A Compromising Situation 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. ©2016 Asstr.org accepts donations if you’re feeling rich or even if you’re not.

Luv Karen

“Milly, the big house is looking for staff.” Fourteen-year-old Milly thought about working outdoors on the farm in winter or inside the big warm house for a whole second before deciding where her future lay. “Best go and see if they'll hire me then.”

As a between maid any ideas of coming face to face with the family were quickly dismissed. Her duties were serving in the servants' hall and any other work that the cook, butler and housekeeper could dream up. Fortunately these three got on fairly well but Mary, one of the other, more experienced maids, told stories of working where she was forever getting in to trouble with the housekeeper for doing the butler's work first, or the butler if she did the cook's or housekeeper's work first. Serving in the servant's hall wasn't too bad she got to eat her meals afterwards in the kitchen and besides she didn't have to eat quickly as the servants did, since they were forbidden to carry on eating once the butler had finished. They used to call him God behind his back.

“Right now upstairs is giving a house party for a month in a week's time. Some guests are more important than others, there is a list of guest names up on the wall, their importance is denoted by the order, priority is to be given to the guests in descending order, or to put it another way the ones at the top get their chocolate in bed before the others.”

If she thought she was worked hard before it was nothing compared to the effort that had to be put into making the house ready for the guests, it had to sparkle. She was given a list of which bedrooms she was to sleep in to air dampness from the sheets and bed. Afternoons off were a luxury that no longer existed. “You can have time off after the house party.” Then the first guests arrived. Miss Elinor Beverly might look divine but if there were no male guests to admire her that was not at all to her taste. Neither was her room, the bed, the wardrobe, nor her morning chocolate. Still Milly got her first taste of chocolate as she carried the unwanted cup back down to the kitchen. She improved after a few minor males arrived to pay her court but with her personal maid reviewing the guest list on the wall she knew exactly whom she wanted to pay court to her, the only name above hers on the list. The elusive Lord Saye, just back from Spain, no one really knew him, a hunting accident followed by an outbreak of fever had made him the new Baron quite unexpectedly and with all those younger sons who could be disregarded eligible titles were rare this season whilst Miss Elinor Beverly was looking her best and she meant to catch this one before the rest of the ton uncovered him. 

There was an air of excitement about the house party as if something was about to happen. There were three London gossips for a start who were busy trying to set up a spy network. Sonia gratefully accepted their pourboires but she couldn't quite work out what they were after.

Milly asked Miss Beverly's maid how she put up with her when she came down to do some ironing. “I just think of the money I'm being paid and there is a certain amount of status in being her maid but even I wonder if Miss Perfection is worth it sometimes.”

Milly had been replacing the flowers in Miss Perfection's room to something better suited in colour to match her morning gown. The gardeners had offered up a bunch of dandelions when asked what colour her frock was that morning. Milly had barely kept a straight face and reminded them who would get blamed. “Well miss I suppose if you put it that way since she's already thrown two vases across the room and we don't have quite that number in stock it had better be summat else I suppose, in one of the cheaper vases though. Alf go and cut some yellow roses but from the back of the plants so we still have a display from the path.” She was taking discreet short cut across the back of the hall when Lord Saye arrived, looking rather dust and mud splattered. Oh well at least she wasn't his valet.

“I'm MacGregor, my lord, if you require anything during your stay you have only to mention it to me.” Lord Saye looked down at his clothing “Well I haven't got round to hiring a valet yet so if you could spare a member of staff to tidy my clothes up?” He glanced towards Milly and MacGregor's eyebrow lifted. “As you wish my lord.” He looked directly at Milly, “Seabrook you're assigned to assist Lord Saye forthwith. Take his bags up to the Ambleside room.” Milly nearly fainted, God knew her name? She curtseyed to them both and took Lord Saye's bag before leading him off upstairs.

She led him to a pleasant room with a view across the park and the lake. “Very nice.” He remarked, “The best guest room.” She replied with pride before realising she'd spoken to one of the guests without being asked a direct question. “Beg pardon for speaking my Lord.” “No don't, not when we're alone and no I don't want a young maid to bed. You just looked normal and I'm tired of having footmen look down their noses at me.” She had a sudden thought and was but reluctant to voice it. He seemed to read her mind. “Yes I do have formal wear somewhere in the bag, carefully packed so it shouldn't be too creased.” “Well if I'm allowed to speak, I suggest a relaxing bath whilst I unpack and brush your clothes?” He nodded his agreement and she dashed off well as fast as she could go without actually running to organise things.

After he'd bathed and changed she suggested he had a lie down before dressing for dinner, that way she could grab a bite to eat. When she got downstairs, she was redirected from the kitchen to the servant hall by the cook. “As the most important guest's servant you'll take your place at table opposite Mr. MacGregor.” She announced quite clearly as they stepped through the door. “Isn't that right Mr. MacGregor?” Mr. MacGregor nodded his agreement, “Just as long as she is assigned to Lord Saye. Now would you care for some breast of chicken or some darker meat from the leg?” Molly motioned towards the breast, she didn't think eating a leg with her fingers was quite what God would expect. She slipped into the dinning room and tweaked the seating arrangement placing her Lord by the side of one of the lessor young ladies who was brighter and more polite to the servants than his original dinner partner.

