Whispers in the Wind

Winter flowed into Spring and then into the very early days of summer. James's ship returned to England. He went immediately to Young's father.
The old man looked eagerly past James's broad shoulders. "Where is he? Didn't he come with you? Is he outside?"
"I have him in a safe place." He went on to explain about the accident, about the poisoning incident. "He was not safe on board my vessel."
"Cedric..." His face began to crumple but he caught himself. he was never the type of person to reveal his emotions to other people.
"I do not know your younger son, so I cannot say, one way or another, if the episodes were caused by him. All I know is that the accidents did not appear to be very accidental. I could not allow Ray to stay on board my ship."
"Where is he?"
"Somewhere safe." James's eyes shot toward the doorway.
"He has gone to Liverpool. The servants, except for Hazard, have the day off and have left my home."
"And your butler?"
"Hazard was my valet back when...he helped me save my wife and my son. He tended to my boy afterwards when I... I could not face my child, knowing my leaving him had given those men..." He shook his head, too unemotional to continue. He collected himself. "How do you know he is safe where he is?" the old man demanded, cheeks pale.
"I do." And he prayed, Terror chewed at the pit of his stomach. "What shall I do? Shall I return him here?"
Sadness overwhelmed the old man. He slumped into a chair. "I love him. He is so much like his mother." He sighed wearily. His eyes were old, forlorn, as he lifted his head to gaze at the stronger, younger man. "I cannot risk his life, no longer. I have fooled myself too long. Can you guarantee his protection where he is?"
"If I thought he was in a dangerous situation where he is, I would move him."
"I am glad your father talked to you last year. I am glad you agreed to help us." He tried to stand, grew weak without warning. James caught him. He helped him back down into the chair.
"Shall I call Hazard?" 
"Yes." Discomfort close to being pain appeared on his face. His flesh was even whiter.
James went for Hazard.
"It is his heart, " the butler confided later after the old man was in bed, resting, full of medication. "The doctor has told him it could give out at any moment. If only this situation between his sons..." The elderly man shook his head in dismay. "Things like this did not happen when I was young. What is the world coming to?"
James had no answer to that though he was cynical enough to believe the world had always contained wicked people, and always would.
Cedric returned that evening, a very irate man. He met James's cold glance with one of hatred. "Did your men like my brother's ass?" he inquired in icy contempt. "Did you?" He waited in cold derision. When the seaman did not take the bait, Cedric continued, "Did he fight? Did he beg you...no, of course he didn't. He can't speak. Did you like that? Or, did you miss the sounds when you fucked him?"
James swallowed his own wrath. His eyes revealed the depth of his emotions. None of what those blue orbs revealed had any effect on Cedric whose eyes remained contemptuous, hard. "I am here at your father's request. I am leaving in the morning. Until I leave, I shall attempt to remain civil to you."
"Oh, by all means, remain civil." Cedric sneered. "We mustn't disappoint father, now must we? His eyes shot insolently over James's body. "I'm not silent."
"And I am not interested." Though the words tumbled around within him, pushing desperately to get out, to be said, to be shouted, James resisted the urge to say more. Cedric laughed before he turned and went up stairs, leaving James to his own devices for the evening.
At ten that night, James stepped out into the garden to catch a breath of fresh air. He had been troubled by bad dreams and needed a change of scenery. He heard the sound of a horse, riding swiftly from the stable. Curiosity made him to hurry to the side of the garden. He thought the rider was Cedric but couldn't be sure. He shrugged and returned to his room.
When James rode out the next morning, he did not notice the two men following him.