The Dowery 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

Heather hesitated when the Earl entered the library, by rights she should slip silently away, he glanced at her and indicated with a wave of his hand she should carry on dusting. Well what the Earl said was law on the estate so hesitantly at first she continued her dusting. She glanced in the glass cupboard door and immediately recognised his eyes were glued on her bum. Well at least he was one of the better ones unlike that Angus White who’d done for Mary’s sister. She wiggled her bum a bit more, dusted a little closer then daringly lightly brushed against him. God if the housekeeper saw her she’d been let go straight away without a reference. “Never touch one of the family, if you have a letter to give them or some such always serve it on a silver tray.” Outside Amberson look in on his master, well she was comely enough and his knees weren’t getting any younger, he’d have a quiet word.

That evening Heather went to take her usual place at the bottom of the table. “Girl get up here where you belong, next to Mr. Amberson.” Amberson sat near the head of the table up with the housekeeper and Mr. Sharp the butler. Heather moved places and glanced at Mr. Amberson his lordship’s valet as she sat down. He nodded kindly to her. What did it all mean? She looked enquiringly at Mr. Amberson. “You’re my new assistant so you’ll move your things down to the room next to his lordship’s bedchamber after dinner.” “Her old ladyship’s room Mr. Amberson?” “Well its not appropriate that you sleep in the dressing room but his lordship will need you close at hand so the housekeeper and I came up with the idea of the countess’s room. If we have a full house then other arrangements will have to be made. You may choose to share it with one of the other maids or you may be the sole occupant its up to you.” A room to herself, now that was luxury indeed, she wondered what occupant meant but for the moment it was hers and hers alone. “Thank you Mr. Amberson.” she said politely. “I’ll go over your new duties with you after dinner.”

She collected her few belongings and carried them down to the Countess’s room. She’d died many years previously giving birth to the spare who was now fighting the French upstarts somewhere foreign. She looked nervously at the connecting door to the elderly earl’s room. Even more so when it slowly opened. “Calm down, you’re here because my knees aren’t as young as they were so the choice was either a cottage on the estate or an assistant and the Earl seems to appreciate your wiggling bum. So you get his coffee first thing in the morning and bring up his hot water for shaving, but I’ll do the shaving if you please. You’re to keep his room tidy but we’ll have someone else fill the coalscuttle and do the grate each morning whilst he’s at breakfast. Oh and he’ll need his paper ironing when it arrives.” Heather gave him a look. “No you’re quite safe he doesn’t with staff.” Heather thought she could remember her instructions and next morning she dashed downstairs to collect the Earl’s coffee as soon as she heard movement in his room.

Later when a groom had collected the paper from the mail coach she carefully ironed it and under Mr. Amberson’s close supervision took it to the Earl in the library. “Since I left my eyeglasses upstairs today could you read it to me.” “Beg pardon my lord but I can’t read. I could go and collect your eyeglasses?” “Amberson arrange for Miss Towers to attend me after lunch and I’ll need to speak to Ella when Miss Towers arrives. Heather for the moment you’d better go collect my eyeglasses but you are to be here when Miss Towers arrives also.”

At five and twenty Miss Towers was surprised to find herself summoned to the big house. Her father had recently died from scarlet fever leaving her in rather a precarious financial position. Still she allowed herself to be carried back in the carriage that had been sent for her. When she was shown into the library there were two female servants as well as the Earl waiting for her. “Miss Towers welcome, as head of the family I’d like to invite you to be my guest for as long as it pleases you.” The two female servants looked doubtful, as did Miss Towers herself. “Head of the family? Are we related my Lord?” “Certainly, I distinctly remember my cousin marrying your second cousin.” “It’s not a very close relationship.” “Well the truth of the matter is Ella here wishes to become a lady’s maid and needs someone to practise on and since you are family you won’t need a chaperon.” Miss Towers glanced at Ella who was looking wide eyed. “Is this true Ella?” “Oh yes Miss I’d be ever such a good one for you but I never thought..” Her voice tapered off. “Thank you Ella you may go.” The Earl dismissed nervous girl. Miss Towers waited until Ella was out of the room then turned on the Earl. “Now if you please what is the real reason?” The Earl looked abashed, “I always thought you were too intelligent for your own good and far too pretty to become a governess. If you must know I need a Heather here to read the paper out to me, these days my eyes are growing weak but she doesn’t know how to read so I hoped you’d teach her privately. There is also the matter of if you were a guest here I could insist on my son escorting you to the local assemblies or even have a ball or two here.” “Matchmaking are we?” “No no not between my son and yourself, but if I can get him to the assemblies the local matchmaking mamas will manage from there. Why don’t you go with Heather and see if you can find a room to your liking?” Miss Towers hesitated “I shouldn’t really.” “Please Miss Towers, I’d love to learn how to read.” Miss Towers allowed herself to be led away upstairs. “I’ll show you my suite first, I think it must be quite the nicest in the house.” Miss Towers was shown the countess’s suite which apart from being a little dated really was large specious and furnished very comfortably. “I’m a little concerned about being unchaperoned.” “Well there is always the companion’s room off my suite.” Heather opened the door from the countess’s sitting room on to a smaller room that was still a reasonable size and had a delightful view across the estate. “Why this is perfect and we can chaperon each other.” Heather smiled. “Shall we return?” They went down together and found Ella anxiously awaiting them in the library.

