If Kurt were in the privacy of his own home, he would take the time to think through how he had gotten into his current situation. But because he was in his current situation, he could not. He glanced at Lord Anderson next to him, a man who Kurt was failing very badly at avoiding after last week’s hunting trip. Now they were walking through Lima and Kurt wished, now more than ever, that Quinn had not pushed him in Lord Anderson’s direction. She was truly a horrible sister, and she seemed to know something that Kurt didn’t. Kurt didn’t like that, but it seemed like most people knew more than he did nowadays.
“Are we to walk in silence, Mr. Hummel?” Lord Anderson asked.
Kurt didn’t bother to respond. He wasn’t going to fraternize with known perverts. He was done catering to Lord Anderson’s will. He honestly did not care that Lord Anderson was the most powerful man in the county. Kurt could only bend so much and he was exhausted.
“Are you ignoring me, Mr. Hummel?” Lord Anderson seemed like he was trying not to laugh. Perhaps he thought that Kurt was being petulant or immature, but Kurt could not bring himself to care anymore. One day he might talk to Lord Anderson again, but not today. Kurt felt much older than his twenty years.
“Mr. Hummel, I can be quite persistent. I will repeat your name and not your last, if you do not answer me.”
Kurt didn’t respond. He was in public with Lord Anderson. The rumors would never die down now.
“Kurt, Kurt, Kurt, Kurt, Kurt, Kurt, Kurt, Kurt, Kurt, Kurt,” Lord Anderson started. He was quite determined to get Kurt to speak to him.
Kurt was quite content to let Lord Anderson say his name. He had privately decided that if Lord Anderson called him by his first name, he wouldn’t react. As long as he called Lord Anderson by his title, Kurt would maintain his sense of decorum. That’s all that really mattered. Kurt looked around the town and it was only because people were starting to stare that he gave in.
“Yes, Lord Anderson, I would prefer to walk in silence.” Kurt gave his reply neutrally, but he was so tired.
“Well, I do not wish to. I wish to talk about our hunting trip.” Lord Anderson stated.
How had Kurt never realized that Lord Anderson was practically a child? And what did he want to talk about? Unless Lord Anderson was going to apologize for his indecency, Kurt didn’t want to talk about it. And Kurt very much doubted that Lord Anderson was going to apologize.
“There is nothing to talk about, Lord Anderson. I would rather we put the entire event behind us.” Kurt very much doubted that Lord Anderson would be willing to do that. He was correct.
Lord Anderson shook his head. “I do not wish to because if we did, you would purposefully ignore what I said back then. I do not wish that because I am making myself known to you, Kurt Hummel. I wish to marry you and I will pursue you till you are mine.”
Kurt bristled at the term mine. He was his own person and he was trying very hard to show that to Lima. “You seem to be quite ignorant, Lord Anderson, if you think I will be flattered by such a declaration. I am going to marry Miss Jones. There is nothing you can offer me.”
Lord Anderson laughed. “I am not proposing to you yet, Kurt. I am telling you my intentions so you are aware of what I am trying to achieve. I am very determined. By the time I am done, you will be begging me to fuck you.”
Kurt didn’t respond, but he managed to stifle a shiver. Lord Andersons till affected him more than he liked. He need to get away, but wondered what would happen if he just left. The thought was short lived. He did not care. He had to get away from Lord Anderson. Kurt spotted the alleyway next to the pub. It would provide a good escape. The alleyways in Lima were very confusing to people who didn’t know them. Luckily when he, Quinn, and Rachel were young, the alleyways were perfect for playing thieves.
Kurt turned and bowed briefly. “As stimulating as this conversation has been, Lord Anderson, I am afraid I must take my leave.”
Lord Anderson looked stunned that Kurt was leaving, but was not able to say anything before Kurt was turning and walking away. Kurt walked as quickly as he could while still maintaining a gentleman’s pace. In the actual alleyway, Kurt took a sharp left that placed him behind the pub. Kurt heard Lord Anderson’s footsteps on the cobblestones close behind. Kurt took a sharp right and then almost instantly turned right again.
Kurt was standing in the back doorway of the grocer. He knew from experience that if you just looked down this alleyway, the little alcove wouldn’t be seen. Quinn used to hide here all the time. It took Kurt hours to find her sometimes. She was much better at playing thieves.
