Sunshine and Roses

It was early spring and King Henry the VIII had sent a emissary to Justin. It was tax time and the good king, hungry for gold, had no intentions of letting this estate go free from taxation simply because it was still struggling to rise above the poverty level it had nearly drowned in. He had come without warning, that agent, as they often did.
"Where is Sir William?" Lowry asked the other servants. If anyone knew, they would. Robert de Grippe was away on business and Lowry was the obvious choice to seek out Justin.
"He is probably at Sean's cottage, " one of the cook's servants said and snickered into the soup he was stirring. The cook whacked his back, made the young man stumble. "You old fool! I almost fell into the fire, I did!"
"Serve ye right, ye young jacknappe. Yes, Ray Lowry, Sir William is probably at Sean's, but mayhap someone else should fetch him and not ye. Let this fool do it before he allows the soup to burn." When the assistant mumbled, the old cook demanded, "What? What?"
"i said naught, " the subordinate grumbled.
"I thought not." The cook turned his attention back to Lowry. "Yes, let this one go for ye."
"Nay, I know where it is. You need Jack here."
"I really think it would be best. . ." the cook protested.
"He's right, " the butler agreed solemnly as he polished old, ornate silverware. His black eyes were troubled, grave.
Lowry, however, did not understand their reluctance at his going and said firmly, "I know the way and I am not busy elsewhere. There's no reason why I should not go."
There was, and when Lowry got to Sean's cottage, he found out why everyone was so reluctant for him to seek Justin. At the dwelling's door, he heard moaning inside. Thinking someone was injured, he burst into the cottage and froze in shock. Sean was bent over his bed, naked, his backside shining white in the sunlight. Justin was thrusting violently within him. Sean was moaning, begging the man to do it harder. Their attention was so taken with what was happening within their Justins, neither was aware of Lowry's stunned, dismyesd presence. Frozen to the spot, Lowry was unable to move. He slumped against the doorway. It was only when Justin came, loudly proclaiming his release that Lowry was able to stumble out. His whole mind and body were pure ice, not only for what he had seen, but because his own body had reacted to the actions and sounds inside that tiny cottage.

When Lowry came to himself, he was in front of Whiteford Monastery. He dismounted, and with his body still frozen, he knocked at the huge doors.
<Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned, > he thought over and over.
The words echoed in his soul. . .
I have sinned. . .I have sinned. . .forgive me. . .
Forgive me. . .
May God have mercy on my soul.