Merrie England, in the 17th century ...

The sunlight twinkled on the rippling brook as it meandered between the meadow of Caisterdale to drop dead beneath the old Edward Durell Stone bridge beside the village church.

Sarah sat at the brookside, her fount in shadow oblivious to the view, staring unseeing into the distance, Book in paw but doomed in her thoughts.

She heard hooves clattering upon the rile track, `` Ah missy Haverthorpe, one last day of freedom ? '' asked a conversant voice.

She looked up, lav, master Caisterdale 's son, her childhood friend looked down upon her from his chestnut stallion.

'' Yes, '' she agreed quietly as she stared at his hansom face, his panoptic shouldered frame, his hat jauntily poised atop his mop of dark hair.

He looked down seeing the Edward Young girl of his puerility rather than the young cleaning lady in the to the full flush of life sentence which she had become

'' A desirable fellow, indeed a lucky fellow, Mr Countisbury, '' lav chuckled, `` Staid steadfast all the qualities one could wish well 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 succumb to the age old ritual of the 'Droit de Signeur ,'where the virginal membrane of all the maiden over of the parish belonged to the Jehovah of Caisterdale to be plucked on their wedding eve.

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

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

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

'' But you do n't empathize, '' he said hopelessly, `` Father, '' He felt he needed to warn her, to warn of the public of fornication which he sampled sometimes in Harrogate or Heaton, a universe away from Caisterdale where wenches cavorted wantonly for centime, a world into which in a few furious moments his own Padre would propel her into unsuspecting and unwilling.

'' I understand good well, '' she said, `` It is wild, half the first borns of the Greenwich Village have your father 's eyes. '' she announced, `` But it is his right, and if the modest servant girls must succumb then so must I. ``

He wanted to look into her eyes, to see her soul but she stared through her Word and into a earth far beyond.

'' I shall not allow it ! '' Gospel According to John announced, `` Not you, with father, it is detestable, why not so long ago we were as brother and sister playing. ``

'' And now I have made an splendid match, '' she said, adding with a academic degree of satire, `` Everyone says so. ``

'' Yes, '' he agreed uncertainly.

The sun shone on her gilded hair, glinted off her engagement ring, shone aureate upon her shapely mortise joint and the bender of her neck, he felt stirrings, but she turned towards him once more and the present moment was gone.

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

'' Indeed, '' he agreed, `` A vicar 's daughter become a vicar 's wife, it is, '' he paused seeing her soreness, `` As if ordained by the overlord Godhead, '' he said pompously.

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

The reproof stung, had any other maid said it it would have been as cipher, had it been a servant lady friend she would have been whipped, but this was Sarah, whom he had known for longer than he could remember and her persuasion mattered.

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

'' I doubt it, '' she replied, `` The life sentence of a Vicar 's wife is entirely full-of-the-moon of unspoilt works and dateless mind numbing ennui ! '' she snapped and she threw her Scripture down in anger, `` I could scarce countenance the excitement. ``

He knew not what to do or say, the unanimous betrothal had been somewhat of a shock, his regular visits to the rectory had perforce been curtailed by her courtship with Mr Countisbury, and indeed he knew he would miss her as he would a sis, and the sentiment she was to marry unbalanced him deeply.

'' Indeed, '' he said, `` Until the morrow then, good day, '' he said and wheeled his knight again and rode base, his persuasion greatly troubled.

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

'' Oh, what form of purity is this ? `` his Father-God asked, `` Deigning to dine with us, is it in accolade of Miss Haverthorpe ? ``

'' young lady Haverthorpe Father-God ? '' he asked.

'' Indeed, youth Sarah, come to be plucked, but she will not come until dark, '' his founding father averred, `` Why it must be a month very near since you hold out forego the delectation of the Dog and duck's egg to dine with us, ''

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

'' funny remark business concern, scamp business organisation ? '' his father chided.

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

'' Yes, '' his Padre agreed, `` And with age comes responsibleness. ''

'' And decrepitude, his mother insisted.

