Merrie England, in the seventeenth century ...

The sun twinkled on the rippling creek as it meandered between the meadows of Caisterdale to put across beneath the old Edward Durell Stone bridge beside the village church.

Sarah sat at the brookside, her face in shadow oblivious to the fit, staring unseeing into the distance, volume in hand but lost in her thoughts.

She heard hooves clattering upon the gravel track, `` Ah Miss Haverthorpe, one last day of freedom ? '' asked a associate voice.

She looked up, Gospel According to John, Lord Caisterdale 's son, her puerility Friend looked down upon her from his chestnut stallion.

'' Yes, '' she agreed quietly as she stared at his hansom look, his broad shouldered frame, his hat jauntily poised atop his mop of grim hair.

He looked down seeing the young fille of his puerility rather than the young charwoman in the full blossom of animation which she had become

'' A suitable fellow, indeed a lucky boyfriend, Mr Countisbury, '' John chuckled, `` Staid steadfast all the character one could like for in an arch Bishop, you have indeed chosen well ! '' he laughed.

She scowled.

'' Shall we see you tonight ? '' he chuckled, knowing full well she would never knuckle under to the age old ritual of the 'Droit de Signeur ,'where the maidenhead of all the maidens of the parish belonged to the Lord of Caisterdale to be plucked on their marriage ceremony eve.

'' Yes, '' she said turning to gaze steadfastly at the water supply, `` I shall be there, it is the tradition. ``

He reigned in his horse and whirled around, `` Yes ? '' he said, `` Surely not ? ``

'' Yes, I shall be there, '' she repeated.

'' But you do n't understand, '' he said hopelessly, `` Fatherhood, '' He felt he needed to admonish her, to admonish of the world of fornication which he sampled sometimes in Harrogate or Heaton, a world away from Caisterdale where wenches cavorted wantonly for pennies, a domain into which in a few furious second his own founding father would propel her into unsuspicious and unwilling.

'' I understand full fountainhead, '' she said, `` It is barbaric, half the get-go Max Born of the settlement have your father 's centre. '' she announced, `` But it is his right, and if the humiliate handmaiden girls must succumb then so must I. ``

He wanted to look into her middle, to see her soulfulness but she stared through her Word and into a world far beyond.

'' I shall not allow it ! '' John announced, `` Not you, with male parent, it is abhorrent, why not so long ago we were as brother and sister playing. ``

'' And now I have made an excellent friction match, '' she said, adding with a degree of sarcasm, `` Everyone says so. ``

'' Yes, '' he agreed uncertainly.

The sun shone on her golden hair, glinted off her meshing ring, shone golden upon her shapely ankles and the curve of her cervix, he felt stirrings, but she turned towards him once more and the moment was gone.

'' And you agree ? '' she said, `` That I shall make an excellent vicar 's wife. ``

'' Indeed, '' he agreed, `` A vicar 's girl become a vicar 's wife, it is, '' he paused seeing her uncomfortableness, `` As if ordained by the God Almighty Jehovah, '' he said pompously.

'' steward ! '' she snapped and tured back to the creek with snag welling in her eyes,

The rebuke stung, had any other maidservant said it it would birth been as zilch, had it been a servant daughter she would give been whipped, but this was Sarah, whom he had known for thirster than he could remember and her opinion mattered.

'' I suppose we shall meet occasionally ? '' he queried as he struggled to fare to terms with the practicalities of Sarah 's forthcoming mrriage.

'' I doubt it, '' she replied, `` The life of a Vicar 's married woman is entirely full of good works and dateless mind numbing boredom ! '' she snapped and she threw her book down in anger, `` I could scarce countenance the excitement. ``

He knew not what to do or say, the whole involvement had been somewhat of a shock, his regular sojourn to the vicarage had perforce been curtailed by her courtship with Mr Countisbury, and indeed he knew he would neglect her as he would a baby, and the thought process she was to hook up with disturbed him deeply.

'' Indeed, '' he said, `` Until the morrow then, honest day, '' he said and wheeled his buck again and rode home, his mentation greatly troubled.

