Chapter the First
In which businesses prosper, families meet and a marriage is arranged, but no improprieties occur.

It was a large house, set in a small park, but it could never look like a house of the gentility. It shouted aloud to anyone of sensibility, in this year of our Lord eighteen-fifty, that this was the home of a tradesman. A very rich tradesman, it must be admitted, but not a gentleman, be he titled or not.

In the dining room sat two couples eating dinner. The master of the house, James Robinson was a mill owner, and a very successful one, His guest, John Smith was rather younger, but had lately made a good deal of money in the new-fangled railways. Their wives were in deferential attendance, and the food was served by a butler and footman, aided by two maids, so that the four diners were served each course simultaneously, emphasising the grandeur of the Robinson household.

The children of the marriages, two sons and a daughter for the Robinsons, and a son for the Smiths, though adults themselves had not been allowed into this feast for there was serious business afoot. None of this was discussed over the dinner table, of course. The men discussed general political matters, and the ladies discussed household problems. After dinner the men withdrew to the smoking room with their port and cigars.

"You must be wondering why I asked you here tonight," said the host, "well I'll tell you. I want to place all my transportation business with your railway. Not just the carriage of goods which currently go both on your railway and the North Western, but all that travels by canal navigation also."

John Smith was astounded. This was a magnificent opportunity, and he quickly started to wonder what the catch was, price, no doubt.

James Robinson continued, "I'll need a fair price, of course, but we need not argue about that now. I'm sure it will work itself out as time goes on. The question is, do you want it?"

John had not become rich by being rash, but this offer was too good to miss, so he replied at once, "In principle, yes. The devil will be in the details, but if it's what we both desire, then I am sure the details can be worked out."

"Good," replied his host, "I'm glad that is agreed."

The two men drank and smoked peacefully for a few moments as each thought of the mutual advantage of the deal they had just agreed.

Then James spoke again, "How is that son of yours?"

"Arthur? He's very well indeed and taking his place in the business very successfully."

"So I hear."

John thought it suitable for him to return the felicity, "And your children?"

"Three children can be a much greater worry than one, to be honest. The eldest son is a chip off the old block, I am pleased to say, but the younger one is still rather wild, but he will grow out of it. It is the daughter, Angelica, who worries me."

The light dawned in John's mind. This whole deal was because James was looking for a suitable husband for his daughter, and the choice had fallen on his son. That was the reason for the excellent deal being offered, and the reason that rates were not paramount was that after the marriage the deal would be one 'in the family'.

"I have been worried about my son's future also," he said, thus sealing the deal.

The men finished their cigars and rejoined the ladies to inform them of the forthcoming marriage between two people who had met only once. The fact that nobody had so much as suggested the possibility to the man and woman concerned did not worry anyone. This was business, and the young couple would have plenty of time to get to know each other after the wedding.

It was decided, by the parents, that Arthur and Angelica would be married on the first of May, 1851, on the same day as the opening of the Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace.

Chapter the Second
In which one party is prepared for marriage by a father's help, and some improprieties occur whose recounting is unsuitable for innocent ears.

Arthur was summoned a few days later to his father's study. This was unusual, in that he usually discussed business with his father at work, and family matters were discussed over the dinner table. The study was really a place of retreat for his father which neither he, nor his mother, usually entered.

"Tell me, my son, honestly," his father inquired in a rather overbearing fashion, "Which of the maids have you tumbled?"

Arthur was shocked, and looked his father directly in the eyes. "None, sir."

His father grunted, though the son could not tell whether in approval or anger, or even disappointment. Then the old man asked, "Mill girls?"

Again Arthur denied any such activities.

Finally John asked his son, "Village girls?"

Again came the denial, which his father did not doubt.

"So, he asked in a more kindly voice, "You are still a virgin?"

The boy's gaze dropped as he nodded.

"Well, with this marriage impending we need to do something about that. We can't have you arriving at the marriage bed without knowing what to do. We will go into Manchester tomorrow."

Arthur had very mixed feelings about the visit as they travelled, by train of course, to Manchester. On the one hand he wanted to experience sex for the first time, while on the other he was afraid that his ignorance would cause the woman to laugh at him.

The hansom cab took them into a surprisingly smart area of the town and into the drive to a medium sized detached house such as a successful shop keeper or tradesman might own. Inside it was furnished somewhat extravagantly, and they were shown into a large room with several sofa on which lolled four women in various states of undress. Arthur's penis sprang to attention when he saw shapely legs bare almost up to the knee.

John spoke quietly to an older woman, who nodded her agreement and called one of the scantily dressed women over to her. The three conversed for a few moments, and then younger resident walked over and took Arthur's hand to lead him gently from the room without a word.

They went up the stairs in silence and through a door into a sparsely furnished bedroom. The woman turned and spoke to Arthur for the first time. "Don't be afraid, lad. I'll not eat thee." Then she giggled at some joke Arthur did not understand.

To Arthur's amazement she threw off what little clothing she wore. For the first time in his life he saw a woman naked, but she seemed not in the least perturbed by his presence.

"Come on," she said, "Strip off. I haven't got all day."

He undressed, hurried along by the prostitute.

She pulled and pushed him until he was on his back on the bed, fingered him into an erection, mounted him, fucked him fast and had him back downstairs in what seemed to him like a very few minutes.

Arthur then had to sit and wait for another half an hour until his father joined him. On the way home nothing was said of the visit or its purpose.

Chapter the Third
In which sadly inadequate advice is given, and a marriage is solemnised, and once more no improprieties are described.

"Angelica, my dear, come with me," said Anne, sweeping out of the drawing room and up the main stairs to her own small sitting room.

