Chapter 23 below has just been completed and posted below, the
illustration is at the end of the piece. I’m really not sure what readers will
make of it but you have been very supportive so far and hopefully you will like
it.
I suppose regular readers will have come to know that Aubrey’s journey
is a long one and being a stickler for detail Lady Charlotte wants to ensure
that you are spared nothing of the poor boy’s life under her authority.
My thanks as always to those who were kind enough to show their support
for the story by ticking the ‘more box and also to all who took the time and
trouble to comment. I greatly appreciate it.
Take care
Carrie
A Very Victorian Education
By
CarrieP
Chapter 23
T
|
he opening day of Royal Ascot was an event young men from the upper echelons of London society greatly looked forward to. It
was as much a social occasion as a sporting one,not unlike the thoroughbreds on
the racetrack it was a chance for these young colts, groomed to perfection, to
parade themselves in front of pretty fillies.
However sitting in the luxurious and
spacious carriage on his way to this wonderful occasion a young German
aristocrat, Karl-Maria von Uttendorf, could hardly be described as happy or
excited. In fact it was quite the opposite, he appeared sullen and irritable,
due in great part to the fact he was forced to make this excursion in the
company of three females. The youth was, like many of his peers, dismissive of
the fairer sex and although found them pretty and attractive they were more
decorative than substantial in any meaningful way and not to be treated with
much seriousness. His general view of women was one of frivolous, empty-headed
and foolish vessels and above all weak of mind and body. His displeasure was
heightened by being confined in such close proximity to the silks, satins and
taffetas of this weaker sex. It was quite obvious from the petulant look on his
face that he considered the journey to Royal Ascot to be tedious and wearisome
and was, even before the journey had begun. He would spend the time by making
plans to escape their tiresome company once they arrived at the racecourse.
Of his three female fellow travellers only
one, his mother, Magdalena Countess von Ottendorf, was known to him. The
others, Lady Charlotte de Winter and her goddaughter Roberta Cockshott had just
been introduced and even before the carriage had moved he was beginning to feel
agitated. Perhaps it was being so close to these bulky yet soft and extremely
feminine fabrics as they strained so obviously against their corseted bodies or
maybe it was the merest glimpse of a pleated silk petticoat peeking out from
under a skirt. It could possibly have been the delicate fragrances of perfume
in this confined space, whatever the source of his annoyance it was certainly
exacerbated by the instruction given to
the driver by his mother to proceed to a destination she referred to as St
Jude’s.
A crack of the driver’s whip set the team
of four chestnut mares and the carriage in motion and the young German gaze
fell on the last occupant which made up the carriage’s quintet. Seated between
his mother and Lady Charlotte’s goddaughter Roberta was a slight and pale
figure dressed in clothes similar to his own, this person had been introduced
as Aubrey St Clair, a ward of Lady Charlotte’s. The German youth, although younger
than Aubrey, was slightly taller and broader, more rotund in the torso and
plumper in a face that seemed to wear a permanent scowl. His mother considered
this a consequence of an excessive and indulgent lifestyle which she heartily
disapproved of. As a result this gave him the appearance of being older and
more self-assured than he had the right to be and consequently bestowed o him a
sense of superiority not only over the female sex but also males he thought
weaker than himself. It took the Countess’s son only a matter of seconds to
assess that there was something peculiar about the person sitting opposite him.
Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on, the prim way of sitting, bolt
upright with knees kept firmly together as if he was sitting on a rugged rock or
some other uncomfortable object. He noted the downcast eyes, the hands folded
neatly and a face with its high cheek bones and flawless pale skin that would
not look out of place in a Botticelli. The overall effect did not exactly
project a portrait of unvarnished masculinity.
Almost
effeminate, he snorted derisively to himself he would not look out of place in one of mother’s
gowns. If she had her way that’s probably how she would have me behave. Hah! No
chance of that dear Mother.
