“The Romantical Groom (being a satyre)”

Marlene, Earl of Maybegood, looked down the country lane to the spectacle presenting itself to her interested eyes. "By George," she exclaimed to her companion, "I do see the most priceless piece of manflesh thither on yon nag!"

Carolina d'Arvon, her friend from Eton and Oxford, brought her mare alongside Marlene's. "You name your quarry aright, Maybegood," she said. "'Tis Georgie, the gentleboy and heir of the local squire, Longjohn. The laddie is quite admired hereabouts, not only for his form and grace, but for his five thousand pounds per year."

Maybegood scowled. "I'll teach those country bumpkins a lesson!" she declared. "I'll have him before his first come-out."

George, quite unaware of their distant scrutiny, serenely rode on, accompanied by his father and a groom. As befitted a gentleboy, he was securely mounted on his sweet old gelding, Muffin. He rode side-saddle, his skirts gracefully arrayed around him; gentleboys ride side-saddle to protect their tender parts from the chafing of the leathern seat.

He was eighteen years old and perfect, from the top of his guinea-gold curls to the bottom of his superbly fitted boots. The zephyr blue of his graceful, skirted riding habit complemented his celestial eyes. The low-cut jacket accentuated without revealing his lovely form.

Marlene turned to d'Arvon. "Caro, introduce me to the laddie," she wheedled.

"'Tis naught to me, Marlene, but you might wish to wait until you are not so rough from riding," she pointed out. "The gentleboy might want grace and deportment--in short, a dandy."

Maybegood snorted. A noted sportswoman, she wore riding breeches and a fitted hacking jacket. Her topboots were muddy. The raiment was suitable for her current activity but not for a drawing room or even for an informal introduction to a gentleboy. However, Maybegood was known for her carelessness in the matter of fashion, avoiding fancy dress whenever possible and never, ever sullying the Queen's Court or any ballroom with her graceless presence.

Nevertheless she was desired, courted, and invited. The Earl of Maybegood owned and managed several estates of prime, productive land; as a very wealthy member of the peerage, Marlene was considered to be a Catch, and scores of scheming daddies dreamed of marrying off their sons to her. From her graduation from Oxford four years earlier, and her entry into the Polite World, Marlene had been the target of considerable masculine interest. The experience had left her somewhat arrogant in regard to the gentler sex.

"Believe me, Caro, he'll take me as I am," Marlene growled. "Come, he looks to be heading to town for market day. Let's contrive to encounter him there. 'Tis a proper setting for a casual meeting."

"Oh, aye," agreed Caro. "Plus, we can find a bite to eat. Riding has given me an appetite."

The two young women followed George down the same dusty track that took them all into the town of Welbeck...

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From the book “The Romantical Groom (being a satyre)” By Sue Swift
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