The Price Of Royalty free porn video

The Price of Loyalty A few words at the start: R__, a member of the support group, inspired my story Sweet Confusions with an offhand comment about a leather jacket. She later told me that my first story included a lot of her fantasies and asked that I write a special one for her as a birthday present. This is that story. Chapter 1: The two men looked across the table at each other. One, older and better dressed was composed, the other, younger, in his early twenties, was red faced and shaking. "You're a bastard and the people you work for are worse." "Yes Mr. Ragnar, I am a bastard. I am even something of a monster, but I believe in my cause. I believe in the Duke and in His Majesty the King. I know what I am, but I sleep at night, because I know what I do is justified." "Justified?" "Yes, justified. If you don't agree we will find someone else. You are simply the best choice, not the only one. In any case Lord Harbin will see his son, Peter, married. Peter Harbin will be removed from of the line of succession and his younger brother will take over the family responsibilities. Peter will move on, become an engineer and produce no children and all of the intricate possibilities that might upset who ascends the ducal throne when our lord the Duke passes away will be solved. And, Mr. Ragnar, you are the price demanded by Peter Harbin." "Well he is a bastard as well." "Perhaps. Now I will lay out the offer again. You can ask questions if you want but frankly you do not have any room to maneuver. In order: One, Mr. Peter Harbin, who you have met and played tennis with, must marry to satisfy some of the requirements of his uncle's will and the laws of succession. Two, Peter is gay. Three, he is willing to abdicate to his brother, but he does not want to marry or at least not a woman and same sex marriage is not allowed in the kingdom. Four, you are distant royalty and he has agreed to marry you if we can arrange it. Five, if you agree to play the role of a woman, His Majesty will declare you are one and the Duke will arrange the marriage. You will receive a small yearly income, plus assistance with school expenses for your advanced degree. Your mother's widow's pension will increase and your sister will receive a stipend while she is in medical school. Six, if you do not agree to this you will lose your job at the library and never work in a government sponsored institution again. We will find an error in your mother's pension allowance and cut it. Also your sister will never find a good residency when or if she graduates. Seven, I want your answer now." "Bastard." "Yes Mr. Ragnar, I am a bastard. I have already agreed with that. You know that a lot of us in the security service are. Also Mr. Harbin may seem nice and friendly, but he bargained pretty damn hard and you were a major part of the price." "Ok, Mr. Fields, I'll play along, but only if I get to talk with Harbin first, oh yes and privately." The older man leaned back. He never doubted he would succeed. The minimal protests or attempts at dealing surprised him, but then maybe this Daniel Ragnar was a realist or just lacking backbone. He tried to see what Harbin saw in Daniel, but couldn't make the connection. Definitely not feminine or small; Daniel was five nine or five ten, lean and athletic, his hair was dark and his chin strong. "I will arrange a meeting, and remember Mr. Ragnar what I said about secrecy when we started. Another thing; I know you think I am a bastard, but agree to do this and I become your bastard and I can be a damn good resource. I'll leave now. If you want to sit here and think about things, the room is booked for the night." Daniel Ragnar sat on the hotel bed and cursed in a steady and quiet stream. After a while he lay down and tried to make up his mind if he should cry or not. Different plans raced through his mind. He might be being followed and he was in the southern part of New York Province, but if he could escape he would leave New Britain and try and start a new life somewhere else on the American continent. That wouldn't help though. His mother was barely making it on her pension. His sister was piling up debts in medical school. Dan leaned against the pillow and thought about Peter Harbin. He remembered bumping into him at a couple of parties and playing tennis against him in a game of doubles. Peter had been friendly in a large, almost overbearing way. Dan at 23 had just graduated college with a degree in library sciences. He was starting to find his way in the world and discovering it harder and more puzzling than he expected. He could tell just by listening to Peter speak, that Peter was one of those people who knew their worth, knew how to make it in the world of education, or business or parties. Dan went over and opened the in-room bar. He shuddered at the prices and then laughed. "Hell, it's on the Duke's bill, I'll drink imported. I can stay here tonight. I don't need to go back to my flat. I'll drink, watch TV and maybe some idea will come to me. Peter you bastard!" Dan slumped back on the bed. Why him? What was it that Peter wanted? OK, stupid question, he had made a pass at Dan, big deal. Dan looked at himself in the mirror. "Right, like I could wear a dress with these shoulders." Beer followed beer and the TV droned on. Dan slumped further on the bed and drifted off. When the phone rang a 7:30 in the morning he had to take a look around to determine where he was. "Uh hello?" "Good morning Mr. Ragnar, I hope you slept well. This is Mr. Fields. If you come this afternoon at five to the Statler Federal Building in Albany and go to room 307, Mr. Harbin will be waiting to meet with you. Oh yes, just to put your mind at rest, I am guessing the room will be bugged." "Guessing." "Yes guessing Mr. Ragnar. Have a nice day." Chapter 2; Two People Off Balance Dan called in sick and went back to his apartment. He showered and sat looking at the four walls in the one room he called home. Aimlessly he wandered the studio apartment putting away a dish here, tossing out an old magazine there. Taking some cold cuts from the fridge he made a sandwich and sat down at the computer and went into the local paper's web site. Dan typed in "Succession + Ducal + Harbin" and waited for the search engine to bring up recent articles. He read how the duke's 15 year old son had died and now the succession passed to the Harbin family, but if the older son was not married and had no children the whole line of succession became tangled. Further he read how Peter Harbin was not planning on marrying which made life even more difficult because of some entanglement with a will. Dan sat back and unraveled the skein of events. Peter had to marry or he and the rest of the family lost a lot of money and land. The king had recently overruled any attempts to legalize same sex marriage. If Peter was forced to marry a woman it would probably end in divorce and no legitimate heir. Therefore the court had to find a different solution. Dan sighed; he was the solution. Peter agreed to marry, but wanted a man and demanded Dan. Damn, damn, damn. Dan wondered what else Peter was getting in the bargain. It looked as though everyone benefited except Dan. Once again Dan was going to be sacrifice. "What is it about me?" asked Dan as he looked out the window. "I live in a dump so I can send money to Mom and Ann. I delay graduate school so Ann can go to Medical School. I allow myself to be pushed aside whenever there is a chance for a better job, place on a team, vacation spot. Now I am a sacrifice so that other people can live their lives the way they want." Dan moodily kicked a chair and wandered over to his bed and lay down. "Damn, damn, damn. And now I have to drive up to Albany in February to meet with Harbin when I should have demanded he come down to Kingston." Dan stared at the clock; he