Fall from Grace - A very short story with illustration

 

It’s been forever since I posted something and unfortunately, right now, the best I can manage is something very short. A story like this should take 2-3 weeks but took  almost 6 months, plenty of ideas but my concentration is shot to pieces.

Thank you for your patience and please forgive any typos, grammatical errors, I've only re-read this once so  I'm sure I've missed a few.  

I'll replace  the image at the top with  new one in a few weeks 

Carrie

Fall from Grace

By

CarrieP

 

 

 

B

elow stairs in the kitchen, the sound of the servants’ bell pierced the silence. The housemaid, supervised by the housekeeper, Miss Stripelove, was at work polishing the silver cutlery.

 “The mistress’s bedroom.” the housekeeper said, looking at one of the numerous small  silver bells mounted on the wall.

The uniformed maidservant’s eyes met the older woman’s and a look of apprehension came over the maid’s face, the pleading eyes were met with a firm look from the housekeeper.

 “Two rings, the housemaid’s bell.” Miss Stripelove confirmed looking directly at the uniformed figure, “You don’t want to keep the mistress waiting, girl.”

The servant’s silent yet obvious plea continued to be ignored but only for an instant.

It was a now familiar reaction but deep inside the maid knew such an appeal would never be entertained and understood only too well that the even slight hesitation in obeying was frowned upon and would quickly incur the housekeeper’s displeasure. With a heavy heart and eyes downcast, the maid surrendered to the inevitable.  The worried look was quite evident to the housekeeper but it did not matter, a smile of satisfaction appeared on her stern countenance as she recognised the humiliation etched on the maid’s features. She stood in front of her charge and smoothed the skirt of the apron and adjusted the pinafore straps before standing back to examine the final result.

“No need to be anxious my girl, Madam understands that you are nervous but she is also confident that you are reasonably well trained and expects you will acquit yourself admirably.  It would be a shame to earn another demerit so early in the week.

“Oh no... please Miss Stripelove.” The maid blurted, knowing what this would entail.

“Turn around, girl.” The housekeeper ignored the pitiful supplication.“Mmm... yes quite acceptable. Your apron bow is adequately arranged and your stocking seams are straight...for once.”

“Thank you Miss Stripelove” the maid answered with the required curtsy and in a relieved voice, knowing there would be several demerits for uneven seams or a poorly knotted bow.

“I take it you have been practising.” Miss Striplove asked.

The maid nodded sheepishly.

“Good girl.” Miss Striplove said “You really are a quick learner.”

The words ‘good girl’ stung, as they always did, however, the maid repressed the urge to wince, having learned  the harsh lesson over the previous weeks that the merest hint of discontent was viewed as an act of ingratitude. Such displays were frowned upon and carried with it several demerits and the inevitable punishment with Miss Striplove’s cane or paddle. It was something to be avoided at all costs.

“ Now run along girl, we don’t want to keep the mistress waiting.” Miss Stripelove dismissed the maid with a wave of her hand.

 

 

 “Enter” Emily Du Barry answered the gentle knock on her bedroom door and her new housemaid entered timidly, acutely aware of the other women in the room.

“You...you... rang Madam.” the maid said bobbing a curtsy, the quiver in the voice quite noticeable.

“Come closer.” Emily said softly “No need to be afraid, the ladies won’t bite’”

The maid inched forward, eyes still downwards.

“My friends will be staying with me for a few days and it is best that they are aware of our...”she paused as she glanced at her friends “shall we say...arrangement.”

“Arrangement?”  Honoria Glossop repeated looking up from her magazine, her face showing a little confusion.

“What on earth do you mean Emily?” Margot Harper added, momentarily turning her head from the mirror where she was adjusting her hair “The girl is a servant, you employ her, there is nothing unusual about such an arrangement.”

A look of alarm came over the maid’s face.

“What is the matter, girl?” Camilla Dukebury said noticing the maid trembling “You look like you are going to faint.”

“It may be her time of the month.” Honoria said in a sympathetic voice, but the maid blushed at the remark.

Emily smiled as she took the maid’s hand.

“You see, Evelyn.” she said, clearly delighted at her friends’ reaction. “The ladies are convinced you are a girl. You should be proud of yourself.”

