Cabbages 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. ©2018

Luv Karen

As Jed walked down by the wharf, he noticed Tom selling cabbages direct from his barge.  “Picked up few on the way then Tom?”  “Aye well the barge was empty like so I thought thee wouldna mind.”  “Could we get a regular supply dost thou think Tom?”  “Aye, maybe, be best if thou spoke direct to gaffer.  I’ll be leaving in the morning six sharp.”

Jed swung a basket and a bag on to the barge and Tom’s young daughter set their horse in motion along the canal bank.  “If you care to cook your own breakfast you can have a bite to eat.”  Jed entered the tiny cabin and took the firing pan down from its hook.  He took a package of bacon and eggs from the basket and set one egg and a rasher of bacon to cook.  When ready he turned them out onto a plate.  “Right first one done.  I’ll relieve Ann if you trust me with the horse whilst she eats breakfast.”  Tom nodded “Well you’ve done it often enough.”  Ann came running back to the cabin “Is it me birthday pa?”  “Nay lass but Jed brought us a little summat to pay his passage.”  “Can he come again pa?”  “Don’t get too used to it.  It’s back to porridge the day after tomorrow when he leaves us.”

Ann finished her breakfast then scurried back to guide the horse.  “Are you coming all the way to London wiv us?”  “Sorry Ann I’m not but there should be enough bacon for your breakfast all the way to London.”  “Good, you’d better get back for yours now then.”

Jed took his turn on the tiller as Tom broke his fast then finally had his own meal.  “You can come again lad.  Although I daresay Dobbin is missing his breaks when we normally stop for food.”

On the second day just after noon Tom pointed out the farm where he’d brought the cabbages from.  “Best see the steward in the cottage across there.  I’ll be back in ten days if you want a ride back.”  Jed hefted his bag leaving the basket of food with them and waving back to Ann who called out “You can come again, anytime with one of them baskets.” Took his leave.

“Mr. Heyes?”  “That’s right and who might you be?”  “Jed Hudson.  It’s about the cabbages Tom brought from you recently.”  “Tom?”  “The bargeman.”  “Weren’t nothing wrong I hope, they were top quality when they left here.”  “No, that’s not the problem.  I’d like a few more and see if you can find me the other things on my list.”  He handed the list over.  “You’re joking?  You’re not joking.  Best come up to the house then whilst I have a think what can be done.”

They entered the front door “You’ll best stay the night.  Mother, we’ve a guest for supper and he’ll need a bed.”  He turned back to Jed “We’ll go up to the big house and see what they say but I have my doubts.” They walked up to the kitchen door and in through the hallway to the estate office.  Mr. Heyes asked a passing footman to see if the baron could join them.

“Well Heyes it’s not time for our weekly meeting so what’s the great panic.”  “Mr. Hudson here wants to buy thirty tons of vegetables each week?”  “Well we could spare a wagon load or two but we farm sheep for the most part since they use less labour.  Vegetables cost too much labour.”  “Thank you for your time.”  “Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.  Oh Heyes I’ve a shooting party coming in a fortnight so see if you can find a few men to act as beaters.”  As they left Mr. Heyes mentioned “The baron is a bit set in his ways and as long as his life is quiet and comfortable that all he thinks about.  Still Gillian might come up with an idea or two.”  “Gillian?”  “My daughter, I don’t have any sons so Gillian’s upbringing hasn’t been conventional to say the least but you’ll meet her over supper.”  

“Now sit yourself down and see what you think of the pie.  My Gillian’s got a light touch when it comes to making pastry even if she has her head buried in a book most of time.”  “Mother!  Mr. Hudson will think that you’re trying to marry me off?”  Gillian blushed as she said the words.  Jed bit into the chicken pie.  “Ah just as I like it.  Now do I ask for her hand directly or to you first sir?” Gillian glared at him.  “Oh you’d best call me Jed seeing as I look like becoming part of the family.”  “Are you rich sir?”  Gillian asked sweetly “Oh I’ve plenty of brass love.”  “When you two have finished banter let’s move on to more serious matters Jed.”  There was a pause as he looked to his daughter and wife to see what their reaction was to the use of Jed’s first name.  “Jed has a weekly shopping list of thirty tons of fresh vegetables per week and the Baron isn’t interested.  Any ideas?”  Gillian looked across the table “Plenty of brass you say?  Enough to pay the number of workers you’ll need to plant and gather in the crops?”  “I’ll not go above twenty shillings a week, same as most mill workers get.  If it can be done for that sort of sum, I’m interested.”  Gillian’s eyes widened “What’s your idea Gillian?”  “The Rowntree estate?”

