Chapter 4

Tom really came up with the goods when I went to collect my rifle. I didn't recognize it, all metal parts freshly blued and the furniture cleaned up. He told me the rifle was a genuine No4 MKIV which had been worked by Holland & Holland. He had fitted a Red Dot Hela scope, which was a 10x65Z with sun shade. Also he had placed an appropriate bullet drop compensator in for this rifle, it now looked a real formidable weapon indeed.

Instead of binoculars he advised and supplied a spotting scope and for night use a Microtec night vision binoculars powered by a 3Volt lithium battery.

With 100 rounds of sniper ball ammunition for the Lee Enfield I felt I was ready to tackle an army.

I asked him if he could get some 7.9mm ammunition for the model K98k which I had given Herman. I also explained that this was the man who was going to get him the flintlock pistols. He told me he would have to get the cartridges and then he would fill them himself, but would need a few days.

For the whole lot he charged only five hundred pounds, saying the items fell of the back of a truck.

While I was in town I took the piece of paper with Michelle's measurements scribbled on it. Handing it to a shop assistant in the lingerie section of the supermarket and asked her to get me ten pairs of panties, bra's and slips to fit the sizes on the paper. I also told her to get different styles. I hate standing amidst rows and rows of women's underwear.

When I got back to Mary, Herman was waiting. I knew it was him, for it was the same horse that was here the other day. I managed to secrete my rifle and glasses in the front room, before I went through to the kitchen where I knew he would be talking to Mary. I had an idea he fancied her, why shouldn't he, for over the past few days I had gotten to know Mary very well. Mary has turned out to be the best sexual partner I have ever been with.

"So you're back again Herman," I said as I walked into the kitchen.

"Yes I came to tell you I have been watching the trader's warehouse and I saw one of the men I knew stole the pistols. It is strange, for I was informed that the ship they have was on its way to Denmark first."

"Maybe he came over in another ship?"

"Possibly, but did he bring the pistols with him? I followed him to a small fishing port where he met another man. They only spent an hour looking at the harbour before going to a lodging house in the village. I think that they are waiting on their ship landing there."

"I think you are right, but I have to visit the Sheriff of the county tomorrow. You tell me the name of the village, or where it is and I'll meet you there when I come back. Oh by the way, I have arranged to get you some ammunition for that rifle, but not for about a week. The man who is getting this for me wants some flintlock pistols; can you get some for him?"

"Of course, that is simple, but if we catch the ones who stole my pistols, he can have these. For a small price of course plus the ammunition," he said with a grin.

"Of course," I replied also smiling.

All this time Mary was listening and taking everything in. I wonder what she thought of all this. After Herman left I stood behind her and slipped my hands under her apron and rubbed her crotch. I found that she liked this even through her dress. I also kissed her ear so that she pressed back onto me.

"Now you are teasing me Charlie, wasn't twice last night enough for you?"

"Was it for you?"

"You know the answer to that one; I would love to feel you inside me all the time."

"What has happened to that shy old woman I met?"

"Less of the old, you don't think I'm old when you are pumping that cock of yours into my pussy," she said turning her head and kissing me.

"Now get away and let me get on with my work," she added smiling.

I stored the rifle and the other items in the false backed cupboard I had found the rifles and rode into town to perform my Justice of the Peace duties.

Today I had to sit on the bench and I walked in, towering over all the people milling around at the courtroom door. I could almost read the minds of some of the people staring at me, wondering if I would be lenient, or hard on anyone brought before me. As instructed by Gerald I had to find two for deportation and since I had the dubious task of sitting on this bench the one day of the week I had to send one for deportation a week.

There were three theft cases and surprisingly one of them was the man who had attempted to rape Umra, well he was the one holding her shoulders down. He was brought to the bench by the Traders Association, having been caught stealing a pair of shoes with a silver buckle.

He looked up at me and there was fear written all over his face.