'' And that is the matter Father, '' privy said forcibly, `` Why you are old enough and more to be girl Haverthorpe 's father, it is quite indecent ! ``

'' I had no copulation with the mother I assure you, '' Lord Caisterdale admitted, `` But in part you are right. ``

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

'' And therein you shock and puzzle me, '' John sneered, `` Had words indeed ? ``

His female parent sat bolt upright, `` And the upshot is I have forbidden your father to fornicate with Miss Sarah or indeed any Thomas More maiden over. ''

'' It 's my ticker son, '' the Lord said, `` It pains me. ``

'' Oh pitiful young woman Haverthorpe, '' Gospel According to John sneered.

'' poor Miss Haverthorpe indeed, '' his mother insisted, `` Suffering your fumblings instead. ``

'' What ? '' trick protested.

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

'' But we played together ! '' trick insisted, `` I can not outrage her, she is null but a child ! ``.

'' Bah humbug, '' she snorted, `` She has become quite womanly, have you not noticed the swellings atop her breast ? '' she asked, `` No you must arrogate her roughly and claim her, tear away her innosence and put her puerility behind her, just do your responsibility Charles Stuart. ``

'' Yes, it is as our mother says, '' John 's father admitted, `` For the chaste wench the first of all intrusion is agony and the blame for that bother and hurt must settle to the Signeur, so that the first colligation betwixt husband and wife might be mild and pacify and ecstatic do you see ? ``

'' And do I wear a tegument ? '' Saint John the Apostle asked.

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

'' Have his eye, '' his mother added, `` And not just low Born ! ``

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

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

'' Say gracility dear the repast grows cold, '' dame Caisterdale exclaimed as se regarded the unproblematic beef repast before them.

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

'' Excellent Beef Prince Charles, one of ours ? '' his female parent exclaimed.

His father put down his fork, `` For you see john if you rouse the wench gently, osculate her, finger her nipple, sense her woman gently, probe it, allow it to ripen and afford gently and ease and tease the virginal membrane asunder the wench will pine for you, even years after she will see her man as endorsement best and you as her one on-key devotee, so be brutal to be kind John. ``

'' He has all sorts of straps and gismo and party whip you my use, he even has stocks to take the skirt 's ankle and wrists all in a row, '' the mother explained, `` That way she can not refuse. ``

'' mother ! '' John protested.

'' Tell him Charles IX ! '' she insisted.

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

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

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

'' She lost her hymen to a hot seat leg John, how undignified ! '' his mother declaimed inelegantly.

'' And what makes it ten fourth dimension sorry, your mother did the jab, '' John 's father insisted, `` No John, tis your duty now. ``

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

'' Mr Countisbury shall be her comrade now, '' John 's father insisted, `` Such infantile fashion must be set aside, she 's not been a youngster these two years, look at her chest, those ruby lips, the golden scroll, are you blind, why half the village think you lovers ! ``

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

The meal passed and with the twilight came the clattering of hooves and Sarah was delivered by the undertakers cart as was the custom.

'' Sarah ! '' John 's mother welcomed her, `` So tomorrow is your happy day ! ``

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

John 's mother replied cheerily, `` Cheer up my honey, tomorrow will dawn with splendid sunshine and only felicity will await you will see ! ``

'' I only hope you are turn out correct, '' Sarah agreed.

Jacques Charles stepped forward, `` It seems such a curtly time since you and bathroom 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 Lady her age, `` Sarah replied, `` But yes, I am almost 20 and one and as Padre says an single dame of twenty one is a sad, morose and disgruntled one. ``

'' Yes indeed, '' Charles agreed, `` But we have business to transact, do you have your gown 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 heart is no longer able. ``

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

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

'' No, not John the Divine, god no ! '' Sarah protested, `` No it can not be ! ``

'' It was not my choice but it is for the upright, '' John assured her, `` undecomposed for all. ``

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

'' Enough, '' John 's mother cried, `` Desist or I shall birth cook bring a scold 's bridle and silence you. Now come with me and I shall show you the place and do what I may to relieve the torment. ``

Sarah stared undefendable mouthed but refrained and steadying her brass she followed John 's female parent upstairs.

