Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 15:45:55 +0100
From: Adam Stewart <stewad26@gmail.com>
Subject: The Tangled Web - part 5

This is a gay love story set in the late 60s and early 70s when, despite
the new legislation allowing homosexual acts between two people, it was
still difficult to be open about your sexuality. It is pure fiction and
fantasy and none of the characters portrayed relate to any known person.

Warning - it contains explicit m/m sex.

The Tangled Web

5.

His meeting had gone well with young Mr Stephens and Rupert was pleased
with the result. At least this would now give his sister, John and Isobel
protection should the unthinkable happen to him. He always enjoyed meetings
with the young solicitor and as they drank the tea and ate the chocolate
biscuits that had been kindly provided by his secretary, they had talked
about the problem young Stephens had with trying to keep his own sexuality
from his father. He once again said how envious he was of Rupert and John
and the arrangement they had managed to conclude.

Rupert had ascertained that Stephens first name was Charles and during the
course of the meeting he had suggested to him that they dispense with
titles and call each other by their first names when alone. Charles was
more than happy to do so since he was not that keen on using titles which
his father had always insisted on him using irrespective of how well he
knew the person.

As Rupert walked out of the office he began to think that Charles would
make a good best man for him and John. Neither had any particular person in
mind for the job and using Charles who knew the real reasons for the
marriage might well be the perfect solution.

He hailed a taxi and instructed the driver to take him to Kensington. On
his way, he thought through his strategy for dealing with John's father. He
had only met the old man on two or three previous occasions but from what
John had told him, it was probably not going to be an easy audience.

He arrived at the house and having paid off the taxi, giving the driver a
larger tip that he would normally do so but he was feeling particularly
generous at present, he walked up the path to the front door and rang the
bell. Whilst he waited he looked at the exterior of the building and could
see why John and Isobel were concerned that the house was falling down
round them. It was badly in need of attention and was clearly uncared for.

"Good afternoon Carter" Rupert said as a doddery old man opened the door
and let him in, "Lord John is expecting me."

Having taken Rupert's hat, furled umbrella and attaché case, the butler led
him along to the drawing room where John was waiting.

"Good afternoon Lord Rupert" John said as if they had not met for several
days. This being for the benefit of Carter who John did not trust.

As soon as Carter had left and closed the door behind him, and they could
hear his footsteps down the hallway, John took Rupert into his arms and
kissed him passionately.

Bearing in mind it had only been a few hours since they had last kissed,
Rupert was amused but let his lover do so all the same.

"It is so good to have you in my arms Rupert" John whispered.

"And you my love" Rupert replied.

"The ladies are in the conservatory, but first tell me, how did your
discussion with young Daniel go?"

Rupert said he would give John the full account when they got home later
and in the meantime he suggested they make no mention of Daniel to the
ladies until he was safely in Brylands.

"Good afternoon ladies" Rupert said as John led him into the conservatory
and gave each of them a peck on the cheek.

He had no sooner sat down when Carter wheeled in a trolley with tea and
cakes. Lady Isobel told Carter that they could manage so he could leave
them. Having given her a somewhat distasteful look he left.

"I shall be so glad to get away from that abominable man" Isobel said once
Carter was out of earshot, "I just don't trust him".


When they had finished their tea, John took Rupert upstairs to see his
father. It seemed the old man spent all his time secluded in his rooms and
seldom came downstairs. His excuse being that he could no longer manage
them but John did not believe this to be true. However, both he and his
sister were more than happy not to have the old man around.

"Good afternoon my lord, I trust you are well" Rupert said breezily as he
walked towards a withered looking man sitting in an armchair. John had made
a hasty exit and left Rupert on his own. Since the old man made no attempt
to get up and shake Rupert's hand or even acknowledge his opening remark,
Rupert sat down without being invited to do so in a chair opposite the man.

"And what do you want from me sir" the old man asked grumpily.

Rupert was slightly taken aback at the rudeness of the man and for a moment
just looked at him.

"I in fact do not require anything from you sir; I have come purely to
inform you out of courtesy that your daughter Isobel and I are engaged to
be married."

