A Very Victorian Education Chapter 13 plus illustration

Below is Chapter 13, it’s not as long as the previous one which I think was a bit too drawn out. The illustration is in the body of the story for various reasons.

Once again I thought I could finish it this time and once again I failed so I’m loathe to repeat that prediction again even though –  since Chapter 4  – I know how it’s going to end.

So heaven knows when this will wind up hopefully it will be with the next chapter as I’m already thinking about the next story. But who knows? These ladies really seem to know how to prolong poor Aubrey’s torment.

 I don’t control them, they control me.

Thanks again to all who indicated their support for the continuation of the story through the ‘more’ box and especially to the Anon commenter and Geraldine for your kind words and encouragement. I really appreciate it. Readers may think I sound like a broken record but it is very important for me to acknowledge this support. I’m very old school like that.

I also thought I could get another illustration done but could not complete it in time.

As usual time is always a problem so could be 6-8 weeks before the next chapter. These intervals between chapters are too long I know but we all have real lives to get on with- unfortunately.

Nothing else to say other than hopefully I got all the typos and I hope you enjoy it.

Carrie

A Very Victorian Education

By

CarrieP

Chapter 13

 Life is cruel.

This truism was only too familiar to Aubrey St. Clair. The months he had spent under the strict and authoritarian Lady Charlotte de Winter had taught him this very lesson in spades. Within hours of his arrival at her house she had forced him- a confident and self assured young man- into a satin gown and of course the appropriately restrictive female undergarments. Her dastardly purpose was to eradicate his masculine traits and educate him in the more refined and decorous behaviour of the weaker sex. Thus began a regimen of feminisation which he found himself helpless to resist or prevent. Naturally he was constantly making gallant attempts to retain some semblance of masculinity but his efforts were continually undermined by Lady Charlotte and her staff of all female domestic servants. It was an overwhelming and pervasive femininity that surrounded and engulfed him. In the several months under her authority anything remotely associated with the male sex was forbidden and he was, in Lady Charlotte’s words, encouraged to comport himself as a young lady at all times. He laughed bitterly at her use of the word encourage she was in fact coercing him to acting and dressing like a young lady. Failure to satisfy her of his enthusiasm for this ghastly enterprise was met with subtle and not so subtle punishments. To ensure he had a feminine figure she had affixed the most remarkable female breast forms to his chest- a mortifying appendage for a young man. Adding a further layer of humiliation he was forced to act as a maid to her friend Mrs Maude Cockshott and her daughter Roberta who- because of his delicate facial features- were unaware of his true sex. It was an intolerable situation for a young man but now the Fates had provided him with the opportunity to escape this nightmare.

Throughout these months confined in the most elaborate gowns of silk, satin, velvet and taffeta and the other delicate unmanly fabrics he dreamed of escaping the web of femininity that she had entrapped him in. However this proved to be exactly just that- a dream.

Until now.

These were the thoughts that ran through his mind as he stood with his back to  the open door of Mrs Cockshott’s house, finally after all these months he was now dressed in male clothes and poised to leave. He took one last glance at Roberta Cockshott dressed in her pink satin robe as she slowly descended the wide staircase. Her expression puzzled him. She had sacrificed much to save him from the clutches of the formidable Mrs Dearhorn and now he had abandoned his role as her maid,stolen the male clothes she wore and as she bathed he quietly made his way downstairs. He thought she would be angry at his betrayal but her face displayed no outrage or fury merely an extremely composed, nonchalant look as she descended the stairs with all the grace of a ballerina.

If she knew my dreadful circumstances she would understand he said to himself as he turned his back on her to finally leave this nightmare behind.

He squinted as the strong afternoon sun hit his eyes and it took him a second or two before he could adjust his focus to the glare. A large shadow fell on him and his eyes had to adapt once more. His first reaction was this silhouette was the sun’s strong beam playing tricks on him.

A moment later he realised this was not the case. He felt his legs weaken and a familiar knot tighten in his stomach. A slow moan finally reached his throat; he had to hold on to the door frame as the sound made its way into the warm afternoon air.

“No…oh no…”

Several seconds passed before a  familiar patrician voice pierced the air.

“And what exactly may I ask are you doing dressed like that?” Lady Charlotte de Winter snapped.

Aubrey was so stunned he thought he was about to faint.

“Thinking of escaping eh?” Lady Charlotte said brusquely. “And after all I have done for you. You ungrateful girl.”

