Circus Girl
by obohobo
Chapter One. Stopping the coach
"Whoa!! Whoa!!" Joshua yelled at the horses and they shied causing the coach to
stop suddenly and it occupants to be thrown forward and then as the horses
started off again at an even greater speed, they were thrown back again. Turning
to the girl who had run under their heads he swore, "Stupid bitch, yer could
have us all killed!" But the girl was desperate. The horses were going faster
than she anticipated but she needed to get away from the men who were chasing
her. As the lead horse came by, momentarily slowed by the shy, she leapt with
great agility on to its back.
Joshua pulled the reins back as hard as he could but the spooked horses were not
responding too well. He could do little more than watch as the girl leaned
forward and pulled held the lead reins and was speaking calmly to the horse.
Gradually the panic subsided and the team and its coach slowed and finally
stopped nearly a mile later.
"You ought to be whipped for that." Joshua yelled.
"You'd still be agoing hell for leather if I hadn't," laughed the girl.
"What's happening Joshua?" Lord Haversham descended angrily from his coach.
"This young lady ran in front of us and spooked the horses, then she jumped up
and rode Hector......"
"And brought him under control again, Sir," The girl smiled.
Lady Haversham emerged holding a kerchief to her head. "Did she cause this huge
lump on my head, Nigel?" she simperingly enquired, tears rolling down her
cheeks.
"It seems so my dear, but it seems she also got us under control again."
"I'm sorry Madam. It was an accident. The men would have caught me and robbed me
of the few pennies I earned at the market."
"So I get this monstrous affliction to save you a few pennies." Lady Haversham's
voice was full of fury.
"I am sorry Madam, but them men would have beaten me far worse if I hadn't got
away. I'm sorry Sir. I get on my way again if that's alright."
"No it is not alright, miss," His Lordship answered, "You have caused us a great
deal of hardship by your actions and you must be punished. Joshua, take this
girl up alongside you and bring her to the manor."
Joshua was reluctant to leave his seat with the horses still rather jumpy but he
fastened the reins and put on the brake, not that he thought it would do much
good if the horses decided to bolt again. Hardly had his feet hit the ground
when the team, sensing no one holding them, started moving forward. Portly
Joshua was too slow to catch Hector's bit but the girl wasn't. She pulled his
head down and then seeing Joshua approach eased it and allowed the coach
forward. Laughing, she called back, "I'll ride up front," and again with a
single leap fell astride Hectors back and after a short few yards had him under
control again. Although he wouldn't admit it to his wife, Nigel was impressed
with the girl's agility, and with the pleasant aspect of her raised bottom.
"You might just touch that with your whip Joshua," he whispered. They had hardly
started off again when Joshua did indeed flick the whip at the girl's bum. She
immediately turned and swore at him and threatened that he'd lose the whip if he
did it again.
Nigel, watching through the front opening, praised Joshua and encouraged him to
keep at it. The whip flicked her arse a little harder. The girl felt the sharp
sting, swore and then removed the bag from around her neck and tied it to
Hector's harness. Even though the carriage was going at quite a lick, she swung
round until she was facing Joshua and she could see the owner's face behind the
opening. With care now because the road was somewhat holed, she crouched
tiger-like on Hector's back. In a flash she leapt to the rear horse just as
Joshua was going to flick the whip at her breasts. As she landed she grabbed to
whip halfway along its length and pulled. Half losing his balance, Joshua let go
of the whip and the reins. For the second time the horses were given free rein
and they started to pick up speed.
The girl tossed to whip aside and again made her way on to Hector's back.
Finding his reins she pulled back and the horses slowed but she didn't stop
them. This was exciting. She loved the power she had when controlling horses.
Slowly she stood, her bare feet gripping Hector's flank muscles and still
keeping the pair under control allowed them to pick up speed again. She had no
idea where they were heading but guessed some one would tell her if they needed
to turn off this road. Sure enough in about a mile, Joshua called out and
pointed to an ornate gateway. Skillfully she turned the coach into the entrance
and proceeded at speed along the drive, pulling up by the manicured lawns at the
front entrance. Two grooms were waiting and once the horses were quieted she
threw them the reins, picked up her bag and jumped to the ground. Several other
people had emerged from the house and watched the scene in surprise. Only one
came forward and spoke.
