A Very Victorian Education - New Story and Illustration

First off, many thanks to Our German Friend for his kind words and excellent comments and also to those who ticked the “more” box – believe me it really does make a difference. It tells me I’m not alone in liking this type of material and the way it is presented, it also encourages me to keep trying different ways of expressing my ideas- so thank you, I really appreciate your support.

I’ve always wanted to base a forced femme or petticoat discipline story in the Victorian era and OGF’s remark about readers whose first language is not English having difficulty translating the text finally pushed me into writing it. This is a first draft but if I was to rewrite it I would not be able to post it for another week or so(off to London for the rugby on Thursday – England vs Ireland in case you’re interested. I travel more in hope than expectation.)

 I think I corrected all the typos if not apologies.

Anyway as I said before I usually get about 250- 300 words into these illustrations – this story is a little longer –approx. 3,700 longer. Hopefully you will like it, if not you can blame OGF.

Carrie

A Very Victorian Education.

BY

CarrieP

The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.- L.P. Hartley

London 1890

Returning from his first year at Oxford for his summer vacation Aubrey St Clair was puzzled and quite annoyed to find his mother’s friend Lady Charlotte de Winter and her daughter Felicity taking afternoon tea with his mother.

“Ah there you are my boy.” she said an unmistakable hint of annoyance in her voice as he entered the drawing room “don’t bother to sit you won’t be staying that long. My aunt Beatrice has invited us to her country estate for a few weeks and we must leave immediately if we are to catch the afternoon train.”

He had intended to spend his stay in London attending parties, casinos as well as several horserace meetings and boxing matches as most young men of his age and class liked to do. Staying in the middle of nowhere for several weeks was not an enticing prospect for the young man, he had to think quickly to avoid a fate worse than death.

“But mother I need to access libraries, museums as well various other institutions in preparation for my new tutorials next autumn.”

“I expected you would come up with such an excuse” his mother sighed in exasperation “so if you will not accompany me Lady Charlotte has kindly offered to accommodate you in her home.”

“Oh don’t you worry about studying Aubrey my dear, you may find staying with us is an education in itself.” Lady Charlotte said.

He knew he had been outmanoeuvred by his mother but staying in London, even if it was with the intimidating Lady Charlotte and her ghastly daughter was a better prospect than weeks in rural isolation. He did not want to refuse as his mother would have stayed and that would have completely ruined his plans. His silence resolved the issue and in a matter of moments he was ensconced in a carriage and nestled between the skirts of his new female companions. As the carriage made its way the short distance to Lady Charlotte’s house in Belgravia she engaged him in small talk as her daughter listened attentively. It seemed she knew quite a lot about his time at university and although she did not touch on some of his more unsavoury escapades there was something about the extent of her knowledge that disturbed him. He had tried to hide aspects of his behaviour at Oxford such as drunkenness, gambling, and acting in an extremely lewd manner, if his mother had known about these traits she would have withdrawn him from college immediately. Even though Lady Charlotte did not allude to any of this he suspected from her tone she did have some idea of his carousing. He had already been warned several times by his mother about getting into trouble and she had threatened him with denying access to his substantial inheritance. Such action would ruin his immediate plans and he quickly realised Lady Charlotte would have to be appeased at all costs.

The first few days of his stay were uneventful, he observed the required social conventions and even managed to be polite to Lady Charlotte’s annoying and tedious daughter. He soon discovered he was the only male in the house as Lady Charlotte did not employ a butler or footman, something  he found strange and also a little irksome as a male servant would be able to act as his valet. Lady Charlotte offered to have Lisa, her lady’s maid, tend to his needs but he laughed at the very idea and told her the notion of a female attending to a male in such a capacity was preposterous. He could see that Lady Charlotte seemed to be perplexed and perhaps even slightly annoyed by his attitude, he also noticed Miss Bristlestrap, her housekeeper, become quite red in the face but said nothing. His dismissed these as typically feminine overreactions, these delicate creatures were unused to the more direct masculine approach to domestic matters, indeed his own mother was the very same. He had to be patient with them and over the course of his sojourn with Lady Charlotte he would attempt to inject some much needed masculinity into her household.

