that afternoon. He'd also sounded Robin out about an idea he'd had regarding Craig's employment in London.
Life was certainly going to change for all of them.
The next part of 'The Earl's Son' will be available shortly.
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See Prolific Authors for a list of other stories by Adam Stewart