As he completed his assessment of this odd
specimen he suddenly became aware of Roberta fixing him with a steely gaze,
there was no playful smile, and perhaps it was a trick of the morning light,
but for a split second he thought he saw
her bare her teeth. He got such a fright he recoiled sharply almost hitting his
head against the hard wood of the carriage. None of the other passengers seemed
to notice anything unusual.
“Are you all right Karl-Maria?” Lady
Charlotte, seated beside him, asked.
“Er…emm … yes.” he spluttered pivoting his
head to answer her, still a little taken aback at what he just witnessed.
When he returned his attention to Roberta
he was met with a sweet smile, he shifted uncomfortably in his seat and looked
out the window.
“Don’t slouch Karl- Maria, sit up straight.”
his mother said sharply and patted Aubrey’s knee “Like Aubrey, such an
admirable young person.”
Aubrey cringed at her phrase ‘young person’,
it was obvious that the Countess considered him a girl dressing as a male. He
caught Lady Charlotte’s eye and her smile confirmed his suspicion. Adding
insult to injury Roberta whispered in his ear,
“Spread your legs darling, otherwise that
ghastly young man may think you’re not a boy.”
Such was his unfamiliarity with male garb,
indeed with the concept of maleness itself, Aubrey almost blushed at once more
being told how to act like a man- by a woman. He opened his legs slightly and
immediately felt uncomfortable, sensing that in some way this position was most
inappropriate. He had not adopted this
male pose for months , refusal to sit in a ladylike manner with knees kept
tightly together even under layers of petticoats and heavy skirts meant several
strokes of Alice’s cane in front of the servants. Aubrey was a very quick learner
and from that day to this he never once sat without his knees firmly together,
just like any young lady of his class.
Of course there was something else that
influenced him.
The object inserted in his rectum earlier
only magnified this discomfort and served as a sharp reminder that Lady
Charlotte had mounted him and used him like a girl. And to his eternal shame he
was physically incapable of preventing a mere woman from forcing him face down
on a bed and violating him. But worse, much worse than that – he enjoyed it.
Was it any wonder he was sitting like a
girl?
The young man glared at him but said
nothing. Somewhere in his brain Aubrey knew that in his arrogant prime several
months earlier he would have reduced this boorish youth to tears with a
barbarous comment. That seemed a long time ago and now devoid of such natural
male confidence he felt completely emasculated. His self-assurance and
brashness had been replaced by the meekness and timidity of a girl, he could
not meet the challenge of his companion’s contemptuous stare and like any girl
he cast his eyes downward.
“Are you looking forward to today?” Lady Charlotte asked the Countess’s son.
“Yes,” he answered coolly, sounding almost
bored “It promises to be a good day’s sport.”
“Yes Karl- Maria.” Lady Charlotte agreed
with a smile and her eyes flashed to the Countess “It certainly does.”
The Countess returned Lady Charlotte’s
smile and Roberta struggled but failed to suppress a laugh which clearly seemed
to annoy the young man.
“I appear to have amused you, ladies.” he
replied sullenly.
“Oh I’m sure it will be a good day for
those witnessing the spectacle, and the jockeys controlling their charges.”
Roberta retorted with a grin “But not, I suspect, for the poor dumb animals
under their whips.”
“They are used to a taste of the whip.” he
said in a patronising voice and took the opportunity to assert his male
superiority. “It is important that people in authority exercise control over
those under them. The army and navy are good cases in point, certain people
must be in charge otherwise there would be anarchy.”
He saw that all eyes were on him and he had
the attention of these women and their effeminate companion. Stretching out his
legs and provocatively hitting Aubrey’s feet his confidence grew and he warmed
to his theme.
“Yes, ladies” he said confidently and
looked directly at Aubrey, who winced at his jibe, before continuing “This is
also true of everyday life, nurses are subservient to doctors, servants and
wives are subject to the command of master of the house. Power must lie in the
hands of the man in authority.”
“Man?” Lady Charlotte enquired softly.
