As they left the study someone knocked on the door and Silas answered it while Brodey stood out of view. “Good morning Mam how can I help you?” The woman was young and in her early twenties with curly brown hair and was wearing a very frilly cream-colored gown. “Is Lord IGreystone here?”

Silas held the door partially open as they spoke knowing well and well who she was Silas asked her name anyway “May I ask your name so I can inform my Lord you’re here.” The woman looked like she was getting impatient “Tell him Joanna Claybourne is here.”

Silas shut the door and Brodey ran to hide in the study “Sir Joanna Claybourne would like an audience with you.”

Xavier laughed as he watched Brodey hide under the desk “Thanks Silas let her in and have her wait in the study.”

Brodey gasped and Xavier laughed. Silas returned to the door “Lord Greystone will be right with you please come in he will meet with you in the study in just a moment.”

Joanna stuck her nose up at Silas as he showed her to the study. " I'm parched boy, some refreshments are in order wouldn't you agree?" Hearing her comment Xavier loudly cleared his throat. "Silas is a man, not a boy."

Turning to Silas he smiled "Refreshments are not necessary Joanna will not be staying long enough to enjoy them." Looking at Joanna Xavier shook his head finding it hard not to throw her out into the streets. Make yourself comfortable I will be with you in a moment. Brodey almost choked on his laughter hearing Joanna gasp in disbelief, as if she had never been spoken to so rudely or had ever been an unwanted guest.

After the door to the study was shut behind her Joanna walked around the room looking at Xavier books and trinkets. Brodey sat curled up under the desk waiting for Xavier to return. When Xavier walked in Joanna walked over and sat down smoothing her skirt then slowly removing her lace gloves. "Xavier darling it has been so long since we last saw each other, you have been keeping yourself hidden away at Greystone Manor.” Xavier walked over and sat at his desk his legs only inches from Brodey. “Really I'd swear you and I shared a coach recently. Hell, the whole God damn town heard about it thanks to you." Joanna gasp as if hurt by the accusation "Why do you hate me so? Is it too much to ask for a little kindness and some gentleman-like behavior.”?

Excuse my rude behavior Miss Claybourne " It’s nice to see you, what brings you here today?”

Joanna gave a fake but haughty laugh “Now I have told you many times to call me Joanna and I’m here to catch up, you haven’t been to any of the parties and you know how popular you are with the ladies, you have definitely been missed.”

Xavier shrugged “I’ve been busy and the last thing I want is to be at a crowded party surrounded by giggling girls and painted up pansies.”

Johanna stood up “Well then maybe you can make some time to attend my party it won’t be for another month or so, I have put a lot of work into it. I was thinking about it and I would love for you to be my date, that might stop some of the giggling girls from following you around since you hate it so much.”

Xavier’s leg touch Brodey under the desk and Brodey felt his breath leave him Xavier’s touch made him hot all over. “I’m sorry Joanna I must refuse your personal invite, but I will attend the party if it pleases you.” Unable to stop himself Brodey lightly touched Xavier’s leg making him smile, Xavier couldn’t help but rub his leg up against Brodey again knowing Brodey was enjoying it as much as he was.

Confused by his obvious delight and the uncharacteristic smile he wore Joanna frowned “Are you teasing me? Or are you seriously refusing my offer? Joanna sat back down pouting like a child. Xavier was sure his reaction was not by any means what Joanna was expecting, fake tears and a protruding bottom lip did nothing but intensify Xavier's dislike for her even more. "I'm not your Father acting this way will not gain you any of my favor or attention, Joanna wiped at her eyes careful not to ruin her make up.

All Xavier could think about was Brodey under the desk and the sparks they shared as legs touched. Joanna's blubbering came to a stop "Are you even listening to me? Xavier shrugged “Yes of course I am, my answer is no to attending your party as your date, But I will attend." Joanna looked confused "You're saying you would rather come alone then be my date?" Xavier sighed "What I'm saying is I already have a Lady in mind to take." Joanna looked shocked "Who is this Lady you speak of, is she someone I know?"

Xavier cleared his throat “A woman I met during my travels if all goes well, she will come back with me, that’s one of the reasons I have been away and missing all of the parties. I would rather not tell you anymore until I know for sure that she is the one.” Brodey's breath caught hearing about this mystery Lady that had Xavier's eye and wondering why he hadn't heard of her before.

