BRIARGLEN, ENGLAND, OCTOBER 1847
Kat leaned against the stable wall and inspected the object Long William was pointing at the stable wall, ejecting a long stream of yellow that flowed down into the straw. ‘That’s not as big as a horse’s,’ she informed him.
Long William started. ‘What you doin’ here?’
‘Looking at you, of course.’
Kat had heard the parlourmaids giggling that the new stable boy boasted that his appendage was as big as a stallion’s ever since she’d returned from school a week ago. Kat had been curious, but little Amy, the dairymaid, had been scared when Long William had cornered her in the dairy and tried to kiss her.
Amy had been too terrified to check the cheeses alone ever since. Kat liked little Amy.
Kat wrinkled her nose at the object. It seemed more comical than frightening or admirable. ‘It’s no more than a wiggle waggle. You know, the big worms the fishermen use.’
Long William closed his trousers. ‘You’re no proper young lady!’
Kat grinned. ‘I don’t have to be a proper one, not with a rich papa.’ She looked at him thoughtfully. ‘Do you know what I learned at school, William?’
‘No, Miss Kat. I beg your pardon, Miss Kat,’ he added, reluctantly polite. Everyone knew that the master had a heart of gold where Miss Kat and her ma were concerned. This was a good place, and he didn’t want to lose it.
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