Fic: Troubled Times chapter 28

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

Title: Troubled Times
Chapter 28
Author: Emerald
Beta : jestana and windysame Thank you very much! I greatly appreciate your work and advice!
Inspiration and Encourager: ironicbees
Rating: Mature.
Disclaimer: Wooster and Jeeves belong to Wodehouse.
Summary: The story deals with the time before, during, and after WWII.
A/N:October 1940

All my stories are here: www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml

As a thank you to  (who_is_small) there is a short Heffie/Wright story at my LJ here:

emeraldreeve.livejournal.com/

 

 

 

I stood by the telephone considering the matter and decided that later that evening I would call Mrs. Gregson's butler. I needed to know what she was planning. Possibly it was merely a social call, but I doubted it.

 

As I was thinking the telephone rang once more. Picking it up, I said, “Wooster residence. This is Jeeves speaking. May I help you?”

 

“Jeeves, it's Mira. I was wondering if you'd join us for dinner tonight? George and Charles will be bringing their families.”

 

“I would be glad to. Thank you.”

 

After I finished talking to her, I called Ruth Wright. Ruth and Dave's oldest son, Ron, often did errands for the family, usually in return for a few coins. The child collected model air planes and was always saving for the current one. He was very reliable and trusted by the family to such an extent that he was part of their network of wartime communications set up to warn other relatives and friends if there was an invasion. After acquiring his mother's permission, I talked with Ron.

 

“Mum says you have a job for me. What can I do for you, Mr. Jeeves?”

 

“I want you to meet Mr. Wooster at the bus station on Sunday afternoon at three-thirty. Tell him that the werewolf will be waiting for him when he arrives home.”

 

Normally I would not have stated disrespect for Mr. Wooster's Aunt, but I felt my employer would need a little humour to offset the bad news.

 

As I expected, Ron did not laugh at first. Instead he repeated my words and said, “Got it.” Then he laughed and asked, “The werewolf, Mr. Jeeves?”

 

“One of his Aunts. She can be quite fearsome.”

 

“Oh, that's not good for Mr. Wooster! You're warning him, what?”

 

“Exactly.”

 

“I'll be sure he gets the message.”

 

I named a sum for the job, and he agreed.

 

It would have been an arduous weekend for me, if it had not been for the Wrights. During dinner that night, the conversation ranged from the ban on foreign timber to news about the family including discussion about Mr. Buchanan courting Jasmine. I was pleased that they approved of the possible match. I noted that the man's money was not mentioned; instead their concentration was on whether or not they would be happy together.

 

George stated, “They're certainly enjoying each other's company now. They go dancing often, and I understand they talk for hours about the Renaissance.”

 

Charlie's wife, Hazel said, “I saw them together in town last week. They were so absorbed in their conversation that they didn't notice me until I was on top of them and called Jasmine's name. The entire time we chatted; he kept looking at her as if he had never seen any one so wonderful, and she kept saying things like 'Oscar says,' and 'Oscar feels,' and 'We think'. I believe we'll be hearing of an engagement fairly quickly.”

 

There was also some discussion about Mr. Heflner and Will being in London. It was generally believed that Mr. Heflner would pass the medical tests and be allowed to serve because Will seemed certain that his employer would qualify. There was speculation on whether he would be permitted to serve with Mr. Heflner with the general thought being that it was not likely.

 

I did not volunteer the information that I would be aiding the two in the effort to serve together. Instead I listened to the conversation and marked that they desired for them to be kept together, not just for Mr. Heflner's sake; they believed it would be best for both of them not to be parted. They felt that Will would be less likely to take on a very risky mission with Mr. Heflner at his side and that he would benefit from the man's experience in the Great War. And Mr. Heflner would not be distracted by worry and get himself killed from lack of attention.

 

George said, “I guess that could go both ways, though. Maybe if Will is there, Jim would be constantly looking out for him and too distracted to take care of himself.”

 

Will's father, Dan asked me, “What's Jim like during Home Guard duty? Does being with Will help or hinder?”

