Oh by the way red tape first.
Be warned these short stories contain mature content or naughty bits and as such may corrupt you if you’re under 12, 16, 18, 21 or 25 depending where you live thus they are not suitable for you so put them back on the shelf and let them age for a year or two.
They were sort of scribbled for fun. They were first posted on asstr-mirror.org. If you’ve paid money for this book just be aware the author has not received any payment. In fact no one has permission to charge money for this book and copyright is retained by the author. Copyrighted Karen Blayne 2001-2009.
So are you
sitting comfortably? Then cast your mind back to the
For those who aren't history addicts a bit of background might help. Coins used originally to contain roughly their value in the metal they were made. Gold was used for sovereigns, silver for coins from threepence to a crown, and copper for less valuable coins.
Next a tiny bit of maths: four farthings made a penny, twelve pennies made a shilling or bob, and twenty shillings made a pound. A tanner was sixpence, a florin was two shillings, a crown five shillings.
Now you may begin.
Luv Karen
I heard the scream and looked round. There in the river below a small boy was floundering, if it were Johnny I swore I'd tan his hide. I dived in and swam up to him and grabbed the little blighter by the scruff of the neck then headed for the shore. He was heavy and spluttering but I managed to drag him onto the sandbank in the middle of the river. Johnny came running along the bank, if I hadn't saved Johnny who on earth had I saved? My fingers touched velvet, Quality. "Johnny run up to the big house as fast as you can and tell them I've just dragged a boy in velvet from the river." Quality, you never knew with quality you'd best stay away from them me mam always said. We sat there shivering, he was coughing so I laid him flat and thumped his back like I would with Johnny and prayed I wouldn't be transported for hitting him. Soon two riders came splashing through the river.
"Right girl, throw him up to me!" Throw him, I could barely lift him but it was enough for the rider to bend and grab his arm and pull him up onto the horse. "Young varmint. Come on Jed drop that one and bring the girl, she's soaking wet as well and we don't want to lose either to a chill now do we?" Johnny was dropped on the bank and I was hauled up and placed in front of the rider. "Reckon you can hang on tight lass? If so we'll see how fast this horse can run and raise the alarm proper up at the house." I nodded and threw my six-year-old arms round him and clung on for dear life. Jed went across country and we were on a big hunter. Hedges flew by underneath us. I closed my eyes when we came to cross the road. I felt us fly into the air, we touched the road then we flew off again across the hedge on the other side. I opened my eyes, "Good girl, now just hold on tight." One of his arms was round me the other held the reins. We clattered into the cobbled stable yard. "Here Rob catch this un. Take her into the kitchen. Thanks to the girl 'ere the heir's alive, should be 'ere shortly but I'm off for the doctor." He clattered away across the cobbles.
I was carried into
a huge room much bigger than our entire cottage. It had smooth square tiles on
the floor, our floor was a mixture of whatever flat stones we could find mixed
in with a few bricks. It were my job to sweep the cottage floor but this one
looked a real beaut, dead easy to sweep clean. "Right young miss out of
them wet clothes,
They found a dress for me that was much finer than anything I had and dressed me in a coat as well. Then a tall man led me into his office. "Now my fine young lady what would you like as a reward?" Reward as well as being called a lady and a fine dress? "Reward, anything in the whole world?" "Anything in the whole world within reason." "I'd like to fly again please." "Fly again?" "Yes a horse please so I can fly over hedges." "I'm not sure you could handle a horse." "Well only a small one, I saw one in the stables when I arrived." "Come on then and show me." I showed him the foal I'd seen when I'd first arrived. She was so pretty, with huge feet. "Oh that one, well I did say anything. Trouble is Daisy's a Shire and Shires come in pairs." He looked at me. "Now you wouldn’t want to break up a pair now you?" I shook my head. "Shall you give her a slice of apple?" I nodded and a quarter apple was laid on my hand. "Now hold it out flat." Daisy came over and tickled my hand as she searched for the apple. "Now Dobbin as well." Another quarter apple was laid on my outstretched palm; another tongue licked my hand then my nose. "He's got warm breath hasn't he?" "Good girl standing firm now let's go and see what your dad has to say about Daisy then. Jed, Rob load the old plough share in the back of the wagon and you'd best fetch young Daisy and Dobbin and hitch them on the back as well."
Soon I was riding in a wagon, me on the front seat, me in my fine new dress. Trouble was there wasn't really anyone to show off to. When we got home the tall man lifted me down and I ran into the house looking for me dad. "Dad the man says I can have a foal if you'll let me keep him." "What would you be wanting with a foal?" "She's ever so pretty." "Hold hard, I'd best come and see."
Me dad came out to meet the tall man. "Mr. Forester, Alfred Metcalf estate manager, Your young un ere dragged the heir out of the river so she's due a reward. She likes the look of young Daisy but I told her Shires come in pairs see. So if you'd like them they're hitched to the back of the wagon. Thought I'd throw in an old ploughshare as well but it will be a year or two before they're ready to pull it mind. Oh they're a breeding pair so Dobbin will cost you the first foal." "I don't know." Me mam came out. "Joseph just you stop looking a pair of gift horses in the mouth. Rebecca can see to them and I'm sure they'll come in useful at ploughing time or harvest time." "You're right there mum, and I can probably put some tree root pulling and log pulling your way as well." "Well that's that then. Now just you come in and have a mug of ale with us, my own brew."
I got my hair ruffled and told I was to report to the stables up at the big house to find out how to care for my horses. Dad and I unhitched the two foals, Dobbin was older than Daisy and rather larger, and we let them out in the pasture with the cows. Then I settled down to have tea with my brothers and sisters and told them all about the big house, the wonderful floor and how the tall lady in the fine dress had spoken to me.
Next morning I was weeding in the vegetables when one of the stable lads came looking for me. He spoke with me mam and the long and the short of it was I was to help Martin learn to swim in the river. Martin it seemed didn't mind trying if I was there since I'd saved him once already. Then Rose, his governess had the bright idea that Martin should help me learn to my letters and numbers. So soon I was sharing his lessons in the mornings. Martin apparently didn't like his schoolwork but would learn so he could help me. Rose thought it was fun to have me walk round the room with a book balanced on me head. Mr. Grimshaw the butler was heard to murmur he didn't know what the world was coming to when quality started mixing with the rabble but I didn't mind him. Two years later I was better at spelling than Martin but he was better at numbers so I practiced my numbers. Mr. Metcalf helped by letting me add up his ledgers and working out how much feed the horses needed. As an incentive he told me if I was short Daisy would go hungry and if I spent too much then he wouldn't be able to afford to hire my dad to haul logs. Talk about motivation but it worked. Daisy didn't go hungry and dad was kept busy hauling logs when the farm could spare him. I went along, sometimes with Martin, and walked by Daisy and Dobbin's heads. Feeding them the odd carrot or apple from time to time. Martin pointed out that I was never going to go flying over a hedge with Daisy but somehow it didn't seem to matter, Daisy was Daisy and if I had Daisy I didn't want to go flying over hedges.
Mr. Metcalf used to have pamphlets and books lying round his office talking about new ways of doing things. Three crop rotation and using clover to restore the goodness in the soil. I asked him if he was going to use them on the home farm but got told no. His highness didn't hold with new fangled notations. I asked if I could talk to my dad about it. Mr. Metcalf said he'd got some of the new clover seed if dad wanted to try it. Strange it was me mam who got me dad to agree. She said what harm could it do and it were best to stay on Mr. Metcalfe's best side. So we did. Daisy and Dobbin ploughed up the pasture; we put in root crops where we had been growing wheat and clover where the root crops had been. That year the crop was one of the best. Dad reckoned it was the weather but I knew the home farm hadn't had such a good year or at least as good as ours.
At the stables I was allowed to exercise the wagon and carriage horses. Under supervision at first but Joe reckoned I had a way with horses and when he was short staffed I was allowed to exercise them by myself. I was paid in feed and shoes for Daisy and Dobbin. Later on I was taught how to hitch Daisy and Dobbin up to the various wagons around the stables and how to control them. Then one day the dowager, Lady Hazleton wanted to visit one of her friends for tea but no carriage horses were available, or grooms either so Joe had me hitch Daisy and Dobbin up to her ladyship's coach and we drove her ladyship in style. I think she liked the idea of having a girl drive her and Daisy and Dobbin were certainly great talking points with her friends. I liked the real farthings we got paid each time.