“Have you managed to find something suitable?” Enquired the Earl. “Yes thank you, I’m very tempted but I really feel I shouldn’t accept.” “But you’ll be nice to me and accept anyway? I’ll find you a small allowance, I should mention I intend to take full advantage of you you know, I don’t think my steward has quite the light touch that the worker’s families and the estate pensioners need. Now young Ella the first thing we need to do is make sure Miss Towers has some new gowns and I’d like something more befitting a senior servant for Heather.” “New gowns?” “Certainly how else am I to get my son to escort you to the assemblies?” “For a moment or two I thought I was being offered charity but how can I refuse such a tempting offer my Lord?” “My thoughts exactly.”

Her gowns collected Ella sponged and pressed her best evening gown so she should look her best at dinner to impress the Earl’s son only to find that he’d gone off with some friends to a disreputable inn to game the night away. The Earl was content with her company though and drew her out about her pastimes and hobbies. He arranged for the head groom to accompany her out the following morning to see if the stables could produce something she might like. Ella produced two maids who enjoyed sewing and together they raided the attics looking for material that might be pressed into service.

Heather was given lessons in reading privately in her room as it would never do for an upper servant as she was now to admit they couldn’t read and even the Earl’s son was charmed enough to escort her to the local assembly though he drew the line at dancing with her more than once. The local matchmaking mothers though were in alt as he was manoeuvred into dancing with three local belles before sneaking off to the card room.

Next morning over breakfast he swore that never again would he visit the local assembly guest cousin or no guest cousin, and now if you please he was off to join the hunt rather than be the hunted. “Still you got him there once, that’s no mean achievement Miss Towers.”

Over the next few months the upper servants were in agreement that Miss Towers was a good influence on the house. The Earl especially was in a better temper and she seemed to have the knack of charming people so the house ran more smoothly. Amberson was proud of the way that Heather was taking her lead from Miss Towers. The steward as well was grateful to her for pointing out that a load of logs delivered before winter to each of the cottages on the estate wouldn’t cost them much but would help keep the estate workers and pensioners happier. The only concern they had was that the heir was more interested in hunting which was an interest that she didn’t share. “For what’s to be done when the heir marries I don’t know.” complained the housekeeper to the butler over a glass of sweet sherry after lunch. “You can’t have two ladies of the house and that’s a fact and if he doesn’t marry then who inherits when he dies that’s what I’d like to know. I’m certainly not working for the likes of that Angus White nor my maids either after what he done to Mary’s sister.” “There’s always the spare.” Commented the butler. “Him, he’s off in foreign parts he is so no saying what nasty food they’ll feed him or what he’ll catch if he doesn’t wrap himself up warm, you know he’s always had a tendency to pick up anything that’s going.” There were nods all round at this pronouncement.

Miss Horatia Crowe was sat in the kitchen sipping a cup of tea whilst outside the winter storm raged. “Sam’s brother’s old fishing boat will never stand up to this sort of weather.” Muttered Helen gloomily. Sam being the young man she was walking out with and was hoping to marry if only he managed to catch two more good hauls of fish then he could buy his own boat with his share. Life seemed so unfair, she’d have to do something about Flo, her grandfather’s well comforter sounded so much better than mistress and although her grandfather had never taken note of the neighbours gossip it was always better to stay on the right side of them.

The next day she and Flo set off in the gig to the small town a few miles away that had a wider variety than the local village stores. “So have you thought about what you’d like to do now that grandfather has died? The estate can afford a small pension and a cottage but somehow I don’t think a cottage on the estate would suit you.” “I’d always fancied running a small shop in town, something gentile like selling flowers or tea. I think it would have to be tea as you need a supply of fresh flowers and in the winter that’s hard to come by and in the summer everyone grows their own. Besides in town there’s a larger number of widowers to flutter my eye lashes at.” Horatia laughed and together they searched to town looking for a vacant cottage or perhaps even a store that might serve. Eventually they found something in good repair that Flo thought might suit her nicely at a price that Horatia thought the estate could afford so she wrote out a cheque at the lawyers.

Feeling in a good mood Horatia stopped off at the boatyard to see if they had anything that might suit Sam. It wasn’t only Sam but more fish coming into the village would mean more cash generally and more food as well. “Busy are you?” “Not so you’d notice.” “I’d like a fishing boat have you anything suitable?” “Depends on what you’d like and how much you have to spend. I’ve got a 150 toner that’s been cancelled I could do you a good price on it. Normally it would cost you £2,000 but I took a good deposit on it so I could let you have it for £1,000?” He said hopefully. Well it had been paid for in full but he wasn’t going to let her know that. Horatia paused for a moment, “I’d budgeted £500 for an oak built clinker, anything used?” “It’d be a lot smaller, a bigger boat can carry more fish if you get a good catch. It’s fir rather than oak and a carvel built hull rather than clinker but it’ll do the job. For £500 cash I’ll throw in an pair of anchors, a set of nets and other extras.” He held his breath, it could be used for fishing and for a good many other things as well. Pity really that old George had been caught up by the land guard for smuggling before he’d taken possession and to be honest he’d rather have it out of the yard before someone realised it was George’s and seized it. Horatia agreed and wrote out another cheque on her bankers. “Could you deliver it to the harbour at Little Hampton?” “It’ll be there in the morning.” Just as soon as the bank had said her cheque was good.

