Chapter 7
In the morning, the girls slept late, which, considering their discomfort, hunger and lack of sleep the previous night and day was not at all surprising.
Washing and dressing, they came down to find the woman alone at the bar. Thanking her for her hospitality, they offered to do some work in repayment, but she would not have that.
Instead, she served them a good breakfast and sent them on their way without any suggestion as to where they should go in search of shelter and employment.
Remembering the advice that had been whispered to them the previous evening by the publican, they walked up the hill in search of the Rising Sun. They found it at the top of the hill.
It looked much the same as the other Inn, but its location gave it a little added advantage. A little more confidently than they had done the previous evening, they walked into the place.
There were two old men huddled over mugs of beer at the far end of the room, and a young woman behind the bar. Jane whispered to her friend that they would have to ask for the proprietor. Agreeing, Jenny took command of the situation without difficulty and in a way which impressed her younger companion.
"I wish to speak to the proprietor," Jenny said in a confident tone.
The young woman behind the bar glared at them without any attempt to mask her hostility, then, without speaking to them, walked from behind the bar and into the next room.
As they waited, the girls agreed in whispers that if they did find a job at the inn, they were going to have an enemy on their hands in the form of the barmaid. Still, that was of no importance at the moment, what really mattered was finding the employment and shelter they needed. Enemies could be handled later.
The man who came out to greet them with a smile and a more than appreciative glance was about the same age as the man they met the night before, but there the resemblance ended.
This one looked big and strong and hearty and it was clear that no woman, no matter how big, would push him or intimidate him in any way.
"Good morning, ladies," he greeted them with that strong London twang which is often referred to as cockney, but is not. "What can I do for you?"
Wanting to get out of ear shot of the barmaid, Jenny asked if they could have a chat in private. With a smile, the man gave his version of a courtly bow, which it really wasn't, and, drawing a curtain aside, ushered them into an inner room.
Seating themselves, the girls watched the man's eyes flick from one to the other as they told him of their sad plight with Jenny doing most of the talking and Jane only offering a word here and there to prove that she was at least capable of speech.
"That was very friendly of good old Harry," he smiled as they told him how the publican suggested they should come to him in the morning. "Very friendly indeed."
"Then you mean you can offer us work and lodging?" Jane asked excitedly.
"Not so fast, girlies," he held up his hands with the palms facing them. "I said nothing of the sort."
Their faces fell and he had all he could do to keep a satisfied grin well hidden.
"As a matter-of-fact," he went on, "there is not so much work to be done here. Rose works well, she's the barmaid, and I can hire women for cleaning up. Now on the other hand, I have no wife." He paused then and looked from one to the other to see whether they had caught his subtle point.
"Are either of you virgins?" he asked.
"No," Jenny replied easily. "Neither of us are that, although we are not greatly experienced," she added with the thought of making it as attractive as possible for the man.
Getting up, he began to walk around the room as if deep in thought. When he finally stopped pacing, he stood behind Jenny's chair.
"You both look healthy," he observed, "but I would have to be sure that you are strong if you are to work here."
So saying, he gripped her upper arms, one in each hand as if testing her muscles. From there, his hands moved easily across the front of her dress so that he cupped a teat firmly in each hand. He smiled when she made no protest.
Releasing her, he walked over to Jane and, without the pretense of feeling her arms at all, he cupped her titties and fondled them well.
"Well now," he mused, "you do both look like fine strong girls. Of course strong legs are important too. I think you should both stand and let me see that you have good legs too.
"Sir," Jenny said with surprising firmness as she waved Jane back down to her seat, "we do not mind at all allowing you to see our legs and more, but first, before giving you a free show, I want to discuss with you the matter of lodging and employment."
"Well now," he beamed, "I like a woman with both beauty and spirit. In the first place, call me Jim, not sir. I'm no bloody toff even though I do own this very nice inn.
"As for employment, I mentioned before that I have no wife. She died almost eight months since. That leaves a certain," he paused, "need, if you understand."
"I do," Jenny replied in a completely unruffled tone.
"And would the two of you be prepared to fill that need for me?"
"That would depend, would it not? I mean we both enjoy a good romp in the hay with a good man, but things such as working conditions and salary must be arranged first, I would think."
"Well said, Miss. Well said indeed. I am prepared to pay you each ten shillings a week along with food and lodging. In return, you will help with the serving and other work as well as the other, ah, service I mentioned. Do you agree to that?"
"Ten shillings is less than a fortune, Jim," Jenny shot back.
"True, but there is a way in which you may earn more if you wish."
"And what is that?"
"Well now, from time to time, there are fine gentlemen who tire of their wives' beds and look for something younger and more beautiful. They pay well for such services."
"And, of course," Jenny answered, "the money we earn is ours?"
"Not entirely, my dear. There is a standard system in most inns in England. Half to the woman, half to the house."
"Does the man pay the money to me?" Jenny wanted to know.
"It is usual to pay it to the house. I see that you get your half. You can trust me, I'm an honorable man."
"I'm sure you are, Jim," Jenny smiled, "but we are just as honorable. On condition that the men pay us, we shall accept your offer."
"But I can't do that. How would I know how much he paid you?"
"Surely you will know these fine gentlemen you send us. I should not think they would refuse to tell you what they paid to enjoy our charms."
"No. I won't have it," he protested vehemently. "You need help, I don't. I can't allow you to dictate terms to me like that."
"Very well, Jim," Jenny said with a sigh as she stood and indicated with a nod that Jane too should stand. "Now that we know how these things are done, I am confident we can find another inn where our services would be valued beyond the terms you offer. Before we leave though, we really should keep our promise to show our legs to you."
Reaching for the hem of her clothing, Jenny slowly pulled the garments all the way up to her waist. She smiled as the man licked his lips while staring at legs, cunny bush and belly.
After a brief pause, Jane gathered her clothes and, turning her back to him, pulled them up slowly until she had bared the lovely round cheeks of her bum to his view. She held them up that way for a moment, then allowed them to fall back into place.
"All right. You collect the fee from your men," he croaked, "but I warn you, I'll find out what they paid and get my half or take it out of your hide with a whip. I mean that."
"There is no need for unpleasantness, Jim, we shall want you to check on such matters. We are appreciative of the chance to earn a living and have food and lodging here and would never think of treating you unfairly. Shall we shake hands on our agreement?"
Smiling all round, they shook hands and then Jane joined in. Their new life had begun in the exciting new city of London. They would have a place to eat and sleep and they would also earn money which they would not have to spend and could save for the future.
"Now then, Jim, about that vital service you have been lacking all these months," Jenny said with a smile. "Would you be of a mood to sample our wares right now?"
He gulped and flushed as he said, with obvious regret, that the noon crowd was coming in to eat and he would have to hurry to the dining room. He assured them that he would be back a little after one.
He went on to suggest that in the meantime, he show them to their room and that they could rest there while they waited his return.
Together, they went up the steps and he opened a door for them. It was a pleasant enough room with a wide bed and plenty of light and air.
"This will be fine," Jenny said. "I'm pleased you like it," he beamed. "My room is just next."
He pointed toward a door in the far wall. He did not 'bother to tell them, though, that through the crack between the curtained transom and the top of the door, he could, by standing on a chair, have a complete view of their room.
In the past, he had used this room for beautiful women alone or good looking young couples and had frequently seen sights which caused him to jerk himself off as he gazed passionately into the room. Still, there were other rooms so equipped and he would have no shortage of pleasure with these two beauties in the room next to his, he assured himself.