Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2022 09:32:40 +0000 (GMT)
From: blackscar01 <blackscar01@btinternet.com>
Subject: Operation Pied Piper - Part 113b

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                        *********************

I still hadn't found a good time to hand Forts the letter from the Grand
Duke. Now didn't seem a good time, either. I would hold on to it. Forts
took me aside and said he would have a quick chat with the reporter and
answer a few questions. Then he was going to have Dima show him around, and
Dima could answer any further questions they had. I thought back to what
Athol had said.

"Drageon, are you sure you wish to leave that to Dima?"

He turned to me. "Not you too, first Davy questions my choice of secretary
and now you."

I daren't tell him, most of his closest friends felt that way.

                       **********************

Operation Pied Piper – Part 113b – Desperate to Return


Davy continues the story


Forts had come back to our apartment absolutely buzzing after his meeting
with the bishop. I couldn't quite get my head round it. Even I was more
religious than he was. Yet here he was, studiously looking at the icon he
had been given.

"It looks like the other one, if you ask me."

"Davy, no! They are so different. It's beautiful. It was owned by my
relative, Tsar Alexander II."

I must have glanced skywards.

"Davy, please, I have to do this. I want you to convert to the Orthodox
faith too. We can study and learn together. Bishop Navarofski has offered
one of the priests to help."

I shook my head. "Forts, is he coming to the Castle too then? Or have you
changed your mind about going back?"

"Oh Davy, that is just mere detail. Please say you will."

He grabbed hold of me, his face right in front of mine. "Please Davy."

"Okay, Forts, if that's what you want?"

He smiled, nodding eagerly, then kissed me. "Oh Davy, thank you, thank
you."

*

If I thought things were odd at lunchtime, after his meeting with the
reporter, he was completely different again. He stormed back into our room,
slamming the door behind him.

"Why is it everyone wants me to get married? I am sick fed up of it."

I didn't reply as he came over and hugged me. "It's you I love. Why can't I
just tell them that, so they all leave us alone?"

I hugged him back. "Because we would both end up in prison!"

He pulled away. "There must be somewhere people don't care!"

"Well, it's not in England."

"What I don't understand is, how is it that there are laws against men, but
not women?"

Now I could answer this one. Callum had told me once.

"Oh, that's easy. Queen Victoria didn't think women would ever do such a
'disgusting' thing, so it was removed from the legislation before it became
law."

Forts stopped and looked at me. "Seriously? Queen Victoria didn't think
that women would sleep with each other and have sex?"

I nodded. "Apparently, well, that's what Callum told me."

"Jesus, that's ridiculous."

"Yes, but true. Come on, Forts, let's go for a walk in the garden."

He smiled and nodded. Just as we got to the door, it opened and in came
Marcus. "Mr Milner is here with the photographs for you to see. I have put
him in the garden room again."

Forts looked at me. "Sorry Davy, our walk will have to wait. I forgot, I
told Robert it would be okay for him to come over this afternoon."

I smiled, what else could I do? Someday I would be allowed some time alone
with the one I loved.

*

Bang, Bang, Bang.

"His Imperial Highness, The Gra..."

"Chamberlain, enough. Robert can see who I am. Enough!"

Forts, frustrated, waved him away with a flick of his wrist. He turned and
leant into me. "I am going to have to speak to Dima, I can't stand this. He
is an irritating little man. Maybe I will just let him go."

If the chamberlain had heard Fort's words, and I was pretty sure he must
have, the bow and the smile from him as he stepped back and took up
position in the room near the doors didn't show it. It looked false
though. In fact, I was sure it was! Then again, I had never liked him, or
him me, so maybe I was biased.

"Forts, Davy, great to see you again. I can't wait to show you these. I am
really pleased with how they came out, especially the ones in the garden of
the two of you."

As we got close, Robert shook our hands and hugged us both. "Come on, let
me know what you think?"

The photographs were laid out on several trestle tables, some displayed in
frames. Robert stood to the side, looking apprehensive as Forts and I began
looking them over. I could feel the smile growing on my face. I glanced at
Forts at exactly the same time he looked at me, both of us grinning at each
other. Forts turned to Robert. "These are amazing, thank you!"

Robert was beaming now too, watching us. He made eye contact with me, just
as I was looking at the informal ones he had taken in the garden. "Davy, do
you like them?"

