A Very Victorian Education Chapter 22 with illustration

Below is Chapter 22.

Once again I had hoped we would be a little further along but in Lady Charlotte’s world life moves at a more leisurely pace and she has scant regard for the hopes and expectations of people like us.

My thanks as usual for your continuing support and also your patience for staying with such a long and at times convoluted story.

Take care.

Carrie

A Very Victorian Education

By

CarrieP

Chapter 22

 The dull clip-clop sound of horse hooves and rumbling carriage wheels gradually made their way through the auditory canal and into the brain of the sleeping Aubrey St. Clair. It was the sound that usually woke him and like every other morning for the past several months his automatic reaction before he opened his eyes was to check the material of his nightwear. As his hands felt the soft fabric he recognised the delicate touch of chiffon with soft, sensuous silk underneath, he let out a sigh of resignation. There was no need to confirm by sight that he wasn’t wearing a man’s nightshirt. Just like every other morning  since he had entered the home of  Lady Charlotte de Winter he found himself enveloped in the soft embrace of silk or satin nightgowns in the most delicate and feminine shades. And this morning like every other morning under her roof was no different. The half awake young man was neither disappointed nor surprised, merely resigned to his situation.

He had become used to the soft and luxurious caress of such feminine fabrics and although he would never admit it to anyone in this house, he was not repulsed by the sensations the garment caused. In fact it was one of the few pleasurable moments he would experience in any day.  Invariably these sensations led to an engorged sexual member and although extremely gratifying and sensual for him it was considered an affront to female sensibilities and frowned upon by Lady Charlotte and Alice, his Governess. If his manly state of arousal was discovered it would result in a humiliating punishment. Usually this took the form of his Governess bringing him to orgasm with a padded satin glove which under normal circumstances would be a most desirable experience. However these circumstances could not remotely be described as normal. Once discovered to be in a state of arousal the entire domestic staff were assembled to witness Alice slowly and tortuously coax his swollen organ to its inevitable climax.  In her expert hand he was powerless and as she would manipulate and massage his aching penis to orgasm he had to declare – much to the amusement of the female servants – his fervent wish to be dressed and treated as a girl.  He knew the consequences of such a pronouncement of course, shame, guilt, humiliation but like any male on the cusp of orgasm he was helpless to withstand her sublime touch and would have admitted to anything she asked, no matter how outrageous or humiliating.

This was a morning and evening ritual over the weeks and months under Lady Charlotte’s authority and combined with the female clothing  he was forced to wear he could feel his masculinity ebbing away day by day. Despite this heinous treatment he felt he still managed to retain a semblance of manliness but he was unsure how much longer he could hold out against the constant and unwavering tide of femininity that he was subjected to.

Now as he began to stir from his slumber he was aware of the usual effect the soft material had on him and he could feel another awakening between his legs, and like any male his hand automatically slipped down the silk fabric to touch it.

His eyes opened in fright as instead of locating a rigid penis lying on his stomach his hand was drawn between his legs where his organ was straining but unable to assume its usual erect posture.

“Ah I see our young Miss has finally awoken.” Lady Charlotte’s voice broke the silence as she stood over him with Alice behind her.

“There should be no need to check if she is a naughty girl, your ladyship.” Alice said in a confident voice and to his consternation removed the bedclothes, lifting up his pale pink satin nightgown to reveal a tuft of pubic hair, his penis tucked neatly between his legs, she added with a self-satisfied smile “The device remains in place, it has never failed yet but I think you should see for yourself.”

Lady Charlotte examined his groin closely and with her fingers testing to see if there was any looseness in the cord holding his member securely between his legs.

“Yes. Quite immobile.” Lady Charlotte said as she continued to tug his corseted penis, checking for slackness and as she fingered the glans she added, “Although it does seem to be in a state of mild excitement. I wonder why that is?”

“Perhaps I should milk her as usual m’lady.” Alice asked a little too quickly for Aubrey’s liking, he felt a shiver run down his spine.

“Perhaps that may not be necessary, will it Aubrey?” Lady Charlotte asked and touched him lightly on the cheek “That’s only for badly behaved girls? And you’re not badly behaved, are you?”

