A Very Victorian Education Chapter 14 with illistration

Below is Chapter 14. I had hoped to have a second illustration ready for posting with this chapter but time has caught up on me. If I can finish it I’ll post it separately or maybe at the start of the next chapter.

The illustration is in the body of the text.

I also thought I would be able to advance the story a little more in this chapter but again I ran out of time. It is moving- just not as fast as I had hoped, the next chapter will progress the story a little more. I really hope readers will not become bored with it before it ends.

Thank you again to all who have been kind enough to show their support, this has given me the encouragement and motivation to continue with it.

I’ve only had time to re-read this once so I hope I got all the typos and grammatical errors.

Thanks again and take care.

Carrie 

A Very Victorian Education.

Chapter 14

By

CarrieP

If only I had thought of it sooner Aubrey rebuked himself silently. A few seconds faster putting on the clothes, I should not have spent as much time in front of the mirror admiring the good job I had done. Lingering at the end of the stairs like an idiot, feeling remorse for some perceived treachery in doing what any male would have done.

He ran his hands down the smooth black worsted material of his trousers, he was only now becoming used to them again.

He sighed as he recalled the wasted seconds and minutes that ultimately led to his escape attempt being foiled at the final hurdle. Grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory.

How could he have been stupid?

The months spent under Lady Charlotte de Winter’s strict authority had taken their toll. Much of his masculinity had disappeared. Up to recently he had thought this only manifested itself in the physical aspect of how he walked, sat, ate, drank etc., but now he realised he had also been subliminally trained to think like a young woman. He thought of the gowns he had described in vivid detail, no self respecting young man should have such knowledge.

Typical girlish behaviour! he admonished himself bitterly.

“Stop dawdling girl!”

Roberta’s sharp tone stirred him from the futile analysis of his lost opportunity to escape from the world of suffocating, oppressive femininity and the women that held him prisoner in corsets and petticoats. She stood at the bottom of the stairs and clicked her fingers, he knew he was in enough trouble with her already and did not wish to anger her further. The inflection in her voice left him in no doubt of her impatience, it was a familiar tone Aubrey had heard over the years and used when ladies were vexed with their servant girls. A command not unlike an unruly dog being called to its mistress’s side, he thought.  It would be a foolish girl who did not respond immediately to her mistress’s summons, it would only increase the lady’s annoyance and increase the servant girl’s subsequent punishment.

And I’m not that type of foolish girl. he said to himself  as he quickly scampered across the hall, his legs taking the now short feminine steps and his arms swinging in a most girlish manner  by his side.

I mean… boy. he corrected himself as he scurried to her side.

Roberta regarded him for a few seconds, her expression was a mixture of exasperation and disappointment and after what seemed like an hour to him she sighed wearily as if speaking to a five year old,

 “Come along.”

She raised her silk robe just above her ankles and began ascending the wide staircase, with his eyes still on her his hands automatically clutched his trousers and tugged at them imitating the typical feminine reaction of lifting one’s skirts when confronted with stairs. Months of confinement in female clothing had ingrained such a quintessential feminine movement in the young man.  Looking down he saw his legs dressed manfully in trousers and sighed bitterly at such a Pavlovian response, the thought he would soon have to remove them, the very symbol of masculinity filled him with shame. He found climbing the first few rungs a little disconcerting  and almost stumbled, after all  this was the first time in months he had climbed  stairs without having to lift cumbersome and heavy skirts . Another horrible thought struck him, perhaps Lady Charlotte was right and he had indeed absorbed sufficient traits of the weaker sex that even now liberated from  his bulky feminine garments  and wearing trousers he would find it difficult to be accepted as a male. If he was truthful he could not deny that there were times when he did act more female than male. But he had no time to dwell on this as he followed Roberta up the stairs at a respectful distance of three steps. Despite his despondency at Lady Charlotte thwarting his escape and his imminent incarceration in those dreaded petticoats and skirts he could not help his eyes being drawn to Roberta’s ample and plump derriere encased in the heavy pink satin of her robe. It gently wobbled and swayed with every upward step she took, he felt an arousal between his legs and took some comfort that he still retained an important part of his masculinity.

“I am so glad you like my posterior.” Roberta’s voice punctuated his thoughts “You will soon become very familiar with it.”