Joanna looked upset as she stood up and started pacing around the study “After all this time as a bachelor you have finally found the one. I will look forward to seeing what a woman good enough for the Lord of Greystone looks like, I never was but congrats all the same.”

Filled with disgust Joanna walked to the door to leave, Xavier was about to get up to show her out, but she turned “Stay, sit, I know my way and I wouldn’t want to be a burden on you.”

Xavier gave her a polite nod “Thanks for stopping by.”

As soon as she was gone, and the door was shut Xavier scooted back his chair and smiled down at Brodey “You can come out now the coast is clear.”

Unsure if Xavier would mention what had happened under the table, Brodey crawled out and sat on the chair facing him. “Not to question you but I haven’t heard you speak of or seen a woman in your company, I’m sure you would have mentioned her at some point.”

Xavier smiled as the boy's fierce green eyes met his own “I rarely lie, in fact, I despise liars but I figured if it keeps Joanna off my back it’s well worth breaking my own rules so I lied to her, there is no woman but the story will keep her busy for a while and if I come alone to the party I can play the heartbroken man and tell them all I’m too sad to talk about it, it will keep them at bay for a while I rarely lie but that woman just doesn’t get a hint.”

Brodey smiled thinking to herself, what she would give to be on Xavier’s arm as Scarlet. “Yeah well, that isn’t happening.”

Xavier frowned as he watched him “What did you just say?”

Brodey shrugged “Just talking to myself, how about that breakfast now.”

Nervous about going to Greystone Manor Brodey sat quietly as the Greystone coach made its way through town. Brodey loosened up a bit and leaned back in his seat, Xavier nodded “So I take it you’re not originally from around here.”

Brodey shrugged “I was born on the road with my Tribe in my Gypsy camp, my momma died on the outskirts of Blackburn when I was ten years old, she had been sick for a long time.”

Xavier frowned “Sorry to hear that, my mother died when I was eleven it’s hard.” Brodey shrugged “After that my father and I went on the road, he was a gambler and a cheat, so we didn’t stay anywhere longer than a night or two. It was both my mother before she died and my father that taught me to be a thief and a pickpocket, they were constantly testing me. After a while I was better than the both of them, it’s the way of a Gypsy.” Xavier nodded with interest “When did you come to London?”

Brodey looked out the window for a moment “I was thirteen, we were here no more than a few weeks before my father was shot in the head. I walked up in time to see him die, after that it’s been just me.” Xavier frowned “What did you do?” Brodey shrugged “I just kept on living, the only way I knew how. I have made some friends over the years even lived with my friend Emmett for a while, but I need my privacy even if that means living in a Brothel and having to listen to people having sex all night.”

Xavier leaned back in his seat and watched Brodey a moment “When your father was alive how did you two get away with it, being thieves, I mean, you would think you would have been found out.”

Brodey laughed “My father was big on disguises he would always tell me to play my part and play it well and that our lives depended on it. So, I did what I was told, and I play my part as best as I can, I mean could. Sorry Xavier but I need to stop by Stella’s Brothel for my things.”

Xavier nodded then called out to Silas giving him instructions, “I’ll wait here be careful not to be seen.” Brodey shrugged “Worked too long and hard to leave my earnings behind.”

When they stopped, Brodey ran in and quickly moved his bed and got his stash, other than that he only had one bag and his father’s Gypsy Medallion. When he got back to the coach, he jumped in then smiled at Xavier as he sat down his bag. “Thank you for stopping.”

Xavier smiled and called out to Silas to head home. Xavier watched Brodey silently with curiosity “Might as well get some sleep.”

Brodey smiled then brought his feet up onto the seat and hugged his legs against his chest then pulled his hat down and laid his head on his knees. Xavier smiled as he watched him, he seemed so small as he curled up in the corner, Xavier wasn’t at all tired and couldn’t help but watch the boy with interest. When Brodey woke up, they were getting close and he could see the Manor from afar. “It’s huge from here what will it look like close up?”

Xavier shrugged “The same but bigger when we get inside, I’ll show you to your room and have a bath brought up for you and some clean clothes.”

Brodey swallowed hard “Never have taken a bath in a tub before.”