“Yes, my dear Lady Charlotte.” the youth
said as if speaking to a ten year old. “Mother Nature has endowed the male sex
will all the required qualities including superior strength and intellect to
assume dominance in any situation. Of course the weaker sex are such delightful,
pretty creatures and we bow to your expertise in areas such as domestic
management, nursery affairs, charitable causes, etcetera. But when it comes to
important matters I’m afraid ladies are far too delicate in mind and body to
cope with topics of importance and complexity. It’s far better that you
concentrate on looking pretty and ensuring your men folk are properly looked
after. No, giving any authority to women is patently absurd.”
The women did not comment but exchanged
glances and knowing smiles.
“Isn’t that right.” he addressed Aubrey and
asserting his dominance he arrogantly flicked his shoe against Aubrey’s.
Aubrey was taken aback and afraid of the consequences
of agreeing with the young man’s clearly offensive perspective. He looked to
Lady Charlotte for guidance. A discreet nod of her head indicated he should
answer in the affirmative.
“Y…y…yes. “ he hesitated and receiving another
signal from Lady Charlotte he added weakly “I suppose so.”
“Yes.” Karl-Maria, pumping out his chest, stated
emphatically, “For their own peace of mind it is important that ladies are far
better off deferring to the male in all things.”
“All things?” Lady Charlotte said quietly.
“Yes Lady Charlotte.” Karl-Maria answered
confidently “Men are more decisive and less prone to hesitancy and the
self-doubt that all women possess. Yes Lady Charlotte far better to allow men
to take all the decisions.”
“And tell me... Maria “Lady Charlotte
said looking him in the eye.
“Lady Charlotte…I must insist… you address
me by my…” he protested at her omitting the first part of his name but she
ignored him and continued
“Yes I’m sure you must.” Lady Charlotte
said brushing aside his feeble objection and moving even closer to him deftly
managed to drape the silk material of her skirt over his knee “But we are all
friends here so I’m sure you don’t mind us addressing you as Maria.”
“But…I… Lady Charlotte… you must…”he spluttered,
again failing to have his compliant acknowledged. The arrogance he had just
displayed was now fading visibly as her satin gloved hand held his and placed
it on the soft fabric.
“Now tell me…Maria.” she continued his hand
unable to break free “As a strong, confident and knowledgeable young man…”
She paused and once more looked at him
directly in the eyes, his face clearly flustered at her actions.
“Em.. yes?” he said.
“Do you like my dress?”
Aubrey observing this interaction felt
little sympathy for the arrogant young man and could see his face becoming
slightly flushed as one or two beads of sweat appeared suddenly on his
forehead. He knew what he was going through.
“Ah…er….ah… yes… ah… very nice.” he
stammered
“It’s from Paris, one or Worth’s latest
creations.” Lady Charlotte said breezily “Although I’m unsure if I really like
the deep pleats in the skirt. And the colour… mmm… perhaps a bottle green would
suit my colouring. What do you think?”
“Emm…ah… I’m afraid I know very little
about ladies fashions.” he barely managed to croak as he tried to release
himself from her grip.
“Oh come now Maria, as you said yourself
not moments ago, we should defer to you in all matters.” she said, her voice
gaining authority by the second.
“I…em…. I… meant” he spluttered but she
pressed on.
“The material is quite heavy yet so soft and
smooth.” she quickly added and firmly taking his hand and placing in her knee “Here
feel it for yourself.”
Aubrey could see the young man was using
what strength he had to avoid touching Lady Charlotte’s knee but it did not
surprise him that Lady Charlotte prevailed. Her eyes locked on the youth’s
seemed to bend him to her will. Once his hand came into contact with the soft
fabric of the silk his body seemed to stiffen in shock.
“Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?” she
asked.
Incapable of speaking he could only nod.
“My petticoats complement the gown of
course.” Lady Charlotte continued never taking her eyes off him, Aubrey noticed
him shifting uncomfortably in his seat as she firmly held in hand in place and
with her other hand lifted her skirts to reveal her petticoats.
