A Very Victorian Education part 3

 Below is the third past of A Very Victorian Education I was hoping to have another illustration completed for it but I just ran out of time.

The usual  and  most genuine thank you to the 12 or 13 readers who consistently tick the “more box” I really do appreciate the gesture as without this I would not know if readers actually like the story or not. At the moment I have lot of commitments so it will be very difficult to finish the story in this format i.e. 4000-5000 words per chapter.

 So as I mentioned in a previous post I think the best way to continue will be to publish an illustration displaying a scene from Aubrey’s new life with an accompanying short text. This way hopefully the period between chapter s may not be too long.

Thanks again for your patience and support and I hope you enjoy it.

Carrie

The gentle whispering sound of soft silk skirts and petticoats filled the air as three elegantly dressed feminine figures moved along the upstairs corridor of Lady Charlotte de Winter’s London mansion. The only thing that made this quite ordinary domestic scene somewhat unusual was that the middle one of the fashionably dressed trio, the one who moved with an awkward and ungainly gait was in fact male. The young man in question was dressed in a gorgeous elaborate gown of the most delicate shade of ivory silk and decorated with an ornately embroidered bodice of gold and silver. He wore, along with his corset and petticoats of course, an expression of dread and trepidation. Wearing such a wonderfully feminine confection was not – as his countenance so clearly suggested – an arrangement he had entered into voluntarily. No, dear reader, the callow youth had been forced into wearing his new feminine garments by his mother’s dear friend and her daughter. After displaying the most arrogant and appalling male behaviour his hostess administered an exotic potion from the Far East which had temporarily robbed him of his male strength. When Lady de Winter insisted that his attitude towards the female sex would greatly benefit from some time living as a woman. Naturally the boy recoiled at such a notion but after having his behind thrashed by her daughter and physically unable to resist he soon found himself trussed up in petticoats, corset and gown. It was a dreadfully humiliating experience and he had hoped to limit it by remaining in his room for the duration of his stay but Lady de Winter had other ideas.  

“Such a pity we did not have a little more time with him to practise ascending and descending stairs.” Lady Charlotte said as she and her daughter steered the unwilling young man along the corridor towards the head of the wide staircase leading down to the expansive entrance hallway. “It would be nice if he was to make a graceful descent by himself. Servants always look to us as exemplars of feminine deportment.”

“Please Lady Charlotte …I can’t …the servants…..what will they think….”the petrified youth said desperately trying to dig his three inch heels into the large circular Persian rug at the top of the stairs.

“Please do not concern yourself about the servants Aubrey” Felicity said “they are servants they will think whatever Mother tells them to think. Like most women they have endured various humiliations at the hands of males and they were very grateful to be given the chance of serving in an all-female household. As a result of their experiences they understand and agree with Mother’s views on the subject and I think you will find they will welcome the chance to educate you in the more civilised ways of our gender.”

As he looked over the balustrade into the spacious hall below he could see the maids gathering to greet their mistress. Instinctively he tried to turn and go back but Felicity’s hands tightened sharply on his upper arm, two days ago he would not have felt a thing but now he felt even the slightest pressure when she chose to apply it.

“Ouch” he squealed in a girlish tone. “You’re hurting.”

A triumphant smile creased her face and he felt ashamed at his admission.

“Felicity!” her mother snapped “stop hurting the boy, remember he is not as strong as you and may be far too delicate for your heavy handed ways. Felicity reluctantly relaxed her steely grip and Lady de Winter continued,

“Now Aubrey, regarding your apprehensions about the servants’ views please do not concern yourself about such trivial matters. Of course they will find a male dressed in such a beautiful gown somewhat .....shall we say…unusual. However they are well trained and they understand that the manner in which the upper classes conduct their affairs may sometimes appear unorthodox but as well trained and loyal servants they accept that there may be good reasons for everything their mistress does.”

She stood back and made a minor adjustment to his sleeves and looked at him directly in the eye before adding,

“No matter how unconventional or even odd that may seem. I expect they will soon get used to it- as I am sure you will.”

This did not assuage Aubrey’s fears and he continued to dig his three inch heels into the carpet. Lady de Winter looked at him quizzically and tilted her head in a questioning manner.

“Of course if you are still reluctant to descend the stairs voluntarily I’m sure Miss Bristlestrap would only be too happy to assist us.” she said in a low voice.

