Regression
Chapter Four

by Kaci



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Over the following year, Richard and Jim became one person. They studied and lived together. There were still arguments, but they blew over and life took on a pleasant quality that Richard had never before experienced. His father left him alone to be guided by James Ellison's personal regime. A new awakening had happened in Richard's life. Someone cared for him deeply and he blossomed under the attention he received. He'd been spanked countless times, but he'd never hated Jim as he did his father. He knew his father whipped him out of hatred, but Jim for some unusual reason, loved him.

Richard had been making plans for his birthday. With guile, deviousness and wild obfuscation's, he persuaded his father to let Jim take him on a tour of Europe. They set out in May for Paris. The spring weather was holding true to form and it was days of deep blue skies and white fluffy clouds dotting the horizons.

Jim found that he had grown to love the young man deeply. Of course, he realized that Richard was way too young for him. The ex-soldier knew his feelings could be grounds for dismissal, or worse, imprisonment... if he acted upon them. He also felt certain that his young companion merely considered him a father figure, or elder brother. This was the way it had to be. Their life had settled into a nice, safe, comfortable routine.

The student and mentor traveled by train, coach, boat, and horseback. They stopped frequently to explore the historical venues they discovered. Maps from texts that Richard had memorized as a youth became real places when he saw them with his own eyes. Castles, museums, and even battlefields were long entries into his journal cataloging all they experienced.

One evening in Paris Jim had gone to the theater to see a new play. Richard had begged off saying he was extremely tired and would retire early after dining with his new friends. They had separated after dinner, each going their own way. At least, that was the tale that Jim was fooled into believing. In reality, Richard had gone off to the gaming dens with the young men he'd met sightseeing earlier that month. The young men were known as top-sawyers. First rung of the hill, so to speak. Lord Asthreth, Lord Liverpool and Lord Nivens were all frivolously making their way through life on their family's fortunes. Exactly the sort of men that his friend James would deeply deplore, but on a more hopeful note, men that his father would approve of and perhaps even admire.

"Richard, why don't you dump that old fogey of a tutor and come down to my estate. We can hunt...all manner of things." Stephen leered at his friends. He was a young Lord that had just come into his inheritance and was hell bent on spending a great portion of it. "Have another glass of champagne."

Motioning to a servant, he stopped to gaze around the room. Rows of green topped tables crowded the floor, at them sat men playing games of chance. Many men had been ruined in the gaming hells of Paris. Perfume hung in the air as satin dressed women hung over the men, with their low décolletage showing just enough white breast, festooned with glistening diamonds.

"No, no, I'm not ready to leave Paris. I'm...um...I'm not leave...I'm not leaving the..."

" 'Whores' is the word, Richard. We should've never taken you down to the brothel district. Now we'll never get you away from Paris." Lord Liverpool sighed glumly. "I wish I had the money for a pretty little dove to cater around town." It was a well-known fact that this young Lord was always in debt and having to beg his family solicitor for more allowance.

"Tina." Richard dreamily gazed into space. "She's so lovely."

"Yes, Tina. You better watch out for your pocketbook, she's one expensive little bit of fluff. Come on, I've had enough gaming for the night, let's see what else is going on. I hear there's a cock fight over at Brumley's tonight."

Signing a waiver they left the club, drunk.

Jim arrived back at The Claridges Hotel around midnight. A note had been left for him in his name. Opening the envelope he read the scrawled message quickly.

Captain Ellison:
Please meet me in the bar. I urgently need to talk to you.
Lord Liverpool.


Jim closed the envelope slowly. Wasn't Richard's new friend called Lord Liverpool? As it catered to the young elite of Paris the visitors lounge was open until three in the morning, but the only person in the bar was an old man in the corner.

"Lord Liverpool?"

"Yes, Mr. Ellison. Take a seat. " Motioning for the barman, he ordered another drink. "One for my friend too. Whiskey, okay Ellison?"

"A little strong for me, but all right."

"You'll need it." The old man hunched into himself as if very cold.

"What's this about, sir?" Jim felt a small sliver of fear run through his body. "Has something happened to Richard?"

"My dear man, many things have happened to Richard. Some not so good. The worst being that he met my grandson." Liverpool stopped talking at the expression on the man's face beside him.