Kurt heard Lord Anderson stop briefly to look down the alleyway before continuing on. When Kurt heard Lord Anderson’s footsteps fade away, he let out a breath he hadn’t even known that he had been holding. The harsh breath sounded loud in the empty alley and Kurt immediately stifled his breathing to soft, shallow pants that were almost silent. Kurt stood in the doorway and cursed his luck. He had no idea what he had done to attract Lord Anderson’s attention. It was true that when he was fourteen, he had harbored a crush on the young, attractive lord, but once he stopped seeing Lord Anderson on the road, the crush effectively died. Now, when Kurt felt like his life was finally coming together the way he wanted, Lord Anderson had to cause complications. Kurt had never been more attracted to a man than he was Lord Anderson, even now at twenty, but that didn’t matter.
Kurt was not ashamed that he was attracted to men. There was no shame in it. It was an accepted thing. There had been an old elderly couple, Mr. and Mr. Huntington, who had lived in Lima. They had both died within a week of each other. Kurt had envied them when he was younger, but his circumstances led him to believe that marrying a man wasn’t his best option. First of all, there were no gay men in Lima. Second, he was the only son of the Hummel family, which meant everything fell to him. Third, if he did find a man, he would probably be of a higher social class. That meant Kurt would be an extension of that man’s property and no longer Kurt Hummel.
Kurt hadn’t been lying when he told Mike that he didn’t like the prospect of becoming a man’s property. He had downplayed it though. He was terrified that he would be nothing more than a possession. His father told him constantly that he mattered and Kurt believed it. Possessions didn’t matter. They lost their humanity. Kurt worked too hard to maintain himself in the world. He was Kurt Hummel, damn it. He mattered. He was a person. No matter how much he liked Lord Anderson, he would not give himself up for such a base feeling. Love was not worth it if he lost himself.
Kurt felt tears of frustration well up in his eyes. He scrubbed angrily at them. Damn Lord Anderson. Kurt hated that man. It was al his fault. Kurt was fine before Lord Anderson came back into his life. Hateful man!
Kurt scrubbed away the last of his tears and settled his breathing. Kurt stood in the doorway until he felt that he could keep his composure. He leaned out slightly to look both ways. The alleyway was clear. Kurt decided he would head away from town. He had come with Rachel and Quinn, but they knew how to get home without him. Kurt needed to get home without any more interactions. He didn’t know if he could take it.
Kurt walked down the alleyway, slowly so his steps didn’t ring out so loudly. The quiet was wonderful on his frazzled nerves. Kurt needed to start taking his daily walks again. All this drama with Lord Anderson made them more necessary than ever.
Out of nowhere, Kurt was lifted up and spun around only to be deposited against the wall, bracketed by Lord Anderson.
Lord Anderson looked up smugly. “Did you really think that you were the only one who knew the alleys, Kurt?”
Kurt glared balefully at Lord Anderson, “I did not think a lord such as yourself would deign himself to learn the alleyways of a town.”
Blaine leaned in, centimeters away from Kurt. “It would surprise you to know what I can do.”
Kurt suppressed the shiver that ran through him. He continued to glare down at Lord Anderson. He was close. Much closer than any of their previous encounters. Kurt glanced down briefly at Lord Anderson’s lips. Lord Anderson was waiting for the motion. As soon as Kurt looked down, Lord Anderson moved.
The moment they touched lips, Kurt was stunned. He shouldn’t be doing this, but Lord Anderson was moving his lips so lightly and Kurt’s toes were curling with a desire that was threatening to overwhelm him. He made a split decision. Kurt would allow himself this one kiss. He would give in for this moment, but then he had to go back to how it was before. So Kurt kissed back.
He mirrored Lord Anderson’s movements and couldn’t help the moan that escaped. Lord Anderson sucked Kurt’s bottom lip into his mouth teasingly. Kurt whined and brought his arms up to loop them around Lord Anderson’s neck, Lord Anderson’s loose curls wrapping greedily around Kurt’s fingers. Kurt dragged him closer until they were flush against each other. He used his height to his advantage and fucked his tongue into Lord Anderson’s mouth. Lord Anderson moaned loudly as he brought his hands down to grip Kurt’s hips and pulled him impossibly closer. It was hot and furious and neither man could remember a better kiss.
When Kurt experienced his first moment of lucidity during the kiss, he pushed Lord Anderson backwards. Both men stood breathing heavily, lidded eyes dark with want. Lord Anderson licked his kiss-swollen lips, pleased that Kurt’s eyes followed the movement.
“Why did you stop? I am sure that neither of us are nearly satisfied. I, for one, am insatiable.” Lord Anderson’s voice was husky with arousal. He took a step forward.
Kurt held out a hand and the motion seemed to clear his muddled mind. “Do not take another step, Lord Anderson. That was a mistake.”