Conversations were a little exasperating as the ladies knowledge of issues of importance was very limited and they were not very well informed regarding matters of state or politics. However he tried patiently to educate his new female companions on these topics particularly the ridiculous idea of female suffrage, a subject they seemed to be particularly exercised about. This he thought was only to be expected, they were merely women afterall and matters such as these were far too complex for them.

After dinner on his third evening in Lady Charlotte’s house he joined his hostess and Felicity for drinks in the drawing room. Female company night after night was becoming very tiresome, listening to their dull and boring talk about the latest fashions was extremely irritating. He felt this was the opportune time to inform the ladies that he was going out for the evening and from now on he would be dining out with his friends from college and would be spending more time in male company.

“Of course this is no reflection on your own excellent company ladies.” he patiently explained to them “it is just that a man such as myself cannot be limited to the presence of the… weaker… pardon me..I mean the fairer sex.”

“Oh dear, it is such a disappointment, is it not darling?” Lady Charlotte sighed as she lowered herself gracefully into a large wing backed chair.

“Oh yes Mummy” Felicity answered her voice tinged with sadness as she carefully arranged her skirts and eased herself elegantly onto the pale blue silk damask couch opposite her mother.” I had hoped he would be a little more indulgent with us. Are you sure we can’t persuade you to stay?”

“Quite sure Felicity.”he answered and patronisingly patted her on the hand before continuing in a pretentious voice “as you have probably noticed  I am a man’s man and my personality is best suited to male company where the  conversation is more intellectual, no offence intended of course.”

“Well I suppose if we cannot dissuade you … “ Lady Charlotte said offering him a drink from the decanter on the table by her chair “ then perhaps you will  have a glass of wine before you go.”

Within seconds of the wine entering his bloodstream he began to feel a little lightheaded.

“I think I had better sit down for a minute or two before I leave.” he said as he sank onto the couch beside Felicity.

“Oh I don’t think you shall be going anywhere this evening dear boy……..” Lady Charlotte said as she watched him struggle to get up “…..or anytime soon for that matter.”

“And certainly not in those clothes.” Felicity added, a wide smile creeping across her face.

“What…..What’s happening?” he blurted as he felt his strength drain from his arms and legs.

“Your drink contained an extract from the Siamese tree snake, lethal in large quantities of course but a small dose causes a major reduction in muscular strength.” Lady Charlotte explained calmly “you can move your limbs- just not with the same vigour. Absolutely no need to worry, you shall make a complete recovery in a few days.”

“But…”the young man looked at her, anger flashing in his eyes “why?”

Lady Charlotte stood up and glided gracefully across the room, her navy silk gown and her petticoats rustling loudly as she approached him. She regarded him with a stern expression,

“Your dear mother has spoken to me many times regarding your boorish behaviour and is concerned you will take after your deceased father who was a shameless reprobate. She is a very close and dear friend and I will not stand by and have her hurt a second time. I have promised her when she returns she will be pleasantly surprised by your reformed behaviour.”

“This is outrageous….. I shall refuse  to…..” Aubrey began before Lady Charlotte silenced him with a sharp slap across the face. She nodded to her daughter who rang the servants’ bell.

Miss Bristlestrap entered followed by two maids who he noticed carried various items of clothing.

“Proceed Miss Bristlestrap” Lady Charlotte instructed her housekeeper.

The young man tried to resist the maids as they raised him from the couch but he quickly discovered that his male strength had deserted him and he was no match even for these slight female servants. They soon had him stripped and as he stood naked trying to cover his genitals in front of five sniggering women, he felt tears welling up inside.

Lady Charlotte arranged her skirts once more and lowered herself onto the couch, she patted her silk covered lap.

“Now Aubrey, your first lesson. Place yourself face down over my knees…….like a good boy. Or perhaps you would prefer if Hilda and Dora assisted you?”

The arrogant and conceited youth who just a few minutes ago was pompously lecturing his female audience glanced at the two maidservants and immediately knew what would happen if he refused. Still hiding his member with his hands he meekly made his way to Lady Charlotte and stood in front of her.

“Please… Lady Charlotte…..please I beg you.” he sobbed.