Aubrey blushed, she had not turned around yet she was still able to feel his eyes on her buttocks. He should not have been surprised, since he had been placed in Lady Charlotte care by his mother he’d noticed women whether servants or ladies seemed to possess this inherent ability to read his mind. It was most disconcerting.

As they reached the top of the stairs and made their way to Roberta’s bedroom Aubrey felt a sense of hopelessness come over him. Awaiting him inside her bedroom were the ghastly and humiliating female garments that he had escaped from less than an hour ago, now he was to be forced back into them. He ran his hands over the trousers he wore and felt the masculine nature of the manly material for the first time in months his hands did not feel silk or satin, velvet or taffeta. It was an invigorating sensation but one he knew would be taken away from him once he stepped inside the door. Once more he thought about running for the front door but remembered it was locked and Mrs Cockshott had the key. He could not escape his fate.

“The door, girl!” Roberta said brusquely, reminding him of his duty as a maid.

“Yes Miss, sorry Miss” Aubrey apologised as he quickly reverted to his servile position and stood aside as she swept passed him.

“Stand facing the bed and remove those…my trousers.” she ordered abruptly.

With his head lowered he entered the room, his eyes were drawn to the bed where he saw the dress and petticoats he had discarded less than an hour previously. His heart sank. Returned to the place where he had seized his opportunity to escape he would now have to face a humiliating punishment before he was put back into those ghastly feminine clothes. Roberta closed the door behind him and although he knew what was coming he was powerless to stop it. She was a few inches taller, broader and heavier than him by several pounds. Lady Charlotte had ensured he ate modest and ladylike portions, certainly not enough for a growing young man and she also made sure he had no exercise apart from daily comportment lessons, this lack of physical activity atrophied any muscle he possessed. He now had all the strength of a young girl and a very delicate and fragile one at that. Just like all the other women he had encountered he felt he was no match for her physically and knew any resistance would be pointless.

Obediently he made his way to the satin quilted bed and stood there contemplating his situation and did not hear Roberta approach him.

“Now I think we both can agree you have taken advantage of my good nature.” Roberta began in a quiet voice, gazing at him intensely.

Aubrey had to concede that she had shown him affection not to mention protecting him from the dreadful Mrs Dearhorn, she also interceded on his behalf with Lady Charlotte. Like her mother and Lady Charlotte Roberta was a formidable figure and had obviously taken quite a romantic interest in him even if he was dressed as a girl.  He was confused, she intimidated and frightened him but at the same time she was protective and devoted.  There was no anger in her voice and he could see that she appeared genuinely hurt that he had betrayed her. He had little choice but to agree.

“Yes Miss.” Aubrey concurred submissively, his masculinity slowly ebbing away.

“Lady Charlotte is also most annoyed with your actions.” Roberta continued “I expect she will wish to deal with you quite harshly.”

Aubrey knew that she was right, Lady Charlotte would indeed punish him but he did not know what form it would take. It could be a severe spanking or tongue lashing in front of the servants, perhaps a tighter corset and extra petticoats. She had several methods, one worse than the other, she exercised total control over him and could do anything she pleased.

“Of course as your mistress, albeit a temporary one,” Roberta said as she looked deep into his eyes and stroked his cheek “I could tell her that I administered your punishment and ask her to forgo any retribution she may wish to take.”

What she said was right of course. He was aware that Lady Charlotte, despite her calm exterior, would indeed be furious with his attempted escape and would undoubtedly punish him in some way. Roberta’s punishment could not be any worse than Lady Charlotte’s and more importantly she could help to placate Lady Charlotte.

“As you are my temporary maid you will have to agree to this.” she said. “I could not chastise another lady’s maid without consent on the part of the girl.”

Horrible as this alternative was, Aubrey quickly considered it to be the lesser of two evils. He swallowed hard.

“Yes Miss.” he answered meekly. “I understand.”

“Very well!” Roberta said a smile forming at the corners of her mouth “Remove those clothes place them on the bed.”

It took him several minutes to remove his male clothing and with a heavy heart he neatly folded them before laying them next to the dress and petticoats. When he had finished he stood in front of Roberta wearing only his corset and silk bloomers. He watched her cross to her bureau and pick up a long narrow mahogany case, returning to the bed she opened the case and removed a slim bamboo cane.

Aubrey gasped.

“Oh no… please Miss.” he blurted “Not the cane…please.”