“Aaah… oh…please Lady Charlotte” he
whimpered and looking towards his mother pleaded “Mother…please….”
“What concerns you Maria, Lady Charlotte is
merely asking for a man’s opinion Maria.” the Countess replied seemingly
oblivious to his flustered state “And as Lady Charlotte pointed out we should
bow to your superior knowledge in all things. After all you should have gained
some knowledge of ladies intimate garments when your cousin Gwendolen, the
Baroness, asked you to assist her in dressing. Not to mention your visit to
Madame Monique’s”
“Assisting a lady to dress?” Lady Charlotte
said in a surprised tone as she retained a firm hold of his hand. “And visiting
such an exclusively feminine emporium as Madame Monique’s.? You are right dear
Maria, men are exceedingly knowledgeable in all matters
He looked at his mother with fury in his
eyes.
“This is outrageous, I will not…”he began
trying to reassert himself.
“Hush now Maria.” Lady Charlotte said
softly guiding his hand up and down the silk material “There is no need for
unpleasantness.”
“Karl- Maria.” he blurted, his voice
cracking with a mixture of anger and frustration. “My name is Karl- Maria.”
“Not where you’re going.” Roberta said
quietly.
“What did you…”he retorted in a sharp but
confused voice quickly turning his attention to Roberta but Lady Charlotte
immediately intervened and pivoting his face to the older woman he felt a
little lightheaded.
Aubrey quietly observing the scene, could
tell the young man was becoming quite perplexed.
“Yes I’m sure it is …Maria. And please close
your mouth you look like a disoriented goldfish.” Lady Charlotte replied,
dismissing his obvious annoyance at her continuing to ignore his full name “I
was merely seeking your authoritative male opinion on my petticoats, are they
as fashionable as your cousin’s.”
The young man knew if he did not answer she
would only continue to interrogate him.
“Umm…er… yes.” he mumbled “Very similar.”
“And did you enjoy your visit to
Madame Monique’s” Roberta asked in a tone that was clearly mocking. “A most
unusual establishment for a virile young man to find himself in?”
He could feel the embarrassment heating his
cheeks at the recollection of that shameful day, he glared at Roberta but made
no reply. He turned his head to look out of the window.
“Yes, but I fear he found it a little intimidating,
a little too feminine.” the Countess answered for her son who immediately
turned his attention from the window and glowered at his mother.
“Don’t tell me Maria you were frightened by
the presence of women.”Lady Charlotte said with an inquisitive smile.
“No…no, not at all.” he replied desperately
trying to regain his composure despite a trickle of sweat making its way slowly
down his spine. He had tried and almost succeeded in burying this traumatic
memory but Lady Charlotte addressing him as Maria, just like his Nanny and
Governess, brought the horrifying experience to life once more.
Surely
Mother did not tell these people everything. As
this horrible thought ran through his brain, his eyes scanned the faces of his
companions searching for evidence of their knowledge of this unspeakable event.
“Entering the grounds of St Jude’s, your
ladyship.” the driver’s voice rang out.
He was never so relieved to hear a
coachman’s bellow as it seemed to distract the women who suddenly began to
chatter excitedly. Only the peculiar looking figure opposite him remained
impassive. He looked out the window as the carriage passed under the high
wrought iron gates with the name ‘St Jude’s’ over it. There was more wording beneath the
name in smaller letters but the carriage went by too fast for him to make it
out.
He was glad he was not required to interact
further with these tiresome women who thankfully were now fully engaged in some
senseless and, as it usually is with women, strangely exuberant conversation.
He fixed his eyes on the other fellow traveller.
“Do you know what place this is and why are
we stopping here?” he asked the quiet, nervous looking figure sitting bolt
upright opposite him.
