hannah_chapter1

Title: Yes Sir Part Six
Author: hannah_chapter
Pairing: Belldom
Rating: NC-17
Summary: AU. Victorian England. Matthew is the son of a lord, Dominic is a young and innocent servant: "The moment Matthew laid eyes on the boy, he knew he had to have him."
Feedback: Makes me do the dance of joy.
Disclaimer: Fake as fake could be.

Dominic clears his throat to get his master's attention. Matthew has been staring at the ceiling, lost in his own thoughts, but he turns his head at the sound.

"What is it, Dominic?"

"The doctor is downstairs, sir."

"Is he, now?"

"Yes. He asked me to tell you that if you do not keep your tongue civil this time he will cut the offending organ right out of your head."

Matthew makes a rude noise.

"Very well. Show him up and then wait outside. I will try to be polite but I promise nothing."

The doctor is shown up and shuts himself up in Matthew's bedroom. Waiting outside, Dominic amuses himself by walking up and down the hall. The doctor finally emerges from the bedroom. He stops at the threshold and delivers a parting shot.

"For the love of all that is good, Matthew, clean yourself up! I have known East End whores that smell better than you do."

The medical man makes a swift exit, paying no mind to the insults emanating from Matthew's bedroom. The master is still muttering to himself when Dominic returns to his side. Matthew runs his good hand over the stubble on his jaw.

"Tell me, Dominic, and please be truthful, do I smell as bad as all that?"

"You are somewhat ripe, sir. You have been in bed for over a week, after all, and if I may be blunt, I believe you may have had an accident while you slept, more than one, perhaps."

Matthew raises the blanket, sniffs and makes a disgusted face.

"I think you are right. How did I not notice this?"

"You were sedated for the better part of three days, sir, and when that wore off you were already accustomed to the smell."

"Then I shall do as the old coot suggests and wash."

"Shall I prepare your bath then, sir?"

"Please."

When the bath is ready Dominic helps his master into the bathroom, for Matthew has not stood on his own two feet for quite some time. Matthew sits on the edge of the bath and Dominic removes the bandages around his torso. The servant's eyes widen when his master's injuries are revealed. The bruises have only just begun to fade and the proof of Paul's brutality is plain to see. Dominic helps Matthew into the bath, taking care not to jostle his injured hand. Matthew sighs as the hot water goes to work on his body and Dominic picks up a cloth and washes his master's back, making a special effort to be gentle.

"When we are done here, Dominic, I will dress and go down to my sitting room."

"Very good, sir. Shall I bring your dinner to you there or would you prefer to dine with your family?"

"I will dine in my rooms. If I must continue to suffer the indignity of having my food cut up and fed to me then I shall do it in private. And I do not wish to share a table with that woman."

Dominic does not need to ask who 'that woman' is.

"She gives me the coldest looks whenever our paths cross, sir."

"That does not surprise me. She went to Father about you, you know. She wanted him to dismiss you and not just you, any and all members of your family serving in this house. She wanted you gone."

The servant drops the cloth.

"Do not take on so, Dominic. You and your loved ones have nothing to fear. You saved my life and Father will not forget that. I will not forget that. I will not let anyone take you away from me."

Dominic retrieves the cloth and washes beneath Matthew's armpits.

"Does every member of your family serve mine, Dominic?"

"My sister does not, but the rest of us do. My mother is one of the cooks, my aunt is a chambermaid and my father is a gamekeeper on your father's northern estate."

"Is he, indeed? I must go up there some weekend and do some shooting. Do you see him often?"

"As often as his duties allow, sir."

Dominic runs the cloth over Matthew's chest and stomach, private parts and legs.

"Does the cut on your head need to be cleaned and dressed, sir?"

"No, it has already been taken care of."

"Then, sir, if you will lay back a little, I will wash your hair."

When his hair is clean Matthew fingers his stubble again.

"I do not trust my left hand with a razor, Dominic, but this growth is irritating. Do you think you could shave me?"

"I will do my best, sir."

Dominic takes a chair from the bedroom and places it beside the bath. He gathers the materials he needs and sets to work, spreading the soap over Matthew's cheeks and chin. The angle is awkward so he works slowly and carefully as he guides the blade over his master's face. He finishes and surveys his handiwork with no small amount of pride: he did not raise so much as one drop of bood.

Matthew emerges from the bath and Dominic takes a towel and pats him dry.

"The doctor left fresh bandages, sir. Does your chest need to be wrapped up again?"

"Yes, but not just yet. There should be a blue jar there on the shelf by the basin."

The servant finds the jar and sniffs the lid.

"What is this?"

"It is ointment, I purchased it in Vienna. The merchant told me it would soothe all aches and pains but I have not had cause to use it until now."

Dominic applies the ointment and wraps fresh bandages around Matthew's torso. When Matthew is fully dressed he pulls Dominic into a loose, one-armed embrace.