Roberta ignored him as she flicked the instrument through the air and then proceeded to test its flexibility by bending it.

“Yes, my girl.” Roberta said gently “The cane.” 

Aubrey had been punished several times at the hands of Lady Charlotte and Alice his Governess, usually with a hairbrush or similar implement but never with a cane. He had experienced the cane at school and it brought back painful memories. He abandoned any pretence of dignity or manly self- respect and dropped to his knees wrapping his arms around the rich heavy satin of her peignoir.

“Please Miss…”he whimpered.

Roberta looked at him sympathetically.

“When I was a girl, in fact up to the time I left for university, Mother used this cane on me whenever I disobeyed or displeased her.” she said softly as she repeatedly stroked his hair. “Once I admitted to my misdemeanour and asked her forgiveness she would not treat me too harshly. What is good for a girl of the superior social class is good for a servant girl. Don’t you agree?”

He could see that this was a matter of principle for her and she was offering to deal with him leniently if he acknowledged his offence and seek her forgiveness. It was an accepted condition of domestic service that the mistress of a household had to maintain discipline with regard to her servants. The short time he had spent in male clothing rekindled the embers of his manliness but once these clothes had been removed his resurgent masculinity evaporated and he once more reverted to the frightened and anxious girl Lady Charlotte had trained  him to be.

“Yes Miss.” he murmured.

 ”She was never cruel or heartless.” Roberta returned to her theme “and always said such a punishment would make me a better person.  Do you think receiving six strokes of the cane will make you a better girl?”

By now it was now obvious that he would receive the cane and on some level he acknowledged that perhaps he did deserve it, after all he had been disloyal and abandoned her after she had been so good to him. He nodded his acquiescence.

“Good girl. I shall be as lenient as I possibly can.” she said “Now stand up and bend over the bed and remove those pretty silk bloomers and let me see that soft round behind of yours.”

“But… I… please…” Aubrey blurted as panic seized him at the thought of having his sex and his shameful secret exposed.

“I don’t think that will be necessary Roberta.” a familiar voice said.

“Lady Charlotte, Mother.” Roberta gasped, startled at the sight of her mother and Lady Charlotte standing at the now open door.

“It seems you were right Charlotte” Mrs Cockshott said.

“I… it… I… can explain.” Roberta spluttered at the unexpected appearance of her mother and godmother .

“This is outrageous. Put that cane down immediately.” Mrs Cockshott said as both women crossed the bedroom floor with a flurry of rustling silk and satin.

“Such impertinence!” her mother continued “I am extremely embarrassed you should do this to your godmother’s girl. Perhaps it should be you receiving the cane.”

Aubrey could see that Roberta was clearly taken aback at this turn of events. Despite his impending humiliation something stirred inside him, a feeling that he rarely if ever experienced, a feeling that he was culpable for the threat Roberta now faced. Failure to account for his actions was something Lady Charlotte had reminded him of on a regular basis, citing many examples of how he had frequently disappointed his mother and in true cowardly fashion, blaming anyone but himself for his deeds. Indeed housemaids in several houses including his own had been punished as a result of his deceitfulness. Typical unscrupulous and unprincipled traits of the male sex Lady Charlotte called it.

 “Please Madam.” he said nervously as he fingered his silk bloomers “I suggested that Miss Roberta punish me.”

“Hush girl.” Mrs Cockshott said “Lady Charlotte has told me…”

“Let the girl speak Leonora.” Lady Charlotte gently interrupted her friend and gestured to Aubrey to continue.

 “Miss Roberta has been kind to me and I betrayed her confidence by dressing in her clothes and trying to leave.”

He looked at Roberta and then at the two women lowered his eyes swallowed hard and said in a meek voice,

“I deserve to be punished.”

“But I can’t… “Mrs Cockshott began before once again being interrupted by her friend.

“Perhaps the girl has a point Leonora.” Lady Charlotte said “Roberta has been extremely kind to her and she has shown no gratitude.”

“But Charlotte you told me…” Mrs Cockshott answered clearly confused at her friend’s attitude.

“I think if Roberta is to ever have a maid of her own she needs to know how to maintain discipline.” Lady Charlotte said looking at Aubrey “I’m sure she will not be too hard on the girl now that she has admitted to her offence. You may proceed Roberta, you have my permission.”