The mistress of the house with her daughter and servants looking on merely smiled and ignoring the youth’s pleas she imperiously patted her lap once more.

The cool silk of her gown brushed against his naked flesh and he could feel the fabric of her petticoats slide against the soft silk of her gown.

“The paddle Miss Bristlestrap.” Lady Charlotte said and from his shameful position over her knees he could see the housekeeper hand her mistress a wooden implement with a long handle.

He was sobbing long before the first stroke hit the soft flesh of his buttocks and could hear the muffled laughter of the maids and Felicity as his punishment continued to the sixth and final slap.

“You may now rise Aubrey.” Lady Charlotte said as she handed the paddle to Miss Bristlestrap.

He unsteadily got to his feet and humiliation seeping from every pore in his naked body he stood in front of Lady Charlotte who was nonchalantly smoothing the folds of her skirts. His shame prevented his eyes rising to meet hers.

“I have concluded that the precise cause of your disgraceful behaviour is the manner in which you treat the female sex, your arrogance is only exceeded by your selfishness and stupidity but I believe this can be corrected by your total immersion in the feminine realm.”

“I…I…I.. don’t understand.”he stammered, his buttocks still stinging from his punishment.

“Miss Bristlestrap.” Lady Charlotte called to her housekeeper who stepped forward with the maids.

“Hold your arms over your head Master Aubrey.” Miss Bristlestrap ordered in a curt and obviously mocking tone.

Hilda- a maid he had taken a fancy to and recently had groped her breasts and backside- approached him with a shapeless piece of fabric. She gathered it carefully and held it over his head and then let it slide down over his arms and torso. With a broad smile she looked directly into his eyes as she fixed the soft pink satin girls nightgown over his weak body, its large diaphanous bishop sleeves with wide buttoned cuffs and quilted bodice giving it a decidedly ultra feminine look.

“A little long M’Lady but with matching heeled slippers it will fit perfectly.” she said as Dora knelt and placed pink kitten heeled satin slippers on both feet.  

Lady Charlotte stepped forward to inspect the young man.

“Yes, quite satisfactory, obviously very loose in the bosom area” she said as she made adjusted the bodice, cupping his face in her hands she added “but don’t you worry my dear we shall put that right tomorrow.”

“But …I….. PLEASE…… Lady Charlotte…”he babbled incoherently unable to comprehend what was happening.

“You still don’t understand, do you?” she said as if speaking to a five year old.

Aubrey shook his head there were so many emotions swirling around in his head he could not speak, adding to his discomfort was the soft material of the nightgown caressing every centimetre of his body.

“Well then let me explain.” she began “It is clear to your mother and I that your obnoxious attitude towards women combined with your disgraceful conduct at university is as a result of  uncontroled masculine behaviour. A lady would never act in such a vile and nasty manner. I feel that spending some time dressed as a member of the female sex would give you the help and support you need to overcome your vulgar and sordid masculine behaviour. Dressing and acting in a ladylike manner will allow you the opportunity to cast aside those disgraceful and repulsive male attributes.”

“You mean…I .. you want me to …..this is outrageous.” he blurted and attempted to raise his arms to remove his new nightgown however the strong arms of the maids quickly pulled his hands back down.

“I see you require another lesson.” Lady Charlotte sighed wearily as she sat once more “Miss Bristlestrap fetch the paddle, twelve strokes this time I think.

Another thrashing from Lady Charlotte would be an unbearable humiliation as well as very painful.

“Oh no please Lady Charlotte……. not that….”he shrieked “I’m very sorry please don’t punish me.”

“Then you shall be an obedient and very good girl from now on?” Lady Charlotte said fixing him with a steely stare.

He nodded but Lady Charlotte was not satisfied with his response.

“Say it dear boy. What shall you be from now on?”

“An obedient and very good girl from now on.” he whispered.

“Louder Aubrey, Felicity and the servants would like to hear you.”

“I shall an obedient and very good girl from now on.” he blurted the shame filling his cheeks.

“Oh Mummy he’s gorgeous when he blushes, so girlish.” Felicity said.

“A nice curtsey would show you really mean it.” Lady Charlotte said inflicting more humiliation of the weak and demoralised boy.