would have to leave in a little while. He wondered what he would say, what there was to say and tried to remember all he could about Peter Harbin. They first met at a party for Kingston College staff and friends. Dan had a work-study job at the library and was invited. He had talked with Peter and later played against him in a doubles tennis game. The next time was at Mrs. Case's Christmas party. Dan had been invited because to Mrs. Case anyone with even the slightest whiff of royal blood was exciting and anyway Dan was that "poor young man who the Duke helped get a job at the college library." It had been a good party and when Peter made a pass at Dan it was easily laughed off. Later Dan went home with Gina which made the party even better and if Gina and Dan didn't continued going to bed together at least they remained good friends. Finally there was the dinner about six weeks ago. Dan had accompanied a few friends to the theater and then went out for a late meal. They bumped into a number of acquaintances and Dan and Peter sat together and discussed tennis, graduate studies and family issues. Peter hadn't made a pass that time; it was just a nice friendly conversation. It was a conversation dominated by Peter, but that was just the way Peter was; friendly, yes, but definitely the center of the scene, whatever that scene was. Peter checked the clock again and pulled up directions to the government building on the web. He calculated the time it would take to drive, find parking, walk to the building and find the room and decided it was time to go. He looked in his wallet, only 18 dollars. Oh well time to raid the emergency fund. Peter opened up a small tin in the cupboard and removed the 25 dollars from it. "Well until I'm paid, I am officially broke and in debt to the credit card company. That's probably another reason I was chosen. If I had any money I could say screw you and make a run for it." Dan warmed up his old car and put music on loud enough to drown out his thoughts and hit the King's Highway to Albany. The miles flowed by and Dan was able to think more about songs and work than about his upcoming meeting. It was only when he parked the car and trudged up State Street that he had to face reality. He asked the guard for directions and found room 307. Briefly he stood and faced the plain wooden door. Then without knocking, he swung it open and walked in. Dan looked around the room. It was a small conference room with a table, some chairs and a side table. Peter was in the room looking under the side table. He stood up and smiled. "Hi, do you think this room is bugged?" "What?" "Well Danny, Mr. Fields said he thought the room might be bugged." "Oh, yeah he told me he 'guessed' it might be bugged." Peter smiled wryly. "That's how he works. He likes to keep you from feeling settled. If he said it was bugged or swore that it wasn't we could decide whether we trusted him, but by saying 'maybe' he leaves us uncertain." Peter leaned against the table and his smile faded. "Hey Danny, I'm sorry." "Oh you are sorry. Right, what else did you get in the bargain?" "What?" "Well, you get off the hook regarding some will, you keep in the good graces of the Duke and you ask for the nice piece of ass that turned you down at a party. You are sorry? Bullshit." "What are you talking about?" The two faced each other in silent for a minute with grim expressions. Peter recovered first. "I don't know what Fields said to you. Last month I was told, in person, by the Duke, I had to get married. I was not given a choice. If I didn't, a lot of money from an uncle would not go to my family and we would lose land we own downstate. If I didn't, the line of succession would be thrown into jeopardy. Also, and I guess this is of less importance, Mr. Fields and his minions would make my life a living hell, including making damn sure I never got a government job or a job with a major firm when or if I finished my PhD." "Oh." "So I got snotty. I remarked that it would be a lot easier if His Majesty hadn't vetoed the law allowing same sex marriage and said that then they could have found me a nice young man and the Duke could have arranged a forced marriage. A few weeks later Fields shows up and says you are the pigeon and the King and the Duke will arrange the details." "Oh." Once more the two sat in silence. Finally Peter picked up his coat. "Who knows, maybe this room is bugged. Anyway I need a drink; I'll buy if you'll come along." The two walked up State Street and across Lark coming to the Lark Tavern. They found a table in the corner and while they waited for their drinks they made small talk. Finally, settled down and alone, they looked hard into each other's eyes. "Peter..." "Yes?" "You really did not use me as some kind of price?" "No. Somehow they knew I made a pass at you. They knew we had met a few times and I guess they had leverage over you as well as me." "Yeah, they have leverage; my mother's pension, my sister's tuition in med school and her professional future and also my future as a librarian." "That's how they work. Oh the Duke is nice enough and I am sure really regrets having to play hardball, but he still gives the orders in the end." "Sure Peter. The Duke gets his way, your family gets their money, my family gets an increased pension and my sister's tuition, you get me in bed, what do I get?" "I don't want you in bed Danny." "What?" Peter looked at Danny with sad eyes. He sipped his drink and when Dan tried to speak Peter held up his hand to stop him. "Yeah I made a pass at you and it would have been nice if you went along with it and we found out where it all went., but you aren't gay, you said no and life moved on. It's not like I have a lover right now, but I'm certainly not into forced sex. Sure you're attractive, in fact I might almost describe you as hot, but that doesn't mean that I want to translate a fantasy into one sided sex." "I'm sorry." "What for?" "Well I thought you had been a part of setting this whole shit up. Oh Peter what can we do?" "Well I for one have to go along with the Duke's plans. I don't like it, but I don't have a choice. I will make you a promise." Peter closed his eyes for a minute and then looked up at the pressed tin ceiling. "Danny, if you say yes, I will be monogamous. As best as I can be I will be a friend. As best as we can figure out I will be a good spouse or husband. I won't force myself on you. I'll do what I can to make us a team." Dan just looked at Peter and waited. "Danny I mean it. It will be a charade and I know how much trouble you will are walking into, but I really will try." "Trouble? What kind?" "Well what did Fields tell you?" "That I had to pretend to be a woman, the King would make that legal and we get married." "Oh Christ. It's just like that weasel to drop a bad job in someone else's lap. OK, here are the little details he left out. You have to become a woman as much as possible including, to use his phrase, "a number of irreversible and final acts to demonstrate good faith to any court". I may have the phrasing a little wrong." "Acts?" "Yeah, like castration seeing that I drew the line at sex change surgery for anyone I was getting involved in." "What the fuck!" "Hey keep your voice down." "The hell you say. What do you mean?" "I isn't me Danny. Damn it. Listen to me. I said 'a man', they came back with this sick plan and Fields is probably laughing right now. I am the future Sir Peter Harbin of Saratoga. I'll abdicate the title to my brother, but I will remain Sir Peter, my wife becomes Lady someone or other. We are expected to be at the right parties, show up at royal events. So you have to make a real effort to be a woman. Also if someone challenges the King regarding the Duke's succession, you are expected to able to demonstrate, though I doubt you'll have to drop your drawers, that you are committed to a role other