After eating she returned to Lord Saye who was getting ready to go downstairs for dinner. “Will I do?” She turned her nose up and stepped up to him adjusting his white bow tie. It felt remarkably intimate, “You'll do now. I understand Miss Elinor Beverly will be expecting you to pay homage, my lord.” “From the tone of your voice she is someone I should avoid?” “She can be very exacting at times.” “Forewarned is forearmed. Thank you Milly, and since I'm growing tired of my lord you have my permission to address me as Philip in private.”

Milly looked round the room. The rug in front of the fireplace looked nice and thick and soft. She'd fetch a couple of blankets and a pillow and sleep in front of the fire tonight, handy if he needed anything in the night. She folded the blankets so one was underneath and the other she pinned with two blanket pins so she could snuggle down into it. There everything done, all she had to do was wait until his lordship came up after dinner. She felt tired since she'd been on her feet since daybreak. She wondered what the feather mattress of the best guest bed felt like. She'd just lie down for a moment. A moment later as her head hit the pillow she fell asleep under the covers.

She was awakened by an exploring hand that covered her breast, followed by a very loud scream. She opened her eyes to find Miss Elinor Beverly in her night attire sitting up in the bed and screaming her head off. The bedroom door flew open and in dashed her mother followed by the three London gossips. “My poor darling what has he done to you?” Milly quickly realised that is was an attempt to compromise her Lord, well she wasn't having any of that, she'd be dismissed now no matter what happened. She lent over and kissed Elinor on the lips, sliding her tongue in between Elinor's lips, well Mary had mentioned it. Elinor was kissing her back when the enormity of what she was doing and who she was doing it with hit her and she broke away to start screaming once again. Lord Saye came through the door and witnessed the kiss. “My dear Miss Beverly no one mentioned we were to exchange rooms. I do apologise for intruding on you like this. No no stay tucked up in bed, I recollect I have an urgent appointment that necessitates my leaving within the hour. Seabrook pack my clothes for me please.” He turned to MacGregor who was looking daggers at Milly, “Notify my groom I'll want my carriage round as soon as maybe. I assume you'll be dismissing Seabrook since she was found in bed with a guest?” At Lady Crosthwaite's nod he turned once again to Milly “Since I appear to be in some small way responsible for your dismissal by not informing you of the change of rooms with Miss Beverly I feel obligated to offer you employment. So stay by my carriage when you deliver my bags to it.” Miss Beverly wailed, it was all a mistake. Her mother tried to get Lord Saye to admit an assignation had been arranged but he turned and walked out of the room. She turned to MacGregor desperately “The servants won't talk will they?” “I'm afraid madam that whilst I have every confidence our own servants there are other servants here for the house party and if only one of them was the least bit indiscreet there will be talk.” Privately he thought after the demands that Miss Beverly had placed upon them. The servants would be shouting the news from the top of the roof.

Milly and Lord Saye harnessed up the carriage with the willing help of the grooms but Tom had disappeared. Milly had a thought and found him with his head between Marg's thighs. She knocked loudly on the door “You're wanted in the stables at the double.” “What on earth?” “Lord Saye has the horses harnessed to the carriage and all it needs is you before he leaves and he mentioned he wasn't too particular about waiting for you.” “Bloody hell! I'm coming.”

Tom clambered on to the phaeton, “It's the middle of the night and you're still in evening dress, what are we doing eloping with a maid to Gretna Green? If we are then you could have picked a better night, there's no moon and it's cloudy, once we get to the end of the drive we're going nowhere.” “Miss Elinor Beverly was found in my bed before I retired so I thought it best to leave.” “Christ that cow for a mistress, we've been through thick and thin together but I'd draw the line there.” “Precisely.” “I'd just found the nicest little maid and got her all warmed up. She was so pretty, and innocent, you know she told me she'd never been kissed. I can't think what the locals were thinking about.” “Perhaps her dad being the local blacksmith and her having two over protective brothers?” “Bloody hell, she didn't mention that at all. Can't you go any faster?”

They reached the end of the drive easily the white painted posts reflecting the lights from the house but beyond was pitch black. Philip handed Milly a lantern, “You know the road so if you were to lead the way by walking in the middle of the road we could follow you.” “It's five miles to the nearest inn.” “Tom and I are old campaigners, we've slept under a hedge before now but these delicate creatures need either a paddock or a barn for the night.” “There's a farm a mile up the road, if you've money in your pocket he'll open up his barn.” “Lead on.” Tom came and sat on the front bench still grumbling about life in general but keeping an eye out on the road for potholes and such, even though the large diameter wheels smoothed the rough lane surface somewhat.