Jed turned his head questioningly “The land’s there all right but the house burnt down a year ago and the heir is up in London living the fashionable life.  I heard it has an act of enclosure but it’s still farmed open field so two hundred tenants most of which have less than ten acres so they can’t grow enough on their own land to feed their families.  Too many sheep and cattle on the common land many of which are from those who own no land thus have no real rights to the common.  Normally the estate would find them work but there has been no one to organise the estate.  You’d need a fortune to put it right but it could be profitable, very profitable now the canal is close by.”  Gillian took up the thread “It really depends how deep your pockets are.  I heard the lawyer is being pushed to find a buyer so the new lord can invest in a canal.  The steward died nearly three years ago and hasn’t been replaced.  The workers are living subsistence level farming.  I help when I can by taking a team of plough horses over when we’ve finished our ploughing but it hasn’t shown a profit for many a year.”  “I’d need a steward as well?”  He looked enquiringly at Mr. Heyes.  “Not me I’m afraid I’ve been with the baron for too long and I’m set in my ways.  Still, we should be able to find a steward somewhere.”  “But would it be someone I could trust?”  “I could do it.” Interjected Gillian.

Both men looked at her.  “You have the knowledge I grant you but could you get the men to follow your commands?”  “Jed could do that initially and if I had a question I could come and ask your advice.”  “Where would I live if the house has burnt down?”  “Oh there are a couple of farm houses as long as you don’t want to live in the grand style.”  “Borrow a pair of horses from the baron’s stable and take him over the estate tomorrow so he has an idea of what he is getting into.”

The next morning Gillian led Jed down to the stables.  “Can you find me a pair of horses this morning Alf?”  She asked “Right you are.  I’m glad you’ve dropped by I’m short handed this morning and I’ve some hunters that need exercising.”  “Ridden before?”  “On a donkey when I was very young.”  “You’ll soon get the hang of it.  We’ll use a mounting block.”  She stepped over to it and climbed up.  “Alf I’ll take Jupiter.”  Alf brought up a large horse that was definitely frisky.  She slid her leg over the horses back and Jed was surprised to see her long skirt was split.  Alf brought up Black Ruby next.  “Best give him a slice of apple first and let him have a sniff of you.”  Black Ruby cautiously sniffed then took the apple.  “Right up you go.”  Jed climbed the mounting block and mounted.  Alf checked the stirrups for him.  Black Ruby sidled then followed Gillian on Jupiter at a walk out of the stable yard.  “We’ll take them to a canter which will shake the fidgets out of them.”  Jed looked a little worried “Don’t worry it’s smoother than a trot. Black Ruby will follow Jupiter’s lead so just hang on.”  Jed hoped Black Ruby knew what he was doing because Jed certainly didn’t.

Gillian took off and after a moment’s hesitation as if Black Ruby wanted confirmation they were to canter and Jed nudging him with his knees Black Ruby took off after Jupiter.  Soon they were alongside and Gillian smiled at him as he gradually relaxed and became more comfortable in the saddle.  They turned and rode towards the canal then along the fields alongside.  Gillian thought a canter down the towpath might not be ideal for an inexperienced rider.

“Rowntree land starts here.”  Jed looked at the difference between the fields they had come across and the fallow ground they were now riding on.  They continued for a fair time until they came to hedge before slowing to walk and turning up alongside.  “The workers have paid no rent for their cottages for the last two years with no one to collect the rents but they haven’t been paid either.”  They came across the first terrace of cottages.  Even to Jed’s inexpert eye they looked as if they might fall down at any moment.  The inhabitants came out to greet them.  The children were dull eyed and thin,  their mothers much the same.  Their clothing had seen better days that much was certain.  Gillian greeted them all by name and mentioned Jed was visiting and had expressed an interest in seeing the estate.

