Chapter 1

 

Rose was scared. She had every reason to be. For the past four days she'd been the laughingstock of the village, trapped in the stocks that were mounted on the village square from dawn until dusk at the orders of the local magistrate. Theft had been the charge and the village policeman had produced all the evidence that was needed for his best friend, Judge Maltravers. The fact it was a gross miscarriage of justice was irrelevant. On the third day the real culprit stopped by and poured a jug of soured milk over Rose's head, just to add to her misery.

"You're a lucky lass," said a firm voice behind her. "Someone has come forward to pay your debt for you, so I've been ordered to take you up to the courtroom to make it all legal, like. There is one condition - you agree to be handed over to the Squire who is going to pay for your freedom."

The voice appeared round the side of the stocks - it was the village policeman. He rattled the heavy ring of keys as he selected the one to unlock the stocks.

Rose was stiff, several hours of being immobile in the stocks had made her muscles sore and it took her several moments of tentative movement before she could stand.

"Here is your Saviour, young lady - may I introduce Squire Barton?"

A tall, wiry man wearing riding breeches and boots appeared in Rose's vision and as she stood up slowly and looked into his face she looked past the tweed jacket and realised he was in his mid to late thirties.

"So," said the policeman to Rose, "do you want to stay where you are or be handed over to Squire Barton?"

Rose looked at the Squire. He seemed kindly enough and doubtless he would put her to work as a maid, but then that would at least put a roof over her head.

"Thank you Squire Barton," she said and tried to curtsey, nearly falling over as she did so.

"Okay, then," said the policeman, "in that case, sir, we have to all go to the courtroom and make this a legal transaction."

"Excellent, Flotram, lead the way," said the Squire.

As they walked to the courtroom, Rose looked at Squire Barton and asked him,

"Why are you going to pay my debt?"

"Because I couldn't bear driving past here and seeing your sorrowful face staring out from the top of the stocks." He smiled a friendly smile but his voice was far from warm. The naïve Rose missed the coldness in his voice.

"Really?"

"Yes, really. Also, I need a new maid and I figured if I helped you out, you would be happy to come and work for me. The money is not the lowest of the low and you get paid for any extra tasks you undertake above your job description."

"That's very kind of you."

"That's all right my dear. I just hope you fit in around the estate."

"Estate?"

"Yes, I own the Grantham Estate."

"Sorry, sir, but I've never heard of it. Is it near here?"

"About three hours by carriage. Here, lets get these formalities out of the way and then you can accompany me back to Grantham."

Barely fifteen minutes later, Rose walked out of the courtroom, her fate sealed by her agreement in front of the judge to go and work for Squire Barton at the Grantham Estate. She was required to work there for a full year, fulfilling all the duties laid down for her by the Squire. It seemed a better end than Rose could have dared hope for while she was sat in the stocks and so overjoyed was she that she missed the knowing look the judge gave the Squire when he handed the girl over to him.

 

***

 

Jeffers was the carriage driver that Squire Barton had brought with him. The carriage was an enclosed affair with a seat at the front for the driver.

"Up you go, Miss," said Jeffers, helping the young Rose to climb into the coach. "Mind your skirts don't get caught on nothing."

"Grantham, Jeffers, if you please. No need to hurry, I shall use the journey to get acquainted with the new member of staff."

Barton needed no help in following the young Rose into the coach. He waited until the pair of horses were trotting along the cobbled roadway before he closed the curtains on the side windows.

"I like it not too bright when I travel. Now, Rose, it is time you got to know your new master better and learn to do my bidding."

"Yes, sir. I'm most thankful that you paid my debt."

"Quite Rose, but you will repay me many times in the next year I think."

"I would repay you sir, but I have no money."

"Oh, tusk girl, as if money was important to me. Your debt was a mere trifling. You will repay me, but not with money."

"I don't understand, sir," said Rose. She had a big bosom and it was heaving now with a mixture of fear and expectation. At eighteen she had heard rumours of what the gentry got up to, but only now as she headed to Grantham did she start to wonder if she had just become part of the scene.

"You will understand soon enough. First though, you do understand the oath you took in front of the magistrate, don't you?"

"Yes sir. I am to be your property for one year from today, to do your bidding and never to shirk my responsibilities. If at the end of the year you consider the debt to have been repaid, then I am to be given the choice of staying in your employ or leaving. If I choose to stay then it is to be for another year, and then the process repeats itself."

"You listened well, my dear. Do you understand what being my property means?"

"Working for you and doing what I am told to do, sir?" She questioned him.

"Exactly. You know, I think you will learn your duties quickly. Do you know how to pour a decent Scotch?"

"No sir."

"In that case I will teach you. On board all of my carriages is a stock of decent Scotch whisky. I like a glass tumbler with two finger widths of Scotch in the bottom. See. Perhaps, when you have undertaken some training I will let you accompany me as my servant on some journeys."

