The Hunting Lodge 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. They were first posted on asstr.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. All copies must be of the complete document. ©2014 Asstr.org accepts donations if you’re feeling rich or even if you’re not.

Luv Karen

Jonas looked down at his hand and round the table, if he finessed the queen of spades he might even be in with a chance and a chance was what he desperately needed. A younger son he’d been manipulated into the game, now he was trying to stay sober and not lose the fortune he didn’t have. The finesse worked and that gave him and his partner the game, more than that it gave them five points which meant the game was over. “Well we were playing for a monkey a point so that’s £1,500 I owe you.” The player on his right scribbled an IOU and handed it to Josh. “Another game to give me a chance to win it back?” He dealt the cards once more not giving Jonas a chance to back out. Three hours later Jonas had had enough and the other players seemed to be practically falling asleep so they called it day. Jonas scooped up his IOUs and staggered home just as the sun was coming up.

Later that morning he was awakened by a knock on his door. Groggily he staggered and opened it. “Jonas Kitteridge?” He nodded. “Myles Grimshaw, I’m Lord Glover’s man of affairs. I understand he gave you some IOUs last night?” Jonas nodded again. “I can let you have the deeds to his hunting lodge in exchange?” Jonas ushered him in and called down to Mary to bring him up some breakfast and two teas. “I’m lost?” “And so is Lord Glover. His IOUs will be worthless by the end of the day, he’s fled the country because of his debts. However I still have authority to settle them and the deeds to his neglected hunting box which has some land attached also neglected. I also have the contents of the strong box.” Jonas looked at him expectantly. “I’m also looking for a new post, I doubt Lord Glover will be supplying me with a reference.” “£50 a year?” “Thank you sir.” “If you don’t mind you’d better travel up to the hunting box then and see what needs to be done.” “My thoughts exactly sir, since Lord Glower has disappeared I think discretion is the better part of valour and I should like to leave London. Since Lord Glover neglected to pay my last two quarter’s wages may I have a small advance sir.” “Why not take it from the strong box?” “That might be counted as stealing sir but replacing the money with one of your IOUs would be perfectly acceptable. I’ll replace the strong box before I leave London.” The strong box has handed over and Jonas replaced the contents with one of the IOUs. He handed his new man of affairs a year’s wages in advance and five pounds for expenses to pay his way north to the hunting box then he looked down at the contents of the strong box and handed over half. “Spend it on improving the land since its fashionable, and you can use any rents in the same way.” Well at least he still had the money he won from Lord Glover’s partner.

A month or two later the season was winding down and it was time to return to the family estate. Mary, his landlady’s daughter, had kept his evening dress spick and span and by being known as an obliging younger son by dancing at the balls his entry into the ton was understood. Overall he was up on his gambling especially when you took the dreaded forever whist game into account, and he’d been fortunate enough to be invited out to dine quite often which had been kind to his purse, but looking around him he wise enough to know that lady luck wouldn’t stay with him forever. Besides whist was his game and the other whist players were beginning to avoid him as someone who played to win. He gave Mary, his landlady’s daughter six crowns, rather than a sovereign that she might have trouble spending for looking after his clothes for him, six rather than four as he was sure his landlady would get her hands on part of it at least and with six Mary might be lucky enough to keep one or even two. He caught the stage coach north, well it was the cheapest way to return home unless he walked and he couldn’t quite bring himself to walk all the way.

His brother Lord Frowen glowered at him when he arrived. “Spent your allowance I expect and you’ve returned home on a repairing lease, well you needn’t expect any more until next quarter day.” He felt sorry for his brother, he’d married for Meredith’s dowery but somehow it didn’t quite compensate for Meredith who was always complaining about something or other. Especially as her ambition was to do the London season in style so just Jonas’s presence back from doing the season in London when she hadn’t been able to was enough to provoke her. Still the housekeeper, Mrs. Leith, was glad to see him. He wandered down to the stables and spoke to the head groom. “It looks quiet down here.” “Aye well the Mistress doesna hold with the expense of hunting, so we’ve had to sell off his lordship’s hunters and let most of the grooms go, and then the recruiting sergeant came by and the other two took the kings shilling. We’ve still a couple of the youngsters around up in one of the far paddocks together with your string.” “How are they coming on?” “Well with no money for grooms I’ve had to do what I can so you’ve two horse mad girls acting as grooms in return for board and lodging at the moment. I mentioned you’d see them right when you got here.”