It was about that
time I was in the village with me mam when we met up with Rose, Martin's
governess, on her day off. She thought that me mam should be proud of me
learning to read and write. Mam said that was all very well but what would it
lead to pray? She didn't like to offend the big house, which is why she'd let
me go but she couldn't really see the use of it. Rose put her head to one side
like she does when she's thinking. "Lists." "Lists?" Yes
next week each time you think of something you need from the market tell
Rebecca and she'll write it down. Then take her with you when you go to market
and she can remind you when you get there what you need." Just then the
mail coach arrived. Me mam looked up when the guard told her she had a letter,
she took it from him and looked at the address then handed it back shaking her
head when he asked her for the money. Rose offered to pay but I stopped her,
then mam and me led Rose to the village pub's garden where we sat and had our
weekly cup of tea out in style. Mam explained that there was no need to pay for
the letter since there was nothing in it anyway. Her sister was housekeeper in
one of the big
That week at market
I had my slate with it’s list of shopping. Me mam said afterwards it was the
first time she'd managed to remember everything and we'd seemed to get through
the shopping a bit faster as well. Next week we met Rose in the village again.
She put her head to one side again. "So how was your trip to market?"
Me mam shook her head. "How did you know?" "I didn't, I just
know what I do when I go shopping." Me mam sighed. "Well it would be
useful, I talked about it in the village with one or two but I'm too old to
learn now." "Oh I don't know, we could start a sewing circle in the
village church on my evenings off, they have a board and slates there from the
Sunday school. Rebecca could give you a hand on the quiet as well." And
that's how me mam learnt to read and write. First with lists then one day Rose
put her head to one side again. "Which house does your sister work
at?" "Lord Fairfax’s." "Every month we send a package of
estate papers up to the
The next month a whole page letter was sent, I did a note from me then me mam wrote on the other side. For as Rose said paper was expensive and not to be wasted. A month later a real letter arrived via Rose and the big house. Two whole pages filled with news there was even a separate sheet for me and the others telling us about a park where the fine ladies used to ride in their carriages everyday and you could feed the ducks alongside the nobs.
It were an idyllic
life but all good things come to an end as they say. It started with Martin's
mother losing a child in childbirth. She died two weeks later. Martin's dad
started drinking heavily. The two things combined seemed to break the dowager's
heart and she went into a decline and died two months afterwards. The dowager's
staff were dismissed, no more farthings for me. Then Martin was to be sent away
to school. Rose was no longer needed and was given notice; good references but
notice never the less. Mr. Metcalfe seemed down, I think he was sweet on Rose.
I overheard him tell her when things looked up and he could afford to support a
wife he'd send for her. The harvest didn't look good on the estate and Mr.
Metcalfe had to tell dad he couldn't cut any more logs or clear any more tree
stumps without his lordships say so and he was having difficulty even getting
him to authorize the buying of seed for next years crop. Rose walked down to
our cottage to tell us the news that she was intending to leave the following
week and go to
The next day for
the first time she walked up to the big house and round to the stable yard.
There she asked her way to Mr. Metcalfe's office. I never really found out what
was said but the upshot of it all was me dad and I were to go to
We set off on a
Monday morning at daybreak, dad not holding with Sunday travel or working if the
vicar could see us on Sunday. So it were load the wagon up quietly on Sunday
evening after evensong ready for travelling at first light on Monday. We made
really good way the first day, fifteen miles, further than I'd ever been from
home before. Mr. Metcalfe had sent along Brutus, one of the wolfhounds from the
stable, for our protection. Protection he was as soft as could be with me. He
could look fierce though and me dad said that's what mattered. We had Clover,
our collie, with us as well to drive the geese. Rose had one of her lists, all
the towns that we were to travel through so we knew what to look for at the
signposts. Since dad didn't hold with reading it was Rose and I who had to read
the signposts and work out the route. I worried about dad finding his way back
but he reckoned he'd recognize the road after being on it once. We had bread
and cheese to eat the first day, by Thursday morning though the bread was
finished so I bartered some of the eggs we had for more bread. I was surprised
that Rose kept up so well. Being a country girl I was used to walking Brutus at
my heels along side Daisy and Dobbin talking to them or singing to them as we
went along. Dad walked along side the wagon, sometimes he or Rose would ride
for a mile or so but really I suppose we walked to
We slept under the wagon so we could make sure no one ran off with our goods or the geese, not that anyone would with Brutus and Clover about anyway. Occasionally they'd wonder off and come back with bloody mouths. Me dad said to wipe it off in case anyone accused us of poaching which of course is something we would never do. Mind you if me dad happened to come across a snare that had some poor animal suffering well now that was different weren't it. Often he'd go for a little walk just before bedtime and another just before we moved off. Anything he found just got tossed in a bag on the wagon, and if I happened to ride the wagon and skin the odd rabbit to pass the time it was just to pass the time you understand. Rose had a fair hand with the stew pot but the odd time we had one of the chickens we were carrying in a basket slung below the wagon I had to ring it's neck. She didn’t mind sitting on the wagon and plucking the feathers off though. We saved them in a bag and after a day or two I had a feather pillow to sleep on at night. Brutus and Clover did well on rabbit that trip.
We got onto the toll road the next day. Daisy and Dobbin found the going much easier and the road surface much smoother. Sometimes we left the toll road and took byways around the tollbooths. Sometimes me dad paid the toll. I was surprised because I hadn't realized he had that much money but Rose reassured me that there was some servants and furniture to come back from the town house which was being rented out as part of the cutbacks so her Mr. Metcalfe had given me dad the toll money. We made over seventeen miles that day. Even with pulling a stagecoach out of the ditch where some young bucks had managed to steer themselves into mind you that paid us a silver coin or two. I managed to barter a dozen eggs for two loaves of bread at the village bakery whilst Daisy and Dobbin were pulling the coach out of the ditch.
Thursday night me
dad came back after walking to into the village for a glass of ale. "They
reckon yon common tomorrow often sees a robbery or two. But I don't think we'll
be tempting enough for them. Mind you might be better if you both were to wear
something rather plain." Then he handed over one of the old shotguns he
had stashed under the wagon. We were going to cross one of the dangerous
commons outside
We stopped along side of the carriage. "Morning." They looked up. "Found a pair of horses and an old sack back up the road don't know if you're interested." The youngest of the pair stood up and walked across to us. He looked at the horses tied on the back and at the sack then shook his head. "I don't know how to thank you." "The usual coin of the realm will do fine sir. It were me daughter, you understand, took a shot at a crow like, well them two knights of the road seemed a bit nervous about a gun in a woman's hands as yer might say." Me dad grinned at his own joke and then grimaced as I kicked him hard on the shin. The fine gentleman put his hand into the sack and pulled out a purse. Then he drew out a hand full of sovereigns for each and gave them to us. "I'd prefer it if you were to take the horses as well. Someone might think we've stolen them and I'd prefer not to hang this week if you don't mind." I unhitched the two saddle horses and tied them onto the back of the carriage. We travelled the rest of the common together; the wagon and geese in front thinking there was safety in numbers.
Rose asked "But won't it have been more profitable to keep the sack?" Me dad looked at her, "Well yes but there were always the chance we'd get asked where we got it from and it’s a hanging offence if they don't like your answer. No best play straight with the nobs." We reached my aunts late Friday night. We’d got a very good price for the geese at a market we found on the edge of the city. Not to the first dealer though, he was one of those shifty characters who look you straight in the eye. I found another one having a glass of ale, he was pointed out to me so I approached him and asked if he was interested in some geese. He came out to look and made his first offer. Rose looked offended and said she couldn’t possibly part with Ella, Steven, and Sophia for such a paltry sum. The dealer asked if she knew them all by name and Rose walked through the entire flock giving a different name to each bird. I was impressed, the dealer was too. It were as good as a play as me dad used to say to watch them, one pretending they didn’t want to buy and the other pretending she didn’t want to sell. Me dad thought it might be worth while driving a drove the following year, I thought Rose’s patter and her looks probably had a good deal to do with the price we got. My Aunt was delighted to see us and suggested we pulled the wagon into the stables. Nothing was too good for Rose. No one had been near the town house for a year or more so Rose sleeping for a few nights in one of the guest bedrooms wasn't going to hurt anyone. She was sorry about the lack of staff but besides Alice all the rest of the staff had been let go and Alice was just a girl she was training to be a maid not really staff at all. So if we didn't mind eating in the kitchen. We didn't mind.
