Anne by Karen Blayne 

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. ©2019

Luv Karen

“and this is for the first time of reading.”  Anne froze for a moment then glanced at her smug looking guardian.  Well at least it was the banns she’d have two weeks before the wedding and it would be best to say nothing though what she’d say to the congregation after church heaven knows.  In the back pew a visiting merchant noted her surprise.   

In the event it didn’t matter as her guardian hurried her to the coach and whisked her away.  “I thought I was to have a season?”  “Waste of good money.  I’ve had a good offer for your hand so you’ll be wed with no further ado.”

 Back at the house one of the stable lads spoke quietly out of the side of his mouth to her as he assisted her down the carriage steps “My cousin will be driving a coach early tomorrow morning so be at the oak tree by seven.”  She nodded.  Inside she found her maid had been dismissed whilst she was at church and she was banished to her room. 

Her meals were delivered on a tray by a footman and she spent most of the time resting in bed reading a novel.

“She’s taking it better than I expected.”  “She’s a realist and knows she has little choice.”  “A game of cards to pass the time?”  “Aye why not, a penny a point did we say?”  Well if it got him a bride with a good dowry he could afford to lose a few shillings.  They settled down to play cards, the bridegroom pretending not to notice when her guardian slipped himself a card or two from the bottom of the pack. 

“Governor I’ve been asked to pick up a passenger once we’ve left the inn in the morning.”  “Don’t tell me any more but you’d best put my greatcoat behind the seat up top I can manage with a rug and my hat as well.  Oh and I’ll have the kitchen make up some food to eat as we go save stopping along the road.  By the way there was a girl in the church who seemed surprised about hearing the banns read find out what the gossip is for me if you can.” 

At five o’clock Anne rose and dressed herself warmly and slipped on her new half winter boots over a pair of thick oiled socks.  She picked up her bag that contained a few clothes and the contents of her piggy bank that she’d carefully emptied the day before then she slipped down the main staircase thinking a servant might use the backstairs, into the library and out the French windows, closing them behind her.  The scullery maid noticed her walking away and thought to slip into the library and lock the French window before anyone noticed.  “And good luck to you too.” She thought to herself pleased with her small act of defiance. 

The coach slowed down and rolled to a stop.  The coachman looked down at her and she scrambled up wordlessly besides him.  He set the coach in motion once more and then reached down behind the seat to pass her his master’s greatcoat and the large hat.  As they approached the toll gate, he passed her reins.  “It’ll look better if one of us blows the horn and the other handles the cattle.”  It took all Ann’s concentration to handle the reins of the horses.  These weren’t ones she was used to nor was it the stead plod of the farm horses  at harvest time. 

Owen gave a blast on his horn and the toll keeper came stumbling out.  “All right keep your hair on.”  The coachman handed down the toll.  “Playing guard today are you?”  “The gaffer heard there were highwaymen about.”  “Not on my patch there aren’t.”  The toll keeper called back indignantly.  Anne gave the horses a nudge and soon they were away.

It was ten o’clock before the butler thought to check on Anne and the alarm was raised.  “Do we know what she was wearing?”  “How did she escape the house?”  “The doors were all locked and guarded as per your instructions sir.”  “The staff?”  “Again we got rid of any staff thought to be sympathetic to her only our own loyal staff have the keys to the doors.”  “Send out search parties she can’t have got far.  Have the bloodhound handler set his bloodhounds on job.”   He turned to the bridegroom “Never fear we’ll find her.  By the time we’ve thrown a few cottagers out if I think they’ve helped her there will be nowhere for her to hide.” 

By four in the afternoon they had found no trace.  The dogs had tracked her to a stream but hadn’t traced her from there.  Ann’s new boots hadn’t helped them as their smell masked Ann’s and confused the dogs. 

An indignant carter was held up and his wagon searched.  The stagecoach wouldn’t run through for two more days.  They knew about the merchant and his coach but the toll keeper mentioned there were no passengers as he’d looked down into the coach and at the pace they were travelling it seemed unlikely they’d stop for anyone.