He nodded and taking a handful of apples from the barrel in the stable walked up to the furthest paddock which was out of sight of the house where he found his string of half dozen hunters who came over to greet him, each with the expectation of a treat. Trailing them came the two girls “Good morning.” He greeted them. “Good morning.” They replied. “I understand you’ve been looking after my hunters.” They nodded shyly “Do you exercise them every day?” The taller one replied, “Twice a day normally and we groom them each day as well. They’re quite the nicest horses once you get to know them sir.” “Do you ride them side saddle?” “Not them, you need your wits about you to stay on them so its astride. Are you going to hunt them sir?” “I haven’t made my mind up yet but since Lady Frowen seems set against hunting I suspect I won’t be hunting them locally. I hear I owe you some wages, I can let you have some coins today but a year’s pay will be a few quid would you like me to act as your banker and look after it for you?” The two girls looked at each other “Do we trust him?” They both looked him over carefully. “The horses like him.” Isabel’s nose twitched “They’d trust anyone with a slice of apple.” “Word of a gentleman.” “Begging your pardon but that don’t mean much as Clare’s mother can vouch for.” “Promise, cross your heart and wish to die?” Jonas solemnly crossed his heart and swore he’d keep their money safe for them. “All right then Sir, we trust you. Now then would you like to try their paces out?”

He looked fondly at his string of hunters, all four years old, they’d come on well. He’d been visiting friends near a stud farm and one night after drinking too much ale Daniel had suggested they sneak his mare into the field and have her serviced by the Turkomen stallion. They’d managed to get their hands on half a dozen or so mares over the next few days and the results were in the top paddock. They couldn’t be documented of course but that didn’t stop them from being top notch. That evening at dinner Meredith looked down her nose at him. She wanted to do the season and shine in London but unfortunately the estate needed time and money to sort it out and she wasn’t at all happy that Jonas could be there when she wasn’t. “I invited my great Aunt to visit us for a month or two and she’s bringing with her two of my unmarried cousins.” You could feel the servants freeze at the news, on the last visit she’d caught a maid reading a novel and had her fired before she got ideas above her station. Jonas managed to keep his social mask in place. “How delightful for you.” “Eve has a good dowery and an interest in horses so you should have plenty in common. Thinking of which we must get you a proper valet.” The room suddenly felt rather chill to Jonas, “How are the plans to drain the lower meadow coming on?” he addressed his brother and the conversation took a different turn.

The next morning he slipped into the housekeeper’s room. “So when does the old tartar arrive?” The housekeeper didn’t begin to misunderstand him. “Next week and I really don’t know what I’m going to do. I hear that that young Toby will be coming as well. Last time he managed to put two of my maids with child so that means the two youngest will have to go before he arrives and then there’s Clare of course.” “Why Clare?” Well once the dowager picks up she’s illegitimate she won’t rest until she’s given the sack, and Toby of course will think she’s fair game.” “I see what you mean. Is there someone who could spirit them away?” “I’m racking my brains at the moment.” Clare had lived with her mother in a small cottage on a pension that had ended when Clare’s mother had died. She was well educated, her mother had been a governess and had spent two years with the estate steward learning how to keep the double entry estate books. Unfortunately the estate steward had dared to suggest that Meredith’s plan to improve the house by bringing a fashionable landscaper should be deferred until more funds were available. He’d been dismissed and an estate steward with more more flexible views and who had no time for double enter booking keeping appointed, he’d suggested a second mortgage to accommodate her ladyship. Clare didn’t like the man and had moved into the house were she kept the books for the housekeeper and acted as her second in command.

Jonas drifted out to the stables where the head groom was looking despondent. “What’s up.” “The damn dowager of course. She’ll be arriving with carriages, carriage horses, and riding horses no doubt and I’ve no staff at present and not that much room in the carriage house. If she catches sight of your two female grooms I’ll be lucky to be sacked with a reference. No chance of you disappearing hunting somewhere and taking your hunters off with you I suppose?” “Now that’s an idea. Let me go and talk to the girls.” He walked up to the far paddock and found the girls grooming his hunters. “I’ve a neglected hunting box that might serve as somewhere to hide whilst the dowager is here are you happy to bring the hunters?” “All of them or just your half dozen?” “We’d prefer not to leave Sweet Pea or Tang behind.” “Perhaps we could buy them with our back wages?” “You mean own our own horses, they’re expensive to feed.” “Well we can’t leave them behind.” “Let me think about it.” He daren’t admit he had enough money to buy them but the idea made sense, the hunting lodge was close to at least one hunt and where the hunt was there would be people wanting to buy hunters.