Lord Anderson made a noise of protest. “You cannot call that a mistake, Kurt. I know you felt something. You cannot write that off as a mistake.”
Kurt gave a tiny nod. He was wrong in calling the kiss a mistake. Lord Anderson knew that Kurt was attracted to him. “Perhaps, but it was not right for me to do. I am going to be engaged soon, Lord Anderson. I cannot give up everything that I have worked towards.”
Lord Anderson took another step, eyes pleading. “Kurt, we could be great together if you let us. Why are you denying yourself something great?”
Kurt’s eyes flashed with anger. Lord Anderson took a step back. Kurt took a step forward. “Something great, Lord Anderson? Giving myself up is great? You don’t even realize what would happen if I were to marry you? I wouldn’t be Kurt Hummel. I’d be Lord Fucking Anderson’s property. I wouldn’t be a person. I’d be a fucking tax if I married you. I’ve worked hard to be my own person. I am more than somebody’s husband.”
Lord Anderson looked stunned. His eyes were wide as he tried to process the information Kurt had spat at him. Kurt felt his eyes begin to water. He grit his teeth and willed himself not to cry. He couldn’t cry in front of Lord Anderson.
With a big breath, Kurt managed to still his frustration long enough to bow, grit out, “Good day, Lord Anderson,” and walk away stiffly. Kurt was relieved that he didn’t hear Lord Anderson’s footsteps behind him. He had been incredibly stupid today. He had let his emotions overwhelm him and he had paid dearly for it. He should not have let himself kiss Lord Anderson.

…………..

Quinn was not happy. She was walking with Sebastian Smythe. Of course, Rachel was walking with Mr. Hudson and Kurt was walking with Lord Anderson. That was a good thing. Oh, the things she did for her siblings.
“I was not aware that you fancied my company so much.” Mr. Smythe chuckled. Ugh, Quinn hated the man already, but he was right. As soon as she realized they were breaking up to talk, Quinn had practically jumped on the man. She had to make sure that Kurt went with Lord Anderson. But just because she was with Mr. Smythe did not mean that she had to be nice to him. He was a prefect stranger to Lima society. No one would believe him if he told them that Quinn wasn’t proper.
“I do not. I do not want you with Lord Anderson.”
Sebastian looked at her with a cocked eyebrow. “I want you to know that he is very gay, and even if he were not, I doubt he would go with you.”
Quinn smiled pleasantly at Lima’s pastor, Mr. Layman, before she responded. “My brother and I share many similar traits. If Lord Anderson had to pick a woman, I believe that I have a better chance than most.”
Sebastian winked at a stable hand passing by. The boy flushed and tripped over a water trough. Sebastian laughed. Boys in this town were too easy. Blaine clearly wasn’t trying hard enough.
“I see that Blaine isn’t as subtle as he wishes. Do you wish to talk about it? Are you protecting your brother?”
Quinn hooked her arm through Sebastian’s. People would be discouraged to come up if they thought it was a walk between lovers. She ignored the second question. ”I wished to walk with you because you seem to have a personal interest in Lord Anderson.”
Sebastian chuckled. “You’ve come to warn me off. Do you think I’ll ruin your brother’s chance of gold digging?”
Quinn found one nice thing about holding Sebastian’s arm. It was easy to dig her nails into his skin. Sebastian fumbled in his walking. Quinn’s nails were very sharp.
“I must warn you that I am very trusted in this community. If I were to say something about you, I can guarantee that it will spread throughout the town before the day is out.”
Sebastian glanced out of the corner of his eye at her. Quinn’s face was carefully arranged. Her lips were in the barest hint of a smile and her head was tilted slightly toward him. Sebastian was impressed. If he wasn’t talking to her, he would have thought she was talking about flowers and rainbows. But Sebastian wasn’t nothing if not ready for a challenge.
“Let’s say that I steal Lord Anderson away from your brother. How would spreading a grossly untrue rumor help you?”
Quinn tightened her grip on Sebastian’s arm. “You do not know the people of this town well, Mr. Smythe. Rumors go a long way in this town, and as to your question. No. It would not do anything productive in terms of my brother and Lord Anderson, but it would ruin both you and Lord Anderson in terms of reputation. I would enjoy that greatly.”
“You would go to such extremes?” Sebastian asked surprised.
Quinn whirled around in front of Sebastian, petticoats swirling. She stepped up close to Sebastian. “You must understand, Mr. Smythe. No one is more important to me than my siblings. If one of them were to be hurt, I would do everything in my power to make the person who hurt them suffer. Men of status like yourself are very susceptible to rumors. Reputation is everything to a businessman. I can literally ruin you with one statement. Would you like to try me, Mr. Smythe?”