Aubrey, his heart beating fast under his chemise and corset, knew exactly what that would entail. He immediately decided whatever chance he had of maintaining even the slightest degree of dignity if he voluntarily accompanied Lady Charlotte and Felicity, to refuse and be forced in front of the servants by Miss Bristlestrap would only make him look even more foolish and unmanly… if that was possible.

“Oh no Lady Charlotte I’m just a little nervous.” he answered as he caught a glimpse of Miss Bristlestrap smiling in a vaguely threateningly manner at the end of the stairs.

“It’s all right my dear boy,” Lady Charlotte said, her voice much more comforting now, “take a firm hold of your skirts ensuring you also have a grip of your petticoats and slowly put one foot in front of the other. Don’t worry Felicity and I will be next to you just in case you stumble.”

After a tentative start he managed to reach the end of the wide staircase without incident and as he finally alighted from the last step he felt a now familiar queasiness in his stomach as he saw the housemaids lined up behind Miss Bristlestrap to await their mistress and her new guest. The housekeeper, Lady Charlotte and Felicity left him standing alone as they engaged in conversation. He tried to avoid the gaze of the maids but was unable to do so, it was as he had feared  he quickly detected on each of their faces a look of ridicule and derision.

“Girls.” Miss Bristlestrap called her staff to attention “the mistress has an announcement to make.”

“As you will be aware we have a guest staying with us, the child of a very dear and valued friend. “Lady de Winter began as she gestured her hand towards the mortified boy in the ivory silk own whose eyes were now fixed firmly on the floor, she called to him “Aubrey you can let go of your skirts and petticoats now and come over here.”

Under his voluminous gown his feet slowly began to move him to Lady Charlotte’s side, the skirts of the gown swaying gently as he did so. He knew all eyes in the spacious hall were on him and as he walked in as dignified a manner as he could under the circumstances.

He tried to calm himself.

Remember you are a man, a man of breeding and of high rank just because you are dressed like a girl does not mean you should act like one.

Once at her side Lady de Winter took him by the hand and addressed the servants once more.

“You are perhaps wondering why a young gentleman is dressed in such a fashion. You are also aware of my views regarding the arrogance and conceit of the male sex and how abhorrent I find them. Master Aubrey, after some…..persuasion, has conceded that since his arrival in this house he has been guilty of such obnoxious and loathsome male behaviour and has offended, disparaged and insulted the female gender.”   She paused and looked at the shameful boy, Aubrey shifted uncomfortably under his gown at her characterisation of him but she squeezed his hand gently and gave him a broad benevolent smile before continuing

“However, to his great credit he has expressed genuine remorse for such conduct and has shown a willingness to rid himself of these dreadful traits. So for the duration of his stay with us he has committed himself to acquiring the more courteous and refined values associated with the feminine persona. To demonstrate his sincerity he has agreed that he could absorb these qualities if he was to immerse himself fully in all things feminine.”

She interrupted her address and once more smiled proudly at him and out of the corner of his eye he could detect the thinly disguised smirks of the servants. Such was his mortification Aubrey wished the floor would open up and swallow him, he just wanted Lady Charlotte to stop speaking and allow him to leave, but there was little chance of that. She recommenced her speech,

“I am happy to announce that the dear boy has agreed to my suggestion that the best way to do this would be to dress and behave as a female until he returns to his mother.” she paused and beamed at the servants. “So thankfully the gender balance has been restored and we are once again an all-female household.”

The maids broke into spontaneous applause at this announcement and Aubrey cringed at the thought he was now considered female –even by the servants.

“I’m sure Master Aubrey will be most grateful for your assistance and support in helping him to integrate into my home in his new role. Naturally you will grant him the same respect and deference as you would any lady of high social standing.”

The maids all nodded eagerly and broke into frenzied chatter and smiling in his direction as they did so, Aubrey felt distinctly uneasy by this display of female excitement, one of them   spoke to Miss Bristlestrap who in turn spoke to Lady de Winter.

“My Lady, the staff are curious as to how exactly they should address your new …ahem…guest, should they refer to him as Master Aubrey or…….” Miss Bristlestrap paused as she fixed the boy with her steely gaze “….or in view of his new feminine attire should he be addressed as  ……Miss Aubrey?”

Lady Charlotte seemed to be taken by surprise by her housekeeper’s question.

“I really had not thought of that Miss Bristlestrap, an excellent question. What clever girls they are ” she replied as she turned her attention to Aubrey once more and fussing unnecessarily with his collar smiled at him before asking,

“What do you think Aubrey?”