 

I replied, “It helps him. Mr. Wooster and Chandler both assign them duties together. Mr. Heflner understands that he is being relied on to have experience in these matters. I do not believe he will worry about Will to the point of distraction, if they are together, as he does not seem to need to. He always knows, by some instinct, where Will is and how he is doing.”

 

Throughout the discussion, no one hinted that Will might have a personal relationship with his employer.

 

Several times during the meal I had the impression that Mrs. Wright was trying to judge if I was happy with the idea of having a little solitude in the coming weekend, or if I was too worried to enjoy it and needed company, but she was subtle, and I was unsure if that was her motive or not.

 

After I returned home that evening, I placed a telephone call to Mrs. Gregson's butler. He told me all I needed to know. I concluded the call with a sigh. Mrs. Gregson had a friend who had introduced her to the Powell family. The Powells lived in Longhaven and had a single daughter that was Mr. Wooster's age. Mrs. Gregson, after meeting the woman, had decided to endeavour once more to marry her nephew to someone.

 

There was nothing I could do at that instant, so I made a cocktail to help myself sleep and then retired to my empty bed.

 

***************************************

 

If Mira Wright had been trying to determine whether I desired company or preferred solitude, she must have arrived at a correct conclusion, since all of Saturday, I had a steady stream of visitors.

 

Dave came by in the morning to tell me how the farming was going. He said, “They've sent a young lady, Mildred Palmer, to help me and Herbie Carmel out. She's staying with Jasmine. I don't mind working with a woman. She knows as much about farming as I did when I started, which is very close to nothing. I told her just don't step on anything green and growing, and we'll survive everything else.

 

“Herbie didn't like having a woman around when he's working, at first, because he has to watch his language when Millie's there, but he's adjusting. Between Mum and Ruth, I've never used words that can't be said in a woman's presence, so I don't have anything to change.”

 

He continued, “She has a large family in Coventry. Herbie has a good friend that goes down there fairly often. I've managed to persuade Herbie that it won't interfere with her patriotic duty to send food to her family from time to time. Farming is not easy work. I find it harder on the back than carpentry, and I'll be very glad when I can return to being what I am; a carpenter.”

 

I thought that his powers of persuasion must be great. I was familiar with Herbert Carmel. The man never wanted to do anything that did not mean a profit for him. The patriotic duty protest would have just been an excuse to not give away food.

 

When I had the opportunity, I asked him if he knew the Powell family. He replied, “I know of them, if you mean the Powells of Longhaven.”

 

“I do. What do you know about them?”

 

Cheerfully he said, “Well, they won't have anything to do with the likes of me and mine unless we're working for them. We're not good enough for them. They're probably one of the wealthiest families in Longhaven. Oscar has more money, but I don't believe he has much to do with them at all. They keep to themselves mostly. They had quite a few servants before the war; now they're down to about ten.”

 

“Do you know if they still have a butler?”

 

“Not for sure, but probably. I think he's in his sixties now. I'm not certain of his name, either. Faulkner or something like that. We fixed a roof for them once, but that was years ago. If you don't mind my asking; why the interest?”

 

“Mr. Wooster has an aunt that sees their daughter as a potential match for him.”

 

Dave stared at me for a moment and then lowering his voice, even though we were alone in the privacy of my kitchen, asked, “You don't mind?”

 

Normally if asked such a question, I would ignore it and answer that I needed the information, so I could always keep Mr. Wooster's best interests in mind. Not feeling that such subterfuge was necessary in this case, I replied, “I do mind. I find her attempts to marry him to someone to be quite distressing.”

 

He gave me a quick, serious glance before gazing down into his coffee cup. I suspected he was realising how difficult of a position I was in. I could not complain to Mr. Wooster's aunt because as a servant I had no claim on my employer.

 

When he looked up again, he sighed and said, “Life is rough, sometimes. I don't think you need to worry too much about Miss Cora Powell, though. Did Will tell you that I worked for Mr. Heflner, the senior James Matthew, not Will's employer, during the Great War?”

 

“Yes, he did.”