He walked back to speak with Mrs. Leith and was fortunate to see her in the still room with Clare. “I’m thinking of moving my hunters down to a hunting box I won in a card game. I’m told its been neglected so I could do with some help to clean it up.” “What’s it like?” “I’ve never laid eyes on it.” “Well working for an unmarried man won’t do my reputation any good but by the time Toby’s finished with me I won’t have any left anyway. Shall we take the two younger maids with us?” Jonas hadn’t thought ahead that far. “Well if they can ride I suppose so.” “You’re taking your grooms with you?” He nodded. “We’ll need some sort of wagon.” “Well Isabel wants to buy the two younger horses so she could buy a wagon at the same time?” Clare nodded “I’ll get you my purse then you can bankroll her.”

Isabel stood clutching the purse that Clare had handed her and spoke to the head groom. “I’d like to buy Sweet Pea, Tang and Cole please. I have money.” Ralph looked at them, “I’ll need to speak to his Lordship. Wait here.” He returned with Lord Frowen who didn’t recognise Isabel as being a member of his household. “Do you think you can afford these?” “I hope so.” “I’ll just show you his paces then shall I?” He had Sweet Pea saddled and swung himself up. Emily quietly gave a small hand signal to Sweet Pea who reared up and deposited Lord Frowen on the ground. “Ralph haven’t these horses been gentled yet?” “We’re short staffed sir with one thing and another but I’m sure as soon as things settle down and we find two or three replacement grooms we’ll sort them out.” “Would ten pounds each be acceptable?” Lord Frowen knew they would have to make room in the stabling shortly and Cole was getting on so nodded. “And I’m interested in the wagon I can see in the coach house.” It was an elderly one that would soon be passed on to one of the farms. “Would ten pounds be acceptable?” “Fifteen” he growled. Isabel looked for Ralph’s approval then nodded and started to count coins out to Ralph’s open hand.

They harnessed Cole and Tang to the wagon, Tang was a bit nervous but settled down when he saw how calm Cole was, and Emily led them down the drive. Isabel followed leading Sweet Pea. Once they got round the bend Jonas, Clare, together with Rose and Helen were waiting for them. “Why didn’t you just drive them?” “I’ve never driven a wagon and although Ralph reckoned Cole would calm Tang down I weren’t taking no chances. We spent forty five quid of someone’s money so I’m mixed up if we own the horses or not.” “Let’s say you own Sweet Pea and Tang and with a bit of luck we should be able to sell them for a good profit once we reach the hunting box.” Jonas lifted up the sacks that Clare had purchased from the estate steward and the bags of his and the maids’ clothing they had carried down earlier onto the wagon bed and the little procession of the wagon followed by the two grooms leading a two or three hunters each set off to the hunting box. They slowly passed a long wagon on the second day of travel, with its four pairs of horses and enormously wide wheels. They waved to the passengers as they overtook them. In turn they were overtaken by a stage coach which could change its horses for each stage. “Now that’s the way to travel.” said Helen enviously. “But a long wagon is so much cheaper.” Mentioned the ever practical Rose. “Oh no I think private chaise with your own cattle along the road would be my choice if money was no object.” Added Clare.

They finally arrived tired and hungry in the afternoon of the third day. Jonas was sulking as Clare had dared to ask the way twice, and kissed him on the cheek after calling him grumpy, he was quite positive he could have found it by himself. His man of affairs came to greet them as they eventually rolled up at the hunting box which was larger than Clare had imagined when it was first described to her. “I’ve followed your instructions sir and made a number of improvements. You’ll see the results in increased rents in a year or two, I think you’ll see three thousand a year in rents in a year or two.” “How are you finding the country?” “Well the wife complains that the shops aren’t nearly as good but on the other hand she thinks its much better for the children so on the whole we’re well satisfied though I must confess I miss the intellectual challenge of a larger more complex estate. Now can we feed you all this evening and you can get yourselves sorted out tomorrow?” “Just the ticket but we’d like to look over the hunting box first.” Jonas agreed and Clare added they’d brought some clover and other seed from the estate that was surplus to requirements with the new seed drills that required less seed.