Owen brought out a basket of food “Take the reins whilst I eat.”  He commanded, then it was Ann’s turn to eat.  “Can you play the piano?”  He asked her.  It sounded an odd question to Anne but she admitted she could.  “Right then Richard needs a resident musician so I’ll take you there once the governor is settled at home.”  Owen seemed pleased with this idea.  He dropped her off at the end of the lane “Behind them bushes and quick about it.”  then took the coach round to the front of the house.  His governor closed his eyes as he stepped out of the coach.  “Not to worry governor, nothing to see.”  “Right then are you staying around?”  “No I’ll take a couple of horses from the stable and be back before you know it.” 

Owen saddled up a pair of riding horses and dug out a pair of breeches.  He brought them up to the bushes by the entrance.  “Right get changed and we’ll be off.”  Anne wondered where to but at the moment was too thankful to ask.  They covered the cross country twenty miles to Richard’s home within a couple of hours.  It was dark when they rode up to the stables and Owen unsaddled the horses and turned them into a box with feed.  The kitchen door opened and Meg popped her head out.  “Owen?”  she called softly.  “Here lass.”  “Come in quick by the fire and I’ll find you summat to eat.”

Owen led the way and Meg stood by the stove.  “Hello.”  She greeted Anne.  “Now then young Owen do you want to tell me what this is all about or am I better off not knowing?”  “You’re better off not knowing but I think the young lady needs a refuge for four years.”  “Young lady indeed and I’m supposed to provide one am I?”  He turned to Anne “That’s my Meg I always said she was bright.”  Meg sat down slowly.  “You mean it an’ all.”  “She can play the piano and you mentioned that Richard had said he ought to employ a musician to play that one of his.”  “Oh my, not asking much are you?”  She turned to Anne “What’s your name love?”  Then before Anne could reply blurted out “No don’t tell me.  I’ll call you Phoebe if I may that way I can’t let something drop in passing.”  “I’m more than happy with Phoebe as a name.”  “She speaks nice.  I’ll get Sophia down and we can work this out together.”  She disappeared then came back with Sophia.  “Owen wants us to hide the young lady away for four years.  We’ve decided to call her Phoebe.”  “Where are you going to hide her?”  “Here as Richard’s new resident musician.”  “I hope she can play.”  “I can play quite well.”  “Nicely spoken an’ all.”  “So she we do it then?”  “Why not.”  “Think you can talk Master Richard into accepting her?”  “I doubt he’ll even notice she’s here.  Let’s get you fed then upstairs to bed then the pair of you.” 

The next morning found Phoebe sitting at the kitchen table shelling peas when the steward came in and took a seat.  “Bacon and two eggs is it?”  asked Meg.  “Might as well.  I don’t suppose he’ll find time to meet with me today?”  “Well he hasn’t yet has he?”  The steward looked gloomily on.  “How I’m suppose to do my job if he won’t see me is beyond me.”  “What’s the problem?”  asked Phoebe.  “I need approval to spend money and I don’t even know how much is available.”  Phoebe looked puzzled.  “Richard doesn’t know the first thing about farming and no one has looked through the books since I came so we just sort of spend money and hope we haven’t overspent.  Oh Ben this is Phoebe by the way whose existence is to spoken of to no one.”  “I could ride out with you and go through your list then we could present it to him as being suggestions and sort of approved.”  “As soon as I’ve had my breakfast and drank my coffee we’ll be off then.” 

Phoebe inspected all the items that the steward had on his list.  Some she queried to get more details but eventually she was happy the list covered off most things.  There were one or two projects she thought might well work as an investment but until she knew how much money was available she wasn’t sure if they would go ahead.  She had a late lunch then Sophia dumped all the ledgers and bits of paper on her in the back drawing room.  The last entry was three years earlier. 

“Don’t look at me.  Neither Meg nor myself can read or write never mind do sums.”  Phoebe started to wade through the ledgers.  As it was growing dusk Meg came in and reminded her it was time to get dressed for dinner.  Well she didn’t have a lot of choice on what to wear but Meg at least did her hair elegantly.  Dinner was served in the dining room.  Richard raised his eyebrow at Phoebe “This is Phoebe, she’s visiting for a few days.”  Richard read a book through most of the meal and when the meal was over Meg suggested they adjourn to listen to Phoebe play the piano. 