Milly went round to the kitchen door and knocked loudly. A window opened above and a voice drifted down “Who's there at this time of night?” “It's me Mr. Craythorne, Milly, I've a gent with me who'd like to hire a bit of room in your barn for his team tonight. He's plenty of brass.” The window slammed shut and then the kitchen door was opened. “Step inside young Milly and bring your young man in.” Philip stepped in, in full evening dress. Mrs. Craythorne had sneaked down the stairs “Mercy me Milly are you running away with one of Lady Piper's house guests?” “Not quite, but well I suppose you could say that.” “Hang on a jiffy whilst I put the kettle on. Father you'd better get this young man's cattle put in the barn.” When Tom and Mr. Craythorne had returned and each been given a hot mug of tea Milly told her tale. “Good grief, I'll just write this all down in a letter and send it to my sister in London town. Her mistress will be well pleased to hear the gossip first. We'll send young Cyril off at daybreak to meet the mail coach at the crossroads. Well who would have believed it, though some of the stories coming from the stables about the grooms having to take the edge off a horse before madam went riding and only getting to hear which horse an hour before when she picked out her riding habit for the day. Oh well, I'd like to offer you a bed but other than throwing my son and daughter out of their's, I've nothing to offer you.” “That's fine, we'll curl up on the kitchen rug, we've had worse beds in Spain.” “Ah in Spain were you?” “Now then you've to get up at the crack of dawn and so will these three or Lord Piper will be after us for aiding and abetting so off back to bed with you and no gossiping all night.”

As they went past Oak field they paused whilst Molly ran over and bid goodbye to her dad as he was working in the field.

There was a loud toot of a horn and a light carriage with a six horse team dashed past them as they pulled over to the side of the road. “Tom who was that foolishly dashing along at full speed? Anyone would think they were eloping.” “The Earl of Rosslyn's driver but why would he be eloping? No it’s some sort of bet I reckon though he's not a betting man I'd heard.” Two miles on they rounded a corner only to be pulled to one side by a party of dragoons. “Your business if you please sir.” A trooper rode up, “They're fine I know Tom personally and I suspect that's Lord Saye his new master.” Tom when appealed to agreed it was Lord Saye with him. The Dragoons moved off down the highway. Later a rider came galloping past them, something was definitely happening, they heard a shot and as they came round the bend they saw the groom lying bruised by the side of the road, his horse having been shot from under him. They carefully loaded him onto the phaeton and at the next village they pulled in at the inn both to get some care for the rider and to spend the night. “I'll just lead your horses up to the farm for the night. I'll find you fresh in the morning.” It seemed an odd thing to do when there were perfectly good stables at the inn. Still, the rooms were good.

They were in the middle of dinner when they were disturbed by a commotion. “What do you mean you've no horses available? My name is Winfield. I'll buy the bloody inn if I have to now find me some horses.” On hearing the name Lord Saye stepped out into the hall. “Mr. Winfield, I'm delighted to see you. Is your charming daughter with you?” “I'm trying to stop her eloping, got a damn bee in her bonnet about marrying an Earl instead of someone who'll take over the bank when I'm gone. We've been stopped five times by dragoons on manoeuvres. The last two changes of horses have been the worst I've ever seen. One of my grooms has had his horse shot out from under him. I hear I have you to thank for coming to his aid.” “Come and have some dinner. I imagine the trouble with eloping earls is they can command the best teams.” “I can't understand the rising generation, I had a perfectly respectable marriage arranged for her with an upcoming banker and she has to go and get involved with a title. He's worth nothing.” “I thought the Earl of Rosslyn's lands were extensive?” “Oh she won't starve, but I'll get my revenge somehow, I'll leave my fortune split between their daughters and second son.”

“I think we should pop into Hayward's.” Tom spoke from the back. “Why would we want to go into a Mill?” “Well with a young lady to think of I suspect they may have a few overruns or seconds lying around and there room to carry a bit of cloth.” “What's an overrun?” “Well if you get an order in for a thousand yards of cloth you make a thousand and fifty in case the cloth has some flaws. That way you can send the order out complete even if it does, and if it doesn't well you have some spare cloth lying around you can sell.” Molly looked up at him appealingly. He pulled the phaeton to a halt and stepped down. “Tom want to go and see what you can pick up? Take Molly with you.” He passed over a purse containing both silver and gold coins. Molly looked at him, “Aren't you going to go yourself?” “Not a chance, with the way I speak the price would double. No Tom can speak cant enough to get what we want at a better price.”

Inside the yard Tom asked a passing workman if the gaffer was about. “Aye just knock on the door over there.” Tom knocked on the door and got told to come in. “I'm looking for seconds and overruns?” The gaffer looked him over, “Got brass have you?” “I've a bob or two.” “Well you can have the skip of seconds over there for fifty bob.” Molly looked through it and looked pleased. “I'll take it, anything else?” “The overrun skip is next to it. Good quality stuff, that is, say eighty shillings?” Tom wondered over, “Seventy?” “Let's see the colour of your money then.” “Molly go get Philip to back the coach in.” Philip, then she realised he meant Lord Saye, and dashed off to bring in the carriage into the yard. They stacked the bolts of cloth on the seats, on the floor and hung bags off the back. Eventually they pulled away. Molly looked over her loot. “We paid six pounds for all this?” She said in wonder. “Well we didn't get much choice but I'm sure some of it will do for something.” “It would cost four times as much in our old village shop.”

