Chapter 28

William spent the next few days ransacking the house for any papers, deeds or documents that might shed light on what exactly he owned and where it might be found. There were papers pertaining to bank accounts and deeds for land, property and business which made him believe that he might be a very wealth man, but he had no idea what it all really meant. That was for Lady Carlington's lawyer to discover. He also intended to ask about the property in Rossendale, and find out whether anyone was using it at present. Lady Carlington had suggested that he might think about letting the mansion if he didn't intend to live there any more. It was what people of property did apparently, although he couldn't imagine who would want to voluntarily live here, given the stories that surrounded the place.

For the first time, William had something to do other than just indulge himself. This actually felt as if he was doing a job of work, something important that was going to make a difference. He stood nervously in the hall as he waited for their transport to arrive, a leather bag full of papers slung over his shoulder, and wearing the best clothes that they had been able to find that didn't make him look as if he was thirty years out of date.

It felt a little like the night they'd taken the coach out, the night he'd met Buffy, with his heart beating just a little too fast and a million thoughts racing through his mind. Plymouth was a rough, noisy place according to Tara, and she'd been almost hysterical when she'd realised that he and Alex really were going, convincing herself that they were going to immediately fall prey to the press gangs and wake up in the ranks of the British Navy. And that was a real possibility that accounted for more than a little of the nerves that he was feeling. They'd have Jonathan with them, but he didn't look sturdy enough to fend anyone off.

Trust in Lady Carlington, he repeated over and over to himself as he watched Tara and Alex appear from the kitchen wing.

Now that Ethan wasn't here to organise things, they'd have to think about ordering supplies and paying for them. He'd seen to all that sort of thing and as William waited he realised that there was so much that he didn't know about how the world worked. So much he needed to learn. He didn't just need Buffy for the physical aspects of their relationship or for companionship. He needed her to teach him all this. Needed someone he could trust not to cheat him, or take him for the fool he must surely appear to everyone.

Alex managed to fend Tara off at last and then they heard the sound of Lady Carlington's coach pulling up in the drive.

"You ready then?"

William took a very deep breath and moved to open the front door. "Ready as I'll ever be, I suppose. Have you been to Plymouth before?"

"No, just into the village a few times with Ethan."

Alex sidestepped smartly as Tara went for his collar, tutting to herself and declaring that he looked a mess.

"Mother will you stop fussing? I can do my own collar."

"But Alex my dear, you're supposed to be a gentleman. Now remember to try and speak properly as William taught you, and do not drink too much. Oh dear, I'm so worried about you both."

"Don't be, Tara," William replied, one eye on the small party of people who were getting down from the coach. "It looks as if Lady Carlington has brought company."

She had indeed. Two maidservants to stay with Tara so that she wouldn't be alone at the mansion and two men that William hadn't seen before. She swept in ahead of them in her usual regal style, kissing William on the cheek and winking at Alex, then turning to Tara.

"I've brought you some company, my dear. Flora and Agnes are both very sensible and level headed and don't believe for a moment all this nonsense about vampires. Perhaps you'd like to show them a place to sleep and then we can be away. Are you ready boys?"

William nodded to her, swallowing nervously. He wanted to ask her about Buffy but they had quite a crowd about them now, and he didn't feel that he could. Flora and Agnes curtseyed to him as they entered, something he still hadn't got used to, and one of the men gathered up their bags and took them to the waiting coach.

"So, are we ready?"

Lady Carlington looked them up and down, her usual amused expression on her face, then she turned in a swish of skirts, and swept back towards the coach.

Alex nearly fell over him getting out of the door as Tara tried to hug him once more.

"Maybe I should come with you," she wailed as they climbed into the coach.

"No."

They both spoke at once and William leaned out and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. He flicked a glance at Alex who was mouthing the word no at him and shaking his head frantically from the other side of the coach, and then at Lady Carlington who was having trouble keeping a straight face, judging by the way her mouth kept twitching.

"I promise we'll come back in one piece, Tara. Now go inside and see to Flora and Agnes. I'm glad you won't be by yourself."

"William, put your hand in or you will burn. One piece? What do you mean?"

Oh dear, it wasn't quite the best expression he might have used. Tara was wiping her eyes now, obviously convinced that she was never going to see either of them again. As the coach lurched forward she took a few steps with it and he started to get quite concerned that she would fall under the wheels. To their great relief she decided not to chase the coach to Plymouth and Alex relaxed at last.