"Thank you, Dominic. Thank you for taking care of me."

"You are more than welcome, sir."

They go down to Matthew's sitting room and the master frowns at the carpet.

"I seem to remember this carpet being a different colour."

"It had to be replaced, sir. The blood would not come out."

"I see."

Matthew takes a chair by the window.

"Shall I bring you some tea, sir?"

"Yes, thank you, Dominic. And could you have someone sent up to my bedroom? It needs airing and the linen needs to be changed."

"I will take care of it directly, sir."

Dominic returns with the the tea tray. Matthew has a book in his lap and he turns the pages idly as Dominic sets the tray on a table.

"Reading has always been one of my favourite occupations. Do you like to read, Dominic? Do you have a favourite book?"

The boy's stomach ties itself into knots. He has succeeded in keeping his ignorance secret these many months but he should have known this day would come.

"No sir, I do not have a favourite book. I, I cannot read, sir. I have never learned."

Shame weighs him down and he hangs his head. He hears Matthew moving about but does not look up until two fingers under his chin force him to. His master's eyes are kind, his voice gentle.

"It is nothing to be ashamed of, Dominic. I do not think any less of you. Please believe me when I tell you education and intellectual ability are not the same thing. Look at my brother, he has had the finest education money can buy and what benefits has he reaped?"

Matthew's lips twist into a sardonic smile.

"He engaged a lawyer to fight Father's decision, did I tell you that?"

"He did?"

"Oh yes, and then he sent the bill to Father. So you see, Dominic, all the education in the world is useless if a man is a natural-born fool. But you are no fool, Dominic, of that I am certain."

Matthew stares off into the middle distance for a few moments before turning his attention back to his servant

"I could teach you to read."

Dominic begins to answer but a finger on his lips silences him.

"Do not say yes just to please me, Dominic. Say yes only if you really want to learn."

Dominic does not hesitate.

"I would like to learn, sir, if you are willing to teach me."

"I am."

Matthew is as good as his word. As the weeks pass he devotes at least two hours every day to Dominic's schooling. He spends the rest of his time prowling around the house, unwilling to venture outside while his injuries are still healing. Dominic is forever at his master's side, acting as his right hand. They often pass Milly as they walk about, but they take no notice of her. They do not mark how carefully she watches them or the cold, calculating look in her eye.

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On his hands and knees, Dominic moans as his master thrusts into him again and again. Oh, how he has missed this, the feel of his master's thick, blood-gorged flesh moving deep within him. Matthew stills for a moment and yanks on Dominic's hair, pulling his head up and around and pressing their lips together. Then he releases Dominic and resumes his furious thrusting. Dominic has almost, but not quite, reached his apex when Matthew reaches his. The master bites down on Dominic's shoulder as he empties himself inside him. He pulls out and flips Dominic onto his back. The boy can feel his toes curl as his master sucks his prick. Dominic soon finds his release, arching his back as Matthew drinks him down. He swallows everything Dominic has to give and crawls up the servant's body, peppering his flesh with kisses and small bites. Their tongues meet in a perfectly obscene way and Dominic can taste himself in Matthew's mouth. The kiss ends and Dominic brushes some hair out of Matthew's eyes.

"I do believe you are fully recovered, sir."

"Matthew."

"Sir? I do not understand."

"When we are in company you must observe the usual formalities. But when we are alone, I want you to call me by my given name."

"As you wish, s - Matthew."

Matthew runs a hand over Dominic's flank.

"I have missed this."

"As have I. I have missed touching you."

Matthew's voice is playful.

"You touched me every day, Dominic."

"Helping you bathe and dress does not count."

Matthew's only response is a laugh. They lie together in companionable silence and Dominic is on the verge of sleep when Matthew speaks again.

"Now that my wounds have healed I will be spending a considerable amount of time with Father."

"You will?"

"Yes, he is grooming me to succeed him but that is not enough. He must be seen to be grooming me to succeed him. Paul's behaviour reflected badly on my father and his professional repuation. How can a man be trusted in matters of business when he cannot even govern his own son? Disinheriting Paul was a step in the right direction but it was only the beginning."

"Paul has been left completely to his own devices, then?"

"He has. He is no longer Father's heir, so he receives no money and Father is refusing to honor his debts. Mother would help him if she could, but her wings have been clipped. She cannot communicate with Paul and she cannot send him money."

"What will Paul do now?"

"I expect he will go to debtors' prison when what little money he has runs out. I know I sound cold and heartless but I cannot bring myself to care. My brother's fate is unimportant, the restoration of my father's reputation is my only concern."

Dominic lies there, taking it all in.

"You will have less free time, then."

"Yes, but do not worry, Dominic. We will still have time for this and for your lessons. I will always have enough time for you."

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Dominic is on his way to his room when Milly approaches him.

"I would speak with you, Dominic."