The figure standing in the centre of the room was becoming visibly unnerved with the attention  of these formidable matrons and attempted to retreat towards the door but Emily’s grip would prevented any movement.

“Convinced you are a girl!” Margot repeated, her face taking on a confused look, “You really are not making sense Emily.”

  “Of course she’s a ...” Camilla joined the conversation, but paused and as her eyes remained on the increasingly anxious maid she addressed her friend with a note of astonishment. “Did you call her Evelyn?”

The maid let out a low whine and tried to pull away from Emily’s grip but to no avail.

 “Yes girls.” Emily smiled at her friends “Evelyn...my nephew, surely you recognised him but then again, he does make a reasonable facsimile of a girl, so maybe it’s no wonder you were fooled.”

The women looked at each other; their faces lit up with astonishment and quickly moved closer forming a circle around him preventing any hope of attempted escape.

“Evelyn!” Honoria blurted as she touched the maid’s face.” Is that really you?”

“Surely not...oh yes...I can see it now.” Margot breathed as she stroked the maid’s hair. “Of course, he was never the most masculine of boys but... but...this, Emily...your...

“Your...housemaid!” Camilla finished her friend’s sentence, as she placed a finger under the servant’s chin and raised his head until his eyes met hers. "Extraordinary, quite extraordinary. I had no idea.”

“I would never have guessed.” Honoria concurred. “When you opened the front door to us I assumed you were just another new servant girl.”

Her friends now looked to Emily.

 “Several weeks ago,” she began her explanation “and not for the first time I should add, Evelyn found himself in a most indelicate position which unless addressed immediately and discretely would have severe consequences for him and would have been extremely embarrassing for his mother, my sister and your dear friend. As his godmother and aunt, I was asked to intervene and resolve the issue, which I did. However, as his indiscretions are becoming more regular and ever more serious I had to ensure there would be no future episodes of a similar nature. The harm to his mother’s reputation would be irreparable.”

She paused to allow her friends to absorb this information, but they were too engrossed in inspecting the increasingly mortified creature in front of them to respond immediately.

“He was such an angel as a child.” Honoria sighed, eventually breaking the silence, not taking her eyes from the unfortunate young man. “But as he got older he did become more wayward and unruly.”

“No doubt, the absence of feminine influence and control whilst away at school.” Camilla lamented wearily as her companions nodded in agreement “It’s no wonder the poor boy fell into degeneracy.”

“A girl would never inflict such despair and heartbreak on their mother.” Honoria said “I can see now why you took such drastic action. It really was the only practical thing you could do, Emily.”

“We should have thought of it years ago.” Margot added. It would have saved him from himself; it would be very difficult to get into trouble wearing a skirt and heels.”

“Desperate times call for desperate measures.”  Camilla said, as she lifted the skirt of his uniform to inspect what lay beneath.

Having his true identity revealed to these ladies, all of whom he had known since childhood, was truly mortifying but having them inspect what he was wearing underneath brought his humiliation to another level. However, despite his anger he knew better than to protest, weeks under his godmother and Miss Stripelove’s authority had rendered him quite docile in the presence of the weaker sex. He stood motionless, the rebelliousness that was such a part of his nature had been quashed the moment he first donned his humiliating new attire. His head bowed and resigned to his fate, he meekly allowed these women to examine the ghastly garments underneath his degrading servant’s uniform.

“I see you have been most thorough.” Margot said, hoisting his uniform’s skirt above his waist and revealing a black satin slip with a deep lace hem.”I’m sure such feminine garments make it very difficult for him to parade male pomposity.”

“Very pretty.” Camilla said as she raised the slip and added in an excited voice as she exposed his thigh length open-bottomed girdle with its six garters anchoring his sheer black silk stockings. “Oh yes...yes... how very appropriate.”

“I was wondering how he had such a feminine figure.” Honoria laughed and lifting his chin with her finger, smiled, “Quite restricting, isn’t it dear boy? I’m sure like all women you will be glad to take it off tonight.”

Her companions laughed at the remark, knowing from experience how true this statement was.

“Oh that never happens darling,  I insist he wears a night girdle just in case he has one of those horrible male emissions during the night." Emily informed her friend. “You know what little self-control males have.”