He helped stable his steed, washed the detritus of the road from his expression and deal, toyed with his writing and finally dressed for dinner and came down to dine.

'' Oh, what form of honour is this ? `` his father asked, `` Deigning to dine with us, is it in accolade of Miss Haverthorpe ? ``

'' Miss Haverthorpe Father ? '' he asked.

'' Indeed, young Sarah, number to be plucked, but she will not arrive until dark, '' his father averred, `` Why it must be a month very near since you endure give up the delectation of the Dog and Duck to dine with us, ''

'' I have concern Father, '' he insisted.

'' Funny line of work, monkey business ? '' his Church Father chided.

'' Leave the poor boy alone Charles I, '' his mother insisted, `` He is Twenty One after all. ``

'' Yes, '' his Father-God agreed, `` And with age comes duty. ''

'' And decrepitude, his mother insisted.

'' And that is the thing father, '' John said forcibly, `` Why you are old enough and Sir Thomas More to be Miss Haverthorpe 's Father-God, it is quite uncomely ! ``

'' I had no relations with the mother I assure you, '' lord Caisterdale admitted, `` But in part you are rightfield. ``

'' Indeed, '' added his mother, `` But you see your Father and I had words. ``

'' And therein you impact and stupefy me, '' John sneered, `` Had words indeed ? ``

His mother sat bolt vertical, `` And the upshot is I have forbidden your father to fornicate with Miss Sarah or indeed any more than maiden over. ''

'' It 's my heart son, '' the Godhead said, `` It pains me. ``

'' Oh poor Miss Haverthorpe, '' John sneered.

'' poor people young woman Haverthorpe indeed, '' his mother insisted, `` Suffering your fumblings instead. ``

'' What ? '' John protested.

'' Why the duty devolves to you, '' she insisted, `` Now perform it honourably ! ``

'' But we played together ! '' John Lackland insisted, `` I can not ravish her, she is zippo but a tyke ! ``.

'' Bah boloney, '' she snorted, `` She has become quite womanly, have you not noticed the jut atop her thorax ? '' she asked, `` No you must prehend her roughly and claim her, tear away her innosence and put her childhood behind her, just do your duty Charles. ``

'' Yes, it is as our mother says, '' trick 's Father-God admitted, `` For the chaste wench the first encroachment is torment and the blame for that pain in the neck and trauma must devolve to the Signeur, so that the first conjugation betwixt husband and wife might be voiced and aristocratic and rapt do you see ? ``

'' And do I jade a skin ? '' John asked.

'' Lord no, not if she 's pure, why half the village, '' his Padre started to say proudly.

'' Have his heart, '' his female parent added, `` And not just first borns ! ``

Johns begetter frowned crossly, `` He blames me, '' his mother confided, `` But there are limits John, there is only so much a womanhood can take. ``

'' One damned child, xx two years, '' he muttered, and she smiled.

'' Say gracility dear the meal grows cold, '' Lady Caisterdale exclaimed as se regarded the simple beef meal before them.

'' From what we are about to receive may god preserve us, '' he uttered blasphemously and they started to eat.

'' Excellent beef Charles VII, one of ours ? '' his mother exclaimed.

His Fatherhood put down his ramification, `` For you see John if you rouse the skirt gently, snog her, finger her mamilla, feel her womanhood gently, probe it, set aside it to ripen and open gently and still and rag the maidenhead asunder the wench will pine for you, even years after she will see her man as second best and you as her one true lover, so be savage to be kind John. ``

'' He has all sorting of shoulder strap and gismo and whips you my use, he even has caudex to take the dame 's ankles and wrist joint all in a row, '' the female parent explained, `` That way she can not dissent. ``

'' mother ! '' John Lackland protested.

'' Tell him Charles the Great ! '' she insisted.

'' Yes, '' he agreed, `` A lifetimes accumulation efficacious in every circumstance. ``

'' Apart from last time ? '' she added.

'' She was fat as a pig ! '' he protested.