Clare looked round the kitchen, “I think you’ll find everything is still here. Lord Glover employed a French chef who was very insistent on having the latest ovens and such.” Clare dug in the cupboards and pulled out copper pans for inspection. “He didn’t skimp himself did he?” “No Miss the china is in the next cupboard.” Upstairs Jonas looked at the half dozen guest bedrooms, even he could see they needed a good spring clean, well he wasn’t expecting any guests so they might as well have one each rather than use the attics which would be far too warm in the summer. Emily and Isabel were well pleased with the stables. Separate loose boxes for each of their hunters, there was even a sack or two of oats for the horses left in the store and an outside paddock that once it had had a rail or two repaired should serve fine. They even found a light two wheeled carriage hidden away under some sacking.

After dinner Clare took charge and asked Jonas if funds to get some temporary help in from the village to spring clean would be a problem. She was given the go ahead and within a week the house shone from top to bottom. Mr. Grimshaw presented his books to Jonas, but it was Clare who seemed to grasp what the numbers meant and explained them and how to audit them to Jonas. “So Grimshaw since you’ve kept such good books perhaps you might like to invest some of my funds I have on deposit for me. Conservative investments please rather than speculative ones, I still have some funds left from my London season. Oh and can you let it be known locally I’m a younger son without expectations who just happened to win the hunting box in a game of cards. That should imply I gamble so with any luck I won’t be descended on by parents of unmarried daughters.” Helen turned out to be an excellent cook, well certainly for the simple food that Jonas preferred. He could picture himself living out an idyllic life here away from the pressures of London, the estate and Meredith’s interference with his life. He wrote a note to Daniel warning him he’d slipped away from the estate to his hunting box. He thought it sounded rather grand, oh yes my hunting box.

Daniel turned up a fortnight later and was invited to stay. Daniel, himself and the two grooms had settled in to a routine of exercising the hunters in the cool of the morning whilst Clare and the two maids worked in the house. Though being summer that meant at least there were no fires to be laid and lit other that the kitchen range. They’d have lunch together then had dropped into the habit of sitting outdoors after lunch. Rose and Helen flirted outrageously with Daniel and even Clare took to trying to land petals on the end of Jonas’s nose. Isabel was complaining about the heat so Emily put down the lute she’d been strumming and suggested going for a swim in the lake. “But I can’t swim.” “So I’ll teach you.” Daniel looked at Emily and Rose “Can you swim?” Both shook their heads “I’d better teach you then hadn’t I?” Rose and Helen looked at each other, neither was enthralled by the idea but on the other hand neither wanted the other to have all the attention. Daniel took them by the hand and led them off down to the lake. Clare looked down at Jonas “Can you swim?” “Well not exactly.” “How much not exactly?” “I went paddling in the sea once at Brighton.” “How decadent.” “As decadent as swimming in the lake with no clothes on?” “It can save your life.” Clare disappeared inside the house and came back with pile of towels and shooed Jonas towards the lake. Jonas and Daniel were prevailed upon to turn their backs whilst the girls got undressed and into the water.

Three weeks of swimming lessons followed, the girls grew more accustomed to be dripping wet and naked in front of the boys. Well as Helen said after Daniel had been holding you up in the water by supporting your breasts with one hand and your crotch with the other there wasn’t much left to be modest about anyway. Clare didn’t support Jonas in quite the same way but she encouraged him and when he finally managed to swim a dozen strokes towards her as she walked backwards she rewarded him with a single lingering kiss. “Do I get one every time I manage a dozen strokes?” he asked. Clare put her tongue out in answer. With the start of the grouse season Daniel took himself off to visit friends who were hosting a shooting party.

“Have you been round to all your tenants yet and shown an interest in them?” asked Clare one morning knowing the answer full well was he hadn’t. “Grimshaw can look after them can’t he?” “But its not the same as if you do it yourself. I could ask Isabel to saddle a horse for you?” “Get her to saddle two, if I’m going then you’re coming with me.” Clare did as she was asked borrowing one of Emily’s divided skirts. The tenants seemed to be aware that Jonas had little agricultural expertise and were quite content to show him various aspects of their farms. Clare spoke to the women and heard their concerns, there were a number of small things that could be done that might make a difference to their lives. Not least was the digging of a new deeper well closer to the cluster of houses that wouldn’t run dry in the summer as the old one did necessitating a fairly long walk to the next deeper well. She saw that all the houses that didn’t have them were equipped with large rain barrels to catch rain water off the rooves.