Shocked and devastated at being caught at the last moment he nevertheless could not help noticing her reference to him as a girl despite being dressed in male garb. Her use of the word ‘girl’ was said without malice and in a most perfunctory way as if she genuinely did not recognise any trace of masculinity in the person standing in front of her.

Aubrey knew he was in deep trouble and he briefly thought of pushing her out of the way and bounding down the street but the shock of being confronted by Lady Charlotte’s statuesque figure just as he was about to break free had froze him to the spot. His brain was in turmoil and his limbs were incapable of any sort of movement and even if he could think of some excuse he would have been unable to utter a word.

The blood had drained from his face and he could only stare at her open-mouthed. Somewhere in his brain he knew just how stupid he appeared.

“What a pleasant surprise.” a familiar voice rang out from behind Aubrey “How lovely to see you dear godmother.”

“Roberta, my child. Such a pleasure to see you out of those dreadful male clothing.” Lady Charlotte said sweetly, a broad smile crossing her face at the sight of her goddaughter and turning to Aubrey she hissed “I will speak to you later.”

“Please don’t scold the girl, Lady Charlotte.” Roberta pleaded “It’s my fault, she struck me as having some slightly masculine features and I was curious to see what she would look like in male clothing. Perhaps being unused to such garments she just got overwhelmed and required some fresh air.”

Aubrey looked behind him and saw Roberta slowly and gracefully crossed the hall, the sound of her kitten heeled slippers clicking on the marble floor and her firm breasts gently moving under her pink satin robe. He blushed with shame, a different shame than the one he had become used to over these months.

He had betrayed her yet she was prepared to deceive her godmother on his behalf.  

Lady Charlotte glared at Aubrey but as Roberta joined them at the door her demeanour softened and she was clearly delighted to see her. The older woman’s scowl disappeared and was replaced by a smile as Roberta embraced her warmly giving her a kiss on each cheek. After they parted Lady Charlotte fixed Aubrey with her piercing blue eyes.

“I’m not so sure.” she said addressing her remark to Roberta but keeping her eyes firmly lock on Aubrey “I know him better than you.”

“Him? “You see even you could be fooled by the clothes.” Roberta squealed, clapping her hands in delight “Yes she does almost make a reasonable facsimile for a male. It really is astonishing what the right set of clothes can do for one.”

“It was a mere slip of the tongue.” Lady Charlotte said gruffly as she glared at the figure in male clothing and crossed the threshold with a swish of her elegant satin skirts.

The shock was now wearing off and the full realisation of his situation had seeped through to his brain.

For a brief moment he calculated he still had a chance to flee and just as the thought was transmitted to his legs Lady Charlotte moved into the centre of the doorway, her statuesque figure and bulky skirts cutting off his escape route. Her eyes met his and reading his face like a book she raised her silver handled ebony walking stick and placed in in the jam of the door preventing any thought of escape. A smile crossed her face. A victory smile he thought bitterly. He knew he had now no chance of evading her grasp. His heart sank, his golden opportunity for freedom had been cruelly taken from him. Worse than that he would now have to face the full force of Lady Charlotte’s displeasure.

Trapped once more. Life really was cruel.

“I thought I heard voices.” Mrs Cockshott’s voice echoed loudly across the marbled vestibule as she appeared at the door of the drawing room and with skirts and petticoats rustling she made her way slowly to where the trio stood.

“Charlotte!” she gushed “I wasn’t expecting you to visit so soon.”

 “I apologise for calling unannounced Leonora.” Lady Charlotte said “but the maid you sent back was concerned that the girl…” she gestured with distaste to Aubrey “…you borrowed from me may have been a little overwhelmed by the number of ladies present.”

An expression of extreme displeasure crossed her handsome face, before turning back to her friend and despite her goddaughter’s explanation could not help exclaiming,

“And this is what I find!”

Mrs Cockshott approached the three figures and as she joined her friend at the doorway she raised the pince-nez she wore on a gold chain around her neck to her eyes.

“What in heaven’s name…” she blurted the shock evident in her voice as she recognised Aubrey in unfamiliar attire, “I had thought it was one of Roberta’s mannish friends.”

She looked first at her daughter then to Aubrey and back to Lady Charlotte.

“My word!” Mrs Cockshott exclaimed “She does look a little masculine; from a distance and wearing those clothes I genuinely thought she was a young male however I can see now it is your maid.”