than masculine." "Oh shit." Dan swallowed the rest of his beer. His stomach rolled and his head hurt. He just looked at the table and tied to find a doorway out of the dungeon. Peter sat quietly and signaled for another round of drinks. After they arrived Dan looked up and tried to smile. "OK Peter I'll make a promise too. I'll say yes and try to be the best friend I can be. I'll do the best not to embarrass you, though I can't see myself as persuasive in women's rags. I'll learn to act of the part of a lady. However, if you try and fuck me I'll cut your balls off with a dull knife." Peter smiled and put his hand across the table. They shook hands. Dan leaned back and swallowed some more beer. "You know Peter I've always been too meek. I'll cooperate with you, but Mr. Fields may find me to be a bit of a bastard." "Bitch." "What?" "A bit of a bitch." "Yeah right." Chapter 3: Dan Finds His Balls "I guess I should head out. I have to drive home. I'll think I'll walk around a bit to clear my head." "You're driving back to Kingston?" "Yes." "No way. Not after three beers and nothing to eat. I tell you what, stay with my parents tonight. I'm sober. I'll drive you there and Mr. Summers, he's our help, will drive me back here." "No way, I can't stay at your parents." "Actually you can. You have no idea how grateful they will be to you. Also, my father's a pretty good guy. My mother is all stiff and lady of the manor, but she has a good heart. They will do all they can to make you welcome." "I... but..." Peter made a call to his parents and drove Dan up to Saratoga, making only one comment about the wreck that was Dan's car. When they arrived at the house Dan got out and just stared. "Damn, that's big." "Yeah, I know. Oh, Danny my parents are a bit particular about language. I never curse in their presence." "OK." The walkway seemed miles long, but it took only a moment to get from the car to the door which Peter opened. Immediately they were greeted by a plump man in jacket and tie. "Good evening Mr. Peter." "Mr. Summers this is Daniel Ragnar. He's staying over tonight. Can I ask you to drive me back to Albany?" "Of course sir. When would you like to go back to Albany?" "Now. I'll say hello to my parents and then head out." Dan started to protest, but Peter shook his head. "Lady Harbin is in the kitchen Mr. Peter. She is correcting the cook. Lord Harbin will be home in about 20 minutes." "OK. Danny, why don't you go into the parlor there? I'll say hello to Mom and then run for it. It will be easier if it is just you. Trust me on that." Dan waited in the little parlor, fending off Mr. Summers's offers of drinks, coffee, the day's newspaper and even a light snack. Peter came back winked and said he would wait for a call to hear how things worked out. For a few minutes Dan stood in the room and looked at the books. The librarian in him mentally rearranged them according to author. He was starting to fidget when he heard a slight cough behind him and turned. "Good evening." Dan quickly ran over a few things he had learned from Peter. The impressive woman in front of him had to be Peter's mother. Peter's mother was the "lady of the manor." "Good evening Lady Harbin, I am Daniel Ragnar. I hope your son explained why I am here." "Yes, briefly and then he left you to face me." She gave Dan a big smile. "Which shows I raised him well. He knows I'll have to be gracious to you and with him not around I can talk freely and not worry about what he thinks. Oh, do relax. Have you had any dinner?" "No my lady." "Then come into the kitchen. Also, when I am not in public I am Mrs. Harbin. You realize I always expected to have a daughter-in-law who would call me Mom the way my sons do, you are an unexpected twist." "Yes My.. I mean Mrs. Harbin." The cook filled up a plate for Dan and he and Lady Harbin sat at the kitchen table. To his surprise Dan found his appetite and Lady Harbin let him eat asking only the most obvious of questions such as where he worked, what his hobbies were, etc. By the time Lord Harbin came in Dan was almost relaxed. Lord Harbin was dressed in a suit and tie and could have been a banker or any other type of business man. He protested that he had already eaten, but was quickly disabused of that notion and the three of them moved to the dining room where service for three was waiting and they all had to eat a bit more to satisfy the cook. It was later when they went to the living room and sat by the fire that Lady Harbin addressed the subject they all had avoided earlier. "Daniel, are you gay?" "Oh Sybil..." began Lord Harbin. "No George, we need to know what is going on. Daniel...?" "No I am not gay." "Then why are you agreeing to marry, if that is the word, Peter? I mean he is a lovely boy, but still..." "Because neither Peter nor I have any choice in the matter. Oh I suppose I could borrow some money and leave New Britain. They don't extradite from Pennsylvania, but the Duke has put too much pressure on us to do differently." Dan thought for a moment. "There is something else. I haven't yet managed to put it into words. I was approached by the Duke's security advisor and it was all threats and leverage. I never was given the chance to actually consider and agree. I am angry at the Duke, but I think I might have agreed anyway." "Really?" "Yes My Lord." Dan caught his breath a tried to find the words. "I am grateful to the Duke. My father died seven years ago and I attended Kingston College on a full Duke's scholarship. The Duke's librarian found me a job in the college library when I graduated. I have gained by being a subject of the Duke and I support the monarchy. I just wasn't given a chance to weigh my loyalty and give an answer. Now I don't know what I would have said, but I think I would have agreed to the Duke's plan without the threats." "Out of loyalty my dear?" "Yes Mrs. Harbin. I suppose that some soldiers get asked to sacrifice their lives, why not me." Lady Harbin got up walked across the room and kissed Daniel on the forehead and all the emotions he had pent up spilled forth. Looking embarrassed Lord Harbin took out a handkerchief and passed it to Daniel who wiped his eyes. The other two waited until he had calmed down. "Daniel I will speak for both my wife and me. We are very grateful to you. You are making a sacrifice and you are helping us out enormously. You also are helping the Duke. We will help in any way we can. What is your next move?" "Next I call and speak with my sister, she's in medical school and will benefit from all this. Then I sit down with Mr. Fields and make sure that he understands his end of the bargain." The next morning Dan got up early and after a breakfast far more elaborate than he was used to, drove back to his apartment. He changed clothing and went to work. A couple of times Mr. Spiegel, the head librarian, drifted by to ask questions and by the end of the day Dan was sure that Fields or one his henchmen had had a talk with the librarian. At the end of the day Dan called his sister Ann and had a long and uncomfortable talk with her. When finished he was satisfied that she had nothing to do with the arrangement and was as surprised and horrified as he was. How to deal with their mother was a matter to be discussed over the weekend. Ann did have a few good ideas about how to deal with various issues. "Look little brother I have a friend in New Paltz. He was a professor at the med school here, but decided to leave the city and joined a practice up there. The point is he's an endocrinologist." "What?" "Glands and hormones. You're going to need advice there. Can I call Frank, he's Dr. Frank Turner, and tell him what's going on?" "Not yet, but it is a good idea." "I have another one. Do you remember a guy named Pat in high school? Actually you were in middle school, but he came over to the house once or twice? "No. Can you describe