Chest Feel, Lord Wickham, Lord
DAVID 645
"By the way," said Lord Wickham, "times being what they are, I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut your salary."
"What!?" said David.
"I've sold Willy. Lord--"
"You've sold Willy?"
"Yes. Lord Haversham's stablemaster will be coming to take him at the end of the week. In any case, that will be less work for you to do and thus less for me to pay."
"I don't understand."
"What don't you understand?"
"It's not fair. It's to the point of being cruel. You know I need every penny. And I've done everything you've asked of me. Every foul--"
Lord Wickham held up his hand. "I'm not without pity, that's why I've thought of a few extra....services.....you can render."
David closed his eyes in dread. "Like what?" he growled.
"Have you seen Lord Haversham's stablemaster, when he pulls the hay cart along the road?"
"Yes. He's a strong man. He told me that they were getting a new horse soon, to replace.....oh!"
"Yes," said Lord Wickham. "Our Willy will be pulling their hay cart, thus relieving the man from his role as a beast of burden. But have you ever noticed the harness he wears around his body to pull the cart? Black straps that cross like an "X" across his chest?"
"Yes."
"I want you to make one of those harnesses."
"For whom?"
"For yourself."
"For--- but...surely one of the other horses could pull anything you....you're not going to make me....I won't do it! I won't do it!"
"Now, now, now. Don't get yourself all flustered." He stepped closer, wrapping one arm around David's waist to pull himself closer. With his other hand he let his thumb wander teasingly close to sensitive spots. "I simply thought it was attractive, and I think we should have something to frame this vast expanse of chest. And should the day ever come that I fancy a ride... heh, heh, heh.....on you...it will give me something to hang on to."
David's cheeks flushed red with shame. "It will take time."
"Well, I'll give you a week. I want you to wear it underneath your shirt when we meet next Friday. Hmm, I may have you wear it all the time. Oh! And I plan to throw a series of elegant dinners in the near future. You can make up the reduction in your salary by being the waiter. I even have a uniform for you."
David watched as Lord Wickham opened an armoire and brought out a pair of black, silken trousers devoid of belt loops, buttons, or pockets. From the knees down they draped as usual but from the knees up they looked impossibly small, even for a normal sized man.
"Those will never fit me," said David.
"Ah, but they will," said Lord Wickham. "You see, it's a special weave. From the knees up they stretch. They will be very, very snug and won't leave anything to the imagination since you'll be wearing nothing underneath." Wickham put the trousers back and pulled out a white, formal collar, a black satin bow tie, and two shirt cuffs with onyx and silver cuff links. "And you see we've started on the shirt but now that I think of it, I think these will be enough."
"But...you mean, no shirt?"
"No shirt. Just these."
David closed his eyes and sighed.
"Who knows?" said Lord Wickham. "Maybe the gentlemen will tip you if you make their evening...special."
2015