'' She lost her maidenhead to a chair leg John Lackland, how undignified ! '' his mother declaimed inelegantly.

'' And what makes it ten times worse, your mother did the thrust, '' John the Evangelist 's sire insisted, `` No John, tis your obligation now. ``

'' What, outrage Sarah ? '' he asked thoughtfully, `` But we are like comrade and sister. ``

'' Mr Countisbury shall be her brother now, '' John 's beginner insisted, `` Such childish ways must be set aside, she 's not been a minor these two year, look at her breast, those cherry mouth, the favorable ringlets, are you blind, why half the Village think you lovers ! ``

John thought hard, perhaps Sarah had become a womanhood without his notice, it made sense now, he must do his tariff, he must for both Mr Countisbury 's rice beer and her sake appear to be cruel and heartless, `` Then if I must I shall do my duty, '' he said nobly.

The meal passed and with the crepuscle came the clattering of hooves and Sarah was delivered by the funeral director cart as was the custom.

'' Sarah ! '' John 's female parent welcomed her, `` So tomorrow is your felicitous day ! ``

Sarah looked at the floor unhappily, `` Indeed it is Lady Caisterdale. ``

St. John the Apostle 's mother replied cheerily, `` sunshine up my dear, tomorrow will dawn with brilliant fair weather and only happiness will await you will see ! ``

'' I only hope you are raise correct, '' Sarah agreed.

Charles stepped forward, `` It seems such a short time since you and John played together in this very room, and now he is twenty and one and you can not be far off the same.

'' It is indiscreet to ask a noblewoman her age, `` Sarah replied, `` But yes, I am almost twenty dollar bill and one and as father says an unmarried dame of twenty one is a sad, dour and dissatisfy one. ``

'' Yes indeed, '' Charles agreed, `` But we have business sector to transact, do you have your robe child ? '' he asked.

'' Beneath my cloak, '' she said, `` All virginal white awaiting to be sullied by the vivid red ! ``

'' Quite so, '' Charles interjected, `` Sadly my nub is no longer able-bodied. ``

'' Oh thank god, I was so frightened ! '' Sarah gasped with evident relief.

'' So St. John will perforce remove on the duty, '' he continued.

'' No, not john, god no ! '' Sarah protested, `` No it can not be ! ``

'' It was not my choice but it is for the best, '' whoremonger assured her, `` Best for all. ``

'' How can it be best for me ? '' she demanded.

'' Enough, '' John 's mother cried, `` Desist or I shall have cook bring a nagger 's bridle and muteness you. Now come with me and I shall show you the place and do what I may to ease the torment. ``

Sarah stared open mouthed but refrained and steadying her nerves she followed John 's mother upstairs.

The second best guest bedroom was fain already, the four post bed freshly aired with saucy virtuous white sheets, wine and lemon yellow barley water system were provided and towels and arena of water supply.

A hot seat, a press a dresser of drawers, mirrors everything, a candelabra of sixteen candles shone like sunlight, fat carpeting carpeted the floor and all was as opulent as any cyprian 's boudoir to be found in Yorkshire.

Sarah accepted her fate, and on ma'am Caisterdale 's advice set about easing the agony with half a carafe of red Bordeaux which relaxed her greatly.

Heartened by the wine she disrobed to her virtuous white shift without demurral, she wore no under thing nor corset as was the tradition and sat upon the bed while John 's mother offered her reasoned advice, `` The matter is Sarah, that low clip can be an torture of the first purchase order and some girls never forgive their husbands for that agony, so, do you see, if the lord causes the hurt then it matters not. ''

Sarah thought hard, `` But what if she falls in sexual love with the master ? ``

Lady Caisterdale smiled, `` It is for the lord to ascertain she does not ! '' she declared as she produced a part of mahogany split in two with four fix and a hinge pin and clasp with a pad lock to hold back it tight, `` Charles River finds this efficacious on occasions, '' she added, `` Your wrists and mortise joint through the holes, most effective, '' she said wistfully, remembering happier times.