The second best guest bedroom was prepared already, the four place bed freshly aired with invigorated virgin white sheet of paper, wine and lemon barley water were provided and towels and bowls of water.

A death chair, a press a breast of drawers, mirrors everything, a candelabrum of sixteen candles shone like sunlight, rich carpeting carpeted the floor and all was as gilded as any whore 's boudoir to be found in Yorkshire.

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

Heartened by the vino she disrobed to her virginal white shift without demur, she wore no under things nor corset as was the tradition and sat upon the bed while John 's female parent offered her audio advice, `` The thing is Sarah, that firstly sentence can be an torture of the first social club and some missy never forgive their husbands for that agony, so, do you see, if the noble causes the scathe then it matters not. ''

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

Lady Caisterdale smiled, `` It is for the lord to assure she does not ! '' she declared as she produced a man of mahogany split in two with four kettle of fish and a hinge pin and clasp with a pad curl to hold it tight, `` Carolus finds this effectual on social occasion, '' she added, `` Your wrists and ankles through the hollow, about effective, '' she said wistfully, remembering happier times.

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

'' No, to the contrary, '' the older adult female insisted, `` He must for the alternative is to birth you pining for him like some doe eyed pup, oh no, no you must see him for the fornicating wolf he has become and thank your stars for kindly Mr Countsibury. ``
'' Oh Godhead, '' Sarah sighed a she heard footsteps approach.

There was a rap on the room access, `` It is meter, '' lavatory 's female parent avered, `` Come in. ``

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

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

St. John bolted the door behind him.

'' Good evening, '' he said awkwardly, `` Can I get you anything ? ``

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

'' On the bed ? '' he asked.

'' No on the front patio by the fount, '' she replied, `` Of grade 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 ravish me. ``

'' Yes, '' he said, `` Of course, '' and he set about removing his jacket, his kerchief, his shirt, rug carpet slipper, air-sleeve, undershirt, breeches 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 knickerbockers which tore as the drawstring was still fastened and the underpart fell to the floor, while the waistband remained, `` Oh ! ``

His appendage hung limp and unexcited, `` Do I not turn on 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 script went to her shoulders so he was suddenly aware of the feminine dude of her breast and the outline of her teats against the thin lily-white shift.
Instead of pushing her away he pulled the shoulder of her shift aside and eased it down gently.

'' Forcibly, '' she said as her held her and flicking her golden hair aside he kissed her neck.

'' Er, yes, '' he agreed as he tried to reconcile her womanly soma with his recollections of her climbing trees and running around as a child.

Her shift slipped further, her fingers instinctively cupped his balls and caressed his calamus as deftly as any whore and as her knoll touched his chest for the commencement time 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 script and flung back the bed dress, he pulled up her shift so it was naught but a silken belt around her waist and easing his genu inside hers thus spreading her thighs he went to mount her.

His finger sought her soft moist cavern but found only clenched muscles.

'' Ravish me ! '' she cried.

'' I can not, you are not gear up, '' he said apologetically.

'' transport me, this is not love, rape me ! '' she insisted.

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

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

Her teats were hardening now, he relaxed, she was just another whore after all, his veneration that he might be unequal to the job evaporated, she was just a fragrant blond loose woman after all, he knew she would prove moistened when required and he enjoyed greatly the intimacy afforded.

He relished her excitation, her footling gasps as he squeezed her mammilla, her unable attempts to advertise him away and then with his sap rising further he decided the fourth dimension was ripe.

His finger moved to the mild down covering her low belly, trailing slowly down between her pegleg to where he felt moistness, he explored and there for the first sentence he found the moist spot which eased into a hole and then a slot for one two and then three fingerbreadth. He inserted a thumb, she gasped, so he forced the thumb harder into her, `` Ohhh, '' she cried quietly as she buried her face in his shoulder.

He worked quickly to enlarge the cleft, the force made his flip ache but damp increased a hundred fold and his quarter round slipped ever inscrutable until it was inadequate to the task.

He slid down the bed and rolled his hips to range her and gently eased his knee joint between her thighs parting them and spreading her knees encompassing, he eased his fingers within her once again and then grasping his humanity he gently pressed it against the pink balminess of the folds of her sex before sure of her eagerness he slid his bare appendage into her womanhood.

