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Sir chuckled again and said under his breath, “You’d think we were at a boarding school orientation dinner.”
It went against everything Jamie knew about being a good sub, but he couldn’t resist murmuring, “Where do you think most of this lot learned their kinks?”
Sir snorted with laughter and sent Jamie an absolutely glowing sideways look.
Reginald had already continued with, “The schedule of events is posted in the front hall and will commence with a dungeon party this evening. The conservatory has once again been converted into a dungeon for the weekend, and all parties who wish to partake of the facilities are welcome to do so at any time. In addition to the dungeon, a request list has been posted in the front hall for those who wish to have larger play equipment delivered to their cottage.”
Reginald’s stuffy manner didn’t usually send Jamie into fits of giggles, but the fact that Sir was having a hard time keeping a straight face as the announcements were wrapped up made Jamie feel as light and giddy as if it were his first time.
Reginald had just gotten around to saying, “The medical cottage will be open twenty-four hours for any mishaps that might occur, and no questions will be asked,” when Sir’s phone buzzed in his back pocket.
Immediately, Sir’s smile of amusement melted into the strained, stressed look he’d worn during his call with Jeremy. And exactly as he had when he was fucking Jamie’s throat, instead of letting it go or silencing his phone, Sir discreetly got up, grabbed Jamie’s harness to force him to get up as well, and headed swiftly out of the room.
“Hey, Dawn, what’s up?” Sir answered his phone as he led Jamie down the hall to one of the doors that led out into the garden.
He was silent for a long stretch after that, though he occasionally nodded and said, “uh-huh,” to Dawn. Jamie walked on with him, pausing once they were out in the moonlit garden. Every one of his caring instincts were alive and aching to do something as he watched the strain change and morph with whatever emotions Dawn was making him feel.
“I know it’s a challenge, love,” Sir said. He spotted a group of folding chairs that had been left out in the corner of the garden and nodded for Jamie to walk with him there and to take a seat. “Have you taken your Lustral?” he asked, then frowned and nodded as Dawn likely said something.
Jamie took in a breath of understanding. Lustral was a common anti-anxiety med. Piecing together everything he knew, it was clear whoever Dawn was, she had severe anxiety problems, and that Sir was responsible for her.
“Darling, you know I can’t just rush home like that,” Sir said, his brow pinched with guilt. “I know, but I need this time for myself. You’ll be fine, I promise you. Jeremy will help you, regardless of what he says, and there’s always Dr. Gable.”
Without really thinking about it, Jamie reached out and took Sir’s free hand. Also seemingly without thinking about it, Sir squeezed his hand, as if in thanks.
“Alright then,” Sir said. “I really need to go now, love. I’ll be home on Monday. You will be alright until then.” He glanced to Jamie. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to answer any more calls as long as I’m here.”
Jamie wanted to shout in victory. That was exactly what Sir needed to do. As much as he loved Dawn and felt responsible for her—because clearly he did—he needed to set boundaries to maintain his own mental health.
“Yes, I love you, too,” Sir said. “Bye.”
He ended the call, then lowered his phone to his lap and stared at it with a sigh.
Jamie let a moment go by, then said, “I’m breaking the scene for a minute, because I feel like we need to talk.”
Sir glanced reluctantly at him. That single, blue-eyed look made him feel very much like a lost young man who needed a hand to hold.
“I’m sorry that I’m stuffing this whole thing up,” he said. “It’s just that my brother and sister rely on me. I’m their primary caregiver, of sorts.”
“How old are they?” Jamie asked, keeping a tight grip on Sir’s hand when he moved to pull it away.
Sir paused, and his lips twitched briefly into a smile as he looked at their joined hands. He then glanced up to Jamie and said, “Jeremy is twenty-one, and Dawn is a few weeks away from nineteen.”
Jamie’s brow flew up. From the way Sir had spoken to them, he would have thought they were much younger. “And your parents?” he asked.
Sir’s expression switched to a pale, haunted look so fast that Jamie knew he was dealing with major trauma. Sir seemed to confirm that when he said, “Dead.” The fact that he didn’t elaborate was an even bigger red flag that something was going on there.
Jamie shifted to face Sir more fully, even though it tugged his cock ring and sent all sorts of painful and exhilarating sensations through him. They’d get back to playing in a moment, but right then, Sir needed someone to help and guide him.
“It’s alright for you to take this time for yourself,” he said, switching to his counselor voice. He adjusted his glasses the way he did when advising his students as well. “Whatever sort of trauma you have all experienced as a family, you are still an individual with your own wants and needs. You are allowed to take this time for yourself and to set boundaries. It doesn’t mean you love your siblings any less or that you are abandoning them.”
Sir smiled weakly at him. “I know,” he said, though not ungratefully. “Our family has an entire team of mental health professionals who has been telling me the same thing for years now. That’s why I got into the scene in the first place.”
Jamie nodded. So this trauma Sir and his family had experienced was years old. At least they’d gotten some help. It remained to be seen how effective that help was.
“I know it’s really not any of my business,” he said, adjusting the way he held Sir’s hand, “but I think you need to turn off your phone for the weekend. It may be that your siblings will continue to turn to you and interrupt your weekend if you allow them.”
“I know,” Sir sighed. “And I’ve left them clear instructions and told them who to turn to instead of me. They have alternatives to me who I trust.”
