A Very Victorian Education Chapter 15 - with 2 illustrations

Suitably chastised from Miss Geraldine’s rebuke and appropriately attired as she suggested I humbly submit the next chapter of Aubrey’s struggle for your approval.

I’m not sure what readers will make of this chapter, I am very much aware that Aubrey has spent quite a few chapters in Mrs Cockshott’s home and some readers probably find that the story has stalled but – SPOILER ALERT- at least by the chapter’s end readers will see that the story is progressing albeit at a glacial pace but then events did move at a more sedate pace in the Victorian era.

I have also had to alter Aubrey’s dress in the second pic – due to a problem with an external hard drive I lost a lot of pictures so there is a slight continuity issue, hopefully it will not irk readers too much.Aubrey's face has changed too but then I suppose that is to be expected due to the levels of anxiety he has been experiencing.

Usual thanks to all who commented and tick the more box- I greatly appreciate it.

I hope you enjoy this chapter and as always glad to get any feedback good or bad.

Take care

Carrie.

A Very Victorian Education

By

CarrieP

Chapter 15

Firmly secured once more inside his heavy navy velvet dress the soft material of his petticoats brushing against his silk stockings with every step, Aubrey St Clair felt a creeping and insidious femininity begin to embrace him like ivy around a tree. He sighed as he slowly made his way across the room to where Roberta stood gazing mournfully at the various garments laid out on the bed.

“I thought I was finally free of these dreadful feminine clothes.” she lamented as she took up a peach silk chemise with a look of utter disdain and threw it back onto the bed.

Aubrey stifled the urge to agree and thought it best to remain silent.

“Petticoats!” she snorted derisively as she fingered a white taffeta petticoat with a large flounce at the hem before discarding it and taking up another one of cream silk.

“How many does my mother insist I wear?” she asked Aubrey in a plaintive voce.

“At least three Miss.” he replied recalling the conversation he’d had with Mrs Cockshott before he had tried to leave.

“At least three.” she repeated in a dejected tone.

“Well, I suppose we better get started.” she said despondently.

Aubrey was very well aware that since leaving the family home for university Roberta had been dressing in male attire to the consternation and annoyance of her mother. She had made it clear to him and her mother the only reason she had agreed to dress – as her mother put it- in a clothing appropriate to a young lady of polite society was to ensure she could have him as her maid. It was obvious she, as much as Aubrey, hated the very idea of once more donning the trappings of femininity. However much as wished to agree with Roberta he knew to do so would only draw unwanted and unnecessary attention to him. He was now thought of as her maid and after being caned by her, with the approval of Lady Charlotte de Winter, he instinctively reverted to his ghastly role as a docile and compliant young female servant. It was an abominable position but one that was necessary if he was to avoid his true sex being discovered which would undoubtedly lead to life- long disgrace and ignominy.

Months of being dressed as a female meant he had a familiarity of a lady’s toilette on a par with any female of the privileged and cultured class and this long servitude in female clothing had also made him extremely well acquainted with the function of the female servant and how she should act in the presence of a lady of superior birth. This knowledge was now invaluable in his new role as lady’s maid to Miss Roberta Cockshott. Roberta’s continual curiosity regarding his appearance had been a source of anxiety for Aubrey and he was astonished but extremely relieved that she did not discover his secret when he was forced to stand in front of her in his female underwear. Now that he was once more fully dressed, albeit in a velvet gown, he felt less vulnerable.

He stood opposite her as she gazed at the various items of clothing arranged on the heavy satin quilt. He could see that she was too preoccupied with her new clothes to question him further on his vaguely masculine appearance and although he was still nervous, having just escaped his secret being exposed, he felt confident he could perform the duties of a lady’s maid without raising her suspicions. In the few seconds that he observed her it occurred to him that her distaste and aversion for such feminine clothing was not a charade for his benefit but was indeed real and appeared to mirror his own loathing for such feminine finery.

Aubrey saw that a number of items were missing from the collection laid out on the bed and without being told he moved to one of the tallboys. Such was his knowledge of the bedroom of a young lady that he knew instinctively where her lingerie was kept and it took him only seconds to locate the correct drawer. Before he chose the items he required he looked once more at the cheerless face of the young woman who now considered him her lady’s maid or perhaps as she jokingly intimated, her personal slave. A curious thought entered Aubrey’s head.

