I followed at a discrete distance and whilst still within the woods the fat lazy horse found a tasty morsel of lush green grass and stopped to dine, and as it did so I suddenly heard a horse approaching at some considerable speed.
I took to the trees, Rose had returned somehow emboldened, “Mrs Witham!” she exclaimed as she stopped, dismounted and shook Mrs Witham, “Come out Sebastian!” she shouted, “You evil disgusting excuse for a man.”
“You called,” I replied and strode forth towards her my pistol aimed square at her.
“Oh, tis you,” she quipped, “You are not Sebastian!” she announced.
“I have come for my treasure,” I announced.
Mrs Witham stirred, and roused herself “Oh please we have no treasure!”she announced.
“Treasures of the flesh Mrs Witham,” Rose exclaimed, “Fear not he will not hurt me!”
I shifted my aim to Mrs Witham, “But perhaps, a flesh wound would persuade you sweet Rose!”
“No I shall bear it and willingly!” Mrs Witham said in a voice all aquiver which completely belied her attempted bravery.
“Oh save your brave words Mrs Witham,” Rose declared, “Do your worst Mr Highwayman, but let Mrs Witham go!”
“You heard,” I announced, “Go free Mrs Witham, and take Miss Rose’s horse with you!” she walked closer, “Where shall you ravish me this time?” she asked pointedly.
“In the bushes, when Mrs Witham has gone away.” I suggested.
“Go Mrs Witham, fetch the hue and cry, I shall occupy the devil,” Rose said fearlessly,
“Go, I say, Mrs Witham Go!” I insisted, and when Rose hoisted her into the saddle and handed her the reins of her own mount she slapped the animal’s rump and sent it rushing away.
“So Mr Highwayman,” Rose said, “To the bushes?”
“Only when you unload that little pistol you have in your pocket,” I suggested, she stared hard but she extracted it and set it down.
“Good, to the bushes it is,” I suggested, and indicated a suitable gap in the foliage, Rose stepped through and I followed, “Time presses, I shall not bare you entirely just raise your skirts,” I suggested, she did as I requested to reveal some silk undergarments like breeches, yet silk of which she swiftly divested herself, to lie lewdly her legs astride.
I should have smelled a trick yet her willingness was evident enough from her demeanour, and indeed she waited until my defences were lowered as much as were my breeches and then as I entered her she groaned with pleasure and then quite suddenly ripped my mask away.
“Mr Harnsworth!” she wailed, “Oh my lord unhand me sir, unhand me this instant!” she protested, but we were conjoined even as she protested.
“So a Highwayman is an acceptable lover whereas a honest book keeper is not?” I enquired.
“I had the pistol I should have done it!” she declared as if all was lost as indeed it was because there was no way I could let her go now, “Father will kill you, and if he doesn’t then Sebastian will!” she said bravely.
“Really?” I said, “That is a shame, you just couldn’t leave well alone could you.” I thought of my options and mother had a whore house, so the solution was obvious, at least to me, and the image of Rose dressed as a whore in my minds eye strengthened me and greatly assisted my assault upon Rose herself as I pounded into her and in a moment of bliss I expelled my pent desire in a pulsing pounding flood.
I lay with her a moment as she protested and then she demanded that I release her.
“No,” I said firmly, “Your days of freedom are at an end,” and I whistled for Freddie my steed who had waited patiently, and as he trotted to me I took rope from my saddlebag and bound Rose’s wrists before I let her up, then I hoisted her upon Freddie’s back and immediately she shooed and Giddy upped and kicked his flanks while he for his part looked balefully at her and chomped on a succulent morsel of grass.
Only when I too was aboard did he obey and away we went at a reasonable lick bound for Liverpool Road, at first Rose sought to protest but when I playfully raised her skirts, and remember she rode astride not decorously side saddle she quickly learned not to attract attention.
She made a marvellously warm wind-break as the cool of evening became the cold of night and it was a near frozen Rose that I took inside mother’s bordello and up to her sitting room where a blazing fire awaited us.
“John, what have you done!” Mother cried as she realised who it was I brought in.
“A new whore mother,” I explained, “One for my personal use!”
“John!” Dolly exclaimed. “Is it for retribution?”
“Yes, for what she did to us, to you, and for what Sebastian did to her.” I agreed, “So no word of her presence, we shall find a room for her and dress her as a whore and then, after a suitable period,” I suggested, “She may earn her keep but for now she is mine alone, and indeed we shall use the old chastity belt on her,” I chuckled.
Rose glared at me, I slipped the rope from her wrists and she stretched and flapped her hands around and struggled to get her blood flowing and then she warmed to her task of berating me, “You snivelling worm of a man!” she snapped, “I’ll see you hang for this!”
“Yes, yes,” I agreed, “Is there anything suitable for Rose to wear Mother?” I asked.
“Don’t be an idiot!” Rose protested, “I’ll not remain here!” but she had not seen the jug full of cold water standing on the little sideboard at the side of the room but she felt it soon enough as I took it and tipped it down the front of her dress soaking her thoroughly.
“No!” she wailed, but dry clothes she was undoubtedly in need of.
“Shall you die of pneumonia or die of shame by disrobing,” I asked, “Fear not I have seen everything before.”
“Oohhhhh,” she protested, but sure enough she disrobed and dried herself with the towel I proffered.
“Mother,” I suggested, “Fetch Mrs Cathcart.”
“I will!” Dolly agreed and in moments Mrs Cathcart appeared and with her a large wicker clothes basket.
“Ohh she’s a pretty one, fell on hard times have we dearie?” Mrs Cathcart simpered.
“No!” Rose snarled, “I’ve been abducted!” which just caused a look of confusion to flit across Mrs Cathcart’s face.
“And Mr Harnsworth desires you as his mistress,” Mrs Cathcart exclaimed, “Well you are a lucky young girl, what with him being such a well set up young gentleman.”
“Well set up?” Rose snapped, “A whore house master!”
“With business all over Lancashire,” Mrs Cathcart averred “Brothels and Chandlers and Ships and.”
“Mrs Cathcart, to your business, never mind my business.” I insisted, but Mother and Dolly looked in amazement and Rose even looked mildly impressed, until, that is Mrs Cathcart held up a pair of pale yellow silk pantaloons.
“Oh no!” Rose cried.
But seeking to hide her nakedness she quickly seized the garment and slipped it on, “No!” I exclaimed, “That will not do, I need swift access to all her charms!”
“John!” Mother cried “Don’t be so crude! Rose is a Lady remember!” she insisted.
“No Mother she is a hard hearted bitch!” I insisted.
“This then?” Mrs Cathcart produced a fine whale boned corset in fetching pale blue and swiftly she fastened it around Rose, “Does that please.”