On the way home she called in to see Rosanna the baron’s daughter and told her all about her morning and spending her money on a shop that sold tea for Flo and a new fishing boat for Sam. “It looked very pretty to me but then I don’t know the first thing about boats though Mr. Sinclair did say it was a bargain and as you know I never could resist a bargain, I hope it’s not too big.” Rosanna reassured her that it was bound to be the perfect size, well as long as it fitted in the harbour. “But weren’t we supposed to be going to put all our money to one side for a season?” “But it was such a pretty boat and anyway I did the sums on everything we could pool together and we could either afford to hire a mansion or have some new dresses but not both.” Rosanna gave a sigh “We could always sail to London that would save the post charges. Oh by the way mama has decided to give a dinner party at the next full moon to which you are invited by royal command. I suspect she’s lining up a new man for you.” Then she proceeded to fill in all the gossip that she’d picked up since last she’d seen Horatia.

“Helen I brought Sam a fishing boat whilst I was out shopping this morning. It’s to be delivered in the morning. Could you get him to tie it up or whatever they do with fishing boats?”

The next morning Sam was at the quay looking over his new boat. “Well it’s a bit bigger than I’d have brought myself and being carvel built she won’t be quite so sea worthy in bad weather but she’ll certainly do. In fact what she’d be good for is running the wool down to the market place. Now if we were to build a small warehouse next to the quay like I’ve heard tell they do down London way we could load her up directly.” Horatia’s cheque book came out again.

Two days later Sam set off with a full load of wool and a small crew. A week or so later when he returned Horatia was surprised by the sum he’d managed to obtain for the wool, far higher than the estate was expecting. She thought it was an excellent investment. Sam invested a third of the amount he’d picked up across the channel for the wool in Brandy and other trade goods which he sold quietly to his fishermen contacts before settling down to a bit of quiet fishing. His new boat might be the fastest on the coast being lighter than the oak built clinker ones but he knew that Helen didn’t want him to risk imprisonment for smuggling. His second load he carried down to an English wool merchant so he’d have some papers that looked legitimate if he did another wool run to France.

At the dinner party Horatia happened to mention to the baron “Sam got an excellent price for our first load of wool, want him to try to sell yours?” Rosanna’s father was persuaded to have Sam transport his wool to market. Horatia found herself seated next to Lieutenant Wilkenson of the land guard. “Sir I’m surprised to see you here, I thought with the full moon you’d be off after smugglers.” “You know strangely enough we’ve found they don’t like to be out and about at full moon as they can be seen too easily so normally I give my men a few days off at full moon.” Horatia mentioned this interesting titbit to Helen as Helen listened to all the gossip from the dinner party. Sam’s offer of a barrel of brandy and a few pounds of tea in part payment for his wool was well received as well by Rosanna’s father. The tea wasn’t quite so profitabe as the brandy but it avoided the East India company’s high prices and 12% tax saved was 12% after all and besides buying it in bulk meant Flo made a little more profit on her sales.

There was a hammering at the Earl’s door. They opened it to find an ashen faced groom. “He took a fall on the hunting field and has broken his neck.” “Who?” “The heir, they’re bringing him back on a cart now.” The butler swallowed his last bit of sherry and exchanged glances with Amberson. “I’ll go and prepare him for the news.” Amberson stood up and silently slipped through the door.

Peter and Frank stood in front of the Earl. “Right you’d to go and find my second son and bring him home. Here are money belts, money vests and a purse each plus a letter explaining everything for his commanding officer. Miss Towers has prepared a bag for you to carry containing bandages and a few essentials that I expect Frank will know what to do with. I hope you don’t need them but if you do they’ll be useful. You’ll travel to my cousin Miss Horatia Crowe who when she wrote to me last mentioned she’s brought one of the fishermen a new boat so take this letter with you and hopefully you’ll across the channel by fishing boat since that will be quicker than travelling to Dover and taking a packet boat. Now off you go.” Outside Frank turned to Peter, go and say farewell to your wife, I’ll get a pair of houses saddled up and bring them down to your cottage.” They set off from the estate barely thirty minutes later.

“Helen, tell Sam he’s to take this pair over to France as quick as may be.” She read through the letter again, that poor man she thought having his son die before him. She wrote out a letter of condolence to catch the next mail coach. Still it was nice of him to offer the use of his town house for the season in return now if only she could afford a few frocks. She’d mention it to Rosanna next time she called.