She is far more vexed than me at having to wear these clothes.

Of course he hated the clothes he wore, they were a constant source of humiliation but he had resigned himself to his current predicament knowing at some stage he would eventually be free of them. After all, his mother could not stay away forever. He took consolation from this and remembered how he had been humiliated by being forced into these clothes by Lady Charlotte. He remembered the look of triumph on the faces of the maids and Alice his Governess. Another thought suddenly struck him.

I am now in that position, aiding and abetting her humiliation.

Now looking at a disconsolate Roberta he felt a strange feeling, a frisson of excitement at the idea of being part of her discomfiture and he allowed himself a very discreet smile. It was the first time in months he smiled and it felt good. It was true that Roberta had shown him a degree of kindness and affection but much in the same way one would treat a favourite servant or family pet. She would be benevolent of course, in that Patrician manner ladies reserved for their lapdogs, showing them consideration and fondness and in Aubrey’s case passion. He knew that like a lapdog she would keep him on a short lease and punishment would never be too far away if he displeased her. This was the way ladies of high social standing treated their servants, most girls of an inferior class would gladly accept such an arrangement after all they would be well treated, well most of the time, and the constant humiliations would be far more preferable than the drudgery of life as a kitchen or scullery maid. Of course Aubrey was neither of these but for now he had no option but to continue his charade. However he could take comfort and some pleasure from this demeaning role as not only was he responsible for her capitulation to her mother’s demand that she wear these feminine frills and flounces but would also witness her helplessness as he enabled this transformation. He felt a sudden surge of satisfaction and realised what a thrill Lady Charlotte’s maids must have experienced.

“Perhaps we should begin Miss.” he said as he returned with the items, the tone in his voice sounded deferential but masked the schadenfreude he was experiencing. Roberta winced as he held out a pair of long powder blue silk bloomers and a matching chemise.

“Uuugh!” she blurted. “Is there nothing plainer there?”

“I’m afraid not Miss.” he replied adopting his best impression of a dutiful lady’s maid tone as he held them up to her showing her the frills on the bloomers and the delicate lace on the chemise and seeing her expression he added for good measure “they are very popular among young ladies.”

“Well not this one.” Roberta snapped.

Aubrey sensed the stirrings of a change of attitude, he knew if Roberta reneged on her promise it would reflect badly on him and he would surely suffer the consequences. He recalled how the maids in Lady Charlotte’s house would subtly cajole him into obeying them.

“Please Miss.” Aubrey said softly “Lady Charlotte and your mother will not be pleased and may blame me.

“Oh very well then.” Roberta said in an exasperated voice and undid the sash on her peignoir and shook it from her broad shoulders allowing it to slip down her body to the floor.

She stood in front of him naked, he could not help but gasp at her statuesque body. He had seen her naked before of course but only in parts, and in particular her most intimate part which he was forced to kiss.  But this was different, now he saw her in all her magnificent glory. Her breasts firm and perfectly rounded stood proudly above her slightly plump stomach. The dark triangle of pubic hair, framed by her wide hips and sturdy almost athletic thighs transfixed him and he had to shake himself to regain some degree of composure. He lifted his bulky skirts and arranged them around him as he knelt at her feet and held out the silk underwear for her to step into. She sighed as she reluctantly stepped into them and he slowly drew the delicate material up her soft thighs inhaling her womanly scent and as he did so he felt his heart racing under his heavy breast forms and felt something stir inside him. Hands trembling slightly he tied the string and try as he might he could not resist allowing his hand to linger across her splendidly plump posterior. It did not go unnoticed.

Roberta smiled but said nothing.

Aubrey blushed furiously, like a child who had just been found with his hand in the biscuit tin and quickly removed his hand but his erection under his voluminous skirts remained intact. He was relieved he was in a kneeling position but even if he stood he was sure his substantial skirts would hide his erect member.

“I knew I made the right choice.” Roberta said as she gently stroked his cheek “but a servant girl should not be so forward, remind me to punish you later.”

