“Really?” Kale had succeeded in piquing Jason’s interest. There was a glimmer of happiness in his expression, as if he didn’t dare hope it might be true.
“Yes, sir. He’ll be catching a cab at five-thirty and invites you to join him. May I tell him you’ll attend?”
“Absolutely.” The happiness that had been peeking through now came bursting to the forefront. It was the first time Kale had seen a smile like that from Jason. “Will you talk to this Charlie and pick out an appropriate outfit for me?”
“Of course, Master.” Was that uncertainty Kale heard in his voice?
Jason began to pace. “I’ve been to the opera house once before, you know, with my mother when I was a child. I haven’t gotten around to seeing it again.” Jason stopped moving and looked at Kale. “You’re sure that Mr. Bonham wants me to come? I’ve barely said two words to him.”
This was quite the departure from Jason’s usual attitude, and it was the first time he had ever said anything approaching personal to Kale. For a moment, Kale felt bad about his little lie, but looking into Jason’s hopeful face, he couldn’t reveal the truth. “Why else would Charlie tell me to pass along the invite, Master?”
“Of course, of course.”
“Would you like your dinner now, sir?”
“Yes, that would be good.” Jason sat on the overstuffed chair, his knee bouncing as he stared at nothing in particular, lost in his thoughts.
Kale bowed and left. Once he was outside Jason’s rooms, he leaned against the wall and chuckled to himself. That had been too easy. And the look on Jason’s face? You’d never believe that was the same kid who humiliated his slave for sheer sport. If this was how he was going to be every time he got invited out, Kale would have to start working a little harder at making it happen.
* * *
The next night, Kale tried to ease out of Charlie’s bed as quietly as possible. Charlie had fallen asleep right after they finished having sex, and Kale didn’t want to wake him. The last few days, Jason had kept him so busy that he hadn’t had time for much else. It felt like it had been forever since he’d gotten laid. Fortunately, Charlie was more than accommodating and was willing to let Kale top. While all the slaves slept with each other, Simon and Jacob commonly paired off—Kale had a suspicion they harbored feelings for each other—and that left Charlie with Kale, which suited him just fine. Charlie was a fun fuck, responsive and eager, and afterward he was content to roll over and sleep or get up and go about his business. It appeared the only sure way to halt Charlie’s incessant talking was to fuck him.
Jason being gone all night made this the most carefree day since Kale had become Jason’s slave. Even Marge was happy for him, and had fixed some special scones to go with dinner. Simon and Jacob were both out with their masters, so Kale and Charlie had the house to themselves. Before climbing into bed, they had played cards and relaxed in the garden, but now it was time for Kale to get up to Jason’s room to await his arrival.
Jason entered not long after, humming.
“How was your evening, Master?”
“It was wonderful. Mr. Bonham introduced me to everyone. There was actually a duke there. A duke! He’s one of the trustees. I’ve never seen so many diamonds as I did on his wife. I thought the poor lady was going to tip right over at one point…” On and on Jason prattled as Kale helped him undress. Everything from the people he met to the way the opera house looked was described in perfect—and time consuming—detail. Kale listened as attentively as he could, not wanting to disturb Jason’s good mood. It was actually kind of funny to watch Jason relate the evening. Everything was larger than life, and he spoke with such animation. It was like he was a completely different man.
When Kale finally got Jason squared away and was free to leave, he was surprised to find Charlie awake and waiting for him.
“My gods, what on earth took so long?”
“Well, did you know that the drapes at the opera house are the most stunning shade of violet—not a royal purple or baby purple, but violet—that you’ve ever seen? Or that Mr. Woodhausen, yes of those Woodhausens, is the most interesting storyteller? I swear I was this close to walking out.”
“Really? Then why are you smiling?”
Kale checked himself and noticed for the first time that he was, indeed, smiling. “It was just fun seeing him all flustered, that’s all.”
“You think it will last?”