Aubrey’s brain had been experiencing ever increasing levels of turmoil since he first opened his eyes that morning and was now faced with yet another humiliating choice. Choosing the feminine form of address would mean he had surrendered his increasingly tenuous claim on his masculinity but being addressed as Master Aubrey dressed in ladies clothing would sound equally degrading and would only serve to draw attention to his predicament.

“I ..ah... I....”he spluttered as every pair of eyes in the room fixed on him once more.

“Maybe it is a little too soon for you to decide.” Lady Charlotte interrupted his babbling, “Perhaps it may be better to wait until you become a little more......” and she paused momentarily, her hands gesturing to his gown before continuing “..... comfortable in your new attire?”

Such was his confusion he could only nod, Lady de Winter turned to Miss Bristlestrap and the assembled maids. 

“The change from male to female clothing will obviously take a little time for the young master to become used to both physically and mentally and I’m sure  Aubrey is still a little confused with our new arrangement.”

Once more words failed him and he could only nod his head in agreement.

“Yes your ladyship.” the housekeeper agreed “In my experience young males require a period of adjustment in their new attire before they begin to empathise with the female sex. Naturally they are totally unused to the restrictive and voluminous nature of garments worn by ladies of polite society, and like Master Aubrey here, once they find themselves dressed in such feminine attire they have  absolutely no idea how to comport themselves in a natural or graceful manner.”

Aubrey was still coming to terms with his bizarre plight and focused on avoiding the smirking faces of the maidservants, he wasn’t sure he had heard her correctly. Lady Charlotte’s voice cut short these thoughts,

Did she say she has experience of seeing males dressed as girls? Has she or Lady Charlotte done this to other boys?

“I suppose we will have to leave that particular question for the time being.” Lady Charlotte said “however the most important thing is that he is shown deference as befits a girl......I mean boy of his class.”

“Of course m’lady.”Miss Bristlestrap replied “the staff are well trained and will ensure he is treated in the appropriate manner and with the utmost......”she paused and looked disdainfully for a few moments at the figure in the silk gown before adding “...  respect.”

 “Now Miss Bristlestrap” Lady Charlotte announced as she began to gather her skirts and move away “Miss Felicity and I have some matters to discuss in private and we would welcome your views, please join us in the library.

Aubrey was relieved that he would not have to continue to face the servants prying eyes and their barely concealed smirks and went to follow her.

“This will take several minutes Aubrey and we do not require your presence, please wait in the drawing room and we will join you when we have concluded our business.”

He tried to say something but by the time the words reached his mouth they had already arrived at the library door and he was left standing in the company of the four maids. The smiles that crossed their faces unsettled him greatly as they gathered around him like sharks surrounding a lone seal, their eyes examining every part of him, he felt they were  mentally undressing him. Although they had not spoken a word he knew that behind the mask of their polite smiles they were laughing at him- the boy in the dress. He tried to avoid their eyes but it was impossible and he could feel himself becoming even more anxious and........... feelings he rarely felt before....... he felt intimidated and vulnerable. His usual poise and self-assurance had disappeared – now buried deep under his taffeta petticoats and rigid corset.

The maids continued to examine him and he became fretful and agitated, he grabbed the soft silk of the dress’s skirt trying to stop his hands from shaking. He began swaying nervously and in the almost funereal quietness of the hallway even his slightest movement created a rustling sound from the silk and taffeta petticoats that shamefully hung from his slim hips. He rarely took notice of servant girls, well maybe the pretty ones and like most of his peers he deliberately remained aloof and haughty in their presence. After all servants particularly maidservants should always be aware of who was in charge. But now stripped of the male clothing that marked him as a scion of that very upper class society and dressed as a girl in silks and satins he no longer felt as authoritative as the youth who entered this house just a few days ago.  He knew he had to escape from their mocking eyes and contemptuous smiles, he decided to break out of their circle to the safety of the drawing room.

He bolted for the door several metres away but forgetting that he was now wearing long and cumbersome petticoats under a dress he stumbled and fell unceremoniously to the ground. He did not think his humiliation could reach a new level but now, crumpled into an undignified figure on the marble tiles with his dress and petticoats bunched up around his thighs in a most indecorous manner, he knew he had plumbed a new level of shame.

“Dora, Hilda.”a voice said quietly “pick Master Aubrey up.”

He felt two strong hands grip him under the arms and lift him effortlessly to his feet. He was speechless with mortification as the maids set about fixing his dress and adjusting his petticoats neatly under the skirt.

“Are you hurt Master Aubrey?” one of the maids said in an unmistakeable mocking tone.

“No...no.... I’m...  all right.”he answered still shaking slightly.