“Yes Miss.” he answered, still burning with embarrassment at being caught, he quickly rose to his feet and resumed his duties, his erection slowly subsiding he lifted the chemise over her head and smoothed the soft material over her torso.

“It’s not that I disapprove of your attentions, she said and stroked his cheek once more “but you really must understand that it is not your place to act on these impulses.  In this relationship as in every other area of life you need to realise I am the predominant partner and you will not instigate any advances unless of course I explicitly encourage it. Do you understand?”

“Yes Miss.” he replied quietly

“You see,” she continued “I have had enough of males making unsolicited approaches and when alone their horrible groping hands touching me in a most inappropriate manner.”

Aubrey felt his heart race, the thought that she had discovered him immediately flashed in his brain. Maybe she had seen the bulge under his skirts, he clutched them anxiously as Roberta continued,

“Of course as you have probably guessed I have no interest in males, well not those dreadful macho types that seem to inhabit the usual society circles. As a woman of intelligence I have no wish to become any male’s chattel so my relationships are exclusively with females.”

She paused and looked at him before adding,

“Or soft effeminate males although they are harder to find, so much better don’t you agree?”

“Y…Yes Miss.” he answered and thought she could hear his heart beating like a bass drum.

“But,” she continued her voice becoming more serious“ and you really need to understand this relationship can have only one dominant partner.”

She gazed intently at Aubrey, it would have been absurd for him to contradict her, after all what servant girl- and he was very much aware that was how he was seen- would argue with her mistress.

“Yes Miss.” he answered in a weak voice.

“Are you all right you look quite pale?” she asked.

“No Miss it’s just a little hot.” he replied.

Roberta then began to lecture him on various issues regarding what she expected of him, obedience, loyalty, deference, the list seemed endless after a few minutes he sensed that this speech was an attempt on her part to postpone the inevitable. Despite the panic he felt he knew he had to regain the advantage and from somewhere deep within he plucked up what little courage he had decided to test his theory.

“Please Miss.” he said as Roberta paused in her rambling speech “Madam and Lady Charlotte may become a little impatient if we do not appear shortly.”

Roberta remained silent, she knew her maid was right. Aubrey seeing his opportunity moved to the bed.

“Your corset Miss.” he said as he picked the heavy silver satin corset Mrs Cockshott had chosen for her daughter.

Roberta grimaced and let out a mournful sigh. Aubrey could see she he had clenched her fists in what appeared to be a mixture of alarm and abhorrence. He recognised this only too well as this had also been his reaction when he was first forced into such feminine clothing. He felt his spirits rise once more.

For once he could ignore his own shame and as he approached her corset in hand he barely noticed his skirts and petticoats rustling his constant companions of humiliation, indignity and disgrace were now cast aside. He had recovered from his fright and now had a strange feeling he could not quite understand, a feeling of satisfaction bordering on smugness that he was a participant in Roberta’s obvious extreme discomfiture.

Much as she tried she could not hide her dread at the sight of the garment and he saw her visibly flinch as he held up the corset. Gone was the hauteur of just moments ago, now replaced by barely concealed alarm at the thought of being encased in such a constricting yet everyday item of feminine apparel.

Strange he thought I’ve become used to wearing mine, I don’t like it but it is necessary if one is compelled to wear a dress.

The sight of her apprehension allowed him respite from his own humiliation. He grew emboldened.

She froze as he approached her with the corset, her face mesmerised at the sight of the monstrous garment. Recalling his own experiences at the hands of Lady Charlotte’s maids and without asking or being told he quickly and deftly wrapped the corset around her torso and before she could protest or argue he swiftly began tugging gently at the long laces.

Roberta appeared to be in shock as he nimbly pulled on the laces, her body jerking with every slight wrench.

“Oooh” she exclaimed painfully after he worked his way up the corset tugging the laces a little tighter

Aubrey smiled discretely as he glanced at the mirror and saw her face contort in discomfort with each little pull on the laces. He, a male, had endured this every day for months at the hands of female servants and for years Roberta, who as a female should have been wearing stays, was strutting proudly about dressed as a male. Life was so unfair.