Xavier grinned “Then I’m sure you’re in need of one.”

The thought of a bath sounded divine except for the fact that he would have to be naked, he worried his secret would be found out. Brodey’s eyes widened as they pulled into the long driveway. Stepping out of the coach he was amazed as he looked around, a tall black man opened the door for them and gave Xavier a polite nod. “Good evening Sir, I hope your trip to London was eventful.”

Xavier stepped aside “Amos this is Brodey he will be staying with us, find him a room in the west wing the one next to mine will do and send up a bath and a clean set of clothes.”

Amos stared down at the boy and Xavier smiled then spoke to Amos in a hush while Brodey looked around. “By the Gods how many people live here?”

Xavier shrugged “Just Silas, Amos and three maids and one cook and the gardener but only me in the main house the servants quarters are around back near the kitchen which is connected to the main house by a hallway.”

Brodey nodded “I don’t mind sleeping in the servant’s quarters if you’d like.” Xavier shook his head “No you will have a room in the main house.”

Brodey shrugged overwhelmed by it all “Whatever you say, never been in a house this big.”

Xavier looked around “Been here my whole life so I guess I’m just used to it.” Xavier smiled when Brodey saw the swords displayed in the entryway “Are these yours?”

Xavier nodded “Yes but they were my fathers before he left them to me if you like I can teach you how to use them.”

Brodey gave an excited smile “I’m good with a blade but learning to sword fight would be great, thank you.”

Amos started walking upstairs “I’ll show you your room now.”

Brodey nodded then walked up the stairs slowly as he looked at all the Greystone family portraits smiling when he saw Xavier’s. When they reached the top step, he turned to find Xavier had already walked away.

“So, Amos have you worked for Lord Greystone long?”

Amos nodded “Yes long time.”

Brodey closely followed him “So is he good to you then?”

Amos opened a door near the end of the hall “Yes he has always been good to me. He doesn’t require much attention; he keeps strange hours and pretty much does his own bidding. Not to mention he has a vast library that he gives me full use of.”

Brodey smiled “You like to read, me too most people think it’s strange that I know how being raised a Gypsy and living on the streets and all.”

Amos turned and smiled at him “Most people think being a black man and a servant I should be as dumb as a stump, but Xavier’s father taught me how to read and I haven’t stopped since an educated black man is rare in these parts.”

Brodey sat on the bed and bounced as he looked around “You mentioned Xavier keeps strange hours.” Brodey shrugged “Strange hours for a strange man, no harm in my book for being different. I have my own problems, ain’t judging nobody, he is rather dark and mysterious but to tell you the truth I like that.”

Amos walked to the door and turned “We have all got skeletons in our closets and the devil in our hearts. Get settled in and I will have your bath brought up and some clean clothes after that Xavier wants you to meet him in his study.”

When the door shut Brodey started to panic a bath sounded great, but he wasn’t looking forward to getting naked and especially not in front of anyone, he at least would like a few more days with Xavier. Brodey was quick to hide his tin box filled with jewelry and money. Within a half-hour, there was a knock on his door, when he opened it three women carried in buckets of steamy hot water and a tub. “Lord Greystone says to call you Brodey is that alright with you.”

Brodey politely smiled “Yes, it is thank you, and what are your names?”

The woman smiled as she laid out soap and a towel followed by a tidy stack of clean clothes. “Pearl and this is Harriet and Gloria if you like I can take your dirty clothes and wash them.”

Brodey shook his head “No I’d rather give them to you later if you don’t mind, I’m rather shy.”

Pearl smiled as she started to follow Harriet and Gloria out when she reached the door she turned. “Have you ever taken a bath before?”

Brodey laughed “In a tub like this never but I’m sure I can figure it out.”

Pearl started to shut the door behind her “You seem like a decent boy if you need anything just let me know.”

“Thanks again.”

As soon as the door closed Brodey locked it then grabbed the desk chair and propped it up against it just in case it was open from the outside with a key.

Brodey shed his clothes then removed the tight bindings he had been wearing for what felt like forever. He was surprised as he looked in the full-size mirror and Scarlet stared back at him, her breasts were full and shapely, and her body had changed so much since she had last really seen herself. Stepping into the hot water Scarlet sighed in relief almost nervous as she sat in the tub finding her own personal heaven. Picking up the soap she held it to her nose and smiled “Sandalwood, don’t worry Scarlet at some point I’ll have you smelling like a woman.”