Kale smoothed out his smile as he climbed into his bed. “I hope so. I guess we’ll see soon enough. All I know is that you’ve got to start telling me about every social event.”
“After the night we had tonight, you can bet on it.”
* * *
The next day, Jason was still in a good mood. Instead of calling Kale out on a dozen different things that were not up to his level of perfection, he merely grunted and left it at that. It wasn’t exactly friendly, but it was more than Kale had hoped for.
Life settled into a comfortable pattern. Charlie kept Kale informed of what was going on around town, and Kale managed to send Jason to several events a week. Between his now busy social calendar and school, Jason was hardly ever home. After a few hours of work each day, Kale was left with time to draw, gamble, and fool around with the other slaves.
Of course, things were too good to last. Jason began to change. It was gradual and subtle, but Kale noticed. Jason began to come home looking bored or preoccupied. At first, Kale figured it was normal, that Jason was just settling in and acclimating to his new life. Then Jason began to come home agitated, and Kale started to suspect that something more was going on. He had the disturbing feeling that his comfortable situation was about to get turned on its head. There was a storm brewing, and Kale just hoped he could escape the worst of it.
Chapter Six
That storm broke on one of the last days of spring. Jason came home from a festival in the park, muttering to himself with a heat Kale had never seen. Tonight is the night that things are going to change, Kale thought, watching Jason fidget.
Jason glanced at Kale, and then proceeded to ignore him. He paced around the room and appeared to grow more agitated as time passed. There was no way for Kale to escape the room, and it didn’t appear as if Jason was going to say anything to him. The only thing Kale could think to do was speak. Jason would be short with him for it, he knew, but better to do it now and get it over with than let the pressure build and deal with worse later in the night.
“Is there something wrong, Master?” Kale knew that being referred to as master stroked Jason’s ego and could typically be counted on to put him in a better mood.
“What do you think, Kale? Does it look like everything is all right?”
“No, sir. Is there anything I can do?”
“Not unless you can get me an invitation to the Thistle Society.”
“I’m sorry, sir?” Kale furrowed his brow in confusion.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
As if Kale’s brain somehow didn’t work as well as Jason’s. All right, so maybe it didn’t when it came to intellectual matters, but that was still no reason to treat him like an idiot. He certainly knew how to play Jason well enough. “No, sir, maybe not. But it might help to talk about it.”
Jason sighed and looked at Kale, as if considering the idea. “I’m at the bottom of the social ladder, Kale. The Thistle Society had their biggest party of the season tonight, and I didn’t even know about it. I came here to be around the best, not just trade one mediocre social life for another.”
“So why don’t you start going to the parties where you want to be seen?”
“You really are stupid.” Jason looked at him with disgust. “Even if I could get invited, it’s not like I have an appropriate slave to take with me.” Jason gripped the back of a chair until his knuckles turned white. “Get out. I don’t want to see you right now.”
This wouldn’t do. Kale needed his old, happy master back—and quickly. Kale hurried from the room and made his w
ay downstairs. Everyone was busy, so he waited for Charlie in their room, calming himself by sketching with some charcoal and paper he won at last night’s poker game.
“Your master out?”
Kale saw Charlie entering the room. So absorbed was Kale in his drawing, that he didn’t hear Charlie coming. “No, he’s here, just doesn’t want me around. Can’t say I really want to be around him either.”
“What’s the trouble?” Charlie took a seat on his bed, facing Kale.
“You heard of the Thistle Society?”
Charlie scoffed. “Of course, who hasn’t?” Kale glared at him. “Oh, right. Well, there’s no reason anyone should know about them, really. It’s just a bunch of rich boys playing at being their daddies. Think they own the world. Why?”
“Apparently my master’s heart is set on becoming a member. He’s tired of his social scene and wants to move up.”
“You’re talking about the highest rung of Perdana society. They’re not an easy nut to crack, and if you ask me, they’re not worth it.”
“Yeah, well, he’s miserable.”