him?" "Not really he's pretty nondescript. Well the thing is we've stayed in touch and when he isn't working in a bank in the city he's dancing in a drag review." "What?" "Uh huh. It's pretty good too. I went with some friends. He's obviously a man in drag, but I bet he can tell you a lot. Let me know if you want to meet him. So what will you do next?" "Next; next I see it's 9:30 at night and I call Mr. Fields and tell him I want to meet tomorrow for breakfast, here in Kingston. I drag him away from his warm home in Albany and pull him down here. I tell him I will go along with his plan and drive a hard bargain as to what he called a 'small income', get him to promise that the government covers all my expenses, including all of my tuition in graduate school and basically make sure that I get what I can out of this." "Are you sure?" "Yes, we've already determined I'm a whore, now we have to set the price." Chapter 4: A First Dip in the Pond "That's a gaff?" "Yep; One of us girls little secrets. Keeps you nice and flat and comes in all kinds of nice shiny colors. So when you called and told me your size I went out and purchased you one in black and one in pink." "Oh God." Pat looked at Daniel. It was hard not to laugh. Dan was morphing from pale white to brink pink and back again. He was sitting very straight in a chair with his arms and legs crossed. "Hey it's not that bad. We're two guys here. Anyway you said you had only three weeks before the press was told about the engagement so you've got to get started and McDougal Street in New York is the safest place you can be." Dan stood up and took the black gaff and went into the bathroom. He sat on the toilet and shivered. "Oh good Lord, give me strength. When Ann told me about Pat she said he cross dressed, not that he was flaming queer." Dan took off his pants and briefs and struggled into the gaff. As Patrick shouted cute instructions through the door Dan tucked himself in. "Now remember honey, don't put you pants back on. I have to see how you look." "Christ." Dan opened the door and came out. "Oh pull up your shirt and let Patty see what you haven't got. Oh my, that looks good and you have nice buns." "Damn it Pat, give me a break." "No way honey; put on your pants, and we are going shopping. I know the dearest little place where they will outfit you fit to see the queen, and I don't mean me. No keep the gaff on, you have to get used to the feel of it." Dan followed Pat out the door feeling a little uncomfortable and very embarrassed. Pat was dressed in knee high lace up boots, skin tight jeans (see how the gaff allows me to look so flat) a multicolored sweater and red leather jacket. They walked a few blocks and every time some one looked at them Dan wanted to run a hide. Pat was not bothered at all. "Relax Dan. If they think we're a couple I'm flattered. Your hubby is going to be such a lucky man." "Oh shut up Pat you're trying to embarrass me." Pat swung around and his voice changed. A serious note dropped into it. "Damn straight, straight boy. I've worked hard and suffered to be what I am. You may think I look stupid or maybe you're calling me a fag in your secret little mind, but I do what I do because I want to. You are going to face all I have faced and you don't have any time to learn how. So you listen to me and you feel embarrassed now and then maybe you won't blush quite as much or sound quite as stupid when you walk out into the real world for the first time." They walked side by side for a few minutes. "Pat, I'm sorry." "No problem love. I know how it feels to be embarrassed, now we are going to have some fun because here is paradise." Actually paradise was a small store called the Mulberry Street Exchange and Pat was greeted with a hug and a kiss from the store owner a plump woman in her fifties dressed as if the gypsies had used her as a hanging rack for cast off clothes. "Maria, this is Dan. Now Maria, this is very secret, but Dan needs to learn how to dress in women's clothing. No questions asked. OK." Dan noticed for the second time how Pat could change his voice in an instant from a weird imitation of a woman's voice to a serious and weighty tone. "OK Pat. Hello Dan. I will have to ask a few questions about taste, activities, stuff like that." Maria walked around Dan. "How tall are you?" "About five ten maybe only fine nine." "Weight?" "Almost 155." "Waist and chest." "Ah well I'm a 32 waist and my jacket is a 40 or a 38." Maria stood with her hands on her hips and shook her head. "Pat is he supposed to pass?" "As best as he can. We know he won't be persuasive, but we are absolutely not going for the 'in your face drag queen' look. Think dignified and bit old fashioned, but still a young woman." Dan felt he needed to say something. "Look I agree I won't, as you say, pass, but I can't look like a fool. Think young librarian, or graduate student. I need some things I can get started with. At some point I'll have to bite the bullet and start shopping on my own in more, well I guess, mainstream places, but I need a few outfits to practice in." Maria nodded. "OK I've got a nice suit in dark salmon that would do well with your color and a couple of dresses for you to try on. Also some tops. You seem to have small feet so I might even have some shoes, but I doubt it." Pat chimed in, "I'll take care of his under stuff. We talked it over and Dan's not going to use forms so you'll have to work around a flat- chested girl. Do you still have that blue thing that Clarice traded in last week?" Maria went into the back and came out with a dark woolen dress. She held it against Dan. "Nope, not with his shoulders, but the idea is right. I know, wait a moment." In a minute she was back and tossed a black dress into Dan's arms. A moment later she came out and tossed a box at him followed by a flimsy black garment followed by another box. "OK now we can proceed. Pat take your lecherous eyes somewhere else. If someone comes in the store help them out until I'm done. Dan you come with me." Dan followed the woman into the back where, blushing, he took off all of his clothes except the gaff. She looked him over and nodded. Under her directions and occasionally with her hands-on assistance he opened the first box and pulled on black panty hose. Then she handed him the next box and Dan gagged when he saw it contained a brassiere. "I don't know. I mean if I am not going to use breast forms why do I need a brassiere?" "So people can see the bra straps honey. Also I'll show you a trick in a moment. A lot of the dancers use this. Maria held out what appeared to be a band of elastic. She had Dan turn his back to her and push the flesh on his chest towards the center. Maria passed the band around him and fastened the elastic under his hands using the Velcro tabs. "Now you have a little cleavage. It's not much, but it will help with your clothes. Here's the bra, ever wear one before?" "No!" "Hey don't get defensive. Put your arms out. That's right. Now the slip, you need one with this dress or it will itch." A few minutes later Dan looked at himself in the mirror. Maria stood next to him her lips thin with concentration. "It doesn't work Maria." "Yes, it does Dan. No, you don't look like a woman. You never will, but you don't look that stupid either. It's the black simple lines that do it. You need to do something with your hair and I strongly suggest a lot of electrolysis on your face and some waxing on your chest and arms. Hey Pat, come back here." Pat came back with some clothes draped over his arm. "Oh yes. I don't know though. I mean isn't the look too severe?" "Nope. Severe, classic, formal, that's the look Dan needs. He can't try and pass himself off as female so he needs to say to the world, "I am wearing a woman's garments, challenge me if you dare". Are those some things for him to try on?" "Actually they are for me, but I saw the