They rode across yet more fallow fields.  “Why haven’t they planted anything?”  “Well the normal is they plant one field root crops, one corn and the other is left fallow in rotation but you need oxen or horses to pull the plough and no one is rich enough to own them.  Some of them know that planting turnips and so forth are better but with the open field system you have to get all hundred plus tenants to agree to the changes and that is difficult to say the least.  Now this field needs drainage which would add water to the canal and the bargemen are always complaining about low water and having to wait at a lock for a boat coming the other way.”  “How much would it cost?”  “It’s three times the size of one the Baron did.”  She named a sum that gave Jed pause.  “But he wouldn’t have done it unless your dad had thought it would pay him back.  What was the payback period?”  “A little under two years.”  “And to repair or replace how many cottages?”  Gillian gave him a rough estimate.  “That’s a right gradely sum.”  “True but you need to add in things like farm implements, horses, oxen, seeds if you want every week then you’d need greenhouses but with an estate this size you should be able to harvest ninety tons a week.  Have I put you off yet?”  “And how much is an estate this size worth?”  “With a rebuilt big house, stabling and organised properly two hundred thousand pounds.”  “So an offer of a hundred thousand might work?”  “You’ve that much brass?”  “I haven’t said I’ll do it yet but money won’t be the problem.”  Gillian could hardly believe her ears.  That sort of money wouldn't be a problem.  What sort of man who dressed as he did would be that rich?  Well one thing for certain if he needed a bit of encouragement to make up his mind she knew just where to find it.

They found Molly gathering firewood. “Molly Jed here is thinking of buying the estate and paying the workers twenty shillings a week.  Moreover he's looking into repairing or replacing the workers’ cottages.  If you give him a smile, he might even find one for you and Dick.”

Molly's smile was devastating.  She was fully aware of the effect it could have on the male sex "So how do you suggest we help make his mind up for him in the right way of course."

Gillian dismounted on a tree stump then indicated to Jed he should as well.  “Let's lie down on the slope, in the sun and talk it through.  What do you have to consider?  Is ninety tons of produce a week too much for you?”  “There are other mills nearby so I can sell what we don't need at a profit.  It's little things like the estate is one side of the canal but the village is the other side.”  “You mean the extra two miles the workers have to walk to church.”  “It affects trips into the village as well so it needs a new bridge.  Then there are the workers themselves.  They just aren’t fit.  They look undernourished to me.  Then the cottages and all the other things you mentioned.  It all adds up.  I mean the kids are running around when they should be in school.  Is there no school?”  “Well the baron has set up a dame school on the far side of the village but it’s a three-mile walk there and no one can afford the fees.”  “They’re all straws on the camel’s back and would the lawyer accept a hundred thousand?  People aren’t always rational.”

Gillian moved to where she could run her fingers over the back of his neck and across his shoulders.  “Your shoulders feel broad enough to me and I’m sure a big man like you could blow away a pile of straw.”  Molly giggled then daringly ran her hands over his chest before leaning into him and kissing him lightly on the lips.  “Is that enough to convince you?”  Jed frowned “I’m still not convinced.”  Gillian lent forward and daringly kissed him softly on the lips.  “You need more convincing?”  Jed was beginning to enjoy the attention.  “Definitely.”  Gillian kissed him again this time nudging his lips apart with her tongue.  She’d never tried it before but heard about it from one of the maids.  She felt daring and explored his mouth with her tongue.  Molly felt she should be doing something as well so explored Jed’s chest, undoing his shirt buttons one by one and running her fingers through his hairs before kissing the newly exposed skin.  He tasted different to Dick.  Gillian came up for air looking flushed.  “Convinced?”  Jed shook his head.  Drastic measures were called for.  She undid the top flap on his breeches and fished out his hardening rod.  She ran her fingers over it and massaged it gently.  “You kiss him again whilst I look after this part.”  Molly had never gone this far with Dick, frightened in case she appeared too forward but Jed, well he’d never tell and a girl had to learn somehow.  