"I told you to get out of my district, but here you are on a stealing charge. Stealing a pair of shoes, which you could never wear for they were too small for you, so you must have stolen them to resell to someone else. Is that true or not?"

"Yes sir, but please don't have me flogged, for I have no money to repay the cobbler."

"I have no intention of having you flogged or pillared. You are to be kept in the jail until your deportation. You are being deported to Van Deamon's Land Penal Colony for a period not less than seven years."

"Please not there, I'll never see my kid's again."

"You should have thought of that, before you broke into my home and then stole a pair of shoes that you would never wear. Take him away."

There was a hush in the court room as the next complainant stepped forward. "I bring the man called Thomas Carpenter before you, for failing to pay monies owed and refusing to pay."

"What is the value of the money owed?"

"Five shillings! I have waited six months and he has made no effort to even settle the debt."

"Why have you not made any effort to pay Thomas?" I asked.

"My wife was sick and died, I have lost my job, for it was for a married pair and since the wife died I was discharged."

"What is your trade?"

"I have none, general handyman is I," he replied.

I opened my purse and took a silver crown and handed it to the complainant.

"You are now paid in full, Thomas Carpenter, you are now in my employ, you will work off the five shillings debt to me. Wait outside until I am finished."

The other two brought up for theft one a young lad of fourteen for stealing a loaf of bread. He was well fed and there was no need to steal, I awarded twelve lashes in the town square and to work off the value of the goods stolen. That seemed to please the baker who had the loaf of bread stolen.

The other was a sour faced woman who had also stolen food, this time a roasted hen, but she looked contemptuously at me as if daring me to give a severe sentence. Gerald had told me not to deal with them leniently the first day, for they would then play on that weakness. I had already broken one of the rules over Thomas, but I felt that he could serve me with what I wanted.

"Who brings this woman before me?" I asked over the din in the court room.

"I do your worship," a small man with a bald head said after pushing his way the crowd.

"Where was the hen this woman stole?"

"In my kitchen, she came in through the back door and just picked it up and walked out with it." he stammered.

"Why did you steal the chicken, you look like you could easily have paid for it." I asked the woman whose name was Jessie Younger.

"The owner of the eating house owed me and I just took what he owed me." she replied.

"If he refused to pay you, you should have made a complaint and brought him here before me and I would have dealt with it?"

"I haven't the money to bring a business man to court and it was only a silver sixpence he owed."

"What is the value of the hen?"

"Less than sixpence, but it was cooked."

"Jessie, I order you to work in this man's kitchen for one hour. I think that should pay for the cooking of the hen." I said to Jessie.

"As for the stealing of the hen, I suggest that your employer pays any money he owes, and he won't have this happening again" I said to the man.

Jessie just stood and looked at me and then a smile came over her face, "You're not the bastard I thought you would be. Thank you I will go and do my hour now."

"Don't let me see you in here again, or I'll have you whipped for this offence and the next."

"I think you would at that sir, but you won't see me here again."

There were no more cases and I think the crowd was only there to see how I would handle the ones which were there. When I got outside Thomas Carpenter was waiting with another man of about the same age.

"Who is this Thomas?" I asked indicating the other man.

"He be my brother," he replied.

"Has he a job?"

"Not at the present, not tilt harvest starts, or the fruit picking season starts."

"Well I would like to employ the both of you for a job of watching a warehouse. If everything goes well, I will let you off with what you owe me." I took two single shillings and handed one to each. "Now I want you to watch the warehouse of Mr Montgomery and tell me everyone who comes or goes. Day and night, I will be away for a few days, one of you come to my house by the haunted ruins and tell me what you have seen. I will pay you more then."

"What else do you want us to do?" Asked the brother.

"Nothing for now, maybe later, just watch, but don't let anyone see you. Now go and start watching. There is someone else watching so don't slide off and say you saw nothing."