suit you suggested and I think that will work, also there are some nice pegged pants out there. Did you say you might have some shoes for him? If not we have to go to Paul Tourey's." Later as Dan sat in Ann's small apartment he stared the bags of clothing he had accumulated. Ann was drilling on some medical terms at her desk. They would go out for dinner later, but for now he looked over a slip of paper. Pat had been a godsend, but there was such a thing as too much information. He read down the paper which had notes on electrolysis, hormones, how to find a vocal coach, make up that covered five o'clock shadow, web sites for shopping, and a list of books. At the bottom of one of the bags was a book that Pat demanded Dan take with him and read. "Don't tell me you won't need it. Maybe you won't, but promise me you will read every page. In fact promise me you will read every page twice. Then if you need the knowledge you have it. Dan don't shut down when I'm talking to you. Who knows the future, right?" Dan had reluctantly taken Pat's well worn copy of The Joy of Gay Sex and hidden it at the bottom of one of the bags. As Ann repeated formulas and lists out loud, Dan wondered what if anything Peter would want from him. He looked back at the bags. Tomorrow he would take the train back to Kingston. He would go back to the library where he had already given two weeks notice. For once in his life he had money in the bank and in his pocket and look at what he was buying. Ann heard him laugh and looked up. "Ready for some dinner?" Chapter 5: Getting To Know Us "When you said your place was small, well...." "Yeah, but it's within walking distance of the University, a supermarket and a good neighborhood bar. What more can I ask for. Also it's pretty inexpensive." Dan looked around Peter's place. Peter had a one bedroom apartment, but even though it had a separate living space from the bedroom and a kitchen rather than an alcove like Dan had, the total space was not much more than Dan's tiny studio. "I don't know Peter." "What." "I just don't feel comfortable." "Hey Danny, I told you, you will sleep on the couch and I promise I won't lay a finger on you. Anyway we need some time together before things are announced and this quick running back and forth from Albany to Kingston isn't working." "I know." "Think of it as a fun weekend. We'll have dinner at a bar downtown. You'll meet some of my friends. I'll introduce you as a friend from Kingston and we'll tell everybody that you are definitely not my new boyfriend." Dan dropped his bag on the couch. He looked around again. Compared to his one bedroom hole this was a nice place and Peter kept it neat, but for two people two live in it would be tough. As if Peter was reading his thoughts he spoke up. "Anyway I want to talk about finances. I've been careful about not asking my parents for more money than my share of the household income, that's a royal thing where we get a portion of the Duke's income., but you said you would be getting a small income and there is a two bedroom apartment on the next floor we could rent for only 180 bucks more a month. It's pretty small also, but it would give us some privacy until we start using the same bedroom." "What?" "Well I..." "Listen Peter and listen good. I will live with you. I'll be your friend. I'll dress in women's clothing and play the role to the best of my abilities, but that's where it stops." The two looked at each other. Peter knew his words had been to harsh and tried to soften the tone. "The two bedroom place sounds good. Mr. Fields says my life pension will start at about seventeen thousand a year and grow with inflation." For an awkward moment neither spoke. "Would you like to see the place?" "I'll trust you." "How about we go out for dinner? That place we had drinks at two weeks ago, they have live music. It's a bit loud, but I always know someone there." As Dan and Peter drove the short distance into Albany Peter sighed. "I have to ask a few questions." "OK." "Well the pants and the sweater are a bit feminine. I mean they aren't really girl's clothing, but they are sort of..." "Yeah, I'm experimenting a bit. Sort of getting my feet wet. If it thrills you to know, I've got on panties as well." "Oh." "At home I try on different clothing and practice wearing low heels." "Anything else?" "Yeah, I've started taking a variety of pills. Some are hormones that will kill off my balls and a few are hormones that will slightly change my body shape, hair growth, stuff like that." "Damn." "What?" "I know you don't want to hear this Danny, but I've seen you in tennis clothing and I like your current shape." "Remember the actions to satisfy a court and the public? Well that is what this is all about Peter. I'm sick with fear about the changes, though I've seen nothing yet." Peter parked the car and as they walked to the bar he stopped. "Danny there is something else. I had an appointment with the Duke this morning. He went on about how grateful he and the Duchess are. I mentioned how it would have been nicer if you had been approached through your loyalty rather than threatened and he is a little apologetic." "Just a little?" "Yes. The Duchess wants to meet you and I have the secretary's card. Here's the thing, it has to be a royal wedding. It doesn't have to be big, but it cannot be private. Oh and the Duke will choose your new name." "Oh hell and what will that be." "I don't know, but I insisted that your middle name will be Danielle so I can keep calling you Danny." "A royal wedding?" "Yeah. I don't like it either. It will be in the Albany cathedral with the press in attendance. My mother wants to take you shopping and I am sure that includes a wedding dress. Let's drop the subject and have some food and drink." Later as Peter and Dan drank coffee back at the apartment Dan opened the conversation. "I enjoyed the evening, but nobody believed I wasn't your boyfriend." "I thought I was being careful." Dan laughed. "Oh yes, careful, but also very protective. You were too quick to get me a drink or to block questions. You were the perfect boyfriend." "Sorry." "Hey, no problem, as I said I enjoyed the evening and the band was pretty good. I'd like to get some sleep, so..." "No problem, give me a few minutes and then the bathroom is yours. I set out some clean towels." Dan watched Peter go into the bedroom and thought back on the evening. It had been fun. The group at the tables was a mixture of graduate and undergraduate students with a couple of locals as well. He noticed the glances he received and could read into them what people thought. Dan was surprised that it only bothered him a little and Peter's attentiveness was both amusing and touching. When Peter was done, Dan shaved and showered and in the privacy of the bathroom dressed in a pair of running shorts and an oversized t-shirt. He looked at his face. Next week electrolysis would start, but for now he still needed a nightly shave. He put on a cotton robe and came out. Peter was unfolding the couch trying to manipulate the mattress while simultaneously moving the coffee table with his foot. Dan ran up and pulled the table away freeing up Peter's foot, but also unbalancing him so that he collapsed on the now unfolded bed. Peter looked up at Dan and then they both broke down in fits of laughter. When they pulled themselves together Peter tossed Dan a set of sheets and a pillow case. "Here, take that side. I'll pull the sheet on over here. Oh my side aches." Dan smiled and finished making the bed. He looked around and found the blanket. They talked a little longer and Peter left. Dan turned off the light and lay down. The couch wasn't that comfortable and his mind was churning. First he thought about the fun he had had at the bar. Then he remembered how people had looked at him knowing that he was Peter's new boyfriend. He remembered enjoying the