"God's blood, I thought she was coming with us. Begging your pardon Lady Carlington."

"I can quite understand it Alex. You certainly wouldn't want your mother with you at your age."

"That I don't Lady C. Got plans for this weekend I 'ave."

Both William and Lady Carlington sat up at this, looking at him expectantly.

"Well, I'm not telling you," he said, folding his arms and blushing a little as he spoke. "Something I got to do, that's all, and it's none of your business."

William had a decided sinking feeling at Alex's words. "You're not going to disappear, are you? I promised Tara we'd get home in one piece, and I need you with me."

"No, I'm not going to disappear. Not for long anyway. Who am I again?"

"You're my cousin and your country seat is in Lancashire. You are Alexander Angelus."

"Still don't like that name," he grumbled to himself, staring out of the window and watching the mansion disappearing as the coach made its way down the drive. "Got this far without a second name, don't see why I 'ave to 'ave one now. You think they'll be alright back there by themselves?"

"Oh dear, I should have left one of the men with them. Shall we go back?"

"They'll be alright Lady Carlington, no one ever visits the mansion. Will you be staying with us in Plymouth?"

"No William, I need to get back to Shell Cove. I will see you settled, but not in Plymouth, for you two are far too innocent to let you loose on the streets of such a town. We are going to an inn in a village a few miles from there and I will leave Warren and Andrew along with Jonathan to see that you are well protected.

Alex made a snorting sound at that, looking quite affronted at the implication that he couldn't look after himself.

"We're not children Lady C. I don't know why you should think that, anyway, got this." He reached into his pocket, fumbling about, a mystified expression on his face.

Lady Carlington twisted her foot and kicked something out from under her seat.

"Were you looking for this?"

Alex looked into his pocket one more time just to make sure his eyes weren't deceiving him.

"But it was 'ere, 'ow did you do that?"

Lady Carlington laughed out loud at the expression on his face as he bent down and pocketed the small pistol once more, suddenly looking at Lady Carlington with a new found respect. "I didn't feel you take it. When did you learn to do that then?"

"It's my party trick, Alex, I learned it from a Frenchman, goodness, I was in love with him. They caught me pushing the rowing boat out in an attempt to row to France to join him."

"I bet you would 'ave too."

"Ahh, young love." She nodded at his pocket as she spoke. "That was rather amusing, but I was making a serious point to both of you, do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"We do Lady Carlington and thank you. We couldn't have done any of this without you."

William decided he'd better jump into the conversation at this point before Alex got any more over familiar than he already had. She certainly didn't seem to mind the casual way in which he called her Lady C. instead of her full name, but William had a suspicion that that sort of thing wasn't done in polite society. But neither had anyone ever accused Alex of being polite society.

In fact if he wasn't mistaken, he could have sworn that Lady Carlington was flirting with Alex, and Alex was doing a good job of flirting back. It just seemed to be coming naturally to him, which puzzled William somewhat. Alex had hardly spoken two words in succession to anyone before Buffy had arrived., but for some reason Buffy had been able to tell Alex things that she hadn't told him. Now Lady C seemed to be bringing him out further.

Where William already felt slightly queasy from the movement of the coach he could see that Alex seemed totally at ease. And where he felt nervous at the prospect of meeting so many people all of a sudden, Alex had the appearance of one looking forward to it.

As they sat in quiet contemplation as the coach made its way along the coast road, William suddenly realised just what Alex's secret business in Plymouth was going to be. It must have shown on his face because Alex looked back at him, smirked and then turned to look pointedly out of the window again, as if he was telling him that it really was none of his business.

William then thought about the trio riding on top of the coach. They were all short of stature but together they had the air of men totally at ease with the world and how it worked. Without their employer around they were probably out to have a good time too. He then began to seriously worry if he was ever going to get Alex to return home at all.

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"Are you sure I can't get you anything else, Elizabeth?"

"No thank you Willow. Sit down and talk with me, you haven't stopped since I arrived. And the lemonade is fine."

"I'm just so excited that you managed to visit me at last. Are you feeling any better?"

"Not really, but I haven't come here to talk about myself, tell me some news, Willow. What's been happening while I was away?"

Willow sat herself down on the garden bench with Elizabeth and poked Dawn with her foot.

"You will be covered in grass, Dawn, come sit with us."