"I am busy, Milly. Leave me alone."

"You should mind your manners, Dominic, if you do not want me to tell everyone exactly what it is you do with your precious master."

Dominic stops in his tracks.

"How did you know?"

Milly's expression is one of pure, poisonous triumph.

"You just told me. It is true that I had my suspicions before now. I saw the look on your face when you pulled me away from him that night in his room. I know that look well, I have worn it myself. But I had no proof until now, when I heard it from your own lips."

"What do you want from me?"

She touches his cheek and he flinches away.

"I want many things, Dominic, but now is not the time to discuss them. I will come to your room at midnight and then we will talk about all the things I want."

She leaves him there and Dominic leans against the wall, feeling sick and faint. The feelings pass and he goes in search of his master, finding him in Lord Bellamy's study. Father and son are sitting at a desk, discussing various papers lying there. Dominic tries to hide his agitation but Matthew takes note of it and excuses himself. In the safety of Matthew's rooms Dominic tells the sorry tale, all of it. Matthew's nostrils flare and his hands clench into fists but his voice is calm.

"Do not concern yourself, Dominic. I will deal with this."

"How?"

"Do as the girl told you and meet her in your room tonight and you will see."

Matthew leaves the house shortly after this conversation. Dominic does not accompany him and does not see him again until just before midnight, when he comes to Dominic's room. He winks and places himself behind the door. Milly appears exactly at midnight. She enters the room and Matthew steps out from behind the door. Her expression, when she lays eyes on the master, is priceless. She rounds on Dominic.

"You little sneak."

"Shut up," Matthew advances on her and she thrusts out her chin defiantly.

"How dare you speak to me like that. Who are you to set yourself above me? You are a pervert and a sodomite."

Her insults amuse Matthew.

"Those are awfully big words for such a little girl, and a girl who does not know her place at that. As to your accusations, how do you know I am either of these things? What proof do you have?"

She points at Dominic.

"He admitted it."

"Yes? Did anyone else hear him say this? How can you prove he said anything at all?"

Milly's face is an education, Dominic can almost see the wheels turning in her head as she tries to reason her way out of her predicament. Then her shoulders slump in defeat and Matthew takes complete control of the situation.

"Breathe a word of this to anyone and it will not go well for you. If I am in good humour I will laugh in your face. I will dismiss your story as the malicious lies of a spurned woman. I will say you tried to seduce me in an attempt to become pregnant with my child and extort money from me, just as you did with the son of your last employer. Oh yes, my girl, I know all about that situation."

"You lie! It was not like that!"

"Perhaps not, but it hardly matters. I spoke with him earlier this evening and he will tell the story I want him to. We are both gentlemen, after all."

Matthew's voice is cold now.

"This is what will happen if I am in good humour. If I am not I will dismiss your accusations as the ravings of a madwoman and I will have you thrown in an asylum."

"You cannot do that!"

"I can and quite easily, too. You have heard the stories about those places I am sure. If you are not careful you will experience them at first hand."

Tears begin to roll down Milly's face. Matthew is not moved.

"Do not play games with men, little girl, you will get hurt," Matthew becomes brisk and businesslike, "now, I want you out of this house and away from Dominic, but I also want you somewhere I can keep an eye on you. We are in luck, for it just so happens that one of Charlotte's friends needs a personal maid. I have made all the arrangements. Pack your things in the morning, a carriage will come for you at eleven."

The master sits on the edge of Dominic's bed.

"I want to make one thing quite clear to you. This position is not a reward for your behaviour. Your new mistress is quite the demanding young lady and she possesses a wickedly sharp tongue. But you will stay by her side and serve her to the best of your ability and never complain. I will be watching you and if you misbehave or become too talkative I will bring you low. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes, sir."

"That is better. You may go."

Milly fairly flees the room and Dominic watches her go. Matthew stands and places his hands on his servant's shoulders.

"Do you pity her, Dominic?"

"I do. You were quite severe with her."

"I suppose I was, but I had to be. She would have ruined us both. She brought this on herself, Dominic, remember that."

"I know she did and yet I cannot help but pity her."

"I know, you have a kind heart, Dominic."

They embrace for a moment before Matthew returns to his own room.

Milly leaves the following morning and Dominic stands in Matthew's bedroom, giving a full account.

"What of the other servants, Dominic? What do they think of her sudden departure?"

"They were surprised to learn of her new position, but they were not sorry to see her go. She was not popular."

"No, I do not imagine she was."

"I am sorry about all of this, Matthew."

"This was not your fault."

"It was. I should not have handled her so roughly that night."

"Why did you, then?"

"I was ... jealous. I do not know why I thought this, but I thought you might wake and see her there and then you would want her and cast me aside."

"I would never cast you aside, Dominic, and certainly not for the likes of her."

Matthew pulls Dominic into a tight embrace.

"You are the one I want, Dominic. You and only you."