band and how nice it was being taken care of and then would come back to the feminine sweater and what people must have thought. Peter lay in his bed and when the noises from the living room became too loud, got up and walked out to sit beside Dan. Dan was lying face down on the couch and crying. Deep racking sobs made his body shudder and Peter was torn between being afraid to touch the younger man and wanting to comfort him. Dan turned over and sat up almost shouting. "Damn it why couldn't they have found some other poor piece of shit." Danny you are not a..." Peter was surprised by the speed of Dan's hand and didn't manage to duck the punch. It glanced off his forehead and Dan jumped out of bed. He grabbed his bag and started throwing stuff in it. "Danny what are you doing?" "Shut up and stop calling me Danny. I've got money I'm making a run for it." Peter grabbed Dan by the arms. "No Danny please. Listen to me. You don't think that Fields and his type aren't thinking about this. What about your sister, your mother, hell, what about me?" For a moment the two froze and then to Peter's shock and joy Dan collapsed against him sobbing. Peter wrapped his arms around the smaller man and rocked back and forth. He didn't know what to say so he just softly repeated, "Dan, Dan, Dan" until the sobbing grew less. When Dan calmed down Peter sat him in a chair and went and sat on the couch. "Can I get you a drink?" Dan just shook his head. He looked down at the floor. "I'm, I am..." he started to cry again and Peter went over and pulled Dan up and took him to the couch. They sat side by side with Peter's arm around Dan. Peter rocked from side to side trying to comfort and help. After a while Peter noticed a change. "Damn," he thought. "Oh God not now, now is not the time to have an erection. Think Peter, think about concrete or bridge strength not about Danny. Do not think about sitting on a bed with..." Dan started to laugh; soft teary laughs, but still a sign of humor. "You can't help yourself can you?" "Huh?" Dan pointed at Peter's lap where his worn boxers were tented. "Oh Christ. Look I am sorry. I was just trying to help and then well..." "Sure I understand. Peter I am so scared. I am scared about everything. I don't know how to be a woman. I don't know how to live with a man. I don't know about being Lady something or other. Do you know that Pat in New York demanded I take a copy of a book about gay sex? We are supposed to live together for the rest of our lives. I like you, but I don't now anything." Peter took a deep breath. His head swirled. "OK, take a chance, if it blows up in your face Peter you will apologize and do penance." "Danny we can start like this." Peter turned Dan towards him a placed a demure kiss on his lips. Then he pulled his head back and pulled Dan into him with a hug. "And that is as far as it ever has to go. Now lie down, I'll be back in a minute." Dan dropped back on the bed and Peter went into his bedroom. When he came back out he was wearing the bottom of a running suit and carrying a pillow. "Shove over Dan." Peter lay on the couch as far from Dan as he could and pulled the blanket over the two of them. "Now try and sleep, but if you start to panic wake me, don't do this alone." Chapter 6: Lark Street The next morning was awkward as Peter woke up and tried to get out of bed without waking Dan, but the couch vibrated and Dan opened his eyes. The two sat up together not saying anything and then Peter went into the bathroom. When he came out Dan took his place and Peter started making coffee. They worked together in silence only speaking to ask for things like, butter, or sugar. As they were picking up the dishes Dan spoke. "Your mother will be horrified." "Why?" "We slept together before the wedding." Peter smiled. "Thank God. I was waiting for you to call me all sorts of things. My head hurts by the way." "So do my knuckles. I'm really sorry Peter. I was panicking." "That's OK. You aren't angry that I kissed you." "No and I really needed the hug." "So did I. Are you still up for shopping and then the Museum of History and Art?" "Yes, but we need to talk first." "OK." "Can a person be gay and not know it?" "Danny how the hell should I know? I've been gay as long as I've been aware there were two sexes." "You've never slept with a woman?" "Nope." "Wow." The two of them just looked at each other. Then Dan made a decision. While Peter was cleaning up Dan started to dress in the living room. Peter tried not to watch, but kept catching glances of Dan. There was Dan just in running shorts, Dan pulling on a gaff and finally Dan pulling on jeans that were a little too tight and the sweater he wore the previous night. Peter could stand it no more and just turned and looked. He swallowed and gripped the counter. "Damn it Dan you are deliberately doing this." "Yes, because I have to prove to myself I can." Dan walked over to Peter and gave him a hug. Peter returned the hug and restrained himself from kissing Dan. Then he pushed Dan away. "I'll go and get dressed before I explode. Give me a few minutes." In the bedroom Peter sat and breathed deeply. He closed his eyes, but it didn't help. The image of Dan standing there dressed in just the tight black gaff was seared on Peter's brain. Finally Peter pulled on some clothing. He took a few more breaths and walked out. Dan was moving things into a black leather purse. He looked up and smiled. Then he went back to digging in his overnight bag. Peter looked at him. No one would ever call Dan pretty or feminine, but Oh God was he ever sexy. The two of then walked the twenty or so minutes to Lark Street. A brisk wind blew in their faces up Central Avenue and along the way Dan leaned against Peter who put his arm though Dan's. When they reached Lark Street they were thoroughly chilled and glad to run into the nearest shop, a jewelry and craft store. Peter wandered around while Dan searched the counters looking at earrings and necklaces. When they had exhausted the store's potential, but had bought nothing they moved on. Slowly they walked down the street stopping at stores the past. The more time they spent together the more often they leaned against each other. Peter made the contact feeling worried that Dan would run, but excited by the proximity of his friend. Dan leaned against Peter or held his hand uncertain what he was feeling, but telling himself he was only practicing, it wasn't real emotion. "Mexican or Indian?" "Huh, what?" "I asked if you wanted Mexican or Indian. Bombers makes great burritos and Tandoor Palace has good Indian food." "Oh Indian. And remember we are on my expense account." During the meal the talk moved from serious planning to chatter and finally to philosophy. "You know Danny. I've had an easy life. School was easy, we always had money, I was a natural at tennis and baseball. You are going to be the toughest thing I have ever faced." "How so?" "I want you desperately, but I won't force myself on you. I've promised that. However there is no way I will not try and show you how nice things can be." "I can live with that." "Why did you ask me if a person can be gay and not know it?" "Drop it Peter." "But..." "No, drop it." "OK, let's go to the Museum. It's pretty cold and a bit of a walk so when we are done we'll call for a cab to go home." "Can we go to a mall later?" "Sure what do you need?" "I'm going to get my ears pierced." "Oh." Later that evening Dan and Peter cleaned up after a pick up meal and sat on the couch. Dan read a novel he brought along and Peter read the current magazine from the American Society of Civil Engineers. They sat far enough apart not to accidently touch. Dan put a slip of paper in his book. "What did you mean by show me how nice things can be? And no, that is not an invitation." Peter just shrugged. "It's nice to hug. It's nice to kiss. I suspect that is just like