It was the Wednesday after the last new rain barrel had been put in place and the gods had decided to be kind and fill them all to the brim. They were sat in the kitchen after eating lunch looking at the gloomy weather. “I wanted to race the horses this afternoon.” Isabel muttered into the dark kitchen. “I think there’s a pair in the games room?” Interjected Rose. “Are you sure its not just a billiard table?” “No there’s a few dust sheets around but I don’t remember no billiard table.” They got up to investigate the games room. Rose pulled back the dust sheets to reveal a set of stocks and two rocking horses with pegs where you might expect a rider to sit in the saddle. “They’re a bit big for children and why would they have a peg in the centre of the saddle?” Remarked Jonas. Helen blushed furiously, “They ain’t for children I heard about them sort before, my sister said they sat her on top and rocked her back and forth.” “I can’t imagine why anyone would want a dry bit of wood stuck up them.” “There’s a bottle of lubri something here.” Blurted out Rose waving a bottle she’d found in a cupboard in the dresser. “Well Isabel it looks as if your dream of a race this afternoon has come true.” “You’re joking that thing up my fanny no way.” Jonas reached up and pulled down her drawers then lifted her onto the lubricated peg. He turned to Emily “You next.” Emily looked at him then as gracefully as she could she pulled down her own drawers and stepped into the stirrup and lowered herself slowly onto the peg. “I think they would be better without their dresses on in case they catch or something.” Added Clare thinking only of the work that had gone into the hand sewing of the dresses. Jonas undid the ribbons on Isabel’s dress and lifted it off her over her head. She sat their silently with her arms clasped over her bosoms. Jonas gave her a kiss on the lips and patted her behind gently then he did the same to Emily. “Right Rose you rock Isabel’s horse and Helen you rock Emily’s. A crown to the person rocking the horse on who ever comes first and a crown to the jockey who comes last.” Clare looked at him with respect. Helen and Rose pushed hard but the two jockeys tried to remain unaffected as the rocking horses with their pegs sticking up brushed against their tender parts. Helen was the first to realise that she could rock the horse with one hand and grope her jockey with the other at the same time. Rose looked round and saw bunch of twigs that had been tied together in the shape of a small broom lying in the cupboard. She picked them up and lightly tapped Emily’s behind with them. Emily and Isabel were both starting to moan. Rose had picked up a riding crop and was using it gently on Isabel’s bum.

Jonas pulled Clare onto his lap and kissed her on the lips letting his hands roam over her body as he watched the rocking horses rock back and forth, both Emily and Isabel were flushing a beautiful shade of deep pink. Emily cried out and they watched her body shudder. “Well there no doubt as to who came first.” remarked Clare, Isabel came shortly afterwards. Rose looked round and lifted the arm on the stocks. “What’s this for?” Helen had delved in the cupboard where she had seen the riding crop, “Well according to the diagram you put a maid in it then cut off her dress whilst she is helpless.” “Clare’s turn.” Remarked Emily and Isabel together. “You’re not cutting off my dress!” Clare blurted out “Not after all the time it took to make.” “Well we’d better take it off you first then.” murmured Jonas quietly. Following a small struggle Clare found herself naked in the stocks. Helen held up a sheet of instructions. “There are supposed to be straps for her ankles that stop her putting her legs together and some sort of pulley and strap system to hold her tummy in the air.” Emily helpfully found the rope that lowered the belt to go round her tummy. Clare felt rather helpless and very exposed by this time. She felt even more exposed when Rose pulled two benches out from the wall and placed them at an angle. “Now if you’d like to lie back on the benches and it says here suckle her tits.” Isabel and Emily looked at each other then lay down head back on the benches. “Well her nipples are sticking out more now you’ve sucked on them.” Critiqued Rose, “Could you rub the back of her neck and shoulders sir? There’s a bottle of lotion here.” Clare didn’t think she could be more embarrassed with the way her body was responding to the stimulations.