 

“I guess you could say that Mr. Heflner Sr. was on good terms with the Powells. Truthfully, though, there were probably very few people that Mr. Heflner did not get along well with. He liked people and people liked him. Anyway, I heard plenty of gossip while working in the stables. The talk was that Miss Cora Powell was in love with John Thomson, but her parents didn't approve of him. His folks own that toy shop in town. They're good people, but her parents wanted her to set her sights far higher. He was called up and died in battle. The chit-chat was very nasty for a while; people saying that her parents had him called up. No proof of that, though.

 

“They've tried, through the years, to get her to marry. To give you more rumours, there are those that say that John was the only one she could love and those that state that she won't marry out of spite. They wouldn't approve her choice, now she doesn't approve of theirs. Either way, I don't think Mr. Wooster has much to worry about. I suppose they've found something new to put pressure on her that they believe will work, but nothing they've done has worked before.”

 

I said, “Thank you. It helps to know that.”

 

“You're welcome.” Retrieving the money that I had promised his oldest son, I said, “Here are Ron's wages. Please give him my gratitude, also.”

 

“I will.”

 

We spoke for some time more before he departed to weed Mr. Heflner's garden and check on the man's horses.

 

**************************

After Dave left, I placed a call to Erlin and talked to him. I asked him to find out about the Powell's butler for me.

 

Throughout the day, members of the Wright family dropped by to visit for a while. By the time Charlie came by late that afternoon, I knew several of the Wrights better than I had before.

 

Charlie called to tell me where he was being sent for testing. He was excited about serving in the RAF. He said, “I've given the Guard notice. I'll be leaving the day after the ceremony.”

 

As he had opened the subject, I asked, “So you accept Will's relationship with Mr. Heflner?”

 

He blinked at me and replied, “Well, yes. I mean, what other option is there? I could disown him, I suppose, but he's my brother. Their love doesn't change that.”

 

He sighed. “I guess I could yell and sulk and have to be dragged into accepting Will's choices in life, as George had to be, but...” he shrugged. “When all is said and done, I'm going to accept it, because he's my brother, so why bother going through the fuss.”

 

Charlie Wright studied me for a second before saying, “When I first started serving in the Guard, one of my duties was to patrol a park; the one in central Longhaven. One night, I came upon a couple being very cosy; if you get my meaning?”

 

“I do.”

 

“I stood there for a few seconds, because I had to be sure the woman involved was willing, but it didn't take long for me to realise that she was. So I just turned and left them. It wasn't my concern.

 

“And that's how I feel about the issue in general. What two people are clearly agreeing to do, is not my or anyone else's business. As for the law, now that worries me, but I can't do anything about it, besides for telling Will to be careful.”

 

“That is all anyone can do,” I replied. “Have you spoken to your wife about the matter?”

 

“I brought the subject up in a general manner, and it didn't go well. She didn't want to talk about it; not even in the vaguest of ways. So for now I'm not telling her about Will. I don't believe she'd turn my brother in to the law, but the whole matter might cause a lot of trouble between my wife and I. With me leaving so soon, I want her to remember how much I love her and the kids. Arguments hardly seem the way to go about doing that.”

 

“I agree. Where did you tell her you would be on the afternoon of the ceremony?”

 

Sadness swept across his face. “Lying by not telling her something is hard to stomach; I can't outright lie. I just told her that I was getting together with my brothers.”

 

“Unfortunately this is an issue that often causes arguments.”

 

He nodded. “I wish I wasn't aware of it. Dad, Dave, and I have spent hours talking and talking and trying to make peace with it. Dave and I have always been rather willing to just let Will live his life as he sees best, but it was very hard on Dad. When we first began to suspect that Will had a fondness for his employer, Dad said it was unnatural. He took the lorry and drove up to Jim's place to collect Will. When he got there, he parked in front.”

 

Charlie paused. “That's one thing that caused trouble. Will was always telling us to go to the back to see him and not use the front door. Dave and I were fine with that, but George's pride was horribly stepped on. He refused.”

 

I recalled how I had taken George to the front door when I had brought him to reconcile with his brother and was grateful now for the wisdom that had guided me to do so.