"My, two marriages within the space of two days; is there something in the
air at present?"

Rupert ignored the remark and continued to inform the old man that the
wedding would take place at Brylands in two months time and that since Lady
Ann was marrying his younger son it would be a double wedding. He also
stated that since his sister Ann wished to remain living in the country
they would all live at Brylands since the house was plenty large enough for
all four of them.

"I take it you would like to attend the ceremony sir" Rupert finally added.

"Very unlikely" the old man replied without any note of congratulation or
interest in his daughter's forthcoming marriage, "she will have to find
someone else to walk her down the aisle".

"Very good sir; I will inform Lady Isobel accordingly" Rupert said as he
stood up and walked straight out without glancing back at the miserable
man.

When he got outside he found John waiting for him on the landing. He looked
enquiringly at Rupert expecting a report on what had happened. Instead
Rupert indicated to him to go back downstairs to join the ladies.

When they were together again and had checked that Carter was not
eavesdropping, Rupert told the others what had taken place.

"The miserable old bugger" Isobel said, "but I am glad he is not attending;
instead I will ask my older brother to give me away since Ann and I have
already decided that his wife would make a good bridesmaid for us."

Rupert checked that they did not want a bridesmaid each but the two ladies
replied that one between them was quite sufficient.

"And what about a best man for you two?" Ann then asked.

Rupert asked John if he had any particular person in mind and when John
stated that he did not, Rupert suggested Charles the solicitor. John agreed
the man would be ideal so Rupert said he would contact him and ask if he
would be willing to perform that duty.

They had just finished discussing these matters when Carter announced that
a taxi had arrived for them. John had ordered one earlier for them to go
and choose rings. Having grabbed their coats, the four of them climbed into
the taxi and instructed the driver to take them to Garrard in Albemarle
Street.

John had earlier called the jewellers to advise them of their visit so when
they arrived they were swept into a private room at the rear where a very
pleasant young man showed them a range of engagement rings.

Once Ann and Isobel had each chosen a ring both of which had a diamond
setting, they looked at wedding bands. The ladies had already decided that
if possible they would both like similar bands, not that the assistant
would realise the significance of this.

Having looked at a variety of trays, they eventually chose two very nice
gold rings. John and Rupert had also discussed the matter of rings and had
decided they did not want to exchange rings at the actual
ceremony. However, they had decided to do so in private afterwards so that
the rings would mean more to them. They therefore chose two similar rings
which the assistant assumed were wedding rings to be exchanged at the
wedding ceremony.

Once the purchases were complete, Rupert and John paid for their respective
rings and since the rings needed to be resized, they arranged for them all
to be delivered to the Regents Park house since John did not want anything
to go to Kensington.

Having satisfactorily completed their task and been congratulated by the
young assistant on their forthcoming nuptials, they returned to
Kensington. On the way home, John explained that he had asked a local
caterer to bring food in for their dinner that evening since Carter was now
too old to produce edible food, especially now that he was on his own
following the removal of the cook for economic reasons.

"He really does produce vile meals" Isobel laughed.

Ann told her that once they were living at Brylands she would be able to
enjoy the excellent meals produced by their Ralph.


By the time they had all prepared themselves for dinner, Carter announced
that 'dinner was served'. They all went into the dining room and were
pleased to see that even though the butler was hopeless at culinary skills,
he was able to lay an excellent table. Once they were all seated he then
served the first course which consisted of a consommé of some sort which
was delicious. The main course was duck with all the necessary trimmings
and that too was excellent. The dessert was a fruit concoction which also
went down well.

Once they had finished the meal, John asked Carter to serve coffee in the
drawing room. As he poured out the four cups, Isobel asked him to send
Rose, her lady's maid, down to see them. She had decided it was time Rose
met Rupert since she would be living under his roof.

Rose arrived and Isobel introduced Rupert to her. The girl appeared young
for her eighteen years but she was very pleasant and said she looked
forward to living at Brylands. Rupert said he was sure she would find the
other staff very sociable and the country air would no doubt be more
agreeable than that of London.