Confined in its corset and secured between his legs his organ was incapable of standing erect but despite this Aubrey sensed that Alice was extremely keen not to be denied her morning custom of degrading him in front of the servants. He also perceived that, for some reason he could not quite put his finger on, Lady Charlotte’s manner towards him was quite warm this morning. Of course she had always maintained that she was very fond of him and only had his best interests at heart. She considered being dressed as a girl could only improve his character and ultimately he would thank her for her foresight.  Naturally he was incensed at this commandeering of his masculinity but such were his circumstances when this outrage began he was physically powerless to prevent her nefarious scheme. However time has a way of diluting even the strongest emotions and his antipathy towards her dissipated and although he never accepted his fate he did become somewhat resigned to it. He considered this a result of not only of his confinement in silk and satin gowns but also the exclusively female milieu from which, like his feminine clothes, there was no escape.  His anger like his masculinity although not completely subdued had indeed undergone a considerable transformation and even he had to acknowledge he was not the arrogant and impertinent young man he once was. In fact since yesterday he felt he had changed even more and for a reason that escaped him he could not figure out what it was.

When I’m fully awake I’ll think about it.

He looked at Lady Charlotte’s enquiring but smiling face, he rarely had the option of avoiding Alice’s clutches and would not let this rare opportunity pass even if it meant compromising what remained of his masculinity.

“Oh no, Lady Charlotte.” he blurted and with a furtive glace in Alice’s direction he swallowed another sliver of his pride “I’ve been a good girl.”

He moved slighty in the bed and became aware of a slight feeling of discomfort in his backside.

Suddenly the previous night flashed before him and his eyes widened as he looked at Lady Charlotte. His penis immediately became flaccid.

“You see Alice he is a good girl.” Lady Charlotte said caressing his cheek as she noticed organ go limp.

Alice, also noticing his emasculated member, interjected  

“And well –behaved, your ladyship.”

 “No doubt you feel a little…tender.” Lady Charlotte said, a note of compassion in her voice.

He moved again to check he wasn’t imagining it and although it wasn’t overly painful he winced slightly.

A fog of bewilderment descended on his brain, with his mouth agape he could only nod in repy. Lady Charlotte smiled sympathetically.

“That’s only to be expected when a girl experiences love for the first time.” she said and kissed him gently on the cheek. “Now roll over and Alice will apply something to ease your discomfort before you get dressed.”

Aubrey watched her hips sway gently as she walked towards her dressing room. The haze in his head began to clear as Alice moved to the bed. She looked down on him with a look of mild disappointment.

“Roll over Master Aubrey.” she instructed and as she reached for a rubber glove he froze, noticing his expression she smiled “I should say Miss Aubrey.”

The consequence for his manhood had suddenly dawned on him. He felt the tears well up inside and he turned his face to the pillow, in his distress was only barely aware of Alice turning him over. He felt his nightgown being lifted and could no longer hold back the tears.

“Yes,” Alice said, a thoughtful look on her face as she repeated “Miss Aubrey…yes it has a much more natural feel to it particularly after last night.”

Of course he had been called ‘Miss’ before by the servants and in Madame Monique’s corset emporium by everyone he came into contact with. But this was different. Both he and Alice knew since the events of last night there was now much more significance attached to the feminine honorific.

 “Hush now Miss” she said gently, her gloved finger stroking his cheek.  “There’s no need to be upset.  The mistress has a beautiful body, such magnificent breasts, having them pressed against your back must have been delightful for you.2

She paused for a moment to allow this sink into his brain and then continued,

“You now know what women experience, to feel someone on top of you, feeling their body press against yours, unable to move and submitting to their will.”

His sobbed softly at her words as his experiences from last night replayed in his head. Of course he considered  his violation at Lady Charlotte’s hands outrageous and degrading. Although even as he recalled this mortifying episode he took comfort from the thought that at least he tried manfully to escape from under her control. Alas such was her complete dominance over him he was unable to do so.

“But…”Alice said her hand now gently caressing his buttocks “I saw your face .You did derive pleasure from her ladyship’s… shall we say … expert and gentle ministrations.”

He raised his head from the pillow his eyes red with tears.

“I…I…”he stuttered trying to protest at this scandalous remark.

“Don’t try to deny it.”Alice interrupted him in a soft but firm voice “I’ve seen that look before, wide eyed and open mouthed. And you were wiggling those hips like a shameless hussy.”

“I…I… it’s not …”he weakly objected, knowing deep inside him that there was more than a grain of truth to what she said.

“No need to be ashamed… Miss.”Alice whispered into his ear “The mistress is extremely experienced in such matters. Now that you’ve lost your virginity, like all girls it will be so much easier next time. And if you’re a really good girl she may allow you to play with your little clitoris. Won’t that be nice?”

“Virginity…clitoris…”he repeated, the tears flowed once more as he buried his head in the pillow.

“There… there… my dear.”Alice said gently kissing him on the head “As I said there’s nothing to be embarrassed or distressed about. You should be proud that her ladyship was your first.”