“Why would any one want to put a string of beads up their rude bits?” Helen asked Rose whilst she looked at the diagram in front of her whilst holding the string of beads. “Dunno but let’s see what happens if we feed them in one at a time.” Helen slipped her finger in between Clare’s thighs then higher where she found Clare was very moist. She daringly slipped her finger in then pulled it out and fed in the first bead. Clare gave a small moan, the rest of the string followed one at a time until the entire string was hidden inside and only trace was a bit of string sticking out. Rose interrupted Jonas, “Would you like to gently pull on a bit of string for me?” Jonas willingly obliged and was surprised when the first wooden bead popped out, Clare moaned more as each bead was teased out. He was even more surprised when he saw just how many wooden beads Clare had had stuffed inside her. Rose pulled up another bench “Just lie down on your back then you can lick the hairy bit between her legs.” Jonas looked on doubtfully but tried anyway. Clare was very responsive to his tongue. Helen undid his trousers and gave his hardening rod a gentle rub. “I think she’s ready for you now.” Jonas wasn’t thinking straight but knew he wanted release and Helen stood him up then guided him into Clare’s waiting pussy.

Emily stood up and released Clare from the stocks. Unsteady on her feet she curled up in Jonas’s lap. Isabel had picked up a length of rope that had knots tied in it. “I think its time Helen and Rose walked the rope.” Isabel tied one end to a bracket in the wall about waist height then after blindfolding Helen stood her over the soft rope and lifted it up between her legs. “Now walk the length of the room.” The first knot wasn’t too bad, but then Emily started to pull the rope between her legs and up behind her whilst Isabel unspooled more rope and held it up in front of her. Clare guided the trembling Helen to Jonas’s lap where he held her safe in his arms whilst she recovered as he watched Rose’s every step.

Jonas found himself escorting his female staff to the nearest town to stock up on essential supplies. Clare looked longingly at the material in the draper’s shop and was undecided whether to choose the more practical material over the other which she felt would look more elegant. Jonas took the typical male attitude of “Why don’t I buy you both?” “Because the others would feel slighted?” He looked round to find the other four maids studiously not looking at the bales of material. “Well three dress lengths each won’t kill me.” Five pairs of eyes widened at this remark. “Any?” He gave them a budget and mentioned he’d take a walk down to the blacksmith to look at the latest ideas in ploughs. An hour later he walked back and found them almost ready to choose. They wanted some plain cotton for undergarments and petticoats were debating just how much they could afford. Jonas asked the price of a full roll of fifty yards of Manchester white cotton and nodded at the answer. He took out his purse and Clare deftly told the the shopkeeper how much of each length they required then added some shirting for new shirts for Jonas.

That evening the girls were sat round sewing their new material up. Jonas asked what was the hurry and got told that they wanted to look their best at the upcoming Harvest Festival dance. He may not have noticed but wars tended to reduce the number of men around and they intended to dance every dance they could. “Are we going to the Harvest Festival dance?” he asked innocently. The chatter ceased as silence descended on the room. Rose walked over to him and knelt before him unbuttoning his flies. She stroked his hardening rod and ran her thumb very gently over the top until it started to lubricate when she paused. “We are going to the Harvest Festival aren’t we?” Jonas only had to think for a second or two before agreeing and Rose gently continuing her ministrations. “Next time you could just try grabbing his balls.” Muttered Helen. “Are these the two innocents to be protected from Toby?” He asked. “The difference is we don’t like Toby, I think we like you when you’re being nice.” Replied Clare.

They took the wagon to the Harvest Festival dance with Clare besides him on the driving bench and the four girls sat on two benches on the back excitedly chattering away. When they arrived Jonas was startled to see an overdressed young lady with her mother start towards him with a gleam in her eye as if he was a juicy steak to be gobbled up. He grabbed Isabel’s hand and led her out onto the dance floor were a longways set was forming. At the end of the dance Isabel was shyly approached by a young man for the next dance and Emily stood expectantly in front of him. At the end of the second dance he started to lead Emily back to Clare when Emily was approached for the next dance. He glanced round and flicked his eyes to Clare asking her for the next dance as the overdressed young lady’s mama stepped towards him. Clare grinned at his discomfort but rescued him anyway. “We did warn you there might be a shortage of men with the battles going on.” “You’re to stick close to me for my protection and that young lady is an order.” “Yes sir, but since I wish to dance every dance that means you’ll need to dance with me all evening.” Jonas just looked at her and Clare smiled back and gave him her innocent look.