She ran her fingers over the scales and was surprised by the quality of the sound.  She looked through the sheets of music and found one she recognised and had practised before and nervously started to play.  Soon she lost herself in the music and the music just flowed from her finger tips.  Richard closed his eyes and relaxed and listened to the music.   Sophia who was sitting on the floor with Meg looked at him “Well what did you think of her playing?”  “Perfection, as a house guest she may stay as long as she wishes to.”  Phoebe grinned to herself for four years?  She’d have to wait and see.  As a reward she played another tune this time from memory. 

Mr. Thorne had a thought and scribbled a letter to his man of business in the city.  Find out about Miss Anne Sullyard and gave the estate name.  See who her guardians are and were they aware the banns had been read for her marriage or that she may have disappeared?  He understood she was in a place of safety. 

Next morning Phoebe finished bringing up the ledgers up to date.  Well the funds were available.  It looked as if the estate income hadn’t been touched for two years.  She carried the list into Richard’s study.  “Your steward has a list of things he’d like to implement.  I looked them over yesterday and they look reasonable.  There are two other projects that are a bit more expensive to do with drains and so forth that I suggest you let him do as well.  You have the funds according to the ledgers which I brought up to date finally this morning.  So sign please.”  Richard slipped his arms round her waist and drew her in for a kiss.  Phoebe felt herself melting in his arms.  “You can’t go kissing Phoebe she’s quality.  Well you can but it’s a trip up to the church for compromising her.”  Richard stepped back in horror at the idea.  She stepped closer and kissed a long lingering kiss. “You’re as bad as he is.”  “No as long as I get a kiss and a hug each day I won’t drag him to the alter but two kisses.”  She left the rest of the sentence unsaid.  Richard glanced at the list.  “There are a couple of cottages in the village that look a bit scruffy could we afford to do anything about them?”   Phoebe was staggered to say the least.  “You mean you don’t know if you have funds?”  “Well I assume I have enough for my books and things but I’ve never really been interested in money.”  Phoebe closed her eyes “I’ll see to it.  You have enough to hire a few more staff you know.”  “Whatever you want to do.”  He turned away and returned to his books and his scribblings on his desk. 

“Well we always found that employing them directly and giving them a steady weekly wage worked best.  Oh and since I’ve been told I can do whatever I want I want you to hire as many apprentices as workmen.”  The steward frowned, it was a different way of looking at things he supposed rather than hiring the men for a day or two at a time and as for the idea of planting an orchard of hazelnut trees.  Well he’d never thought about it and the nuts kept well over winter.  He’d have to find out about chestnut and walnut trees they weren’t as common as hazelnuts not being native they probably require special treatment.  He wondered if there were people who knew a bit more about these things. 

It was almost as if the estate started to wake up.  More money in people’s pockets meant they were happier.  Sons found themselves apprenticed unexpectedly.  “Tom you be a good lad and stick it out.”  “Labouring pays better.”  “In five years time having a trade will earn you far more than labouring.”  “But I could labour now and get wed to Sal.”  “Ask her if she’d rather be wed now or in five years time to a tradesman and see what she says.”  Tom thought Sal’s views were as bad as his mums and as to that female teacher that had him doing sums three mornings a week, she was the worse of the lot.

There was a knock at the kitchen door.  “Hi Jessie what are you after?”  “A moan.  I want to know why are there no apprenticeships for girls?” “Don’t be daft you’ll be wanting the same pay as a man next or even the vote.”  Phoebe came in through the door and hear the words.  “Want to be a cook then?”  “Not half.  Are you the girl that we aren’t suppose to know about?”  “Best bribe you I think ten bob a week and we’ll teach you to cook?”  “Yeah done.”  “Ten bob a week?”  queried Meg “We’d better pay you all the same and Jessie, just remember I don’t exist. Now do either of you know how to sew?”   Sophia looked down at her uneven hem.  “Not really.  Meg gets her sister to do hers.”  “Lydia really enjoys sewing. She’d spend all day sewing if she could.”  “Tell her she’s hired same money, and again she’s not to tell anyone I exist.” 

