Chapter 2: Of Brothers And Hags
The Main Study, The Duchene English Estate, Eastern Province, Leighton, England (1762)
Alana Duchene sat quietly staring over the large canvas before her. Her keen eyes took in the easy-flowing summer colors as she moved her bush ever so slightly along the painting she'd been of the mind to "retouch" as it were. For as long as she could remember, she'd had a fondness for painting, nature appealed to her more from a romanticized view from afar than it had when she was to brave the uncivilized world a time or two in a bid to bask in the excellence of her surroundings. Alana Duchene was quite a beautiful woman with long flowing hair as golden as fields of unharvested wheat. Her slightly pinked flesh was soft to the touch and without very many blemishes. Her eyes of course were her most impressive feature, a hypnotic gray like the clouds before a raging storm.
Her youngest son had thought her quite beautiful and he'd taken to painting as she had quite marvelously, Alana would spend hours painting with him on her knee and he watched in relative awe until he was old enough to take up a brush and display the incredible talent of his own. She always encouraged him, priding his work above her own as Alain was more gifted in creating works of art about humanity and animals. He could paint a shrubbery or two for the sake of adding substance to his works but he was highly skilled in the art of portraits.
While Alana was very proud of her eldest son Casimir, and the fact that he'd grown into a fine young man like his father before him, he was very keen on getting into trouble with anyone and everyone. Alain was more reserved and obedient in matters concerning her good judgment and she often had rows of plenty when it came to Casimir's scoundrel behavior.
At the present moment, Alain had entered the room, knocking beforehand and awaiting her expressed communication to enter of course, she couldn't help but smile as she put the finishing touches on her latest work of art and noted his fast approach.
"Good to see you've managed to make it back in time," she said, her French accent quite thick and her annoyance at having to speak in English not so unnoticed. "Your wayward elder brother is home as well I take it?"
Alain returned his mother's smile, a reserved boyish expression that only made him appear more charming as he lowered and like that of a steadfast hawk just before flight. He had accomplished his mission of course and wished to forget the unnerving experience altogether.
"Indeed he is Mother," replied Alain kneeling at his mother's side much as he did when he'd been a boy.
"There's a good lad," she replied her accent once more growing thick. "Now run along and get dressed for the party, it's one thing to be fashionably late and it's another to rudely keep the guests waiting."
"Of course," replied Alain before getting to his feet and heading for the door.
He closed the door behind him and stepped out into the corridor dreading the festivities his mother and brother enjoyed so much. They were a lot alike in that regard, basking in the envious glow of their guests and soaking up all the attention. He had not minded it much when all eyes seemed to gravitate towards one or both of them. He'd been prone to hugging the wall as it were and avoiding dances with many of the older well-meaning women who often insisted on having him court their daughters.
Making his way toward his private chambers, Alain did his best to ignore the music below them as Casimir had gotten the band going. He loved very much to be the center of attention and everyone seemed perfectly fine allowing it. He was a sight to behold once he truly got going. As a younger lad, he'd get the other noble sons worked up into a frenzy but there was never much anyone could do to him as he'd always been the better duelist.
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Alain's Chambers, The Duchene English Estate, Eastern Province, Leighton, England (1762)
Closing the hard oak wood door behind him, Alain breathed a sigh of relief finally having a few moments alone. He quickly changed for the occasion a dark blue coat with gold trim and black buttons complete with odd French designs and dark colored trousers and a crisp white long-sleeve ruffled shirt. His hair had been no bother given it already noted neatness and he made sure he smelled nothing of the stench of whores nor their unseemly perfumes. It bothered him to no end to have ended up in such a place. He could still feel the stinging of the smoke that made his eyes water as he navigated through the halls where flesh smacked and headboards cracked, as he took one last look in the mirror before him adjusting his outfit for the evening.
The forward whore dared to fondle his person!
A knock at the door had shaken Alain from his thoughts as he turned in time to see his father enter after wondering what had been keeping him. For a moment, Alain considered telling his father what had happened but decided not to give the foul wretched place another thought. He had pressing business to attend to and his mother was not to be kept waiting.
"Coming along?" asked Sir Alfred with an arch in his brow.
"Indeed," replied Alain stepping away from the mirror and joining his father as they headed out the door and down to the main floor.
As the rather careful lad suspected, his mother had made it down and was quite taken with the way the party was going. The endless stream of guests and women turned their attention to Alain as he ventured toward her.
"And here is my youngest son now," she said with pride in her tone as she looked upon him. "Just as handsome as his father, I do have some handsome sons don't I ladies?"
It didn't take long for Alain to deduce that his mother had been indulging in wine beforehand and it was making her quite meddlesome. He hated when she drank, although many others found her deposition to be quite jolly and tame. It was a habit nonetheless and something else Casimir inherited from her it seemed. They did enjoy their wines, the more expensive the better when it came to them.
The group of older women gathered around Alain as much as they usually did trying to get him to dance with them and regaling him with tales of their various daughters and how they'd make a good match if they'd been wed.