It took her a few moments to find out what he liked, Gillian’s kisses confused the matter as Molly had to work out if it was Gillian’s kisses or her fingers that were causing the response.  She bent forward and kissed the newly exposed skin as she had before.  He liked that did he.  She’d used her tongue once in Dick’s mouth. She’d felt he’d enjoyed it but thought it was a bit daring.  Wait until she’d married him then she’d be a bit more forward still.  Was that a twitch?  It brushed her lips so she opened them and licked gently with her tongue.  That was a twitch and a moan, all or nothing he was going to buy the estate and give her Dick twenty shillings a week or she’d know the reason why.  She took his rod in her mouth slowly moving her head up and down.  He really was twitching now, she eased off to tease him, you never gave a boy everything he wanted all at once she’d learnt that.  You gave him hints, suggestions, gentle caresses but there again she moved more quickly sensing something but she wasn’t sure what.  Suddenly there was a salty taste in her mouth and he seemed to subside.  She lifted her head “Gillian I think something has happened.”  Gillian was rapidly coming to the same conclusion herself.  “Convinced?”  She asked quietly.  Jed nodded and fell back relaxed and half asleep.  When he’d recovered he glanced at Molly “I think I should return the favour.”  Molly felt uncertain but knew she had to keep on his best side so hesitantly agreed “But I don’t want to end up with child.”  She qualified.  “You won’t.” Gillian looked on in fascination.

He kissed her in a way that Dick never had.  Softly at first then more persuasively treating her as if she was the most important person in the world and only her satisfaction mattered to him.  Molly felt herself grow warm in response to his attention.  He tugged off her top and loosened her skirt.  Soon she was exposing rather more than she ever had in her life, it felt exciting, dangerous even, someone might come along the path.  Her breasts craved the attention they were getting, wondering hands and a pair of lips suckling her nipples.  She’d never be able to explain to Dick what she was doing but it was all for him after all.  She felt desired and then where exactly was that tongue wondering?  It couldn’t be could it. She reached out and grasped Gillian’s hand for support.  She held on tight as the sensations from his mouth covering her intimate places rocked her to the core.  Pleasure unlike anything she’d ever experienced ran through her body.  If this was what a man and a woman did when married she and Dick were going to have the banns read forthwith.  She closed her eyes and relaxed very content with life.  

“Why did you mention twenty shillings a week to her?”  “The Baron pays eight shillings a week and his workers pay a shilling a week rent.  Some other farmers pay seven shillings a week.”  “You can’t live on that.”  “Before the enclosures with common land and running a couple of pigs and perhaps a cow a family of six could just manage on eight shillings a week but after well you’ve seen the workers and their families yourself.”.

“Molly if we can convince the solicitor to accept a lower price its worth a thousand pounds to you.”  “I can’t begin to imagine what a thousand pounds is.”  “Invested it would pay twenty shillings a week.”  “I couldn’t explain that to Dick.”  Gillian looked towards Jed.  “Can she read and write?”  “Yes I taught her myself.”  “I’ll need someone to look after the depot we’ll need by the side of the canal.  Only an hour a day but it could pay twenty shillings a week.” Molly nodded “Wouldn’t be more than my man, he might accept that.  A cottage comes with the job does it?  If you want me to do with my mouth what I did with Jed I’d like a good sized cottage with one of them ranges like Gillian has.”  “Agreed so let’s get going then.”  “We’ll stop off and find you a pretty dress first.”  “And a bath?”  Asked Molly hopefully.  Jed hoisted Molly up behind Gillian so she was riding pillion on Jupiter then mounted himself from the tree stump.

They stopped off at the steward’s house and Gillian had a bath with Molly dipping in second in the kitchen.  The servants were quite used to this.  Gillian carried Molly upstairs to see which dress would be best suited to their scheme.  Eventually they decided that Gillian’s second-best evening gown seemed to bring the colour of Molly’s eyes best.  “But it’s a dinner gown.”  “Yes but he won’t know the difference.”  “I can’t go through the village with everything on display.”  Gillian found a shawl to wrap round Molly’s shoulders so she was respectable until she got there.  “Jed you stay quiet, let me do the talking.  Once he hears your accent he’ll put the price up thinking you don’t know the estate.”