Dawn rolled over so that she was lying full length on the lawn, flinging her arms wide and sighing heavily. "What glorious weather. I wish we could go down to the cove and swim or something."

"Mama would have a fit, Dawn. Do get up, that is a most unladylike pose."

Dawn got up, grumbling and brushing grass from her dress. "No one ever wants me to have any fun. I think being ladylike is boring."

They all laughed in sympathy at this.

"It is rather restricting, isn't it? Shall we walk down to the cove?"

Buffy sighed and leaned her head back, feeling the warm sun on her face, which made her think of William. She'd tried to burn his face into her mind but just lately it was becoming more difficult, a blur of mixed images of her time at the mansion.

"I don't think I have the energy, Willow."

"Nonsense, it will do you good."

Buffy felt Willow's hand in hers. Pulling her up. Heard her sending Dawn into the house to fetch towels to dry their feet on.

"All right then, if you insist." She let herself be pulled up because she didn't have the will to resist and also because she knew that a change of scenery would do her good. She already felt better than she had since she'd come back just by visiting Willow.

Willow called after Dawn to meet them at the gate, then she linked arms with Elizabeth.

"Does Dawn know about William?"

"Not yet, I'd like it to be our secret for now, Willow."

"Of course." Willow patted Elizabeth's hand reassuringly. "And it's safe with me. Oh goodness, I just have to tell someone, and I want you to be the first to know. I think I'm going to have a baby."

For a brief moment all Elizabeth heard was the word baby and she nearly opened her mouth and asked Willow how she knew, but then she realised that Willow was talking about herself.

Willow must have caught the shocked expression on her face because she frowned slightly.

"I'm happy, Buffy, it's what Oswald and I wanted."

"Willow, I'm sorry." Buffy stopped and managed to force a happy expression onto her face. Of course she was delighted for her friend, but the news had not only startled her, it had reminded her that she was in the same situation and that there was someone who should know her news too.

She grabbed her friend in a hug, squeezing her tightly and feeling envious that Willow's baby was something to be excited about. Elizabeth still didn't know whether hers was going to be a good thing or not and the whole business terrified her.

"I am happy for you, really I am. It was just such a shock you saying it like that. Does Oswald know?"

"Not yet. You and I always said we'd tell each other first. Do you remember?"

"We did, didn't we?" Elizabeth linked arms with her once more, contemplating whether she ought to tell Willow her news, because Aunt Joan already knew so it wasn't as if William would be the first to know anyway. But it wasn't as straightforward as that. Willow's baby had been conceived in wedlock, her own hadn't and Elizabeth knew that society would have a lot to say about that.

But Willow wasn't society and would never judge her that way, and she knew now that she desperately needed to talk about all this. Needed to tell someone about her time with William as a way of validating that it had even happened.

"Willow, can we meet again, some time without Dawn?"

"Of course we can. You know that nothing you say will shock me, don't you? Is that what you are afraid of?"

"No Willow, you would never judge me, I know that. Visit me tomorrow and I'll tell you everything, but you must promise to keep it all a secret for now."

They both turned as they reached the gate and watched Dawn loping across the grass, towels flapping behind her. She skidded to a halt in front of them, noticing immediately the fixed smiles they'd both pasted onto their faces, looking from one to the other as if to ask what had been going on.

She stood back and folded her arms. "I wish someone would tell me what all this is about. First Buffy disappears, then she suddenly comes back . Caleb isn't the man she thought, but all she wants to do is marry him. I wish someone would tell me just what is going on."

Elizabeth glanced briefly at Willow who was studying her feet rather intently, as if she knew that she'd been rather indiscreet in telling Dawn about Caleb, and then she sighed. Perhaps Dawn did need to know what was going on, but would it frighten her to know?

Of course it would, so Elizabeth knew that if she was going to tell her she needed to be careful with the truth. But, if all hell broke loose, as she fully expected it to do, and soon, then Dawn needed to be prepared for it too.

She offered Dawn her other arm and linked with her so that they could all walk together, and for the first time since she'd returned she really knew that she was not alone in this. Aunt Joan had told her repeatedly, as had William and Alex and now she was actually allowing herself to believe it. She couldn't do this alone and more importantly, she didn't have to.

Dawn looked slightly puzzled as she was pulled along, almost as if now that she'd asked she didn't want to know after all. As they strolled along the path which led to the beach Elizabeth knew that they were both waiting for her to begin. But where to begin? Certainly not with Caleb and his obscene painting. Elizabeth gave Dawn's arm a little squeeze to reassure her and then she let her mind drift back.

