Paper Faces on Parade

By E. Kammer

In the middle of the eighteenth century, at a time of England’s political unrest, a man named John Wilkes leads a group of men into a secret society. Disgruntled by his inability to be accepted into political society, and hiding under the guise of a newspaper writer, he leads family, friends, and political cronies into his nefarious way of

• Language: English
• Publisher: LitFire Publishing
• Release date: Dec 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9781641519410

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Paper Faces on Parade

Copyright © 2018 by E. Kammer

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher or author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.

ISBN: 978-1-64151-941-0

Printed in the United States of America

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August, 1782

PAPER FACES ON PARADE

Prologue

By the middle of the eighteenth century a group of politicians formed a secret fraternity, known as the monks of St Francis of Medmenham. Guided by there motto ‘do as you will’, the brothers indulged in a variety of bizarre rituals, feasts, and orgies, and in the process shocking many in society. Among them were several standing in Parliament and serving under King George III.

The most infamous was John Wilkes, a noticeable unsightly man and a brilliant conversationalist. For Wilkes, who named the brotherhood ‘Hellfire’, it was a means to gain a high up seat in political office, in which he needed to pay off his gambling debts. While trying for this position in parliament, Wilkes enraged the king’s treasury men by exasperating them and savagely attacking their policies that were presented before the king. He went so far as threatening to blackmail them by exposing their involvement with the fraternity.

In time Wilkes was arrested for his actions. But this put Wilkes in his element, and he began inciting unrest in the name of liberty among his peers. Eventually he was released from prison and a movement was launched to support him, naming his faction ‘Wilkes and Liberty’. In due course Wilkes did gain a seat in parliament by at first becoming alderman of London, and then mayor. The celebrations of his election turned to rioting in the London streets, resulting in the ‘St. George’s Fields Massacre’. Wilkes finally forms a London newspaper, becomes High Sheriff of London for a time, and furtively becomes known to shape an assemblage of a more indulgent group when conforming to edicts and rules. In time, he and his brotherhood went underground in order to accomplish its business clear of redundant eyes. The old monastery of Medmenham served to be the superlative place for such an establishment.

Rough Guide Chronicle ENGLAND

♦♦♦

Chapter 1

Nearly thirty miles or so outside London town, in a lovely countryside setting, everyday life at Chesterfield House meandered slowly by the window bringing into view the tranquilizing landscape. It reminded a weary heart how uneventful and ordinary life can be. The sun came up, as for all time, casting its fiery glow over the land ever so slowly rolling over the dark crevices, lighting afresh the terrain, and chasing shadows. The enduring creatures that roamed throughout the countryside incessantly gathered food for the day. The wind blew its ever present, yet gentle, flurry across a distant meadow, whipping blades of grass and gathering tender fallen leaves from a tree, spinning them into insignificant wind tunnels.

Through that window of the imposing dwelling, the sighs of a doleful young woman went disregarded by the world outside. Besides there being servants in attendance throughout the residence, the true meaning of lonesome could be reflected only by the emotion of this young one’s heart. People in general would not admit to it, but Katherine Lynette Howard at her tender age of seventeen well knew the true meaning of the word loneliness.

The occupants of the household being Elli, the head servant, along with two additional offspring, Ruben and Mary, had essentially reared Katherine. Her father, Lorne Howard, called his beloved Katherine by the endearing pet name as Kitty or Kitten. She had never known her real mother. When Katharine had been alive in the world only two weeks her mother had died from the sickness, so the story went and was told to her in gruesome detail by her odious siblings.

The only other family she knew of was that of her father’s sister, Aunt Josephine. She lived alone by the sea and was no longer married to a man named John Wilkes for reasons unknown to Katherine. Only vaguely could she recall some talk that he was a politician and wrote a newspaper. Katherine remembered blurred but fond memories of visiting her aunt while still very young, and playing at the sea’s edge on warm, sunny days.

Miss Elli had never married and came to replace the previous head servant who had quite unexpectedly died in an accident not long before Katherine’s birth. Consequently, Elli, short for Ellen, became nursemaid to three small tots, each mindful of the fact they would never know the sustenance and love a parent could provide. Since Elli had sworn to not grow to a ripe old age with nothing to fulfill her life, she settled comfortably into caring for the Howard children, with great relief that her plight was not as she had feared. Lorne was free now to continue with more important matters.