'' But John, do you see, he is, he was, my friend ! '' Sarah pleaded, `` Surely, he can not treat me thus ? ``

'' No, to the obstinate, '' the older char insisted, `` He must for the alternative is to give you pining for him like some doe eyed pup, oh no, no you must see him for the fornicating brute he has become and thank your wiz for kindly Mr Countsibury. ``
'' Oh noble, '' Sarah sighed a she heard footsteps approach.

There was a bash on the doorway, `` It is time, '' privy 's mother avered, `` seed in. ``

'' Ah, founder said, '' John explained awkwardly.

'' I shall leave you to it, good night, '' the mother said and she slipped away.

can bolted the door behind him.

'' effective eventide, '' he said awkwardly, `` Can I get you anything ? ``

'' No, I am content, just do your obligation, '' Sarah said nobly.

'' On the bed ? '' he asked.

'' No on the face bench by the outflow, '' she replied, `` Of row on the bed ! ``

'' Yes, '' he laughed awkwardly.

'' So, '' she probed, `` What are you waiting for ? ``

He stood immobile, `` Yes indeed. ``

'' So disrobe, '' she said, `` And assault me. ``

'' Yes, '' he said, `` Of class, '' and he set about removing his crownwork, his kerchief, his shirt, carpet slippers, air sock, singlet, breech and finally he stood in naught but under breeches.

'' Shall we extinguish the illuminants ? '' he asked.

'' No, '' she insisted, `` Or dawn shall be with us, disrobe and be done ! ``

'' Ah, '' he said awkwardly, as he hesitated to shed his underthings.

'' Down ! '' she snapped and grabbed his under rear of barrel which tore as the string was still fastened and the underpart fell to the floor, while the waistband remained, `` Oh ! ``

His outgrowth hung limp and unexcited, `` Do I not charge up you ? '' she asked.

'' Er, '' he said, emboldened she grasped his appendage.

'' Oh what an insignificance to be apprehensive of, '' she chided suddenly emboldened and she moved closer.

He went to push her away, but as his hands went to her shoulders so he was suddenly mindful of the womanly swell of her breast and the outline of her teat against the thin white shift.
Instead of pushing her away he pulled the articulatio humeri of her shift aside and eased it down gently.

'' Forcibly, '' she said as her held her and flicking her favourable haircloth aside he kissed her neck.

'' Er, yes, '' he agreed as he tried to reconcile her womanly form with his recollections of her climbing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and running around as a child.

Her shift slipped further, her finger instinctively cupped his chunk and caressed his shaft as deftly as any sporting lady and as her hammock touched his chest for the first sentence so he began to become aroused.

'' Forcibly, '' she said as he held her tightly, `` please ! ``

His appendage reared against her, `` On the bed, '' he said urgently.

She led him by the paw and flung back the bed clothes, he pulled up her shift so it was naught but a silken belt ammunition around her waistline and easing his articulatio genus inside hers thus spreading her second joint he went to hop on her.

His fingers sought her soft moist cavern but found only clinched muscles.

'' Ravish me ! '' she cried.

'' I can not, you are not ready, '' he said apologetically.

'' Ravish me, this is not love, assault me ! '' she insisted.

'' No, it is unacceptable, '' he insisted, `` You must be aroused, let me. ``

He kissed her neck once more and his fingers sought her teats, kneading them, `` No ! '' she protested, but his lips were upon hers now, his tongue ran along her dentition, `` Oh. ``

Her nipple were hardening now, he relaxed, she was just another prostitute after all, his awe that he might be inadequate to the project evaporated, she was just a fragrant blonde strumpet after all, he knew she would essay moistened when required and he enjoyed greatly the amour afforded.

He relished her exhilaration, her little pant as he squeezed her teats, her ineffective endeavour to tug him away and then with his sap rising further he decided the time was ripe.

His finger moved to the flaccid down covering her gloomy belly, trailing slowly down between her legs to where he felt moistness, he explored and there for the first time he found the moist smirch which eased into a hole and then a slot for one two and then three digit. He inserted a thumb, she gasped, so he forced the thumb harder into her, `` Ohhh, '' she cried quietly as she buried her typeface in his shoulder.

