The real Mother Goose

Jill’s bright red hair was like a beacon and it hung down her back in coppery waves in the sun. As they watched, Jack tugged at a blonde girl’s curls, and even from where they were sitting, they could hear her squeal. The blonde smiled at him, though, pinching his cheek and then leaning in to kiss him there.

“Blue, will you fetch them?” Mother asked, shading her eyes and standing for a better vantage point. “Before Jill’s temper-”

“Too late,” Blue lamented as they heard Jill shriek.

All of them heard a hollow “bonk” as Jill brought a pail down on Jack’s head. It turned upside down, soaking his front as Jill lunged for him and they tumbled together down the hill.

“Blue!” Mother cried, but he was already on his way, meeting them at the bottom of the hill and dragging them both over to where Mother was waiting. All of the guests watched as Blue yanked their collars, his fingers in the loops so they couldn’t wiggle away.

“You pervert!” Jill shrieked, still wailing and trying to wallop Jack. “Do you lust after every girl that comes along!?”

“Enough!” Mother rose, holding her hand out in a “stopping” motion. Her guests were talking quietly again, but their eyes were on the scene at Mother’s table.

“Mother said you weren’t to flirt with the girls,” Jill said, her lower lip trembling.

Jack rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t flirting. She kissed me.”

“I also said that you weren’t to hit him anymore.” Mother’s voice quavered with anger, her eyes flashing at Jill. “Blue, take them upstairs to my room. I’ll be up shortly.” He gave a short nod, dragging them both inside.

“They are a handful!” Mary exclaimed, looking up at Mother with wide eyes.

“You have no idea.” Mother sighed, taking a seat and petting Peep, rubbing a strand of her blonde hair between her fingers. “I acquired them at the Queen’s Fair and they’ve been trouble ever since.”

“Redheads,” Mary said with a knowing nod. “They’re so passionate.” Mother’s mouth curled into a slow smile. “Yes…well, that has its advantages, too.”

“I imagine it does.” Mary returned her smile.

Mother rose, patting Peep once more with a sigh. “Mary, would you mind entertaining my guests for a while? I need to tend to my fiery little charges.”

“I’d be honored,” Mary replied, kissing Mother’s hand before she headed inside.

Mother made her way up the long flight of stairs, the heels of her boots clicking on the stone floor as she continued down the hallway. Blue was just hooking Jill up to the chains embedded in the wall. Jack’s wrists were already restrained in manacles and he looked up when Mother came into the room.

“Thank you, Blue, darling,” Mother murmured, caressing the bulge in his breeches. Jill’s struggle had pulled her white corset down to expose her full, pink-tipped breasts and Blue had obviously been admiring them.

“My pleasure, Mother,” he replied, meeting her eyes as her hand squeezed him gently.

“What am I going to do with you two?” Mother shook her head and paced back and forth in front of her two young charges. “Every time I turn around, you’re fighting like cats and dogs!”

“It wasn’t my fault, Mother!” Jack cried, glaring over at Jill. “I was pulling some water from the well for the baker’s daughter, and out of nowhere, Jill pushes me down!”

“Ha!” Jill snorted, tossing her long red hair over her shoulder with a flip of her head. “He was looking down her dress, Mother. I saw him!” Mother raised her eyebrows, stopping in front of the girl with a frown.

“Natural male response,” Mother murmured, tapping her chin with her finger.

“Don’t you think, Blue?”

“Indeed, Mother,” the man replied, his eyes still moving over Jill’s exposed cleavage.

“But…” the girl stammered, her cheeks flushing, making the freckles peppered over her nose and cheeks stand out even more. “But, Mother…you said we weren’t allowed…that is…”

“Yes,” Mother replied with a nod, looking between her two charges. “No touching, that’s correct…but you can’t tame a man’s eyes. They look-it’s inevitable.” Mother gently turned Blue’s chin and met his gaze. He grinned and shrugged, but then gasped when she touched him again, squeezing between his legs.

“What I’m more concerned about is your response, Jill,” Mother went on, turning back to the two chained youngsters. “Why should it concern you what Jack does?”

“I…I was just trying…to be good…” The girl bit her lip, looking over at Jack and then back to the tall woman standing in front of her.

“Hm.” Mother frowned, tapping the toe of her boot on the cold stone floor. “I just don’t believe it. Blue, do you believe her?”

The dark-haired man shook his head. “I’m afraid not.”

“Well, then, perhaps it’s time for a little truth-telling session!” Mother exclaimed with a smile. “My cat please, Blue.”

“Yes, Mother,” he replied, moving toward the cabinet in the corner.

As if on cue, one of the kittens that Mother had purchased from Miss Contrary jumped up onto the bed.