“It’s a Finishing School for girls.” Aubrey
said still looking out the window, and observing the three women conversing
intensely but quietly he suddenly becoming nervous as the carriage made its way
through the extensive parkland towards the main building.
“A Finishing School for girls, eh?”
Karl-Maria repeated with a grin, his confidence returning now that his
interrogation by Lady Charlotte had seemingly concluded. He kicked Aubrey‘s
shoe to get his attention.
“You’ll make an excellent pupil.” he
taunted him, adding with a sneer “I’m sure you will fit in extremely well with
the rest of the young ladies.”
The remark stung him, but not as much as he
thought, which also surprised him. Before he had come under Lady Charlotte’s
influence he would have reacted immediately and with a fury that would have
buried this pompous young Prussian under a bombardment of insults and abuse before
challenging the youth to account for himself in the boxing ring. Now, however,
he was calmer, less volatile and had learned the value of remaining stoic in
the face of such disparagement. After all he had become used to such remarks-
indeed worse- from Lady Charlotte’s and her servants and eventually had come to
accept them as part of his education.
“No
doubt you would look very fetching in a gown and petticoats.” Karl-Maria
continued to provoke him kicking his foot once more.
Aubrey becoming more irked with his
aggressive behaviour briefly considered retaliating in a similar fashion but an
inner voice counselled him that such behaviour would be frowned upon by Lady
Charlotte. However he could not let the insult pass without reply. After
settling himself he looked at the youth in the eyes.
“Yes I’m sure I would.” he said softly and
in a natural, graceful and completely automatic movement he arranged his legs
in a more feminine pose, keeping his knees firmly together and crossing them at
the ankles “But it is such a pity I don’t
have one of Madame Monique’s corsets to wear underneath.”
The young man’s face suddenly became crimson.
There was no rejoinder he merely muttered under his breath before looking out
of the window.
Aubrey suddenly became aware of three sets
of eyes looking at him. He thought he saw a look of delight in Lady Charlotte’s
face and the Countess patted him gently on the thigh and Roberta beamed at him.
No words were necessary.
The carriage came to a halt and they waited
in silence for the driver to open the door.
As he alighted first from the carriage into
the morning sunshine, Aubrey in the unfamiliar role of a male stood to offer
assistance to the ladies as they would emerge. After a moment or two there was
no sign of anyone dismounting from the carriage and for some strange reason he
could not understand, he started to become anxious. He almost laughed at the
irony, dressed as a male for the first time in months and he was feeling odd,
like a fish out of water. Eventually, after what seemed like an age but was
less than a minute, Lady Charlotte beckoned him to approach.
“We appear to have a minor problem with our
young man.” she whispered into his ear “It will be resolved in a minute or two.
If anyone emerges from the school explain that one of us has come over a little
weak due to the heat. We will move the carriage out of the way in case there is
an unseemly scene.”
Aubrey could see that behind Lady Charlotte
the Countess and Karl- Maria were engaged in a heated conversation. Being
acutely aware through months of personal experience of Lady Charlotte’s
powerful personality he had little doubt that she would be proved right and the
youth would leave the carriage one way or the other.
As Lady Charlotte closed the carriage door
he suddenly realised he was alone for the first time, free albeit for a few
seconds from her smothering control- and wearing male clothing. He
quickly glanced around and estimated that the gate they had passed through was
only a few hundred yards away, maybe even less, he could reach it in minutes if
he ran through the rolling parkland. A shiver of excitement ran through his
brain and he tried to guess how long it would take him to cover the distance.
I was
a decent cross country runner, he said to himself. Even allowing for the fact I have not exercised in months I should still make it in
three, four minutes at the outset
Aubrey could clearly see through the
carriage window that the three women were fully engaged with the youth and
decided that this would be an opportune time to effect an escape. He began to
walk away from the carriage, slowly for the first few steps and then as his
courage grew at a brisk pace. Suddenly a most uncomfortable and troublesome
sensation shot through him and his stride shortened dramatically. He now knew
that Lady Charlotte’s device would not only remind him to remain true to his
promise to embrace femininity and eschew any masculine inclinations but also
the ghastly instrument would greatly impede any possibility of fleeing her
authority. He could not proceed at any reasonable pace without removing the
object, there were numerous trees where he could attempt the procedure.