She recognised the look of displeasure on her friend’s face and recognised the gravity of the situation. She addressed Aubrey in a curt voice.

“What is the meaning of this, girl?”

“I… ah…it…”he stammered, fear gripping him like a vice.

“Mother I have already explained to Lady Charlotte why the girl is dressed in my male clothing.”Roberta answered for him.

“I might have known this was one of your ideas.” her mother snorted and turned to her friend “You will forgive me Charlotte I knew nothing of this outrage.”

“I never thought it for a moment, dear Leonora.” Lady Charlotte said and once more gesturing towards Aubrey “but this …ahem… girl has an unfortunate tendency to drift away from the feminine aspects of his…I mean… her personality unless constantly supervised. It is a most regrettable inclination and one that has caused her mother a great deal of distress. She placed her under in my care and I genuinely thought I had rectified her most unbecoming behaviour but I see she has lapsed into her old ways. She obviously has taken advantage of Roberta’s sweet nature and persuaded her to part with those… – and I make no apology for referring to them in this way- … those dreadful male garments.”

Roberta once again moved closer to Lady Charlotte and took hold of her hands.

 “Naturally if I had known of your concerns for the girl I would not have dressed her so.” Roberta lied “but in her defence she is still wearing a corset, bloomers, chemise and stockings so she is quite feminine underneath. Do not blame the girl Lady Charlotte it really was my fault.”

“Mmm…”Lady Charlotte murmured, eyeing Aubrey suspiciously “You are far too trusting Roberta. I had better take her home but not dressed like that.”

She turned to Aubrey and said in a brusque voice,

“Go up stairs and put on your uniform. You will return with me.”

“Oh please Lady Charlotte.” Roberta pleaded gripping the older woman’s hands tighter “Let her stay, if I’m to dress in the fashion Mother wants I will need a maid and she does seem to have an eye for the most feminine clothes. She has already picked out two gowns for me that I am sure Mother would approve of. You really have trained her well.”

“Really?” Lady Charlotte said and looked at Aubrey, an expression of disbelief registering on her handsome face.

“Oh yes.” Roberta said excitedly.

“Is that so?” Lady Charlotte said quietly and turned once more to Aubrey giving him a quizzical look, her voice dripping with a sarcasm only he recognised. “Do please enlighten us.”

Aubrey saw that this time Roberta could be of no assistance and he knew that unless he said something he would expose both as liars.

“Ah.. emm…”he stammered

“I thought so.” Lady Charlotte snorted derisively and turned to Mrs Cockshott “I will take her back with me, she is obviously….

“The first gown…” Aubrey, his heart beating like a drum interrupted her in a soft voice “was a silk satin deep mocha with silk brocade panels in two pieces, the skirt had a ruched front panel and a two tier pleated hem and a boned bodice.”

Aubrey could scarcely believe what just came out of his mouth, he stole a quick glance at Lady Charlotte and it appeared she was equally surprised. It was as if he had heard a woman’s voice utter the words from his own mouth, it took him a few seconds to realise the voice was indeed his. Before anyone could speak he cleared his throat and continued, 

“The second was a pink satin and silk organza, again with a boned bodice with a tiered skirt of pleated drapery. Both are beautiful and would suit Miss Roberta extremely well.”

The silence in the large vestibule was broken only by the ticking of the large grandfather clock. His heart raced and he struggled to control is breathing, he was as shocked as Lady Charlotte by the knowledge he had displayed of female fashion.

Lady Charlotte’s smile gave him the answer.

In the months under her strict regimen it appeared he had subliminally absorbed a completely new feminine sensibility. He now possessed a familiarity of  feminine fashion to rival that of any young lady of breeding.

 He suddenly became aware of the horror of his situation, somewhere in his psyche the femininity he had resisted all this time had insinuated itself into the very fabric of his being.

His thoughts were interrupted by Roberta’s voice.

“I told you she was extremely helpful. You really must allow her to stay.” she exclaimed and although her words were supportive he detected something in her eyes that unnerved him.

He was now in her debt.

He realised that whether he returned with Lady Charlotte or remained with Roberta he would have to face the consequences of his attempted escape.

“I knew she would be perfect for Roberta.” Mrs Cockshott trilled and addressed her friend “You have obviously instilled in the girl your excellent taste and eye for detail.”

“Emm…I…ah…yes…” Lady Charlotte stumbled over her words, still recovering from the surprise of Aubrey’s new found familiarity with ladies fashion.