Next morning Aunt suggested we might get a better price if we knocked on a few kitchen doors across the square. We hitched up and entered the back alley. Me dad stayed with the wagon whilst I did the door to door. No luck at the first house but at the second I was still haggling at the back door with the cook when a young buck came weaving 'is way into the house. "You're new." he greeted me slipping his arm round my waist. "You leave her alone young master she's not staff so not so used to your ways. Selling vegetables she is." He turned to me and slid my dress right off my shoulders exposing my boobs. "They look good to me." He moved his right hand and covered my breast, "feel firm as well." He put his hand in his pocket and drew out a handful of change. "Here we are we'll buy the lot. No need to worry about the money, I won at the tables last night Ginny, Oh hello Sally come to put me to bed have you and you still dressed, we'll soon change that." And off he went leaving me behind pulling my dress straight. I looked down at the handful of change. There was at least five golden coins mixed in there. "Well that's the young master for you. Don't suppose there's any chance of you refusing his offer." She looked hopeful. I turned "Dad, we've just sold the lot." I turned back "Where did do you say you wanted it?"
Me aunt swapped the sovereigns for florins, two half crowns, a handful of crowns, few bob and some tanners. All of which I rolled up with material and stitched so they wouldn't rattle. If found with sovereigns or even trying to change them I reckoned me dad would either be hauled up in front of the beak or someone would be breaking into the house. A florin or half crown or even a crown whilst unusual wouldn't arose such interest. Tanners and shillings were not that uncommon. Then I stitched the rolls to the inside of me dad's waistcoat. We gave him a bath in front of the kitchen fire despite him protesting he’d had one that month already. I knew that but I wanted him to feel not too uncomfortable on the trip back when I sewed the waistcoat on me dad before letting him set off with strict instructions to stay away from everyone and not to take his waistcoat off for any reason. He set off taking Daisy and Dobbin back with him, I walked with him to the town house and helped him load up. There was a groom to go back with him and I thought with the two shotguns, Clover and Brutus they would probably be all right. The money he had there would be enough to tide the family through a rough harvest or two.
I kept a few coins
for myself. Rose kept her sovereigns. I settled into a routine with my aunt.
Apparently the owner was in the country and rather ill. Most of the town staff
had left rather than stay on at board wages. My aunt kept the place running by
taking on unpaid girls and training them to become domestic staff. They had
their food and lodging and for many a country girl regular food was almost
enough. Some stayed a month or two most stayed about six months or so. I rather
liked the house; I could lose myself in the library and imagine myself the
heroine that some dashing knight in armour was coming to rescue. My aunt let me
burn a real candle in there, it was heaven, light but practically no smell at
all, quite unlike the rushes soaked in pig fat we’d used at the cottage. Mind
you I had a difficulty in finding employment, my face. I never thought it a
disadvantage before. Aunt thought I was really too pretty to be employed as a
maid by any woman with sense. I did notice that the plain girls seemed to find
jobs more quickly, perhaps if I was trained as a parlour maid? I trained as a
parlour maid, I was trained to pour out the perfect cup of tea just in case
madam didn't feel up to pouring her own. My Aunt kept the tea locked away and
only herself and I were allowed to drink the expensive brew. When doing my
letters and numbers with Rose she'd taught me to say my vowels correctly now
aunt reinforced this. I was quite a good mimic and soon I had off the elegant
accent and turn of phrase that could be heard in the salons and stores of
We settled into a
routine, I even managed to escape the cleaning out fireplaces each morning and
the endless dusting. Aunt's eyes weren't as good as they used to be so I did
the accounts under her supervision. She arranged for me to work in the kitchens
of the house three doors up under the Grand Pierre. He you understand was no
mere mortal who cooked.
I heard the knocker
on the front door so got up to answer it. A completely soaked through gentleman
giving a remarkable imitation of a wet rat was stood on the doorstep.
"Lord Fairfax." "I'm sorry he's in the country at present so not
receiving." I started to close the door. "Nonsense girl I am Lord
Fairfax, now if you value your wage you'll let me in." "Certainly sir
would you care to just wait in the hall way whilst I fetch Mrs. Saddins?"
I took his dripping wet hat and coat and hung them up. I left his small bag by
the front door, "Oh begging your pardon sir but I don't get no
wages." I bobbed a curtsey and scurried down to the housekeeper’s room.
"Aunt there's a gentleman who says he's Lord Fairfax in the hall."
"I'd best come at once." "Master Richard how good it is to see
you. I take it your father has passed on?" "Two weeks ago, I've come
down to deal with the
I carried the cans
of hot water from the kitchen as fast as Millicent could pour them out and
carry them to the door. Soon I had enough in the bath that he could start to
soak himself with a few cans by the side in case he wanted the water warmed up.
"Scrub my back." He commanded. A real lord, me touching a real lord's
back? I felt weak at the knees at the closeness of him and all the power he
represented. I'd scrub his back and anything he wanted as well. I talked to the
other maids; the pinnacle of life was to be set up as a mistress. Even the
girls who'd been seduced talked about their soft words, hands and expertise. I
walked across and closed the door. Aunt was upstairs I knew lighting a fire in
the master bedroom, removing
"When was the last time you had a bath?" What? "Last month end my Lud same as every month." "In you get then." "What?" "In you get. The waters quite warm and there are two more cans of hot water. You're undressed already so in you get." I knew better than to argue so in I got. "Now then bend forward so I can wash your back for you." Those hands had a magic touch as they caressed my back and shoulders. "Stand up girl." Soon my whole body was being washed by an English lord something I'd never dreamt would happen. He stood behind me and when he washed my chest I felt my nipples harden under his touch, then his soapy fingers moved lower down to my hairy patch. I don't think my bottom had ever been so thoroughly washed in all its life before. Then he stood behind me and soaped his fingers through my hair at the tops of my thighs. I felt his thumb caress my bud, then his finger penetrated me and wiggled inside. My legs turned to liquid and I leant back into him for support. His finger crept a bit further inside me then came to halt. "Full of surprises aren't you?" He changed his attention to my bum then this time it was his soapy finger between my cheeks. I was beginning to think I should never have started this game. I was a complete mush all I could think about was him, his hands, his nibbles on my ear, the sound of his voice, then he stopped. I almost begged him to go on but before I could he had poured a can of warm water off me to wash away the suds.
"Now then I
think we're even don't you?" What had he done to me or rather not done to
me. Me mam's warnings came slowly back into my head, but she hadn't prepared me
for this. I was beginning to understand what the other maids had talked about.
He towelled me dry and I got dressed recovering my composure at the same time.
"Now then I supposed I'd better go and settle down in the master suite.
Good night." Good night, I wondered if he had any clean clothes for
morning? I looked in his bag. Nothing clean except a handkerchief in there. Oh
well no sleep for Millicent and I tonight. I gathered up all his soiled clothes
and walked down to the wash house. Millicent put her head round the door.
"Wot all this way and no valet and no clean clothes? Expect he'll be
wanting it all freshly ironed by morning?" I nodded. We started scrubbing.
Then we had to iron them all dry even his socks. It was
The sun was streaming through the window, the wrong side. I looked about, "Good Morning." Heavens I was about to be turned off for certain. "Let me guess you came to keep my bed warm last night? Would you like the position of mistress at let us say 200 pounds per year?" "Beg pardon sir but I fear I must have been a little sleepy after doing your washing last night." "Really? Didn't I have anything else to wear? How remiss of me." "No matter my lord you have freshly laundered clothing ready for you to wear this morning." I opened the wardrobe door to show him. "Will your valet be arriving later my lord?" "Valet? I suppose I really should have one now I'm titled. Could you do it do you think, save me the bother of interviewing people." Me his lordship's valet? Valet's made good money. "Certainly sir, I'll appraise Mrs. Saddins and have her alter my wages accordingly." "Good now that's settled, be a good girl and warn them I'll be down for breakfast shortly." I scurried downstairs. Me aunt was already up, Millicent had been sent to Lady Cantor's to obtain fresh rolls and whatever else could be found for his lordship's breakfast. I made coffee and took it through to the breakfast room. Then had a thought could his lordship dress himself? I dashed upstairs and knocked before entering his chamber. "Do you require assistance my lord?" "No no I'll do fine, but you'd best move your things into the dressing room so you'll be on hand when I need you." I gulped, the dressing room, well I suppose it was normal for a valet but some how I didn't think ours was going to be a normal relationship. "Ask Mrs. Saddins to have the books ready for me after breakfast please in the library." "Yes my lord." I set off to do as I was bid. As soon as I heard him enter the breakfast room downstairs I dashed down to serve him.