Choosing a large and ancient oak which he quickly considered would adequately conceal
himself from both the carriage and the main building he gave one last look
around before he began fumbling with the buttons on his trousers. Just as he
undid the first button he heard the distinct sound of a barking dog, he didn’t
have to look around to know that the owner of the bark was a large animal. He
quickly redid the button and then looked around to see not one but two large
black Doberman a few hundred yards away making their way towards him at speed.
Fear gripped him and he began running towards
the carriage which by now was several hundred yards away however Lady
Charlotte’s object firmly lodged inside him immediately restricted his stride
and he was reduced to a most unmanly gait as he tried to reach safety. As he
progressed across the gravel the sound of his pursuers drew closer and he tried
to quicken his step but try as he did the uncomfortable sensation he felt would
not allow him to advance any quicker. He turned to see just how close the
hounds were and was horrified to see them within fifty yards at this rate he
estimated they would be on him in seconds however much to his surprise as they
got within ten yards they slowed to a walk.
“Stay perfectly still young man.” A voice
came from just over his left shoulder and as the dogs arrived the voice said
calmly “Heel.” The slobbering animals stopped within three feet of him, their
tongues hanging from their mouths, the saliva dripping to the ground heightened
Aubrey’s fear.
He remained rooted to the spot almost
hypnotised by the frightful hounds, eventually he turned his head slightly to
find two women, both with dark brown hair arranged in a style favoured by
middle aged matrons. As the dogs panted, fixing him with their large black and
seemingly hungry eyes the women also took the time to scrutinise him and from
his experience of women he knew they were memorising every last detail about
him. The women edged closer to him, their petticoats rustling as they did so.
The older women positioned herself on his right, tall and imposing she wore a
green brocaded satin gown in an open-robe style with a trained overskirt which
had ivory satin lining. A large bustle and Elizabethan style puffed sleeves
only served to reinforce her authority. The other moved to his left and he
noticed she was younger by a few years, her dark purple satin dress was
obviously heavily corseted giving its owner an air of command. It had ruffles
on the underskirt and a fringe on the overskirt which attempted to lighten the overall
effect of sternness but he doubted this ornamentation would have any impact on
the wearer. Both women’s attire and bearing instilled an immediate feeling of
deference if not outright subservience in the young man. Forgetting he was
wearing male attire he felt he ought to curtsy, as he would usually do when
encountering ladies of a certain age and social rank. However the fearsome dogs
in front of him had given him such a shock he could barely remember his name.
“Young man,” the woman in the green gown
addressed him gravely “You could have had a very nasty experience.”
“Yes very nasty.” the woman in the dark
purple repeated as she bent to pat each dog on the head. “Just as well we arrived
you could have been injured quite badly.”
He remained silent, his face pale and
trembling, still not recovered from what was indeed a narrow escape he could
only nod his agreement.
“Now, please come this way.” the older of
the two said and his legs still shaking, he gratefully accepted their
protection.
He was still quaking when they reached the main
building but managed to summon sufficient courage to glance back at the large
canines who were still staring at him and edging closer , following their
mistresses . Aubrey at last began to calm and although extremely relieved now
felt slightly ashamed at having to be rescued by women. The younger woman
turned to him as all three now observed the dogs from the safe distance of the
steps to the large house.
“Strum
and Drang are most protective of our girls.” She said looking at the two
Dobermans “They are trained to attack any male not accompanied by a female.”
“Although did you notice they stopped barking
as they approached him?” the older woman asked.
“Yes, very strange. Olivia” the younger
woman answered “Almost as if they were confused. I have never seen it before.”