I couldn't speak, I just nodded, the tears rolling down my cheeks. All I
could do was mouth, "Thank you."

Forts wrapped his arm round me. Glancing up, I could see he was glassy eyed
too, he hugged me tightly and kissed my face. "Come here, you soppy
sausage."

Robert came over and joined us. Forts still hugging me, repeated, "Thank
you, thank you, they are just what we wanted."

I nodded too and gave a chuckle, picking up the picture of Forts and
Theodora. "Well, all except this one. You can get rid of that!"

Forts ruffled my hair, nodding. Robert gave a little bow of his head. "I
will get rid of it, don't worry."

We both shook Robert's hand again. Forts adding, "You must stay for
dinner."

Robert nodded.


**


Athol continues the story the following morning.


I was so excited, the king's equerry was true to his word and an advanced
copy of the 'Pathe News' film of the funeral, now nearly a week ago, had
arrived. I had been expecting Forts and Davy to be home shortly after it,
but whenever I spoke to them or Mishcon, there always seemed to be another
delay. They had talked us into staying in Scotland, I was still annoyed for
allowing myself to be talked into agreeing to that, I knew Archie now felt
the same too. I was about to put out a tannoy announcement for Archie, my
finger hovering over the switch, then stopped myself. Hadn't it been me,
just the other day, that said the school day was constantly being
interrupted by drivel over the tannoy system?

I glanced at my watch, where could he be? Probably with the horses, that
was usually Fort's job, but with him away and McPhee struggling, Archie was
helping out. I crossed to the window. Archie and McPhee were walking back
to the Castle across the forecourt. Opening the window, I called
down. "Archie, come straight up. The film of the funeral is here!"

They both waved, and then Archie lifted his arm and sniffed his armpit.

"Athol, I stink, let McPhee and me have a shower and we will both be up."

"Okay, don't be too long. I will get the projector set up."

I had to laugh. Archie and I had long ago spoken and agreed about having an
open relationship. Hey, it worked for us. I knew that McPhee would be
scrubbing his back in the shower. Archie loved a large cock and McPhee's
wasn't much smaller than mine. Now, where was that projector?


**


McPhee continues the story.


I was grateful for Archie's help. It was an added bonus that he was such a
nice, fun guy to be around. Another thing I liked was you always knew where
you stood with Archie. Oh, in the past we had our problems, but he never
held a grudge nor was he vindictive. A real genuine bloke. We were laughing
again as we walked back to the Castle when Athol had called down to us. The
film of the funeral had arrived and he wanted Archie to see it with him.

My heart sank as he called for him to come straight up to his study. My
bloody cock had been at half-mast since we started with the horses. Thank
goodness I wasn't wearing my kilt. The friction on my cockhead would have
been driving me crazy by now. No, boots and Jodhpurs were luckily the dress
of the day, as far as working with the horses was concerned.

*

Archie had seen me adjusting myself a few times as we worked, especially
when he bent over. He had a lovely arse. Finally, he had grinned and
sarcastically said, "You really need to keep that monster more under
control. Try positioning it downwards under your balls when you dress."

I had just grinned back, my hands on my hips, my bulge laying across the
top of my thigh, thrust forward. "If I did that, seeing your lovely arse
bent over every morning, they would have been ripped off by now."

Archie had shrugged his shoulders. Glancing skywards, adding, "Oh well, I
will just have to take care of it for you again then!" Adding "The things I
do! I don't know."

I winked at him, laughing, making the beast throb in the tight white
material. "He seems to like that idea!"

I managed to dodge the lump of horseshit Archie threw at me.

*

As I was saying, as Athol spoke, Archie had made an exaggerated gesture of
sniffing under his armpits and shouted back that we stank and we were going
to shower first. Athol had shouted, "Okay, but don't be too long." Hearing
that, my cock had throbbed in anticipation of what was to come.

Archie had waved as Athol closed the window. His pace increased. "Come on
stud, let's get in the shower and let me help you out with that." We made
our way into the Castle. Archie led me upstairs to his and Athol's room. I
stopped as he closed the door behind us. "Won't he mind? You know, in your
room."

Archie shook his head. "No, much better here than any of the boys seeing
us." He slipped off his riding jacket and pulled his top off over his head,
revealing his slim, muscled chest. He stopped and looked at me. "Come on,
get them off. We are shagging, not making love. I am not going to sexily
strip you!"