He looked up. "Have we no other staff?" "The house has been shut up for some time my lord but since you're here now perhaps you can discuss your needs with Mrs. Saddins after breakfast. Now would you prefer tea, coffee or chocolate? We have some slices of ham, eggs perhaps a little kidney for this morning, by tomorrow I would hope we should be able to provide something more to your tastes." He had the coffee, ham, eggs and kidney.
After breakfast he entered the library where me aunt had the books ready for his inspection. I had to find the entries and do the explaining where he wanted explanations but on the whole he was satisfied. "But how do you come to be still here since you are obviously educated?" "My looks my lord." "But I see nothing wrong." "Precisely my lord. What woman would want someone with my looks in their house." "Oh I see so if I were to only hire pretty maids they would be more than willing to work for me?" "Yes my lord." "Except for a French chef could we run the house with an all female staff?" "Depends on how much entertaining you intend doing." "Fair enough. Mrs. Saddins I expect to see at least a half dozen pretty new maids by the end of the week." He looked at me. "Get your coat we're going shopping." "Yes sir." I bobbed a curtsy and retreated to get my coat. He looked at it in disgust, "New coat as well I think." We walked outside and he hailed a handsome.
"
Outside the girl was waiting. "Would you like a job as a seamstress in a private house?" "Oh I don't know, I have dreams of setting up my own establishment and dressing young ladies of fashion." "Well I need some dresses and you need a job, so for the moment?" "Ah oui, pour le moment, bien. Je m'appelle Louise de Cuffe." "I'm Rebecca Forester and this is Lord Fairfax who will be your employer." "Oh I will, will I?" "But of course my lord, now we merely have to purchase material and Louise can make it up for us, much cheaper than your modistes." "She is right you know." Louise looked at me. "She has good colouring this one, we should go I think to the silk warehouse and choose some material that would suit." Lord Fairfax summoned another Hackney. "If we could just pause for a moment on the way my lord I had arranged to meet with Rose on her half day off." "And Rose is?" "Miss Sanderson my old governess or rather Martin's old governess whom I shared." "So shall it be." Rose was waiting for me at the front of the house. Lord Fairfax opened the door, "Miss Sanderson? We are to visit a silk warehouse and since it is my opinion that most young ladies enjoy shopping I trust you will agree to accompany us?" Rose looked taken back but then saw me, "Hi Rose may I present Lord Fairfax, Lord Fairfax may I present Miss Sanderson who taught me to read and write." They exchanged greetings and Rose squeezed into the carriage. Louise asked Rose if there were any young ladies doing the season in her house. Rose replied "Just the one but I don't think her season is a great success at the moment." "Bon then for you I will make the dress, she will be most impressed and I will have a customer whom I can transform and my name will be made."
When we reached the warehouse I was surprised by the wide variety of silks and other materials. Rose and I went on ahead leaving Louise and Lord Fairfax behind paying the cab driver. Louise had strong ideas about what she wanted for Rose's day dress and had Rose stand by the window with first one material draped over her shoulder then another. Eventually they settled on two, one chosen by Rose and one by Louise. Then whilst Lord Fairfax sat back in a chair that was brought to him by an assistant, Rose, Louise and myself debated which material we should purchase for myself and the other maids. I thought that the silk was too fine but Lord Fairfax when appealed to simply said add it to the pile. Then I saw a delicious dark green silk, Lord Fairfax saw my face and it was added to the growing pile. I couldn't think when I'd wear it but I just lost my heart to it. Finally he asked Louise if she had picked out something for herself. Soon that was added to the pile as well. Then Louise started picking out fine cottons and muslins suitable for petticoats and night rails. A roll or two of ribbon was added to the pile until finally even Louise was satisfied. I think by this time I was just overcome by all the money we had spent. As I looked at the pile a thought stuck me. I'd never seen so much cloth in one place before. The market town where we went to the drapers might have a dozen bolts of cloth if we were lucky but nothing like the selection available here.
"Finished?"
"Yes my lord." I curtsied. "Good now I think I saw some coating
over there. I assume you can tailor a coat?" Louise dipped a curtsey in
agreement. The woollen material was draped over my shoulders, then Rose's, then
Louise. Lord Fairfax arose from his chair and addressed the assistant who stood
behind him. "
Louise steered me into a store that was filled with unmentionables. "Lord Fairfax would be very much in the way in here I think." She muttered as we entered through the grand wooden doors. My legs were measured and two dozen silk stockings produced. Then I was measured again for foundation garments. Louise explained that I would need them so she could get my measurements. Louise purchased a half dozen pairs of silk stockings for herself and three pairs for Rose, which she had wrapped in a small parcel. Finally we were done. We followed Rose and Lord Fairfax into the bookstore only to be greeted by Rose "What have you finished already? I've barely started going through the poetry section. Still it's probably time for a cup of tea and a cake do you think? That is since we have our own personal banker with us today." "Do I get the impression that all you’re interested in is my money?" "My Lord how can you think us so mercenary? It’s your escort as well. Besides Gunters is only a short stroll down the road and we can admire the ton's dresses and look at their disgust at us having such a handsome gentleman with us."
Gunters needless to say were pleased to welcome us, as they were anyone with money. Their patrons seemed to have mixed views, several ladies with marriageable daughters I could see were torn between having to acknowledge our presence and the idea that they might strike up a conversation with the very marriageable Lord Fairfax. We took a corner seat and I enjoyed watching the rest of the café as they frankly stared at such low company in their presence. When we left Lord Fairfax was reminded by several that they were depending on him to attend their musical evening, Venetian breakfast, ball or other social event. To all he answered with a noncommittal reply.
We took a Hackney home, it was a bit squashed and somehow I ended up on Lord Fairfax's knee. Rose when we let her off thanked him profusely "I don't think I've enjoyed a half day off more for many a year and if you are serious about letting me lose in your library you'll see me at your door next week kind sir. Thank you once again my lord." When we arrived home I was feeling exhausted by the day's shopping but when we entered it was to be met by our parcels which had managed to arrive home before us. "Now that is what I call a useful day. If only I had a French chef to prepare my evening meal I would be content." He looked at my Aunt, "Not that your cooking isn't extremely good you understand, I quite enjoy English cooking two or three times week but you have other jobs to do around the house I'm quite sure."
That evening I sat
and talked to Louise as she was cutting out some of the new material on the
floor. She had a book of sketches opened in front of her. She'd moved out of
the servants quarters into one of the smaller guest rooms to give her room to
work. I asked her if she had any ideas about what to do with the kitchen but
she was too wrapped up with her plans for dress making, in fact I soon found
myself undressed with material pinned round me whilst Louise designed an
evening gown on me. Next morning I had a brief chat with my Aunt asking her to
dispatch Louise to the market to do the kitchen shopping whilst I walked across
to Lady Cantor’s to see Pierre and tell him this would probably be the last
time I could accompany him to the market since Lord Fairfax's presence would
require more of my time. We walked round the market together and strangely
enough bumped into Louise who was having difficulties with the list my aunt had
given her since she couldn't recognize the English names of some of the
vegetables. I had merely to introduce them then my presence was superfluous.
Soon they were talking rapidly back and forth in French,
The following
Thursday was Louise's half day,
I talked to Louise
afterwards. She wasn't certain but knew that
Lord Fairfax
started to spend more time in the house rather than going off to his club each
evening. Louise had finished the first of my new uniforms; it was made of silk
and actually fitted me. I twirled round when I first put it on, I could hardly
believe it was really me. Rose's dress was completed. Anne-Marie, Louise's
elder sister, had moved into Louise's room to help with the sewing. Workmen
arrived to fit the new closed range, looked and made suggestions to which Lord
Fairfax replied if it met with
We'd sort of
settled down into a routine. I looked after his clothes but that still left me
some time to read a book from the library from time to time. I still served his
evening meal to him.