“Oh let me fix your dress and petties.”

Three of the maids fussed about him carefully arranging his dress.

“Running in a dress is not a wise choice Master Aubrey.” the maid with the brown hair said. “A lady’s clothing does not have the same freedom as that of a young gentleman and as such young ladies tend to avoid such exertions as the consequences can be.......”she paused as she adjusted his bodice around his false bosom before continuing “.... very embarrassing.”

“I...it’s ....”he spluttered.

“Perhaps if you sat down in the drawing room you may feel a little better. Some tea may help calm you?” she said.

“Yes....that...I think that would be...” he said still shaken but before he agreed to her suggestion she had already taken hold of his arm and guided him to the drawing room door.

“It would be best if you held your skirts whilst walking Master Aubrey, like this,” she advised and demonstrated with the skirts of her uniform before explaining “young ladies do this naturally from a young age, however for a young man it may require a little more practice to achieve the desired effect. I’m afraid you will have to modify your gait also.”

His embarrassing tumble to the floor had completely eroded what little confidence he had left and he felt his petticoats were now a hazard to his movement and a source of further potential embarrassment. He knew her remark about his gait was also true, he would no longer be able to stride about in the normal male fashion. If he was to avoid another mortifying fall he would have to shorten his male stride and learn how to walk and move in a more ..... and he hated to admit it.....feminine manner.

Alice spoke quietly to the other maids and they left, leaving just the two of them in the room.

“Perhaps you had better sit down Master Aubrey.” she said and as before without waiting for an answer she took him by the arm and guided him to the large couch.

He tried to sit but almost tripped on the hem once more Alice moved quickly to prevent him falling once more.

“You will have to lift your skirts slightly before you sit, this will ensure to do not stumble and also that you will not bunch your petticoats underneath you.”

She demonstrated the correct method and he gingerly lowered himself onto the couch and as he sat there in his feminine finery he caught sight of his reflection in the large mirror over the fireplace and the enormity of changes he had been put through suddenly hit him. He  saw the girl in the mirror begin to sob.

“May offer some advice Master Aubrey?”she said proffering the tearful youth a handkerchief

He was still transfixed by his reflection and through his tears nodded his agreement, Alice sat down beside him the jet black of her uniform contrasting with the beautiful ivory silk of his gown.

“Difficult as it is for you to understand, you must accept that you are now completely under Lady Charlotte’s control.” the maid began “Your mother and Lady Charlotte agree that women have suffered too long under a hypocritical patriarchy which they feel leads to moral corruption and a life of debauchery, they are fearful that you may be led down this path.”

Aubrey looked at her blankly not fully understanding what this had to do with his present predicament, Alice dabbed the last tears from his cheeks and continued

“As you know only too well she and your mother are extremely close, almost like sisters. Your mother has always been a great admirer of the mistress’s abilities to achieve exceptional results in even the most trying cases. The maids in this household are one example, most of them were streetwalkers, ladies of the night, but Lady Charlotte rescued them and through patience and some unorthodox methods she turned them into presentable girls with impeccable manners and moral rectitude, they are no longer at the mercy of men.”

 The youth shifted uneasily on the couch, his bulky new clothes creating a faint crinkling noise every time he made even the slightest move, reminding him as if that was necessary, that he was now confined within a silk and satin prison. Aubrey knew the maid was right his mother often expressed an excessive affection towards Lady Charlotte and held her opinions in the highest regard. He was aware his mother strongly disapproved of his behaviour and he suddenly realised that she may not only fail to condemn his treatment at Lady Charlotte’s hands. Worse still- she may even approve of it. Alice waited for her words to seep into his brain before she spoke again.

“If you rebel against Lady Charlotte or fail to show sufficient progress it is extremely likely that your stay here will be prolonged for several months. As you know your mother had planned to go abroad for an extended tour of the continent, Paris, Venice, Salzburg and a spa in Germany I believe. I overheard her tell Lady Catherine that it would be a great relief to know that you were in the safe hands of Lady Charlotte and not involved in any disgraceful male behaviour.  If you think you are suffering now just imagine weeks, months perhaps longer dressed.....”she paused and gestured to his sumptuous silk gown “in beautiful gowns of silk, taffeta, satin and other soft feminine fabrics. Not to mention of course being confined in corsets. I think after such a long period in feminine clothing you would probably forget what is was to be male.”