"Yes, mamma," sighed the girl, expecting yet more admonitions about her deportment during the wedding on the morrow.

In the sitting room Anne looked very serious as she addressed her daughter. "Tomorrow..." she started and then her voice trailed off.

"Mamma," responded the bride-to-be, "I assure you my deportment in the church will be a model of serene calm."

"It wasn't in church that I wanted to talk about," said her mother.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I want to talk about after the wedding ... when you and your husband are alone."

"I expect life will be much the same in our new house as it will here," said the girl complacently, "After all I will have my own maid, Martha, with me."

Her mother looked very troubled, but all she could say was, "When you are alone with your new husband..."

"Yes, mamma?" asked Angelica, totally unaware of the topic her mother was too shy to raise.

The older woman took a deep breath, then whispered very quietly, "He may want to ... He will want to ... You must always let him do as he pleases."

Then she rose and left the room almost at a run, leaving Angelica puzzled. The girl could not see why a wife would ever interfere with any of her husband's business concerns, and she could not think that he would interest himself in matters of housekeeping.

In the church everything was perfect. The groom was resplendent in a long frock-coat and the bride was in the newest of fashions, white as Her Majesty Queen Victoria had introduced for fashionable weddings, almost weighed down with petticoats upon petticoats under the dress, and a long shawl and bonnet covering her elaborately coiffured hair.

The bishop performed the ceremony with style, as was only right when two such wealthy families were being joined, and there were a host of guests, many of whom the bride did not know, as this was a business meeting, first and foremost, the final sealing of an important deal.

The meal after the wedding was eaten in decorous solemnity, and after the men had withdrawn to their cigars and talk, the women crowded round to congratulate Angelica and Anne on such an auspicious wedding. One or two of the wives of less important guests made blushing comments that Angelica did not understand, but she ignored them.

Eventually the menfolk returned to join the ladies and the happy couple left for their new home, and their new life.

Chapter the Fourth
In which the wedding night occurs in a most lamentable fashion.

As she was helping Angelica prepare for bed on her wedding night Martha expressed some doubts about the wisdom of Angelica's choice of attire.

"But this is my best new nightdress," exclaimed the bride, "It is perfect."

Martha demurred, "It has a high neck and buttons at the back. You are wearing three petticoats under it. Do you really think that is what your new husband expects, or will want?"

"He will expect and want me to look my best, of course."

"But what about..."

"Martha, be quiet. On my wedding night I will wear what my mother had made for my best nightgown, and that is an end of it."

Later, after Martha had withdrawn to her own attic room and Angelica had retired to bed, Arthur knocked at the door and came into the room. Angelica was a little surprised when he got into bed beside her; she had not expected that. Then she was even more surprised when he began to fumble with the front of her nightgown in a most curious fashion.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Trying to find the buttons," he replied.

"Why do you want to find those?"

Arthur did not reply, but continued to handle the front of her nightgown in what Angelica considered a most rude manner.

Finally she got angry with him and snapped, "Oh, stop. This nightgown buttons at the back."

Arthur's hands then went lower and started to move the material over her thighs upwards, but after some minutes he was almost inextricably tied up in the plethora of layers covering her modesty.

After some minutes, he asked in exasperation, "Why are you wearing all these clothes on your wedding night?"

Angelica immediately burst into tears and sobbed, "This is my best nightgown and I wanted to look my best for my wedding night. All you can do is be rude and nasty."

"Who told you to wear it?"

More sobs, and a whispered, "My mother. She said it was only right to wear my best for you tonight."

Totally exasperated and frustrated, but very uncertain how to proceed, Arthur decided to give up for the moment, and to talk seriously to his wife on the morrow, so he rose and returned to his own bedroom. Her reluctance to be naked, or nearly so confused him. The woman in Manchester had stripped off quickly and willingly to allow him complete freedom to look, touch and play. Now his wife wouldn't let him even touch her outside her very elaborate night clothes.

Chapter the Fifth
In which the lack of consummation is discovered, a bride seeks further advice, and help is offered.

Martha was surprised that her mistress was alone at seven o'clock on the morning after her wedding day, but Arthur was indisputably risen from his bed, dressed, and breaking his fast in the morning room. When Martha helped Angelica from her night clothes and into day wear there was no trace of blood in the bed or the night clothes, nor any other evidence of sexual congress having taken place.

"And how are you this morning, ma'am?" she asked.

Angelica looked round and then replied, "Oh yes, ma'am, that's me now isn't it?"

"Well it should be, but I wonder. How was last night? Did your husband visit?"

"Yes, he came in for a few minutes, and even got into bed with me," said the bride, "But he was so rude and kept trying to touch me in ... naughty places, so I stopped him, of course."

Martha was finally convinced that Mrs. Robinson had utterly failed to prepare her daughter for a normal wedding night. Heaving a sigh she set about correcting this error.

"Did the master not undress you and climb on you then?" she asked.

"Certainly not!" replied the indignant Angelica.

"Then how do you think that babies are made?"

"Babies? Made? Babies are not made; they are tiny people. When two people are married then children just ... arrive, I suppose."

"Miss Angelica, there are some things I need to tell you. Have you ever seen a man naked? One of your brothers perhaps?"

Angelica blushed, and whispered, "I saw John, my brother once, with a maidservant kneeling before him when he had no clothes on."

"Did you see his pego?"

"What? I don't understand."

Martha sighed again. "In a man's breeches he has a rod about six inches long and an inch across. To make a baby he puts it into a woman's belly and bounces up and down. Then she may have a baby nine months later. If a man has not done that to a woman she cannot have a baby."