If I have to be humiliated then so should she. he reasoned to himself.

“Aaah” she bleated as she struggled against each tug of the laces.

With each whimper he felt a surge of delight and had almost forgotten he too was wearing a similar constricting garment. It was music to his ears and he grew more confident with her every groan.

“Oh it’s not that bad…”he said in a dismissive tone echoing the maids that had gleefully imprisoned him in his own corset, cheekily he only belatedly added, “…Miss.”

Seeing the merest hint of a smirk on her maid’s face Roberta tried to gather her composure and self confidence.

“Don’t be impertinent, girl” she snapped with as much conviction as she could muster.

Another time, being called a girl would have subdued him but seeing Roberta’s obvious annoyance at her hopeless situation he felt it easy to dismiss the insult and besides, to deny or contradict her would only expose his secret. He realised the only advantage to wearing his humiliating attire was being allowed to not only witness her irritation but be a part of it, he answered her as a maid should.

“I’m sorry Miss.” he said in a faux docile voice and curtsied for good measure “I did not mean to be disrespectful, you have been very kind to me, I only meant that you will soon get used to the tightness after a few days.”

“Maybe like every other girl you have got used to it.” she moaned, her annoyance with him softened by his apology “I will never get used to these awful clothes.”

Her distress at being forced into these clothes continued to lift his spirits and he returned to his task.

“It won’t be much longer Miss.” he said as he resumed pulling the laces.

“Do they really have to be that tight?” Roberta whined as her body jerked once more.

“Unfortunately yes, Miss.” he replied warming to his role as maid cum tormentor. “Otherwise I will not be able to close the buttons on your gown.”  

He quickly tied the laces into a neat bow and tucked them neatly into the bottom of the corset like Lady Charlotte’s maid’s had done with him.

“Such a beautiful figure Miss.” he said positioning her in front of the mirror.

“Ugh!” Roberta grunted as Aubrey turned away smiling.

“Your stockings Miss.” he said picking up a pair of grey silk stockings and gesturing her to sit on the bed.

“How do you sit down in this ghastly contraption.” she whinged as she gingerly lowered herself onto to the bed.

Aubrey suppressed a smirk as he knelt on the floor, arranging his skirts around him he expertly slipped on one of the stockings on her right foot and eased it up her leg feeling a tingle of excitement between his legs as he did so. A pale blue ruffled satin garter quickly followed and mindful of her rebuke his hands did not linger as he manoeuvred it into place. He repeated the process with the other leg but his excitement made it difficult to concentrate on his task.

“Oh do hurry up girl” Roberta snapped “this is becoming so tedious.”

“Yes Miss, sorry Miss.” he replied slavishly.

After he finished he stood up, grateful his bulky skirts concealed his erect member.  Struggling to keep his mind off her soft corseted body he retrieved the first of her petticoats and lifted it over her head.

He heard a slight sigh of dismay and could sense her unease as he tied it in place on her hips, without comment he quickly had the second one over her head.

“Taffeta is such a lovely material.” he said as he arranged the petticoat over her hips.

“I hate it.” she hissed, much to Aubrey’s delight.

“And the last one,” he said as he slipped it over her head “is a beautiful silk one in a slightly lighter shade.”

He could see she really despised such feminine underwear and from his own experience he suspected she was about to throw a tantrum and perhaps threaten to remove the offending items. Such a scenario would cause trouble with her mother and Lady Charlotte and he knew this was something to be avoided at all costs. He reasoned once she was buttoned into her gown she would find it too difficult to remove much as he wanted to tease her further he felt it was better to put her into her gown first. Again from his own experience in being confined in such a gown he knew she would eventually accept, however reluctantly, her fate.

“Oh I almost forgot.” he said and busied himself in one of the drawers returning to her side moments later.

“Oh no.” Roberta said wearily “Not that ridiculous thing. Must I really wear that?”

“I’m afraid so Miss.” he replied in a deferential but determined voice “It is considered de rigueur for fashionable young ladies.” and hastily manoeuvred the bulky bustle onto her hips and secured it around her waist.

He could see that she was getting agitated at this latest addition to her cumbersome and increasingly feminine toilette.