“Yes, she has been most helpful Charlotte” Mrs Cockshott continued “As you are aware Roberta has chosen to wear male attire as a result of her involvement in this ridiculous suffrage movement, totally unnecessary of course, but she insists. I have finally persuaded her to discard these ghastly garments but she has insisted that your girl should become her maid- on a temporary basis of course. I truly doubted that Roberta would keep her word but this girl, despite the dreadful clothes she is wearing, seems to have a positive effect on her.”

Lady Charlotte glanced at Aubrey and he could see she was perplexed at this turn of events.

“Surely Roberta you can engage another maid.” Lady Charlotte argued “I’m still training this girl and as you can see she is prone to behaviour most unbecoming of a servant girl.”

“Oh please Lady Charlotte.” Roberta pleaded, gazing imploringly into her godmother’s eyes.

“Oh do stop looking at me like that Roberta.” Lady Charlotte sniffed.

“Please…godmother.” Roberta appealed, her eyes widening as she maintained her relentless supplication.

“This is most irregular.” Lady Charlotte muttered and looked at Aubrey once more “but I do know how much Roberta’s male clothing distresses you Leonora.”

Mrs Cockshott slipped her arm under her friend’s.

“This has been quite a shock for both of us, Charlotte.” she said softly, patting her arm “Why don’t we discuss it over a sherry.”

She then turned to Aubrey.

“Close the door girl.”

All three women had their eyes firmly fixed on him as he placed his hands on the ornate brass door handle and slowly closed the large heavy door. The lock clicked into place with a thud as leaden as his heart and Aubrey knew his golden opportunity for freedom had, like the door, been firmly closed. He saw from the corner of his eye a discreet smile appear on Lady Charlotte’s face as she removed the key from the lock and gave it to Mrs Cockshott.

“Roberta.” Mrs Cockshott turned to her daughter “now that this nonsense has been cleared up would you kindly take yourself and your maid upstairs and get dressed in one of those delightful gowns I’m sure your godmother would like to see you in clothes befitting a young lady.”

“Of course, Mother.” Roberta answered.

“Leonora, I would like a word alone with the girl before she attends to Roberta.” Lady Charlotte said and as Mrs Cockshott moved to join Roberta Lady Charlotte called Aubrey to her.

“It appears I arrived just in time.” Lady Charlotte said quietly “Whether you realise it or not you were about to make a serious mistake. “

Aubrey looked at her blankly, he knew she did not quite believe Roberta’s story. He was expecting an angry tirade, an irate rebuke at the very least but there was no outrage, not even irritation. Her voice was calm and even as she continued.

“Although you are dressed in masculine clothes you may think that is enough to walk the streets as a male. But what you are probably totally unaware of is that you now walk and act in a remarkably feminine way and despite some slight male facial features your countenance is much more feminine than masculine. Even your thought processes have changed, how many young men have such a detailed grasp of female fashion? Not exactly the most macho of young men, are you?”

She smiled as she touched his face, he knew this was not meant as a statement but a question. So far she had not shown any sign of anger and he dare not risk displeasing her at this stage. He knew the answer that was expected.

“No, m’lady.”

This was not the first time he had heard remarks like this, in fact from the first moment he stepped inside Lady Charlotte’s home he was subject to similar comments on a daily basis. The servants would often make a reference to just how feminine he was and when he complained to Lady Charlotte she chided him, telling him that the maids regarded these comments as compliments and he should be grateful and to ensure he thanked them for their kind remarks. With Lady Charlotte present he was forced to show gratitude to these girls for subjecting him to such ridicule. He remembered they could barely contain their sniggers. In taking part in this charade he contributed to eroding the very masculinity he was trying to protect.

Is it any wonder I walk and act like a girl? He berated himself silently.

Lady Charlotte continued.

“As I was saying you were just about to make a serious mistake. I recognised several of your college friends in the street outside, Lady Castleknock’s son and Baroness Carlisle’s boy among them.”

She moved to the window and drew back the heavy velvet curtain a few inches to reveal several young men chatting in the street. Aubrey looked at her aghast, these young men were indeed his friends.

“I can imagine what would they say when they encountered you mincing down the street?” Lady Charlotte sneered.

He gasped at the thought. As much as he hated to admit it and despite his best efforts to avoid it he had undoubtedly acquired some feminine traits. He quickly remembered the girlish way he ran across the hall to reach the door. Months of female deportment lessons under Miss Alice’s eagle eye had turned his masculine stride into an elegant and refined feminine gait. It was not something he would lose quickly.

