Chapter Twenty-Seven
For the first time since he had known Osmont, Freddie was made to wait for an audience.He sat on the hard bench outside Osmont’s office and silently prepared his speech.
It was close to an hour before the door to Osmont’s office opened.A young man appeared in the doorway.His faced was flushed and he appeared to be most ill at ease.When he saw Freddie, he flinched.The young man made a dash for the front door and was gone.
“Ah, Rosemount.That was quick.I take it you have come to bring your admission fee?”
Freddie turned to see Osmont with one hand on the door.For an instant, Freddie could have sworn his mentor was a little flushed in the face, but as soon as he blinked the color of Osmont’s face returned to its normal pale shade.
“Actually no, but I would rather we spoke in your office if you don’t mind,” replied Freddie.
Osmont stood back and uncharacteristically bowed to Freddie as he entered his office.Freddie’s skin crawled at the odd gesture.He took a seat in one of the deep burgundy leather couches, but rather than lounging back on it as was his usual habit, Freddie sat upright.
On the table in front of him was a half empty wine glass, which Osmont picked up and placed near the fireplace.“Now, why haven’t you come to pay your membership fee?Don’t tell me after our discussion and my cognac that you have changed your mind.That little filly hasn’t got a hold of your cock, has she?It would be disappointing to have to rescind the membership offer,” said Osmont.The sneer of disdain in his voice could not be missed, but Freddie ignored it.He was not about to tempt the temper of the man he was hoping would give him money.
“No, no, I still intend to take my seat on the board.It’s just that I have had a small setback, and require your temporary assistance,” he replied.
A sly smile drifted across Osmont’s face as he turned away and went to his desk.Freddie swallowed.Something was not right about the situation.He began to question the wisdom of his decision to come and ask for money.
“Go on,” replied Osmont.
“Well, my father has decided he needs to teach me a lesson for a few weeks and so has restricted my line of credit.I was thinking since this is a temporary situation, you would consider lending me the money for my membership, along with a few extra pounds to tide me over.”
This is not a good idea.
“Hmm,” replied Osmont.He opened a small cupboard and took out a glass, and a half empty bottle of wine.After pouring some wine into the glass, he set it down in front of Freddie.
To Freddie’s growing discomfort, he took a seat on the couch next to him.He reached out and patted Freddie on the shoulder where his hand lingered.“You are in a spot of bother, young man.I am glad you trusted me to help you.”
Osmont’s hand slowly worked its way down Freddie’s arm and settled on his leg.Freddie’s heart began to thump loudly in his chest.
“While I cannot help you in your hour of need due to my own financial obligations, I do know of other members of the Bachelor Board who would be willing.They wouldn’t charge you interest on the loan.”
Freddie’s mood lifted at the unexpected good news.There were obviously decent chaps on the board who understood the situations young men sometimes found themselves facing.
“Excellent,” he replied.
Osmont patted Freddie’s leg.“A fine young man such as yourself could do many favors for fellow members of the board.It all depends on how much you want them to help you.”He picked up the glass of wine and handed it to Freddie.“Drink.It’s a good burgundy.I have a whole new shipment in my wine cellar if it takes your fancy.”
Freddie took the glass and held it for a moment.He was caught somewhere between not wanting to take the wine and also not wanting to cause offence.Osmont hadn’t done anything, nor had he actually said anything untoward.
Freddie had taken a mouthful of the wine before the notion that it might be drugged crossed his mind.He set the glass down and closed his eyes.You fool.
The face of the young man who had left Osmont’s office shortly before reappeared in his memory.A cold, hard reality began to slowly settle on Freddie’s shoulders as Osmont moved his hand up Freddie’s leg and rested it within a matter of inches of Freddie’s manhood.
“Tell me, Frederick.Did you ever have to suck the cock of a professor at Oxford to get him to give you a good mark on a final exam?If you did, you wouldn’t be the first or the last lad to do so.There is nothing to be ashamed of in the mutual exchange of favors.”
“No.I … I …” stammered Freddie.His brain was screaming for him to get up and leave the room, all the while his lips were speaking words that made no sense.He froze as Osmont placed his hand on his cock and squeezed hard.
“There is a lot of money which could be gifted to you from the members.It just depends on how much of a good boy you are willing to be.There are some members with very deep pockets.You could offer yourself and that nice tight arse of yours to them and make yourself a very pretty penny,” purred Osmont.
I am ashamed to be your father.
The words of rebuke from his father broke through Freddie’s tainted wine haze.He pushed Osmont’s hand away and struggled to his feet.“No.”
He staggered to the door and fumbled with the handle.By sheer force of willpower, he made it outside and into the street.As soon as he got out of sight of the building, he ran to a small tree in a nearby garden and slumped down under it.He prayed Osmont would not follow him or dare to risk a scene in public.
With his head and back against the tree, he tried in vain to focus.Finally, he gave up the struggle and closed his eyes.The powerful narcotic Osmont must have put in the wine overcame him.
