Fic: Redemption, part 21 (PG)
Mar. 6th, 2011 10:50 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
hazeltea.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
indeedsir_backupI offer my sincerest apologies for making everyone wait so long for this next chapter. I'll do my best to post more frequently <3
This has been rattling around in my brain since I read Yours, Plum: The Letters of P.G. Wodehouse a few years ago.I wanted to try continuing the 1953 fanfic by J. Maclaren-Ross , which was lovingly transcribed here by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
chaoticchaos13
Pairing:Jeeves/Bertie
Disclaimer: I make no profit from the lovely world of Wodehouse.
Part 1: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/849688.html#cutid1
Part 2: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/851698.html#cutid1
Part 3: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/853433.html#cutid1
Part 4: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/854770.html#cutid1
Part 5: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/856387.html#cutid1
Part 6: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/861280.html#cutid1
Part 7: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/864721.html#cutid1
Part 8: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/867046.html#cutid1
Part 9: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/870100.html#cutid1
Part 10: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/871794.html#cutid1
Part 11: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/875432.html#cutid1
Part 12: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/876502.html#cutid1
Part 13: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/880681.html#cutid1
Part 14: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/881405.html#cutid1
Part 15: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/881540.html#cutid1
Part 16: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/890509.html#cutid1
Part 17: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/896757.html#cutid1
Part 18: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/899617.html#cutid1
Part 19: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/904805.html#cutid1
Part 20: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/913398.html#cutid1
“… and that’s about the size of it.” I concluded, crouching over my tea cup with a sigh. I’d spent the past quarter hour or so unburdening the latest goings-on to the ever patient Catsmeat, who lounged across the chesterfield indolently, offering a muffled sound now and then to show an encouraging spirit. Finally, he stretched out his long legs, and turned to face me, fully.
“Tuppy’s always been old fashioned, though.” Catsmeat noted. “Didn’t you tell me once that he didn’t even like it when girls make up their faces?”
I nodded. “He used to go on about Angela being a natural beauty, and was rather put out when he found out that not all of it was natural. That was probably their first argument, come to think of it.”
He shrugged, and poured himself another cup. “All I mean is that he’s not going to go to the rozzers or anything of the sort. Angela would have his head on a plate, and he fairly worships her when they’re on speaking terms. Besides, if he was too embarrassed to even talk to you about it…” he shrugged. “He’s so fond of you, at any rate. What good would it do him to harm you?”
“Right.” I nodded, his logical reassurance bracing me considerably. “There was a bit of rummy business after the fish course, was well. This chap came by to chat with Tuppy, because he’s been borrowing some of Uncle Tom’s old silver for some charity exhibit. He looked familiar, and it took a few minutes to place him, you know, and finally I realized that it was the owner of the old Pumpkin Club in New York. I’d met him in passing before, not so very long ago, you see, and I said what ho, and he said what ho, and all was jolly good. I must have told him about being the secretary at the Junior Ganymede when I’d first met him, because he asked me how my position was treating me. Well, before I could answer, Tuppy jumped in, asking what the Junior Ganymede was, and saying that he must have the wrong chap, as I work for Lord Jeeves. Well! If you could have seen the look he gave me then! It was on par with the likes of my Aunt Agatha, God rest her soul. He just said, “Ah.” And then he turned from me, and resumed his prattle with Tuppy, as though I wasn’t even there.”
Catsmeat fingered a thoughtful gasper (his last vice, he is fond of bragging these days), and arched an inquisitive brow. “Bertie… “ he began, “Have you ever actually asked Jeeves what the blazes is going on?”
--
I hadn’t. Asked him, that is, directly. I might have started to,I can’t quite remember, but something always seemed to happen, you see, some distraction at the pivotal moment. So, with all the determination of the Woosters, I set upon Jeeves that evening as I laid out the evening meal.
“Jeeves.” Said self, once he had a few bites down the hatch, “A rather rum thing has occurred. When I lunched with old Tuppy the other day, I bumped into the chap that owns the Pumpkin Club in New York. He gave me a look as though I’d asked to marry his daughter when your name came up- nothing untoward was said about you, of course, love; but one does wonder what you did that gave him the pip.” I caught my breath, and awaited his response.
“That would be a Mr. Richard Mason, sir. I fear that he and I have had words previously. He is the half brother of Lord Farthington.” Jeeves seemed content to let the matter rest there, with no elaboration.