Silas read the letter through once more.  He wanted thirty five-thousand pounds immediately to invest in a sure fire canal scheme.  Well canals were all the rage but it did depend on where they were built and the costs.  Raise the money somehow, sell if you can, otherwise borrow from the bank with a mortgage on the Rowntree estate but get me the money.  The new heir was a fool.  He owned the largest estate in the county that could be profitable with a bit of investment.  Well he’d be fair, a rather large investment, and all he wanted was canal shares. Worse of all Silas had had no income from the estate in the last five years.  He lifted out the deeds to the estate and placed them on his desk in preparation for going to the bank to see what he could arrange.

It was a warm sunny day he’d just close his eyes for a moment or two before setting off and have a little fantasy dream.  Two beauties would come in before he went to the bank and beg him to sell Rowntree to them.  Peg from the tavern?  No there were no limits in dreams, someone with a bit of class, The baron’s steward’s daughter, what was her name now, and her friend who came to church riding pillion behind what’s her name.  She was wasted on the farmhand who was courting her.  With her face and figure she’d make her fortune in London in the right dress of course.  Something that displayed her breasts rather than concealed them.

He could just imagine it now they’d walk through the door and Gloria would say she’d like to buy the Rowntree estate for cash.  Gwendolyn would be accompanied by a silent servant who carried the money in a satchel they’d sit down and occupy the two chairs on the other side of the desk.  Molly, that was her name, would have to sit on his lap.  He grew warm at the images his mind brought forth as his hand cupped one of those magnificent breasts.

He heard footsteps on the stairs and the bell attached to the office door dinged as the door opened.  Gillian, that was her name led the way, followed by some nondescript servant with a satchel.  They took the two chairs and Molly, the magnificent, followed them into the room and perched on his lap.  She slipped the dress off her shoulder and guided Silas's hand to her now exposed breast.  She kissed him softly as Gillian spoke.  "We'd like to make a cash offer of twenty-five thousand pounds on the Rowntree estate."  This dream was so realistic but really “Twenty-five thousand for an estate that should be worth two hundred thousand.”  “If the house hadn’t burnt down and the estate wasn’t derelict you’d have people clamouring to buy it but it isn’t.  Isn’t one valuation method seven times the annual income?  It hasn’t produced an income in many a year.”  Molly slid off his lap much to his disappointment and knelt in front of him.  That was the proper place for a woman, on their knees in supplication.  That was it, begging him to sell it to them.  What on earth was she up to undoing the top flap of his breeches.  Now that felt something like.  He closed his eyes as her hand stroked him through the flap.  Grace kissing him at the same time? He pondered and there she was kissing him after quickly glancing at the letter on his desk.  Silas was in heaven as Molly lips ran up and down his hard rod.  Both girls now were caressing him wanting him to come quickly as his elderly body wasn’t quite so enjoyable for them as Jed’s had been.  “Thirty-three thousand?”  Gillian whispered in his ear just as he was about to come.  “Thirty-eight.”  He countered.  “Done.”  She slid her hands over the sensitive part of his shoulders as Molly redoubled her efforts with her mouth.  Then he was done.  He felt in good humour.

Jed wrote out a draft on his bank for thirty-eight thousand pounds.  “Here’s the cash and an extra five hundred to cover your expenses taking it down to the heir in London.”  Jed peeled off nine fifty-pound notes, nine five-pound notes and topped it with five sovereigns from his purse. Gillian picked up the deeds from Silas’s desk before turning and gathering up the other two and ushering them out.  Gillian handed the deeds over to Jed who placed them safely in his satchel.

It was some time later when Silas opened his eyes and stared at the money on the desk weighed down by golden sovereigns.  It wasn’t a dream?  There was draft on a London bank for thirty-eight thousand pounds.  He turned and searched for the deeds but they were gone.  Five hundred pounds in cash for expenses, that was a good five years income sitting on the desk.  He’d take the wife down to London town to see the sights.  He’d even let her buy a new bonnet there so she could show off on Sunday.  Well he’d done what the heir had asked he had the thirty-five thousand pounds in his hand. He’d catch the midnight mail and deliver it personally.  If he left for home now he’d make it in plenty of time.  He shook his head Gillian couldn’t possibly have kissed him and as for Molly well it was an experience but surely he couldn’t trust his memory.  It must have been Peg and even she wouldn’t do such a thing.