"We appreciate all you done for my brother; we will keep a watch out. Nobody will move in that warehouse without our knowing. You have paid us well for so little work, we honestly won't be slack in our vigilance." he said as he and Thomas made off towards the traders storehouse.

I in turn with a parcel under my arm walked round to Michelle's. When I got there she was giving one of the young women a tongue lashing, so I just walked into the sitting room and waited. When she eventually came in, I handed her the package which I had wrapped in brown paper. I had to remove all the plastic containers and wrappings that the items were in before I could bring them to her. I watched her face as she opened the package and examined each item. She was like a small child examining its presents at Christmas time, eye's wide open and the face lit up in wonder. I had also included a bottle of perfume and two lipsticks for her.

"Charlie, they are so lovely light and silky, when I wear them I will be thinking of you."

"Got to keep my woman, looking sexy now don't I?"

She dropped the items onto the chair and wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me. Funny I got no reaction from the kiss which was unusual for me. Usually just the feel of a woman against me starts a twinge in my penis, but there was nothing.

After we disengaged I gave her a hug, just to show I still liked her, for I did, but not sexually it seems, well that was what my body was saying.

"Look I have to go, I have to prepare for a trip to Kings Lynn tomorrow, so you take care and I will be round to see you in a couple of days time."

"Oh must you, I wanted you to see me in this lovely lingerie."

"As I said another time Michelle, you did say you will be thinking of me when you wear it."

I had to stop off to see if the packages had arrived at my home. I tied the horse to a small tree close to the tree where Umra was buried and walked the short distance to the space between the column stumps. I stayed in the same clothes and walked through the house to the small recess near the front door on the outside. I had a good look to see if anyone could see me before I opened the front door. In the recess were one medium sized cardboard container and one large one which was quite heavy.

I had ordered one hundred what I thought was packs of cards, but they supplied one hundred packs containing ten packs of cards. I checked the invoice and sure enough they had listed it as packs of ten times one hundred. The price also was correct, if that was correct, each pack only cost me ten new pence per pack. Then I checked 'Made in China' was stamped on all the packets.

Packed within the container was the package containing the dice, at least they showed no country of origin and were packed in containers containing ten dice.

The tokens were made of plastic, but those were something I had to accept, not only were they printed and embossed with a number, but were also colour coded. The colouring will make it easier for counting and separating. There were two bundles of rectangular tokens, one for five hundred and the other for one thousand. I wonder if we will ever use them.

Now how was I going to transport them? Cardboard boxes weren't used yet and my trap had only a small boot to contain packages. To get everything in I would have to break down the large carton. I found some old pillow covers and split the large carton into them. In the end I managed to get the lot hidden from view in the small baggage compartment under and behind the seat of the trap. I also brought along a permanent marker pen, so I could obliterate the 'Made in China' sign.

Now I was ready to return to Standford House.

Mary wasn't very happy that I was going to be absent for a few days, but as I told her, this was how I earned my money. I never mentioned to her about the slavers and gun-running. The less she knew about that side of me the better.

The weather couldn't have been worse, driving rain that was blowing from the North-East. The wind coming from this direction was cold and I was glad that it was coming from the rear and the hood gave me some protection. I had the water proof cover only up as far as my waist, so my legs were at least dry. The roads were becoming muddy and now I understood why the wheels were so thin, they cut through the mud like a knife. Even so the journey took until mid afternoon and I was glad to drive through the now tidy entrance up to Standford House.

Gerald came out holding an umbrella, and another man came and took the reins of the horse.

"Please don't touch anything in the trap, I'll come to the stable and unpack the trunk myself. Just dry and brush the horse and give him a good feed of oats," I said as he led the horse away.

"I was getting worried, but the weather is dreadful, come on let's get out of it now," Gerald said as we tried to run in step towards the front door.

Standing inside was Beatrice who came right up and gave me a kiss," It's been so long Charles; I was thinking you had abandoned us."

"No fear of that, it's just I've been busy. I'm sorry if I have not called."