Aubrey let out an audible gasp, being held prisoner in female clothing for a day or two was excruciating but for months. He desperately tried to remember how long his mother had said she would be away at her aunt’s estate. A week? two? And he did recall her saying she had plans for a Grand Tour of Europe however at this moment such was his confusion he could not remember when exactly she said she was leaving. The thought of such a long time dressed as a female was too much to bear, he burst out crying again.

“ Months.....oh no.....”he sobbed.

“If she decides to extend her tour it could even be a year.” Alice helpfully added and produced another handkerchief.

“A YEAR!” he wailed taking the handkerchief and burst into tears once more.

“Of course....” Alice said softly as she smoothed out a crease in his skirt “.. if you conform to her ladyship’s regimen and impress her with your willingness to change your ways, abandoning the arrogant and disrespectful attitude of the male sex I’m sure your time in female clothing would be very short.”

“Do you really think so?” he answered still sobbing as he grasped at this lifeline.

“If you are to be successful you will need to fully comprehend the nature of femininity with all the complexity of emotions that it brings.” Alice said taking the handkerchief and wiping the tears from his cheeks. “This is a good beginning.”

He looked at her with a vacant look on his face.

“You see,” she explained “this is one advantage women have over men, the relief of tears, the torrential downpours that wash our spirits clean. It will help you accept that you are no longer in control. Do you understand?”

He really didn’t know what she was talking about but he did not feel as tense, he nodded and Alice continued 

“The mistress is a highly intelligent woman and will not be fooled by you merely wearing a dress, making a feeble effort to change. She will want to be satisfied that you are making a sincere attempt to transform your life and become a better person. If she sees that you accept her methods I’m sure she will be more forgiving.”

“How....what can I do?”he blurted as he realised there could be a quick way out of his predicament.

“Oh it will take a few days but you could begin by a display of respect and....” Alice hesitated .......obedience, curtsying to her when she enters the room would be a good start. It would show her that you are sincere in your wish to change.”

“But ..I can’t....I don’t know..... how.” he said.

“Every girl knows how to curtsey.” Alice answered “and you must remember...... in the mistress’s eyes, you are a girl now Master Aubrey. Let me see you try.”

Aubrey knew he had no way out of this dreadful plight and he was prepared to do anything to get released as quickly as possible from his horrible clothes. A few days ago he could never have imagined taking instructions from a servant girl, a maid, but he now felt Alice seemed to offer the best solution to his problems.

With these thoughts in his head Aubrey lifted himself from the couch and very clumsily attempted a curtsey.

“Oh dear” Alice sighed “I’m afraid that will not do, it may be all right for a kitchen or scullery maid but not a girl of a high social rank”

He looked at her blankly.

 “As I said you really need to think of yourself as a young lady.” Alice smiled sweetly. Now try again, your right leg behind the left and holding your skirts slowly lower your body.”

He was concentrating so much he didn’t hear the door opening, the other maids arrived and began arranging the low table for tea. They found it difficult to conceal their amusement, seeing them Aubrey became flustered once again.

“The young master is trying very hard to improve his .....” Alice said pausing to find the right words “....feminine qualities.”

“Her ladyship will be impressed.” Dora said barely suppressing her giggling.

“Yes...”Hilda agreed in a tone that betrayed her hilarity “most.... ladylike, I’m sure.”

“Girls!” Alice admonished the maids “I am trying to teach Master Aubrey some feminine etiquette.”

She then turned her attention back to the bewildered youth.

“Now if you imagine Dora here is her ladyship’s daughter, let me see how you would greet her.” Alice said.

The maids gathered close to him fixing him with their eyes, sly smiles breaking out across their faces.  Aubrey’s thoughts drifted to a time before he was imprisoned in these dreadful female clothes. Yesterday, he said to himself, he would have reprimanded them for their insolence, they were mere servant girls after and he was superior in rank and gender. He was a man. But that was yesterday, today he was barely recognisable as that man, today he was a feminised male in a dress.

“Master Aubrey!” Alice said sharply rousing him from his reflections and asserting her growing authority, leaving him in no doubt this was an order not a request.

Aubrey looked at her with pleading eyes but Alice ignored his unspoken appeal, her eyes widening as if daring him to refuse. She gestured him to stand in front of the smiling servant girl.

The only sound in the room was the swishing of his skirts as he meekly complied.

“Miss Dora.” Aubrey mumbled in a broken voice as he lowered his body and performed the submissive feminine gesture.

“Much better.” Alice smiled “And now do the same with Hilda and Sarah.”

He repeated his performance to the obvious satisfaction of the grinning maids.