Naked Archie vanished into the en-suite, I was a bit delayed, struggling to
get my boots off and then my skin tight Jodhpurs. I opened the shower door,
greeted by his smiling face. "What kept you, I was about to start alone."
He chuckled, glancing down at his erection, which hovered in front of
him. "Get in here!"

I stepped in beside him, he tossed me a cake of soap. "You can soap me up
first, I stink." He sniffed towards me, "Actually I had better do you
first, you smell worse than me."

He turned off the water and lathered up the soap in his hands. "Turn
round." He soaped up my back, his fingers digging into my muscles as he
worked down towards my arse. Soapy fingers slipped between my arse cheeks,
reaching my hole and on to my taint before toying with my hanging
balls. "Turn back round," he gasped.

Now facing him, I took the soap and lathered up his broad, hairy chest, my
fingers teasing his firm nipples as I worked my way down. My hand was soon
gripping his hard cock and his mine. We couldn't stop ourselves and we were
both soon wanking each other's soapy, throbbing cocks. He leaned into me,
pushing his lips hard against mine. His tongue pushing deep into my
mouth. I responded, and soon our tongues were exploring each other's
mouths. My whole body was tingling, he broke our kiss and his mouth went
for my neck and ear. "You are one horny fucker McPhee."

I grinned at him, "You ain't seen nothing yet."

Gripping him round the waist, I turned him to face the shower wall. I
licked his neck and whispered. "You better brace yourself!"  He moaned
back, "Go on, fuck me."  I slipped my hand between his arse cheeks, my
soapy finger finding his hole, I eased it inside him, joining it with a
second and third. His arse muscles gripping my fingers tightly as I worked
them deeper.  His head turned back to me over his shoulder, he gasped,
"Easy does it, tiger! I am not a fucking hand puppet."  Removing my
fingers, I chuckled in his ear, "Are you ready?" His head nodded.

I bent right arm across the top of his shoulders, using it to hold his
chest firmly against the wall. My left hand pulled his hips back on to my
hard cut cock. Once positioned, with my cocklips just inside his hole, I
gripped the base of my shaft and guided in the entire head. He took a deep
breath as his hole stretched to accommodate it. Using my foot, I kicked his
ankles outwards, spreading his legs wider. His arms moved up level with his
shoulders as he braced himself, his palms and fingers spreading out flat
against the wall. I bent my knees slightly before pushing myself deep up
into him with one steady thrust. His fingers curling against the tiles in
time, with his head flying backwards as he groaned.

"Oh fuck McPhee, easy does it, please!"

It felt so good as I got in my stride. I dropped both hands to his hips,
gripping him tightly, slamming him hard back on to my hammering
cock. Unbalanced, his face remained pushed flat against the shower wall.  I
nibbled his ear. "Fuck Archie, you're moaning like a whore."  He chuckled,
"So would you be with a tree branch up your arse."  "Do you want me to
stop, then?"  He didn't reply, just pushed back harder on to me. One of his
hands dropped in front of him, I peered down, he was wanking his cock hard
and fast. I speeded up, obviously upsetting his concentration and rhythm.
"McPhee, please, gently, gently," he gasped.  I continued to hammer his
arse, again his cock was taking a battering, his breathing, now coming in
rapid gasps.  "I'm cumming," he panted.  His arse muscles began to spasm,
gripping and releasing my cock, working the cum from my balls as he
splattered his load over the tiles in front of him. Biting my lip, I
slammed into him faster and deeper, desperately trying to delay the
inevitable, a battle I was soon to lose.  I felt my own balls tightening as
I tipped over the edge, my voice joining his in a half shouted, half
panted.  "Fuck yes, fuck, fuck, Yesssss."  I felt my cock swell deep in his
guts, then I began to spurt. My throbbing cock pumping my load from my taut
balls up my shaft and deep into him.  We both shuddered for what seemed
like ages, before he pulled off my softening cock and turned back to me. I
thought it was all over, but he grabbed me, his hands gripping under my
arse cheeks, he lifted me. I wrapped my legs tightly round his waist as he
pushed me back against the opposite wall of the shower. He forced his
tongue back into my mouth once more. He reached for the tap and suddenly we
were being drenched in water once more. We continued making out with the
water still cascading over us. Several minutes later, pulling our mouths
apart, we were both grinning like idiots at each other. He stopped
supporting me, my legs now firmly back on the ground, he kissed me one last
time.  "Come on, Athol will be looking for us!"  He turned off the water,
and I opened the shower door. Jumping as I felt the sting of wet fingers
slapping my arse.

