The Wings of a Butterfly

.:9:.

Julian had been standing in front of his mirror, but quickly turned away when Frederick came in. He bowed lightly. “My precious beauty,” he said, smiling. “Finally we can talk.”

Frederick blushed again, and he stifled a shy smile. “Julian Lewis,” he said with a nod. “I have queries, if you allow me.”

“Of course... You can ask me anything.”

Such a strange manner of speech. Frederick observed the stranger for a moment, although it would be considered bad manner. He was raised well, with education in proper etiquette, but he couldn’t resist to have a good look at the man.
The clothes were rich and perfectly made. He looked like a fine gentleman of high quality. Yet he didn’t mention a title, which was disturbing, because Frederick didn’t know if he was higher than him. He spoke with strange words. It was no accent, as Wentworth had concluded. It was English, but odd. He looked a bit rough, and he was taller and stronger than any men he had met, yet he looked healthy. He was no peasant or villager. Frederick had no clue where to begin.

“Please,” he said, when he couldn’t think of any questions to start a conversation. “Sit down.”

Julian sat down, and relaxed.

Frederick looked at the man’s posture, and had a hard time to keep up his good manners. He perched up at the edge of his chair in turn, in an elegant, polite pose. “Julian Lewis,” he eventually started, “what is your title, sir?”

“My title? Hm... I have no title. I am your Julian.”

“I...” Oh dear. That was no use. Frederick almost licked his lips, but manners refrained him from it. “Julian,” he gave in. “Please excuse my curiosity. I feel confused. Where are you from, Julian?”

“Your friend suggested I was Welsh,” Julian said. “Perhaps we should keep it that way. I don’t want to confuse you even more, yet.”

Frederick nodded slowly. He didn’t understand why Julian would keep up such an obvious lie, but other matters were far more important. “How did you learn about me, Julian? I have never met you. I would remember you, I am sure.”

Julian smiled. “That pleases me,” he said softly. “I saw you, Frederick. You could say I saw you in a dream, and I searched for you. You were sad, and angry. I wanted you to be happy. So here I am.”

“You saw me in a dream?” Frederick forgot all of his education again, and he quickly straightened his face. “Are you a... sorcerer?”

“No... I am your admirer. I just saw your two friends. Wentworth and that other young man. They are what you want to be, aren’t they? They’re happy together.” Julian leaned forward, to look closely at Frederick. “Please tell me I’m doing the right thing, beautiful.”

Frederick backed away a bit, his eyes growing wide. He heard the sudden insecurity in the man’s tone of voice, and he had the indescribable urge to comfort him. It shocked him, but yet, it pleased him as well. His heart rate sped up a bit. “You are doing the right thing,” he said quietly, feeling the now familiar blush creep up his pale cheeks again. “I enjoyed your tokens of admiration, Julian. You made my dreams much more pleasant, I have to admit.”

“Good.” Julian nodded, and smiled a bit more securely. “I have spent a lot of money and effort on finding you, Frederick. I would be devastated if you didn’t want to know me.”

Frederick felt warm in his silk clothes. He pulled at his collar to get some more air, but it didn’t work. “Where are you staying, Julian?” he asked, glancing up at the man. He had tried to avoid his eyes, but now he caught his gaze. It made him shiver in delight.

“I have no home here,” Julian said. “Do you know a place I could stay?”

“Oh! I have rooms for guests, if... If you would honour me with your stay.” By now, Frederick simply ignored his blush. He was certain Julian had noticed it, and he couldn’t hide it. His wig itched. He wanted to pull it off, and undress to more be comfortable, but he couldn’t. Not in the presence of this stranger. A handsome stranger, he added in his thoughts. “Please, Julian?”

“It would be my pleasure, darling. Would you care to show me the room yourself?”

“It would be highly inappropriate,” Frederick said softly. “Will you forgive me my bad manners?”

“I would forgive you anything,” Julian assured him. He stood up, and the blonde quickly followed his example.

Frederick walked to the door, and held it open so Julian could step out first. “I would appreciate it if you would follow me, Julian,” he said politely. With his head respectfully bowed, he began to walk through the halls, with the stranger following him shortly.
He had many rooms for guests. Most of them were far away from his own quarters, as they should be. But Frederick didn’t go that far now. He stopped soon, at a room close to his own, and turned to face his guest. He opened the door. “Would this be sufficient for you, Julian?”

Julian stepped in, and looked around. “Beautiful!” he commented admiringly. “It would be a pleasure to stay here, Frederick. Thank you very much.”

“I am very pleased, Julian. Please, make yourself at home.” Although he knew nothing about the man, he somehow trusted him completely. The feeling made him nervous. He stepped in as well, and looked at Julian again. “Are you a murderer, Julian? Or a thief? Are you hiding yourself? Please do not be mad at me for asking you this...”

Julian turned surprised, but he smiled. “Oh, Frederick... No,” he said seriously, “I am no murderer or a thief. I’m rich, in fact. I guess I’m a nobleman, like you, but without land or a home.” He stepped closer to the now pale blonde, and took his upper arms between his hands. “I’m your admirer and friend, Frederick.”

Frederick looked at the hands touching him, slightly shivering. They felt so strong, yet it was such bad manner to touch any one. He secretively cursed his education, and looked up slowly. In turn, and with the greatest caution, he reached out to touch the man’s chest through his coat, thinking about the dreams he often had before he woke up between stained bed sheets. “I would be very happy, Julian, if you were my friend,” he whispered.

“Then be happy, beautiful. I am your friend.” Julian leaned in, and pressed a kiss on Frederick’s forehead.

The blonde staggered, his face turning almost scarlet. He pushed away, bowed his head, and quickly left the room. In the hall, he turned, but he didn’t look him in the eyes anymore. “I wish you good night, Julian,” he murmured politely, before he almost ran away.

He walked straight to his own bedroom, and quickly shut the door before he could be seen by anyone. His wig landed in a corner as he pulled it off, and he opened his clothes to get some air. He felt feverish, yet he wasn’t ill. He trembled, yet he was warm. His heart pounded and his throat was dry, and he felt dizzy. Utterly confused, he undressed completely, and fell on his bed naked. He couldn’t look at himself, as he knew he was in a highly aroused state. He covered his shame with a sheet, but couldn’t resist to press a hand against his arousal. He was so confused...

In the guest room, Julian undressed slowly and carefully, hanging his precious clothes in the wardrobe and folding his stockings. So far, it went marvellously well. Frederick didn’t repel him, and he had offered him to stay in the same house. It would be easy to access his hidden fortune in the small room near the study. Maybe he could buy a house, and come up with a title and a past. He had to stay low, though; people like that Wentworth were likely to ask him questions he wouldn’t be able to answer. They wouldn’t all be as easy as Frederick.

It was very tempting to go to the blond’s bedroom that very night, and to seduce him. He was quite certain the man wouldn’t even object. But it would have to wait just a little longer. He had to win the man’s trust, and become his friend, before he tried to make another step.

It would be worth it, to be patient a little more.