"Florence will be pleased you have arrived," she blurted out.

"Why is that Beatrice, I hardly know her."

"She has a crush on you, we all tease her about it and she gets all upset and stamps off in a huff. Yes I think she really likes you Charles."

"Now does she, I must speak with her, but first I have to discuss something with Gerald. Please excuse me Beatrice."

"Certainly, I'll go and arrange afternoon tea and bring it into the study for you both," she said lifting the hem of her dress of the ground and moving towards the kitchen.

"She's getting all excited about the Gaming House, come let us talk," Gerald said leading the way into the study.

"I believe Joseph is also a partner, I am glad for I was going to have difficulty matching your half total, but a third I can manage comfortably."

"I'm glad Gerald that you have managed to become a partner; I would have lent you the money, if you couldn't manage."

"No, I've never been in debt to any man and I don't want to start now."

"Legal business first, there is a smuggling ring working my area involving Mr Montgomery. Not only that I believe he was the one responsible for shooting Simon DeFray. What is more disturbing was the fact that he shot at me and luckily he only knocked me down without the ball entering me, but I have a big bruise. He also killed my black slave woman and has since fled to Europe, but I'm expecting him to return soon. The reason I know he will be returning I will keep to myself for now."

"We must catch him Charles, he can't go around shooting at people willy nilly."

"I need to get hold of an Excise man; surely there is one near to where I am?"

"There is, but he is under suspicion to helping the smugglers. I spoke to the senior Excise man after your last visit. It was him who told me of the suspicion, but I'll see him again and get someone to contact you soon."

"It will better be soon, for I expect a ship to land goods within the week. I have three men watching two suspicious characters, so we may catch them red-handed."

"My, you have surely got things organized."

"Something else, I have one for deporting, but it is going to be hard getting more."

"Another one is all we need from you, we have been fortunate in catching a thief ring and the lot are to be deported. They can't say we haven't reached our quota. London is always complaining. Now do you want to see my courtesans, I have four for now, and another two which may come later?"

"Why not, this was what I came to see, I want to see what your choice of women is like."

"If they have two legs, presentable and a pleasure thirsty channel, then that is all I need," he replied as I followed him upstairs.

In a small sitting room sat four young women, all of them smiled as we entered.

"I would like you to meet Charles, it was his idea to start this club, and until I pay my share this is your employer. Now Charles, I won't bother you with these lovely ladies family names, just their chosen names while the work here. Janell, Domonique, Juli and Patti." He said going round clockwise.

Janel was a dark haired young woman, as was Juli and Patti. Domonique was blond and had that Scandinavian look about her. All were in their late teens or early twenties.

"Ladies, your main job is to be hostesses for our male visitors. Any other activities you engage in is solely your own. All we want you to do is make the customers relaxed and spend their money."

"You mean if we entertain a man in our room, you want nothing in exchange?" asked Juli.

"Only that you are discrete and don't mess up the rooms. I would say that Beatrice may want something though," I replied with a smile.

We returned to the study and as we did an elderly woman pushed a tea trolley into the room.

"Your tea sir," she said bowing as she left the room.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"I would say one of the kitchen staff, but don't you bother about them Lady Standford looks after them. Well what do you think of my sirens?"

"Not bad at all, I suppose you have sampled the goods?"

"Every one on numerous occasions, goes with the position. Do you also wish to sample the goods before we unleash them to the others," he said smiling.

"No I'll take your word for it."

Just then Florence entered after knocking. She was more beautiful than I remembered her to be; she came right up to me and kissed me on the cheek. "It's nice to see you again Charles and thank you for what you have done for my mother. You really have provided for her beautifully. I of course disapprove of the courtesans, they will be no more than common prostitutes, but that is their choice." she said giving me another kiss on the cheek and departing.

"What are you waiting for, she is almost creaming herself for you," Gerald said after Florence had left the room.