"Hey, ouch."

He laughed and winked. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself, that tattoo on your
arse cheek is just too good a target."


**


Athol continues the story.


The door opened and Archie and McPhee both came in, now dressed in their
kilts, the two of them closely followed by Count Ouranoff.

"Finally, you two, I was about to send out a search party. Count, a
pleasure, as always, really pleased you could come."

As the Count embraced Athol, Archie gave a little laugh, tilting his head
towards McPhee.

"Sorry. McPhee, here got very dirty in the shower!" Laughing, Archie
slapped his head. "No, that's not right. McPhee was very dirty before the
shower."

I shook my head, grinning. "I am not sure if that's right either!"

With Archie mouthing "He was," and me laughing, McPhee tried hard to look
all innocent, finally giving up and winking. They both knew I had no
problems with them having some fun. Archie and I had no secrets.

"Well, you're here now, Gregor and Landers are just coming along and I will
get the film started."

Archie stooped and picked up the end of one of the cables. "You won't hear
anything unless we plug this in. I don't know! Amateurs."

I gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Great, a volunteer, always better than a
pressed man. I will leave the operating of that infernal machine to you!"

Archie kissed me back, he knew he had been had over. Gregor and Landers
joined us shortly after, one carrying a pot of tea and the other a plate of
biscuits.

"Ooh nice. Good, now we can see the film. Chaps, I hope to show it again at
assembly, so you're getting a preview. Well, here goes."

I pulled the curtains as Gregor passed out cups of tea with a biscuit
propped on the saucer. We all watched in silence as a sequence of numbers
flashed on the screen, from nine to one. Next the Pathe News logo, then a
skyline scene of London, before the terribly proper English voice began.

"Even in war, our great nation honours the dead. With the sad passing of
His Imperial Highness, the Grand Duke Truorwskoy, Romanov, head of the
Romanov family in England, his cousin, the King in company with The Duke of
Kent, and senior members of the Romanov family, were on hand, to lead the
mourners at his funeral. It took place at the capital's Russian Orthodox
Cathedral last week after a short procession through the streets of the
capital."

The film changed to show pictures of the King and his brother arriving at
the start of the procession.

"The King and the Duke of Kent greeted His Imperial Highness, the Grand
Duke Drageon Drageonivanov, Romanov, the new head of the Romanov family in
Britain. Next, they introduced the young Russian Royal to Mr Anthony Eden,
representing the United Kingdom Government... There were warm words of
comfort for her Imperial Highness, the Dowager Grand Duchess Truorwskoy,
the Grand Duke's wife, before the procession formed up and began its slow
march to the Cathedral."

I couldn't contain myself. "There he is. There's Forts! And Dima, look how
smart they are!"

I felt my eyes glassing over, I must have let out a little sob, lucky only
Archie appeared to hear it. He reached for my hand and held it, squeezing
it gently. The commentary continued.

"To the slow steady beat of the bass drums of the Royal Marine Band and the
mournful peel of the Cathedral's Corpse bell, the chief mourners formed up
behind the gun carriage carrying the Grand Duke's body, the coffin draped
in his own Imperial Standard."

I watched in silence, the lump in my throat getting bigger. I should have
been there, supporting my son. My mind flashed back to me, not much older
than Forts was now, walking behind my own father's coffin. How lonely I had
felt. I rummaged in my sporran for my hankie, Archie reached for my hand
again, leaning into me. Whispering "Are you okay?" I blew my nose,
nodding. The Band began the funeral march by Mendelssohn, and the
procession set off. My brave son, staring stoically ahead as he walked next
to the King, with Dima on his other side.

"As the procession approaches the soldiers stand head bowed in respect and
rifles pointing downwards... At the called order, they come to attention,
saluting, as the procession passes."