Sobbing into the pillow he suddenly felt a cool and soothing sensation as her gloved hand applied a lotion between the cheeks of his derriere, just as he had relaxed his body  he gasped as he felt something inside him. It was uncomfortable for a second or two but not overly so and to his shame –just like with Lady Charlotte’s incursion – he felt a stiffing in his genitals.

”It’s just another part of being a woman, you will soon get used to it.”Alice’s voice drifted into his ears, his hips involuntarily writhed to her touch and he desperately tried to suppress a whimper as she continued “You will learn that being under a woman both physically and emotionally will bring you a great deal of pleasure, if you’re suitably submissive of course. Which, I have no doubt are or very soon you will be.”

He felt a slight degree of discomfort but the pleasure he experienced more than compensated for it and although he was experiencing some unusual yet gratifying sensations he could not help but feel extremely disturbed at her words.

Submissive? What exactly does she mean? The thought flashed through confused brain. I have no intention of being submissive to ….

“Ooooh.” he squealed in a most unmanly voice, as he felt another spasm  run through his body and his hips gyrated to her touch.

As if reading his mind, another gentle probe of her finger quickly reminded him of the irony in that thought, he emitted another low moan of pleasure as his penis pulled against its constraints.

“You will remain quite submissive, isn’t that right Miss Aubrey?” Alice asked.

Oh…oh… yes… yes…”he squealed as he finally understood he was indeed as helpless as a girl.

He felt her finger withdraw but immediately gasped as something slightly larger replaced it. His face rose from the pillow displaying a mixture of disbelief and bewilderment.

“Oh that?” Alice said as if what she had just done was the most natural thing in the world “Consider it a little reminder that you have not yet completed your education. Just because you will be wearing those ghastly male clothes for a few hours her ladyship doesn’t want you forgetting you’re a young lady.

She withdrew and patted him gently on his derriere before adding

“Now time to get dressed.”

But…I…it’s…”he struggled to make sense of his situation as he gingerly lifted himself from the bed.

Alice ignored his blubbering as she quickly divested him of his nightgown and with a look of hauteur handed him a pair of pale blue silk pantaloons frilled at the knees. Intensely ashamed at the pleasure he had experienced, he could not bring himself to look her in the face and with downcast eyes he took the now familiar ladies intimate garment and pulled them up his legs. And as he did so he winced as he felt the unfamiliar sensation of something inside him.

“Yes.” Alice said observing his reaction and handing him his trousers added casually ”I expect it is a tad uncomfortable but her ladyship does not wish you to forget all the progress you have made. I suggested that this little object will keep your mind focused and that you are under Lady Charlotte’s authority at all times.”

With a smile she watched him gingerly step into the garment and the slightly uncomfortable expression on his face confirmed he would have little difficulty in being reminded of that fact.

“Ah I see you have been fitted with your little aide-memoire.” Lady Charlotte’s voice announced her return. “A little…”she enquired with a smile as she searched for her preferred choice of word “…disagreeable?”

He squirmed both physically and mentally, his embarrassment clearly visible.

“Please Lady Charlotte…”he pleaded as he wriggled his hips “This…thing…must I…”

“My dear, dear Aubrey,” Lady Charlotte said in a soft but authoritative voice as she cupped his face in her hands   “This really is for your own good. You have made so much progress it would be a great shame if wearing these clothes dragged you down into the gutter of those dreadful male habits we have all worked so hard to raise you out of.”

Aubrey shifted from foot to foot, still trying to come to terms with the new sensation inside him.

“But…I…”he tried to interject but Lady Charlotte put her finger to his mouth to silence him.

“Please don’t interrupt Aubrey.” she said firmly “As I was saying, you are evolving into a more polite, courteous, respectful and, if I do say so myself, you are very close to becoming the epitome of elegance and sophistication. We cannot risk you reverting to those hideous and repellent male qualities.”

She looked at him, her face soft and encouraging she added,

“Surely you must understand, my dear boy I only wish to help you.  You know I would not insist on this if I thought it was not necessary. We all need a little help to ensure we do not fall back into bad habits. To take one instance, women especially of our class, wear corsets to ensure good posture, without them we would slouch, fail to comport ourselves properly, not to mention risk developing various kinds of medical problems. How could the lower orders respect us if we did not carry ourselves like true ladies? We must bear this little discomfort for a greater purpose. And of course it is the same for you .The little item Alice has inserted will keep you reminded to carry yourself as a woman as well as your promise of continuing to embrace feminine values. You do remember that promise, don’t you?”

She patted him gently on the cheek.