“Thank you Lady Charlotte.” Roberta said, a small tremble in her voice betraying the shock she had just received.

She picked up the cane and turned to Aubrey, with her back to the two older women she gave him an almost imperceptible nod, he hoped it was one of gratitude but he could not be sure and without having to be told he bent over the bed. His face buried in the soft satin of the deep eiderdown quilt he waited for the first stroke.

He could hear the muffled conversation between Mrs Cockshott and Lady Charlotte as Roberta caressed his silk clad behind with the cane. This was the part he hated most, the waiting for the first stroke.

“Be brave, my sweet.” Roberta whispered softly so only he could hear.

 As the first stroke landed on his buttocks his head lifted from the satin quilt and he was unable to prevent a girlish squeal from escaping.  His eyes were drawn to the mirror and he saw Roberta standing over him with the thin can raised, behind her he could see the formidable figure of Lady Charlotte, an approving look on her face.  His pathetic reflection was too much for him to bear and he once more buried his head in the softness of the satin quilt. The remainder of the blows followed in quick succession and thankfully they were not as severe as he had expected.  From his experience of being punished in Lady Charlotte’s house he knew he should remain in the prone position until he was told to rise.  The whispering sound of silk and satin announced to him both women were approaching the bed. Lady Charlotte was the first to speak.

“Very impressive for your first time punishing a girl.” she said “you were firm without being overly severe. You will make an excellent mistress.”

“Thank you Lady Charlotte.” Roberta beamed at the compliment “I felt the girl needed the lesson and although she was wrong I can understand the attraction of male clothing but she should have asked my permission first.”

She gave Aubrey’s buttocks another gentle touch with the cane.

“Isn’t that right my girl?” she asked.

“Oh yes, Miss.” He replied timidly.

“And you will be obedient from now on?” Roberta continued.

Aubrey raised his head and replied,

“Yes Miss.”

“You may stand.” Roberta instructed.

Standing in front of the three women in his corset and silk bloomers the familiar feeling of shame resurfaced. It made no difference that he had been wearing such feminine underwear for months, being exposed like this in the presence of women was a most mortifying experience. However being caned in their presence was the worst ordeal a young man could ever be expected to endure. The faint hope that he would rekindle the fading embers of his masculinity was dashed once more. He was reduced yet again to the fearful and nervous shadow of the young man he once was and now firmly back under feminine control.

“What do you say to Miss Roberta?” Lady Charlotte inquired of him.

Aubrey looked at Lady Charlotte and felt the blood rush to his cheeks as he recited a familiar sentence.

“Thank you Miss, I am sorry I had to trouble you to discipline me.”

“Charlotte you really must…” Mrs Cockshott said

“Yes Leonora, in a moment.” Lady Charlotte  replied gently patting her friend on her arm “I just want Roberta to be aware that girls or boys for that matter should be aware that the person  who punished them are doing them a service and they should be most grateful.”

“And I believe she is Lady Charlotte, isn’t that so girl?” Roberta addressed Aubrey, her voice regaining the confident and haughty tone that he had become used by the women that controlled him.

 Aubrey, now completely subjugated and wishing the ground would open up and swallow him, only wished to cover himself even if it meant putting on his hated petticoats.

“Yes Miss.” he said in a suitably docile tone adding for good measure “Thank you Miss.”

“You may get dressed.” Roberta instructed him with a wave of her hand.

He could feel the eyes of the women on him as he hurriedly pulled the petticoats over his head followed by the heavy velvet dress.

“Here let me help you with your buttons my dear.” Mrs Cockshott said.

Removing the dress had been difficult but it was impossible to button such a dress without assistance. A maid would usually perform such a service but on occasion Lady Charlotte or Alice his Governess would carry out this task.

“Thank you Madam.” Aubrey answered gratefully as he turned his back to her.

“Roberta.” Mrs Cockshott said as she went about her task “Lady Charlotte has something to tell you.”

“Yes my dear, I have” Lady Charlotte addressed her goddaughter “but I think you should get dressed first.”

She turned to Aubrey and said curtly,

“Dress Miss Roberta and then accompany her to the drawing room.”

Skirts rustling and crackling, both women glided in a stately fashion towards the door. Aubrey, now dressed in his more familiar clothing and suitably chastised and subdued from his punishment immediately reverted to his servant’s role and quickly moved to the door to open it for the ladies. His curtsy as they passed him was once more a natural response. He closed the door softly and took a deep breath before he turned around to face his new mistress.