 

I asked, “Obviously your father did not make Will leave Mr. Heflner's service. What changed his mind?”

 

“He didn't feel good about what he was intending to do, so he sat there debating it. Jim came out of the house, headed for the stables. He saw my Dad and was happy to see him, which my Dad said made him feel very low indeed. And then Jim spent a good twenty minutes telling Dad how much Will meant to him and how he couldn't survive without him. Dad told us later that the more the man praised Will, the more he felt like a worm. By the time they had finished talking, he had decided to crawl on home and forget that he had ever planned on telling Will to come home.”

 

Charlie grinned. “He spent the first hour back at the house that afternoon telling us how much Will was appreciated and how it was, after all, only natural that someone would love his second born that strongly. How could they not?”

 

I smiled. “Will is very fortunate.”

 

He replied, “We still had a lot of talking to do about it; trying to re-adjust our feelings and attitudes. Will's path in life has made us more understanding and in my opinion that's for the best. Because we do realise that if we are going to extend grace to Will then we owe the same kindness to others with similar inclinations.”

 

I did not know if he was directly referring to Mr. Wooster and me. He continued, “I'm doing my own struggling with it. It's upsetting that I can no longer talk freely with my wife; who I love beyond words. And I've become too sensitive about the whole issue. I've had the bad luck to pull roadblock duty once or twice with Grenfell. He has a long list of people that the world would better without, in his opinion, and one of those groups includes my brother. And I want so badly to call him on some of the things he says, but I can't risk endangering Will. Mum says that you can't beat understanding into someone, but there are times I'd like to have a pop at it. That's my brother he's insulting, whether he knows it or not!”

 

Charlie sighed. “Ah well, you see my difficultly. It's not like I've never heard such words before. It's just that I've never kept company with someone that talks that way, and I can't walk off in the middle of Guard duty. Dave and Will both say that I'll get used to comments, and they won't hurt so much after a time.”

 

I said, “It does get easier with time, but you will have to learn to ignore remarks more. It is difficult, but remember that the insults are not really directed toward Will. It is just some ignorant person expressing stupidity and sometimes hatred.”

 

He nodded. “I'll try to remember that. Luckily, I don't have to serve with Grenfell often. I usually have a patrol in town. Which reminds me. I need to ask you; does everyone in your section have guns? My Guard unit just got a shipment of guns from America.”

 

Until the end of the visit, we spoke of our Guard duties and did not stray back to more personal matters, yet I felt we had become friends. He must have felt the same way, as when he stood to depart, he offered me his hand.

 

He said, “I'm very grateful for the peace between Will and George. I'm glad you and Mr. Wooster chose this area to live. If we ever had to, I'd be honoured to stand at your side in battle.”

 

I replied, “I feel the same. I am glad we chose to settle here. Your family has made me feel I have a home here.”

 

************************************

 

George called to invite me to have dinner with his family that evening. He was doing errands for the Home Guard and had offered to pick me up and take me to his place. He said, “I told Brophy that I'd report in when I was done and that it would be after dinner, so I can easily take you home, too. Chandler gave me uniforms and greatcoats for you and Bertie also, so I have to come to your place, any way.”

 

After I had given consent and thanked him, he said, “The uniforms are much better this time. A little tight for most of us, perhaps, but not overly large like the last ones. It's a good thing that Dave is too busy with farming to work in the Guard. He'd never fit in one.”

 

When he arrived that afternoon, I noted that he had the 'family' car. Even before the war and petrol rationing, the family had shared vehicles due to the cost of having to purchase a car. I was never certain to which family member a car belonged, since they frequently passed vehicles around among themselves. I suspected that they often put their money together to buy a vehicle and it did not actually belong to any one person once purchased.

 

Once we were on the road that led from the cottage to the town, I asked, “How are you doing?” This was an open enough question that he could answer it with a general reply about his welfare, or he could talk, if he wished.

 

He kept his eyes on the road as he replied, “I'm fine. If you mean about Will, I'm very aware that your sympathies are with him, as are my family's.”

 

“I consider Will to be a very good friend. However, if you wish to talk, I am willing to listen.”