The Earl of Northumbria read through the letter and the note from his man of business saying it was thought she was safe.  She was supposed to have a relative looking after her.  He’d better go and see what was what and make sure the money and estate were safe as well.  Whilst he had no interest in the girl he’d be damned if he was going to let anyone get away with anything on the financial side.  He sent a scouting party up to the village to see what was happening. 

Bert stepped off the mail and looked round the village.  It looked quiet enough.   The four of them entered the inn together.  “We’ll have rooms if you please landlord.”  Sam was sat in his corner quietly and ran his eye over the four.  Trouble for someone no doubt.  The landlord looked nervous so Bert placed some coins on the counter.  “We’d like four rooms but we can make do with two.”  “How long for?”  “As long as it takes.”  The landlord looked at the coins and the fact they’d stepped off the mail.  They might not dress the part but they had money.  He led them upstairs and showed them three rooms then thought about the extra money he could have by letting out the fourth.  Sally could sleep by the kitchen fire.  He opened the door to Sally’s room and saw her clothes lying around.  “I’ll have this one tidied up shortly whilst you have meal no doubt.”  Alf took a stroll down the village to the vicarage.  “I heard my cousin is getting married here shortly.”  “There’s nothing planned at the moment.”  “No banns being read then?”  The vicar looked nervous “Just those for Miss Anne from the big house.”  Alf nodded and walked back to the inn. 

Bob was negotiating with Sally about her room and he was sure she’d sleep better in her own room. The fact he would be sleeping there as well should reassure her.  “You don’t want to spend the night with him love.  He snores.”  “And I suppose you don’t?”  Sally demanded of Bert.  “You’ll have to find out tonight won’t you my love.” 

It was just before daybreak Northumbria’s coach with outriders rolled up to the inn.  The coach door opened and Alf put his head in.  “Summat fishy going on all right.”  The four big men clambered on to the coach hanging on to the outside.  At the estate Bert jumped down and walked slowly to the front door.  Alf and Bob slipped round the back.  The outriders dismounted and stood to the side of the front door.  Shadrack held the reins of the dismounted riders.  Bert glanced round once more then hammered on the front door just as the day was breaking.  A sleepy eyed footman peered out.  “The Earl of Northumbria to see his ward.”  “She ain’t here.”  The footman tried to close the door but Bert already had his stave in so the door couldn’t be shut.  There was a brief struggle but one footman pushing against Bert and four others was no contest. 

One of the outriders passed Bert a handbell and soon the whole house was awake.  “The Earl of Northumbria to see his ward.” Bert called out loudly.  “Let’s be seeing you.”  Footmen and maids staggered downstairs.  One or two tried to slip out the kitchen door but were turned back by Bob and his stave.  “I want to see you all lined up outside so look sharp now.”  At the back of the house a better dressed man leading two others came out carrying a pistol.  “Out of my way!” he yelled at Bob.  Alf just let him have both barrels from his shotgun before lowering it and picking up a second double barrelled shotgun.  “Front door gentlemen.”  Suggested Bob.  Two of the outriders rounded up the grooms. 

Alf stood by the back door whilst Bert and two others went through the house to ensure everyone was out.  “Now I want you all to sit on the ground and who is in charge?”  “Mr. Barrett, but he tried to sneak off through the back door.”  “Do we have a scullery maid?”  A hand went up.  “Right lass I want you to touch all the staff who were here before Mr. Barrett arrived.  As you are touched then I want you to move over to the other side of the drive.”  The maid nervously touched one then another until she was happy that she’d touched them all.  “Look through them and make sure they all were here before.”  The maid looked them over.  “They’re all there.”  “Now where is Miss Ann’s maid?”  “She was dismissed sir but I know where she lives.” 

Bert had Mr. Barrett’s staff searched and their pockets turned out.  Next he had a group of four maids enter the house and bring out the belongings of the men. 

