8-simple understanding
Orion could not help but feel pain looking at the level of Hell Dante preserved for Sodomites. The illustration caused him grief, not because he thought he would merit it in his afterlife. No, he had been a merciful man. More merciful than the average. But a fellow person thought Orion deserved such torture.
He and his wife were looking over the haunting image. Orion laughed suddenly, recalling the time Bri had spoken up at tea about the Divine Comedy, in front of company “Who does Dant think he is? This work is not funny in the least.”
“What are you laughing at?” Bri asked, running a hand through his hair.
“The time you thought the ‘Divine Comedy’ was supposed to be funny.”
She hit his arm playfully and sat in his lap. He kissed her, lingering. “Brigid, you light the dark for me.”
She laughed and gave a subtle blush.
“Orion…”
When the butler appeared in their doorway, Bri jumped from Orion’s lap and straightened herself out. The man turned red and apologized. “I’m sorry, my lord and lady, your door was open.”
“It is alright, Papworth. What is it?”
“A visitor, my lord. A Mr. Frunberg.”
Orion set the illustrated volume on the nightstand. Bri had dragged him from his study to do something besides work. But now it was time to get back on schedule.
“I will be down in a second.”
He parted Bri with a kiss and descended the steps. At the bottom of the stairs the large frame revealed Amadeus.
“Amadeus?” he stopped at the foot of the stairs.
The German nodded to Orion with a slight smile, but a furrowed brow.
“Is there something the matter, my friend?”
“No, sir. I am here to pay you a visit.”
“You are? Would you care to sit?”
Amadeus nodded and followed the earl into the drawing room. The maid was cleaning feverishly and Orion called to her lightly, “Lily. Take some time to rest.”
The young maid turned to Orion, “Thank you, sir.”
He could sense she was tired, and he thought it cruel to work servants to the bone. They were people, after all.
“What brings you here, Mr. Frunberg?”
“I worried.”
Orion smiled at Amadeus’ characteristic short answers. He leaned forward in his chair, “About what, pre tel?”
“You were upset at the race track the other day. I wanted to see if you were doing well.”
“Very well,” Orion could not help but smile wide, “My wife sees to it that I do not stress. I have no hard feelings toward Mr. Arteberry either. It is only his way.”
“I know you will forgive him. You seem to be a merciful man. I am only worried about you. I mean to tell you something,” the man hesitated, blue eyes hazing a bit, “something private.”
Quite suddenly, Orion felt his flesh become excited, but he kept it at bay. The timing was strange and he did not understand it.
Amadeus looked about the den. “Permission to speak freely?”
When Orion nodded, his companion tensed in his armchair, “My sister was in the madhouse too. It is not a good institution. It is not a fair way. I am sorry for your hardship.”
It was unexpected, like cold but refreshing water. Orion had no time to choose his words this time, “Amadeus, I am sorry. Has she left?”
“She died in Constance Asylum. They fed her pills that make seizures.”
Orion hung his head in heavy thought. His worst torment in those dark days was the thought of perishing within the walls of the madhouse. Thrown into bedlam by men who wanted to disenfranchise him as a melodramatic, shy 15-year-old. He had no voice…
“Dark days pass for some of us. Not all…but I am lucky. Thank you, Amadeus. I greatly appreciated your kindness.”
“How is your wife?” the man seemed suddenly nervous.
Orion looked the muscular man up and down and smirked. What did he have to be shy about?
“She is well. Would you like to speak with her?”
As they headed up the stairs, Orion was hyper-aware of the doll maker’s eyes on him and the feeling gave him warm sensations. He could not help but wonder how strong Amadeus truly was... When they reached Bri’s chamber they found the door ajar and no woman inside.
“She is likely at the pond feeding her swans,” Orion shrugged. “She loves her animals.”
Amadeus stepped forward, as they were alone in the room. Orion’s heart jumped.
“My lord…permission to speak freely? There is something I must say,” his tone was demanding. It was hardly a request, more of a demand.
Orion would have bristled at the harsh tone, except that he realized it was only Amadeus’ way of speaking. He nodded and held his ground.
“Arteberry is so vulgar…” He reached out and cautiously, with one finger stroked Orion’s face. “You can find another…”
“You think so?” Orion asked.
He was utterly in shock, and yet a part of him suspected Amadeus was like him. Though he could not tell if the man was offering companionship or suggesting Orion simply find better.
“And you do not judge me?”
“I think you are beautiful…” Amadeus offered with a grunt. “A man like Charles will insult you. You could have any you wish. Why him?”
“You are most kind,” Orion heard his own voice lowering.
He inched forward. “Have you a better suggestion?”
He looked the man over quite obviously then. He was quite attractive and Orion would not deny him a night of experimentation.
“Your wife is correct that if you hold such things in you will become ill. But you should be selective. You can have any man you wish…”
Orion smiled and stepped forward. He had always suspected curiosity from Amadeus. But in retrospect, he could see the attraction. Why had he been blind?
He kissed Amadeus, chaste but lingering.
© 2011 Luz Briar. All Rights Reserved.
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