"She can wait, but I have to admit she seems to be looking more beautiful every time I see her."

"Don't say you are falling for her, you don't know what she was up to in Court. All the young women there get seduced by various members of the Regent's hangers on."

"Some how I don't think so in her case. I think that was why she left, she wouldn't submit. I may be wrong of course and you are right, time will tell."

That evening there were nine of us who sat down to dine and this was the first time I had ever sat down to a late eighteenth century meal. There were three dishes of everything and as Florence explained if there is a choice of the first course, then all others must have similar choices. To me that sounded not only wasteful, but must have placed a strain on the kitchen staff. I don't know who arranged the seating at the table, for I had Florence on one side of me and Beatrice on the other. The ninth member at the table was a young male friend of Gerald's who was checking the place out, for they intended to open the doors next Monday, now I had brought the cards, die and tokens. I had yet to speak to Gerald about the cashiers and the tokens, but I expect he too is eager to get going.

I had been shown to a room after afternoon tea, which surprisingly had a bathroom attached. This was indeed a bit of a luxury in this age, so I made use of it by having hot water brought up by the house maids and I had a lovely soak. The reason the others made so much use of perfume was to kill the sickly smell of sweat from their bodies.

The dinner took over four hours and it was midnight before I got to bed. I had just got comfortable when the adjoining door opened and in padded Beatrice wearing a loose housecoat. She discarded it on her way to the bed and just crawled in and lay beside me, her hand immediately grasping my rampant instrument of pleasure.

"I have been longing to continue where we left off the last time. This time I want to thank you for what you have done for us," she said and then slid down the bed and engulfed the head of my cock in her mouth.

Hell how could you not like what she was doing, running her tongue round and round the head and working my cock with one hand rubbing her hand up and down my shaft. I was getting harder and harder and longing to sink my cock into her soft abyss of joy and pleasure. I couldn't help it I placed my hand on her head and pressed her head down onto my cock, forcing it further into her mouth and into her throat. I have never known a woman who could take my cock as Beatrice was doing, right down so her nose was striking the base of my cock. Before I shot my load and waste it in her throat I pulled her off.

She sat up and guided my cock to her pussy and sat down, slowly engulfing my cock into her warm sensuous vagina. I loved the way she was doing it, not fast but nice and slow giving a lovely sensation of being imprisoned in such a soft capsule. I hope she gives lessons to her young women, for I'm sure other men would love to feel the same sensation I was having.

"Beatrice you really love cock don't you, maybe when the Gaming House opens you will find some young men to help you out with cock."

"I doubt anyone else can give the satisfaction I have with you Charles. I never thought I would enjoy having a donkey sized cock, it is most pleasant," she said now rolling her hips, adjusting herself to the invading man meat. Then once satisfied she started her rocking her hips, but with both forearms on my chest her only movement was her hips, driving herself hard onto my cock so I was being driven deep into her body.

The look on her face which was only inches from me told how much she enjoyed this, with the screwed up eyes and a wide smile on her face. Her breathing had increased and as she climaxed she let out a cry, waited a few seconds and was off again, thrusting her hips onto my buried cock. When I unloaded she opened her eyes and smiled, I think she liked the feeling of being filled up with male sperm. Not that it would do anything, for Beatrice was well past breeding age.

She flopped forward and lay her head on my shoulder, then stretched her legs out one by one, being careful not to dislodge me. When once again she was content she kissed me on the neck. "I really looked forward to that Charles. I was imagining that you had forgotten about us."

"Who are us?"

"Why Florence and myself. You know she likes you very much? No I had nothing to do with it, I have said nothing to her, this is her own feelings. Maybe you need to just give her a little more attention, she would like that."

"She is a very beautiful young woman?"

"Too good for the ones who live around here. She would give you lots of children Charles."

"I am sure she would, but I'm not looking for a wife just yet."

"Don't leave it too late, she is getting past the marrying age and will have to look for a suitor soon."

