Sunshine and Roses

"Where is Brother Raymond?" Justin asked as he looked up from his plate.
"I believe he is involved with morning pryesrs, Sir William."
"I see. You may serve breakfast now, Holmes."
"Very good, Sir."
Lowry met Justin in his study right after breakfast. There was a hint of tiredness in the monk's face. "You do not appear as though you slept well."
"I am all right. I am ready to do my job, Sir William."
"You called me Will before."
"I prefer Sir William."
"So cold, so distant. Does what you feel frighten you that much?" How gentle he sounded, how understanding and compassionate. He watched the other man grow tense. "I felt the same way, back at the beginning."
"Perhaps we should leave now."
"I no longer feel frightened."
"Have you done a lot of work on the estate?" Why was that hint of fear in his voice? Why was it so hot in here? Why was he having trouble breathing?
"Let us bring this out in the open."
"It would serve no purpose!" Lowry's heart thumped uncontrollably in his chest.
"Then admit the truth."
"The truth? I should not be here! That is the truth! The king should not have closed the monasteries! That is also the truth!"
"That is not the truth I meant and you know it."
"Please!" Heat deluged through him.
"Please? Please? Shall I tell you what would please me?"
"Sir William, you must not do this! It is not right?"
"Right? Yes, the church says it is wrong, but it does not feel wrong within my soul, my mind. The church also states that lying is evil, but if I denied what I am, who I am, would that not be lying?" He watched the battle rage within Lowry. "I want to make love to you. That is the truth. I want to strip you of your clothing and. . ." He reached out without warning and took firm hold of the monk who had turned to flee. "I want to lie you down and be the first to claim you. I want to hear you moan with desire and pleasure as my hands and my tongue caress you. That is the honesty the priests both demand and denounce!"
"Stop!" He struggled but the ex-mercenary was stronger and he could not break free.
"Which is worse, Brother Raymond, lying or admitting a reality the Church claims as wrong?
"I cannot!" The anguish he felt rang out loud and clear.
Justin released him. "You are not only a coward, you are a liar." He watched the multitude of changes pass quickly over Lowry's features but his own did not soften. "Let us tour the estate. I need you to make notes on further improvements."