Emma arrived one
evening at the back door looking for work having heard on the grapevine that we
didn’t mind pretty maids. She had the sort of long blonde hair that I admire
and the looks to go with it. She'd been working as a ladies maid but her charge
had run off to
There was a knock
on the door. Emma turned and answered it. "Lord Fairfax if you please,
tell him its Lord Ollerton." "Geoffrey my dear fellow what on earth
are you doing here?" "Come to dig you out old chap, come to dig you
out. Haven't seen you at the club for ages, even had to go to the hells by
myself last week and you know I need you along for luck. Come to see what's
keeping you away. Haven't run out of the ready have you old chap?"
"No no not at all. I was just going to have a bite to eat, come in old chap
and take potluck. Rebecca a sherry for his lordship." I scurried to obey.
"So what's new, let me guess coming into the title has changed your way of
life." "You know I think you're right." They entered into the
dining room catching up on each other's news. Emma came up to me and murmured
"Coo I don't half fancy that Geoffrey, just listen to his deep rich voice,
sends shivers all down me spine it does. I'll have him. He can set me up in a
little house in Kensington village any time." I wasn't quite sure what to
say, I'd never been to see the
A very formal
looking Anne-Marie sat down at the piano, wearing a long formal dress I hadn’t
seen before. Lord Ollerton held his hand out to Emma and pulled her down onto
his lap. I looked enquiringly at Lord Fairfax then curled up in his lap as
well. Louise came out wearing an evening gown and started to sing in French. I
was surprised at the quality of both the playing and the singing. I’d listened
to the choir singing in church before and we used to sing at home in the
evening but Louise’s voice was quite exceptional. Anne-Marie’s accompaniment
was very good as well. Lord Ollerton applauded "You know I feel like
dancing. Do you think we could make up a set?" Louise replied "Well
if I may just get
The next evening
Afterwards he collapsed into bed with me. I still felt so sleepy that I curled up on his shoulder all nice warm and snug. The next thing I knew was Emma coming in with a tray with his Lordship's coffee and two cups. "Beg pardon for the lateness sir but some of the staff wasn't at their place in the kitchen first thing this morning." She said looking at me. "That's quite alright Emma she had other duties to attend to for me." Emma shrugged her shoulders as if to say that's a new word for it and went off back downstairs pausing only at the door to say "Lord Ollerton felt he couldn't make it home last night so I helped him to the Yellow Suite." I wondered where Emma had spent the night.
The following day
Lord Fairfax decided to spend the evening at his club. Ralph the new groom came
into the kitchen carrying his cap in his hands twisting it as he spoke, a bit
fearful like. "I can curry a horse or ride a horse dead easy but I've
never yet driven a coach and pair in
Wednesday evening Lord Kirkwell came to dine. Emma and I were restrained and wore our respectable garb. I recognized him as the gentleman from the common but I don't think he recognized me then, like most gentry, servants are invisible. Once more Anne-Marie played after dinner. He seemed very relaxed.
Friday night we had
a formal dinner party. Meryl and Millicent helped out Emma and myself and we
all were dressed in respectable maid's outfits for a change. I recognized Sir
Waverley. As I served sherry I heard snippets of the their conversation.
"What do you think of this man John Wood designing cottages?" This
came from Colin, a plainly dressed man, who wasn’t addressed by title.
"Thought he did a terrace in
"No one has a
better eye for horse flesh or can drive to an inch better than myself."
"I could" I murmured standing next to Lord Kirkwell. "Did you
dare speak girl?" "If you please sir, I merely commented that even I
could do better than Sir Waverley." Sir Waverley spluttered. "Turn
the girl off speaking to her betters like that." Sir Roderick at the end
of the table raised his drunken head. "No, need a bet to prove you are
better than she." Then he collapsed back on the table. Lord Kirkwell
pronounced a bet it shall be then. I'll back the girl with a pony. I looked
puzzled I needed a team of horses for this bet, not a single pony "five
hundred pounds my dear." "Well I don't have that sort of money but
I'm willing to bet myself for a year." I heard Lord Fairfax splutter at
the end of the table. I unbuttoned my uniform and pulled out a firm breast and
offered it to Lord Kirkwell to suckle. He looked at me then a gleam of
recognition lit up his eye, before he pressed his lips to my breast. "I'm
sure Lord Kirkwell will vouch for these being firm and soft. My own Lord will
vouch for me being a virgin. How about putting up that manor you won last week
against my fresh young body for a year sir?" Lord Kirkwell put his head
up, "Rather nice in fact. There's no need to go betting you know to gain
an income of a hundred a year. I'll pay you three hundred a year to be my
mistress." I heard sputtering from the head of the table. "Thank you
my Lord but I think this is a matter of principle." Sir Roderick looked up
"Bad things principles, get in the way of all sorts of fun.
Sir Waverley looked
thoughtful. "Right the bet will be who can buy the best team at
Tattersall's next Thursday for let us say" he looked thoughtfully at me
"no more than a thousand pounds for the team and then the race is on to
the Red Bull in Brighton the following Monday. One passenger each will be
carried to ensure fair play." I think he thought by setting the amount so
high he could simply eliminate me. "Agreed." I heard myself say, was
I out of my mind? I noted that he thought no ladies allowed to bid at
Tattersall’s would stop me and where was I to find a thousand pounds? Then a
thought struck me so I turned to the head of the table. "I trust my lord
will be agreeable to advancing my wages for five years?" He spluttered
again as the implications struck him then nodded. "To make it more
interesting the winner wins the other team?" I added. Heads nodded in
agreement. I lifted Lord Kirkwell's head from my breast where his tongue was
doing interesting things to my nipple, tucked it back in my dress and smiled at
him. "Could you loan me your curricle please sir, and make my bids at
Tattersall’s? Perhaps I could offer you a lift to
After the meal Anne-Marie played and Louise sang. She sang a mixture of simple French folk songs and some rather warm ditties also in French. Later Louise and Anne-Marie took a glass of wine with Lord Fairfax's guests. I noticed Colin conversing with Anne-Marie in French, Louise with Lord Kirkwell. They seemed to be far more at ease than I would be talking to such exalted male creatures.
That night in bed Lord Fairfax turned his distracting tongue loose on my thighs. Eventually sanity returned and I rolled away just as he was positioning himself over me to enter. I reminded him of the bet and that I was supposed to be a virgin if I lost that he reluctantly stopped. I think I was even more reluctant than he.
Saturday afternoon
Lord Fairfax had gone to do whatever sporting things men do on Saturday
afternoon and we were relaxing round the house. About
I put my head round
the door to the kitchen and explained to Aunt what was happening could she
serve some tea shortly. Then I rinsed my hands and face with cold water
composed myself and did my best imitation of Rose. I sat down and indicated to
Colin that he should sit down as well. "Anne-Marie will be down in a few minutes,
she just wished to get changed into something suitable first. I trust your
horses will be alright for a few minutes?" "My groom will walk them
if need be." A groom well he certainly had some money. "Did you enjoy
your meal last night?" "Yes and was captivated by the young lady's
piano playing. Is she a relative of Lord Fairfax?" I crossed my fingers
"I'm afraid not sir, she's recently escaped from
I'd glanced out of the window when I'd come in to see what sort of team he had. I made admiring noises about his team and after a few encouraging words from me he was telling all about the stud farm he'd purchased them from and how he'd trained them practically single handed. It's so nice to sit back and just watch men get so animated about their horses and who has the better team. I was just reflecting back on Daisy and Dobbin and keeping the conversation going by murmuring "How interesting." whenever Colin paused for breath, then he paused rather longer than normal. I turned and saw Anne-Marie in the doorway. "How do you do sir. I hope you haven't been kept waiting long." I don't know how they had managed it but she looked breath taking certainly enough for Colin anyway. They strolled down to his carriage Anne-Marie twirling a parasol I'd seen lying around in one of the upstairs bedrooms. They were staring into each other’s eyes. Cakes, if cakes he liked cakes he should have, especially if it kept him in Anne-Marie's company for a few more minutes. I dashed down to the kitchens and started to mix a fresh batch of cakes. Just in case he had time for tea and cakes when he returned you understand.