“What do you care?”
Kale narrowed his eyes. “Because he’s going to make my life hell. You know that. Stop trying to turn this in to something it isn’t.”
“Sorry, didn’t realize you were so touchy. You should know, though, that the circles he’d have to run in to meet up with members of the Thistle Society are going to require your presence at some point. They’re all about showing off, and personal slaves are a big part of it.”
“Well, I don’t really have much of a choice. I can stand a few uncomfortable nights if it means relative peace the rest of the time.”
“I might be able to swing you an invite to one of the more exclusive events. My master gets invitations to those things all the time, but he rarely attends. I’ll see if I can get him to pass one of them on to Mr. Wadsworth.”
“You pull this off for me, Charlie, we’ll do whatever you want.”
“Gives me even more of a reason to make sure I succeed.” Charlie winked, and Kale just laughed.
* * *
Charlie came through three days later. He stopped Kale in the hall.
“I don’t have time to talk, but I should have some news for you tonight.” Charlie hurried away and left Kale wondering if he dared hope his luck was this good.
That night, Charlie slipped something to Kale as he climbed into bed. “What’s this?”
“It’s an invitation to the Wyndmar’s annual party, courtesy of my master. Their son is a Thistle Society member, and from what I understand, there will be a lot of them there. You’ll have to go, but it’s as high class as they come.”
“Charlie, I could kiss you right now!”
“I should take you up on that, because you’re not going to be feeling that way when you get back. Are you sure you really want to do this?”
“Things have got to change. I swear if he tries to take that crop to me one more time, I’ll shove it up his ass.”
“Just be careful; these guys are ruthless. They’re only interested in using people, and they’ll get a lot of entertainment out of you and your country boy master. But if you think it will help—”
“I just need him happy. He’ll either get in with this crowd and start socializing with them casually so I can stay home, or he’ll realize it’s not for him and go back to the way things were. Either way, I’m better off.”
“So long as you don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Charlie yawned and rolled over to sleep. Kale tucked the invitation under his pillow. The nerves at having to be on hand at an event that he knew was going to be way over his head were drowned out by the hope that his days of comfort were soon to return.
Chapter Seven
When Jason’s carriage pulled up to the Wyndmar estate, he couldn’t help the way his jaw fell open. From the moment the horse-drawn cab passed through the ornate wrought iron gate and proceeded down the long drive, he was in awe. The Wyndmars owned vast acreage, but instead of being used to produce an income, it seemed to have the sole purpose of looking beautiful. Manicured lawns and elaborate topiaries decorated the landscape as far as he could see. Jason was breathless, and this was all before he took the house into consideration.
The Wyndmar estate, however, was not a house—it was a mansion. Jason gawked at the stately building and found it hard to believe that people actually lived in it. When the carriage circled a fountain that was bigger than any he had ever seen and came to a stop in front of the entryway, Jason regarded Kale kneeling on the floor. The formal clothes did nothing to hide the muscle of Kale’s chest and arms. He still looked like a farm hand who had wandered too far from home. “Don’t embarrass me tonight.” If there had been a way to leave Kale behind, he would have done so. At a party of this caliber, everyone would have a personal slave tending them, and Jason could not afford to appear without one.
Stepping out of the carriage, he tried to adopt an air of nonchalance about his surroundings. It was difficult to appear confident when all he wanted to do was look around wide-eyed. Walking through the impressive front door, he felt as if he had finally arrived where he wanted to be.
Jason watched all the people milling about. Everyone was dressed in immaculate formal dinner clothes without a hair out of place or a wrinkle creasing a single suit. Most of the men stood in groups of two or three. Jason didn’t see anyone he knew offhand and felt too awkward to walk up to a private conversation. Just as the nerves began to creep into his stomach, he spotted a larger group. There were several men standing together, listening to someone Jason couldn’t see. He glanced behind him to make sure Kale was following and then nodded to a table of champagne flutes. Kale seemed to understand and went to get him one. Once Jason’s hands were occupied with the drink, Kale fell into step behind him as he made his way over to the group, hoping to blend in.