Roberta looked at him with a calm and composed expression, with each breath her breasts falling and rising gently against the heavy pink satin of her peignoir.

“Come here girl.” she said softly before turning and walking to the end of the bed.

He noticed she seemed more relaxed and although he was still quite nervous he was not nearly as afraid as he had been.

As Aubrey followed her, his petticoats fluttering around his legs he tried to understand why he felt less alarmed. 

The dress. he said to himself. It must be the dress.

Shamefully he had to admit that the bulky and cumbersome dress and petticoats acted like armour. He was safe, Roberta seemed to be intrigued by his boyish looks but he thought that is all it was, a fascination with his appearance. And perhaps – his heart raced at the thought – an attraction. After all had she not kissed him and compelled him to kiss her most intimate place?  He felt the heat in his cheeks at the recollection of his face pressed against her vulva.

Yes his secret was safe, he concluded.

Even I would have trouble locating my member underneath all these voluminous clothes. he sighed at the indignity but also with relief.

Roberta sat on the bed and patted the satin quilt next to her.

“Sit.”

“Now Aubrey.” she began and looked at him curiously as she stroked his cheek softly. “Aubrey… such an unusual name for a girl…”

She paused, her gaze lingering on him for a few moments but it seemed like minutes.

He grew a little uncomfortable and fingered his dress nervously.

“You do realise I was very lenient with you.” she continued.

Aubrey nodded.

“You really had to be taught a lesson but as it was your first offence I did not wish to be too harsh with you. I do hope you appreciate that.”

He nodded with genuine gratitude.

“I’m glad you realise that.” she said and caressed his cheek once more before adding tenderly “I think we can be good friends as well as mistress and maid. Would you like that?”

Her large soft eyes gazed deeply into his, her perfume seeped into his brain, her lips parted slightly. He was transfixed and couldn’t refuse even if he wanted to.

“Yes…”he answered as she drew his face closer he closed his eyes and felt her tongue enter his mouth.

It only lasted for a moment or two but he felt a warn sensation between his legs.

“Now you will promise to be a good girl, an obedient girl, won’t you?”” she whispered.

For an instant, his mind returned to the brief time he wore trousers. He was a male once more and now he was willingly agreeing to be a girl.

He tried to stop the words leaving his mouth but to no avail.

“Yes Miss.” he murmured.

“My girl?” she said, her eyes fixing his and she squeezed his hand gently. “Promise?”

Still his objection failed to materialise. It was as if part of him was outside his body looking at the scene unable to control his words or actions.

“Yes Miss.” he replied unable to help himself.

She kissed him on the cheek and led him by the hand to the dressing table and stood him in front of the mirror. He watched her as she opened a drawer and took out a small black velvet case, she took the contents from it and stood behind him.

“Now this will be a reminder of your promise.” she said as she placed a pearl choker around his neck.

She adjusted the pendant so it was in the centre of his neck and stood by his side looking at their reflection.

“Perfect!” she said “As you can see the pendant at the centre has the initial R on it.”

Aubrey looked at her in the mirror, a puzzled look on his face.

“Now that we have that settled. I had better get dressed, fetch that dreadful corset and those awful petticoats” she said patting his derriere gently. “It is time you resumed your duties as my maid.”

“But…”he gasped,,

“Oh you are wondering about the initial. My initial.” she said seeing the confused look on his face “You are mine now. Wearing this will be a constant reminder you that you now belong to me. I will protect you, care for you, defend you.”

He gazed at his reflection and the choker around his neck, the tightness on his skin was like a corset for his neck, his finger moved over the letter R.

“And punish you of course, if you disobey me.” she added.

Aubrey’s face fell.

“Don’t be too upset, It’s not as if you’re my personal slave. Although a lady’s maid does fulfil some of the functions of a personal slave I suppose.” she laughed and walked towards the bed. “Now come along and dress me. I wonder what Lady Charlotte wants to say to me?”

Aubrey was still in a daze in front of the mirror.

“Girl!” Roberta snapped “Stop admiring yourself and get over here.”

Belong to me. Mine. Personal slave.

The words echoed in his brain. He fingered the choker once more.

“Personal slave.” he whispered to himself.

He lifted his skirts and made his way across the room to a smiling Roberta.