The film continued following the procession, cutting between showing the
people lining the streets, their heads respectfully bowed, to showing the
King and Forts. As the Band changed to playing Chopin's funeral march, I
was convinced I heard someone shouting "Prince Drageon". The camera
happened to be on Forts face, he glanced at Dima, questioningly, but Dima
just stared ahead. Moments later we heard a few shouts, the film then cut
and moved to them all arriving at the Cathedral. The commentary continuing.

"The head of the Orthodox Church in London, His Eminence Bishop Navarofski,
greets the King and the Grand Duke Drageonivanov Romanov at the doors of
the Cathedral."

We watched in silence as the coffin was carried to a position in front of
the ornamental gates to the high altar, through the Nave having passed the
icon stand just inside the doors. The Pallbearers processing slowly to the
haunting notes of an Orthodox chant for the dead. The Band outside had now
stopped playing, but the Corpse bell continued its sombre toll
throughout. As the bishop led the mourners to their seats, the King and
Drageon followed, the Dowager Grand Duchess, clasping Fort's arm tightly,
as they led the rest of the mourners.

With that, the cameras broke away. The last words of the commentary sprung
from our solitary speaker.

"Once again, we have shown that despite the war, we can show the proper
respect to our dead. Herr Hitler, do your worst."

The film began flickering, the same flashing numbers scrolling across the
screen that we had seen when it started. Archie went to get up, but
hesitated, he squeezed my fingers again. "Are you okay? Shall I put the
lights on?" I nodded, another squeeze, and he crossed to the curtains,
pulling them back, letting the morning light flood into the room.

Gregor came over to me and hugged me, I could see he had been having a
little cry too. "You must be so proud of him. He is an amazing young man."

Before I could answer, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in. Oh, good morning Gary."

"Good morning, I have the papers for you." He faltered. "This one is okay,
but I doubt you or Forts and especially Davy will like these others."

I practically snatched the papers from his grasp. The first was the Times,
a lovely photograph of Forts in his uniform, under the headline, His
Imperial Highness, the Grand Duke Drageon Drageonivanov Romanov, the new
head of the Romanov family in Britain. Beneath the picture was a brief
article, I would read it later. The Sun, the Daily Mirror and the Daily
Express all had the same picture of Forts, but beneath was a picture of
Theodora, and then a picture of the two of them looking lovingly at each
other. I skimmed the Sun's article. My heart sank reading the words
"Romantically involved." I handed them to Archie, sighing as I did. "He
won't be happy about this."

Archie adding. "Nor will Davy."

I noticed that Gary was still holding one more paper. "Which paper is
that?" He shuffled uncomfortably.

"The Daily Worker. You had better look at it, too." He handed it to me.

"Isn't that the Communist paper?"

Gary nodded, his eyes cast to the floor. I staggered as I read the bold
headline under a picture of Forts. "Imperialist Lackey!" The article
beneath poured out bile, all of it aimed at Forts, finishing by calling him
a "Miserable parasite and oppressor of the workers, who when he was gone
like the others, would not be missed." I handed the paper to Archie,
watching as his face changed, he went to speak but no words came
out. Ouranoff took the paper and rapidly scanned it. His face was deadly
serious as he turned to me.

"Athol, this paper is the mouthpiece of Stalin in Moscow. I know how he
operates. This is a coded call for someone to kill Drageon. The Communists
are terrified the Romanovs will return to mother Russia. Who advised
Drageon that this article was a good idea?"

I shook my head. Ouranoff grabbed my arm, his eyes connecting with everyone
in the room in turn.

"Has everyone forgotten? They tried to kill him before!"

God, I had. I snatched up the phone. "Operator, please connect me
immediately long distance to Dryford Manor in Sussex."

I covered the mouthpiece. "Archie, we are heading to London tomorrow,
Count, I would like you to come with us too."

"Hello, is that Dryford Manor? Good, I need to speak to his Imperial
Highness, the Grand Duke Drageonivanov. Who am I? I am his bloody father,
Lord MacDonald, now put me through immediately."


**


Mishcon continues the story


Once more, I was on my way to the manor. I was running later today. Not
only had I wanted to wait for copies of all the day's papers to show Forts
and Davy, additionally, I had finally had the few lines in Russian in the
Grand Dukes' Will translated. The translation informed me that he had a
safe deposit box at Coutts Bank in central London. I had diverted to pick
it up. It was much bigger and heavier than I had imagined it would be. I
had to sit with my feet up on it in the car.