Of course she was correct he had indeed made that promise, several times in fact. However in his defence this was as a result of months of being forced to wear corsets, petticoats and hideous silk and satin gowns. Although he did not want to admit it he  had  to accept  he had lost many of his male personality traits, quick-temper, arrogance, supreme self-confidence, masculine entitlement  to name but a few. These were gradually but unquestionably replaced by more feminine virtues of modesty, unassertiveness, shyness, obedience and of course submissiveness. Obviously he had tried to resist absorbing these qualities but he feared his complete immersion in this exclusively female realm had taken its toll and he had indeed been imbued with certain feminine characteristics.

He was convinced that this daily confinement in restrictive feminine clothing under the constant supervision of a household of women would break the spirit of even the most resolute, steadfast and masculine of young men.

Would it not? he asked himself.

There was no need to answer, it was a rhetorical question but he did so anyway.

Yes! Of course it would.

“Aubrey.” Lady Charlotte’s voice roused him from his thoughts “Are you listening to me, you silly girl. You do remember your promise?”

The events of last night and just a few minutes previously made any denial or protest impossible. Addressing him as a girl merely emphasised his subjugation.

He submitted quietly to her authority.

“Yes Lady Charlotte.” he answered softly and with great shame added “I remember.”

“Good girl.” she said her face softening once more “Of course once you are out of male clothes your little…ahem… friend will be removed.”

She nodded to Alice signalling her to finish dressing him.

The approving smugness on Alice’s face only accentuated the ignominy he felt.

He remained motionless as Alice went about her task slipping a black silk chemise with ornate lace at the neckline over his head and then held a white shirt for him to slip his arms into. It didn’t take her long to button the shirt and tuck it and the chemise into his trousers. She expertly arranged his puff tie before sliding on his waistcoat and buttoning that also. On completion she added insult to injury as she placed her hand between his legs to ensure his organ was securely in place and did not show.

“Yes.” Alice complimented herself as she ran her hand over his groin area and addressed her remark to Lady Charlotte “A very smooth line, as if there is nothing there at all. Just like Miss Roberta when she wore those dreadful male clothes.”

Aubrey could feel another layer of humiliation wrap itself around him as she led him to the mirror.

“Mmm… yes your ladyship” Alice said straightening his tie and adjusting his waistcoat as she admired  her handiwork and to ensure any confidence he felt from his new clothes was undermined she added disdainfully  “Quite passable as a male if not examined too closely, perhaps not as much as Miss Roberta but should be more than adequate nonetheless.”

“Yes Alice I suppose it does. Although it breaks my heart to see him in such clothes, he is far more suited to wearing a dress but we have little choice.” Lady Charlotte sighed “The Countess has told me her son does not like to be part of exclusively feminine company and may refuse to accompany us to St Jude’s so she has asked me to provide some suitably male company. ”

 She paused and stroked his cheek gently, casting her pale blue eyes over him for a few seconds she eventually continued,

“He has such a wonderfully androgynous features those who have met him are not quite sure if he is male or female. I would imagine there are times when even you, dear Aubrey, are not certain either.”

She sighed once more, it was obvious to Aubrey that seeing him in male clothes, although considered necessary for her plan, was also slightly dismaying for her. She forced a smile before resuming.

“But today you will have to act as a male however it is very important that during this subterfuge you do not forget your promise to me. Your little aide-memoire will ensure you remember this . ”

Aubrey thought he heard a snort of derision from Alice at this remark but although he couldn’t be sure it had the desired effect, reinforcing his lack of masculinity. She was right of course, the object inside him did indeed remind him how Lady Charlotte had physically treated him as a girl the previous evening. And although the initial discomfort had subsided a little he was still acutely aware of the contraption’s presence.

 She slipped off her peignoir to reveal she had already partly dressed, in chemise and petticoats. Alice retrieved the corset she had indicated she wished to wear in pale blue silk. He knew from his now deep and wide knowledge that it contained double boning throughout, the front seams had quarter inch bones.  A lace trim and an ornate satin bow at the breast gave it a delightfully feminine touch which attempted to disguise and feminise what was an obviously formidable garment. By now of course he was familiar with all styles of corsetry and had grown used to wearing one on a daily basis. In fact now that he was not wearing one left him feeling a little strange, almost exposed, as if he was only half dressed.

“I think we should allow Aubrey to lace me Alice.” Lady Charlotte said “Obviously I would never countenance a male performing such an intimate task but under the circumstances…”

She didn’t finish the sentence but the inference was crystal clear.

Now that she had mounted and penetrated him Aubrey would not under any circumstances  be considered a male in her eyes.

Alice smiled at her mistress’s observation and with a barely disguised look of contempt on her face handed him the heavy corset.