They took Molly back to Gillian’s home to get changed then sat in the drawing room to catch their breath.  “Well what have you been up too?” asked Gillian’s father.  “I’ve brought the Rowntree estate.  It wasn’t my first choice but it seemed to solve a multitude of problems.”  “You’ll have your work cut out.”  “Aye well Gillian volunteered her services as steward.  I wouldn’t know where to start, especially with greenhouses.”  “Greenhouses?  Thinking of growing flowers out of season are you?”  “Gillian suggested it to extend the growing season.”  “I didn’t think you were serious at that point.”  “Backing out are you?”  “Certainly not.  How much budget do I have?”  “Well we saved sixty odd thousand pounds on my estimated purchase price so you have that to start with.  I’d put aside a few hundred to pay the workers their twenty shillings a week starting today.  Traditionally Hudsons have run a school for the workers’ children and I see no need to treat these farm workers any different.  Work out the best place for it as in they don’t have to walk too far. The school will need a big range to cook the children’s breakfast and lunch.  I’d already found out it’s a waste of good money to try to teach starving children.  We’ll need a site and plans for the depot.”  “Good grief you realise that Rowntree is three times the size of the baron’s property and you’re starting from scratch.  Most of the better workers will have moved away long since.”  “They’ll move back once they find out what he’s paying in wages.”  “How much?”  “Twenty shillings a week was the figure mentioned.”  “I might be tempted myself if that’s the rate for the workers.”  “The steward’s position will pay forty shillings a week plus a cottage.”  “Sorry dad I got there first.”

“I should get back up north for a day or two.  There’s a bit of business to attend to.  When I get back in a week or so I’ll expect to have somewhere to stay.  Gillian I think you have a lot of planning to do for thirty thousand acres.  Molly can you sort out one of the farmhouses for me and perhaps the old house can be salvaged as a school building.  The stables didn’t look too bad so set the men to work cleaning up.  They won’t like hand-outs but cook them lunch and dinner over there and tell them it’s a penny a meal to be deducted from their pay and that pays for any family members who are helping them.  Feed them 4 oz of meat a day and at least one egg.  You can tell them their rents are going up to two shillings a week, give them something to grump about but mention if they give you a list of what’s wrong with the cottages it will be put right and hire any willing to work and that includes someone to bake bread and help cook the meals.  Gillian I’ll leave you some cash to buy food and farm horses.  See if any of the old grooms are around to look after them.”  With that he turned on his heel and walked down to the canal looking for a barge heading in the right direction.

“Well your young man doesn’t waste time does he?”  Gillian blushed “He’s not my young man.”  “Not yet my love but the time will come, I’m sure.  Now we’d better sit down and draw up a plan of what can be planted fairly quickly and how we’ll sort out the crop rotation.  Vegetables, they’ll need a lot of labour compared to grain or sheep.  Still if we use one of the new seed drills that will at least sow them in a straight line.” He rubbed his hands together “I’m going to enjoy this.”

“He’s paying what?  Is the man mad?  He’ll go bankrupt very quickly.  Tell the shopkeepers if they want to keep their shops they’ll not sell to the Rowntree estate. That’ll bring him to see reason and fire Heyes he had the audacity to bring him to this house.”

Jed was in the first barge.  There were a half a dozen altogether laden with things he thought they might need.  Gillian was watching out for him.  “Trouble?”  “Not so you’d notice.  Dad’s been fired and the shop keepers have been warned not to deal with us.” “I thought he might try something like that. Have you managed to get any horses and do we have a dray or two we can press into service.”  “I managed that before his lordship found out how much we’re paying.  Good.” “But I’ve no feed for them so they’re on grass at the moment.”  “Your parents?”  “I moved them into your farmhouse.  Mother isn’t happy but father seems amused by it all.”  “Best go see them then hadn’t we.”

“Mr. Heyes I understand you’re looking for employment?”  “You could say that.”  “I dare say my steward would like an assistant.”  Gillian looked stunned.  “Don’t you think he’s good enough?”  “I can’t give orders to my dad.”  “You can make suggestions though and if we offer to pay him half of your pay and his old pay added together I dare say he’d have no option but to accept.”  “We can make it work lass.  You’ve more than enough to look after as it is.  You’ll just have to delegate a few things unless you think I’m too old that is?”  “Well if you say so we’ll make it work.”