Happiness and tragedy walked so closely at times. During these last months the two elements had woven in and out of each other and become so tangled as to be almost indistinguishable. But happiness there had been, and that was what mattered the most. The little bit that she'd managed with William had been costly, but then precious things often were.

"Where shall I begin?"

"Start with the best part, Elizabeth."

Willow opened the gate to the beach path and they all passed through, slipping off their shoes, skirts held up, walking a little way until they found a suitable place to sit. Spreading out the towels, they sat down, and, just as it had been on the night that she'd got drunk at the mansion, two expectant faces turned to her and waited.

Thinking of William and Alex reminded Elizabeth that they were on their way to Plymouth with Aunt Joan, and she couldn't help worrying about them. She wished she could have been there for his first trip into town, it was going to be quite overwhelming for him. But they would be safe with Aunt Joan, she was sure of that. Aunt Joan hadn't gone into any detail about their business there, and Elizabeth had found that she didn't want to know. All she wanted was for William and Alex to come and get her and make this all come right.

When she looked up from her thoughts Willow and Dawn were still waiting patiently and she knew exactly where to begin.

"I will start with the best part," she said . "I'll tell you about William and Alex."

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"How is she?"

William sat in the corner of the private booth, his glance flicking between Lady Carlington and Alex, whose eyes were almost falling out of their sockets every time the waitress appeared with food. The fact that she was extremely pretty and also an outrageous flirt wasn't helping matters at all. Warren, Jonathan and Andrew had disappeared somewhere into the main bar and Lady Carlington was also about to leave after having had dinner with them.

"She's asked to see you actually, would you like to visit at Shell Cove House when you return?"

"Has she?" Oh god, now where was Alex off to?

Lady Carlington tapped his hand to bring his attention back to her.

"You're not his keeper William, Alex is a grown man you know."

"I know, Lady Carlington, I'm sorry. If I don't get Alex home safe and sound Tara will never forgive me. Did you say Elizabeth wanted to see me?"

"Well, she hasn't said as much, but I think you two need to talk. Come and be my house guest for a while. Caleb doesn't know your involvement in this as yet and it will give you a chance to meet him. Know your enemy and all that! What do you say?"

"I don't know, I want to see her, but this is all a bit much." He looked around at the crowded inn still rather disorientated by it all. "So many people all at once, and all this bowing and scraping. I'm not sure I'm ever going to get used to that. Everyone seems to think I should know exactly what to do, and I don't. Couldn't she come to the mansion instead?"

"Your position will bring great responsibility, William. People will look to you to make decisions and lead them, but it will also bring many privileges. Just remember to enjoy those too. And if Elizabeth visits the mansion then Caleb will put two and two together at once."

She rose from her seat, nodding approvingly as William stood up too.

"You see, you are learning fast. Come to Shell Cove for a while and we will organise some new clothes for you, and perhaps some dancing lessons. I think both you and Alex need to learn a few social graces. Bring Tara too."

William looked down at himself as she spoke. "Oh dear, is it that bad?"

"It is I'm afraid, you look like my father as a young man. But he was very handsome so take it as a compliment. Now, I will send Jonathan back with the coach and perhaps we will see you soon. Mr Giles will be here tomorrow to see to your affairs, I have high hopes that he will have something interesting to tell you."

She was a formidable woman he thought, as he saw her to the door, how many husbands had she had? He'd forgotten if it was three of four, but he could imagine what life with her would have been like, because he'd spent time with Buffy. And he was very grateful for her intervention in this matter, even though he was now feeling even more self conscious than he had been, after her comment about his clothes.

And with her gone he suddenly felt cast adrift in a sea of strangers and noise. She'd told him that there was nothing for him to worry about as she'd seen to the accounts for the weekend. Then he remembered her expression when he'd produced the bag of gold coins that he'd intended to use as money. He'd felt so foolish when she'd taken them from him and told him that he would be robbed within five minutes if he started flashing those about. So much to learn, he thought as he made his way across the crowded inn. And where was Alex? He hadn't come back and that couldn't be good news.

Being out in the world was even stranger than he'd imagined it would be. Just the simple task of negotiating a crowd had him bumping into people and mumbling his apologies, and they all seemed to be looking at him. At least that's how it seemed.