Northumbria stepped out of the coach.  “Right since I’m a fair man Shadrack will take your names and give you a token.  The list of names will be delivered to The Red Lion which is only twenty miles away so a day’s walk.  The landlord at the Red Lion will exchange your token for ten shillings and tick you off the list.  I suggest you keeping walking after that.”  “We’re owed more than ten shillings in back wages.”  “You were hired by Mr. Barrett so take it up with him.”  The men grumbled then quietened down.  Each man was given a sack for their belongings then told to leave the estate.  “If you come back you’ll be trespassing and the gamekeepers will be armed.” 

The dispirited group of men ambled down the drive.   Northumbria turned to Shadrack, “You have an estate to run.  I’ll leave you Bert and the lads for a month to make sure it’s quiet.  If the girl turns up just let me know.  I’d collect her maid and increase her pay by ten pounds a year so Anne feels safe and you never know she might come out of hiding.”  He walked back to the coach and climbed in.  He’d stop by the vicar just to mention he was Ann’s only legal guardian so there would be no wedding without his permission. 

Shadrack had two grooms collect Ann’s maid and bring her back to the house.  “Do you know where she is?”  “No and I don’t think anyone does either.”  “Well you’re hired with an increase of ten pounds a year, that way you’ll be available if she turns up.”  He turned back and approached the remaining staff.  “If you know of any staff who were here before Mr. Barratt’s time I’d like them to return to work if you please.” 

The rector sat drinking his mulled wine.  He hadn’t called on the estate for a while.  There was a new owner but no one had seen anything of him since he arrived.  Still word in the village was there was money enough for apprenticeships and more staff had been taken on.  He’d ride up tomorrow and see if there was any chance of a decent meal whilst his cook was sick. 

The next morning Owen dropped by to see Meg.  “She’s been here a fortnight so how’s she settling in then?”  “Settling in she’s taken the place over.”  “Oh dear bossy is she?  I’m sorry I brought her over.”  “Well I’m not.  She’s given the place a good shake up and it could do with one.  She’s managed to get money out of Richard for the estate so the steward and a lot of others are happy.”  

As the rector rode up to the door he noted the grounds looked a bit neglected and the front door could do with a spot of paint.  He dismounted and tied up his horse before knocking on the front door.  Meg answered the door.  “Good Morning rector, what can I do for you?”  “I’m here to see Mr. Spencer.”   “Is he expecting you sir?”  “What’s that got to do with anything?”  “Well I’m sorry sir.”  “Nonsense girl stand aside.”  Owen stepped forward and Meg stepped back as Owen mimicked one of his master’s footmen.  “If you give me your card sir I will see that Mr. Spenser receives it in due course and get back to you when and if he feels it necessary.”  “Do you know who I am?”  “No sir but I’m sure you card will supply me that information.”  Meg tried to keep a straight face as the rector blustered away only to be eventually turned away with the promise that his card would be passed along in due course.  Meg stood admiringly at Owen.  “I don’t know how you did that.”  “It’s simple any footman worth his salt could have done the same.”  “I wish we had one here all the time.  Now the estate is starting to wake up we’ll see more people nosing around.”  Phoebe came down the stairs.  “Thank you.”  “Are there funds available for a footman.” “The money is there right enough.”  Richard put his head out of the door.  “Has he left?”  “He’s left but may return Owen was suggesting we need a footman to protect your privacy.”  Richard waved his hand and retreated to his books in the library.  “Just see to it.” 

“I’ll be getting back then and I’ll see if I can find you a footman.”  Andrew if he could be talked into it.  He spoke to the gaffer as he returned.  “The girl needs protecting from nosey parkers.  The rector for one, she seems to have stirred up the estate for the better arranging apprenticeships and teaching them their letters according to the servants but although I managed to get rid of the rector he’ll be back without a footman there standing guard.”  “Andrew?”  “Aye so I thought.  The master doesn’t have a valet and Andrew has ambitions in that direction.  There’s money to pay for him.”  “Septimus as well?”  “You mean a private chaplain?”  “Well I’ve always thought the vicar underpays, puts on him and derides him in public so I feel sure he’ll be happy to go.  Just make sure he knows it is a one way trip with no contact with anyone.  I’ll speak to Andrew.” 