Afraid that she would refuse to continue he decided to act decisively and without asking her permission or opinion he picked up one of the gowns her mother had laid out on the bed, a heavy silk satin creation of navy blue with chenille embroidery and swiftly placed it over her head. It was so heavy he felt his arms would not be able to hold it if she struggled against him but luckily she seemed to be so debilitated by her confinement in her new underwear she put up no resistance.

Just the way I was. he said to himself and  for a moment or two he felt an empathy with her but this was quickly decided this was no time to be weak and girlish.

Roberta seemed utterly dazed as he arranged the heavy skirt over her petticoats, he gently placed her hands inside the tight sleeves and pulled the bodice into place and quickly began buttoning the back of the gown. He could see her face in the mirror as he worked, she looked quite bewildered.

I never thought of a girl hating these clothes. he mused to himself as he studied her out of the corner of his eye, She is quite attractive but not in a conventional feminine way and she does look quite gauche and ungainly. Mrs  Cockshott will have a lot of work to turn her into a young lady.

Her downcast demeanour renewed his confidence and recalling the way Lady Charlotte’s maids particularly Sarah had teased and taunted him without being overtly insolent he decided to torment her in a similar fashion.

“Such a beautiful dress Miss.” he said as he straightened the narrow skirt and fussed with the geometric pleats.

She remained silent, her face becoming irritated.

“And your bustle gives your train such a wonderful shape, almost like a sculpture.” he gushed with false admiration.

“Oh stop blathering about this dammed dress.”Roberta snapped. “I feel like an idiot.”

Aubrey enjoyed her little outburst and as he turned to fetch her boots allowed himself another smile.

Roberta remained sullen as he buttoned her boots and he restrained himself from making further comments. Suddenly he thought of a way he could annoy her a little more and at the same time ingratiate himself into Lady Charlotte and Mrs Cockshott’s favour.

“If you sit at the dressing table Miss I can arrange your hair.” he said as he finished and before she could refuse he quickly added “Lady Charlotte will expect it.”

“Get on with it then.” she barked and tottered most inelegantly to the dressing table, grumbling as she went “These ghastly heeled boots.”

Arranging her hair posed few problems for the young man, hours of boredom in Lady Charlotte’s house had meant that when Sarah had suggested he help her try new hairstyles on some of the other servants he enthusiastically agreed.  It alleviated the monotony and allowed him out of his bedroom for several hours and under her supervision he learned the basics of hair arrangements which although simple proved to be quite elegant.

He held out the chair for her as she approached the dressing table.

“How in heaven’s name am I supposed to sit in these ghastly clothes?” she growled in an irritated voice as she lifted the cumbersome skirts whilst trying to manoeuvre herself onto the chair. “This really is ridiculous.”

“Let me help you Miss.” Aubrey offered insincerely as he fussed about her lifting her skirts and arranged them on the chair and added in a faux sympathetic tone “It will take a little getting used to, after all you have not worn lady’s clothing in such a long time.”

As Roberta shifted from side to side trying to make herself comfortable on the chair it was quite evident that these clothes particularly the bustle and corset were a source of great annoyance and much as Aubrey wanted to continue touching this obviously raw nerve he did not want to push her too far. He held his tongue and began brushing her hair. This seemed to calm her a little.

“You have lovely hair Miss.” he said offering a neutral compliment as he parted her hair and began braiding it as Sarah had taught him.

She grunted a reply as she watched him in the mirror, he was aware of her gaze and concentrated intently on his task.

“I don’t want anything too fussy, my girl.”Roberta said sharply trying to reassert her authority as she continued to shift uncomfortably in her seat.

Aubrey retaliated with a small but sharp tug on her hair as he continued to braid.

“Aaah” she squealed and snapped at him   “Are you trying to pull my hair out? You clumsy girl”

“Sorry Miss.” Aubrey replied in his faux meek voice “your hair is a bit short here.”

“Well be careful girl.”Roberta reprimanded him.

“Yes Miss.” he replied, smiling inside.

Unperturbed by her scolding he gave a few more slight jerks before he finally rolled the braid into itself and made a bun which he secured with pearl topped hair pins.