It was about four
thirty when Lord Fairfax strolled into the salon to find me sat on the sofa
pouring tea in the manner of the best society hostesses with Colin and
Anne-Marie sat in chairs opposite. Colin was wolfing his way through a plate
full of tiny cakes with a slice of
Louise entered the
room. He turned to me. "Now if you don’t mind I have something that
requires attention in the library if you’ll be kind enough to step this
way." Louise had brought some sewing with her so she sat in the bay window
for the light, playing chaperone. When we entered the library Lord Fairfax
closed the door behind me, oh dear I thought now I'm for it. "Now then
tell me about Anne-Marie, who is she pray?" "She’s the sister of
Louise and as far as I know they both escaped from
I left and went down to the stable. Ralph and I took the small carriage out and with me handling the pair we soon arrived at Sir Hamilton's home. I left Ralph holding the reins and mounted the steps. The front door was soon answered by a very superior footman who looked down his nose at me. I proffered the letter "Lord Fairfax's compliments, this is to be delivered to Lady Hamilton and a reply is expected." "I'm sure he does miss and I'll bring it to her ladyship's maid's attention in the morning." I saw a movement behind the footman. "Thank you James, I'll attend to the matter." "Very good miss." Rose was in the hallway. She took the letter "Step inside, James will show you to the small drawing room to await a reply." I heard voices in the other room I sat quietly and listened carefully. "Madam this may be of interest." "Lord Fairfax? Do you know a Lord Fairfax Mary?" "No mother." "Are you quite certain you've never met him?" "I don't think so." "Rose fetch me the peerage and my list of eligibles." "I don't think I need to madam he's in the top ten of eligibles those whom you thought were not worth while pursuing." "But why then is he requesting the honour of escorting Lady Mary and myself to Lord and Lady Campbell's ball next Tuesday? We haven't even received an invitation." "Perhaps I may read the note madam. It would appear he has some remote French cousin staying with him presently and seeks your assistance in chaperoning this young lady at the ball. He is proposing to make a party up which includes both yourself and the two young ladies if that is acceptable to you." "But I don't even know the man. What possible connection could there be?" "Perhaps if you ask the messenger to come in they maybe able to explain."
Oh my, that was me. I stood up straight and walked to the door. A footman guided me into the salon. "Rebecca can you cast any light on this request?" "Rebecca? You know this girl?" "Yes madam she was one of my charges once." "Explain yourself girl." I started to speak. "Well I owe my present post as Lord Fairfax's secretary" I crossed my fingers behind my back. "To Miss Sanderson teaching me alongside the family heir." "Martin seemed to accept his lessons more easily that way." interjected Rose. "Lord Fairfax has met Miss Sanderson once on her half day off when I was assisting him with some shopping. From what I know of Lord Fairfax I think he knows that his French cousin has a suitable suitor but wants to provide a suitable environment for a courtship with as little inconvenience to himself as possible." "Typically male" came the comment. "The season offers opportunities but without a respectable chaperon it is a little awkward for his cousin. He has a number of family members whom he could invite but that would take some time to arrange. I suspect he has faith in Miss Sanderson and assumes any family she would work for must be respectable at the very least hence the request." "Well it seems highly irregular to say the very least, a ball invitation coming because of a governess." "There are two invitations the first from Lord Fairfax for the ball, the second from an Anne-Marie for Lady Mary and myself to dine tonight to meet them before the ball. Perhaps we should attend tonight and discuss tomorrow if the ball is a good idea." "Well Rose there's sense in what you say. I think the invitation to dine tonight from Anne-Marie is simply a fiction. I doubt if she even knows the invitation has been issued." I did to. "Still Lord Fairfax could hardly invite an unmarried girl to dine at his house could he so we will accept the fiction. Best take James and Anthony with you then if this Lord Fairfax is simply a rake then they can escort you back. Here take my whistle." She looked at her daughter. "I suppose you'll be wanting a new ball gown." I looked at her as well. Surely she couldn't have chosen the dress she was wearing herself. Not with all those frills and bows. The colour was completely wrong for her and made her skin look pale. Rose had mentioned she didn't seem to be taking but her clothes didn't help. "Excuse me madam" I heard myself saying. "But Anne-Marie has a French relative staying with her who sews all Anne-Marie's clothes perhaps she might be permitted to produce a ball gown for Lady Mary? I'm quite certain Lord Fairfax would stand the cost of the material."
Finally it was settled, Rose and Lady Mary rode inside the carriage, I drove back with Ralph beside me and the two burly footmen on the steps at the back of the carriage hanging onto their straps. I was so tempted to take a corner a little fast but thought I'd better be good, spraying the highway with footmen might not be considered being polite. I still wasn't quite sure what his lordship had intended. When we returned I stopped at the front door and let Ralph lead the carriage and pair round to the mews at the back. I led the way in through the front door. Me using the front door, I trembled at my action. Still the alternative of leading Lady Mary in through the kitchens was not to be considered. In the hall Louise greeted me "Alors we are to dine in thirty minutes." Me dine with his lordship and guests? Still who was I to question his orders? She looked behind me, "Lady Mary I presume?" Lady Mary nodded. Louise took a long appraising look and shook her head. "Lady Mary this is Louise who maybe able to make you a ball gown." "Mais not for tonight. Upstairs let us see what one is able to contrive." I led the way upstairs to Louise and Mary-Anne's bed chamber, well it was the only one really big enough for us all to fit in.
Louise went through their wardrobe and eventually came out with a simple pale blue silk gown. She offered it to Lady Mary to try on. Mary looked doubtful but on Rose's nod offered her back for me to undo the tiny buttons. The pale blue silk was cut lower than her chemise. I was sent to bring back a chemise I'd brought but not yet worn. Soon Lady Mary was looking enticing in front of the mirror. "Oh I like the effect, but its so low cut on the front." "Low, not at all, you should make the most of your assets. Low non, if you were married we could go another four inches lower and still be respectable." "Well it certainly looks better than my pink." She turned to Rose; "Do you think mummy would approve?" Rose spoke the voice of wisdom, "Mummy's not here this evening why not try it out then you can change back before we return?" I looked at the clock, heavens only ten minutes left, I had to change, and do my hair. It would take time to do Lady Mary's hair as well.
I dashed to Lord
Fairfax's room. "Ah there you are, I knew my valet would be along to help
me dress for dinner." "Yes my Lord, but if you wish your valet to be
at the table with you, you may have to assist your valet to dress."
"Turn round then and let me undo your gown." I turned my back on him
and his practised fingers soon had me standing naked. "Any problems
collecting Lady Mary?" "No not really oh for the record I'm your
secretary by the way not your valet or at least as far as Lady
We came out of the
bedroom together and had a narrow escape, Lady Mary came out of Louise's room
looking like perfection. Thirty seconds earlier and she would have seen us
coming out of Lord Fairfax's room together. As it was we were at the top of the
stairs when a hammering was heard on the front door. When Millicent opened it
she was pushed back to one side. "Where is he?" "What does he
mean by commanding our attendance this evening." "Has he gone mad,
come dine and bring your dancing shoes." We descended "Harry, Keith
how nice it is to see you." "What on earth do you mean, nice to see
us. We get a note hinting of blackmail and terrible retribution if we aren't
here at
Keith woke up
"I say no, not the thing, not the thing at all. Just ignore my ramblings
and let me lead you into dinner." He proffered his arm. Harry moved
forward. "I say old chap I rather believe that I out rank you so it's my
arm the lady should take." "But as host it's my privilege to lead
Lady Mary into dinner." Lady Mary placed her hand on Lord Fairfax's arm
and we proceeded into the dining room in pairs. Colin and Anne-Marie behind
Lord Fairfax. Then Harry with Louise, and finally Keith with Rose. I thought of
myself a bit of a hostess so let the others have their escort. I took my place
on Lord Fairfax's left hand, Lady Mary was on his right. Mary seemed to
thoroughly enjoy the meal flirting with both Keith and Harry. After we had
eaten Lord Fairfax ushered us all through to the small ballroom at the back of
the house where he asked Rose to play. We started with a few country-dances in
longways sets. These I knew well and then he moved us onto
Rose looked up "Madam's pumpkin will be arriving at the door any moment now." Lady Mary pouted. "You'll be able to ignore these pair once more at Lady Campbell's ball." "Oh no these gentlemen wouldn't demean themselves by going to a ball. Would you?" "Lady Campbell isn't she your Great Aunt Richard?" "Would you like me to arrange invitations and meet up here first for dinner then go as a small party?" "Dinner first eh, first rate meal by the way, first rate. I should think we could manage that eh Keith?"