 

He considered my offer and then nodded. “I would like you to understand my feelings better and there's something I wish to ask you.”

 

“Go on,” I encouraged.

 

He continued, “I objected to Will serving Jim, partly because the Wrights have never served anyone. I know I can be dense, but after you had come out to correct me and question my work for the third or fourth time on the second day, I got the message clearly. My work is just another method of serving. I answer to more people in the course of a day than Will does. And Will...”

 

He smiled. “Will's employer is far easier to deal with than many people I have to obey. I don't believe Jim ever actually commands him to do something. Knowing that might have increased my hurt that he had chosen an easier life than the rest of us, if you had not sent me to take his place that day.

 

“Responsibility! If I had had any inkling of the responsibility on Will's shoulders, I'd have run when you suggested that I take his place for a day. And I probably only had a taste of it. I had to tell three people that day to call back when Wright was in. I had thought he was bringing our name down, but two of those people seemed to believe that I was incapable and disappointing considering how competent Will is. They associate our name with competence and plainly expected better of me. One of them was so obviously disappointed in me that I felt like saying, 'Look, I'm the family's dimwit, have some mercy.'

 

“Then there were all the chores that I couldn't seem to keep up with. I followed him around the day after, and he's so capable. Everything just seems to go smoothly under his hand. No wonder Jim admires him so much. His work isn't easy, and I'll never think so again.”

 

We were now on the road into town, and he said, “What cut me deeply, though, was that I thought... oh, it's an awful thing to believe about one's brother, and my family tried to tell me differently but... See, I knew that Will didn't really like being a carpenter, although he never complained. And I knew he wasn’t getting much sleep since he had started working for Jim, it was very apparent. I thought that he was selling himself to keep from going back to work with the rest of us; that he was servicing his employer in a way that was disgraceful. Everyone tried to tell me otherwise, but I was pipped about the whole thing and didn't listen.

 

“I did want to believe them, but anyone could see that Jim was still in love with his wife, and the idea of Will blatantly ignoring the law, for no reason other than to give pleasure really made me furious. I knew Will loved Jim, but I didn't think that love was mutual. If they get found out, my Dad will lose his business. No one will want to have anything to do with us.

 

“I started to realise just how wrong I was about Jim's feelings toward my brother when we were all chatting about me taking Will's place for the day. When I finally managed to serve Jim breakfast the next morning, he asked if Will was at our parents'. I thought he was just being polite, but now I realise that he was already missing Will. At dinner he ate the soup and bread, but then he started poking at his food. Will had stated that I had to make sure that he ate. I asked if I could help him with anything, and he said no. I didn't really think it would help, but I had no idea how to get him to eat, so I said that Will would be glad to hear from him, if he wanted to call my brother after he ate.

 

“I didn't expect that to make a difference, but he ate most of his meal before he found an objection to my idea. He stated that he couldn't call Will. He wanted Will to have the night free and not be worried about him. It was all I could do to keep from saying that Will was going to be worried about him for the rest of his life. Instead, I told him that Will would be glad to hear from him and would probably sleep better after talking to him.

 

“Well, I'll admit that I listened to the first part of their conversation. I didn't plan on doing so, but Jim thought I should talk to Mum first and let her know that we were fine, so that Will didn't get worried when he was called to the telephone. So I handed the phone to Jim, and he forgot I was even in the room. I was really struck by the change in his voice. He sounded like my Dad when he speaks to Mum; his voice became full of affection and devotion. I don't know much that was said as I was too busy feeling like a fool not to have seen what everyone else had, but I know he told Will that I was doing fine. I'd have said that I was barely scraping by, so it was kind of him to say that. And I heard him tell Will that he missed him.

 

“I still don't understand how a man can still be in love with his wife and love someone else, too, but I'm done fighting the whole thing. I wanted Will to be loved and happy. I just didn't want him to do so at the cost of our family's pride and name. I don't like the risk they're taking, but neither would I want Will to give up on love because of it.”

 

I said, “Mr. Heflner has accepted his wife's death. He is the kind of person that loves very deeply when he does love, and he loves your brother.”