He wanted nothing more than to escape to his room, once he'd found Alex of course. And Warren and Andrew. He made yet another apology as he bumped into a stout gentleman who gave him a very strange look, and then he saw them across the room at a table near the bar. By the time he reached them his heart was hammering in his chest and he was starting to feel slightly dizzy. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down and slid himself carefully along the bench seat, hoping fervently that his panic didn't show on his face.

Warren and Andrew stopped for a moment, exchanging glances, then Warren nodded.

"M'lord."

William noticed that he didn't say it with much respect, but it was only what he was used to so it didn't really surprise him. When he'd looked in the mirror this morning and seen his nervous expression and outmoded, faded clothes he hadn't seen a lord either. And he was fast learning that respect had to be earned and wasn't automatically going to be bestowed on him just because of his title.

"Please, no formalities, William will be fine."

They all relaxed as he said it, Warren giving him a hearty slap on the back to show his approval. A beer mug was pushed across the table and William looked up to see three faces staring expectantly at him. He also noticed with dismay that Alex's eyes were already taking on the slightly glazed expression that he sported when he was halfway to being drunk.

Picking up the mug, he took a sip, then put it back down on the table, thinking he really ought not drink too much if he was going to meet with Mr. Giles tomorrow.

"No, no, William, that's no good. Drink it down lad."

William looked up at their faces and he realised that this was some sort of test. Another of those social conventions that he knew nothing about. It was a test of belonging and acceptability, perhaps even manliness, who knew? It had been bad enough trying to work out what to do around Buffy and then Lady Carlington, but this male bonding was even more alien to him. He could have walked away, his position would have allowed him to do that because he was master here and he didn't need their acceptance. but as he contemplated the frothy ale he found that he wanted it. Wanted to be part of the gang. He'd never had to please anyone but himself before and now he found himself worrying about what a couple of servants thought of him, because he wanted them to like him.

Alex was leaning back, arms folded, eyebrows raised, almost as if he was trying to tell him something, and when he winked at him William knew what it was. Warren and Andrew had certainly picked the wrong thing to try and trip him up with, for drinking was something he was very experienced with indeed. So he picked up the mug, swung it cheerily in the air, downed it in one, then slapped it back down onto the table.

At least they looked impressed he thought, nearly choking as Warren gave him another slap on the back.

"Good for you, William. Let me get you another."

"No, thank you." William raised his hand politely. "I really need to stay sober tonight."

"What kind of talk is that laddie? Out on the town and you wanting to stay sober? "

Warren raised his hand once more but William managed to avoid it this time, ducking and sliding along the seat.

"Leave 'im alone Warren. You'll break 'im if you carry on like that." It was Andrew, not a man of many words, William had already noted. He was sitting on the other side of him and his arm slid around William's shoulders as Warren and Alex dissolved into noisy laughter at the prospect.

For a split second, as he sat there letting them all make fun of him, William was flashed back to himself as a small child enduring the laughter and taunting of his father and his friends. He'd put up with it then and he could put up with it now, he thought, feeling more than a little self conscious with Andrew's arm around him. He supposed that it was yet another male bonding ritual that he was just going to have to endure so he said nothing, but neither did Andrew seem at all inclined to move it.

They all drained their glasses and a new round was called for as yet another pretty waitress approached the table. Warren grabbed her nimbly around the waist and plonked her squarely onto his lap, his hand planted firmly over one breast and William was almost half standing to go to her defence before he realised that she didn't need his help at all.

Just as nimbly she wriggled free and out of reach, telling Warren in no uncertain terms that the goods needed paying for and that nobody was giving it away free, least of all her.

She flounced off to fetch their drinks as Andrew chose to make another of his rare speeches.

"So, you a vampire then. 'Cos that's what they say, ain't it?"

William tried to wriggle free from the neck-lock that Andrew now had him in, but the man was surprisingly strong and didn't seem to be in any hurry to let go so he resigned himself to it and tried to relax. Buffy wanted to see him, concentrate on that, and on what he was going to say to Mr. Giles tomorrow. Alex gave a loud snort of laughter at Andrew's comment and William felt his cheeks warming and shook his head vigorously.

"Nothing but idle gossip. You know, big spooky-looking house, bound to be tales. No, I'm flesh and blood just like everyone else."

Andrew gave his arm a squeeze as if he was seeing for himself whether it was true.

"That you are. Pity though, I would 'ave like to 'ave told everyone I knew a vampire."