“So he has no escape from his foundations, day or night?” Margot blurted.

“How wonderful!” Camilla giggled.

“Every male should be made to wear a girdle at night.” Honoria added with a snort of derision “They are incapable of even a modicum of restraint.”

“Hence his night girdle, it is part of his training.” Emily replied as her hand slipped between his legs. “Isn’t that correct Evelyn, those dreadful male urges need to be curbed.”

It was becoming unbearable for the unfortunate young man.

The urge to run for the door was powerful but from bitter experience he knew that while he could flee the room, dressed as a primly uniformed housemaid, where could he go?  In such distinct attire, he would cut a most incongruous figure in the street outside and would quickly be exposed as a male. It was his worst nightmare. Of course, his godmother and Miss Stripelove knew this and so were quite assured he would never attempt an escape.  Displays of anger or frustration were not tolerated under any circumstances, manfully he had to conceal the utter indignation at his new station in life.  The tall and powerful figure of Miss Striplove was ever present , ensuring  he remained servile and obedient  at all times. Now was not the time to attempt any form of protest as Miss Stripelove would be summoned immediately at the slightest indiscretion  and administer the inevitable punishment in front of these ladies.

 He immediately recalled one of his futile attempts at rebellion at the beginning of his incarceration, this had resulted in a most humiliating and distressing experience which took place in the drawing room’s large bay window, in full view of the street. Luckily there were no passersby, although from his prone position he thought the two maids dusting in the house across the street witnessed the degrading scene as they spent an inordinate time at the window. Naturally, he had no wish to repeat the experience, particularly now that Miss Striplove seemed to be pleased with his progress and had somewhat softened her attitude, and was now almost quite pleasant towards him.

No, he reasoned it is better to swallow what little pride he still had than risk further humiliation.

He was aware all eyes in the room were fixed on him.

“Yes Madam.” he answered timidly and curtsied for good measure.

“Madam!” Margot repeated with a smirk “You really do have him well trained, Emily.”

“But did he...” Camilla began but her friend anticipated the question.

“Did he resist being put into a housemaid’s uniform?” Emily smiled and looked at her godson “Miss Stripelove does not countenance disobedience. Isn’t that correct Evelyn?”

“Yes Madam.” Evelyn whispered, eyes downcast in shame.

“Surprising what effect  a minute or two over Miss Stipelove’s knee has on even the most stubborn of males. Within ten minutes he was struggling  into his first girdle and the following day he was able to fasten his own brassiere and ensure his nylons were correctly attached to his girdle’s garters. And unlike a lot of servant girls, he has no difficulty tying his apron strings into a perfect bow. So to answer    your question, yes he is becoming quite the well trained housemaid.”

 All three ladies clapped excitedly like over-excited seals in a circus.

Although he had known for several days that he would be presented to these ladies as an appropriately uniformed housemaid, nothing could have prepared him for the moment of unmitigated shame when it finally arrived.  Under normal circumstances he would have taken delight in deceiving these women, he had done this many times in the past as it amused him greatly to demonstrate just how naïve and feeble minded the female of the species could be. He had now once again managed to trick them but this time there could be no delight in his deception, no gleefully display of male superiority over the weaker sex. The bitter irony was not lost on him.

This time it was he who felt the shame and humiliation when the truth was revealed.  Being mistaken as a female was mortifying but presented as a servant girl was utterly degrading.

 Inside his head, he wailed silently. A servant girl. Not even a member of my own class.

 The prospect chilled him to the bone. The sheer ignominy of being dressed as a female was utterly degrading but, attired as an uniformed housemaid, was the ultimate disgrace. How many times had he been overbearing to servant girls? Pinching a parlourmaid’s bottom, occasionally feeling a housemaid’s breasts. Now, he was the servant and at the mercy of these women, unable to move as their groping hands explored his most intimate regions, caressing his satin clad buttocks and examining between his legs with a touch that, despite his feminine appearance, and to his horror elicited a male response. Miss Stripelove found any display of masculinity repugnant but she reserved her worst punishment for any manifestation of swelling in the sexual organ.