"IS RICHARD ALL RIGHT!" Jim surged forward, invading the old man's personal space; he brought his face up close and fixed the Lord with a glare. This was just not done. There was an unspoken law of contact and honor paid to men of Lord Liverpool's station in life. Jim knew he was breaking this law, but his concern for Richard was consuming him body and soul.

"Yes. No need to raise your voice to me young man. You Americans have no manners. Humph." Scooting back away from the deranged tutor he continued. " I just wanted to warn you that young Richard's going in the same direction as my grandson. Our Stephen used to be such a good boy, but drinking, gaming and whoring as taken its toll on him.

"I met your student at a brothel in their company. He was so drunk he could barely stand even with the help of the little ladybird he had with him." Jim's set face was answer enough. "I see you did NOT know."

"No. And I thank you, Your lordship, for bringing this to my attention. I deeply appreciate your warning. Please excuse my rude behavior. You must understand I take my position of care for my young charge seriously. Even if young Richard doesn't appreciate it. And, for your information I think it is time for us to be continuing our travels."

Excusing himself he went to the desk and asked for Richard's key. If the young hedonist wanted entry to his rooms tonight he would have to knock at his own door.

Richard giggled as he flirted with the young housemaid who opened the door to his suite. The desk clerk had no key for him and he was lucky to find this sweet thing gathering supplies in a cupboard. A few whispered promises of trinkets were all it took to gain entry.

The night had ended in a notorious brothel near the palace. It was all the rage for young actresses to allow the entitled young men to escort them home and to bed. Richard had indeed helped the young lady to bed and then climbed into it with her. Two hours later, a little more sober Richard had made his way home.

Shutting the door he threw his greatcoat over a chair before dropping into it. Sighing, he started to pull the boots from his feet. A strange feeling came over him, as if someone was in the room with him. "Who's there?"

"You stink! I can smell her cheap perfume and more all over you. I hope you had a good time, Richard." The sharp edge of Jim's voice aroused fear in young Richard's breast.

"Jim, what are you doing awake at his hour. I...we...well, we all went out to a club..."

"Stop lying. You've been to bed with some harlot. You reek of sex."

"So? I met a young lady tonight who I bedded. THAT is none of your business."

"Oh?" The tone sent shivers through Richard's body. "Stand up." Jim pulled his charge to his feet. He started by unbuttoning and removing his weskit and then pulled off his shirt. "Well, I hope you enjoyed it, tomorrow we're leaving for Geneva." Pushing him down onto the bed, he continued stripping the young man by pulling off his trousers. Tossing them onto the chair he completed his task of divesting Richard of his clothing, leaving him naked on the satin duvet.

"Stop, Jim. Please. I..."

"Shut up!" A naked young man lay before him. "You need a bath. " Pouring some water from a pitcher into a large bowl, he grabbed a cloth and lathered it well. "Hold still." Running the rough fabric over Richard's chest he continued on downward until he reached Richard's manhood. " You know, you can catch diseases playing with those women." Gently he washed the flaccid penis and the tender flesh beneath it. "I ought to pull this off you. You've no more sense than a kitten." He rinsed the soap from the flesh before him and without drying the skin he pulled the young man over his knees.

"One....I will not go whoring again." A loud smack produced a short cry from Richard. "Two, I will not disobey Jim" A second smack a little harder than the first. "Three. To hell with it." Jim let loose with ten hard swats to the white round bottom, turning it a nice red shade. The loud cries echoed around the room.

"Jim, please stop. Please....I'm sorry.....I won't do it anymore!" He tried to turn his bottom away but Jim held him securely on his lap. "Stop!"

"Stop? I don't know that word, little boy." Another swat on the middle and one down on the crease of his butt. Reaching beside him he picked up a hairbrush....the screams getting louder. "One.....I will not go whoring...."he started again. By the time he finished the young man was sobbing uncontrollably. Pulling him up into his arms he wiped Richard's face. "Shh,.....it's okay, little one." Rocking him gently he felt his love settle down.

"Jim..." The slurred words of protest at the treatment faded as Richard fell into a drink-laden sleep.

"Damn you. I know you were a virgin." Jim whispered to his young charge. His acute vision zeroed in on Richard's lips. The temptation was too much. He softly kissed the full red lips. "I love you, Richard," he whispered, gathering him into his arms he held the beautiful young man through the rest of the night.

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