"Sorry to disappoint. Have you worked for Lady Carlington long?"

"Few years." Warren answered that. Lunging for the waitress again as she put their drinks on the table but she was wise to him this time and skipped out of his way.

"Told you, I want to see your money first, else you can just keep your 'ands to yourself," she said swinging her hips and pouting.

Warren laughed good-naturedly and turned back to them.

"Cheeky wench," he said raising his beer mug once more. "Come on Alex, you've stopped drinking." He gave Alex a poke in the ribs. "Want me to call her back?"

"Who?" Alex, who had been in bit of a daydream since the waitress had appeared, suddenly snapped out of it and grabbed his drink, his cheeks colouring a little.

"No, don't do that," he mumbled trying to talk and drink at the same time and spilling beer over the front of his shirt. "I'm fine, I'm fine."

Warren didn't miss his reaction and William groaned inwardly. These two were supposed to be looking after them, not leading them astray. He thought perhaps that he ought to bring the evening to a close and go to his room, he didn't need to be hung-over tomorrow and all the noise was starting to give him a headache. If this was Lady Carlington's idea of a quiet country inn then goodness knows what Plymouth would have been like.

He yawned theatrically as Andrew at last removed his arm and declared that he was going for a piss. William didn't miss the look that he exchanged with Warren and suddenly a quiet evening in his room with a good book was starting to sound like a very good idea.

"I think I'll retire," he announced, standing up and waiting for them to comment, but Alex was still staring into his beer and Warren just remained where he was, lounging comfortably back into his chair. After a few moments Warren suddenly seemed to remember what he was there for.

"Will you be needing anything m'lord? Lady Carlington said we have to make sure you're well looked after."

"No Warren, I'll be fine." He turned to go, thinking that he may as well escape before Andrew came back, and not really wanting to know what they were going to get up to after he'd left. And Lady Carlington was right, Alex was a grown man, although he wasn't as capable of making his own decisions as she seemed to think he was. Particularly where women were concerned. And he couldn't help worrying about him so he turned back.

"Don't drink too much, will you Alex?"

Warren gave a loud snigger at this and William distinctly heard him mutter 'yes mum' under his breath.

Alex glared back at him and took another big swig of his beer. "Bugger off to bed, William. I'll see you in the morning."

So William went, knowing that he'd probably just embarrassed Alex dreadfully, and no, he wasn't his keeper. He found the staircase after going through a few wrong doors and getting himself thoroughly lost, and climbed up, fumbling in his pocket for the key, realising that he was actually very tired. He hadn't been sleeping well at all since Buffy had left and the beer had relaxed him somewhat.

He was so intent on finding his room that he almost knocked over the young lady standing at the top of the stairs. He caught her by the elbows to stop her falling down and she giggled pleasantly, raising her face and batting her eyes at him.

"I, I'm dreadfully sorry. Was that your foot?" William let go of her and backed away, the thought flashing through his mind that this was only the second time he'd touched a young lady and that she was a very pretty one at that.

And that made him panic, so he backed away even further. "I'm so clumsy, I'll just go now."

"Are you William?"

"Yes. Does someone want me?"

"That depends, doesn't it?"

She was coming towards him, her hips doing the same as the waitress had done to Warren downstairs. How did women do that? he thought, trying to back away further but the wall was behind him now and there was nowhere to go.

He clamped his hand on his side thinking that maybe she was trying to pick his pocket, but as her hand moved towards him it wasn't his pocket she was after. Instead it came to rest on the side of his face and trailed slowly down his cheek, before working its way down the front of his shirt.

"Warren says I 'ave to be nice to you," she said, her voice dropping as she moved in closer. "Shall we go to your room?"

"Er, what?" William had to physically shake himself out of the little haze he'd gone into. Her hand continued its downward journey and he had to catch hold of it before she found out exactly what effect she was having on him.

"No." He caught hold of her hand, and maneuvered himself from his position against the wall, turning her round as he did so. She looked slightly puzzled and made to follow him but he caught hold of her other hand and held her away.

"Look, there's been a mistake, I, I don't do this sort of thing." He smiled at her as kindly as he could, not wanting to hurt her feelings but all she did was shake his hands off rather abruptly and stamp her foot.

"I knew it, you're one of them aren't you? I saw you with 'im in the bar."

"I beg your pardon?" William ran a hand through his hair, wondering what she was talking about and then to his horror he realised just what she was implying. He'd read about them often enough in his father's books.

