#Jack returns to Torenth

[aristocraticvision]

Chapter 320: Secret Romance

“So will I see you tonight?” Ted asked as he prepared to leave Jack’s hotel room. Despite their passionate night together, he was still hungry for more.

“I’m afraid not,” Jack replied. “All I have to do is sign my new contract this morning, and I’ll be done with my business here. If I don’t return to Torenth today, my father will start asking questions.”

“Just tell him you want to do some sightseeing while you’re here,” Ted replied.

“I suppose I could,” Jackson said. “But I’m not in the same position you are, Ted. I’m not out to my parents. I’d really rather not give them any reason to be suspicious.”

Ted shook his head.

“I’m tired of sneaking around, Jack,” he said. “I spent half my life hiding who I was, and now I have to hide from your parents, too?”

Jack turned away, frustrated.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I know how hard this is for you. But as the youngest of three sons, I’m not going to inherit a title or money. My parents have given me a roof over my head while I built my writing career. I can’t jeopardize that – at least not yet. This contract gets me one step closer, but we’ll have to see how sales of the book go before I start making any long-term plans.”

“I know,” Ted replied. “But you know that I’m here for you, right? If things go badly, you can always stay with me.”

Jack turned and smiled, taking Ted’s hand.

“Thank you,” he said. “But our relationship is still pretty new. I’d rather not add any unnecessary pressure. I promise, when the time is right, I’ll tell them. But until then, let’s just enjoy our time together.”

Ted sighed.

“So you’ll be leaving today?” he asked, sadly.

“Yes,” Jack said. “But it’s for the best. In Torenth, we’re both pretty anonymous, but here, you’re a Prince of Weston. Chances are, the press would eventually get wind of our relationship. I’d rather not go public that way if we can avoid it.”

“I guess you’re right,” Ted said, shrugging. “But promise me that, when I get back to Torenth, you’re mine for a couple of days.”

“I already told my parents I was planning to go skiing with some friends,” Jack said. 

“Good,” Ted said, pulling Jack back into an embrace. “Then I’ll see you when I get back to Torenth next week. Until then ….”

Ted kissed Jack deeply.

“Don’t you have a garden party to get ready for?” Jack whispered.

“Don’t remind me,” Ted replied.

CHAPTER 1 | BEGINNING OF PART 4 | PREV | NEXT

Continent of Oceana | History of Weston | History of Corwyn | History of Torenth | History of Allycia

[aristocraticvision]

Chapter 335: Homecoming (Pt. 1)

Jackson Flynn walked down the long hallway to his father’s library at Aldrich House, the family’s estate outside Winchester. He’d arrived back in Torenth earlier in the afternoon, but, finding no one at the airport to greet him, had been forced to take a taxi home.

He stopped to look up at an antique portrait of his ancestor, the second Baron Woodridge. The old man scowled back at him disapprovingly. But that was hardly surprising. As the youngest of three sons, Jackson was a spare for the spare. While his eldest brother, Jonathan, was heir to the Barony of Woodridge, and his other brother, Jarrod, had been created Viscount Norrell after the death of his maternal grandfather, Jack had no prospects other than those he could create for himself.

Jack was jarred from his thoughts by his mother’s voice.

“Jackson, you’re home!” she called from down the hall.

He turned to his mother and smiled as she rushed toward him. Of anyone else in the family, his mother was the one he loved best. She alone didn’t treat him as though he were any less important than his siblings.

“I just now arrived,” he replied, giving her a big hug. “It’s good to see you, mother.”

Eliza Flynn had married her husband young, before she’d realized the type of man he truly was. While never intentionally cruel, Price Flynn was, at best, emotionally distant from his family. So Eliza had thrown herself into the role of mother with gusto. Unfortunately, her two eldest boys had taken after their father, and remained distant from her doting attentions – leaving Jack, her youngest, to bask in his mother’s love with little competition.

“How was Weston?” she asked. “I hope you had a good trip.”

“I did,” Jack replied. “The contract is signed, and I should start receiving royalties as soon as the book is published.”

“Well done,” his mother said. “I’m so proud of you, son.”

“Really?” he asked, genuinely surprised. “I would have thought you would have preferred me to pursue a … well, a less risky career.”

“Oh no,” she said, reaching out to lay a hand on his shoulder. “The fact that you stuck to your guns and became a writer – even in the face of your father’s disapproval – demonstrates the passion you have for your vocation. That’s something I have never seen in either of your brothers.”

“Well, they both had their futures predetermined, whereas I did not,” Jack replied.

“Yes, I suppose that’s true,” his mother said. “But, truly, I don’t know that either of them would possess much passion even were that not the case.”

“So, you’ve returned,” his father’s voice said.

Jack turned to see his father standing, arms crossed, outside the door of his private library.

“He has, dear,” Eliza said. “He was just on his way to see you when I detained him.”

“Hmmm,” Price said, disapprovingly. “Then perhaps you should both come in.”

CHAPTER 1 | BEGINNING OF PART 4 | PREV | NEXT

Continent of Oceana | History of Weston | History of Corwyn | History of Torenth | History of Allycia

[aristocraticvision]

Chapter 313: Reunited (Pt. 1)

Traffic was picking up by the time Ted stepped onto the sidewalk in front of the Foreign Ministry building in downtown Weston. He had spent the entire afternoon in meetings and was exhausted. This trip was supposed to have been a break from his busy schedule, but, as he was quickly learning, an ambassador’s work was rarely done.

“Thank you for your time today, your highness,” Lacey Williamson, a senior aide to the Foreign Minister, said as she walked him out of the building. “I’m sorry things lasted longer than we had anticipated. Once the Oceanic Summit occurs next month, things will slow down a bit, but until then, Minister Granger wants you to be fully prepared.”

“I agree,” Ted replied, nodding. “Please send the meeting notes to my office so I can brief my team when I return to Torenth.”

The young woman nodded and hurried away.

Ted turned to his waiting car, but felt his phone vibrate as he headed toward it. Checking, he found a waiting text.

I hope things are going well. I miss you.

Ted smiled, returning the text.

I miss you, too. Wish you were here.

Only a second later, a reply arrived.

Look up.

Ted raised his eyes and saw a familiar face smiling just a short distance away.

“Hello, handsome,” the man said, waving.

“Jack!” Ted cried, rushing forward to wrap his arms around his boyfriend and kiss him tenderly. “What are you doing here?”

“A publisher here in Weston reached out about the rights to my new book, so I decided to meet with them in person,” Jack replied. “Besides, I don’t think I could have gone much longer without seeing you. I missed you so much!”

“I missed you, too!” Ted said. “Where are you staying?”

“I’m at the Continental down the street,” Jack said. “In fact, I’m heading there now, if you’d care to join me.”

Ted grinned and waved away his driver.

“I have to meet my brother and some friends at eight, but I’m yours until then,” he said. “I just can’t get over the fact that you’re here! I’ve been thinking about you non-stop and planned on calling you later.”

“And what would you going to say?” Jack asked, looking seductively into Ted’s eyes.

“That I missed you,” Ted said, “and that I couldn’t wait to get back to Torenth so I could hold you in my arms.”

Jack began walking quickly toward the hotel, then turned.

“Well, now that I’m here,” he said, “you can hold me all you want … and more.”

Ted swallowed hard, then grinned.

“Let’s get upstairs first, shall we?” Ted said. “Otherwise, with what I have in mind, we might just get arrested.”

CHAPTER 1 | BEGINNING OF PART 4 | PREV | NEXT

Continent of Oceana | History of Weston | History of Corwyn | History of Torenth | History of Allycia