“Oh that was wonderful, I feel like a real lady.” Sarah cooed, clearly delighted “I’m usually the one curtsying.”

“Yes.” Hilda said to the others in a quiet but excited voice that Aubrey could not help but hearing “would it be marvellous if he was wearing my uniform and I was wearing his gown. Maybe her ladyship might........ ”

“That’s enough girls, the mistress be here in a moment you may go.” Alice said putting an end to his torment as the maids left the room still giggling.

“You see the effect an elegant curtsey can have, Lady Charlotte will be most pleased with such a display of feminine decorum.” Alice said as she turned to the door “I think I hear her in the hallway, now sit down and when she enters rise  and slowly lower yourself into a graceful curtsey.”

A loud rustle of taffeta and silk announced the arrival of Lady Charlotte followed closely by Felicity and Miss Bristlestrap. Alice nodded to her pupil who rose from the couch and performed an almost faultless curtsey.

“Oh you darling boy, such a charming curtsey.... what a wonderful surprise. I really did not think you were quite ready to fully accept my ideas.” she exclaimed her voice filled with emotion and opened her arms “come here and let me embrace you.”

It was plain to see that his curtsey had the desired effect as she enfolded him in her arms and held him to her ample bosom.

Maybe Alice is right he said to himself as she maintained the embrace for a few moments, If I keep up this pretence for a few days I may get my clothes back.

She eventually released him from her grip and smiled at him, he could see Felicity and Miss Bristlestrap exchange knowing smirks.

“It will take more than a simple curtsey to convince me Mother.” Felicity snorted.

 “Mmm...perhaps.” Lady Charlotte said holding both his hands in hers and scanning his face “however something in his demeanour seems to have changed since we left him. It’s as if he’s had an epiphany. Has Alice been giving you a little advice dear boy? she is a clever girl.”

“Um...ah.....she...”he mumbled, mortified that he had debased himself in front of Felicity and Miss Bristlestrap and flustered by her perceptive question.

“I merely pointed the young master in the right direction your ladyship.” Alice intervened “I did not mean to interfere.”

“Quite all right Alice.” Lady Charlotte replied “in fact we were just discussing how best to proceed with his ...” she paused for a moment before continuing “training.... I suppose is the best word. He really does need a lot of work and as I may not always be on hand to supervise his progress and Miss Bristlestrap has enough to do running the household. I had thought about employing a responsible and discreet lady’s maid to help develop his more genteel and feminine qualities however his education is another major consideration after all he did express a concern regarding his next term at Oxford.”

“A.... lady’s maid?”  Aubrey blurted, the very idea filled him with dread and he visibly recoiled at the suggestion. This would be the worst possible eventuality, he tried desperately to dissuade her “...but there’s no need I assure you Lady Charlotte. I will be.....”

Lady Charlotte ignored him and continued,

“However, although a lady’s maid would be helpful I feel someone with a little bit more experience in dealing with boys would be ideal in giving you a more rounded education.”

Aubrey looked at her with a mixture of apprehension and confusion.

“Miss Bristlestrap tells me that Alice has just such a background. Isn’t that so Alice?” Lady Charlotte said.

“Yes m’lady.” Alice replied. “you were kind enough to employ me as a head housemaid when circumstances made it difficult to obtain a position more suited to my abilities.”

“With Aubrey’s elegant curtsey I think we have already witnessed your inspirational qualities.” Lady Charlotte said as she sat down “And you would be willing to take on this responsibility.”

“Of course m’lady.” Alice answered “it would be a wonderful opportunity.”

Aubrey’s head was following the conversation like a spectator at a tennis match.

“Then it is settled.” Lady Charlotte.

“I...don’t understand Lady Charlotte.” Aubrey said fearfully.

“Oh..Aubrey you silly boy, have you not been listening?” Lady Charlotte explained to the confused youth. “Alice will become your Governess, under my supervision she will help nurture your progress. She will have full authority over you and I expect you to obey her as you would me.”

“Alice?” he blurted still not believing his own ears “but I....can’t...she’s only a  ...”

“She is your new Governess.” Lady Charlotte said “and given her new position I think it best if you address her as Miss Alice.”

“But....I....she’s a.... you can’t really expect....”he spluttered.

“Aubrey!” Lady Charlotte snapped, the sternness in her voice did not escape him and he feared the consequences of defying her “now greet your new Governess in the appropriate fashion for a young lady.”

A wave of subjugation washed over him, his hands grasped his skirts and he bent his knees and lowered his body as he had been taught.

“Miss Alice” he said as he curtsied to his new Governess.