"You don't think I'm a…?"

"Saw you didn't I?"

Her hands were back on her hips now as she faced him so he did the only thing he could do to salvage his pride. Grabbing her by the upper arms he pulled her in and planted a hard kiss on her lips, then he pushed her firmly away.

"There, did that feel like I prefer men?"

She took two steps back, her hand going to her mouth.

He heard her murmur something that sounded like 'oh my lord' and then he turned and walked away as fast as he could, his breath hitching in his throat from the shock of what he'd just done.

And why the hell had he done it? He so needed to see Buffy.

He was almost running by the time he got to his door, terrified that someone might have seen him and that therefore Buffy would find out. Wishing she was here now so he could tell her. His lips tingling and his body still more than responding to the girl's nearness. A cold bath was what he needed, or a very boring book. Perhaps Buffy need never know, after all it hadn't meant anything. He'd only been making a perfectly valid point.

He dropped his keys as he fumbled for the lock and as he picked them up he was aware of a shape stepping out of the shadows. Looking up he saw Andrew coming towards him and his heart sank.

He really, really needed to see Buffy.

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Well, this was all very nice, Alex thought as he unbuttoned his trousers. He hadn't been able to find any facilities so he reasoned that here would be as good a place as any. He relieved himself against the wall of the stable feeling pleasantly drunk and quite possibly the happiest he'd ever felt in his life. Ethan and the horrible events of the past few weeks all seemed to fade into distant memory, as if it had all been a dream.

This was what living was about he mused, tucking himself away and starting on the buttons. Manly things like visiting taverns and making eyes at saucy wenches. Well, he hadn't actually made any eyes at anyone yet. But that would come, as soon as he managed to control the terrible panic he'd felt every time one of them had so much as looked at him.

Damn but he'd thought it was going to be easier than this. He'd always been able to talk to Buffy right from the first day when she'd cleaned his wound for him. These women were all but throwing themselves at him and still he was turning into a nervous wreck every time they walked within a yard of him. Still, he'd enjoyed looking at them, completely entranced at the fact that the world seemed to hold so many pretty girls. He finished his buttons and took a deep breath, steeling himself to go inside and ask for what he really wanted. The gold coin he'd taken from Ethan's stash was safely in his pocket and he thought it must be more than enough to pay for it.

If only he had the nerve to ask.

The noise behind him made him jump and his hand was halfway to the gun in his pocket as he whirled round.

"Are you Alex, then?"

All he could do was open his mouth and stare. He tried to answer but, even though his mouth was moving, no sound seemed to want to come out.

"I've come to wish you 'appy birthday."

"You've what?"

Alex found his voice at last as the girl moved towards him, her half-closed eyes fixed firmly on his face, blond ringlets bobbing around her head.

He tried to move, but he couldn't do that either. Not even when she'd got so close that she was touching him, rising up on tiptoe and pressing herself against the length of him.

"I've come to wish you 'appy birthday."

Her lips were so close now that he could feel her breath against his face and her hands were slowly sliding up his arms, capturing him and holding him in place.

And this couldn't really be happening, Not to him.

"It's not my birthday," he managed to choke out as she backed him against the stable door, her light flowery perfume making his nostrils twitch as it wafted over him.

Her hands slid down his arms again and then he nearly jumped out of his skin as she swept one hand across the front of his trousers to the source of his now, considerable discomfort.

"Well, we'll just 'ave to pretend it is then, won't we?" she said, squeezing him lightly.

He gave a strangled moan as she did that, wondering vaguely if this was all an alcohol induced hallucination and then he realised that it was, because coming towards him was another one.

Completely identical and with exactly the same expression on her face. She latched herself on to his side, her hand moving to his shirt, slowly undoing a button and slipping inside as he watched with startled fascination. Making him shudder as her fingers moved against his bare skin.

It felt too damned good to be a dream.

But it had to be, it was the only explanation, god but that beer must have been stronger than he'd thought.

He looked from one to the other, the two pretty faces smiling seductively back at him and he closed his eyes briefly to see if they'd disappear. But when he opened them again they were still there, and still doing those things with their hands.

"Who are you?" he said, still not believing his eyes.

Another small moan escaped him as a pair of soft lips latched on to the side of his neck.

The lips kissed their way to his ear and he felt a gentle nibbling, then a whispered voice that made shivers race up his spine.

"Relax Alex, we're your present."

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