“Perfectly understandable your ladyship.” she said “young Miss Aubrey is as well versed in all aspects of a lady’s toilette as any girl.”

“Yes Alice you have trained him well.” Lady Charlotte replied much to Alice’s delight and Aubrey’s shame.

“Thank you m’lady” she said giving a respectful curtsy

“”Come along Aubrey.” Lady Charlotte addressed him as she positioned herself by the bedpost “We must hurry the carriage will be here in an hour and we should have a little breakfast before we leave.”

Alice was correct of course, Aubrey having been subjected to being dressed as a female for several months was indeed quite familiar with every aspect of the art of dressing and undressing in clothing of the opposite sex.

The room fell silent as he expertly wrapped the heavy corset around Lady Charlotte, clipping the front studs into place and ensuring the garment settled snugly on her hips, waiting until Lady Charlotte had arranged her breasts to her satisfaction before he continued. Beginning at the middle as he had been taught he gently pulled the laces an inch or two before moving to the top to do the same, then repeating the procedure, allowing Lady Charlotte to adjust each time to the tightening around her torso.  No one spoke as Lady Charlotte placed her hands on the bedpost which was the signal for him to continue. As he drew the laces tighter her body jerked slightly but his own everyday experience taught him that this was normal, as were her slight groans as the garment slowly constricted her body. Hearing her give a slight moan and seeing her body compress as he pulled the laces gave him a feeling of control. No wonder the maids pleaded with Alice every morning  to lace him into his corset.

“You seem to be enjoying this.” Lady Charlotte said as if reading his thoughts, he hoped his face did not betray him.

As he completed the procedure and tied the long laces into a neat knot, he folded the slack and tucked it tidily under the end of the corset. As Lady Charlotte moved to the mirror to check herself Alice positioned another mirror so she could observe herself from the back.

“A lady’s maid could not have done it better, don’t you think Alice?” Lady Charlotte smiled clearly delighted at Aubrey’s efforts.

“Yes, your ladyship.” Alice answered, closely rechecking the lacing “Like any girl, such tasks are now second nature to young Master Aubrey.”

Naturally he felt aggrieved at both of their remarks however he was acutely aware that to voice any protest would be viewed as petulant and ungracious- and he knew only too well what the consequences of such behaviour would be.

Not for the first time he swallowed his pride and managed to force a smile. Alice seemed disappointed at him not rising to the bait however Lady Charlotte seemed genuinely pleased with him. She embraced him, holding him tightly and kissed him gently on the lips, such was her effect on him that he could feel his organ swell and at the same him his plug seemed to move inside him. His cheeks became a little flushed and he lowered his eyes. It did not go unnoticed by Lady Charlotte.

“Oh what a perfectly delightful girlish reaction.” she beamed “Now help Alice with my dress Aubrey.”

As they finished dressing Lady Charlotte there was a knock on the door and Sarah one of the housemaids entered carrying a try.  Alice and Lady Charlotte moved to the dressing table to select jewellery, Sarah drew closer to Aubrey and said with a sweet smile,

“My, my, you do look very pretty today Miss. I barely recognised you in those clothes.”

Referring to him as ‘Miss’ cut him like a knife. Even when dressed as a girl he was usually addressed by the servants as “Master Aubrey, and although it may have sounded ridiculous even a source of amusement to them it was one of the last vestiges of masculinity he could cling to. It reminded him underneath the silk and satin gowns, the layers of petticoats and constricted by heavy corsetry he was still a male. Now even this was being taken away from him.  It was clear to Aubrey that the girl had done this deliberately to demean and humiliate him even further. Several months ago, before he had been forced into those dreadful feminine clothes, before he was reduced to this shadow of his former self he would have soundly rebuked her but now he had neither the confidence or the courage to do so. Such was his impotency in the face of her insolence the best he could do was glare at her. To his surprise, or if he was more honest, his alarm, she was confident enough to return his glare with a  well disguised  look of derision but slyly added in a pleasant voice loud enough for Lady Charlotte to hear.

“Yes Miss, very pretty. You look quite the gentleman.”

A little intimidated by her he took a slight step back as she continued to hold him in her intense gaze.

“Aubrey!” Lady Charlotte voice startled him “The girl has given you a compliment, where are your manners?”

He looked at Lady Charlotte and immediately knew it would have been extremely difficult to convince her that the girl, a maidservant, had been insolent to him merely by the expression on her face.  He had little choice.

“Thank you Sarah.”

“You’re welcome…”she replied in a faux sincere voice, fixing him with her laughing grey eyes she paused a few seconds before curtsying and adding “…Miss”

As she left she took another layer of his masculinity with her.