“So, you’re saying he’s not the sterling sort of fellow, then. A rival, or sorts. For whatever you’re doing for this Lord Farthington... You know, Jeeves, I hate to be pushy, but you never told me anything much about this chap except that he’s had a row with your friend.” Instinctively, I felt as though I was stepping across a line that I shouldn’t, but his expression did not change.
“I hesitate to call him a friend, sir. ‘Acquaintance’ is accurate. ‘Client’ perhaps more so. He is seeking my advice regarding a delicate family matter."
“But for a price.” I stated, making certain that I had my own facts straight in my mind. “But surely, you’re rolling in the stuff. Why then-“
“You are correct in assuming that I have my price, sir, but it is not merely money, or power, or anything which might threaten you, or my feelings for you. Please believe this, sir. I am doing this for you. Please do not ask any more.”
“Jeeves…” I began, fretfully. “If you’re doing something you don’t want to do… something illegal, or embarrassing…”
“It is nothing of the sort, sir.” He sighed. “I only fear that if I fail to bring matters to a satisfactory conclusion, and I had told you all, I might disappoint you. I hope to gain something wonderful, sir, something which could possibly even ease my guilt for abandoning you. I could not live with myself if I let you down twice.”
Well, this was an option which had not occurred to me. “I’m happy as things lie, love.” I took his hand, and gave it a firm squeeze. “You’re in my life again. We live under the same roof, a roof which I am certain I shan’t be evicted from, and we have all the food we want to eat, and splendid new clothing, and a bracing lack of bombs overhead. I have all that I need.”
“Perhaps you do.” He began, “But you do not have all that I wish you to have. I did not leave my life’s work and suffer those years of unwilling servitude to return to find you broken. Indeed, if I had known that were the case, I doubt I would have survived the war.”
“I’m sorry.” My eyes stung, and I swallowed. “I didn’t mean to lose the money, Jeeves. I didn’t mean to do- to do any of the things I did, honestly.”
“We have money enough, as you have so logically pointed out, sir.” He said, his voice softening to the consistence of warm, tawny port. “I only regret that when I returned, you were not well. I blame myself for not protecting you. I was hasty in leaving. I assumed that I had done all that I could to keep you safe. You need more than that, sir. You are a rare and precious thing.”
“Fragile, you mean.” I laughed, darkly. “What’s the use in holding me up to the standard you used to? I mean to say, no one thinks as highly of blue blood as they used to. In fact, I think it’s dashed unpopular these days. You can’t go about blaming yourself that you found a broken thing when you came home. You wouldn’t expect to find a china doll on a mantle unbroken after a bomb, either.”
“Sir, if you found the royal jewels in the rubble of the palace, would you gather and mend them to the best of your ability, or would you throw them in the Themes?“
“It’s not the same.” I protested.
“It is exactly the same.” He replied, firmly. “Only, I would say, more so. It is my lot in life to love you, sir, quite desperately; to protect you, to serve you, to worship…” he had drawn me close, and was covering my upturned face with burning kisses. As I’d said before, there was always something that came up at that pivotal moment, and this time was no exception.
This has been rattling around in my brain since I read Yours, Plum: The Letters of P.G. Wodehouse a few years ago.I wanted to try continuing the 1953 fanfic by J. Maclaren-Ross , which was lovingly transcribed here by
chaoticchaos13 Pairing:Jeeves/Bertie
Disclaimer: I make no profit from the lovely world of Wodehouse.
Part 1: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/849688.html#cutid1
Part 2: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/851698.html#cutid1
Part 3: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/853433.html#cutid1
Part 4: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/854770.html#cutid1
Part 5: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/856387.html#cutid1
Part 6: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/861280.html#cutid1
Part 7: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/864721.html#cutid1
Part 8: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/867046.html#cutid1
Part 9: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/870100.html#cutid1
Part 10: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/871794.html#cutid1
Part 11: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/875432.html#cutid1
Part 12: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/876502.html#cutid1
Part 13: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/880681.html#cutid1
Part 14: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/881405.html#cutid1
Part 15: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/881540.html#cutid1
Part 16: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/890509.html#cutid1
Part 17: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/896757.html#cutid1
Part 18: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/899617.html#cutid1
Part 19: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/904805.html#cutid1
Part 20: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/913398.html#cutid1
“… and that’s about the size of it.” I concluded, crouching over my tea cup with a sigh. I’d spent the past quarter hour or so unburdening the latest goings-on to the ever patient Catsmeat, who lounged across the chesterfield indolently, offering a muffled sound now and then to show an encouraging spirit. Finally, he stretched out his long legs, and turned to face me, fully.