“Who is the young girl in the blue dress over there that my son is dancing with?” Clare turned to see an interested parent. “Emily, she’s one of Mr. Kitteridge’s servants.” “A servant, oh well I was hoping she might be someone with a little money. My husband and son are after a new seed drill.” “She has a dowery I believe.” “As a servant five or ten pounds saved if she’s lucky.” Jonas came back carrying two glasses of cider. “Jonas how much is Emily’s dot?” “Same as Isabel’s about a hundred and fifty guineas each. I’ll be able to give a more exact figure sometime in November they have a couple of investments that mature about then.” The matron’s face brightened up “Poor child, new to the district we’d best have her over to tea on Sunday.” “Isabel is the one with the pale green dress by her side.” “Clare why are you and the other girls getting such glares from that group over there?” “Well we’re better dressed than they are for a start.” He looked at her, “You danced with Emily and Isabel.” “So?” “When the males saw you dancing with them they decided to ask them to dance themselves which meant they didn’t ask the village girls first so their nose is out of joint.” “Should I dance with Rose and Helen as well?” “No they’re younger and are with the younger crowd but it would be tactful to dance with the shy looking young girl in the cream dress in the corner.”

Mr. Grimshaw and his wife approached. “Getting to meet the local farmers?” He queried. “Who was she then?” “Nelly? One of the more prosperous farmer’s wives. They have just the one son.” He mentioned as their eyes followed Emily and her partner as they looked alone in the middle of the dance floor. “Would you like to be introduced to any of your neighbours such as Mrs. Highsmith, her niece, and her granddaughter?” They both watched as Nelly spoke to another matron “Ophelia another prosperous farmer’s wife with just the one lad left after the war. He’s been making sheep’s eyes at your Isabel most of the evening. Mrs. Highsmith though is a widow whose husband was in trade her granddaughter is a bit pushy but since you don’t have a title you’re safe. I must confess I like her.” “Let’s go and meet her then.”

“Mr. Kitteridge I’m delighted to meet you. Well more than delighted to tell the truth Matilda, my granddaughter, has set her heart on a title so I was a little afraid when I heard the hunting box was occupied once more. She’s young yet, sixteen going on twenty seven, she’s her father’s fortune and is determined on having a brilliant season next year.” “But what of your niece madam?” “Sophie takes after her father and is much more practical if you know what I mean. She’s a year older than Matilda and has never given me a moment’s worry. She’ll share her cousin’s season but I doubt if she’ll worry if she doesn’t find her ideal mate in London. I wonder what Matilda is up to now she’s far too quiet. Still Miss Wade does a wonderful job of keeping her under control. She’s one of Matilda’s teachers from school, it’s wonderful to have her but her guardian insisted that since she seems to be the only person that Matilda shows the slightest sign of obeying that she be employed as her chaperon.” They turned to nod to Miss Wade who smiled at them then her attention was grabbed by the sight of Matilda slipping off into the garden. “Oh dear.” They heard her soft voice say, then she turned to a group of rather over heated young ladies and suggested “Why don’t we have a delightful step onto the terrace to cool down.” The young ladies blinked for a moment to step out onto the terrace was rather daring but if Miss Wade sanctioned it it must be acceptable. Clare guided Jonas out onto the terrace with the others and by questioning what the local hunting was like managed to engage the squire’s son in a conversation with Jonas much to the dismay of Matilda who’d thought to entice him into kissing her. Miss Wade managed to scoop up a disgruntled Matilda with the other girls when they had cooled off for a few moments and very few noticed that Matilda had slipped outside moments after the squire’s eldest son.

Clare managed a few words with her back in the ball room. “How do you manage?” She asked enquiringly. “I remember the ridiculously high salary I’m being paid to keep her out of trouble. Last time I spoke to her guardian about finding someone else he simply tripled my pay. Next year she’ll be someone else’s problem for the season. No for the moment I just have to remind her that any one less than an earl is below her notice.”

Later in the evening after Clare noticed Matilda give a few coins to the band the band struck up a daring waltz and Matilda stepped on to the floor on the arm of a very nervous squire’s son and they started to awkwardly waltz neither being very good at the steps. Miss Wade looked imploringly at Jonas who looked down at Clare “I think we’d better join them to stop them looking quite so much of a spectacular.” “I can’t waltz.” “Relax you can do this. It’s just a one two three step.” He stepped onto the dance floor and they started to dance. Jonas knew the steps very well and soon he had relaxed his partner enough that she felt as if she was floating on air as she followed his lead. Mr. and Mrs. Grimshaw having lived in London and having danced it once or twice before followed them onto the floor and in no time Matilda’s daring dance become almost acceptable behaviour.

He exercised his hunters and by the time the hunting season had arrived in the fall he thought both he and the horses were were well prepared to show them at their best. He took care to mount himself on the slowest first and managed to sell it to another huntsman for two hundred guineas which as it was Isabel’s Sweet Pea reconciled her to her loss. Tang went next and then he started on his own horses. One of the huntsmen asked him how many more he had so he replied another five. He sold all six together for nineteen hundred guineas.