Damaris sat staring at the ledgers, double-entry bookkeeping was all very well except when the books didn't balance. She started down the ledger again, comparing the two entries, as she wrinkled her nose she spotted it, she'd entered the same purchase twice. Time for a break, she stood up from the desk and started to walk across the room. Glancing outside she was surprised to see some sort of peddler coming up the drive with bags hanging higgledy piggledy off the sides. That was odd the normal peddler had passed through only a fortnight ago and she didn't expect to see him back again until the next quarter. She slipped out of the kitchen door and walked round to the stables to greet the new arrivals. “I'm Damaris, have you come far?” “Far enough, still we're here now, I'm Lord Saye by the way.” She looked at him is disbelief. “Yes I know we must look more like a gang of peddlers but Molly wanted to do some shopping on the way here. I've a letter of introduction from the lawyers somewhere for the steward.” “He's no longer with us. I'm afraid. He left in the middle of the night after he'd collected the rents for the year.” “I take it he took the rents with him?” “No they're safe, he was acting a bit suspicious so I took the precaution of replacing the bags of coins in the saddlebags with ones full of stones. He didn't come back after he took off with the stones. The grooms have been ordered to keep an eye open for him by the way.”

“So the money is safe in the safe or strong room.” “Not exactly, the steward ran off with a set of house keys and the safe keys, it took me twenty minutes to pick the lock to get the ledgers out and I didn't want the responsibility of having all that money lying around just in case he came back.” “So where is the money?” “After consultation I brought a bull and a few cows, a ram and some ewes, and some of it was lent out. Mrs. Fletcher is well pleased with her pig. It's all in the ledgers, together with the stud fees we've charged for the bull and ram.” “Of course Damaris the educated woman. Show me the books tomorrow for the moment I think we're better off just unloading everything and I'd like a bath if possible.” Damaris curtsied and led the way back into the house.

The following morning she stood before the desk with her ledgers laid out in front of her. Lord Saye stood behind her looking over her shoulder and idly slid his arm round her waist. “I don't think you should be doing that.” “Why not?” As he nibbled the back of her neck. “Well it disconcerts me for a start and its not as if you have any good intentions, besides Percy wouldn't like it.” “I've no intention of nibbling Percy's neck, what sort of man do you think I am? Now we've a few bolts of cloth spare and I'm sure you can think of a deserving person or two.” His hand roamed upwards to cover her breast, “I'm sure that must be worth a fondle or two.” She turned and faced him. “You bastard.” “Oh no my sweet, Lords are always legitimate. Otherwise, they couldn't inherit.” She lent in and kissed him on the lips, then cocked her head. “Fondle only? No bedding and how much fondle per yard of cloth?” He put his head back and laughed. “Why don't you just explain to me where the money is?” So she explained about the groom who'd wanted to be a carter so she'd lent him money to buy a secondhand cart and a pair of horses. Well they had a spare pair in the stables so she'd sold him those. By the time he'd been paying her back if the Squire hadn't wanted to take his daughter to London for the season and borrowed against his next year's crop they'd be knee deep in money again. Well that and the cut and landing they'd dug down by the river to be able to bring boats closer to the quarry. He seemed to be in an accepting mood so she told him about the new closed range for the kitchen how it burnt less wood than an open fire and finally hesitantly she told him about the mortgage she'd given Sir Vincent, a twenty one year old who had just come into his inheritance. She had given him a mortgage of a fifth the value of the property with a clause in saying it had to be paid in full by the end of next month or the property was forfeit.

He looked at her, “That's rather harsh terms?” “Oh its fine he assured me he has an infallible system worked out for the gambling tables, it can't fail so he'll be rolling in the dough.” He looked at her again, “Handsome is he?” “No I was thinking more of his tenants and workers. If I didn't give it to him someone else would have, at least this way we can improve things for them when we takeover the property.” He shrugged his shoulders “So be it. Now I need a tutor or a very good governess where can you find me one?” “Who for?” “Molly, she saved me from being compromised, she's fourteen or so and I think the best thing for her is to gain an education. I know educating women isn't fashionable but she's bright so it might give her a chance in life. All right you can add a school teacher on the payroll for the estate but I want someone specifically to concentrate on Molly.”

As he passed through the door he turned back, “Oh the lawyer gave me the papers for the enclosure act that had been requested a year or two ago. So we'll need to organise something, in my London club they mentioned giving the workers a quarter of an acre per cottage or is that too generous? We can talk about it in the morning.” He slipped out the door smiling at her shocked expression.

“Morning Tom, think you could find me a dog? Someone to keep me company when I fell like a walk?” “Big or small?” “Why is there a choice?” “There are some fancy German duck hunting dogs around, Pudelhund or summat, a Newfoundland if you fancy a small mountain that swims or the traditional spaniel.” “I'll go for the small mountain.” “Well she'll be the easiest to get that's for sure. It's expensive to feed a small mountain.”