"I shall enjoy serving Lady Isobel and Lady Ann" the girl said in a
somewhat quiet voice. So quiet that Rupert was not sure whether she had
said 'serving' or 'servicing' but either way she seemed genuinely fond of
both Isobel and his sister.


When coffee had been finished, Rupert and John said they would make their
way back to Regents Park. Ann stated that she was staying in Kensington for
a few more days so that she and Isobel could go shopping for wedding
dresses.

When they got home, they found Daniel in bed. He said that Thomas and Robin
had looked after him well and had got to know each other some more.

"And how is your back?" John asked hoping that Daniel would be willing to
show them.

"Feeling better" Daniel smiled, "would you like to have a look?"

Almost before either Rupert or John had replied, he had pushed back the
covers to expose his naked body, turned over and let Rupert and John
inspect his injuries. They both agreed that they were all looking much
better and should be fully healed within a few weeks.

"He will now know that I have left him" Daniel said when he had turned over
onto his back but made no attempt to recover his nakedness.

"He will" Rupert replied but he cannot trace you to here and even if by
some chance he did he is not going to hurt or abuse you again Daniel, I can
assure you of that so do not worry."

"Thank you Rupert" Daniel smiled.

Rupert and John smiled back at him. Before leaving him, Rupert bent over
and kissed Daniel on the lips.

"Tomorrow afternoon we will take you to Brylands so just keep strong and
sleep well" Rupert said.

John then bent over and also gave him a kiss on the lips. As he did so he
could feel a stirring in his loins as he glanced at the young lad's naked
body. He really was beautiful.


"Have you thought out a strategy for dealing with Hallsdown yet Rupert?"
John asked once they were in their own room.

"Partly" Rupert replied.

"Daniel really is an Adonis is he not?" John chuckled.

"Are you falling for him then?"

"It is hard not to, aren't you?"

Rupert nodded but added they needed to take things very slowly with Daniel
before he entered their bed. John nodded in agreement as he undressed for
bed.

"I shall have to be content with you then" John giggled.

"You will my love" Rupert chuckled in reply, "but I am sure we can please
each other sufficiently in the meantime."

"That I have no doubt about" John replied laughing and showing off his own
erection that was now very evident.


Once they were in bed, they made love and Rupert penetrated his lover. This
time he looked into John's eyes as he did so by lifting his legs up high
and slowly thrusting his excited organ into John.

"Ah that always feels so good John" Rupert exclaimed as he slowly thrust in
and out.

John loved the feel of his lover's organ inside him and he knew that Rupert
loved taking him like this. As usual, Rupert managed to maintain the
wonderful feeling for both of them before finally reaching his climax. As
he did so, he was pleasuring John's erection in his hand and whilst he
filled John up inside, John spilt his seed over his chest.

"Oh god that was wonderful" John exclaimed once he had completed his
climax.


The following morning, Thomas had arranged for a builder to attend to
discuss refitting the bathroom on the third floor, redecorating the
bedrooms on that floor and installing a larger bath in the bathroom on the
second floor. The tradesman clearly knew his business and quickly assessed
what was needed and gave some excellent advice. It was left that he would
send Rupert a quotation for the work and once that had been received and
accepted he would be able to commence work within a week or two.

Rupert had also called Jacob and asked him to drive to London to collect
him, John and Daniel, not that he said too much about why Daniel was
joining them. He wanted to deal with that once he had the lad safely
installed at Brylands.

Jacob arrived just before lunch so having introduced him to Thomas and
Robin he joined them for lunch in the kitchen whilst Rupert, John and
Daniel ate theirs in the dining room. Rupert sensed that Daniel was feeling
nervous. He seemed to be expecting Lord Hallsdown to arrive any minute.

"Just relax Daniel" John told him as he put a comforting arm round the lad,
"I know it is hard, but Rupert has done everything to hide your tracks so
Hallsdown is not going to find you that easily if at all."

"Will he not find out who you are from the Green Carnation club?" Daniel
asked nervously.