“Oh...I see you still have notions of masculinity.” Margot said with a sly grin as she turned to her friends, “Feel his little thing struggling to break free.”

Camilla and Honoria took turns in placing a hand between his legs feeling his organ, despite being tucked snugly under his testicles, twitched at each caress.

They smiled knowingly at each involuntary movement.

“Evelyn!” his godmother snapped “How rude of you, you know girls do not behave in that sort of disgusting manner. I’ve told you before to control your clitoris at all times. You know what this means... Miss Striplove will be most disappointed.

“Oh no...not Miss Striplove... please Madam...I...” he pleaded.

“His clitoris!” the ladies shrieked in unison.

“Of course he refers to it as his clitoris.” Emily informed her friends “ Girls don’t have those ghastly penises .Isn’t that correct Evelyn?”

The unfortunate young man was close to tears.

“Now tell the ladies what you have between your legs.”

He could not contain his emotions any further, a tear rolled down either cheek, quickly followed by another. He knew the reply that was expected and also knew a refusal would mean the arrival of Miss Striplove.

“My... clitoris Madam.” he sobbed. “I’m sorry...please don’t tell Miss Stripelove.”

Turning to her friends his godmother asked,

“What do you think, ladies? Should I inform Miss Striplove. The  last thing we want is the girl fingering herself.”

“Oh I think the poor boy needs more guidance than punishment, Emily.” Margot was the first to speak.

“Girl.” His godmother corrected.

“Of course ...how silly of me.” Honoria agreed and brushing away his tears with her handkerchief added “As a girl, you need to be nurtured not chastised.”

He took comfort from the conciliatory remark and hoped he had escaped another humiliating paddling from the housekeeper however; the look on his godmother’s face was not encouraging.

“Yes, we have witnessed Miss Striplove discipline.” Margot said “Do  you remember Emily a few years ago I borrowed her from you  to train one of my servants, the girl was having difficulty in adjusting to life in domestic service. Needless to say after a few weeks the girl was transformed into  the ideal housemaid, obedient,  courteous, devoted to me and fastidious about her appearance.  She is now perfectly content to spend her life in my service.”

“Miss Striplove’s methods  can be extremely persuasive.” His godmother said with a smile as she caressed his cheek and turned to her friends, “Evelyn has been here only a few weeks and look how far she has come. Not the perfect housemaid, I grant you, she still has a lot to learn but in another few weeks he will barely remember her life before domestic service.”

The young man felt a chill run  down his spine and anxiously  clutched his apron to stop his hands from shaking. He saw his future flash before him, a life of domestic servitude, wearing the uniform of a housemaid, performing menial tasks, an existence below stairs under the constant supervision of Miss Striplove and only allowed in the company of his own class  when the maid’s bell rang. Panic began to take hold.

“He doesn’t look too enamoured with the idea.” Camilla observed.

“Please...Aunt... Madam...please...don’t ...I’m...”he blabbered incoherently, tears now flowing uncontrollably. ”

“I’m sure he’ll be a good boy from now on.” Honoria said.

Another time Evelyn would have berated her for referring to his as a boy, he was almost eligible to vote, but that was now the furthest thing from his mind.

“Boy!” his aunt laughed and fixed him with her pale blue eyes “He’s not a boy any more, are you Evelyn?.”

The young man cast his eyes downward

“After all boys are not housemaids?”she added with a smirk.

He was consumed with shame, he knew what she wanted to hear.

“The ladies are waiting Evelyn.” his aunt said, more than a hint of impatience in her tone.

“Please...please Aunt...”he began temporarily forgetting his lowly position, “...Madam, please don’t make me...

“Say it.” his aunt snapped, interrupting his pathetic plea “Tell the ladies what you are, or should I ring for Miss Stripelove to help remind you?”

He knew the reply that was required, he had been trained to respond to the question by the housekeeper but he had never uttered the words to anyone but his aunt and Miss Stripelove .

The mention of the housekeeper and what would surely follow if he failed to answer struck fear into him.

“I...I’m... a...girl...a ...servant girl.” he simpered and burst into tears.