He revelled in the sensation of human body on figure, his whole manhood tingled as it eased relentlessly into the mean fuzziness engulfing it. He revelled in the intensiveness of sensations coursing through his bare appendage, inflate twice or a thousand times by the absence of the compact propylactic sheath he wore at the bordello. Quite suddenly he felt increase resistance, he thrust with his hips, once twice, she cried out, he thrust again and quite suddenly he was entirely sheathed, his testis against her flesh and his appendage nakedly sheathed to its utmost, his flesh entirely within hers and he rocked gently within her as the sense experience overwhelmed him.

The Heaven opened in his head and he saw all the joys of union as his sap rose further and further until it threatened to overrun entirely.

Sarah in her turning revelled in John 's bid kiss, his probing finger troubled her but excited her in peer measure and with her increasing her excitement so the number of fingers increased.

Quite suddenly he changed and his hefty thumb was stretching her, she heard a moan, could it be her own representative ? and then his manhood, warm and muscular easing within her secret office which she had barely explored for fear of ruining her maidenhead.

A legal brief blink of an eye of botheration, a cry she had no recollection of uttering and she was ruined, yet he was caressing her, loving her and her essence soared, and nearly of all the sensations she had been assured were excruciation were naught but exaltation as he filled her to excess, a gasp, a moan, his digit caressing her teats driving her natural state and finally as she feared the fires of Passion would engulf her he quenched the fires with a torrent of love.

For John it was a final kiss, a tweaked tit to spend a penny her gasp and then he claimed her entirely with a waterspout of seed pumping and coursing through his body to glut hers. A inundation unrestrained he revelled in the freedom and made the moment last as long as he could his humanness pumping in ever decreasing spate until it stilled.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' Then the next time should be a thoroughgoing delight, '' he insisted.

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

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

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

He lay back as the room access closed, watching the candles guttering in the sudden drawing as he listened to her pace 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, '' Saint John 's female parent, gentlewoman Caisterdale, exclaimed, `` Finished already ? ``

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

'' Was it dreaded ? '' she asked.

'' No, no, not at all, it was blue, legal tender, he kissed me as if he loved me, '' Sarah admitted.

'' Oh you poor lady friend, '' madam Caisterdale commiserated, `` He was supposed to postulate your innocence no more, '' she paused as Sarah 's oculus moistened, `` But it will resolve itself this eventide when you are alone with your beloved. ''

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

'' But why the haste to depart, '' Lady Caisterdale asked, `` There is no carriage, the bed is diffused and warm, shall you not stay ? ''

'' I ought, '' Sarah pleaded.

'' No stay here safety and warm, '' she suggested and she shouted, `` John, St. John the Apostle, come down here this instant. ``

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

'' can, '' Lady Caisterdale insisted, `` How dare you treat Sarah so ill, conduct her backrest to bed and enthral her. ``

'' But my Lady ! '' Sarah protested.

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

'' You treated her like a bawd, made love to her when you should have ravished her, so take her to bed this instant, '' Lady Caisterdale insisted.

'' Yes female parent, '' he agreed in confusion.

'' Go ! '' she insisted.

Sarah held her headway in her hands in discombobulation, `` Please no, '' she pleaded

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

madam Caisterdale sighed, `` Indeed you shall, '' she insisted, `` Now delight and abuse the miss, do not score her, use the constraint, use her unwillingly ! ``

'' If I must, '' he agreed

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

peeress Caisterdale followed, `` Use the control toilet, '' she insisted as she picked the reddish brown restraint from the base, `` Bare yourself girl ! ``

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

'' transport her then, '' Lady Caisterdale insisted, `` Restrain her and, '' she paused, `` Oh, ah perhaps you can not after all assault her John the Divine. ``

'' Why ? '' he asked.

'' facial expression at her, '' Lady Caisterdale exclaimed, '' her teats are tumefy, her fair sex glistens with desire, you Steward you have made her love you ! ``

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

'' Use her like a whore while you may, good night ! '' she replied and slipped away.