We managed to get Lady Mary upstairs and back into her pink monstrosity. "Thank you all so much. I hadn't realized how much difference a gown could make. Mummy always picks mine out for me. You know I can't remember when I've had so much fun." "Tomorrow when you return and we will create a ball gown for you." "Do you really think you could? Oh that would be delightful, shall I bring mummy?" Rose replied "I think she might be busy tomorrow morning, shall we arrange for you to change here and give her a surprise on the night of the ball?" "It seems so deceitful, let's do it."
It was only when I was curled up in bed lying in his arms that Lord Fairfax finally talked to me about what he was up to. He thought that Lady Hamilton would give an air of respectability to Anne-Marie. Her daughter he had suspected would ideal material for Louise, in fact he had been depending on some sort of transformation for Lady Mary to keep Harry and Keith entertained. He'd needed Rose to play the piano since he'd wanted to see if both Anne-Marie and Lady Mary could dance before escorting them to his Aunt's ball. His aunt had demanded that he arrive with Harry and Keith to keep the numbers of eligible young men up at her ball. His only concern at the moment was me and Rose. His first was to keep me out of Sir Waverley's evil clutches, the second he felt Rose should do something more with her life but he wasn't sure what and he couldn't wave a magic wand for everyone.
Wednesday morning I
dressed in Ralph's Sunday best after washing them through thoroughly. Then we
went to inspect the horses due to be auctioned the following day. On Thursday
Lord Kirkwell came with Lord Fairfax and myself to ensure fair play. I drew a
list up of some eight horses that had soft mouths, looked as if they had
stamina even if they weren't the fastest. I looked for ones that greeted me
nicely. Then the day of the auction came. One of my horses was on first so I
asked Lord Kirkwell to bid 140 guineas first bid. He did and the bay was
knocked down to me without any other bids. Now I had 812 guineas left. I
wondered if Sir Waverley would remember we were bidding in guineas so he only
had 952 to bid with? The next horse up was a rather showy animal that looked a
bit short of stamina to me, I thought it might appeal to Sir Waverley. I bid 50
to see if I could tempt Sir Waverley to make a bid, he did and we raced up in
10 guinea bids until I let him have it at 280 guineas. Then I saved my bids. It
had soon become apparent that Sir Waverley was flushed with success at winning
and the rest of the crowd pushed up his bids occasionally. Soon he had three
matching bays. I picked up two more horses one black with white stockings, one
practically white with two brown patches. I paid rather more than I should have
but they were friendly horses, I still had 116 guineas left, if I done my sums
right Sir
Thursday evening we
harnessed them up to Lord Kirkwell's curricle. Hopefully they would run
smoothly as a team. I put on some leather gloves and gingerly took them out of
the stable yard. Lord Kirkwell was at my side. "A more odd looking bunch
I’ve never seen but I dare say you know your business." "Thank you my
Lord." "Monday when you race don't go flat out at the start, you've
the
On the day of the
race I wore a peak bonnet to protect my face and the coachman's long coat. I'd
talked to
Sir Roderick
climbed aboard the high perch phantom, Lord Kirkwell climbed into the curricle,
Colin pulled out a pistol and shot into the air. I had hoped Lord Fairfax would
be there to see me off but he wasn’t. I thought it might be a bit early in the
day for him. We were off, I led the way at first more to provoke Sir Waverley than
anything else but soon he whipped up his horses and sailed by. "Steady
girl steady there’s forty nine more miles to go and he won’t keep that pace up
for long." I watched him tear away ahead of us only to catch up a few
miles further along the road behind a lumbering stage as it climbed slowly up a
hill. Lord Kirkwell gave me the nod not to drop speed and following a blast on
his horn and we swung out and sailed past both Sir Waverley and the stagecoach.
Lord Kirkwell was lighter by at least a stone than Sir Roderick and I was
considerably lighter than Sir Waverley, that combined with the fact he’d been
pushing his horses made overtaking easy. I was elated, we sailed down the other
side and soon had left the stage coach far behind. Unfortunately one of the
horses picked up a stone as we ran through the
Soon Lord Kirkwell
had dealt with the stone and we were off once more. Then we got caught up in a
flock of sheep being moved from field to field. If only I had had Clover with
us. We sped up shortly afterwards and from the top of the next hill caught
sight of Sir Waverley pulling into a pub in
Still I pulled myself together and walked round to my team. I petted them all, then called for oats and a good rub down, they’d done very well indeed. We walked into the Red Bull and Lord Fairfax steered me to a room where in Louise had already organized a bath for me. Louise bathed me and found me a freshly ironed day dress. Soon I felt almost civilized. We walked downstairs to find Lord Fairfax had taken a private dining room and Lord Kirkwell was already sat by the fire with a glass of wine in his hand. "Well done Miss Forester well done. I don’t believe Sir Waverley has arrived yet." Just as he spoke I heard the clatter of horseshoes on cobbles as a rider arrived in the yard. Moments later in walked Sir Roderick.
"Ah thought you might be here already, looked out of the back window at lunch time and thought I saw you slipping by. By the way Sir Waverley sends his apologies and he won’t be able to make it this afternoon. Well that is to say after we left the village pub after lunch he stopped to ask a group of road workers if you’d passed on ahead when he found out you were half an hour ahead he whipped up his team and we started after you. Took a couple of bends on the wrong side right enough but then ditched it coming through a double bend, these high perch phantoms are a bit top heavy going round bends some times don’t you know. Still I managed to jump clear which is more than he did. Think he’s broken a leg, still the teams alright Miss Forester you’ll be pleased to know. Though three of them are well enough and look good together that last blighter. Well bit of a hand full in fact I think he shied on seeing a rabbit coming into the second bend. In fact if you’ve a mind to sell I’ll pay you what Sir Waverley paid for them. Never know find a good fourth bay and they’ll make quite a good team." I thanked him for his offer and accepted. Lord Kirkwell then offered me two thousand for my team. "But they’re not matching my Lord what would you want with them?" "Not matching or not everyone will recognise them including Sir Waverley, won’t be able to look out of the window at Whites than he’ll chance seeing them my dear. The look on his face will be worth every penny." I accepted of course. "Oh by the way here’s the deeds to the Manor and Lord Fairfax’s cheque for one thousand pounds." Lord Kirkwell offered me two envelopes. "Well I suppose you won’t need to become my mistress now will you?" I fluttered my eyelashes at him, "Why my Lord aren’t you up to satisfying a mistress, getting too old are you, you poor thing. I dare say Sir Roderick…" Sir Roderick perked up. "No trouble at all my dear no trouble at all."
If looks could kill
Lord Fairfax looked ready to commit murder, Louise took pity on him, "I’m
sure some arrangement could be made my Lord. Shall we retire and talk?"
The three of us returned to my chamber. "Now my girl, you have what looks
like an income for life what are you after besides?" "Well you may
have guessed the manor of
He’d already made
up his mind and there was no need for Louise to haggle over my body. I looked
at Louise and passed her the two smaller cheques. "But how will I explain
this to Ann-Marie?" "The truth?" "D'accord, Anne-Marie will
have her dowry and I will have a little something either for my dowry or to
start my business. On behalf of my sister and myself I accept your kind offer.
With this one I can do nothing, a mistress should be selfish and make demands
it is expected no? One final thing you must not bed her until we return to
We returned
downstairs and I broke the news to Sir Roderick that I wouldn’t be needing a
protector at the moment. He looked crest fallen "Remember if Richard's
unsatisfactory in any way because of his old age etc. you can rely on me
raising to the occasion." Lord Fairfax ushered me out the door. He had a
closed carriage waiting and soon we were on the road back to
When we returned to the house the next afternoon I slipped out to visit Rose. I met her coming back from the park where her charge had been sailing his boat. "Rose would you mind working for me?" She cocked her head. "Doing just exactly what pray and how much do I earn?" "Well it's like this I won the Manor of Little Wapping in a bet and I need someone to act as manager. I've got a considerable sum", I took out all the cheques and showed them to her "that I'd like to use to get the estate back into shape and I've jotted down a few ideas. Oh and we need at least two lemon trees but I'll explain about those later. Do you think we could get back Mr. Metcalfe?" Rose smiled to herself "I could send for him, telling him I was now in a position to support a husband do you think?" We both grinned at each other. Suddenly I had a thought it was Tuesday the night of Lady Campbell's ball. I rushed back to perform my valeting duties. I didn't want my Lord to look less than impeccable now did I? I dashed back and made sure he would be impeccable. Tonight I would eat in the kitchen whilst he ate with his guests in the dinning room. I think I preferred it when we had our own private dance at home. I wasn't sure I trusted him at a ball without me. But being realistic about it Lords didn't take their mistresses to balls. I couldn't wait until I got him home safe and in bed, then I'd show him he didn't need other women. Millicent and Meryl would have to work the table by themselves, there were drawbacks to driving his carriage as well as valeting. I waited until the sweet course was served then went out to the stables. Ralph helped me harness the team up. I put on my coachman's long coat and tricorn hat and brought the carriage round. There was nothing for it I was just going to have to teach Ralph to drive in traffic.
