(C) 2009 Charmbrights. All rights reserved.
The author has asserted moral rights under sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988.
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance between any of the characters depicted herein and any real person, living or dead is wholly a matter of Nature imitating Art. There are not, and never were, families called Smith and Robinson as described in this story. The city portrayed in this novel is not one in England in the middle of the nineteenth century.
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 tha." 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 'en'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 nor of its purpose.
Chapter the Third