“Oh he’s not used to such feminine gestures. Let me show you how to do it Aubrey.” Felicity helpfully offered as she dropped to a deep and graceful curtsey

Aubrey held his satin nightgown and performed his first curtsey.

“A reasonable attempt but I’m sure we shall improve your skills in the weeks ahead. Now it’s time you were in bed young lady.” Lady Charlotte said indicating to Miss Bristlestrap to escort the boy to his bedroom.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Aubrey was brusquely awoken the following morning by Hilda and Dora who whipped back the bedclothes with a single stroke. They sniggered contemptuously at the boy curled up in his new feminine nightgown.

“That pink is such a lovely shade Dora.” Hilda said barely supressing her delight at the mortified youth.

“Yes Hilda so feminine, it really suits his colouring.” Dora giggled as his cheeks went crimson.

“Girls!” Miss Bristlestrap’s voice laden with sarcasm  called out from across the room “the young master should not be exposed like that. Please fetch his peignoir.”

“You heard Miss Bristlestrap Hilda” Dora sniggered “fetch the young master’s pink peignoir”

The door opened, Lady Charlotte and Felicity entered.

“I see our new girl is awake Miss Bristlestrap.” she said.

“Yes Madam and breakfast is served on the table by the window.” The housekeeper answered with a curtsey. “I shall lay out the young master’s clothes while you take breakfast.”

Aubrey dressed in his ultra-feminine night attire did not have much of an appetite and sat in silence as Felicity and her mother discussed what dresses would be suit the boy. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Miss Bristlestrap and the two maids laying out various items on the bed.  He suddenly remembered occasions when he would have to speak to his mother in her bedroom while she was being dressed by her maid and he felt his knees weaken as he now realised he would soon be wearing petticoats and a chemise and he gasped as he saw Miss Bristlestrap lay a sturdy white satin corset on the bed. He decided to try once more to get Lady Charlotte to see reason.

“Lady Charlotte please I beg you please don’t confine me in ladies clothing.” he pleaded and almost crying he implored her “I…I am a…. man.”

“I really don’t think so but I suppose if you say you are a man…”Lady Charlotte replied “you can prove it. If you beat Felicity, a young lady of delicate features, at arm wrestling then you can have your clothes back. If not ……it is petticoats and corsets and some simply adorable gowns for you dear boy.”

A space was cleared on the table and Felicity carefully arranged her taffeta skirts around her as she sat down and presented her soft girlish arm for him to engage with.

The contest was over within seconds and as his hand lay under her smaller female hand he could feel himself losing his grip on his masculinity.

“Oh Mummy” Felicity squealed with laughter “my ten year old cousin Emily could beat him.”

Lady Charlotte looked at the boy with a mixture of contempt and pity then stood up, took him by the hand and led him to the bed.

“Now Aubrey I do hope there shall be no more silly talk of retaining your masculinity during the remainder of your stay with us.”

He knew that to argue otherwise would only lead to further punishment and humiliation and meekly nodded his agreement. Felicity could barely contain her excitement and since her arm wrestling victory she became even more haughty and patted him on the head in a most patronising manner before asking him in a slightly menacing tone

“And what did you say you shall be from now on?”

There was only one answer she wanted and he was only too well aware what would happen if he failed to answer correctly.

“An obedient and a very good girl.”

“And what does a good girl wear?” she continued her interrogation.

“A… dress” he answered shamefully, his eyes firmly fixed to the floor.

“Oh not only a dress Aubrey there is so much more. Now I’m sure you know what they are, why don’t you tell us.” she said in a mocking voice as she gestured towards the items of ladies underwear carefully laid out on the bed.”

“Petticoats,……corset…… chemise…… pantaloons, stockings” he stammered as he looked at the array of feminine clothing that he would soon be forced to wear.

“Oh he shall make a wonderful girl Mummy” Felicity giggled.

“I don’t think we shall have any trouble Miss Bristlestrap” Lady Charlotte said and dismissed her servants.

“But there is one item that you have never seen before. One that ladies do not have to wear but unfortunately my dear you must.” Lady Charlotte said as she held something that to Aubrey looked like flesh coloured bulbous mounds.

