Chapter 28: Chapter 28

It had been raining the whole day yesterday, but it had stopped earlier today and Oliver decided to take advantage of the relatively good weather.

He occasionally helped inside, especially during the past few days, but he knew he needed actual physical work.

It was bearable the first days, staying inside- but as time passed, he knew he'll need to move around more.

In the army, they'd been on foot for days. After the army- even worse.

Sitting in one place could only work for that long. H ealso didn’t know he couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened that night.

Oliver had changed into an old shirt and a coat, with the idea of finding something to do in the mansion's yard.

He found Percy grooming one of the big black mares in the stables.

"You need help with that?" Oliver pointed to the next horse, approaching the young man.

"Nay, there aint much to be done. " Percy smiled a toothy grin. "But you can keep me company if ye want."

Oliver picked up a brush and began running it over the dark mane of the bigger horse. It was a rich black colour, the darkest he'd seen in a while.

Percy pointed at the horse

"He's Lords' Liam's. "

"Yeah, I should've figured."

"Best horse we got."

"It’s a very beautiful animal. And which one is Lord Callum's?"

"He aint got one." The younger man said and patted the horse he was brushing. The stallion moved his ears and shook its head "Easy there. Almost done." Percy said reassuringly and Oliver asked.

"He doesn't? Why?"

"He aint never riding. That time, during the hunt was probably the first. That’s why were so surprised when he did."

"I heard he's not much fond of those. Why's that?"

Percy shrugged and muttered something, which very much sounded like"duuno" and Oliver decided not to press further.

Percy glanced at him, it was like he was both nervous and unsure and willing to tell him something.

"What is it?"

"Aye, bugger, " the stable boy moved closer to Oliver and said, "Jenny says you ain't gonna go blabber around what you hear. And I know you ain’t telling anyone about us. "

That made Oliver laugh out loud.

"Well, I am flattered you have a high opinion of me.”

"Aye, you know what I mean. "

"I do. Rest assured Percy, of course I haven’t told anyone. So?"

"Aight, so ..."

Percy switched the brushes and went for a different one to use on the horse's mane.

"Twas when young Lord was nine, or maybe eight? I was around seven, that I don't remember. My da was taking care of the horses back then, I was only helping. But I remember."

"What happened?"

"Lord Tennyson's always been about hunting. Especially with the foxes. "

He shook his head "It's how the tradition is, the always organize a hunt after the ball. You can't eat the meat of a fox, you know, so it’s…its’ more of a tradition."

Oliver nodded and kept running the brush through the horse's fur.

"His Lordship always wanted his sons to become like im, taking them hunting since they were small."

"Many fathers do it. "

"Aye. He showed them how to shoot. Said they had to learn to do it by themselves."

"A real man does his kills by himself?"

"Something like this. Lord Liam and Master Edward were very quick to learn, but Lord Callum...."

"I know he likes animals?"

"Dunno...but when the old Lord took them hunting one time. Deers, I think. But they almost missed the prey because ..." he gestured around with the brush.

"What?"

Oliver hadn’t noticed he’d stopped brushing the animal and was waiting for the man to continue.

"His Lordship ran away right before they shot it. Scared the animal away, that happened. "

Percy shook his head and continued. "Master Callum came to the stables, said ' Can I stay here?

He sometimes came, - played with us. So I thought - it's your manor, you decide. I can’t tell him to leave, just thought it was strange for a master to come to us."

Percy frowned and said "Then later Lord Tennyson found him, he was carrying a dead fox. "

Oliver suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable with the direction his thoughts were taking.

"A fox?"

"Aye. Twas so ...Lord Tennyson threw the animal at Master Callum's feet and made him skin the animal after."

"Jesus." Oliver clenched his hand around the brush.

"Said he has to learn to be a man."

"Great lesson for a child."

"And it was so...I ain't crazy or weird, but I swear it was like master was cutting himself, the animal had the same red color like his hair, you know?"

Percy looked at Oliver "Always thought that. Same red, like a fox."

Oliver realized it was probably that what Callum had expected him to say when they were back in the forest and Oliver ran his hands through his hair. That also explained why everyone had been so surprised he’d joined Hentriette that day.

He almost groaned when Percy's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Lord Callum in the stables for the whole night. My Da found him in the morning, the Old Lord said he could stay wherever he wanted . Said he aint ever taking him hunting.  "

Oliver didn't know what to say, so he just continued combing the beautiful horse. Most likely for the fifth time on the same spot now, but at least the animal seemed to like it.

"But he went, riding I mean- sometimes Lord Edward showed him this and that. Just..." Percy wiped his forehead and continued " just...they're very similar, maybe that's why."