Rupert explained that the club only knew him and John by an alias and did
not have any address so that was extremely unlikely. Daniel then asked
whether Hallsdown would have recognised Rupert if they had met
before. Rupert explained that Hallsdown had given no indication that he had
recognised him from the other club and in any event the last time they met
there was five or six years ago.

"Hallsdown is not the kind of person who takes much notice of people"
Rupert explained, "apart from the young boys he is abusing and John never
frequented the other club."

Daniel seemed to accept that explanation and settled down to his
luncheon. As they ate, Rupert decided to find out who actually owned the
Green Carnation club and then inform the person concerned about what
Hallsdown got up to with his boys. If it was the person he thought it was,
he knew they would not be at all happy with the appalling behaviour of
Hallsdown and would have him banned from the club.

After lunch, whilst Jacob loaded the car, Rupert made a quick telephone
call. If anyone knew who owned the Green Carnation this person would. As
suspected it was the very person he had thought and he grinned to himself
as he came off the telephone to join the others.

"Good news?" John asked seeing Rupert's pleasure.

"Very good news John; the next step is to arrange a meeting with my very
good friend Jerome; it is just as well we took photographs of Daniel's
injuries when we brought him back here the other night. I take it you would
be willing for those to be used as evidence of Halls' abuse Daniel?"

Daniel thought for a moment and asked whether his name would be
used. Rupert assured him that no name would be given and since the photos
only concentrated on the actual injuries on his back and buttocks, there
was no chance of him being recognised.

"In any event Daniel, I will only show Jerome the pictures but it would be
useful if you could also let me have a written account of other atrocities
that you are personally aware of or have endured."

Daniel said he was happy to do that if it meant the end of Hallsdown.

As they gathered in the hallway, Rupert was amused to see that Jacob was
taking a keen interest in Daniel. Like everyone else, Jacob found Daniel
very attractive and appealing!


The journey back to Brylands was uneventful. Daniel had sat in the front
with Jacob and Rupert noted they chatted on and off during the
journey. Rupert and John sat in the back and every so often placed a hand
on each other's thigh. Rupert felt happy with the way things were
progressing.

Rupert had asked Cecil to prepare one of the spare rooms in the West wing
for Daniel when he had called to arrange for Jacob to drive up to
London. As such when they arrived, Cecil showed Daniel to his room and took
his bags up for him. Rupert joined them and showed Daniel round and where
the bathroom was situated.

"Make yourself at home Daniel and if you need anything just ask" he told
the lad as he placed a comforting arm round Daniel's shoulder.

Daniel immediately nestled his body against Rupert's. He felt safe with
this man, especially now that he was many miles away from the man who would
probably kill him if he was ever found.

"Come down to the drawing room when you are ready to do so" Rupert told
Daniel as he and Cecil made their way back downstairs.

Rupert wanted to explain to all the staff why Daniel was staying with them
and why it was essential that his presence was kept secret. When Rupert
told the four staff about Daniel's ordeal they were all appalled and kept
on saying 'poor Daniel'.

"And do you think sir that you can stop this brute from doing such things
to young guys?" Ralph asked.

Rupert said he was sure he could but it would take time and involve several
lines of action.

"If I ever set eyes on the man" young Joseph blurted out, "I will
personally whip his naked body until it is raw so that he can feel what it
is like".

Everyone chuckled at Joseph's outburst but agreed that Hallsdown deserved
everything that was coming his way.


Back in London, Lord Hallsdown was very angry that his latest addition to
his band of young boys had not turned up at the appointed hour. The boys
that did were unfortunately the butt of his anger and received more
whipping than normal. Hallsdown sent his associate and partner in crime
straight round to Daniel's room only to find the cuckoo had flown. The
landlady told the man that Daniel had been taken very ill and admitted to
hospital but had no idea which one.

Hallsdown tried to ascertain which one but without success. He didn't even
know Daniel's full name and had no means of describing him accurately. All
he had really taken note of was his naked backside! Hallsdown was fairly
certain that Daniel had run away but for the time being had to accept
that. He just hoped that was the last he would hear about the matter and
concentrated on brutalising the other three young boys, the oldest being
fifteen. He liked them young and was prepared to take them as young as
fourteen if necessary. He used every means possible to trick them into
becoming his property for the duration of his pleasure. When he was tired
of them he just threw them out.