“Now Aubrey, a little breakfast before we leave.” Lady Charlotte said standing by the table waiting for him to hold the seat for her “We need you to keep your strength up.”

He thought he heard yet another snort of derision from Alice but Lady Charlotte appeared not to have noticed. Despite his indignation at her continuous sniping even he had to admit he had no more strength than a twelve year old girl.

Sitting down he winced and let out a girlish squeal as his behind touched the chair. Lady Charlotte nodded to Alice who immediately produced a plump pink satin cushion and placed it on the chair with a knowing smile. He lowered himself gingerly onto the cushion and after moment or two slowly relaxed his cheeks.

“Yes it is an efficient reminder.” Lady Charlotte said and gesturing to the tea pot added “Now please pour our tea like a good boy.”

He was grateful when Lady Charlotte dismissed Alice and now  alone she discussed the day ahead with him, reminding him that the Countess considered him to be a female who had until recently had a tendency to act and dress as a boy. The purpose of Aubrey’s change of clothing was to provide an extra male in the company to assuage the ridiculous sensibilities of the Countess’s son – a young man who found an exclusively female company to be most irritating- that he would not be overwhelmed by femininity. This idea greatly amused Lady Charlotte and uncharacteristically she laughed loudly, well as loudly as her impeccable ladylike manners would allow her.

“Yes, most entertaining, don’t you think so Aubrey?”she said as she composed herself “The thought that a young man should feel so threatened by a gathering of weak females.”

+++++++++++

Aubrey shifted uncomfortably in his chair and it wasn’t his plug that caused his uneasiness. He knew exactly how the Countess’s son felt but in his present circumstances could not voice his true opinion, to do so would surely incur Lady Charlotte’s displeasure. To his shame and with a degree of practiced eagerness that sounded quite genuine, he answered

“Yes, very amusing.”

Lady Charlotte seemed pleased with his response and patted his knee. He could not be sure that Lady Charlotte believed him

“Whatever the reason,” Lady Charlotte said after sipping her tea “Your presence, dressed as you, will lure him into a sense of security until we arrive at our destination.”

Aubrey winced at the thought of what this young man would have to endure but said nothing.

The door opened announcing the arrival of  Roberta dressed in deep blue silk satin gown with chenille embroidery, the narrow skirt with geometric pleats gave Roberta an almost sculptured look no doubt as result of a long heavy and well laced corset. She made her way across the room with a most unseemly gait which Aubrey thought most unbecoming and did a great disservice to such a beautiful gown. He could tell by the rustling sound that she was wearing at least three petticoats one of which was taffeta.

What Aubrey did not notice was the look on Lady Charlotte face observing him as he mentally inspected every inch of Roberta. As a woman she recognised the expression on his face as being exactly the same as any female when one of their own sex enters a room. In those few seconds Lady Charlotte could see from the intensity of Aubrey’s gaze he was scrutinizing and examining every aspect of Roberta , her walk, the way she held herself and of course the gown itself. Unused to petticoats around her ankles Roberta stumbled halfway across the room and had to hold on to a chair to steady herself. Aubrey allowed himself a little smile, he would never be that clumsy.

So gauche he said to himself and suddenly realising Lady Charlotte had been studying him, he blushed.

“Yes she is rather inelegant” Lady Charlotte, reading his mind, whispered to him as they both watched Roberta trying to rearrange her petticoats.”That gown would look so much better on you my darling.”  

“Slowly, Roberta.”  Lady Charlotte instructed her as she resumed her journey “Small steps, just as Aubrey has taught you. Please remember you are not in a race.”

As Roberta reached them Lady Charlotte gestured to her to sit and join them. This manoeuvre, just like every other that women had to perform in bulky and cumbersome garments, did not come naturally to Roberta and she had to make a number of attempts before she could sit comfortably. As he observed the slightly irritated look on her face as she struggled with her unwieldy bustle  Aubrey thought that even with an object inserted in him he appeared less troubled than her. He rose from his seat and helped her arrange her skirts so she could lower herself properly.

“Are all these really necessary Lady Charlotte.” she said in a clearly frustrated tone as she poured herself a cup of tea. She looked at Aubrey with envy “It took almost an hour for one of the maids to dress me. Why can’t I dress like Aubrey? She is far more suited to these clothes than I am.”

Aubrey desperately wanted to refute this outrageous remark but deep down he knew that the evidence would not support his argument. After all every woman that he had come into contact with at Madame Monique’s had noted how elegantly he comported himself when dressed in even the most elaborate and bulky of gowns.

“That may very well be the case.”Lady Charlotte admitted, much to Aubrey’s annoyance but not his surprise “but if you wish to stay under my roof you will wear what I say. You can leave now if you wish.”