Both women looked at Aubrey again, their
eyes searching every inch of him for clues. It was quite obvious that their
guard dogs’ behaviour had now piqued their curiosity.
“I suppose his features are somewhat…”
Olivia said and much to Aubrey’s unease began to examine him more closely, she
paused before continuing”… ambiguous, almost…”
“Yes, I also had a similar thought, Olivia.”
Lillian interrupted her companion in an excited voice as she too continued to
scrutinise him. “No doubt it will make our task easier.”
Aubrey was becoming more than a little
anxious at the tone of this conversation but as the dogs had not strayed from their
position he knew he could not move away from the protection of the two women.
“Thank you for your assistance ladies but I
think I should go.” he said hoping that the women would command the dogs to
leave.
Both women ignored him, resuming their
conversation as if he was an inanimate object. The hounds stayed in position on
the edge of the lawn their tongues still hanging from their mouths in a most
disturbing fashion, their eyes still fixed on him.
“Hmm…” Lillian pondered for a moment as she
held his jacket open and inspected his torso the way a tailor would “ Yes, we
haven’t had one of those delicate creatures in a while. And at least he appears
to have a good figure.”
This exchange was now becoming very
worrying for Aubrey.
“It’s just that... ”he tried to get their
attention “my companions…”
“Speak only when spoken to young man and
when you do, address me as Madam and my colleague as Miss Lillian.” Olivia said
sharply, her annoyance very obvious as she added “Do I make myself clear?”
Aubrey could feel a familiar anxiety mount
inside him, if his education over the last few months had taught him anything
–it was never contradict, argue or disobey a lady, particularly one who holds
herself with such obvious authority.
The response was automatic.
“Yes Madam. I am sorry Madam, Miss Lillian.”
he answered quietly, his eyes lowered as he had been taught and before he could
stop himself he bobbed a curtsy.
His eyes still downcast he heard no reply,
after a moment or two he raised his eyes to meet theirs, he could see their
expressions had changed. Where previously they viewed him with a cool hauteur
now their countenances were quite soft, almost affectionate. Both women clasped
their hands to their bosom and smiled at him as if he were a long lost son.
“Oh you darling boy!” Madam Olivia gushed
barely able to contain her emotion and much to Aubrey’s astonishment embraced
him tightly to her bosom.
“What an extraordinary young man you are.”
Miss Lillian trilled, her voice trembling with a mixture of joy and excitement.
“We were led to believe that you were a most unpleasant, troublesome, and dare
I say it obnoxious boy.”
“An exaggeration, I expect.” Madam Olivia
said slipping her arm into his. “Surely you’re not that type of young man?”
Aubrey had come to know that when a woman
like Madam Olivia had formed a certain opinion it would be extremely unwise to
contradict her.
“Oh no, Madam.” he replied eagerly.
“Good, I thought so.” she said “Any
unbecoming behaviour you have displayed must have been an aberration but such
little defects must nevertheless be nipped in the bud. Don’t you agree?”
“Err…emm…”he hesitated briefly before
deciding discretion was the better part of valour, “Yes Madam.”
“But don’t you worry your pretty little
head ,” Miss Lillian assured him as her arm slid under his other arm, “You’re
in safe hands and you obviously already have a very good foundation in how to
behave so we will ensure that those nasty little masculine traits are
eradicated quickly, once and for all.”
“Now I think we should have some tea before
we get you settled.” Madam Olivia said as both women began moving towards the
front door taking a stunned Aubrey with them.
“Still it is very strange he was left
alone. I thought the Countess would have accompanied him.” Miss Lillian said
“If Strum and Drang were asleep he could have easily escaped. That would have
been most embarrassing.”
“But… I’m not…” he blurted suddenly
releasing the danger he was in.
“Now my dear boy, you were told not to
speak unless spoken to.” Miss Lillian gently admonishing him and then addressed
her companion “Yes Olivia he still retains some dreadful masculine traits. Such
a pity, but they should not be too difficult to erase.”