“Much more suitable Miss.” he ventured holding up a mirror to the back of her head so she could view his handiwork.

“Harumph” she snorted in disgust.

“Some face powder and lip colour would complete the look Miss.” he said aware of what her reaction would be.

She scowled at him in the mirror indicating what she thought of his suggestion.

He allowed himself another secret smile but in reality genuinely did think the application of cosmetics would enhance her appearance. After all and much as he hated to admit it he was a prime example of the transformative properties of such creams and powders.

“Just a little Miss.” he said, knowingly raising her ire once more.

“No!, you annoying girl.” she barked “Do you want to feel the cane again.”

“Oh no Miss.”  Aubrey baulked at the threat, cursing himself for pushing his luck, she was more powerful than him and at this point she was so annoyed she was capable of carrying out this ultimatum.

“Now help me out of this chair.” she snapped as she struggled to get up.

Moments later they were walking along the wide corridor skirts rustling in unison and as they reached the top of the staircase Aubrey could see that Roberta was becoming vexed once more. Putting her foot on the first step she almost stumbled, catching her boot in her skirts.

“Dammed absurd clothing” she spat as Aubrey came to her assistance. “Is it any wonder I stopped wearing such preposterous costumes?”

“If you lift your skirt and petticoats Miss.” he advised and gave her a demonstration on how to descend stairs in bulky skirts, “like this.”

“A man can descend a stairs without such trouble.” she snarled “Am I not right?”

Her sharp reminder that he was the exception to this caused a ripple of shame to rise up inside him but he quickly dismissed it, reasoning that this was not the time to dwell on such issues. Putting her remark to the back of his mind he expertly lifted his skirts with one hand and such was his expertise in descending stairs in full feminine attire he extended his hand to help Roberta as they gingerly made their way down the grand staircase.

“Thank you.” Roberta said graciously as they reached the final step. “You are obviously more used this than I. Now I suppose I had better get this over with.”

Aubrey followed her towards the door and could not believe how awkwardly she moved as she plodded across the expansive vestibule almost stumbling once or twice.

How inelegant, she walks like a pantomime dame he snorted to himself blissfully unaware of the irony as he sashayed gracefully behind her.

He knocked on the door and hearing the response opened the door allowing Roberta to enter.

Mrs Cockshott and Lady Charlotte sat on the large couch and Aubrey could see Roberta’s mother was clearly delighted by her daughter’s new feminine appearance.

“How enchanting!” Mrs Cockshott squealed with delight and turned to her friend “Your girl has done wonders. I hoped she could get her into a gown but a corset and bustle also? Quite remarkable. And her hair… such a difference, she really has the feminine touch.”

“Yes she has done well.” Lady Charlotte conceded with a smile, much to Aubrey’s relief.

“Oh do come here darling.” Mrs Cockshott gushed, indicating Roberta to sit on the smaller couch opposite.

With a most ungraceful gait Roberta trundled her way to the couch.

“Oh dear.” Mrs Cockshott sighed at the sight of her daughter’s lumbering movement and turning to Lady Charlotte whispered “She never was the most dainty of girls.”

“You look delightful my dear.” Lady Charlotte said as Roberta made several unsuccessful attempts to manoeuvre herself onto the couch before Aubrey came to her assistance and helped her settle comfortably onto the seat and remembering how servants should act withdrew to the window just behind Roberta.

“I’m glad she has your girl to help.” Mrs Cockshott murmured to her friend as both women observed the scene, their faces unable to conceal their disappointment.

Mrs Cockshott then turned to Aubrey.

“Please sit Aubrey my dear.”

Roberta gazed at her mother and Lady Charlotte in total surprise, such a request to a servant was most unusual. She looked at Aubrey, a puzzled look on her face.

“Oh do sit Aubrey.” Lady Charlotte said impatiently as Aubrey hesitated, his nervousness plain to see, “Mrs Cockshott is aware of your situation.”

Aubrey’s heart quickened dramatically and his legs refused to move.

“Sit…girl.” Lady Charlotte ordered brusquely.

Her use of the work ‘girl’ combined with a flash of her eyes calmed him somewhat, he lifted his skirts and gracefully lowered himself onto the seat next to Roberta whose expression was one of bewilderment at this breach of protocol.