“I really think that the cottages need far more than a quarter acre, and two acres would be more like it.” “I'm open to persuasion.” “Well you need...” “No sit next to me, and just divert the blood from my brain.” “How on earth am I supposed to do that?” He took her hand and placed it in his crutch, “Undo the buttons and let it see the light of day. Then you can give it a gentle massage.” She looked at him in horror. “But that's...” “Well we'll stay with the quarter an acre idea then shall we?” She glared at him, “It had better be the full two acres.” “Certainly my dear, don't rush the experience for me though I want the full treatment for the full two acres.” Well it wasn't so bad and she wouldn't get with child doing it and once for everyone wasn't too bad.

She teased him for twenty minutes but eventually he spurted forth. “I enjoyed that so now Mrs. Fletcher may have her two acres, do you have a list of the other tenant's names and we'll take them one a day shall we?” “Are you quite sure you're legitimate and not a bastard?” He lent over and kissed her on the lips, “I'm quite sure I'm going to enjoy hearing your ideas for the estate.” “Well then would you like to hear how many hundredweights of manure we'll need this year?” He dived out of the door quickly.

“But I don't want a governess, what would I do with one?” “We could go and feed the ducks together?” “Be serious.” “Well what would be your fantasy if you could have anything in the world?” “Anything?” “Anything.” Milly whispered something quietly. “A little louder perhaps?” “Lord Saye but that Damaris has all his attention at the moment.” “True but isn't she walking out with Percy?” “Twice so far, I've heard Percy likes to take his time over things.” “Well for a man to take his time that's a change. No seriously Lord Saye won't marry Damaris, but she might take his mind off other women until we're ready. You'll need to be educated to keep up with a man like Lord Saye and besides I need a job and you look a much easier prospect than the last small boy I had charge of.” “You mean I stand a chance?” “By the time we've finished he won't stand a chance.”

Lord Saye looked up to see a very nervous maid wringing her hands before him. “Well? First who are you?” He raised one eyebrow as he spoke. “Dot my lord.” “And what would you like?” “It's my Arthur my lord, him works as a groom for the squire but I don't want he do it no more.” He recalled the squire's son new stallion had cornered one of the grooms in his stall and done for him. One of the other grooms had been injured as well at the time. “Get him to come and see me.” “Oh I couldn't do that he wouldn't like it. Besides him don't know he's mine yet.” He motioned for her to come and sit on his lap and explain a little more. They'd stood up together at the midsummer dance, then he and Dot had gone for a stroll once or twice but that was all. Dot fitted in his lap comfortably, “So let's get this right, you want me to approach him and offer him a job, you don't think it will look a bit odd?” She tilted her head and kissed him on the lips “Yeah but you're a toff, you'll think of a way. He pops in for a drink at the Hare and Hound most evenings.” She snuggled up against him as he rested her hand on her breast.

He dressed in an old jacket and walked down to the stables. “Anthony feel like a pint?” Anthony, his head groom, looked at him. “I take it it's a royal command?” “Just a quiet chat.” Anthony had all sorts of thoughts about what a quiet chat meant. He had an idea that he could do without one. Still a free beer was a free beer after all. “You buying?” “I'm buying.” “Well what are we waiting for although we could have one from the kitchen barrel?” “I've a fancy to try the Hare and Hound myself and thought there'd be less disturbance if we went together.”

As they walked through the door, the pub fell silent. Anthony gave a nod or two and introduced Lord Saye to the landlord. Behind him the chatter slowly started up again as they sat down at a small table. “I'm thinking of building a dower house sometime so we'll need at least one groom to look after the stables there and Damaris mentioned to get the most out of the land we need another two teams of farm horses so how are we off for staff in the stables?” “Well without those we're a little short staffed at the moment, the stable lad has hired on as a groom over at the squires. You've heard about the accident of course.” “So anyone we could train up?” “Not that I can think of but Arthur, one of the squire's grooms has just come through the door, he might be interested. Normally the squire wouldn't like us poaching his staff so to speak but seeing as he's had one of ours.” He left the sentence hanging in the air. “Call him over then and offer him a pint.” Lord Saye pushed a few coins across the table. “Arthur come and sit yourself down lad and have a pint of the best.”

Arthur ambled over and took a seat. “We're looking for more staff to handle some farm horses primarily and wondered if you might be interested.” “Same pay to start so the squire can't accuse us of poaching his staff with higher wages, but there's a good chance of promotion in a year or so's time.” Arthur looked relieved. “A few nice gentle farm horses sounds just the job.” “Damaris is building some new cottages and we're a bit short of storage above the stables so if you fancy one just mention to her which you'd like, mind you at the rate they're building them it'll be a year or so before they're ready.” Arthur blinked, “I've heard tell of them but I'd need a wife to do the cooking for me like.” “As you like, the store room / bedroom over the stable is six by six, a cottage would give you more room.” “I'll think on it.” He picked his pint up and ambled over to the perpetual game of dominoes on the long table.

“Think we're just hired a groom then?” Anthony nodded “He's a good lad, steady and knows his work.”