Two days later Frank and Peter were in northern France. The wagons carrying the wool dropped them off as they passed a farm and the two of them approached the farm hoping to hire or buy horses to continue their journey. They strolled round to the kitchen door and knocked. “Oui?” “We’d like to buy a pair of horses.” The face looked puzzled “Yvette.” Yvette arrived and Peter repeated his request. Yvette looked puzzled until finally she raised her eyes “Anglais?” Frank nodded. Well every one knew the English paid for what they wanted. “D’or?” she asked hopefully Frank shrugged, “l’argent?” she asked less hopefully, Frank shrugged again “pièces de cuivre” she tried Frank shrugged, “La monnaie?” she asked finally in desperation. Frank pulled out his purse and extracted a gold coin, she thrust it back in his purse quickly but nodded in satisfaction. She stepped out of the door and took them both by the hand. “Avec moi.” She called out something behind her and the kitchen door closed. She led them to the village church and the village priest. Here she had a long conversation before the priest turned to Peter and Frank and said slowly “Let us enter my home and talk there. Yvette tells me you wish to buy something?” They entered and were served a glass of wine and given some crusty bread and delicious cheese to eat. “Now then tell to me your history but speak slowly as its been many years since I’ve practised my English.” The story was told with many interruptions from Yvette who wanted everything translated. Afterwards they were drinking a cup of coffee when the priest looked down at Peter’s left hand. “Have you left your wife behind?” Peter nodded “You must miss her.” Peter nodded once more “and is your friend married?” Peter shook his head. Yvette looked up and exchanged a look with the priest. “Now then let us think how best to help you. You’ll need transport and Yvette tells me you need to exchange some money. She says you have gold but silver and copper would be better for to show too many gold coins around would be dangerous, let us see what we have in the poor box.” The priest and Yvette had a long conversation and the priest looked disapprovingly at her but she shrugged her shoulders. “Yvette says it is better that she comes with you or you maybe fleeced and you may take the farm wagon and horses.”

It took them ten days of travelling slowly across France with Yvette doing their shopping and cooking for them. Slowly Frank and Yvette started to communicate as Frank tried to teach her some English. Eventually they came to the English army camp were conditions were chaotic because of a recent battle. Yvette and Frank working together set up a first aid post and treated many of the wounded before the medical staff had time to treat them. A serjeant who had accompanied three of his wounded men took pity on them and guided Peter to the right regiment where they discovered the Earl’s second son had died of fever the week before after being caught in a thunderstorm without shelter and been chilled to the bone. “I’m just about to write a letter saying how valiantly he fought and died a hero.” Peter nearly told him where to put his letter but the serjeant murmured “Appearances matter, we lose three times the number to fever than we do battles but they all died valiant deaths. If they knew the truth we’d get fewer volunteers.” “Now since you’re about to return to England perhaps you can take back two wounded officers of mine?” Peter nodded his agreement and they walked back to the wagon. “Right lads special assignment I’m looking for four volunteers, you, you and you pair.” “Hate to mention it serj but we are wounded.” “What’s wrong with you, you can still hold a rifle can’t you.” He turned and spoke quietly to Peter, “They’re good lads some of the best, we’ve fought our last battle now and I’d like to get them home. If they go to the hospital to be treated more than half die of infections and of the rest often they’ll amputate first and ask questions later. No I think they’ll be better off under Frank’s wife care.” “Frank isn’t married.” “No mark my words he will be soon. I’d guess you’ve found that you’re eating better and for less money than you expected?” “Yes you’re right.” “Well think about what 50,000 French casualties and probably twice that maimed mean in terms of marriageable young men for girls like Yvette. The wagon and team how much did they cost you?” “They came free with Yvette.” “More than likely her dowery.” Peter looked across at Yvette with fresh eyes and saw how often she managed to brush against Frank. “Does she know he’s unmarried?” Peter thought back to the conversation they’d had with the priest and the priest’s look of disapproval when Yvette had left. “I can see by your expression she does.” That night Yvette came and slept very close to Frank kissing him and snuggling up to him in the early morning.

The next morning they set off, four wounded riflemen, two officers and their attendant batmen, Yvette and the two grooms. The four riflemen had been given their discharge papers but paid until the end of the month with orders to provide protection to the two officers. Viscounts Sondes and Fordwich kept very much to themselves taking the view that the lower classes should only address them when spoken to. Their batmen were also on their dignity. However the four riflemen were happy to chat to the grooms and carried on a light flirtation with Yvette who not understanding the words could make herself well understood with gestures. They stopped at inns more for the officer’s desire and comfort than anything else and often there were two tables, the batmen served their officers in dignified silence but the laughter and noise came from the other table. Yvette shared a room with Frank claiming it was easier to pretend to be his wife than explain why she was unchaperoned. When they reached Dunkirk they found that the wind had been blowing from the wrong quarter for four days for the packet boats to leave so every available room was taken. They expected Calais would be the same. Peter was in two minds about whether to use the regular packet service or the irregular owlers but in the end Yvette suggested using Gravelines as she had contacts there. As they arrived there was a cutter unloading bales of wool and Peter approached them to see if they could get passage back to England. One of the sailors volunteered they would be sailing back to Essex but thought the master wouldn’t be happy about taking two English Lords back in case they talked too much. Lord Fordwich solved the problem by hiring a small fishing boat to carry them back directly to Dover with Yvette’s help. She thought they paid three times what was reasonable but it was only an English milord so she wasn’t too worried. “Well Miss are you coming home with us or staying in France?” Yvette swung her hips as she walked across to Frank, wrapped her arms round his neck and clung to him. Frank looked a little bemused so Peter added “Well lad I think she’s made her choice are you going to propose properly?”

In the time that it took to unload the fish Yvette obtained a very good price for her farm wagon and team from the merchants who were buying the wool. The cutter had brought in more than they had hoped so wagons were at a premium. They did however find another dozen or so passengers who were desperate to travel so the fishing boat was quite packed when they set off, the fishermen were well compensated for their time. Yvette spent most of the trip hanging over the side feeling sick even though the fishermen said it was rather calm. At Dover the two officers hired a private chaise to carry them to London together with their two batmen and one of the soldiers whose family lived there.