you felt with a woman. It's nice to feel flesh against flesh and the warmth of another body. I've never thought deeply about it, but if it is the physical aspect you are asking about I think it is probably the same in most ways." "Same as what?" "Oh man and man or man and woman. I know it's not good to talk about past lovers and I have had only a few, but one, Mike, he used to say that a good couple is always making love, they just aren't having sex all the time they are doing it." "I suppose so. Who is the Mike." "Mike's an old friend. He runs a construction company and when I was interning in college we were lovers for a summer. It was awkward because he is married and has kids, but sometimes it happens that way. I still talk with him from time to time, but our affair is long over. He is a good person in his own way." "Even if he cheats on his wife." "Yeah flawed, but good. He taught me a lot and I don't mean technique." There was silence for a while. Neither man looked at each other. "Peter will I still be sexy in women's clothing? Don't answer that, forget I asked. Oh, why did I..." Peter turned and held open his arms, but moved no closer to Dan. After a moment's hesitation Dan slid over and leaned against Peter and buried his face against Peter's chest. A second later he pulled back and shook his head. "Your hair got up my nose." "Yes I'm hairy, but I don't like the thought of shaving my chest. Shall I, button the top, button." "No." Dan leaned back in and Peter closed his arms about him. The two lay very still. Peter felt his erection growing and pressing against the fabric of his pants. He blessed the discomfort that ensured his penis would not escape the bonds and frighten Dan. Dan counted silently trying to get his heart to slow down. He concentrated on the warmth and the sound of Peter's heart trying to force the fact that he was leaning against a man out of his mind. "I brought a nightgown with me. Is it alright if I wear it tonight?" "Sure. I'll sleep in the bedroom anyway." "You can sleep here the couch is big enough." "You can sleep in my room, the bed is more comfortable." "What time is it." "About 11:00." Dan pulled away and with a smile picked up his bag and walked into the bedroom and dropped it by Peter's bed. As soon as he was out of sight he leaned against the wall. Feeling like retching he counted slowly. When the feeling past he stood up and turned to see Peter standing in the door and watching him. "Dan, sleep on the couch tonight. You don't have to do this." "No. You said this was going to be a charade. I won't live that way. I can't live that way. I may not be the strongest person out there. I can't dominate a room like you do or be the life of the party, but I don't lie and I don't play games." Dan took off his clothes and went into the bathroom. Peter on the other hand sat on the bed. "Oh shit what am I supposed to do now? Does he want to be left alone, or kissed, or what? He has no idea what seeing him does to me, or does he? I need a sign not a bunch of mixed signals." Dan came out and while Peter studiously turned away to hang up clothing, Dan slipped into a pair of panties and put on a knee length nightie. It was nothing fancy, but it was a symbol of femininity. When Peter came out of the bathroom he was wearing boxers and he slipped into bed carefully not touching Dan. He turned of the light. "Goodnight Dan." "I need something more Peter." "What?" "I need to know we can touch. I don't know how much more, but I need to know that we can touch each other." Peter pulled Dan into him and kissed him on the forehead. Dan kissed Peter on the bridge of the nose and they hugged. Peter's erection grew and Dan giggled as Peter tried to pull away. Dan held him close and they kissed again. "Danny I have to stop now." "Why?" "Well..." Dan reached down and, holding his breath, slid his hand into Peter's trunks. Peter stiffened. "Danny, no you don't have to." "Shhh, don't break my concentration." Dan slid his hand up and down the shaft. As Peter moaned and squirmed Dan pretended he was reading Pat's book and just following instructions. Peter gasped, grabbed Dan's shoulders and bucked and plunged as he came. Later they sat side by side in the bed with the light on. Peter had changed his shorts and then Dan had washed his hands almost vomiting in the bathroom, but forcing a smile when he came out. Peter reached over and took Dan's hand pulled it to his lips and kissed the fingers. "Dan thank..." "Quiet. Please Peter. Don't say anything." After the turned of the lights Peter leaned close to Dan. "Can I call you "love" or just Danny?" "Whatever." "Danny. Can I make you feel good." Dan rolled towards Peter. "Actually you do make me feel good. It is nice to have a friend, but I know what you mean. I don't know. If I say stop you will have to." "I promise. Good night love." "Good night Peter. Chapter 7: It Does Feel Good Peter woke early disturbed by the unusual feel of someone else in bed with him. Dan was curled up facing him breathing quietly. In the dim morning light Dan looked very peaceful. The nightgown had hiked up and Peter looked at the white panties Dan was wearing. Dan's penis, small and flaccid was outlined by the thin white fabric. Peter caught his breath. Barely daring to exhale he reached out and as delicately as he could he traced the lines in the thin cotton. Dan shifted in his sleep and Peter froze. When Dan stopped moving Peter again stroked up and down. Dan stretched a bit and Peter waited. He could see that Dan was now a little bigger, and little stiffer. He moved closer and gently cupping his hand over Dan's penis kissed him on the forehead. Dan's eyes opened and for a moment Peter could see panic forming. Then Dan smiled uncertainly. "How long have..." "Oh maybe a minute, were you having nice dreams?" "Don't know." Peter kissed Dan on the nose and slid down in the bed kissing Dan on the, buttons of the nightie, then on his navel and finally on the now fully erect shaft, tasting the cotton and smelling the odor of arousal. "Those pills aren't working very well." "Dr. Turner says I may always be able to get a bit erect and possibly even come a bit." "Good." "What are you going to do?" "I am going to show you how nice it can be." Peter kissed the cloth covered rod a few more times and then slipping down the panties slowly pulled Dan deep into his mouth. One of Dan's hands grabbed Peter's hair while the other held the headboard. Peter moved up and down, occasionally stopping to kiss Dan on the stomach or thigh. Then as Dan made small animal sounds Peter brought him to a climax and afterwards lay with his head on Dan's lap occasionally kissing the softening penis of his lover. Dan pushed Peter away after a while and went into the bathroom. He sat on the toilet and shook. "It's not that bad. It's not that bad. It's not that bad. A man has kissed me and it felt good. Oh God what if he wants me... Oh..." "Dan are you okay." "Yes." Dan finished and came out. Peter used the bathroom and then they lay side by side. Neither could be the first to speak and both wanted the other to say things were alright. Dan thought about something Pat had said. "All sex when you think about it is gross. In fact if we really thought about it we'd all be monks or nuns. It's when we turn off our mind and just enjoy it that it becomes worthwhile. Otherwise it would be nothing, but jerking off with a rubber glove." Dan thought about it and noticed how still Peter was. He thought "He is as scared as me. I'm scared about being hurt and disgusted; he's scared about hurting and disgusting me. We are each other's mirror. If I make the first move I have to be ready for him to respond and then I can say "no" only if I really have to." Dan rolled over so that he straddled Peter who looked up in shock. Dan then lay down on top of him. "Am I too heavy?" "No, this feels nice love." They