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

'' Please no, '' she said but he pulled her towards him, crushing her mounds against her chest and in a minute he felt her hands on his humanness guiding it unerringly into her warm moist slot.

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

He saw the vault of heaven again, the holy man Panax quinquefolius and his ejaculate pumped forth.

She was gone when he woke succeeding forenoon, `` John Lackland, you must get dressed, it is Mistress Havethorpe 's wedding. ``

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

He dressed and took a tardily breakfast and joined Lord and lady Caisterdale in their rig to arrive as was the custom a moment before the marriage was to start, barely a minute of arc before the bride herself.

Countisbury awaited his Saint Brigid, a steadfast sedate soul, standing in a suit of bleak cut in a flair not seen for twenty long time which had in all probability formerly belonged to his father.

whoremonger sighed, why had he not sampled Sarah before, many times he had bidden her sound day and departed for the town to sample a harlot, where had he thought he might take sampled Sarah instead, finally he decided that after vthe spousal relationship he would indeed seek Sarah out and Mr Countisbury should be cuckolded.

John barely registered the service, `` Do you withdraw this man for your lawful wedded husband ? '' Sarah 's founder the rev Haverthorpe asked.

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

'' seed tike, that was the Almighty taking your innocence, it was nix, '' the reverend insisted.

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

'' Just the lord of the Manor 's perogative sir, '' the man of the cloth insisted, `` An older gentleman sir. ``

'' It was Gospel According to John, the son, '' Sarah explained, `` I can not lie, it was hug drug sir, I am undo, I can not lie, I relished it, I can not splice you any more than you can espouse me. ``

'' No ! `` Countisbury cried, `` It can not be, it is intolerable ! '' and he stood up from the Lord's table rail.

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

'' Yes don, '' she admitted.

'' Intolerable, you sought to have got me get hitched with an impure wench, that is intolerable sir ! '' Countisbury insisted, `` I do not like you beneficial day sir, I merely take my leave-taking. ``

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 house of the Maker ! '' the reverend cried, `` Go ! ``

Sarah rushed away, her billowing white-hot wedding gown rustling against the church bench as she ran and she disappeared from view.

'' You sir are a shame, '' nobleman Caisterdale bellowed, `` Attempting to splice your daughter to such an insufferable stupid person. ``

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

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

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

`` Oh shut up reverend, '' Lady Caisterdale insisted, `` King John 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 the Great let us settle the fry into her new position. ``

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

'' Mistress, a kept woman ? '' she demanded, `` That makes me no advantageously than a lady of pleasure ! ``

'' Oh my dear, '' Lady Caisterdale explained, `` You will enjoy it I am sure, 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 have days to yourself but the nighttime shall be Johns. ``

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

'' Too tardily my love, '' Lady Caisterdale suggested, `` You relish carnality too practically, why we could her you screaming in ecstasy, no you are far better suited to whoredom, and I think with whoremaster you have the best of it. ``

'' Give us a full-blooded son and I 'll let you marry the pest, '' Lord Caisterdale added.

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

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

Sarah had no other alternative so with heavy hesitancy she climbed into the carriage and they made haste to the Manor Hall. Sarah had naught but her nuptials dress to wear and so she borrowed a servant 's duster from Mrs Franklin the housekeeper while her things were got from the parsonage and in due course the family assembled in the sitting room.

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

'' Duties ? '' Sarah asked.

'' Yes, even a whore should know her place, '' Lady Caisterdale insisted, `` You eat with John or the handmaiden, each morning you help me snip and each even undress and are available to serve Charlemagne or John as required, is that acceptable ? ``

'' No, '' whoremonger insisted, `` I want Sarah for myself. ``

'' wellspring you ca n't, '' Lady Caisterdale reminded him, `` The reverend has disowned her and she is not xx one yet. ``

'' Then I shall get hitched with her at common law ! '' John insisted.

'' Hold on Saint John, tis a big step ! '' his forefather insisted.

'' No, my mind is made up, '' John insisted, `` Call the parish meeting sire, I wish to take Sarah as my bride ! ``

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