I dropped them off then Ralph and I drove along the street a little to a brazier that was burning nicely and a group of other drivers where gathered. We got down and walked across to the brazier to warm our hands. "Good God a woman driver. Come to keep us all warm then darling." "Well I would but you might have a heart attack." I'd lived around the stables too long to put up with his cheek. "Clear off you old cow." "Core stone the crows, someone must have heard you Alf look wot's coming down the road." We all turned to look. There running down the road was a young girl dressed in her underwear or rather the sort of underwear a harlot might wear being pursued by a group of men. They caught up with her just as they reached the group of drivers.
"Help me" she cried. I backed up to the carriage and brought out an old shot gun I carried out of force of habit hidden under the seat… Well you never knew when you might see an injured peasant did you? as me dad would say. "You don't want any part of this gents, this here whore belongs to one of Black Jake's houses you best just look the other way." I point the shot gun and cocked the hammer "Put the gun down, you aren't going to use it. It's probably not loaded and let's face it you'd never get out of here alive if you did anyway." "Back away from her." "A woman, another one for the pot Alf." What was I going to do? I really didn't want to shoot anyone. Maybe if I lifted someone's hat? I fired and took off the largest lout's hat. "Single barrel shotgun so that's all over then." He stepped forward and swung me over his shoulder. The other girl was picked up by one of the other men. "See you lads." and with that we set off down the road. There was me all set to become a mistress and I'd been kidnapped for a brothel even before I started my career.
I screamed, what
was really frightening was I was totally ignored except for my porter. "If
yer don't belt up I'll belt yer one so as to make yer." We turned a corner
leaving Ralph and the others behind, where was my knight in shining armour when
I needed him. "I'm right sorry to get you involved like this." Sorry,
not half as sorry as I was. "I'm Maggie by the way. Oh I should have
stayed on the farm but the harvest was poor and I'd always wanted to see
Lundon. Caught a lift with a carrier and when we got to Lundon there was a
helpful woman at the pub where we arrived this morning. Did I want job like?
Like a fool I said yes. She was pleasant enough until we got to the house, then
it was get yer clothes off and have a bath. When I got out of the bath this was
all they gave me to wear." She swept a hand down her clothes. To be honest
it would make me blush to wear them and I'm suppose to be a Mistress. "You
don't really think some geezer would put it in against my will?" I'd only
been in
I heard the sound
of horses shoes mounting the pavement in front. More horse shoes came up
behind. My savours my knights in shining amour. There was the crack of a whip and
the man carrying me stopped in his tracks. "You know me Al, normally I'd
look the other way around Black Jake but seeing the girl do her party trick
with shotgun and the hat made me realize who she is." "So who is the
cow that's she's so important?" "Lord Fairfax's that's who."
Lord Fairfax's, what not even Miss Rebecca Forester? "So what's one doxy
more or less to him?" "It's the one who beat Sir Waverley in the race
to
Soon we were back
at Lord Fairfax's coach. I dug out the second coachman's heavy coat from under
the seat and handed it over. We were getting far too much attention as it was dressed
as she was. It started to drizzle, the girl besides me started to cry. It was
practically all I could do not to cry myself. Here was me planning to seduce
his Lordship tonight, the rate I was going on I'd be a frozen sodden mess. A
footman came out with a tray of mugs of hot chocolate. I blessed him and who
ever sent the chocolate out for servants. All the servants had a cup when we
woke at Lord Fairfax’s home but that was quite the exception, Louise had
started the fashion and the rest of us had followed. I was feeling much more
the thing when the cry came "Lord Fairfax's carriage". Lady Mary and
her mother came down the staircase looking in high sprits, Anne-Marie with
Colin followed looking as if they might fall over if they didn't stop looking
into each other's eyes. His Lordship I was pleased to see was looking bored but
his eyes brightened up when they met mine. "Don't tell me, let me guess
I've just acquired a new maid?" The sound of his Lordship's voice drifted
up to me as he entered the coach. Who was I to disagree with him. "Of
course my Lord, introductions later perhaps?" he mounted the step into the
coach, I gave a flip of the reins and we were off. I turned to Maggie
"Looks like you've a new job if you've mind for one." "Wot work
for the likes of him, coo he could have me any time for free." "I
think he has a mistress who might object." "Well she won't have to
know now would she?" "I'm his mistress." "Oh well hands off
I suppose but a girl can still dream can't she?" "Yes a girl can
still dream." How long ago was it I had dreams, a little house, children,
a husband and a cat sat by the fire. It seemed so long ago. We stopped and let
off the
We entered the house and I got Millicent to show Maggie a bed for the night. Thank heavens we only had half the normal staff so at least we had a bed each. Then Louise arrived and ushered me upstairs. I felt, oh I just don't know how to describe it. I'd been provoking this man of mine for over a month now after I'd decided I was going to have him. This was the night. "I have here for you the nightdress." I looked, two silk handkerchiefs tied together at the corners would have been more substantial. I got undressed and tried it on. I swirled in front of his lordship's full length mirror. Definitely not the thing to do if you wanted to remain decent. Decent well it sort of covered the basics if you didn't mind your nipples poking through the material and your pubic hair showing a little through the silk. Made of fine silk it was designed to look as if it would fall apart if you so much as breathed on it. It was slit from shoulder to hip. You could call it thigh length if you were being kind, it just about covered the tops of my thighs. The front was two halves held together by two ribbons tied in bows. Two more ribbons tied on my shoulders. I thought about it looking in the mirror, well it did make my body look good and I was suppose to be a Mistress after all. There was a knock at the bedroom door and Lord Fairfax came into the room.
One look at his face and Louise waved bye to me and slipped out of the door. One look at his face and I forgot everything except a lover who was definitely aroused and walking towards me. It was a very heady feeling. I helped my master undress as all good valets should then he picked me up as if I was as light as a feather. At ten and a half stone I'm fairly light but still to be just scooped up as if I was nothing and then placed on the bed made me feel that I was going to be powerless to stop anything at this point in time. Not that I wanted to you understand I was just memorised by his strength as I ran my hands over all his muscles that I could find. My night rail didn't quite fall apart as soon as he breathed on it, but shortly after when he grew impatient with the ribbons it was torn off. Oh well Louise was clever with a needle. My body ached for his, I wanted to touch all his body with mine, I felt his thing start to probe my body so I slipped my hand down to get him in the right place. I could feel my body full of lubrication ready and waiting for him. Then his tip rubbed between my legs and I arched my body to bring him inside. As we lay on the bed afterwards I had this vague feeling I'd forgotten something, but then he leaned across and kissed me once more distracting me from my thoughts. Next morning I awoke in bed and saw the lemon on the side table. Oh well you can't get pregnant the first time can you? You can. It was a bit of a struggle being valet and pregnant at the same time but I managed. Colin proposed to Anne-Marie and was accepted, mind you if she'd said anything else but yes I think both Louise and I would have slapped her to bring her to her senses. Jennifer was born nine months later. Maggie made a first class nursemaid for her. Life settled into a routine once more. Following Lady Mary's transformation Louise's skills as a dressmaker where becoming known and I remembered to use the lemon juice. Jennifer was a delight though.
The carriage drew
up at the front door. I stepped out of the carriage and took Jennifer’s hand.
More to give me courage than anything else. Perhaps I should use the kitchen
door as I always had before but there’s a first time for everything so I took a
deep breath and exchanged looks with Jennifer then we marched up the front
steps and entered the hall, Lord Fairfax coming in just behind me. All the
staff were lined up to greet us. As we passed the butler I heard Grimshaw say
"First a female manager now the whore comes to stay." I wasn't going
to have my child listen to such. I turned to Thomas and James the footmen
behind Grimshaw and smiled at them. "Thomas, James how pleasant it is to
see you again. Could you be kind enough to escort Mr. Grimshaw first to the
estate office and then to the village to catch the stage coach to