The only problem was Ruben, a rather strong-willed, hateful boy with a mind of his own who had reached the age of six. His former maid had allowed him free rein. Spoiled and rather devious, Mary, too, could not be controlled. When Elli would issue an instruction it could not transpire without a confrontation and tantrum that would go on for an endless time. Elli, being intensely strong-willed herself, stuck to her ground, never giving in on what was settled on as to the form of discipline that was to be administered. As she was known to say, Come hell or high water you’ll do as I say, Miss Mary, or you’ll suffer for it! What I say goes and that’s with you’re father’s permission.

When Ruben would act up it was, You can listen to me now or we’ll wait right here until your father comes home, which usually wasn’t to happen for days, but both Ruben and Mary soon learned after missed meals and specially planned outings, Elli meant what she had said.

It was on Ruben’s twentieth birthday that Elli came up missing, vanishing without a trace. The authorities had said foul play with murderous intent was no doubt the cause of her disappearance. Three days later her mutilated body was found on the edge of a nearby river.

Ruben had taken a holiday from school and was spending the week at home for his birthday event. Father had always made sure birthdays were extravagant, so the entire household was involved in decorating and planning. When Ruben showed up after having been missing for hours, his face was flushed and his temper flared easily. Katherine wasn’t too concerned; his mood was ever transforming, but Elli was nowhere to be found. The search went on for days, but soon Ruben had to return to school. He returned home for the last time a year ago and was never to return again. He and Father had an argument that ended in sharp, angry words and Father banished him from the house.

Mary had blissfully wed earlier in the year to a gentleman who was known to dabble in gambling. Gossip from their home was passed to and from the servants, rumoring that Mary and he were forever at odds because of her flare of temper and his spending longs hours at a local inn and pub without her. This led Katherine to imagine, despite her tender years, that the marriage would be a brief one.

Katherine never completely trusted Ruben or Mary and this caused her to stay in the shadows when there was a need for them to occupy the same room. Her mistrust began on the day when they maliciously hurt and tormented her regarding the broom incident over the dress. It was that momentous day that proved to Katherine her siblings were different from her; they were deceitfully indiscreet, senseless, and filled with guile. And so she contrived from that day forward they could be of no relation to her.

Katherine and Mary were more different in size than two people could want to be. Although Mary was three years her senior, Katherine stood three inches taller in height. Where Mary was short for her age and a bit stockier, Katharine was tall and, although quite slender, could wear the dresses purchased for Mary. There were garments purchased specifically for each of the girls for special events, and on one occasion Katherine chose a dress for a neighbor’s gathering. At the time for her to ready herself for the event, Katherine searched through her closet frantically, but the dress was nowhere to be found. Katherine looked through her wardrobe and sifted two and three times before calling for Elli to come and help her find it. She stepped from her room and after issuing a quick knock, entered Mary’s, which was across the hall. Mary’s face was flushed as she was struggling into the very dress Katherine was in pursuit of.

Katherine said in disbelief, What are you doing? That is my dress. Give it to me!

Mary whipped around now with her back to the mirror. The reflection Katherine saw almost made her laugh aloud as the fastenings on the back were bursting apart. But she was careful not to even smile and evoke a flare-up of Mary’s wicked temper.

Mary sputtered, Well, I need to wear this dress. Now help me with the fastenings or we’ll be late.

Katherine pleaded with Mary. After all, the dress had been specially bought for her to wear to this event. Mary, this dress was bought for me, why would you do this? Give it back, `tis mine!

Mary bellowed, I’m wearing it, so help me and stop whining!

The arguing went on a bit longer, until Ruben appeared at the door. He watched the quarrel with a smirk. Katherine, you have no choice in the matter, the dress is going to be worn by Mary, `tis no use quibbling, he said.

Katherine was incensed. With a stamp of her foot she insisted, The dress is mine, `tis mine, I say. Take it off now!

The elder two siblings were encouraged at this rivalry. They laughed at the younger one’s insistence and were encouraged by it to egg Katherine further.

Ruben continued with the antagonism. Laughing he tormented, Me-thinks she needs a spanking for not listening to us, Mary. I do believe Elli left a broom out in the hall. Pray, show little Kitty who is going to wear the dress.