"Meanwhile we have three young holes to fuck" he told his associate who had
now returned empty handed.


Having made the staff aware of Daniel's plight and why he would be staying
at Brylands for some weeks if not months to come, Rupert went to find
John. He found him in the garden enjoying the late afternoon sun.

"This really is beautiful" John said as Rupert came up behind him and put
his arms round his waist to pull him close against his body.

"Why don't we explore and see if the gazebo is still inhabitable?" Rupert
whispered into John's ear.

John grinned and felt behind him into Rupert's crotch. He found what he
expected and then went hand in hand with Rupert towards the gazebo. It
looked just the same as it did some five years previous. Rupert opened the
glass door and stepped inside. The mattress they had used the last time
they were here was still rolled up in a corner so Rupert unrolled it and
laid it on the floor where the sun's rays could shine down on them. He then
moved up to John and slowly undressed him. When he was naked, John did the
same to Rupert. They sank onto the mattress which had a slight damp smell
about it but otherwise was comfortable.

"Now isn't this just perfect?" Rupert said gazing into his lover's hazel
eyes.

"Just wonderful" John replied smiling, "I am so going to enjoy living here
with you Rupert and making love whenever we are in the mood."

"I am in the mood now!" Rupert giggled.

John grinned and kissed the man he loved so much.

When they had kissed and felt all over each other's nakedness and their
sexual organs were aching to be serviced, Rupert pulled out of his trouser
pocket a tube of lubrication.

"Always prepared" he giggled as he spread some across John's puckered hole
before gently fingering it.

"Oh my god Rupert, I want you inside me now please" John implored.

Rupert was happy to accede to his lover's request and immediately pushed
his long hard organ into John's welcoming body. The evening sun brushed
across their naked flesh as they lay there and before long it had passed
right by. Rupert completed his mission and brought himself to a climax. He
finally reached his orgasm and his hot seed ejaculated and filled John's
intimate area. It really did feel wonderful.


They eventually walked back to the house but carried their clothes instead
of putting them back on. The act of being able to walk naked across the
grass without fear of being seen by his father or previous members of the
house staff, who he knew were not understanding of his sexuality, made
Rupert feel elated. He led John into the house and up to his room. On their
way they bumped into young Joseph who just grinned at them as he let them
pass by.

"Would you like me to run a bath for you sir before you dress for dinner?"
the lad asked clearly wanting to impress his new employer, as well as
having the opportunity of gazing longer on the two naked bodies before him.

Rupert said that would be good and proceeded upstairs with John and Joseph
following. As they went, Joseph feasted his eyes on John's naked
buttocks. Oh how he would have loved to try that out for size. He felt his
own erection forming as he climbed each stair and by the time he had
reached the bath he had to attend to, he was fully erect.

John sat on the edge of the bath and watched the lad do his work. He
noticed the lad's bulge and smiled to himself. At one point Joseph was
within a few inches of him and he could not resist putting a hand out to
feel the organ straining to get out.

"I think you will have to do something about that soon young Joseph" John
giggled as he felt the size of the erection.

Joseph just grinned and completed his task before going back into the
bedroom to inform Rupert that it was ready.

"That lad has plenty to offer" John giggled when Rupert joined him in the
bath.

"I see, trying to get into the pants of the staff now are we?" Rupert
giggled.


As they bathed each other, Rupert thought how he was going to approach
Jerome. It was not going to be an easy discussion so he needed to be very
clear in his mind what information he was going to give and how. The first
thing he must do tomorrow, was sit down with Daniel and obtain a written
statement from him since he was sure there was a lot more information to be
had.

*******

The next chapter of 'The Tangled Web' will be available shortly.
I welcome comments so feel free to do so by sending me an email.

Don't forget that Nifty needs donations to host stories like these. See the
Donate link to make your donation. Thanks.

Other stories by Adam Stewart:
Moving Forward
Love at Last
Gary's Story
Finding Ryan
The Advert
Number Twenty Five
Life After Ryan