"But she's only nineteen."

"Sixteen or seventeen is the right age for a woman to get married, and then she is better able to cope with childbirth. Older than that you have complications and that is why many women die in childbirth, their bodies can't cope." She said all this time with my cock rove up her pussy, but getting softer and beginning to loose ground.

The next morning a rider arrived, asking me to return home, there were urgent developments. Urgent developments in what I wondered, but all the same I was going to return. Returning now cut down the time I planned to stay here. I wanted to be present on opening day, but it looks as if I will have to forego that event.

I pushed the horse hard and when I pulled up outside the stable at the back of the house the brother of Thomas Carpenter came out. He helped me unhitch the trap and rub down the horse and as we did he told me of the urgency.

"A German came and asked us if we were working for you. He said to tell you he had discovered the ship the Mitternacht die Dame would be docking in two days time. He had got this information from Mt Montgomery's storeman, who believed was helping Herman to get passage back to Europe. He said you would understand the significance."

"Thank you; look I don't know your name you never told me," I replied.

"Samuel Carpenter."

"Well Samuel I think we will call on Mrs Montgomery tomorrow and see if her husband has returned. I don't think he will be far away if the Mitternacht die Dame is landing with contraband, for I'm sure he will want to see the goods for himself."

Next morning early accompanied by Samuel we drove to the Montgomery household. When we arrived the front door was ajar which was unusual even in this period. Something was wrong; you just felt it in the air. Easing the S&W from my rear waistband we entered the house and moved through the down stair rooms. The housekeeper and cook were nowhere to be seen, so we moved upstairs. Opening the doors of the rooms one by one and peering in, but all on the right of the stairway were empty. The first door on the left looked as though a bomb had hit it. It was completely wrecked; even the heavy four-poster bed was lying on its side.

The second room contained the naked body of a young man, shot through the chest. In the room opposite the one with the young man we found Mrs Montgomery cowering in the corner of the room. She was dressed in what the period called 'frillies' cotton lace and embroidered camisole and pantaloons. Her face showed that she had taken a severe beating, her right eye was turning black and blue and her lip was cut and the blood had run all over her camisole.

She looked up and saw me, got to her feet and came towards me, but it was Samuel who took her in his arms.

"Who done this to you and who is the dead man in the room opposite?"

"Brian came back last night and found my brother in the guest room. Brian who has never seen my brother didn't believe me and done this to me and started wrecking my bedroom. I ran out but he followed me and shot John without even asking him who he was. He said he had urgent business, but would be back to take care of me once and for all. What am I to do?" She said hysterically while the tears flowed down her cheek.

"Samuel, can you take Mrs. Montgomery to your house. Mr Montgomery doesn't know you and wouldn't suspect you."

"My house isn't as grand as this it is only a small cottage with only two rooms, but I'll take her there if she wants to," Samuel replied.

"Mrs Montgomery, get dressed and go with Samuel. Where is your husband now, do you know?"

"There is a ship arriving, but where and when I have no idea." She answered.

"Thank you, now go and get dressed and take some spare clothing and Samuel will take care of you."

"Samuel, when you have taken Mrs Montgomery to your home meet me back at mine."

I started making my way back to Mary but stopped at the clearing where Umra was buried. I quickly entered my house and retrieved the shotgun and cartridges and then made my way to Mary waiting on Samuel to return.

When he did return it was late evening. "I had to make sure Frances was comfortable and knew where the food was stored," Samuel said when he walked in.

"Oh it's Frances now?"

"Yes she is a very nice lady who just needs understanding," he answered.

I could have told him about her, but it would have been third hand and may even be just assumption, so I left it at that.

I handed him the broken shotgun and a dozen cartridges. "Samuel I will show you how to load this weapon as we go along, but I want you to take me to where you suspect the ship to arrive. Before we go we should have a meal, Mary has prepared a light meal for us, so let's eat and then get on our way."