Peter took stock and decided that having paid out less in expensive travel so far he could afford to take every one back to the Earl’s estate. Then the question was how. A long wagon would be cheapest but there again the Earl would want to know about his son as quickly as possible and the mail coach was the quickest way to get back. Besides it would save on accommodation costs so on the next mail coach they set off. Frank, Peter and Yvette clung grimly to their outside seats on top whilst the three wounded men he thought would do better in the more expensive inside seats.

On arrival they were all shown into the presence of the Earl, the butler and Miss Towers in the library. “So where’s my second son and what happened?” “Unofficially he was caught in a thunderstorm without shelter, took first a chill which later developed into fever and died.” “And officially?” “I have a letter from his commanding officer saying he died valiantly in action, brave to the last.” Miss Towers could see the Earl was trying hard to maintain stiff upper lip so diverted attention onto herself by asking “and won’t you introduce us to your companions?”

“These are three wounded riflemen who provided extra protection for us on the trip back and Yvette who smoothed our journey and kept our expenses to a minimum.” “Fletcher I think you can find room for three more footmen.” Then the Earl addressed Yvette directly in French and a long conversation unfolded interspersed with comments from Miss Towers also in French. Yvette was a little nervous at first but the Earl soon had her at ease. Frank grew a little nervous at the frown the Earl cast his way from time to time. Eventually the Earl addressed Yvette who curtsied and cast an eye towards Frank.

“Frank I’m disappointed in you.” “But I never touched her.” “As I said I’m disappointed in you.” “Fletcher you’ll see to the banns being read for Frank and Yvette on Sunday. Frank you’re fired, I’ll pay you until quarter day though.” Frank looked indignant and Miss Towers thought it best to remove him before he said something rash and Yvette followed. “But how can he do this to me Miss?” he asked in a bewildered way out in the hall, “I take it you didn’t follow the French part of the conversation then?” “Just the odd word.” “Yvette has been given the tenancy of Stratton’s old farm, rent free for two years, she has some money of her own from her dowery I understand and together with your quarter’s pay I think you’ll find you have enough to live on.” Yvette smiling slipped her arm round Frank’s waist and walked off with him to inspect their new farm. The Earl meanwhile despondently picked up a glass of brandy and not even Heather’s smile could cheer him up.

Peter was dispatched to cast an eye over the heir’s estate to get a better idea of how good a manager he was. He looked over the land first and was not happy to see even the hedges looked in poor repair never mind the cottages. When he arrived he stopped by at the local ale house and after a plough man’s lunch of bread and cheese and some of the best pickled onions he’d had in a long time asked if the estate was hiring. “Depends how desperate you are and how bothered you are about getting any wages seeing as they haven’t paid last quarter nor look likely to pay any this quarter either.” Peter gave a questioning look, “See the maid going into the store opposite, that’s Jane, she’ll tell you the same.” Peter left the last of his glass of ale on the counter and walked over to the store.

“But you’ve got to let me have sommat otherwise I’ll be beaten when I go back.” “He hasn’t paid a penny towards his account for the last eighteen months, I can’t afford it.” Peter stepped up behind the maid. “Interested in a job away from here?” “With a strange man I’ve never seen before, still it can’t be worse than where I am at the moment.” “Want to get your things then?” She guided him outside before speaking “You want to know what happened to the last maid who gave her notice in? She was asked to work her notice and the next day they had a special dinner. All the staff had to attend to serve he said. Mr. White had Bess drink two glasses of wine then auctioned off all her clothes as he said he owned them seeing as he’d paid for the material as she was stood in the dinning room, whoever brought a garment was allowed to remove it and they took their time about it. Next came the stocks, poor Bess was placed in them with her lower limbs held apart with a bar and her bum was up in the air. That Mr. White then held up a rope of pearls for everyone to inspect then he had one of the other maids feed it into Bess’s fanny. The diners took turns in pulling out the rope one pearl at a time. You could see poor Bess shudder as they came out glistening. After that there was no stopping them. One after another they queued up to put their thingy up her fanny, she was thrown out the door at the end of it and told they didn’t need any maids in the club, no reference no wages. No if we’re going we’re going right now, my things get left behind, they’ll never pay me wages nohow anyway. Are we walking?” “I have a horse so you can ride pillion.” “I’ll meet you at the end of village by the oak tree, now you get going else they’ll know we’re together and there nothing they like better than hunting a man or a maid rather than a fox.”

When they returned the Earl listened expressionless as Jane told her tale. He then asked both Jane and Peter to be silent about what they knew then sent for his housekeeper and told her Jane was to be given work.

Helen and Sam discussed Horatia and Rosanna’s problem when next they met. “Sam mentioned you might like to go with him and visit one of the silk warehouses next time he sails.” “I’ve done the sums again and again and we can only afford three hundred pounds which isn’t nearly enough for the material and making up.” “No but I can sew and so can Rosanna’s maid, and the other female members of both households come to that. So you’d only got to pay for the material and Sam’s got some ideas about that as well if you’ll give him the three hundred pounds. It’s a bit cramped on the boat for the two of you but I wouldn’t trust Sam to buy the right material. I could go perhaps?” “No you’re right and it’s a gamble anyway. Sam shall have his three hundred pounds and he can pay for the material but Rosanna and myself will go with him.” A week later Horatia and Rosanna dressed in warm comfortable clothes found themselves in the tiny cabin on Sam’s boat. “Well it might be cheaper than the mail but at least the beds are larger in the inns.” “If I’d had known I might have brought a fishing boat with a luxurious cabin.” “Still if it means we can buy the material cheaply we can survive.”