“And if that wasn’t enough your corset is quite visible under your shirt, I’m sure they would have something to say about that!”

By now Aubrey was totally demoralised and almost grateful to Lady Charlotte for saving him from what would have been exposure as a corset wearing effeminate pansy. She saw the horror in his face at the prospect of such an encounter with his friends and seeing her opportunity to further unsettle him quickly decided to press home her advantage.

“Of course you are not a prisoner.” she said and gestured towards the door “You can go if you like. Or perhaps I could invite them in for tea.”

Aubrey knew only too well what would happen when his friends saw him, they would be merciless and soon his effeminate appearance would be the talk of their extensive social circle. He would be the laughing stock of London. He would require at least a day or two to shake off these female mannerisms, he could not risk revealing himself until he was quite sure he had recovered his masculinity in full.

“Well?”she asked, her eyebrows raised.

“A…ah.. no.” he replied still shivering at the prospect.

“So you wish to remain under my care?” she proposed.

“Yes your ladyship.” he answered.

“And agree to wear the appropriate feminine attire?” she said.

“Yes m’lady.” he confirmed meekly.

“A wise decision considering what awaits you outside.” she said. “I should also say dressing yourself in male clothing has complicated matters.  It was a mistake agreeing to allow you to come here in the first place but I had little option. I’m certainly not happy about leaving you here as Roberta’s maid. If you are not careful she will discover your secret.”

Aubrey was only too well aware of this and he knew that whatever humiliations he would have to endure at Lady Charlotte’s home at least his secret was safe as her servants would not reveal his true sex to anyone outside their mistress’s employ. He now realised the frying pan was safer than the fire.

“When can I return?” he asked timidly.

“Life as a maid does not suit you?” Lady Charlotte asked snidely, turning the screw a little tighter and clearly enjoying his unease.

“No, your ladyship.” he replied quickly as he saw Roberta glance in his direction.

“I suppose after the beautiful gowns I dressed you in, wearing a maid’s uniform must be very humiliating.” she said looking him directly in the eye and smiling “And the very idea of being a lady’s maid must also feel extremely degrading for a young man.”

He could not deny it. He was used to having a maid not being one. The mortifying experience with the ladies in the drawing room and Mrs Dearhorn in particular were foremost in his mind. If he was to be dressed as a girl it was far better to be dressed as a young lady than a lady’s maid or even worse a housemaid. A horrible thought struck him that if Mrs Cockshott or Roberta wished to do so they could put him to work as a kitchen or scullery maid. He felt panic rising once more.

“Oh yes Lady Charlotte. Very degrading.” he admitted with an obviously genuine enthusiasm that surprised Lady Charlotte.

“Please can I come home?” he begged.

Home! How delightful! Lady Charlotte purred to herself disguising her pleasure at his request. He now thinks of my house as his home. Maybe sending him to Leonora as a maid was not such a bad idea after all?

She studied him closely. Any idea he had of escaping was now out of the question and he was firmly back under her control. However she remained annoyed that despite all his training he had attempted to escape, she had anticipated this eventuality which is why she had arrived unexpectedly.

Roberta is obviously making him extremely anxious she said to herself, it will most beneficial if he remains in such a state, it will help keep him quite docile and securely under my authority.

“Mrs Cockshott has made it plain that her daughter requires a maid if she is to conform to her mother’s wishes.” Lady Charlotte began

“But Roberta..”he gasped interrupting her.

“Ah yes… Roberta” Lady Charlotte said “She does seem to be quite enamoured with you and it appears you are the only reason she will consider renouncing those dreadful male clothes.”

“She… is trying to…” he stammered his face beginning to blush.

“Yes I can imagine what she is trying to do.” Lady Charlotte smiled knowing full well what he meant. “She is a very determined young lady but I doubt if she will try to deflower you now that she knows I am here.”

Aubrey blush deepened at her candid remark.

“Oh no need to be so prudish.” she laughed quietly “We women know about these things. When dressed in female clothing you are a pretty little thing and as you now know Roberta has a penchant for girls like you. You should feel flattered that such a beautiful young woman finds you attractive.”

“But… what if…”he mumbled, his face reddening by the second.

“As I said nothing will happen.” Lady Charlotte answered “well nothing too serious I expect. You must not panic or try to abscond again or it will just make her more determined and may make her even more suspicious. Play along with her up to a point and if she does get too frisky just mention that I may enter the room at any time. She is well aware that being discovered in flagrante would end any hope of continuing a maid and mistress relationship. Do you understand?”