 

George drove the car into his driveway. He said, “What I want to ask you... this whole thing has always frightened me... Do you have any idea of what the odds are of him going to jail, if they are caught? I asked Will what he'd do if they were found out, and he said that they would leave the country, but when I asked him how he planned to do that, what with the war and all, he just stated that there were ways.”

 

“I feel certain that Will would find a way to leave if that became necessary. I believe the need to ensure that Mr. Heflner does not go to jail will cause him to act quickly in such an event. I feel the odds are quite low that either of them will be sent to jail.”

 

George measured each of my words carefully and slowly nodded. He said, “Thank you for listening to me.”

 

We stepped out of the car. George's wife, Clara, must have been watching from the window, as the instant he stepped from the vehicle, the door flew open and with shouts of, “Daddy! Daddy!” his two daughters tumbled from the house and into his waiting arms.

 

As he asked, “How are Daddy's sweethearts?” Clara said to me, “Welcome to our home, Jeeves.”

 

I had an enjoyable meal with the family. Clara was a quiet, sweet woman. As I took a place at the table, she said, “Mum just called. Will telephoned her a little while ago. He and Mr. Heflner are doing well. They're spending the nights in the hotel's air raid shelter. Dr. Bridgeman has done quite a few tests. The results should be in on Monday or Tuesday.”

 

When I was home that night, I took our new uniforms and coats to my room where I spread them out to examine them. The coats appeared to be warm and practical. The uniforms were the exact opposite of our current ones, in that they were clearly designed for slender men. They would fit Mr. Wooster perfectly, I decided, with satisfaction.

 

It was not until I had listened to the nine o'clock news that my sense of missing Mr. Wooster began to seem overpowering. I walked through the house with morose thoughts tagging my footsteps.

 

I knew exactly when I had realised that a place could never be home to me without Mr. Wooster. I had left his service to work for Lord Chuffnell. When I had returned to our flat in London and was unpacking my belongings, I had discerned that whether my employer ever came to love me or not; still, he was essential to my happiness and without him no place would be home.

 

Now I ran my fingers over the piano and recalled the last time I had seen him play on Thursday evening. He had sang in a happy voice that always brought delight to my heart.

 

I remembered, too, the night after we had received the news that the Drones had been bombed. He had gone to the piano as always when I had started to close the blackout curtains. He had sat there silently, and I had hastened to his side. “Sir, if you do not feel like playing tonight, I understand.”

 

He had shaken his head. “No, Jeeves. They aren't taking this from me, too. I'll be fine.”

 

My thoughts drifted to the sessions of Mr. Wooster aiding Mr. Heflner at the piano. The man had not played the piano since Mrs. Heflner's death. He wanted to play for Wright, but when he explained his wish to my employer he had said, “It's going to sound real rummy. I've forgotten how. He won't think it proper to run from the room with his ears covered, but he'll want to.”

 

Mr. Wooster had offered our piano and his help, saying, “You'll remember how to quickly enough.”

 

Mr. Heflner's start had been shaky, but as Mr. Wooster had predicted, he soon remembered and as his confidence grew so did his skill. He intended to play for Wright the day of their wedding.

 

I had managed to guide a conversation with Wright to the occasional tasks that had to be remembered three or four times a year, such as having a piano tuned.

 

Wright had promptly given me the information I sought by saying, “I only need to have Mr. Heflner's piano tuned twice a year as he never uses it. I had it moved from the house in Longhaven shortly after I first entered his service. I had hoped that one day he would feel able to play it again, but...”

 

He had sighed sadly. “I accepted a few years ago that he will not have need of it. I should sell it, but I have never had the heart to. So it sits there covered, a constant reminder that even our love cannot completely heal him. You must think I'm very foolish. I really should just sell it.”

 

“Hope is never foolish. I think you should keep the piano until the war is over and you two have had a few peaceful years together. It may be worries about the current times and not the remnants of yesterday's grief that is preventing him from playing again.”

 

So the piano had remained unsold while Mr. Heflner had first struggled and then conquered learning once more.