When he reached the group, he saw that they were all gathered around one man who was in the middle of telling a story about something funny that apparently happened at a polo match. Jason found it hard to concentrate on what the man was saying, and not just because he didn’t know anyone in the story, but because the man himself was so captivating. He was tall with jet black hair and clear blue eyes. Jason’s stomach knotted up at the sight of them. This mystery man was an expert at working the crowd. They hung on his every word. The easy manner in which he told his story with his whole body, and the way he looked so comfortable being the center of attention impressed Jason. This man’s confidence seemed to be inborn. It wasn’t like he was confident because of a particular achievement or because he thought himself better than everyone else. He was simply confident because there was no other way for him to be.
Laughter pulled Jason out of his thoughts. Apparently the story was over, and he noticed that the man looked straight at him. The nerves that had retreated came rushing forward. Jason quickly averted his eyes and occupied himself with drinking his champagne and scanning a piece of art on the wall that he didn’t really see. If only the man would walk away, he could pretend he hadn’t been staring at him.
Aware of a presence beside him, Jason turned to see the intriguing stranger. The man smiled down at him, and Jason worked to maintain his composure.
“I don’t believe we’ve met. My name is Eric Vanderhoff.” The man extended his hand toward Jason.
Jason shook the proffered hand. “Eric Vanderhoff, as in the Vanderhoffs?” The Vanderhoff family was the richest in the country; some even said they were richer than the royal family.
Eric chuckled. “Yes, afraid so. But you wouldn’t hold that against me, now would you, mister…?”
Jason felt himself go red. “Jason Wadsworth.”
“Ah, Mr. Wadsworth. You must be new to Perdana. I feel sure I would have heard of you before now were you not.”
Was this really happening? The most popular man in the room was interested in carrying on a conversation with Jason, even after finding out he was essentially nobody? �
�Fairly new. I started at the university this year.”
“Oh, a freshman then. I’m a junior myself.” As if Jason didn’t already know. Everyone in the capitol knew about Eric Vanderhoff. “Perhaps I could show you around sometime. Where are you from? Who’re your family?”
“I’m from Malar County. My family’s in cattle. We have some of the best beef in the country.”
“Excellent!” It seemed that Eric’s response to everything Jason said was positive. “The city must seem terribly stuffy and stifling to you then.”
“No, not at all. I rather like it. I’ve been dreaming my whole life of coming here.” Jason stopped himself and blushed again. Damn, could he sound any more eager?
“Ah, you’re a true city boy at heart then. So am I. Why don’t I show you around, introduce you to some people?”
“I’d like that.” Jason smiled and nodded.
Eric took him by the arm and escorted him around the room, introducing him to everyone as if the two of them were lifelong friends. Jason had no idea why Eric would choose to be this kind to him, but he was grateful.
As the night wore on, Jason realized that not only was he smitten with Eric, but he was fostering a slight hope that Eric might return the affection. Anything more than a slight hope was pointless. Jason might like the man, but he didn’t want to set himself up for heartbreak, and heartbreak was all he could expect. There was no way someone like Eric Vanderhoff would be interested in him. Just the courtesy of making him feel welcome was more than Jason could have hoped for.
Within an hour, Jason had been introduced to everyone at the party and was beginning to feel like he might actually fit into this world. Everyone seemed nice and acted as if they liked him. Jason had yearned for this kind of validation since his arrival. Not one person here seemed to suspect that he was anything other than an upper class gentleman. Just because he came from the country and his father’s money was in cattle didn’t mean anything. It was still money, wasn’t it? And the people here at this party weren’t all old money like Eric. Some of the men were only separated by a generation or two from humble origins. Jason began to feel more comfortable and confident as he realized that this was where he belonged.
[Measure of Devotion 01.0 - 03.0] Box Set Page 4