They spent much of the voyage on deck borrowing Sam’s telescope to look at the land as they sailed by. “Sam I think that ship is trying to catch us up.” Sam took the telescope and took a look. “Tom run out the guns.” He cried and Tom and the crew members removed two openings in the stern and ran out two cannons. “Full sail now my lads.” Sam pointed the cutter downwind and they surged forward. “Sam isn’t that a coast guard’s flag over the ship?” “It could be a ploy ma’am, best not to take chances though I doubt they’ll come near us now they’ve seen our guns.” “I hadn’t realised that fishing boats carried rear facing guns.” “They came as part of the fittings and Tom used to be a gunner in the Navy so we’re well able to defend ourselves if need be.”

In the morning they awoke to the sound of deckhands running over the decks and throwing ropes to the harbour. Sam knocked on their door “If you’d like to step ashore the warehouse is just across the street and there is a nearby café that serves a lot better food than I can manage for your breakfast.” They stepped down the gang plank onto the firm stone of the quay. “Anton.” Sam’s voice called out. Anton turned and greeted Sam in a stream of French. Sam spoke very loudly and slowly “Yes well I have your looms aboard and two young ladies who are interested in your materials.” Rosanna turned to Horatia “I do believe we’re in France.” Horatio tried out her French on Anton and was ushered into the warehouse opposite. “Au premier, vous devez décider quel matériel souhaité puis Sam et moi va parler.” Anton smiled at Horatio. More than two hours later Horatio and Rosanna stood in front of a pile of French silks, velvets and cambric. Anton beamed at them benevolently before taking out his pad of paper and adding up the cost. “You don’t think we’ve picked out too much do you?” Asked Rosanna nervously. Anton looked at the figures before picking out a bale of Cambric and added it to the pile then the end of a roll of silk that Rosanna had put back reluctantly. He looked expectantly at Sam. Sam shrugged and Anton added two more rolls of silk to the pile. Sam smiled this time. The material was wrapped in canvas for the voyage home.

“Sam I was expecting to have to put some back. How did we do so well?” “Your three hundred pounds paid for a pair of looms that Anton has been after for some time by the time we got a quantity discount and generous payment for the looms Anton didn’t do so bad.”

As they approached the schooner they were in turn approached by a young lady who addressed herself to Horatio in French who in turn asked some questions of her own. Then some documents were produced which Horatio studied. “Éléonore is a ladies maid with excellent references who has been turned off when the count managed to gamble away his last few francs. Apparently there is less money and hence demand for lady’s maids than there was and Éléonore feels there are better opportunities in London but she has no money for the fare and doesn’t speak English either. She saw we’ve been buying material and hopes that whoever it is for needs some help sewing.” Rosanna grinned “So we’re hiring a French lady’s maid for the season are we?” “And teaching her enough English to get by, if the references are to be believed I think she could name her own wages once in London but she’s willing to work for us for a year in return for being taught English and if we are doing the season it will give her time to look around. However there is a man friend, Serge, she wishes to bring as well.” “There’s room on the boat.” remarked Sam. Éléonore was sent to collect Serge with the warning that they would leave on the next tide so not to be too long.

Serge had to be coaxed on the boat by Éléonore, he seemed obviously reluctant to leave France. Rosanna raised her eyebrows questioningly at Horatio, “If Éléonore is half as good at her work as her references imply I have no objection to Serge what so ever.” He spent a miserable voyage being sick over the side most of the time. Éléonore spent her time with him trying to reassure him all would be well. With a brisk trailing wind they made good time on the return journey although the sea was much choppier than Serge would have preferred. Sam thought it was because it was near full moon so it wouldn’t have mattered if they arrived later in the day.

Rosanna and Horatio were sat having a cup of tea to relax when they were disturbed by cook. “Mrs. Roth has tempted the Baron’s cook away for more pay and they’ve sent over a note asking if I could do anything?” “Oh laud it’s mother’s full moon big formal dinner party tonight, that woman has done it deliberately to show mother up.” “To be honest I’m not sure I’m up to preparing a posh meal for two dozen guests.” “No no Betty I’m sure we’ll think of something.” “I’d better get changed hadn’t I and if I take Betty and the kitchen maids with me I’m sure we can do something.” “I could lend a hand.” “No if I’m missing its not too bad but the daughter of the house at a formal dinner party it’s not to be born.” Horatio dashed upstairs where she found Éléonore looking through her meagre wardrobe. She explained she needed a simple dress that she could prepare a meal for two dozen people as she stepped out of her clothes. Éléonore crossed her arms and refused to assist her into the gown she normally used when baking in the kitchen. “Serge.” She exclaimed then scurried off to bring him to Horatio’s presence. She knocked on the door before returning then explained that Serge was the Countess’s chef and a meal for two dozen would be a mere bagatelle to him.

That evening Mrs. Roth looked round expectantly thinking her rival for the neighbourhood’s premier hostess would be finished, instead the superb meal that was served was the talk of the neighbourhood for weeks afterwards. Even the Baron was moved to compliment his wife on the excellence of her table. His wife looked down to Rosanna who smiled back at her.