He nodded, his discomfort was obvious.

 Lady Charlotte could not resist increasing his anxiety. Time for another turn of the screw.

“As you know only too well, pretty servant girls can attract the attentions of their masters or mistresses.” she said knowingly.

His eyes fell to the floor as he recalled several episodes where he tried to kiss and fondle housemaids in his mother’s service. He could tell that Lady Charlotte was also aware of these shameful events.

“Yes I thought that may sound familiar.” she said as she beckoned to an impatient Roberta who joined them immediately.

 “Now run along with your new mistress until I decide what to do with you.” Lady Charlotte said and then addressed Roberta “And no inappropriate behaviour from you young lady.”

“Of course not dear godmother.” Roberta answered, smiling at Lady Charlotte sweetly.

“Time for that sherry Charlotte, I think.” Mrs Cockshott said taking her arm and steering her towards the drawing room.

Roberta watched them enter and once she heard the door close she turned to Aubrey.

“Oh dear.” Roberta sighed in an exasperated tone that immediately made Aubrey very nervous. “It seems you have been a very naughty girl.”

He thought about trying to fob her off by agreeing with the story she gave Lady Charlotte about getting fresh air but knew she would see through it for the lie it was. He remained silent.

“Well?” she snapped.

He was trapped with no hope of escape, under such circumstances the last thing he wished to do was aggravate her even further.

“Yes Miss” he replied in a suitably submissive tone.

“And after all I have done for you.” she said with a hint of sadness.

What she said was true, after all had she not saved him from the fearsome Mrs Dearhorn? And had she not lied to her godmother on his behalf?

“Yes Miss.” he said quietly feeling quite ashamed.

“Yes Miss indeed.” Roberta repeated derisively, her voice taking on a tone of exasperation “Trying to sneak out dressed as a male- in my own clothes! I am most disappointed in you. In fact I think you may be better suited to Mrs Dearhorn than me. I’m not sure any more if you deserve to be my maid. I may ask Mother to send for her, I’m sure Lady Charlotte once she hears the full story would agree to allow Mrs Dearhorn to take you.”

Lady Charlotte had almost reduced him to a blubbering wreck, he was in no position to think clearly.

“Oh.. no …please no Miss.” Aubrey squealed, horrified at the idea.

“You clearly have no loyalty or dependability.” Roberta said as she began to walk towards the drawing room door.

It was quite obvious that Lady Charlotte was thoroughly annoyed with him and in his distressed state he felt she may well be persuaded to agree to Roberta’s suggestion -if only to teach him a lesson. He dreaded the thought of such an outcome and despite Roberta’s extremely assertive and predatory personality it was clear that although she was quite vexed with him. The thought of finding himself at Mrs Dearhorn’s estate for an entire weekend filled him with dread.

“Please… please, Miss.” he begged “  I am so sorry, I promise it will not happen again.”

Roberta stopped, she turned to face him and he thought he saw a look of hurt on her face.

“Perhaps, but how can I be sure, you have taken advantage of me once.” she said and looked at him intensely “Why not again? If you were in my place, what would you do to a girl who broke the rules, even worse betrayed her mistress’s trust?”

Aubrey knew ladies like his mother and Lady Charlotte had occasion to punish their maidservants for breeches of household discipline such as staying out too late, not showing proper deference and so on. For minor infractions the punishment usually took the form of a fine or cancelling their half-day off. However for major transgressions which may have resulted in dismissal, the girl would agree to a more severe penalty. This was to avoid receiving a bad character reference which would hamper any future employment in domestic service. Many maids agreed to this willingly, for without a reference they would be unemployable and become destitute. It was a small price to pay particularly as invariably they knew in their hearts they had misbehaved.

Roberta looked at him intently.

He knew only too well how these maids were disciplined, a chastisement usually by a cane or another similar implement was the preferred method by most mistresses.

Well, my girl?”she asked tersely  “How would you deal with such a disobedient servant girl?”

“I …ah…please Miss…”he struggled to answer such a loaded question.

But he need not have bothered as Roberta moved closer to him and said in a quiet voice,

“Oh I think you know very well what happens to girls who misbehave.”

She walked towards the wide staircase and turning to face him she clicked her fingers, her voice was cool and authoritative,

“Come along my girl. Upstairs with you.”