“Andrew here’s a purse to cover your wages for a year.  You’ll go with Owen and take up residence somewhere.  I don’t know where it is nor do I want to know.  There is a girl involved so your primary task is to protect her.  Owen will visit from time to time.  My expectation is you will be paid by the estate but if there are any problems mention it to Owen when he visits and I’ll cover the sum.  Be discreet which means no mention of the girl to anyone.  I understand the master does not have a valet so there should be an opportunity there for you.  There will always be a position here on my staff if you need it.”  “Thank you sir.  When do I leave?”  “See Owen, he’s collecting Septimus as well.” 

“Mr. Thorne sends his complements and wondered if you’re available for a post as private chaplain starting tomorrow.”  Owen placed a purse on the table.  “I wasn’t aware that Mr. Thorne was religious?”  “No it’s an estate chaplain. There’s a year’s pay in the purse.”  The curate counted out the money on the table.  “There’s four years pay based on what I receive at the moment.”  “If you spent the night with us we could set out at daybreak?”  “I ought to ask permission from the reverend first?”   

“You ungrateful cur get out and leave my household now.  You needn’t think of returning in the future.” Septimus gathered up his meagre belongings and quietly slipped away to meet Owen above the stables.  Owen took the gig out next day, the weather looked fine and the gig would be less noticeable than the travelling coach.  Owen sat besides him and Septimus perched on the back.  At the house Owen asked Meg to summon Phoebe.  “Two more for your household.  Andrew is a footman, and the master thought if you had your own private chaplain that would keep the rector away.  Septimus is a qualified curate by the way.”  “Welcome the pair of you.  Meg can you find room for them somewhere?  Now Septimus Richard isn’t a great one for church but if you can spare sometime to help teach the apprentices to read and write that would be most helpful.”  “I’d best walk down to the vicarage and introduce myself to your man of God.”  “I’d go this morning.  Sophie will guide you there.  Tomorrow I hear he’ll be out with the hunt.” 

Sophie was delighted for an excuse to get out of the household chores.  Meg and herself hadn’t stirred themselves as much as they could have done when it was only Richard they had to care about but somehow a higher standard was called for with Phoebe around.  It wasn’t so much she said anything as the way she would pick up a duster herself occasionally. 

Septimus knocked on the Vicarage door and was admitted.  Sophie was guided back to the kitchens where she caught up with the village gossip being careful not to say too much herself.  “I hear that young Jessie has been taken on as a cook at the house?”  “Well the master had a change of heart so it’s all apprenticeships now and Jessie arrived complaining there weren’t any for girls so she’s apprentice cook now.”  “But who’ll teach her that’s what I want to know?”  “Miss Pemberton has been ordering books about it and going through her recipes.”  “Ah I’d heard Appleton’s governess had been hired as well as if that book learning will teach her anything about cooking to suit a gentleman’s taste.”  “Well he did well enough on Sophie’s and my cooking before and we can keep an eye on her as well.”  “Well if she has her mother’s touch with pastry I daresay it will serve.” 

In the parlour Septimus was at his most differential.  “Your visit to Mr. Spencer made him realise he’d been neglecting the bible so I’ve been hired as chaplain to the house.  If you need to take a day off I’d be happy to stand in for you of course but I will be leading prayers each day at the house which will take some of the load off your shoulders as I’m sure there are others within the parish more in need of you.”  He collected Sophie from the kitchen and together they walked back.  “I mentioned to him I will be leading prayers in the house each day.”  Sophie looked at him “You don’t expect anyone to pray with you do you?”  She asked incredulously.  “You never know someone might.”  Sophie kept her thoughts to herself.  She liked Septimus.  He was educated and softly spoken at least. 