Quinn’s pleasant smile seemed more predatory than any wolf Sebastian had ever seen. In that moment, Sebastian felt a cold tendril of fear creep through his body. He straightened up. He would not show weakness, but he needed to leave. Miss Hummel was a more formidable opponent than he realized.
“I look forward to calling on you in the future, Miss Hummel. You have made my visit much more pleasant.”
Sebastian took Quinn’s hand and bowed shallowly to kiss it. He maintained eye contact with Quinn during the process. Quinn never dropped her smile once.
“Likewise, Mr. Smythe. I’ve enjoyed our walk. Thank you for accompanying me. Good day.” Quinn curtsied. Her smile was more true to its nature. Mr. Smythe was an interesting man and she could tell that their game would make the coming days more enjoyable.
“Good day, Miss Hummel.” Mr. Smythe bowed before he turned and returned the way he had come.
Quinn turned in her spot and continued down the street. She maintained her graceful demeanor, but stifled an excited shiver. It was always great when she found a new opponent.

…………………

Quinn walked slowly down the dirt path towards Hummel house. The trim on her petticoat was covered in mud, but that was all her fault. She had decided to take the forest path home because she wasn’t ready to face any more people. She ambled along the path that was barely there. Lately, only she and Kurt walked it, but even they were beginning to stick to the main roads.
Quinn smiled softly when she saw Kurt sitting against a tree with his head in his hands between his knees. He looked up when he saw Quinn take a seat next to him, but said nothing. Quinn glanced quickly to see that’s Kurt’s face was pallid and puffy. She’d let him talk in his own time.
Kurt moved his knees together so he could rest his chin on top of them. He watched as a squirrel chittered at a bird. He let his eyes lose focus. He felt very tired. The more he thought about the kiss, the more he agonized about it. He couldn’t deny that he had enjoyed the sensation of being pressed against Lord Anderson. Lord Anderson was all the hardness of a man that Kurt fantasized about when he was younger. But he had promised himself that he wouldn’t. There wasn’t enough incentive to marry Lord Anderson over marrying Mercedes. He turned his head to face Quinn.
“Why didn’t you tell me that Lord Anderson was interested in me?”
Quinn smoothed out her petticoats and leaned against Kurt. “You would not have believed me. I take it he has told you himself.”
Kurt hummed in response. Quinn felt the vibration through Kurt’s back. She turned her head slightly. “I must admit that I did not think that you would be so against the idea of being with him.”
Kurt sighed heavily. “I am not against the idea at all. The problem is that I am very much for it when I should not be.”
Quinn rolled her head enough to be able to see Kurt’s profile. “Why should you not be? I can think of nothing wrong with marrying Lord Anderson.”
Kurt reached for Quinn’s hand and interwove their fingers together. “When I was fifteen, Father made a throwaway comment. He asked me to whom I would bequeath the house when I died. He suggested the future son of our cousin, Joseph. I was confused as to why I had to bequeath the estate at all. Father told me that unless I could have a son with a man, the estate would fall to the government and not someone in the family. He said if we decided now, we could keep the estate within the family.”
Quinn whispered the next part, “But Joe’s not a true Hummel.”
Kurt nodded. “He’s not a true Hummel, but that’s not the only thing. Father did a revolutionary thing. He didn’t ask Mother to move to his house, he moved into Mother’s. We forget it often, but this was Mother’s house first. I want to keep it at all costs. Even though I will keep it for my lifetime, I want to keep it in the family. I don’t want to be the last Hummel in Hummel House.”
Quinn nuzzled Kurt’s shoulder. “You are very admirable, brother. I admire what you are trying to do, but Mother would not want you to be unhappy. Lord Anderson would make you happy.”
Kurt stiffened. “He would not make me happy. He acknowledged as much. I would be his inferior. I won’t accept something that is so below me.”
Quinn frowned. That didn’t sound quite right. Lord Anderson had always seemed to admire her brother’s spunk. She very much doubted that he wanted Kurt to be so passive. Quinn withheld a sigh. Lord Anderson had said something stupid no doubt. Men, they couldn’t do anything on their own.
“I understand, but I must ask, does your present state have anything to do with Lord Anderson?”
Quinn watched a heavy blush swoop over her brother’s features.
“No.”
Quinn wanted to snort. Did her brother honestly believe that she would buy that? He was blushing incredibly hard. Something most definitely did happen.
Kurt could feel his face burning. Quinn probably knew he was lying, but he lied anyway. The kiss would remain a secret.