Roberta looked at Aubrey dressed in the simple, manageable and convenient clothes of a gentleman and sighed, resigned to her fate. Aubrey was her prize, and she had come so close to acquiring it last night only to be foiled at the final hurdle by her godmother. She had become infatuated by this wonderfully enigmatic not to mention extremely attractive creature and was determined by any means necessary to claim her trophy- even if it meant wearing this hideous feminine attire.

Her silence confirmed her submission to her godmother’s authority.

“I thought so.”Lady Charlotte said affirming her supremacy adding in a softer voice “You look quite delightful that colour really does suit you.”

Over the next few minutes Lady Charlotte outlined the Countess’s plan to dispatch her son to St Jude’s Finishing School for Young Ladies. Aubrey could see that Roberta was intrigued and became animated at the idea of confining an arrogant, egotistical, vexatious not to mention misogynistic young man in an exclusively female environment where he would be dressed as a girl. It was enough to almost make her forget her own annoying predicament.

“Roberta, please try not get over- excited when we are en route.” Lady Charlotte said “He may begin to suspect something is amiss and attempt to flee and, dressed as we are, it will be difficult to stop him.”

Something flickered inside Aubrey’s brain.

“If I was dressed in male garb I would have no difficulty in preventing any escape.” Roberta said.

Difficult to stop him!, Escape! Lady Charlotte and Roberta’s words reverberated in Aubrey’s head.

“I do not foresee such a situation arising.” her godmother replied “Aubrey, dressed as he is, will reinforce the ridiculous sense of masculine superiority – until it is too late.”

Roberta looked at Aubrey with an expression of mild scepticism.

“She will have to act a lot more manly.” Roberta smirked “For heaven’s sake Aubrey sit in a more masculine fashion.”

A puzzled look came over Aubrey’s face.

“Your legs, my dear.” she said softening her tone as if talking to a child “You have them crossed at the ankles just the way any girl would do. You must sit with your legs apart like a man, I know it’s most undignified and probably quite indecent for someone as ladylike as you but if you don’t the Countess’s son will think it a most peculiar pose for a male.”

Aubrey saw Lady Charlotte doing her best to suppress a smile and not for the first time this morning Aubrey felt his cheeks redden. Roberta’s accurate remarks were yet another stark reminder of just how feminised he had become. Being told by a girl how to act like a man did nothing for his confidence and cursed himself for his inability to arrest this slide into femininity however he immediately followed her advice and worried what other aspects of his masculinity had he lost?

“Much better.” Roberta said and noting his lack of a bosom she added “Your breasts have obviously being bound so pull back your shoulders. It will give you an added appearance of masculinity.”

“Excellent advice, Roberta.” Lady Charlotte praised her goddaughter “Your knowledge of male comportment will be most helpful to Aubrey. Isn’t that so my dear?”

“Yes Lady Charlotte.” he answered trying to disguise the irritation in his voice.

“It’s obviously been several years since she has gone through her tomboy phase.” Roberta said “and  is far more suited to voluminous feminine garments than simple and convenient male attire. I should be wearing...

“Hush Roberta!” Lady Charlotte sharply admonished her goddaughter “If you continue with the subject you will not accompany us.”

Roberta was only too well aware of that Lady Charlotte would carry out this threat, she frowned but remained silent, reluctantly stifling her criticism of Aubrey’s suitability. She immediately reasoned there was far too much at state to annoy her godmother.  Witnessing the Countess’s son being detained in such a establishment would be a delightful experience and one she did not wish to miss. Her mother had sent her to a similar school and she found it dreadful. It was full of fussy middle aged  tutors and a curriculum based on an outmoded ideal of femininity such as flower arranging, embroidery, management of servants, and a heavy emphasis on fashion and grooming and something which Roberta particularly hated- corsetry. She also did not wish to miss the opportunity to be alone with Aubrey.  If she was honest she also did not want this delightful creature, which she had desired from the moment they had first met, associating with a school full of sex crazed girls. She sat quietly as Lady Charlotte continued to discuss how she expected the day events to unfold and after several minutes she brought the discussion to a conclusion.

“Now my dears, it is time to go.” she said rising from her chair “The Countess will be  here shortly and we do not wish to keep her and her son waiting.

As they stood at the top of the stairs Lady Charlotte addressed Aubrey,

“Please ensure Roberta does not stumble Aubrey.”

Aubrey knew what she meant and turned to Roberta who was looking down the long and wide staircase with a irritated look on her face and muttering something under her breath.

“Oh do stop complaining Robeta.” Lady Charlotte sighed in an exasperated tone “Aubrey will help you.”