Meg thought Septimus was rather handsome and she hadn’t confessed her sins for ever such a long time.  She slid into his lap, “I’ve been having naughty thoughts and thought you could give me some spiritual guidance.”   Septimus wasn’t quite sure what to say so politely nodded and Meg let her imagination run riot.  Septimus grew pink under her words.  He was shocked by some of the things she was saying   and felt no gently bred girl should even know of such practises.  He was so shocked that he hardly noticed when Meg wiggled and when Sophie walked in on them his mouth was full of Meg’s bared breast.  “Meg I’m surprised at you.”  “I was only confessing my sins.”  “With actions as well as words I see.  I’m quite certain he isn’t even high church for a start so isn’t used to hearing sins confessed real or imaginary.”  Meg sat up sharply “You mean I’ve been whispering dirty things in his ear under false pretences?”  “He does look a bit warm doesn’t he.  Up you get out of his lap.”  Septimus was a bright red colour and there was no disguising his hardness at his crotch. Sophie slid her fingers through his fastenings and soon held his hard rod in her hand.  “Look you’ve made him uncomfortable so I think you should give him a kiss better.”  Meg knelt before him and lightly kissed the tip of his rod.  “Keep kissing until he’s soft again.” Commanded Sophie.  Soon Meg’s head was moving up and gently down Septimus started to digest that people really did do some of the things that Meg had whispered in his ear.  Sophie stood behind him and gave him a neck rub and an ear nibble as Meg worked her magic. 

Phoebe opened the door to the small drawing room looking for Septimus since Miss Pemberton had mentioned it might be an idea to go through their lesson plans together.  She took one look then quickly closed the door standing guard in the hall.  Well if it meant Meg didn’t get in the family way and it kept Septimus happy as long as Richard wasn’t offended did it matter.  She shrugged her shoulders.  She gave them ten minutes by the grandfather clock in the hall then opened the door slightly and peeped in.  Meg was standing now.  She opened the door wider and noticed Sophie quickly sit on Septimus’s lap.  “Septimus, Miss  Pemberton would like to discuss lesson plans when you have time.  I’m sure that Sophie can show you the way.”  She turned and left the room. 

Northumbria’s secretary stood before him.  “It’s Miss Anne Sullyard twenty first birthday in a week’s time.  I have had the documents prepared for your and her signature but I don’t seem to have an address for her.”  “Miss Anne Sullyard?”  “Your ward my lord.”  “Ah yes well we’d better seek her out.  Have the travelling coach at the door at seven tomorrow morning.” 

“The Earl of Northumbria.”  Announced Mr. Thorne’s footman.  Mr. Thorne looked up.  “What can I do for you?”  “I’m seeking a Miss Anne Sullyard, my ward.”  “and you think she might be here?”  “No but I feel sure someone who knows enough about her to say she is safe would know how to lay her hands on her.”  “Aye they might at that.”  “It’s her twenty first birthday today so she gets to take control of her estate.”  “Get Owen for me.”  “Owen lead the Earl of Northumbria to the girl.  He’s her guardian and he’s come to hand over the keys to her estate.  He was pointed out to me once and it looks to be the same man.”  They trooped out to the coach and Owen took his place by the driver and led the way to Richard’s estate. 

Andrew met them at the door “Mr. Spencer is not receiving today.”  “Good for it’s my ward I’m here to see Miss Anne Sullyard to help her celebrate her coming of age.”  “ Miss Anne Sullyard, I’m sorry my Lord but there is no one of that name here.”  “It’s OK Andrew it’s Miss Phoebe they want to see.”  “I shall enquire my Lord.”  Phoebe stepped out from behind Andrew.  “My other guardian I believe.”  “I have papers for you to sign so you may take control of your own estate or if you wish it I can have my own man of business and my stewards run it for you and forward you the income.  My secretary reminded me you might like a London season?”  Richard poked his head out of the library  “You’re leaving?”  “Mr Spencer meet my guardian the Earl of Northumbria.”  “I really think that staying in the home of an unmarried man is not at all suitable.”  Mr. Thorne spoke up.  “You could marry the girl?”  The Earl of Northumbria raised an eyebrow.  “You’ve no doubt heard of Spencer and son?”  “Yes?”  “Meet the son.”  “Now that does put a different complexion on the matter.”  Anne looked at Richard “Well sir are you proposing?”  “Yes I think I am.”  He said more to himself than anyone else.  “Good then Septimus can marry us after the bans are read.”   

The Earl looked on “Are you quite sure?”  “I’m quite sure and I’ve invested too much time getting things organised just the way I like them to be.”  She gave an embarrassed Richard a second kiss of the day kiss on the lips. 