Alain had already been put off for the night almost wishing to be back at the brothel with the forward whore in place of these older women bombarding him with their tented gowns of refined elegance and idle prattle that held no interest for him.
He was not of the mind to settle and be married, at least not in his youthful age as his heart was set on his art and various voyages across the sea with his father. He had not the time nor the patience to fool around, as he saw no point in sullying one's reputation for a turn in the hay nor did he believe being forced to marry some random woman would be the solution to all of his perceived dilemmas from the point of view from these obnoxious older women.
Just when he didn't believe he couldn't get away from the clucking of mother hens fast enough, Casimir had come to the rescue as it were. The charming blond draped an arm over his young brother's shoulder and pulled him toward the dance floor.
"Better luck next time ladies," he called jovially after them while they scoffed and headed back toward Alana and Alfred. "I require assistance from my little brother at the moment."
While Alain had been grateful for the timely intervention, he'd been none too pleased with Casimir's drunken status nor the fact that he still tricked him into going into a brothel.
"Arse," muttered Alain narrowing his eyes at his elder brother as they fled the party and made their way out on the terrace.
"Is that the thanks I get for save you from that gaggle of old geese?" muttered Casimir still not quite over his pleasant mood. "Could have let them peck at your liver."
"Why don't you offer them yours, I'm sure they'd be good and drunk then." countered Alain.
Casimir chuckled before sneaking over toward a row of flowers and lifting what had been a half-empty wine bottle out of the bed. He dusted it off and smirked as he held it up in the moonlight.
"Managed to get some of the good stuff," he said elated. "French wine on import."
He popped it open spitting the cork over the edge and turned up the end drinking down a good deal of it before offering some to Alain before swallowing what he drank down. Knowing he'd never leave him alone otherwise, the younger of the two brothers gave in taking up the bottle and drinking some of the wine before handing it back.
Casimir chuckled once more at the face his brother made and turned up the rest, knowing all too well that he'd never get him to drink anymore.
"You know what your problem is little brother?" he asked gulping down the last of the wine.
"I'm pretty sure you're going to tell me," muttered Alain taking a seat on one of the outside benches.
"And you would be quite right ol' chap," replied Casimir. "Still, your problem is that you haven't had a proper fuck or any fuck since you've come of age."
Alain narrowed his eyes at his brother feeling his face turn red and his fists ball up as a result of his vulgar insinuation.
"Not everyone is a skirt-chasing arse like you, Cass," he grumbled.
Casimir smirked realizing he'd touched a nerve with his rather astute observation.
"All I am saying is that life would be a little less strenuous for you and a lot more pleasurable if you'd just got it out of the way." he reasoned. "And might I suggest you find someone suitable before Mother marries you off to one of those hags' daughters, you never know what you are missing out on."
Alain rolled his eyes not wishing to even look at Casimir who had suddenly taken to climbing the terrace and making his way down a long tangle of unchecked vines. Once more Casimir had his agenda and it wasn't about staying for the party.
"Where are you going?" asked the annoyed younger lad.
"Back to the brothel," replied Casimir with a confident smirk. "Don't wait up."
With that, he was gone all notion of the party long forgotten with his mind on one of the various whores to keep him company for the night.
"Arse," muttered Alain before he returned to one of the benches.
If their mother decided to strangle Casimir, he wouldn't be opposed to it in the least at this point. The day had been a long one it seemed and he was quite ready to put it behind him as he ventured down the vines and crept back into the manor determined to turn in for the night. He wasn't much for parties and wanted desperately to avoid those crazed older women cornering him again.
Chapter 3: An Artistic Point Of View The Hidden Grove, Leighton, England (1762) Morning came and with it a whole new set of issues that Alain had not been prepared to deal with. He slipped out of his bedroom with his art supplies in tow and headed down to The Hidden Grove, a beautiful area surrounded by trees and various colorful flowers far from the prying eyes of his servants, his parents, and his elder brother. It was the only place in town where he could paint in peace and never have to worry about another disturbing him. He dressed casually for the outing, just a pair of dark trousers, brown riding boots, and a casual long-sleeve white shirt scandalously worn without a coat due to his not wishing to stain any via the paints he intended to use. It appeared that fortune had smiled upon the artistic lad as he found clear skies and a bright warm sun awaiting his journey to the grove. The scent of fresh flowers and green grass filled his nostrils and he took in the easy crisp
Chapter 4: Exploits And Follies Room 5, Tavern Room, The Backstreets, Boylston, England (1762) Casimir DuChene awoke to a constant rapping at his door. Shaking off the grogginess of his previous night's follies, the young noble heir found himself face-to-face with his younger brother. It was quite impressive to see Alain visiting the seedy part of town for the second time that week but he seemed to have a good deal on his mind. The sleeping whores that lined the bed that Casimir got out of were tangled beneath the sheets and each other as he held the door open his naked body exposed for all to see. Alain rolled his eyes as Casimir could not resist offending his younger brother's rather delicate sensibilities. The long flowing golden hair that the handsome pale lad had inherited from his mother dangled over his broad shoulders that gave him a dashing physique courtesy of his deceased father when it came to genetics. Casimir smiled making his way over to a nightstand and pouring him