“Mother, what exactly…”she began only to be interrupted by Mrs Cockshott.

“Hush Roberta.” Her mother ordered before continuing “It seems your maid is not what she appears.”

Aubrey heart quickened once more and he grabbed his skirts to steady his hands.

“It also appears I was a little too hasty in assuming that this young lady was Lady Charlotte’s maid.”Mrs Cockshott said rather stiffly looking at Lady Charlotte as she smoothed an imaginary crease on her satin skirt.

“Well I did try to warn you Leonora.” Lady Charlotte said barely suppressing a laugh.

“Yes I suppose you did.” she conceded “but really Charlotte you could have…”

“Oh it did not do the girl any harm.” Lady Charlotte interrupted her friend “In fact she needed a lesson in humility.”

“Would someone care to enlighten me?” Roberta said sharply shifting uncomfortably on her seat as she clumsily tried to rearrange her unaccustomed bulky feminine attire.

“Please keep your knees together Roberta.” her mother rebuked her “you are not at a music hall  in the company of those mannish friends of yours. Charlotte, would you inform Roberta of just how we have arrived at this farcical and most embarrassing juncture.”

Being economical with certain facts and names Lady Charlotte explained to Roberta that Aubrey was left in her charge by his mother and went on to explain how through Mrs Cockshott’s confusion Aubrey came to find himself in her mother’s house as her maid.

“So you are not a servant girl?” Roberta exclaimed.

“No Miss.” Aubrey said quietly and submissively still mentally chained to his role as Roberta’s maid and extremely nervous as to how she and her mother would react.

“My dear, there is no need to address Roberta as ‘Miss’ any longer.” Mrs Cockshott said in a tender tone, it was a tone as a maid Aubrey was not accustomed to.

“You mean she is no longer my maid.” Roberta addressed both women.

“Yes darling I’m afraid so.” her mother answered. “And as such she will return with Lady Charlotte.”

Although Aubrey- despite being forced to wear girl’s clothes- had enjoyed participating in Roberta’s discomfort he was extremely humiliated at been treated as a maid. If he had continued in this role he was sure Roberta would have used her power over him to humiliate him even further and despite being returned to Lady Charlotte’s home still dressed as a girl he was glad to hear he would finally escape Roberta’s clutches.

“This was the only reason I agreed to wear these ridiculous clothes.” Roberta said angrily, stamping her foot “I have no intention of remaining in them a moment longer.”

She made a clumsy attempt to stand up but got tangled in her skirts and fell back onto the couch.

“Now darling,” her mother said calmly “Lady Charlotte and I are of the opinion that there is no reason why you cannot continue your friendship with Aubrey.”

Aubrey swallowed hard.

What! He screamed inside his head.

Roberta remained silent as she assessed the various options.

“Of course that is contingent on you remaining in the appropriate feminine clothing as we agreed earlier.” Lady Charlotte quickly added.

“But I entered into this arrangement with the understanding that she would be…” Roberta answered trying to choose her words with care and gazed at Aubrey with a look that made him even more uneasy.“… er… close by at all times.”

Now it was Aubrey’s turn to shift uncomfortably on his seat.

“And so you will.” her mother said, both Roberta and Aubrey looked at her quizzically. “While you were upstairs getting dressed I received a note that my great aunt in Cambridge is quite unwell and has requested my presence. Lady Charlotte has suggested that you stay with her and Aubrey until I return. It could be a day, a week or a fortnight I will not know until I arrive.”

“I really don’t think…” Roberta began, her irritation clear in her voice but her mother immediately cut short her protest.

“Or perhaps you would like to accompany me to Cambridge?”

“Roberta, my dear,” Lady Charlotte said softly “You wanted to spend some time with Aubrey, now you have the chance.”

This seemed to clam Roberta and she looked at Aubrey and smiled.

“Of course you will have to obey my rules.” Lady Charlotte said.

“But this was not part of my bargain with Mother.” Roberta argued as she clumsily adjusted herself on her seat. “Why should I have to continue to wear these outlandish fashions.”