Eventually Horatio’s cook was dispatched to the Baron’s kitchen for the day to day cooking, Serge taking over for dinner parties, and normally supervising Horatio’s kitchen whilst Horatio taught English to Éléonore and Serge.

A month later and Miss Towers came across the Earl reading a letter which had obviously put him out of temper. She raised a questioning eyebrow and was handed the letter. “From my man of business, he’s been offered Angus White’s gambling debts for a shilling in the pound and he’s my heir God dammit. I sent Peter to quietly look over his estate, he tells me the place is falling apart. Still there’s nothing to be done, would you mind collecting the rents from the manor of Lower Wapping? Take those three ex-rifleman with you as outriders and you’d best take a maid. Heather hasn’t travelled much and might enjoy the trip. Take a good look round whilst you’re there and let me know how it’s getting on.” Heather was excited with the idea of a forty mile journey by coach even if it meant setting off at five am in order to make the trip in a single day. Patrick and Toby had ridden off two days before leading a spare team and mounts for the outriders which they’d travel with slowly so as not to tire the horses out.

Lower Wapping’s manor house was small and furnished with a mixture of furniture that looked as if it had been discarded from grander homes at one time or other. The steward was pleased to see them and asked his understeward to show them the estate. Miss Towers was struck by the marked resemblance of Adolphus to the Earl, Heather was simply struck dumb by the sight of him.

“If you were to marry milord and your wife was to bear a son?” Heather asked tentatively stroking the Earl’s crotch gently. “Fifty years ago I’d take up your suggestion but these days its unlikely that I would be fruitful and even if I was I’ve noticed that such children are often far from bright, and have a difficult life. Besides who in their right mind would want a seventy year old husband?” Miss Towers entered the room carrying the ledgers from the manor of Lower Wapping. “I asked the understeward to return with us at Heather’s suggestion so that he might answer any questions you might have.” The Earl looked at a much younger version of himself in the doorway. “Apparently his grandmother was a governess in her younger days and taught him to read and write.” “Called Agnes no doubt?” Adolphus spoke up “How did you know?” “She was my governess who disappeared and no one would ever talk about her. I was very upset at the time.” Heather closed the door quietly then approached the Earl. “If you were to marry Miss Towers and she was to have a child?” “There’d be a scandal.” “Not if he and I were to marry and he became your new assistant valet and I was to act as Miss Towers’s maid. No one need know what went on behind closed doors especially ones with interconnecting doors between the rooms.” “And if Heather was to find herself breeding why it might be natural for her and her husband to move to Lower Wapping to bring her family up.” Interjected Miss Towers speculatively. The Earl in turn looked at Miss Towers, well there was intelligence and a pleasant manner there certainly, the county wouldn’t snub her that was certain. “Well my dear are you willing to go along with this idea?” Miss Towers thought quickly if it worked then she’d be in comfort for the rest of her life and if they did nothing both she and the estate would suffer. She stepped across to Adolphus and kissed him on the lips, an exploring sort of kiss to see if she’d like to bed him. She stepped back and looked at the Earl “If you’re proposing marriage then I’m game.” Heather turned to Adolphus and kissed him in turn, “Well I’m game as well.” Adolphus looked a bit taken back, “Am I to have to say in this?” “Certainly my boy, certainly you have a say. Now let’s just get straight what your prospects are at the moment, understeward you might raise to steward when you’re fifty if you live that long. However marry Heather and get both Heather with child, Miss Towers with an heir and I’ll find Heather a dowery of one of the minor estates.” Heather took his hand and moved it over her breast “You also get me isn’t that enough?” and kissed him again more deeply this time. “Looks like you’d just accepted a new post as my valet me boy.” said the Earl with a wide grin. The Earl married first with all due pomp and splendour that the village could arrange. The servants were ecstatic.

As soon as the countess realised she was with child Adolphus and Heather were dispatched to Lower Wapping so that he might finish his training as estate steward and the new heir was born six months later.

On his second birthday Matthew was playing on the lawn with his friend Bill, an estate worker’s son, and two dogs when a shot rang out and both lads fell to the ground. Tom and Harry, the two ex-soldiers whom Peter had brought back immediately took off following the dogs towards the shooter with little regard to their personal safety. Harried by the dogs the assassin was unable to reload his rifle or escape quickly. Tom held the man down whilst Harry picked up the rifle. “Well at least I got the heir, I couldn’t miss at that range.” “Sorry old son but you shot the wrong one.” “God Mr. White will kill me.” “Would that be Mr. Angus White?” asked Harry carefully, the look of shock gave them their answer. Harry finished loading the rifle and squeezed the trigger. “Time to go and visit my old grandmother, pity about him tripping and the gun going off.” Tom nodded and together they left for the house still carrying the smoking gun. Mr. Sharp when applied to for permission for Harry to visit his grandmother and to borrow a pistol in case he met any dangers on the road. He suggested that Mary might like to meet his grandmother as well. They left shortly afterwards Mary dressed in boys clothing astride a horse for the first time in her life and a pair of cased duelling pistols and a telescope in Harry’s saddle bag.