He worked quickly to enlarge the fissure, the military group made his thumb ache but dampness increased a C crimp and his ovolo slipped ever deeper until it was unequal to the task.

He slid down the bed and rolled his hips to straddle her and gently eased his knees between her thigh parting them and spreading her human knee widely, he eased his fingers within her once again and then grasping his humanness he gently pressed it against the pink softness of the folds of her sex before certain of her preparation he slid his bare appendage into her womanhood.

He revelled in the whizz of flesh on frame, his all humanness tingled as it eased relentlessly into the fast effeminateness engulfing it. He revelled in the volume of superstar coursing through his bare extremity, amplified twice or a thousand metre by the absence of the thick propylactic cocktail dress he wore at the sporting house. Quite suddenly he felt increased ohmic resistance, he thrust with his coxa, once twice, she cried out, he thrust again and quite suddenly he was entirely sheathed, his Ball against her flesh and his appendage nakedly sheathed to its utmost, his flesh entirely within hers and he rocked gently within her as the sensation overwhelmed him.

The heavens opened in his mind and he saw all the joys of union as his sap rose further and further until it threatened to run over entirely.

Sarah in her tour revelled in bathroom 's stamp osculation, his probing digit troubled her but excited her in compeer cadence and with her increasing her excitement so the number of digit increased.

Quite suddenly he changed and his brawny thumb was stretching her, she heard a moan, could it be her own voice ? and then his manhood, strong and hefty easement within her cloak-and-dagger space which she had barely explored for veneration of ruining her maidenhead.

A abbreviated flash of pain, a cry she had no recollection of uttering and she was ruined, yet he was caressing her, loving her and her heart soared, and nigh of all the sensations she had been assured were suffering were naught but rapture as he filled her to excess, a gasp, a moan, his fingers caressing her mammilla driving her wild and finally as she feared the fires of rage would absorb her he quenched the firing with a torrent of love.

For John it was a final kiss, a pluck teat to make her pant and then he claimed her entirely with a pelter of seed pumping and coursing through his trunk to oversupply hers. A soaker unrestrained he revelled in the freedom and made the moment survive as long as he could his manhood pumping in ever decreasing upsurge until it stilled.

'' Tis done, '' he said as they stilled and he came to remain lying upon her.

She pushed him away and wriggled free of his embrace as his humanity shrank.

'' You were to delight me, '' she protested, as she slipped from the bed, `` But instead you used me for a lover. ``

'' I eased you, to save you the hurt, '' he insisted.

'' You made love to me, it is unforgivable, '' she protested as she grasped a cloth and wiped away the moisture from her innards..

'' You aroused me, '' he challenged, `` Did I make you bleed ? ``

'' A fiddling, '' she said, `` I am completely ruined. ``

'' Then the next time should be a everlasting pleasance, '' he insisted.

'' I shall scarcely stand it, '' she said and she rearranged her shift, pulled on her cloak and shoes and went to leave him.

'' Are we still friends ? '' he asked.

'' champion, no, I believe I hate you, '' she said quietly, `` You abused me, right night. ``

He lay back as the room access closed, watching the taper guttering in the sudden draft as he listened to her stride receding as she went down the stairs.

He wanted her again already, but he was sure it would soon pass.

Sarah wandered aimlessly away down the corridor, `` Oh, '' John 's mother, Lady Caisterdale, exclaimed, `` Finished already ? ``

'' Yes, '' Sarah agreed, `` I can assure you that I am completely ruined, quite impure, destroyed, distraught. ``

'' Was it horrendous ? '' she asked.

'' No, no, not at all, it was mollify, pinnace, he kissed me as if he loved me, '' Sarah admitted.

'' Oh you wretched girl, '' gentlewoman Caisterdale commiserated, `` He was supposed to take your purity no more, '' she paused as Sarah 's eyes moistened, `` But it will break up itself this eventide when you are alone with your beloved. ''

Sarah sobbed suddenly, `` I suppose. '' she replied.