“Tuppy’s always been old fashioned, though.” Catsmeat noted. “Didn’t you tell me once that he didn’t even like it when girls make up their faces?”
I nodded. “He used to go on about Angela being a natural beauty, and was rather put out when he found out that not all of it was natural. That was probably their first argument, come to think of it.”
He shrugged, and poured himself another cup. “All I mean is that he’s not going to go to the rozzers or anything of the sort. Angela would have his head on a plate, and he fairly worships her when they’re on speaking terms. Besides, if he was too embarrassed to even talk to you about it…” he shrugged. “He’s so fond of you, at any rate. What good would it do him to harm you?”
“Right.” I nodded, his logical reassurance bracing me considerably. “There was a bit of rummy business after the fish course, was well. This chap came by to chat with Tuppy, because he’s been borrowing some of Uncle Tom’s old silver for some charity exhibit. He looked familiar, and it took a few minutes to place him, you know, and finally I realized that it was the owner of the old Pumpkin Club in New York. I’d met him in passing before, not so very long ago, you see, and I said what ho, and he said what ho, and all was jolly good. I must have told him about being the secretary at the Junior Ganymede when I’d first met him, because he asked me how my position was treating me. Well, before I could answer, Tuppy jumped in, asking what the Junior Ganymede was, and saying that he must have the wrong chap, as I work for Lord Jeeves. Well! If you could have seen the look he gave me then! It was on par with the likes of my Aunt Agatha, God rest her soul. He just said, “Ah.” And then he turned from me, and resumed his prattle with Tuppy, as though I wasn’t even there.”
Catsmeat fingered a thoughtful gasper (his last vice, he is fond of bragging these days), and arched an inquisitive brow. “Bertie… “ he began, “Have you ever actually asked Jeeves what the blazes is going on?”
--
I hadn’t. Asked him, that is, directly. I might have started to,I can’t quite remember, but something always seemed to happen, you see, some distraction at the pivotal moment. So, with all the determination of the Woosters, I set upon Jeeves that evening as I laid out the evening meal.
“Jeeves.” Said self, once he had a few bites down the hatch, “A rather rum thing has occurred. When I lunched with old Tuppy the other day, I bumped into the chap that owns the Pumpkin Club in New York. He gave me a look as though I’d asked to marry his daughter when your name came up- nothing untoward was said about you, of course, love; but one does wonder what you did that gave him the pip.” I caught my breath, and awaited his response.
“That would be a Mr. Richard Mason, sir. I fear that he and I have had words previously. He is the half brother of Lord Farthington.” Jeeves seemed content to let the matter rest there, with no elaboration.
“So, you’re saying he’s not the sterling sort of fellow, then. A rival, or sorts. For whatever you’re doing for this Lord Farthington... You know, Jeeves, I hate to be pushy, but you never told me anything much about this chap except that he’s had a row with your friend.” Instinctively, I felt as though I was stepping across a line that I shouldn’t, but his expression did not change.
“I hesitate to call him a friend, sir. ‘Acquaintance’ is accurate. ‘Client’ perhaps more so. He is seeking my advice regarding a delicate family matter."
“But for a price.” I stated, making certain that I had my own facts straight in my mind. “But surely, you’re rolling in the stuff. Why then-“
“You are correct in assuming that I have my price, sir, but it is not merely money, or power, or anything which might threaten you, or my feelings for you. Please believe this, sir. I am doing this for you. Please do not ask any more.”
“Jeeves…” I began, fretfully. “If you’re doing something you don’t want to do… something illegal, or embarrassing…”
“It is nothing of the sort, sir.” He sighed. “I only fear that if I fail to bring matters to a satisfactory conclusion, and I had told you all, I might disappoint you. I hope to gain something wonderful, sir, something which could possibly even ease my guilt for abandoning you. I could not live with myself if I let you down twice.”
Well, this was an option which had not occurred to me. “I’m happy as things lie, love.” I took his hand, and gave it a firm squeeze. “You’re in my life again. We live under the same roof, a roof which I am certain I shan’t be evicted from, and we have all the food we want to eat, and splendid new clothing, and a bracing lack of bombs overhead. I have all that I need.”
“Perhaps you do.” He began, “But you do not have all that I wish you to have. I did not leave my life’s work and suffer those years of unwilling servitude to return to find you broken. Indeed, if I had known that were the case, I doubt I would have survived the war.”