Now, I could present it to Forts along with the Letter and a copy of the
Will. I was feeling rather pleased with myself. I Picked up the first
paper, a smile on my face as I read the Times article and saw the picture,
exactly what was promised. Then I noticed Forts' picture on all the other
papers. They must have syndicated it, but wait, where did they get the
picture of Theodora? And especially the one of them together? My heart
sank.

"Driver, hurry up, put your foot down! Come on, hurry!"

I was shown straight through to Fort's study, the deposit box forgotten for
a moment. I asked the chamberlain to have it brought up. Forts smiled as he
met me, shaking my hand warmly.

"Mishcon, come in and take a seat. Is it okay if Davy joins us again?"

I nodded as he spoke to Dima. "Can you fetch Davy? I can't imagine where he
has got to."

Dima nodded and left the room.

"Sorry Mishcon, I won't be a moment, I have just been told dad is on the
phone, they are just connecting him through."

He turned away and picked up the receiver of the phone on the table next to
him as it began ringing.

"Dad, hello, ... we are good, you?... Yes, of course I can hear
you.... Dad, what is it?"

Forts was all smiles as the door opened and Dima and Davy came in. He
nodded to Davy mouthing, "One minute it's dad."

Fort's expression changed right before my eyes. I watched the colour drain
from his face as he listened to his father. He glanced at Davy, then Dima,
and finally at me, his face becoming more and more serious.

"Dad, you don't need to. I am sure we will be fine."

At that, Davy took a few steps closer to him, mouthing, "Is everything
okay?"

Forts held up his hand. "Hang on."

"Dad, Mishcon has just arrived, you had better speak to him. Yes dad, okay!
We will see you tomorrow. Dima will arrange to have a car pick you up at
the station."

Forts glanced at Dima again, who nodded. He continued speaking to Athol.

"Yes, of course I will. Yes, I promise. Dad, I will put you on to
Mishcon. Yes, I will read them."

Forts handed the phone to me. He snatched up the pile of papers I had
brought with me. His eyes rapidly scanning the front pages. He started
shaking his head, his face getting redder and angrier as I tried to
concentrate on what Athol was saying.

Forts exploded seconds later. Davy stood, horrified. Looking from Forts to
Dima and then to me. Forts held up the paper, shaking it as he screamed at
Dima.

"You did this! I was told not to trust you, but I didn't listen to them!"

Dima stood open-mouthed. "Forts."

"Don't you dare call me Forts, only my friends may do that! From now on,
you address me properly."

Dima stood looking totally shocked. "Your Imperial Highness, but what have
I done?"

"Don't you dare Dima. Only you could have done this!"

Forts threw the paper at him. Dima scrabbling to catch it as it fell apart
in mid-air. Davy couldn't believe his ears or his eyes, he tried to
intercede. "Forts, God, what's the matter? What has he done?"

Forts ignored him and barked at Dima. "Well! Tell him! Tell him what you
have done! Don't just stand there! You make me sick!"

Dima had now seen the picture and scanned the article. He dropped to his
knees. "Your Imperial Highness, I know nothing about this. I would never
have done it."

"Well, they got this from someone here, and you were with them all day!"

I was still holding the telephone receiver to my ear. Trying to listen to
Athol and watch what was happening in the room as it rapidly spiralled out
of control. "Athol, I will have to go, I will phone you back. No, everyone
is okay. Yes, that's Forts shouting. Athol, I will phone you back!"

As I replaced the receiver, Davy tried again. "Forts darling, what is it?"

Forts barked at Dima again, "Give him the paper!"

Dima looked close to a breakdown. Having handed the newspaper to Davy, he
fell forward on his knees until he was practically Kowtowing before
Forts. "Your Imperial Highness. Please. I know nothing about this. I would
never have done it."

Davy saw the picture of Theodora gazing up into Fort's eyes and the
headline, 'Is it marriage bells for the new Grand Duke?' The article
continued, 'after the sadness of the loss of the family's old head, are
wedding bells on the horizon?' Davy swallowed, closing his eyes as he read
the words 'Romantic Involvement.' He couldn't contain his sob any
longer. He reached for the arm of a nearby chair, collapsing into it as he
folded the paper.

It was now or never. I spoke, "Forts! Please, this is achieving
nothing. Please try to calm down."