It was two days later that Lord Saye was awakened by an excited Dot carrying his cup of coffee. She put it carefully down on the bedside table then turned and jumped on the bed to kiss him. “You lovely man you.” She snuggled up tight. “What's got into you this early morning?” “Oh only that Arthur came by the kitchen last night. He hoped he wasn't being too forward but I'm to talk to Damaris about which cottage I'd like and we're to be married once it's built.” “So what did you tell him?” “Well I told him I'd have to think about it since I didn't want to seem too keen but he looked so hurt I gave him a kiss and told him I agreed. He'll speak to our head groom, telling him he agrees next time he sees him so probably at church on Sunday. Life couldn't be better, do you like my new dress? Damaris has been giving out dress lengths to us all.” It was too tempting, he rolled her over on her back then starting at her toes and giving them lots of attention he gradually nibbled his way up her legs. She froze when his lips reached her thigh but gradually relaxed under the kisses, nibbles and caressing fingers. She promised herself she'd stop him if he moved another half inch higher up her leg but somehow the words never came.

She felt herself melting inside as she felt his tongue on both thighs at the same time now, he couldn't possibly be doing what she thought he was doing to her rude bits could he? Then something washed over her and he raised his head. “Are you certain things couldn't be better?” “What did you do to me? Have we just made a baby?” No they hadn't just made a baby. He took his time and explained about the birds and the bees to her. “But how will I get Arthur to do it without giving myself away? Come to that everyone will guess what's happened.” “No, they won't, today you're happy anyway, they won't guess and Arthur well you could always explore his body with your tongue I'm sure he'll soon get the idea.” “I'd better straighten out your room, that way I'll have time to recover before I see the others.”

“I've drawn up a plan to divide the new manor up into enclosed fields but given the state of the cottages and that all the land for a particular tenant is clustered together it would make more sense to build some new cottages.” Lord Saye stretched out lazily “I could spare ten pounds per cottage?” “To do it properly will cost far more than that.” “On your knees and ask properly.” He pointed to the space between his legs. “Please my Lord...” She started off mischievously, “Undo my buttons.” Well she should have expected to have to give him another hand job, “Now apply your lips to my rod.”

“You must be joking, what if someone walks in?” “With Jennifer lying in the doorway waiting for me to take her for her walk no one will walk in I promise you.” She looked for reassurance that he was joking but no he seemed serious about her taking him in her mouth. She gulped then set to work, her family and Percy's were on her list for new cottages so she studied hard to please him. “Well that's one cottage sorted out. Mrs. Fletcher's was it? We'll talk more in the morning, time to take Jennifer for her stroll, I think I'll take a horse out to save my legs.” He smiled at her as he left.

“Grab your cloak and meet me by the front door, we're off to pay a formal call.” Milly wondered what on earth was a formal call still she'd do whatever it took so grabbed her cloak and dashed down to the waiting coach where her governess was waiting. Coach why not the gig oh well all would be explained in time.

In the village they pulled up at one of the larger houses. Tom wearing livery for the first time that Milly had seen him in it knocked on the front door and handed in a visiting card. The door closed whilst he waited then opened again with a nod from the servant he stepped back and assisted Milly and her governess down from the coach.

“Lady Moffat how good of you to receive us. I need your assistance in teaching Milly how to go on in polite society.” “You're going to claim some distant relationship and want me to give lessons on how to pour tea at a penny a day I suppose?” This came with a glare. “Well I was thinking more of the estate owns your home and if you were working for the estate it would become rent free. The relationship would only be myself and it's a very remote connection third or fourth cousins or some such. Milly certainly isn't. I'd like her to get to know how to run a household and the basics of cooking elegant cakes whilst your staff were training her the carriage would be at your disposal.” “She looks more like a maid to me than a young lady and yet Lord Saye is prepared to support her in this. It sounds intriguing.” Lady Moffat closed her eyes for a moment “I seem to recall a Miss Elinor Beverly being found in Lord Saye's bed kissing a maid and now he's looking to advance a maid, I suspect she is the same?” She raised her eyebrow questioningly. Milly curtsied in reply. “Well then we'd better see what we have to work with.” A maid entered carrying a tray with tea pot and cups on it. “Right pour the tea young lady.” Milly quivered for a moment then stiffened her backbone and remembering all the mannerisms that the housekeeper had when pouring tea at the end of a meal for the upper servants she poured three cups of tea, remembering to ask if sugar or cream were required as she did so.

“Not bad, we'll need to work on that left elbow but passable. Now why me?” “Your second housemaid has been discreetly looking for new employment and since she's been with you for more than five years I doubt if it's her choice.” Lady Moffat threw back her head and laughed. “It never is possible to keep anything from the servants is it. What exactly are you after my dear? What is your ambition?” She asked. “She's a little shy about it but she thinks to take Lord Saye to husband.” “Wouldn't we all? I'd give you a run for your money if I was but a few years younger.” She pulled the cord and a bell rang in the distance. When the maid returned she was bid to gather up all the servants into the living room.

“Now what about clothes?” “I've no idea but I suspect you're about to suggest something? I'm authorised to hire a sewing maid.” Milly looked up, not have to sew her own dresses and skirts this was a step up in the world.