"What happened Mother?" he asked as he opened the door and Lady Haversham's
tearful face appeared.
"That wench caused this huge ugly lump on my head, Peter" she wailed.
"Mother, tis only a small knock. It will go in no time." Peter knew how his
mother exaggerated all her illnesses. Peter hobbled around to where the girl was
standing. "Who are you girl."
"Betsy, Sir." Betsy looked and the young man, not much older than she but
certainly not as agile. His right leg was deformed by an accident at childbirth
and not only was it shorter than his left but the foot was turned inwards.
Peter couldn't help but smile at the dirty faced girl in ragged clothing. Her
face was alight with life and fun. "What happened Betsy?" By now his father
stood alongside him.
"She spooked the horses and then took over ... oh its a long story but now she
is going to feel the taste the strap." Lord Haversham signaled to one of the
servants to hold her. Betsy had other ideas. She did two backward somersaults on
to the lawn and then a series of cartwheels that had the servants moving in all
directions. Coming to a halt near her bag, Betsy quickly shouldered it and
started to move away.
"Wait," Peter said, "Where'd you learn to do that? I wish I could."
"I was part of a travelling circus from a little child but then the boss ran off
with one of the women and all the money so I've had to earn what I could at
markets tumbling and juggling."
"Show us."
"We haven't time for that Peter," his father interrupted, "Let's get the girl
inside and punished."
"No father, wait. From what I hear it wasn't really her fault. Let us see what
she can do."
Betsy removed five balls from her bag and soon had them spinning various
patterns in the air. Replacing them she took out a canvass roll and looked
around. "Over there," she indicated a wooden gate that shut off the stable part
of the estate. Peter hobbled over with Betsy and stood by the gate. He had a
vague suspicion of what she was going to do. He'd been to circuses. "Do you
think you can stand completely still? Or would you rather order one of the
servants to take your place?" Betsy asked quietly, "You know what I am going to
do, don't you?"
Lord Haversham had stayed behind to comfort his wife for a few moments and by
the time he caught up Betsy had a fan of wicked looking knives in her left hand
and was spinning one in the air with her right. "Stop!" roared his lordship but
Betsy still with a huge smile on her face span the knife closer to him.
"Please stand back Sir, then no one will get hurt. He asked to see what I could
do and now you all will find out." His lordship moved away from the spinning
knife. Turning in a circle Betsy addressed the onlookers like she had many
audiences in the past. "Ladies and gentlemen, I crave your indulgence for a few
moments. Please stand well back and keep absolutely quiet. That way no one will
come to any harm. This man, Peter I think you called him, asked me to show my
talents. Now he will see them from a view that most others won't. He will not be
harmed unless he makes a sudden move or you watchers startle me. Therefore I ask
again that you be completely quiet. Are you ready Peter?" Peter nodded and she
asked him to put his arms out like Christ on the cross. He did.
Seconds later the first knife shuddered into the wood above Peter's head. Lady
Haversham screamed and fainted. Betsy threw the other nine knives, each one
accurately found its mark including one between his legs, until Peter was ringed
by them. One came close to his wrist when in his fear, he lowered his arm
slightly but otherwise they were equally spaced.
Peter's face betrayed his fear when the first few knives flew but now it was red
with embarrassment. His bladder had given way and he pissed his trousers. Betsy
noticed this as she removed the knives and returned them to the roll. "I'm sorry
Sir, you must have been really afraid and yet you were so brave. I could easily
have killed you."
"Hold her," Lord Haversham ordered, "She is not to get away this time." Betsy
felt arms holding her. "Take her to Henry and order twenty strokes with the
strap and tell him to lay them on good and hard."
"No father, please. She doesn't deserve that. She may have upset the horses but
that was an accident. Sounds to me that afterwards she could have saved your
lives and now she has provided us with some great entertainment. She's given you
an afternoon of excitement you will remember for many years. She doesn't deserve
punishment. Give her a meal and send her on her way at least."
"And what about the cruel blow to your mother? What about the loss of the whip?"
"They are nothing father. You know that. Let her go."
"No, son I'll not even halve her punishment. Twenty strokes and that is my last
word."