Forts marched over to me, his finger pointing. "Be quiet! You advised me
this was a good idea, now look at the mess. I am surrounded by idiots!"

I thought for a moment he was going to hit me. A further sob from Davy
silenced him, thankfully directing his attention away from me. He hurried
to Davy's side, putting his hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle
squeeze. Then dropped to his knees, taking Davy's hands in his. "Davy, give
me that rubbish. You know it's not true, please don't get upset. I promise
you, I am going to punish whoever did this!"

Forts took a deep breath and stood. Glaring at Dima once more. "Get up! If
it wasn't you, I know just who it was! Where the bloody hell is she?"

Dima clambered to his feet, his head bowed. "Your Imperial Highness,
Theodora would never have done this."

"I never asked that! I asked where she was?"

Dima shook his head. "In her apartments, I imagine, Your Highness!"

Forts was already marching towards the door, he pointed at me, "You follow
me!" Then stabbing his finger towards Dima, "You stay here until I get
back!"

As we left the room, I could hear Dima speaking to Davy. "Please Davy, I
had nothing to do with this, I promise, on my mother's life. Please tell
him."

*

Without even knocking, Forts pushed open the door to Theodora's apartment,
it banged loudly off the interior wall. She leapt up from the dressing
table. Smiling. oblivious to the whirlwind that was about to strike her.

"Forts, darling, you came to see me, how lovely."

Forts practically growled, "Don't darling me! Was this your doing?" He
threw the paper at her, she winced as she bent to pick it up.

I reached for his arm. "Forts, at least wait to hear what Theodora has to
say."

To be honest, Theodora looked as stunned as Dima had.

"Was what my doing?" She looked totally confused.

Forts marched over to her dressing table, me following. He spotted the gold
photograph frame which now contained the same photograph that was on the
front of the papers. It sat in a place of pride on her dresser. He snatched
it up.

"Forts, what's the matter? What am I supposed to have done?" She pleaded.

"Read this! Did you tell them this?" He prodded the paper she was holding.

Theodora began to read, her face turning white as she did. "Oh my God,
no. It wasn't me Forts, I promise. Oh poor Davy, has he seen this?" She
sounded genuinely concerned.

"What do you think?"

She went to take his arm, he pulled it roughly away.

"Forts, it wasn't me. I promise you." She dropped to her knees as he began
marching for the door. "Forts, I would never hurt you or Davy." Her cry was
actually pitiful to hear. What could I do? I quickly helped Theodora to her
feet, shouting at a passing footman to fetch her mother immediately.

I ran out into the corridor. Forts had been intercepted by Davy, who was
imploring him to calm down. Forts demeanour began to break down. He
staggered into Davy's arms. Pleading with him, he knew nothing about it and
it wasn't true.

Davy glanced at me, shaking his head. "I am going to get him to our
apartment. He has completely lost it. Is Theodora okay?"

"Yes, well, as far as I can see. I have sent for her mother. She is pretty
upset."

"Okay, can you help me get him back to our rooms?"

Together, we supported the now inconsolable Forts back to their rooms. We
got him sat down. Davy turned back to me, "Please, can you stay with us?"

I nodded. Davy sat with his arm round Fort's shoulders, hugging him, both
of them very upset. I took a few deep breaths myself as I steadied my own
nerves. It was hard to imagine the pressure they had both been under, it
had finally blown.

Marcus came running into the room. Immediately, he poured three large
glasses of whisky and brought them over to us. Forts glanced up. He was
broken. With his voice barely a whisper, he said, "Thank you. Oh Marcus,
can you get Dima and Theodora? Ask them to come and see me?" With that he
began to sob, he looked up at Davy. "Oh God, what have I done? They were my
friends."

Davy kissed his cheek and wiped away a tear. "They still are. They know
you're not usually like this."

Forts stared at the carpet. "It was still unforgiveable of me." He turned
to me, "Mishcon, I am sorry for the way I spoke to you. Do you think the
paper's editors would tell you who gave them that story and the pictures?"

I stood. "I certainly know a few of the editors. Let me go and phone them,
see if they will help?"


                        **********************

Folks, I really hope you're enjoying the story. There is nothing more
rewarding than hearing your feedback with observations and
suggestions. Please email me to let me know. Blackscar.

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