“This is Milly, over the next three or four years we will be training her to run a household. So on Tuesdays she will spend the day with cook and the housekeeper and I will have use of the carriage. Hill I want you to find a sewing maid to add to the staff since she obviously needs some suitable dresses. Hawley your place is now assured. I expect you all to assist Milly as best you can and no she will not be taking over here. Oh and I'd like you to be very discreet about what the village hears about her and her role here.” “If it pleases you my lady my sister's eldest, Gillian, is interested in becoming a cook, it would be as easy to train two as one.” “How generous is Lord Saye feeling, can we afford another mouth to feed?” “Well there's always produce from the farm and plenty of room in the carriage and Milly needs some raw materials to work with.” Lady Moffat smiled “Best get in touch with your sister then, we've room in the attics for her.”

“But my lady I'll never need all the dresses that a sewing maid can sew.” “No but my staff and your governess will I'm quite sure. Now Hills please remain but the rest of you may go.” She waited until the others had left. “Now then we'll need material. I suggest you arrange a suitable time once we have a sewing maid then the four of you visit Clayton's in the carriage. They have a good a supply as any and if you pick a market day there might be something in the market as well.” “Lord Saye has brought some lengths of cloth that might work for one or two dresses and skirts already.” “Hill can go back with you and look them over but I still think a shopping expedition to Clayton's is in order.”

The next morning he entered the estate office he was greeted by the words. “If we added a closed range to each cottage?” Damaris crossed her fingers a closed range would need less fuel and cut down the cleaning needed in the cottages, he'd said that he wouldn't impregnate her and he'd done practically everything else. “A range is different. Lie down on your back for me with your head on a pillow.” This didn't sound good at all. First he kissed her then slid his hands up under her skirt. Damaris was getting nervous now, sensing her unease he moved his hand over her breast to warm her up slowly, then as he felt her relax he trailed kisses starting just above her knees up her thighs. She felt his nose on her rude bits, the kisses moved higher still and Damaris stopped breathing for a moment or two then a warmth flowed through her body, a desire for something. She lifted her hips as he eased down her undergarments, thinking thank heaven she'd put on fresh ones that morning. Then he seemed to be licking her most intimate parts, she felt herself moan, outside Jennifer cocked her ears up and listened to the sounds coming from inside the estate office. These were new sounds and she hoped her walk wasn't being delayed. Perhaps a bark as a reminder it was walk time? But there again the doorway was in a nice patch of sunlight. She dropped her head down on her paws again.

“Didn't you mention Sir Vincent's mortgage being due today?” Damaris looked up at him and nodded. “I suppose you'll want new cottages and large gardens for them as well.” Damaris shut her eyes in resignation. It was going to take years to pamper him for everything. “Add them to the list.”

“You know I think we ought to have a dower house.” Damaris looked at him as they lay together on the floor after Damaris had persuaded him to install yet another indoor pump on Sir Vincent's old estate. The pumps and such had already been installed when the cottages had been built but both had lost count of how many Damaris had paid for. “Can you see to it? The builders should be finishing the new cottages next month so they can start on it then.” “How big?” “Oh the usual size but don't skimp on it and it can have a water closet or two and all the modern kitchen things we have in our kitchen.”

How many bedrooms? There had to be a master one of course but an elderly person might not appreciate the stairs each day, so a room on the ground floor that could be used either as a bedroom or a study, then offspring with grandchildren so two more guest bedrooms, two more for grandchildren, a schoolroom, with a nursery, then a bathing room with a water closet on each floor. The house plans grew in size and whenever she queried anything she was told whatever you think. Just how was she supposed to plan a house for someone else? A dining room that would seat a dozen, not as grand as the main house but something so the occupant could give a dinner party independently. The kitchen wasn't so elaborate as the main house but it had a closed range, a step down scullery with an indoor pump of course with great care being taken that the discharge pipes led well away from the house. A grand staircase and a back staircase but at least she managed to put windows in the back staircase so the servants could see where they were going.

Stabling, room for a carriage and pair, three riding horses, one for a groom to accompany anyone riding. Where they interested in gardening, south walls perhaps, she threw in a greenhouse four times the size of Percy's well he had to draw the line somewhere didn't he? But no looks fine carry on. She almost drew the line at choosing colours. “Just pick something to start, it can always be repainted if need be.”

Damaris fretted over the dower house, trying to think of every last thing that one of Lord Saye's relatives would possibly need or prefer. She certainly didn't need some elderly aunt looking disdainfully through her lorgnette at her design. She designed in as much flexibility as she could then let the builders loose and prayed.

He'd have to do something or Damaris wouldn't be a virgin on her wedding day. She was just getting far too tempting, especially the way he could make her body respond.

“What does this Percy of yours do?” “Do? Well he's a fourth son so he gets an allowance from the estate and he can do whatever he chooses. His older brothers are in the military and the church, he thought about trade but then got interested in growing vegetables. So he has a cottage with a large garden with a small greenhouse and he notes down what plants need to grow best. He describes himself as a scientist. His gardener has won prizes at the local show but really it's himself who works it all out.”