 “Now that wasn’t too difficult, was it?” his aunt said her voice softening as she dabbed his cheeks with her lace handkerchief before continuing, “You have made wonderful progress, Miss Stripelove and I are pleased with your efforts although we suspect you still harbour those dreadful masculine tendencies and as we have just witnessed disgusting urges. However, we are prepared to overlook those as you are still quite immature.”

“Oh thank you Au...I mean Madam.” he blurted relieved that Miss Stripelove would not be summoned.

“I think you realise I have been very fair to you...”she continued,

“Oh yes Madam., very fair. ”he gushed.

“Please don’t interrupt Evelyn.” she gently chided him before continuing “As a result of your efforts and to demonstrate our faith in you , Miss Stripelove and I think you deserve a second chance.”

The announcement came as quite a shock and the expression on his face made it quite evident he was unsure of what he had just heard, and with his mouth agape, looked quite bewildered.

“Yes, you heard correctly.” his aunt smiled benignly “You may no longer consider yourself my housemaid...unless you wish to remain in that position.”

“Oh ...no...no...thank you... Madam.”he babbled.

“Aunt Emily.” she corrected him, confirming his restored status and  gestured towards a large trunk by the wall.

He immediately recognised it as his own, the ladies watched as he clutched his apron excitedly.

“Of course you will remain here under my supervision until your mother is satisfied you have learnt your lesson.” she advised him in a cautionary tone.

He barely heard her condition as he was far too excited to know that he would now be free of these dreadful female clothes and no longer treated like a servant girl.

“Of course Aunt Emily.” he answered, thrilled at his good fortune.

“Well you had better remove your uniform then.” she said.

Elated, he began untying his apron and laid it neatly on the bed and then it suddenly struck him he would have to undress in front of the ladies. However  he quickly decided this was a small price to pay and besides they had already seen his dreadful lingerie and foundation wear. He fumbled at the zipper at his neck before Marot moved to his rear.

“Let me help you, my dear.” she said “Girls always have trouble with zippers which is one reason we require a maid.”

The others laughed as she brought the zipper down and as he struggled out of his uniform dress. Aunt Emily opened the trunk for him.

“I’m sure you will be glad to wear something more appropriate.” she said motioning to the open trunk.

“But... I...I ...you said...”he stammered looking at the contents of the trunk.

“I think this will look wonderful on you.” his aunt said holding up a pink chiffon tea dress.

“But...I ...it’s ... “he continued to jabber incoherently. ”It’s...a ...I mean...

“Yes Evelyn a dress, and a very pretty one at that.” Margot said examining it.

“Dior, how very generous of you, Emily.” Honoria added as she also inspected the gown “Not every boy...oh dear there I go again... I mean girl, gets such a beautiful dress so young.”

Stunned and utterly deflated, the young man now clutched at his black satin slip to stop his hands from shaking.

“Oh if you don’t like this one there is a similar one in blue.” Aunt Emily said picking up a powder blue dress. You’re right this is a more manly colour.”

“But...Aunt...Aunt Emily ...I ...I thought now that I had learned my lesson I could wear own clothes.” he blurted.

“Wherever did you get that idea from, you silly girl.” she answered, turning to her friends with a broad smile before handing him the dress.

“I think what your aunt is saying, darling Evelyn, ” Camilla said guiding him to the full length mirror and slipped the dress over his head, “  is you still have a lot to learn.”

“I think a pearl choker will complete the look.” Margot said.

“We really must get his ears pierced.”  Aunt Emily said to a chorus of approval.

“And a new hairstyle.” Honoria added enthusiastically.

Panic began to take hold as the zipper tightened around his neck, the women fussed over him, fluffing the skirt of the dress and adjusting the bodice.

“Perhaps, Madam would consider a very full bouffant.” A familiar voice  as sounded from behind him.

 “It would greatly enhance his femininity.” Miss Stripelove said, as slipped silently into the room.

“But that style requires a lot of maintenance, Miss Stripelove.” Margot said as the housekeeper approached. “Lots of heated curlers every night, it would take a lot of time and effort.”

“Oh we don’t mind a little time and effort now do we...Miss Evelyn?” Miss Stripelove, now standing behind him smiled as she fastened the pearl choker around his neck and looking in the mirror saw a tear trickle down his cheek.