 

My thoughts returned to the present, and I wandered into Mr. Wooster's study, pausing to think near his typewriter, trying to recall when I had last seen him work on his current story. It had been a few nights before the persistent bombing on London had begun, I realised. With a sigh, I put my hand on the drawer where I knew the draft of what he was working on rested. I doubted that he would protest my reading what he had written yet somehow I felt that I was about to trespass where I should not go. I removed my hand and decided instead to encourage him to continue the story when he returned home.

 

I went into the kitchen. How many times had he washed the dishes, merely to show love to a valet, who always reacted with some nervousness to his work. Often enough, I concluded, that I should cease worrying so much. It was rare now that he broke a dish or soaked himself.

 

One night came into my mind as clear as if I was watching it take place. I had been talking to my Uncle Charlie on the telephone and when I returned I had found, to my shock, that Mr. Wooster had stripped down to his trousers and was washing dishes. His braces had dangled down his sides and although his trousers had not slipped yet, I felt it was just a matter of time before they fell to his feet. I had walked toward him, intending to admonish him, but once at his side, the arousing view had silenced all my reprimands.

 

I had openly admired his chest and after a second the plate he had been holding slipped back into the water, and he said, “Jeeves, old chap?”

 

I had not answered as speech seemed a waste of breath. Reaching out, I had slid a finger over one of his nipples. Letting my fingers have their pleasure, I had fondled with his nipples and ran my digits lightly through his chest hair.

 

I recalled our rapid journey into his bedroom and how we had both laughed when halfway there, he had tripped on his trousers, which had dropped to his feet. I had caught him in his fall, and we had kissed over and over, breaking apart only to breathe and to exchange breathless words of love. How long we stood there, holding and delighting in each other, I did not know. I did remember how by mutual accord, we had resumed the rush to his bedroom.

 

My mind played over the memory of being spread open for him, unable to hold myself still as his tongue seemed to find and bring ecstasy to every part of my body.

 

Tonight I walked silently into Mr. Wooster's bedroom, remembering my own cries of bliss that night and his moans of euphoria. I glanced around now at an immaculate room; there was no sign or even the slightest indication that here was the place where we so often loved. That was how it should be, but somehow it increased my sadness.

 

Comprehending that I was just making myself more gloomy, I retired to my lonely bed where I eventually fell asleep.


Tbc

Comments

[mxdp.livejournal.com]

Werewolf! *snicker* true enough!
So the family knows and is happy with it. Goodie. I wonder when Jeeves and Bertie will come out. I like the Wodehousian plot of Aunt A. turning up with a new potential wife, and the sadness Jeeves feels at the end (though the memories are very very cute ;p).

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you like this chapter! I appreciate your sharing your thoughts. The Wrights have their problems, but they love each other. I don't believe a 'minor' thing like a major war would change Aunt Agatha. The memories are my favourite part of the chapter.

Thank you!

[pipariperho.livejournal.com]

What a charming thing to find waiting. I seriously LOVED this chapter. Oh I need a hug now. That or to read all the Heffie/Wright things there is. I say, is there a shortie to that yet? Wriffie?

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! I'm so glad you loved this chapter! That's always great to know. Wriffie is delightful! :) I like it! Lots of hugs to you.

[jestana.livejournal.com]

I love how the Wrights make an effort to keep Jeeves from missing Bertie too much. It's cute. I also liked Jeeves talking with them and finding out how they're adjusting without directly asking. It's very Jeevsian. *grin* And of course Aunt A. has a girl for Bertie to marry. *shakes head* At least this one doesn't seem like she'll go along with it like all the others. It will be interesting to see that play out. I liked the memories and I think it's sweet that Heffie wants to play for Wright. *happy sigh* Please hurry with the next part. I'm very curious!

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the reply and letting me know what you especially liked! Yes, the Wrights were trying to provide some distraction so Jeeves wouldn't have too much time to worry and be lonely. As Jeeves doesn't have his club anymore, I wanted to give him some support in life. I'm happy that Jeeves sounds in character. In the books, he's always so knowledgeable about people that I feel he must have been good at getting the info. in the first place and good at listening, too. I don't think even a war would change A. Agatha. Heffie sees the piano playing as the last part of courting Wright, even though it will be done after the ceremony, and in a way he'll never stop courting the man-always finding things like the oak carving to do.