Lord Saye took himself down to Percy's cottage. “I hear you've been studying ways to make plants grow better?” “Only in an amateur way, but I've had good results with runner beans. I've got my notes here and you can see how different additions of different fertilizers make quite a difference.” “Which month do you think is best for a wedding?” “June I suppose?” “Good then I'll mention it to the vicar to get the banns read. By the way Damaris is getting the new detached house she designed rent free starting June first, and I need someone to sort out which fertilizer does best. Shall we say 5 Percent of the increase in a crop yields with a minimum of fifty pounds a year?” Percy blinked “But I've no records for your land.” “Oh Damaris has those and I assume you're marrying her or have you been trifling with her?”. Percy assured him he wasn't. “See you at the church then.” He left a very bemused Percy behind.

When he returned to the house, he sent for Damaris. “Can you arrange a wedding in June?” “Certainly and the date?” “You know I never bothered to find out which day Percy wanted to get married on, perhaps decide yourself then let Percy know.” “Whose wedding am I arranging?” The words were spoken quietly and ominously, “Your's and Percy's of course, he picked the month this morning. I've done my bit now I'm off to the stables since I promised Percy I'd see to reading the banns, just don't skimp on it, you never know his elder brothers might just attend.”

“Percy are we getting married in June?” “So I understand from Lord Saye.” “He says you picked the date.” “Did I? I suppose I did, you don't object do you?” “Can you afford to get married?” “Well he mentioned you were getting the new detached house rent free and he'd pay me a minimum of 5 percent of the increase yield or fifty pounds minimum. Do you think that's enough? I have my allowance as well. It's a hundred a quarter.” “I'll kill him!” “Something wrong?” “No, the only detached house I've overseen is what I thought was the dower house. We'll need staff to keep that running. Would you mind if I carried on doing the books for the estate after we were married? It pays forty a year which is enough to pay a cook and maid to keep the house going.” “It's a little unusual but I've no objection.” “Good could you double the income do you think?” “Probably but I'd need to collect soil samples and get them from all the different fields. That's quite a lot of work and labourers tend not to be able to read and write.” “Are they heavy?” “A few ounces only with a trowel.” “My sister is due to leave school soon now she's thirteen, she can read and write. For fifteen pounds a year she'd think she was in heaven and she can have one of the five bedrooms in the dower house but I'm still going to kill him when I see him.”

Damaris rounded on Lord Saye and prodded him with her finger backwards into the library. Jennifer perked up and trotted in afterwards slipping through the door as Damaris kicked it to. “I worried myself sick over that dower house, would whichever elderly relative of yours who moved into it approve of what I'd done. Then I find that I'm to move in there. What have you got to say for yourself before I set Jennifer on you?” Jennifer had slipped behind Lord Saye and as he retreated driven backwards by the prodding finger he stumbled over her and fell to the ground. “But I thought you'd be pleased? You wanted to marry Percy didn't you?” “That's besides the point!” “But he's agreed to marry you, I daren't let you have the dower house before he'd agreed to marry you it would have looked very suspicious.” She thought about it. “I suppose so.” She bent down and kissed him lightly on the lips. “However it'll cost you.” “How much?” “Your cook and one of the senior maids, I'll need them to run the dower house.” “But what'll I eat?” “You'd better talk very nicely to Milly then hadn't you since she's the only one left to run the house now I'm gone.” “Doesn't it run itself?” “Oh the innocence of the man. No, it certainly doesn't. Now I'm off to coax cook to come and work for me, I don't think I'll have any trouble for as she says she isn't getting any younger and a smaller household will be less effort.” She waved farewell to him as she stepped out of the door.

Milly, he hadn't given Milly much thought for some time. He stuck his head out of the library door and yelled “Milly!”

Milly came running down the stairs showing delightful glimpses of ankle as she ran. “I come at your command O Lord and Master.” She dimpled at him as he seemed slightly stunned at the sight of her. “What feat would you have me do to please you?” He caught himself and ushered her into the library. “Damaris is getting married in June and purloining our cook so we need a replacement. She seemed to think that you might be the person to organise it but whilst you're here, did we ever discuss giving you a season?” “No O Lord and Master.” “And just how long have you been calling me O Lord and Master?” “I found the phrase in a book in your library and committed it to memory thinking it might come in useful.” She looked at him expectantly. “Well your governess's idea was when you reach seventeen I'll dower you and send you off to London for a season unless you have someone closer to hand?” “I think I'm on the shelf, I was eighteen last birthday but the squire's younger son did stand up with me for three dances at the last assembly.” “That useless twit.” Milly smiled inwardly and stepped forth to lightly kiss him on the lips, just to encourage him of course. He slid his arms round her and kissed her more firmly. “Ahem.” Came from the door. “I think you're compromising the young lady.” “It's Milly.” “So if you want her to have a season she needs to have a spotless reputation. Come to think of it she's been living under your roof for the last four years without a chaperon.” “Oh just go away and have the banns read, if I've compromised her by having her under my roof for the last four years I might as well do the job properly.” “I don't mind being compromised in the least.”