“I’m sorry.” My eyes stung, and I swallowed. “I didn’t mean to lose the money, Jeeves. I didn’t mean to do- to do any of the things I did, honestly.”
“We have money enough, as you have so logically pointed out, sir.” He said, his voice softening to the consistence of warm, tawny port. “I only regret that when I returned, you were not well. I blame myself for not protecting you. I was hasty in leaving. I assumed that I had done all that I could to keep you safe. You need more than that, sir. You are a rare and precious thing.”
“Fragile, you mean.” I laughed, darkly. “What’s the use in holding me up to the standard you used to? I mean to say, no one thinks as highly of blue blood as they used to. In fact, I think it’s dashed unpopular these days. You can’t go about blaming yourself that you found a broken thing when you came home. You wouldn’t expect to find a china doll on a mantle unbroken after a bomb, either.”
“Sir, if you found the royal jewels in the rubble of the palace, would you gather and mend them to the best of your ability, or would you throw them in the Themes?“
“It’s not the same.” I protested.
“It is exactly the same.” He replied, firmly. “Only, I would say, more so. It is my lot in life to love you, sir, quite desperately; to protect you, to serve you, to worship…” he had drawn me close, and was covering my upturned face with burning kisses. As I’d said before, there was always something that came up at that pivotal moment, and this time was no exception.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Jeeves: always raising the bar.
Date: 2011-03-07 04:17 am (UTC)Oh Bertie, he tries so hard. Now I;m dying to know what Jeeves could be trying to get. I agree with Bertie, they have all they need (i.e. each other)so what's left?
Re: Jeeves: always raising the bar.
Date: 2011-03-07 04:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-07 04:26 am (UTC)Oh, Bertie. When will he learn that Jeeves doesn't need him to apologize for what happened to him during the war? I'm curious about what Jeeves is working on, too, and hope it really will help.
Come to think of it I don't think I've commented on the rest of this fic before, but I love it. It's intriguing and heartbreaking and moving all at once, and is one of my go-tos when I need an angst fix (which is a good thing, of course). I can't wait for more.
no subject
Date: 2011-03-07 04:33 am (UTC)Thank you so much for your comment, it really does mean a lot! I'll do my best to post as often as I can.
no subject
Date: 2011-03-07 04:56 am (UTC)Neither of them seems to think he's good enough for the other.
Whatever Jeeves is planning, I really do hope it comes off well.
no subject
Date: 2011-03-07 05:04 am (UTC)Always wonderful.
Date: 2011-03-07 08:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-11 11:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-12 02:18 pm (UTC)More please, I need more.... :)
no subject
Date: 2011-03-27 05:09 pm (UTC)It is my lot in life to love you, sir, quite desperately; to protect you, to serve you, to worship…” he had drawn me close, and was covering my upturned face with burning kisses. As I’d said before, there was always something that came up at that pivotal moment, and this time was no exception.
I mean, really, can you blame Bertie for being distracted?? But I vow not to be anymore, I hope that we find out what kind of scheme Jeeves is up to now, and we know it has to be a doozy because he's doing it solely because of the love he has for bertie. that's intense.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-10 10:38 pm (UTC)I somehow missed that you'd posted more, obviously, and I'm enjoying catching up SO much!
<3
no subject
Date: 2013-10-21 06:56 am (UTC)Thank the orbiting teapot that they both continue to heal. The sitch was pretty desperate for both of them at the outset. Bertie was in awful shape, yes, but Jeeves was also pretty stunningly torn apart and unable to communicate. Now I wonder what that giant Jeevesian lemon currently has on the boil, if lemons can be on the boil, I mean, what?
And Bertie has discovered a sure-fire way to get Jeeves in the sack if all else fails. Just mention this Farthington wheeze. (Thankfully, Bertie is too considerate to use it like that.)
I'm in awe. You are some sort of Jeevesian genius. And your Bertie in the tree book cover icon is one of the best I've ever seen.
no subject
Date: 2013-10-21 07:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-22 05:38 am (UTC)Spoiler Alert !!! stop reading here
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Jeeves' idea of buying Berkeley Mansions for Bertie is just so perfect and so Jeevesian. I just wanted to kiss him, and you! And you've figured out how to solve the space and propriety issues by having a second, connecting flat! And since they are both Lords they can attend functions together, such as Elizabeth's 1953 coronation, perhaps? (Did I see someone mention "the queen's English", meaning it's already at least 1952?) I will be waiting impatiently for the exciting denouement. And I love Catsmeat.