"Why? Lord Edward and Callum?"

"Aye. Although Sir Callum's the only one with red hair, besides the Lady, but he's always been much like the oldest brother. Callum's ... I meant his Lordship."

Oliver smiled.

"I don't think he'd mind it that much if he hears you calling him by his first name."

"Nay. He never treated us like servants. We played as kids as I told you. He..." Percy turned to Oliver "He's the only one who calls us by our names, every single one of us. "

"I know, Percy. "

Oliver confirmed what he had noticed a long time ago.

"And I ain't know why the old Lord's always been so hard on him. He's just...young master just can't sit in one place, that's all."

“That describes it pretty much, yes. “

Oliver fell silent, his mind drifting back to the time when Callum had said that he wasn't Tennyson's son.

He found it peculiar now, how- in Percy's case- sometimes people noticed things without knowing how big the thing they had seen actually was.

Oliver thought how sometimes knowledge could be very dangerous, especially if put in the wrong person's hands.

"What about Sir Liam?" he asked.

"Sir Liam's, heh." Percy looked down at his hands "We ain't talking much about him. The servants, I mean."

"Why?"

"Maybe we're...humbled, is that the word? Or afraid to even look up to him. Folks aren't talking about things they're afraid of."

"He doesn't seem scary to me."

"He never makes mistakes. If that ain't scary, I ain't know what is. " Percy joked.

"True. But I guess he can't afford them."

"Aye. He can't."

As if knowing they were speaking of its owner, Liam's horse bent its head and began chewing Oliver's sleeve.

"Nay, that ain't for you." Percy laughed and tried to pull the horse away "He's like that. Ruined your coat."

"It's an old one, don't worry."

"Sorry, ehh.."

Percy lifted his hand and began brushing Oliver's sleeve.

"Good he didn't bite ya."

"That would've been more troublesome." They both laughed and Oliver looked down at his torn coat when he heard a cough.

It was Callum, standing perfectly still not far from them.

"I would hate to interrupt," he said when he saw the startled looks pointed at him.

The man had the worst habit of moving so quietly Oliver hadn't heard him approach.

Percy quickly pulled back and bowed his head. "Apologies, Oliver here was just..."

"No need to apologize, Percy. I see my valet was enjoying the company. Understandable, considering he's forced to spend so much time with me. "

"No, no. Its'..."

"I will leave you to it, then." Callum turned his back and left towards the manor.

Oliver put the brush down and left, nodding at Percy. The stableboy smiled and returned to his duties.

Oliver tried to catch up to Callum, but the lord was walking impossibly fast.

"Cal?"

"Do go back to your company, Oliver. You don't have to come after me."

"Then why did you come looking for me?"

Callum kept walking, but Oliver had almost caught up to him.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, I don't need you. I was just...walking around. "

Oliver snorted "Right. "

"Yes."

Callum continued walking and Oliver said "I hope you had a nice walk for the past few days since you were gone, then. "

"Tremendous, I see you've been concerned about how I am too."

"Well, you're the one who left the other day without saying anything to me."

"And you decided to find something else to do."

Oliver stopped. They were in the middle of the big garden. They'd crossed almost half the yeard from the stables to the garden in less than a minute.

The water from the fountain was falling heavily and created the illusion whatever they said to each other, it would remain just between them and won’t be overheard. Callum turned around and seeing Oliver had stopped, paused as well.

"You want me to chase you?" Oliver said, almost helpless.

"Forget it. "

Callum began walking back again and Oliver grabbed him by the elbow. He looked around and when he didn't see anyone, he moved closer.

"I don't know what this is about, but I had no idea where you had been those days. "

Callum tried to pull away, but Oliver squeezed him tighter "And yes, I was worried, but that doesn't matter to you, does it?"

"Why?"

"What do you mean why? Because of everything that happened. I told you I'm not going to pretend nothing happened. You're the one who does. "

Their eyes met and Oliver had the wild urge to embrace him. "What's going on, Cal?"

He asked, voice lower.

It was as if something shifted in Callum's expression and he seemed so vulnerable, Oliver moved closer.

"What is it, Cal?"

"No, let go of me." Callum peeled himself away "I'm serious."

The Lord looked almost scared and Oliver dropped his hand immediately. He took a step back from Callum and lifted both his hands.

"Fine. There, I’m not touching you. But I'll be here if you need me if you have to take another long walk. "

Callum didn't say anything and headed for the manor. Oliver watched him leave when movement caught his attention. He looked up and saw Liam was standing behind the window of his study.

He nodded to the Lord, who only returned the gesture with a small dip of his head and disappeared inside the room.