They headed north at first and slept under hedgerows using all the field craft at Harry’s disposal. Harry taught Mary to reload the pistols as he tried them for accuracy. “They’re very good, much better than anything we were issued with in the war.” Eventually a week later they circled down to the south and arrived at Angus White’s estate where they hid out in the woods. Harry kept lookout with the telescope passing it to Mary with the question “Is that he?” Mary nodded silently, “Now remember don’t say a word.” Harry replaced the telescope and drawing out the duelling pistols and handing one to Mary he slid into position by the path stepping out when the walking horse was only a few feet away. He motioned Angus to dismount which Angus did trying to put the horse between him and Harry only to hear the flintlock in Mary’s hand being cocked. Harry tied the horse to a nearby branch before turning and casually aiming the pistol at Angus’s left knee cap. With a startled cry Angus collapsed on the ground and Mary handed Harry the second pistol and set about reloading the first. Harry took aim at Angus’s right hand and pulled the trigger. Two more shots rang out before Harry reloaded his pistol himself taking care to only use a partial load fired the last round at Angus’s shoulder. Then calmly he loosed the horse and slapped it on its way. Mary gave Angus a few hard kicks in the ribs before silently following Harry away through the trees to where the horses were tied. “We didn’t kill him?” She queried “Oh he’ll take a day or two to die but he’s dead right enough.” “Straight home?” She queried. “No we’ll head south for two days first before circling back to the estate.”

Angus’s grooms soon found him and carried him back to the house where a doctor was sent for. “Now I wonder who’ve you been upsetting?” He asked aloud as he looked over the shattered knee caps and hands, as to that shoulder wound well he’d start there and hopefully the pain would render his patient unconscious so he could dress the other wounds. As he carefully inspected his patient he saw the bruises on his ribs as well so bound them up to make him more comfortable. “Well now I’ve never seen the like before, usually it’s a single gun shot wound not multiple ones like these. If he recovers it’ll be at least a year before he walks again and his hands I doubt will ever be the same. I’m tempted to amputate the legs in case of gangrene but the shock would be too great. I don’t hold out much hope he’ll survive the next day or two, its about as likely as me being paid for my services. Still if you keep him warm and treat him with laudanum, I suggest 20 drops that will at least kill the pain for him before he dies. I’ll be back to see how he gets on sometime next week.”

Sally volunteered to nurse him and since noone else wanted the job was allowed to nurse him. She carefully measured out a half drop of laudanum and slipped it between her patient’s lips before opening the window to let in the fresh air as she put it. “Sally you’ve only given him half a drop, didn’t the doctor say twenty?” “Oh I never was good a sums, besides I don’t want him to miss a minute of discomfort, or to get better come to that.”

It took Angus just over a week of agonising discomfort to die. An indifferent search had been made of the grounds and surrounding neighbourhood by the staff but no one really expected the culprits to be caught.

When Harry and Mary rode back into the stable yard they were met by the head groom. “No don’t dismount, and I don’t want to hear a word of where you’ve been. The Earl’s instructions are it’s the church for you two, the curate is waiting to marry you, Tom and I will be witnesses.” “What about the banns?” “Mr. Sharp arranged that they should be read the day after you left in case like so they’ve been read three times. Now afterwards you’re to take yourselves off to Lower Wapping and give this letter to the steward. Oh and both of you’ve been dismissed by the way, here’s your pay through to year end.” The Countess approached as the head groom turned to fetch Tom. “The Earl suspects but would rather not know the details, Mary gets a farm at Lower Wapping for a peppercorn rent for her lifetime and remember that a wife cannot be called to give evidence against her husband.” Mary and Harry looked at each other, “Best propose then hadn’t I love? Wilst thou have me?” Mary looked at him shyly for a moment or two as if she was undecided but at the expression on his face she smiled her agreement and they set off towards the church.

“Sir Jerome Griffith, Justice of the Peace.” Announced Sharp, “I’ve come with bad tidings I’m afraid of your kinsman, Angus White.” “You’ll take a glass of sherry I take it?” Sir Griffith nodded his agreement. “Now what’s Angus been up to?” “I’m afraid he may have been set upon by footpads and shot.” “You say may have been?” “This is very good sherry by the way. Yes to come back to Angus it’s a little strange he was hit five times, both kneecaps and both hands plus the final shot in his shoulder.” “Caught anyone?” “No and to tell the truth I don’t expect to. I can’t honestly say he was the most loved man around, he had five men transported for poaching in the last two years, and two more from the estate are due up before me this week. No other robberies have been reported either before or since. The bullets were odd, smooth as if they were made for a duelling pistol.” “Would you care to inspect my duelling pistols? Or do you want to call in a Bow street runner?” “No no, my suspicion lies with someone from London town, Mr. White was known for his wild parties and gambling I think his debts caught up with him and if his assassin was titled or a London percenter then I’ve no intention of stirring up muddy waters. Still the big question to my mind is what happens to his estate as far as I can see you’re his nearest relative and to be honest it needs money for repairs and improvements, he’s been taking money out for too long.” “I’ll send my steward over to sort it out and I think we can turn a blind eye to the poaching.”

That evening the Earl and his countess were sat in their private sitting room Amberson’s new assistant, Jane’s head was bopping up and down gently in the Earl’s lap whilst the countess sat embroidering. “Reuben my love.” The Earl looked up at his countess, “Did you ever get round to giving Heather her dowery?” “You’re right I hadn’t got round to it.” “Angus’s estate, I mean your nephew should know all about estate management.” “I’ll send for the lawyer in the morning.”