With face flushed Mary’s countenance transformed as if a new idea had dawned on her. With a devilish grin she ran from the room and grabbed up a broom. Coming back in, Ruben had taken hold of Katherine’s arms and held her so that Mary could administer the blow to her backside. Katherine wailed, more from anger than pain, although through her thin shift and leggings she could not stand many more strokes without feeling a great deal of pain. The thrashings continued until Katherine was moaning. Fear had replaced pain, as the two did not relent. Katherine broke free from Ruben’s grasp and tried to flee, but Mary stayed at her heels. Mary pursued her down to the main floor and out into the garden where Katherine was finally able to elude her. Once hidden, she held her breath praying not to be found.

Mary’s voice said from not far away, So, you’ve found out that whining will only make me angry. I hope `tis clear that I am to wear this dress and if a word of this is even breathed to Elli, you’ll pay double.

Katherine could see through the brush that Mary was turning to leave. She let out her breath. After spending a good length of time in hiding she heard Elli calling for her. Needless to say, and with great relief, she was sent to her room for hiding before the gathering and making everyone late, missing out entirely on going and not braving to tell Elli what had happened, though the rather large, purple bruises spoke for themselves.

Katherine’s musings had caused her to lie too long on her bed, staring out the window, so that her arm had fallen asleep. She heard Mary and Ruben’s cruel chanting in her head. Poor little Kitten, no mummy, no daddy. Maybe you’re the gypsy’s baby. Getting up she shook her arm furiously until the prickling died out and she regained feeling in her fingers.

A perky thrush had landed on her windowsill and sang to her a melodious tune as if to cheer her. The window had been opened to welcome the spring breezes and the fragrance of a new season.

Oh, I’m not that sad, she whispered to her sprightly feathered companion, I’m really happy to be alone; quite happy.

Her voice faltered a bit as she choked on her words. Tears sparkled in her eyes, yet none fell. The thrush warbled again and flew off with a gust of howling wind.

She stood at the window and watched the new spring leaves whip back and forth vigorously as if they were being tested for their strength. Poking her head farther out the window she realized the day was too brilliant to be sitting inside moping. The songs the birds offered called to her to come out. Puddle, a feline whom she had dubbed to be her best friend and only companion, started purring and rubbing up against Katherine, as if sensing her glum mood. A voice sounded from below.

It was Ruby, their new head maid, who had come to them just before Mary’s betrothal. The Howard family had gone a full year understaffed. The maid had been brought in from a distant town, so as to avoid any fear from the stories of the previous maid who had mysteriously disappeared and was later found murdered. It took Lorne the entire year to search out a replacement maid, and then still, allow a space of time so that she could finish her employment at her previous home, which included little ones. Ruby was too old to handle that kind of work. Being stationed her here with a mild seventeen-year-old seemed less wearisome, and the change in employment had proved ideal.

The maid called again, mildly agitated, Kath-a-rine! Can ye hear me? It’s time te be getting up!

Yes, Ruby, I hear you, she droned under her breath and rolled her eyes. Katherine rose and stepped quickly down the stairs. As always she tripped on the first two treads so as her gown was in the way. She liked it better when she could wear braids and gowns of mid-calf length. But the time had come when her womanhood had changed everything, including her way of dress. It was not as though she minded dressing like a lady. Her dress was comfortable, if not serviceable. It was made of French silk, blue in color, and made a delightful sound when she hurried down the stairway.

Ruby was at the bottom waiting. Yer gonna be late, girl. I told ye te get the basket to the Kirbys bright ‘n early. Why, it’s past breakfast now.

Katherine had forgotten today was Thursday, the day she delivered freshly baked goods to a farming family nearby.

Why can’t you have Osborne perform this deed, Ruby? The Kirbys ogle me as if they’ve not seen a girl before.

The Kirbys had three boys, the eldest fifteen and the youngest nine; the mother had passed on after the birth of the youngest. The family could not familiarize themselves to the finer pleasures in life that would be considered basics in the Howard household, such as soap and modern plumbing. The cottage they dwelled in was on land too close to the Howards, in Katherine’s opinion, for privacy. Although it could not be viewed from Chesterfield and lay about a mile the other side of the