It took Scarlet sometime to scrub all the dirt from her skin and she had to wash her hair three times to get it all the way clean. She had almost forgotten that she was a blonde. After she dried off, she threw her dirty clothes into the corner and looked at her new ones and unlike her own, they were soft to the touch and a little big but that would suit Brodey just fine. As she tightly bound her breasts, she shook her head wishing she could walk into Xavier study as Scarlet but that couldn’t happen, not yet. Getting bound and dressed took Scarlet a lot longer than she expected. When Brodey was finished, he rushed down the stairs then almost fell as he barged through the door of the study; Xavier sat at his desk cleaning his pistols.

“Never walk, let alone barge into a room, go out and knock.”

Xavier stood and returned his pistols to their cabinet; Brodey was embarrassed as he stepped out and knocked. “Enter.”

When he returned, he smiled at him hoping, the dim candlelight wouldn’t give him away. “Taking a bath took a lot longer than I thought it would.”

Xavier smiled as he looked him over “You look better, do you feel better now that you’re not covered from head to toe in dirt?”

Brodey nodded as he walked around the room looking at all of the strange trinkets that lined the wall, tools of war surrounding him.

“So, what’s your story?” Xavier laughed “I like that right to the point.” Brodey continued to look around “I’ve never seen so many weapons before.”

Xavier smiled as he looked around “My father was a collector of many things and he and I started our collection of weapons when I was just a boy. My father had a dark side, he embraced his demons and as he aged, he started to lose his love for the world and the people in it. He trained me with these weapons, he wanted me to be a Warrior, he wouldn’t settle for anything less.

He was a truth-seeker, never lied even when he should have, he used to tell me to stick to the truth it will set you free or put you away, either way, it’s the truth. He was a charming man that is at least to his friends, he was a perfectionist with many strange quarks. He was my teacher, my trainer and at times my nemesis.”

Brodey chuckled “But my question was who are you?”

Xavier shrugged as he thought it over “I’m a lot like my father, I’m a bit of a recluse, I would rather be alone than surrounded by the townspeople. To be truthful I’d like to have someone special in my life, but I want to have a connection with a woman. I’d rather be alone my whole life than settle for a woman who only cares about my money and my title. I’d rather not have a passionless marriage to a woman I have no interest in.”

Brodey smiled then walked over and sat by the fire Xavier joined him. “Was it hard for you to live in a Brothel surrounded by the moaning and squeaky beds, being a young man and all, I’d think hearing people fucking all night would be like torture for you?”

Brodey leaned back on the couch and smiled “Well I’ll admit it keeps my dreams vivid and my desires on overdrive, hard not to think about sex when it’s all I hear at night.”

Xavier smiled as he stared at Brodey from the other side of the couch “So what is this secret you’re guarding so well?”

Brodey started to panic “It wouldn’t be a secret if I told you now would it.”

Xavier stood up “It’s been a long day on the road and it’s late about time we headed off to bed.”

Brodey nodded and stood to follow him out. When Brodey reached his room, he turned and smiled up at Xavier “Good night.”

Xavier smiled “Good night.”

As Brodey entered his room he sighed, unable to stop thinking about Xavier. Looking in the mirror Brodey stripped out of his clothes and looked at herself, her whole body was in angst as she stared at the stranger looking back at her. “It has to change; I can’t go on much longer before my secret is discovered. All I ask is for a few more days with Xavier after that I’ll move on.”

Scarlet looked at the soft bed and sighed just the thought of sleeping between its sheets made her happy. Slipping into bed Scarlet’s body felt alive, the soft sheets on her naked skin made her think of him, only one door down, she could picture him naked and lying in bed just the thought gave her butterflies in her stomach and a hot and moist sensation of arousal between her legs. Scarlet explored her body with eager hands guiding her fingers as they slipped down between her legs stroking herself as she imagined it was him, her nipples tightened as she rubbed at her pleasure core.

Plunging her fingers deep inside herself, her breathing grew heavy as she caressed her breasts, her moans growing louder as she got closer to her own fulfillment. When she climaxed, she screamed out into her pillow her body still raring to go.