lay there until Peter agreed that maybe Dan was a little too heavy for a long visit and they got up to have breakfast. Dan kept on his nightie and hunted for his panties while Peter put on a robe. This time the silence at the breakfast table was punctuated with shy smiles. "It felt very nice Peter." "I'm glad. We have to go a see my parents today, remember?" "How could I forget?" "My brother will be there. He's OK. He'll make a perfect Lord Harbin." "Peter, I uh, I brought some clothes for this visit." "Clothes?" "Yes, a dress and stuff." "Ahh, well I guess we do have to start." "I look terrible." "I doubt it." "Wait and see." Peter washed up while Dan went into the bedroom. Dan took off his nightclothes and powered up and then pulled a pink gaff on carefully tucking in. While he was dressing Peter came in and watched as Dan pulled his chest together with the elastic, put on the brassiere and finally the slip and the black dress. Dan took a pair of low black heels from his suitcase and a small velvet bag. He went into the bathroom and put on a little lipstick and blusher. From the bag he took a simple gold chain and bracelet and a small woman's watch. He combed his hair, eliminating the part and trying to make it look wavy on the top. When Dan was finished he came back out and put on the black shoes and stood in front of Peter. "Well?" "I prefer you in jeans and you don't look like a woman, but you don't look terrible. You still turn me on." "Yeah, well let us just hope your parents don't throw something at me." "They won't. They know why you are doing this." Peter was standing wearing a pair of slacks, but had not yet put on a shirt. He came over and hugged Dan. Dan returned the hug and gasped as Peter slowly hiked up the back of Dan's dress and took hold of his backside. "Peter..." Peter just leaned in and kissed Dan. Much to both of their surprise Dan responded and they stood there together lips pressed. Peter pushed his tongue forward and Dan opened his mouth to let it in. When they broke apart panting Dan looked pale. "I, I have to fix my lipstick." Peter listened to the sounds of retching through the bathroom door. "Danny, Dan..." "No Peter, don't... don't come in." On the drive to the Harbin's Peter tried to apologize, but Dan interrupted him. "Peter never apologize, unless you do something when I told you not to. Then, after you apologize, run. I don't want to hear you saying you are sorry. I am part of this, now just drive." At the Harbin's conversation was strained as five people tried to make sense of their roles. The lunch was a formal affair with Mr. Summers and a maid serving. Both called Dan Ms. Ragnar and acted as though a man dressed in a black dress and heels was the most common sight in the world. After lunch as Peter joined his brother Mathew and Lord Harbin for a walk, Dan sat with Lady Ragnar by the fire. "Danny, I take it that is what Peter calls you." "Yes." "Danny your choice of dress is good, but the dress itself is not cut properly for you. I imagine that, actually I can not imagine, but surely it is difficult for you to shop so I want to take you shopping in New York City. When I shop I call a shopping assistant at Sax and she selects items for me to try on when I arrive. We can go down and shop before the regular hours." "Before..." "That is correct. For one thing it is more private, the other thing is it allows us to go out among the racks with the buyer and not fight the crowds. I suggest we go down this coming Friday. We'll stay Thursday night at the royal apartments, shop Friday early morning and then there is a gallery I want to visit. We will come back Saturday morning. I will pick you up Thursday at 3:00." Later, talking to Peter, Dan commented how he never felt like he had any choices. "Yes, that is my mother. She is the Lady Of The Manor, note the capital letters, and she cannot imagine anyone disobeying her. However she is doing this to save you the trouble of shopping with the crowds." "I'll have to learn to do that in my own." "I know." "I really appreciate what she is doing Peter. Your brother is nice as well, if a bit stiff. I have to get on the road. Walk with me to the car. I had a good weekend. I've learned a lot about us. We can make this work." "I know Danny. I will do anything to make it work." "On Wednesday during the royal announcements the press will learn about us." "Yeah I wish I could hide." "Same here, Mr. Fields said if I run into any trouble to give his office a call. He also said I would have to give a press conference within the week." Peter leaned over and kissed Dan quickly on the mouth. "It will be dark soon, start driving while the light is good. Be safe. Danny..." "Yes Peter." "I love you." "I know Peter, I know." On Wednesday, Royal Announcements 134, 135, and 136 were read to the press corps. "Number 134: By order of His Majesty King William the Third from this day hence the subject heretofore known as Daniel Carl Ragnar, residing in Kingston in the Province of New York, shall be known as Elizabeth Danielle Ragnar. Having committed by word and deed to live life as a woman, Elizabeth Danielle Ragnar shall be, by fiat and law, female in gender. Number 135: By order of His Majesty King William the Third, at the request of Lord Arnold, the Duke of Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga, a marriage shall be arranged between the Honorable Peter Andrew Harbin, son of Lord George Harbin of Saratoga and Lady Sybil Harbin of the same and Elizabeth Danielle Ragnar, currently residing in Kingston in Province of New York. Number 136: By order of His Majesty King William the Third, at the request of Lord Arnold the Duke of Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga, from this day hence, until the marriage to the Honorable Peter Andrew Harbin, Ms. Ragnar will be addressed as Lady Elizabeth Ragnar and from the time of marriage she is permitted to bear the title of Lady Elizabeth Harbin, honoria. Number 137. By order of His Majesty King William the Third, the museum at..... Chapter 8: The Mall and Beyond Danielle looked around the room. She had expected the rooms at the royal apartments to be something very fancy, but they looked like any other nice hotel room. Perhaps the ceilings were higher and the linens nicer, but otherwise she could be in a mid-range hotel anywhere in the country. There was even a minibar, though there was no price list on the door. Danielle laid out some clothes on the bed trying to decide what she should wear for dinner. Coming back from the weekend with Peter, driving to Kingston she had still been Dan. It was good to be alone concentrating on driving at night with light snow in the air. As she parked the car she felt the cold air blow up her dress and realized that in a few days Lady Harbin would be taking her to New York City to shop. What did you wear to go shopping? Monday morning, fretting over breakfast, Dan had a thought. Fields had said to call his office with any problems. He probably meant financial issues or bothersome reporters, but what the hell. At 9:00 Dan called Fields' office. When Fields called back they talked for a while and then Dan waited. It was odd sitting in his apartment. His job at the library had ended and for the first time in years he had nothing to do. He cleaned a bit and looked around at his few belongings trying to figure out what he would take with him when he moved to Albany. He made some more coffee and looked out of the window. Not finding any other way to waste time Dan picked up The Transgender Companion by Jennifer Seeley and looked at the book. His sister Ann had sent it to him and so far he had not opened it up. Dan was just starting to read when the phone rang. "Hello." "Mr. Ragnar?" "Yes." "Hello. My name is Donna Torres. I work with Mr. Fields. If you wish you can call Mr. Fields back to verify who I am. He said you needed s