“You remember that night in the games room?” How could he ever forget it? “Well I’m in the family way.” “Best have the banns read then hadn’t we since I haven’t the money to waste on a special license.” He smiled at her then kissed her.

After the quiet wedding Clare mentioned “Shouldn’t we let your family know we’re married?” Jonas looked up from his week old paper. “Lord I’d forgotten to write or put in an announcement in the paper, no wonder they didn’t come to the wedding. I’ll write it now.” Married 17th June Jonas Kitteridge younger son of the late Lord Frowen...

Lord Frowen came storming through the front door. “I’ve just read the announcement in the paper that you’re married.” “And you’ve come to congratulate us?” “No to confirm if it was true. I told you you needed to marry money but no you go and marry an illegitimate tart just to spite us. Meredith is besides herself with fury. Well I’ll cut off your allowance and you are no longer welcome at home.” With these remarks Lord Frowen turned on his heel and strode out of the house.

“Does your allowance matter that much?” “We’ll have maybe £2,000 a year off the estate, to do the season we’d need 5 or perhaps £6,000 but we can live quite nicely on the estate.” “But if we wanted to do the season couldn’t we just sell some copper?” “I don’t understand.” “Oh when we were out on the estate on the hill that nothing much grows on I some some outcrops with a blue green sort of colour which I’m sure is copper ore. My uncle who is a miner could probably help.” “Is it worth much?” “Well the mine that my uncle works on returns £150,000 a year to its owner and I think yours is a similar size.” “Oh dear that will upset brother Ralph, the total income from the family estate is only £12,000 a year and that’s after enclosure and improvements.” He kissed her on the lips, “Well you’re not a heiress but somehow I think we’ll manage.”

There was a knock at the door and there stood holding his hat was a clerk. “Mrs. Clare Kitteridge?” “Yes what can I do for you?” “I’m Mr. Roper of Durant, Durant, and Withersfield. I’m sorry to say we lost track of you when your mother died.” “You’d best come in.” Clare led the way to the drawing room and sat down expectantly. “Take a seat.” Rose popped her head round the door, “Tea for three?” Clare nodded. “Now then what’s this all about?” “This is your husband I assume?” “Yes.” “Does he have a man of business?” “Yes, I’ll get Rose to fetch him shall I?” Mr. Roper nodded nervously. “First I have an apology to make, when your mother died you should have been given your own allowance of a thousand a year. Unfortunately I was tied up with some other business and the underling who was sent to investigate when your mother’s quarterly pension was returned because she’d died lost track of you. Not realising your mother was still living under her maiden name.” “What other name would she have been living under?” “Did she ever talk to you about your father?” “No other than he was of the nobility and I was conceived out of wedlock.” “A bit of history first I think. Your father’s first wife died in childbirth giving birth to your stepbrother. Your mother was his governess. When she found herself increasing she left the estate whilst your father was in London and I had quite a time tracking her down. Shortly before you were born your father and mother were married at your home by special license and by your father’s chaplain. I was a witness at the wedding. Your mother knowing the ton thought that if she lived with your father the ton would shun her for being his governess first. She was persuaded to accept a pension though. So when the underling went looking for Lady Daykin’s daughter and no one knew who Lady Daykin was.” “You mean I’m legitimate?” “Most certainly. Now I have here a cheque for the period between your mother dying and your father dying when your allowance was terminated of course.” Jonas interrupted “But why was her allowance terminated on her father’s death?” “More sad news I’m afraid. Your step brother died of fever in the army in Spain a few months before the earl. Now before going to Spain he and the earl broke the entail so they could sell some land and invest in a canal scheme.” He looked up and recognised Mr. Grimshaw, “Hello Lance, I thought you’d turn up sometime.” “But how does the entail affect me?” “In his will the earl left the residue of the estate to be divided up between his children. His son was to get the greater portion but since he is no longer living it all comes to you. The title of course has gone to a second cousin but without any land or monies.” Mr. Grimshaw spoke, “Why not give her the round figure of her income and what assets she has?” “Well in round figures there is an annual income of some twenty seven thousand a year, three estates, and of course the town house in Grosvenor square.” “Oh dear I think Meredith will be even more livid when she finds out, still it should keep Grimshaw occupied.”