The Pursuit of Manliness

"Colonel Norman finds satisfaction in Imperial Service"

It was patently evident to Colonel Nesmith Norman what the nawab was so clumsily suggesting. The pretty girl who was being presented to him and who was one of the nawab’s many daughters borne to him no doubt by one...

Maude/Madeleine Part 13

"Madeeine and Maria leave Mistress Pickles's house"

In 1800 Maria and I were summonsed to Mistress Pickles. Jenkins, dressed in her customary Butler’s attire led us and stood in the corner as the Mistress bade us sit, then offered us sherry wine. We accepted and Jenkins served...

Starr Crossed Lovers Whose Mood Turns to Doom

"My poetic tribute to fatuous fate and infatuation."

Behold six pairs of doomed lovers,Slain by their own hands or by another.With poison, knife, serpent and lust.Ah! But whose marriage really went bust?Heloise and Abelard. Both were brilliant.He was unmanned but still proved resilient.Paris and Helen launched ships and...

Maude/Madeleine Part 12

"Maria and Madeleine entertain a guest together"

I may have given the impression that all in Mistress Pickles’ household was, as it were, idyllic. It would, I now conjecture, be naïve to assume that a house full of women such as it was would be so. In...

X is for Xenia

"Xenia: in ancient lore, the ancient Greek custom of hospitality, including the giving of presents"

A buxom maiden of nineteen years was Xenia Xerxes Whose step-dad told her, his guests she must please. Xenia most happily obeyed As her body she displayed Naked for all newcomers to see, squeeze and seize. Now, her step-dad, Pimpopulous,...

Maude/Madeleine Part 11

"The tale continues"

I am writing this chronicle in the year of our Lord 1805 and news has only recently been brought to England of Admiral Lord Nelson’s victory and tragic death at Trafalgar. The war is over. A sense of relief prevails....