As traumatising as his experience was up to now he suddenly felt a lurch in stomach as he now realised what they were.

“Yes my dear boy, we can’t have a girl without breasts.” Lady Charlotte smiled. “these were developed by some very clever ladies who graduated from a very progressive all female college in Cambridge. They believe some males should understand what it is like to have secondary sexual characteristics. A strange notion I grant you but one I am becoming more tolerant of.”

Aubrey looked at the perfectly shaped orbs in horror and had to hold on to the table to steady himself as Lady Charlotte continued,

“Incredibly lifelike don’t you think? Perfect weight and shape and the colour is almost flawless.”

 “Let me help you with your nightgown.” Felicity said as she lifted the satin gown over his head leaving him totally exposed and vulnerable but he was too much in shock to protest.

Lady Charlotte massaged a substance onto his chest and quickly attached the left breast and held it firmly in place, Felicity picked up the other and repeated the process.

“There..” she said standing back to admire their handiwork  “almost seamless”, leaving Aubrey the not so proud owner of a pair of female breasts, his shoulders hunched forward from the new weight on his chest.

“I feel jealous.” Felicity sniggered as she felt his new breasts, lifting them and letting them drop suddenly which elicited a sharp cry from the disorientated youth as his new attachments tugged abruptly at his skin, she added in a triumphant voice “not so pleasant having your breasts fondled is it?”

“Enough of that Felicity we really must get the boy into his underwear, I expect the servants shall return soon to tidy the room.” Lady Charlotte interrupted and then turned to him and asked “unless you want to remain naked?”

Aubrey felt totally humiliated and exposed in front of his tormentors but being left naked in front of the servants would be horrible. 

“Oh no Lady Charlotte, please ..”

“Well you had better put on your pantloons then.” she said handing his a pair of knee length white silk bloomers, he quickly pulled them up and tied them around his waist.

Felicity slipped a silk chemise over his head and with great fuss arranged the material over his new bosom making sure she tugged them slightly causing him to wince.

“Oh don’t be such a little girl, you think that’s uncomfortable?” she laughed “just wait until we get you into this.”

Lady Charlotte produced a long white satin corset, quickly and expertly she placed it around his torso. Felicity once more settled his breasts into the moulded cups and tugged the corset over his hips. Lady Charlotte began pulling the laces jerking Aubrey backwards. He gasped as the corset began to tighten, she paused for a moment until he got his breath back then she started pulling the lower section and he could feel his waist being compressed and could see his bosom lift and push out. She then tightened the upper part of the garment and he quickly felt his shoulders being pulled back which emphasised his bosom even more. His entire torso was now encased within the ridged confines of his new corset and he felt the pressure of the ridged bones constrict every centimetre of his upper body.

“Excellent, what a wonderful girlish figure you have my dear. Are you comfortable? Would you like it a little tighter perhaps? It’s all the fashion these days you know.” she said with a mischievous smile.

“Oh no Lady Charlotte it quite comfortable.” he lied.

“Very well, Felicity his petticoats.” Lady Charlotte instructed her daughter.

“Will three be enough?” she said.

“I suppose it shall be enough for today, the pale blue taffeta first, then the ivory and last will be the while silk one with the ruffled hem.” Lady Charlotte replied before turning to the boy “it will give you that glorious rustling sound we ladies love so much. It makes us feel so ……..deliciously feminine”

Now overwhelmed and controlled by both women, Aubrey remained completely docile as his petticoats were placed over his head and slipped down his inflexible foundation garment  Felicity then tied neatly them into place over his corseted hips.

“And your last item shall be your bustle.” Lady Charlotte announced.

“Which one Mummy? There are so many pretty ones.” Felicity cooed fingering several garments on the bed. “What about the one with the five flounces it is one of my favourites.”

“An excellent choice dear.”her mother said as they both set about attaching the fabric covered framework around his hips and settling it over his derriere before tying it in place. She then placed a mirror in front of him and ordered him to look at his reflection.

“Yes dear Aubrey you shall make a very pretty girl.” Lady Charlotte said “this gown shall suit you perfectly.

Felicity squealed with delight.

“Oh we are going to have so much fun with you.”