“And he is pretty.” Madam Olivia
said “That will definitely help.”
“Yes, he certainly is, Olivia.” Lillian
answered caressing his cheek “the girls will be pleased. They like the
pretty ones.”
Aubrey was still desperately looking around
to see where the carriage was expecting Lady Charlotte to appear and save him.
A maid opened the front door and curtsied.
“Now come along Maria.” Madam Olivia said “I’m
sure you can’t wait to meet your new friends.”
The last three episodes have been excellent! You are on fire...
ReplyDeleteStay tuned for the next exciting chapter! How efficient will the staff at St. Jude's be in getting Aubrey dressed more suitably for his stay at the school? They are in a race to do so before Karl-Maria makes his unhappy entrance. How many new admissions will the school have today? Will they be required to bathe before being dressed more appropriately as female students?
ReplyDeleteAh, there is much adventure ahead. Their diary entries at the end of the day will provide some answers. Bath time and bed time will be very enlightening. The intake interview has already taken place- "We say, You do!"
Thank you once again, Carrie
Thank you Bonzodoug for your supportive comments and glad you enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteThank you also Phil for your continued encouragement. Aubrey certainly does face quite a challenge and much as he wishes to flee from Lady Charlotte’s strict and humiliating regimen of forced feminisation I suspect he strongly wishes she present to rescue him from an even more nightmarish scenario.
If, as the song says, Luck is Lady she appears to have deserted him.
Never having being incarcerated in an exclusively all female girls school I have no idea what awaits our hero but whatever it is I’m sure he will not find it pleasant.
Thank you again for you kind words and observations. I greatly appreciate them.
Take care
Carrie
Marvelous
ReplyDelete" smiled at him as if he were a long lost son"
ReplyDeleteOh dear, has Aubrey caught the eye of two more dominant maternal ladies? He has a knack for that.
One of the things I like about the ladies in this story is that they are both dominant and caring. They truly seem to lookout for Aubrey's best interest, even if it requires a strong hand. Not unlike how a little boy might be under the authority of his nanny or nursemaid, The boy may pout but they know what's best for him.
Sorry if that's incorrect, I tend to overanalyse things.
Also it was great to see Lady Charlotte interact with another young man(She seems to have quite a firm grip).
Thanks again for another great chapter. Your style of writing is very good.
Charlie
A little late Lupe, but thank as always for your support, I’m delighted you liked it.
ReplyDeleteThank you also Charlie for your kind words and observations.
Yes Aubrey does seem to be unfortunate in finding himself in the company of ladies who wield a great deal of authority and either cannot or will not view him as any different to young members of their own sex.
With regard to the type of women he encounters I think you are right that they care about him and only want what is best for him. I suspect they strongly believe that males need to be protected from themselves and the best way to do this is to ensure they are kept firmly under the control of a strong, forceful but caring female presence. More importantly the young man should be removed from the malign influences of male company and placed in an exclusively feminine world where he can be supervised properly.
Lady Charlotte believes that most young males would benefit from a strong feminine hand to guide them through life and it is her mission to ensure that males be brought under control and learn to be docile and obedient and understand that the true superior sex is the feminine one. Dressing them in pretty but restricting feminine clothes is the best way to achieve this.
Thanks for taking the time and trouble to comment I greatly appreciate it.
I have most of the next chapter written so hopefully I’ll be able to finish it in the next few weeks.
Take care
Carrie
Hello Carrie, your style is unique in luring Aubrey into the house through a psychological approach.
ReplyDeleteThe two women Olvia and Miss Lillian do their job very well.
I'm looking forward to the next sequel to your saga.
Now it could be very exciting again.
Greetings from Germany
To Our German Friend
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your kind words and continued support I greatly appreciate it.
Our hero is most unfortunate; no matter where he turns he is confronted by more formidable females.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ve just finished the next chapter, I just need to re read it and check for typos – so hopefully it will be posted in the next 2 days.
Take care
Carrie