Chapter 5: The Pitfalls Of Being Sensible Alain's Chambers, The Duchene Estate, Leighton, England (1762) Nightfall saw to Alain lying in bed alone with his thoughts once more turned to the strange lass Noreen McCray. Her striking beauty clouded his judgment and made him yearn for things he had long since buried when it came to his youthful nature. Try as he might, Alain was unable to suppress his seemingly well-hidden desires for long. It had taken him years to carve out a reputation for himself that had not been overshadowed by his wayward elder brother. The stories and gossip about Casimir's love life or lack thereof a time or two were enough to warrant Alain from having similar stories about him. Sadly this produced rumors and conjecture far worse than his brother's well-noted wandering eyes. He'd been quite reclusive, never spending time with those of his age for fear of their influence possibly corrupting his ideals. Casimir had often warned him of his lonely lifestyle
Chapter 6: The Mysterious Allure Of The Fairer SexThe Old Grove, Hidden Area, Leighton, England (1762) Begrudgingly, Alain Remington made his way back to his favorite hiding place, The Old Grove and as per usual he brought his materials in a bid to finish his painting in relative peace before having to endure more aspects of court intrigue and many gossiping hens at his mother's next party of sorts. He had not expected to see the mysterious Noreen McCray a second time despite her promise to return for lessons and the like and no sooner had he set up, the lass had come from out of the flower bed a sly grin spread across her unforgettably beautiful face as she approached him."And here I was thinking I had frightened you off," she said pleased to see him return. "I did have some concerns that I might have been a bit too forward with you, but you seem to have come out of it alright.""Good day to you, Miss," replied Alain despite his less than enthusiastic demeanor about having to e
Chapter 7: The Smitten KindThe Duchene Estate, Leighton, England (1762) Another fine round of fair weather saw yet another day of Alain Remington awakening with the notion to venture to the old grove in a bid to not only see to completing his various projects but to once more find himself in the company of the beautiful lass known as Noreen McCray. Try as he might to put her out of his mind, even for a few moments, it never seemed to work out and he found himself envisioning her all over again. Pulling back the covers and attempting to stretch did little to take his mind off his rather pleasant dreams. If he'd been honest with himself he'd have come to the conclusion that his attraction to her seemed to intensify as the days passed and that he found her presence no matter how bizarre, intriguing to say the least.As he moved about his bedchambers, Alain barely said a word as he quickly set to work making himself presentable, his parents were always fussing about his lack of par
Chapter 8: The Pitfalls Of Youthful Impatience The Duchene Estate, Leighton, England (1762) The onset of a storm saw the plans Alain had for venturing to the hidden grove come to a disappointed end as he knew neither he nor Noreen would venture out in such atrocious weather. Despite being home for breakfast this time around, he refused to venture downstairs and mostly worked on putting a few touches on the painting of Noreen he kept hidden from everyone. His relatively obsessive manner alarmed mostly his mother as Casimir set about goading him into having sex with Noreen in a bid to get his childish longing for her out of his system. Annoyed by his brother's callous remarks toward the woman he fancied, Alain avoided him as well by staying in his bedchambers for much of the day. The creaking of the floorboards could be heard as Alain's constant pacing threatened to wear a hole in them. He was completely out of his element concerning his feelings or lack thereof, for the beauti
Chapter 9: The Endurance Of Sustaining Unwelcome Guests The Main Hall, The Duchene Residence, Leighton, England (1762)... True to form, Alain found himself dressed up and awaiting the arrival of his dreaded cousin Cornelius Eyston, a charming and deviously handsome lad with long dark locks often in curls and a swashbuckler's beard, he was said to arrive along with his visiting younger brother Reginald Eyston, who had been just as handsome and given to having a kind heart and a humble demeanor despite his youth, and lucky best friend Reman Jasper, who had been a tall slender young man with mostly unkempt red hair and despairing brown eyes. As far as personalities go, Cornelius was always a trite little monster in Alain's humble opinion, as he terrorized him from the moment they met. From the tender age of five on up, Cornelius had made it his business to insult, tease, and assault young Alain whenever no one was looking. The boy was an absolute terror to the staff when he came ar
Chapter 10: The Measuring Of An Acquaintance The Old Grove, Meeting Place, England (1762) Clear blue skies greeted the newly awakened Alain Remington as he pulled himself out of bed to start his morning routine. He had not stopped thinking about his encounters with the fair lass Noreen McCray. She'd been the only constant pleasant thing his days had seen in a long while even the seemingly ongoing rain did little to put a damper on his mood since his meeting her. His cousins had come into town and made themselves at home, which had been all the more of a reason for him to get out of bed before they started calling the family down to breakfast. Alain wasn't in the least interested in eating nor had he wished to endure his impish cousin's snide remarks and false sense of elegance when he could be elsewhere. It seemed Casimir had gotten the same idea and headed for the brothel before the sun came up. Alain decided to forgo his art supplies with the wetness being left behind from th