[who-is-small.livejournal.com]

I am sorry for eavesdropping but Squuuueeeeeee!!! <3

Also, I loved this. I am always v. happy to see you updated. *goes to reread*

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for the kind reply! I'm happy that you enjoyed the chapter!

[jestana.livejournal.com]

It worked beautifully. Bravo!

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

Thanks and hugs!

[hazeltea.livejournal.com]

Oh, Aunt Agatha, will you never learn? lol.

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

I doubt she ever will.

Thanks for reading!

[ironicbees.livejournal.com]

*sympathises with Charlie & George*

I suppose it was foolish to expect a war to distract Agatha from trying to marry off Bertie. At least she's unlikely to succeed here.

I love Jeeves's memories. :)

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

That's good to know especially about George. I think it's only realistic that one of them would have more difficulty accepting matters and more doubts about the issue, but I didn't want him disliked. And Charlie... he isn't having it so easy, either. If allowed, he would not only accept them but be very happy for his brother with no problems over it, but the trouble with society's attitudes and his wife, make the issue difficult for him.

I don't think the war would change A. Agatha.

I'm glad you like Jeeves' memories. That is the part of the chapter I like best.

Thank you very much!

[amethystaura.livejournal.com]

I loved Jeeves' erotic memories of when his master made love to him, tinged with gloom and wist.

By the way, there's something I wish to bring to your notice... There's a certain chapter in "Troubled Times" in which Bertie alone makes full fledged love to Jeeves, which hasn't been tagged "rating: NC-17". In fact, I don't remember if it's been tagged at all, and I can never find it using the tags in the panel alongside. So I suggest you tag that (delicious) chapter so that people like me can stumble across it more easily! :->

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much!

Thank you for the notice. I went through some of my chapters and found some untagged but none that fit your description. So I don't know if I've tagged it or not. :(

[hephaistia.livejournal.com]

Update! They make me so happy. I'm really glad the family support them.

More soon, I hope! <3

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

Thank you for replying and letting me know what you liked! I'm working on the next chapter.

[sige-vic.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this chapter! I love your Wrights, they are such a happy and united family :-) Will we see Wright and Heffie's wedding in the next chapter?

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the reply and letting me know what you liked! The wedding won't be in the next chapter. It's in November, so there is one and maybe two chapters until the wedding.

[chaoticchaos13.livejournal.com]

How have I not commented on this yet???

I don't think Aunt A. will ever stop trying to marry off Bertie, not until she shuffles off this mortal coil.

I love how the Wrights have adopted Bertie and Jeeves and how they are keeping tabs on how Jeeves is doing while Bertie is away. These are the kind of people I would love to have as neighbors.

Isn't Heffie all sorts of sweet? Such a touching and thoughtful gift, re-learning to play the piano for his Wright.

A pleasure and privilege to read, as always.

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the reply and sharing your thoughts on the chapter!

I agree with you about A. Agatha.

I had neighbors like the Wrights once. Not where I live now, though. I wanted to give Jeeves support now he can no longer go to the Jr. Ganymede Club. And I wanted to show Bertie what families could be like.

I'm glad you like Heffie's gift! It will mean a lot to Wright to hear him play for the first time.

Thank you for letting me know that you enjoyed the chapter!

[storyfan.livejournal.com]

Let's see...what do I like. I like the idea of Heffie learning to play the piano so he can surprise Wright. I like that the Wrights think of Jeeves and his loneliness, Aunt Agatha up to her old tricks, and the final scene that is really only played out in Jeeves's mind.

Another lovely chapter.

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

Thank you for commenting and letting me know what you liked! Wright is going to be very surprised and happy. The Wrights are currently my extra support for Jeeves. They didn't want him at home alone, fretting and feeling lonely. Aunt Agatha makes me nervous, but it helps that the next chapter is mostly written.

Thank you!