"I hope so, sir." Rose was still dazed by the events of the past half hour.

Squire Barton opened a small recess in the back wall of the carriage and produced two tumblers and a full bottle of Scotch whisky. He proceeded to fill both glasses to the height of two finger widths and then replaced the bottle in the recess.

"Normally my staff do not drink, but I think maybe today I will make an exception, especially after what you have been through."

"Thank you sir. Is it very strong?"

"No, not really. It has a strong taste and will put fire in your throat and belly but it won't harm you. Have you never tasted even a cheap Scotch before?"

"No sir." Rose took the glass and sniffed it. It had a strong but not unpleasant aroma, so she took a sip. "Oh, crikey, that's really strong," she said.

"Nonsense, girl. Take a bigger mouthful and swallow hard."

Rose did as she was ordered and spluttered as the alcohol burned fire into the back of her mouth.

"Wow," she said barely able to breathe. "That is strong."

"Now Rose, as one of my staff, if I ordered you to take my boots off, I would expect you to do so."

"Yes sir," said Rose, already feeling a little light-headed from the lack of food in the past few days, and the sudden infusion of alcohol.

"Well, do it girl." Barton took another mouthful of the Scotch while Rose knelt down in the carriage and started to tug on his riding boots. In a moment she had one off and then went to work on the other. A few seconds later the boots stood neatly next to the door.

"Ah, that's better," said Barton. "Now, we have a long journey and I intend to teach you a few things on the way."

"Yes sir, anything sir, I am just so grateful to be out of those stocks."

"Ah, yes, the stocks. I gather from Judge Maltravers that you were caught thieving. Is that true?"

"It's true that's what they charged me with, but I didn't steal anything," Rose spoke softly.

"So, so, I believe you. But let me tell you from the outset, young lady, if any of my senior staff, whom you will meet on arrival at Grantham, discover any of my property in your possession, you will be brought to me for a severe beating. Do you understand that?"

"Yes sir, but it will never happen, cos I'm no thief."

"You also need to know that I birch my staff who are lazy, rude, insolent, late, slow or who don't dress smartly. I have certain standards and expectations of all my staff and I make no exceptions."

"Yes sir." Rose shuffled uneasily in her seat.

"I also expect my staff to be obedient at all times, especially those who have agreed to become my property, and I will not tolerate disobedience."

"Yes sir." Rose was feeling even more uncomfortable now.

"Good, because as a member of staff you are over dressed. You will remove your bodice and your corset."

Rose blushed immediately. He was asking her to strip from the waist up and she was wearing no bra for the corset provided the support required in that department.

"But, sir, I will have no clothes on if I do that," Rose protested a moment before wishing she had not done so.

"I told you I will not tolerate disobedience. Do you want to feel heat in your buttocks for the rest of the journey? Damn it, it would give me pleasure to have you over my knee, young lady."

"No, sir," Rose said demurely.

"Then do as you are told, without question."

Rose hesitated and then began to unbutton her bodice. Soon the garment lay on the seat beside her and Rose untied the straps on the corset. A minute later she breathed more easily as that too ended up on the seat.

"Sit up and look at me with your hands by your side. You have a full, delightful bosom and I wish to observe it."

"Yes, sir," said Rose, realising she had nowhere to hide in the cramped confines of the horse pulled carriage.

Rose sat up and placed her hands by her side. Her C-Cup breasts were youthful and firm. They sported dark areolas which encircled her pink nipples.

"Are you a virgin, Rose?"

"Yes, sir," Rose sounded almost apologetic. As he asked the question, her nipples started to burn and there was another burning sensation, between her legs.

"Sit forward and lean towards me."

Rose did as she was instructed, her breasts hanging slightly down as she leaned towards the Squire. Absentmindedly he reached forward with one hand and stroked the side of Rose's left breast.

"They are young and firm. You are so lucky to be so well proportioned, my dear."

Rose was glad the curtains were drawn. At least anyone walking in the street would not be able to gaze upon her charms. The hand had run its way under her breast, lifting it slightly as it glided over the tender, pale flesh. Then the hand glided, palm first, over her pink nipple.

"Ooohhhh, sir," Rose gasped as her nipple burned with the forbidden pleasure. At that moment Rose wondered what the judge would think if he were to know he had handed one so young and sweet over to such a person.

"You like the feel of that, don't you Rose?"

"Yes sir," she gasped back, for the hand had now glided over her right nipple, making that stiffen and burn like her left one.

"What does it feel like to have them both caressed at the same time?"

Without waiting for the reply, Squire Barton took one breast in each hand, cupped it, stroked it and then squeezed and teased the nipple with his thumb and forefinger, using the same pressure and motion with each breast simultaneously.

Rose edged forward in her seat, burning with desire, feeling the little waves of pleasure flowing deep down between her legs.