'' But why the hurry to take off, '' Lady Caisterdale asked, `` There is no bearing, the bed is easygoing and warm, shall you not stay put ? ''

'' I ought, '' Sarah pleaded.

'' No stay here secure and warmly, '' she suggested and she shouted, `` John, John, come down here this instant. ``

'' No ! '' she gasped, but John was upon them, struggling with his knee breeches as he ran.

'' john, '' Lady Caisterdale insisted, `` How dare you treat Sarah so ill, take her back to bed and enrapture her. ``

'' But my Lady ! '' Sarah protested.

'' I treated her with the utmost considerateness ! '' toilet insisted.

'' You treated her like a whore, made love to her when you should have ravished her, so need her to bed this instant, '' madam Caisterdale insisted.

'' Yes mother, '' he agreed in confusion.

'' Go ! '' she insisted.

Sarah held her head in her hand in confusion, `` Please no, '' she pleaded

'' If you do not wish well it then I shall not, '' he agreed.

ma'am Caisterdale sighed, `` Indeed you shall, '' she insisted, `` Now ravish and clapperclaw the girl, do not make her, use the restraints, use her unwillingly ! ``

'' If I must, '' he agreed

Sarah turned and turned again but there was no escape so she retraced her dance step, the bed awaited, still lightly stained with red and she lay upon it.

Lady Caisterdale followed, `` Use the restraint John the Evangelist, '' she insisted as she picked the mahogany tree restraint from the base, `` Bare yourself girl ! ``

Sarah cowered against the bedhead, her fingers shook as she removed her cloak and switch and she lay naked upon the counterpaine.

'' enrapture her then, '' noblewoman Caisterdale insisted, `` constrain her and, '' she paused, `` Oh, ah perhaps you can not after all ravish her John. ``

'' Why ? '' he asked.

'' Look at her, '' Lady Caisterdale exclaimed, '' her teats are swollen, her womanhood glistens with desire, you Steward you have made her sexual love you ! ``

'' So what shall I do ? '' he asked.

'' Use her like a woman of the street while you may, unspoilt night ! '' she replied and slipped away.

Sarah went to protest but John was upon her, desire overcoming signified and with his breeches discarded now he joined her upon the bed.

'' Please no, '' she said but he pulled her towards him, crushing her hillock against her chest and in a moment he felt her hired hand on his humanity guiding it unerringly into her lovesome moist slot.

He kissed her tenderly, `` No you torment me ! '' she protested but her body craved his seeded player and she squirmed beneath him tormenting him in her turn.

He saw the Shangri-la again, the backer sang and his seed pumped forth.

She was gone when he woke next morning, `` St. John the Apostle, you must get dressed, it is mistress Havethorpe 's wedding. ``

He had no desire what ever to attend. It troubled him that Sarah had succumbed so willingly, that his childhood friend whom he had never even though to kiss had proved such a wanton whore.

He dressed and took a of late breakfast and joined overlord and Lady Caisterdale in their pushchair to arrive as was the custom a consequence before the Wedding was to commence, barely a minute before the Brigid herself.

Countisbury awaited his St. Bridget, a steadfast staid individual, standing in a causa of black cut in a expressive style not seen for twenty year which had in all chance formerly belonged to his father.

John sighed, why had he not sampled Sarah before, many times he had bidden her good day and departed for the town to sample a working girl, where had he thought he might have sampled Sarah instead, finally he decided that after vthe spousal relationship he would indeed search Sarah out and Mr Countisbury should be cuckolded.

John barely registered the divine service, `` Do you charter this man for your lawful get married husband ? '' Sarah 's father the rev Haverthorpe asked.

'' No, '' she said, `` I can not, I have a lover. ``

'' seminal fluid child, that was the lord taking your innocence, it was zip, '' the reverend insisted.

'' Gone, your artlessness gone ! '' Countisbury queried.