“Lift your skirts a little higher than your ankles with your right hand” he said quietly “and take my hand.”

Roberta glared at him at the suggestion but knew she would struggle to negotiate the stairs alone and reluctantly she offered her hand.

“Don’t get too used to this.” she hissed as they safely reached the bottom rung of the stairs, her handsome face quite clearly annoyed at her enforced dependence on him “You’ll be back in skirts before too long.”

“Yes.” Lady Charlotte, ignoring her goddaughter’s fit of pique, agreed with a smile as she turned to Aubrey and straightened his tie “He does look so much prettier in a beautiful silk gown.”

“He!” Roberta repeated in astonishment much to Aubrey’s horror.

“Oh come now Roberta.” Lady Charlotte said with a smile and stood back to inspect his clothes and as Aubrey noticed unperturbed at her use of the male pronoun “You must admit Aubrey does look quite handsome, perhaps not as masculine as some of your ghastly friends but he does have a slightly male quality about him.”

“If, by male, you mean one of those foppish, effeminate types that are tied to their mother’s skirts,” Roberta sneered “Then yes, Aubrey does look vaguely male.”

“Pay no heed Aubrey.”Lady Charlotte consoled him with a smile “She is just jealous.”

“Of course there is one thing that everyone appears to have overlooked.”Roberta said as Aubrey and Lady Charlotte looked at her with curious expressions.

There was silence as Aubrey looked at Lady Charlotte, Roberta sighed as moved towards Aubrey.

“The male appendage, ladies.” she said and gestured towards his groin “Our darling Aubrey masquerading as a male is clearly devoid of such an essential protuberance.”

Aubrey, his member neatly secreted between his legs, winced with shame. Roberta’s observation was indeed true. His trousers showed no discernible appearance of the defining article of the male sex. Months of being told his countenance was more feminine than masculine had eroded his male ego and the excursion to Madame Monique’s merely underlined this Now finally dressed as a male the one thing that characterised a male was absent.    

“Oh dear.” Lady Charlotte sighed “well hopefully no one will pay much attention to that… that area.”

“I could put something down there.” Roberta said and looked at Aubrey with a grin “to make to look a little more manly.”

Aubrey had thought that returning to male clothing would quickly restore a manly appearance but glancing in the large hall mirror was visibly disappointed with the result and had to look long and hard to detect a sense of that very masculinity. Months of being dressed as a girl had distorted his  sense of self,  in every mirror every day he was so used to constantly seeing himself dressed in an elegant gown it was  now difficult to readjust  to this strange  reflection staring back at him. The image, his image, presented a most ambiguous figure.  The face, devoid of facial hair or a strong muscular jaw portrayed the most delicate features – the full lips, narrow jaw, and porcelain skin associated with the weaker sex. These soft almost fragile characteristics were in stark contrast to his male garb. However much as he tried to convince himself he was worthy of his male attire these observations undermined his confidence, He could not dislodge the recent memory of Roberta reminding him on how to sit as a male and the previous night how she had considered his gait to be too girlish. It was most disheartening to contemplate that now at last he was dressed as a man he appeared more feminine than masculine.

“That,” Lady Charlotte said sharply with a hint of disgust “will not be necessary. Aubrey is far too genteel for that sort of thing.”

Alice who had been standing by the hall window approached her mistress and interrupted the conversation.

“The Countess’s carriage has just arrived, your ladyship.” she said.

“Come along girls.” Lady Charlotte instructed her charges, placing Aubrey between herself and Roberta “We must not keep the Countess waiting.”

As she slipped her arm under Aubrey’s pulling him closer to her she whispered in his ear,

“We don’t want to lose you, my darling.”

Positioned between their swishing skirts and rustling petticoats, his female guards led Aubrey to the door towards the waiting carriage.

Once inside and again positioned between Roberta and Lady Charlotte, the material of their silk and satin gowns encroaching on his legs, it took Aubrey a moment or two to gather himself. Opposite him sat the imposing figure of the Countess dressed in a pale lilac silk taffeta gown, the skirt deep pleated with a festoon attached. The young man sitting next to her was dressed in a similar fashion to Aubrey and from the look on his face, a mixture of scorn and displeasure, it was obvious that he was less than pleased with his new travelling companions.

Before the Countess and Lady Charlotte had time to formally greet one another the voice of the driver came through the top of the cab and addressed Lady Charlotte,

“Where to, your ladyship?”

Aubrey glanced at the vexatious young man opposite him then noticed Lady Charlotte’s eyes meeting the Countess’s, they exchanged knowing smiles before the Countess replied in a strong clear voice.

“St Jude’s.”