“I have no intention of arguing with you young lady.” Lady Charlotte replied dismissively and gracefully rose from the couch and addressed her charge, “Come along Aubrey.”

Aubrey arose from the couch in an equally elegant fashion, instinctively straightened his skirts much to the delight of Lady Charlotte before moving to her side.

“Such a pity, Charlotte.” Mrs Cockshott sighed as she too lifted herself from the couch and with a flurry of skirts and petticoats joined her friend. “They could have been such good friends.”

“Well I suppose Roberta feel she has her principles.” Lady Charlotte answered before turning to Aubrey “Why don’t you kiss Roberta goodbye.”

As Aubrey walked over to Roberta he felt conflicted, he enjoyed securing Roberta into the feminine clothes she clearly hated and then goading and irritating her but he also knew he was playing with fire. She already had suspicions as to his true sex and because of his loss of manly strength and her larger physique she could, if she was determined enough, overpower him quite easily and discover his secret. He quickly decided it would be safer to leave and it was with relief that he stood in front of her for the last time.

He was afraid to meet her eyes and closed them as he bent down to kiss her on the cheek, he suddenly felt a hand on his face redirecting it. His eyes opened as she kissed him on the lips her tongue briefly entering his mouth aggressively. He pulled back immediately.

“Thank… you… Miss.” he blurted the fright quite audible in his voice and forgetting his newly restored status he reverted to his servile role.

“Once a maid, always a maid.” Roberta whispered so only he could hear.

“Come along Aubrey.” Lady Charlotte said “I would like to get you home as quickly as possible.”

Flustered and blushing he quickly rushed to Lady Charlotte’s side.

“Now hold my hand Aubrey.” Lady Charlotte said smiling as she added “Like a good girl.”

“Goodbye Roberta.” Lady Charlotte addressed Roberta “You dear mother is right it is such a pity you could not accompany us but perhaps it is for the best. You seem to like Aubrey, she is usually a good girl but has an unfortunate tendency to be a little feisty and stray from the straight and narrow. She could be a bad influence on you.”

“Oh don’t be so hard on the girl.” Mrs Cockshott said stroking Aubrey’s increasingly reddening cheek “she just needs a little discipline. Isn’t that right my dear?”

Aubrey blushed furiously; he had no option but to nod, lowering his eyes as he did so.

“Yes she does need a firm hand.” Lady Charlotte said as she walked towards the drawing room door with Aubrey gripped firmly by the hand. They were so close their full skirts brushed against each other filling the room with that peculiar feminine sound. As they entered the hallway Lady Charlotte continued,

“Roberta was quite mature in the way she punished her upstairs I was most impressed but I suppose her Governess will see to that aspect of her education now. I feel she needs female companionship of her own social class to encourage her to grow into a proper young lady and express her femininity.”

“Roberta is so very stubborn.” Mrs Cockshott replied and looking at Aubrey added,“Lady Heathcoate’s daughter or perhaps Mrs Millington- Shaw’s niece would make a good companion.”  

“I had not thought of them” Lady Charlotte replied “Yes they are rather pretty and Aubrey is quite susceptible to a pretty face. I will ask them to call tomorrow.”

“Perhaps I could call on you tomorrow.” Roberta interjected.

“You have had your chance Roberta.” her mother said sharply as she opened the door for her guests “And Lady Charlotte does not want someone, even her goddaughter, arriving at her house in that dreadful  male clothing that you wear.”

“That is not what I…” Roberta began but was immediately interrupted by Lady Charlotte who spoke directly to her mother

“We will probably call on you when you return Leonora.” Lady Charlotte said as she kissed Mrs Cockshott on the cheek and repeated the gesture with Roberta before adding “I’m sure Lady Heathcoate’s daughter or Mrs Millington- Shaw’s niece would love to come to tea. I will invite them tomorrow. Now we really must go. Goodbye Roberta it was wonderful to see you again.”

Aubrey looked at Lady Charlotte with his mouth agape.

“Come along Aubrey.” Lady Charlotte said as she stepped out into the afternoon sunshine “And do close your mouth it’s so unladylike.”

Aubrey blinked in the strong sunshine as he heard the door close behind him.