'' Just the Lord of the manor 's perogative sir, '' the reverend insisted, `` An older gentleman sir. ``

'' It was John, the son, '' Sarah explained, `` I can not lie, it was cristal sir, I am undone, I can not lie, I relished it, I can not hook up with you any more than you can hook up with me. ``

'' No ! `` Countisbury cried, `` It can not be, it is unbearable ! '' and he stood up from the altar rail.

'' John ? '' the clergyman demanded, `` You consorted with John ? ``

'' Yes Father-God, '' she admitted.

'' intolerable, you sought to suffer me espouse an impure wench, that is unendurable sir ! '' Countisbury insisted, `` I do not wish you adept day sir, I merely take my leave. ``

The reverend looked on in horror as Countisbury walked away, then he turned to Sarah and declared.

'' You whore, you are no daughter of mine, get thee hence from the menage of the lord ! '' the man of the cloth cried, `` Go ! ``

Sarah rushed away, her billowing Patrick White wedding surgical gown rustling against the pews as she ran and she disappeared from view.

'' You sir are a shame, '' Lord Caisterdale bellowed, `` Attempting to marry your girl to such an insufferable dolt. ``

'' You sir are the ignominy with your evil practices, insisting on the Droit de Signeur indeed ! '' the reverend challenged.

'' Me ! '' he protested, `` I made no such demand, it was your choice sir ! ``

'' How daring you, '' the Reverend demanded, `` My daughter is completely ruined, who will
take her now, I can not pay to see her, who will demand her ? ``

`` Oh shut up clergyman, '' dame Caisterdale insisted, `` John the Divine will take her for now, she will make an admirable bed mate, why a girl more naturally inclined to whoredom I have seldom seen, '' she added, `` Come Charles let us subside the tyke into her new location. ``

Sarah stood disconsolately outside the church as Lord and Lady Caisterdale stepped outside, `` It seems you are to become my son 's schoolmistress Sarah, '' lady Caisterdale explained.

'' mistress, a kept woman ? '' she demanded, `` That makes me no better than a whore ! ``

'' Oh my dearest, '' noblewoman Caisterdale explained, `` You will relish it I am certain, and why not, you have no other future, you are hardly fit to be a chambermaid, and we have no need of a governess so kept woman it shall be, you shall birth 24-hour interval to yourself but the night shall be Johns. ``

'' I was to be married, and a Vicar 's wife but now I am to be a kept womanhood ? '' Sarah asked, `` I should rather be a nun. ``

'' Too late my dear, '' Lady Caisterdale suggested, `` You relish carnality too much, why we could her you screaming in exaltation, no you are far better suited to whoredom, and I think with John you have the best of it. ``

'' Give us a red-blooded son and I 'll let you marry the blighter, '' noble Caisterdale added.

'' Do I not deliver a say in this ? '' John asked.

'' No ! '' came the response from both parents as one.

Sarah had no other choices so with outstanding reluctance she climbed into the perambulator and they made precipitation to the manor Granville Stanley Hall. Sarah had naught but her marriage ceremony clothes to hold out and so she borrowed a servant 's smock from Mrs John Hope Franklin the housekeeper while her things were got from the vicarage and in due course the family assembled in the sitting room.

'' I shall drawn up a list of duties for you child, '' Lady Caisterdale announced quite suddenly.

'' responsibility ? '' Sarah asked.

'' Yes, even a fancy woman should know her station, '' madam Caisterdale insisted, `` You eat with John or the servants, each morning you help me enclothe and each evening undress and are usable to assist Charlemagne or John as required, is that acceptable ? ``

'' No, '' St. John the Apostle insisted, `` I want Sarah for myself. ``

'' Well you ca n't, '' noblewoman Caisterdale reminded him, `` The man of the cloth has disowned her and she is not twenty one yet. ``

'' Then I shall marry her at common law ! '' John insisted.

'' Hold on John the Evangelist, tis a big step ! '' his father insisted.

'' No, my creative thinker is made up, '' John insisted, `` Call the parish meeting father, I wish to claim Sarah as my bride ! ``

'' Directly, '' lord Caisterdale agreed, `` Tomorrow at Six ! ''