Relative Interference - A new short story

 As mentioned in my last post, below is the story I wrote while trying to finish the latest AVVE episode.  Hopefully I’ll be able to finish that episode in a few weeks so perhaps this will keep readers interested in the meantime. The illustration below is one I did for the last episode of ASP but did not post(apologies OGF, you have seen this before, I did not have time to make  new one.)

Thanks again to all who ticked the “more box” I take that as a gesture of support for my efforts.

I didn't have much time to proof read this so apologies if there are typos or jarring sentences.

Carrie

Relative Interference.

By

CarrieP

“I’m afraid I have some bad news William.” Mrs Sophia Dearlove addressed the young man in front of her and patting the seat next to her on the couch added “please sit down.”

The young man immediately knew there was something seriously wrong as he had never before been invited to sit in his employer’s presence.  He looked nervously at Miss Grayson the housekeeper and his immediate superior before taking such a liberty, sitting down in Mrs Dearlove’s company would be quite a serious faux pas for a member of the domestic staff. However Miss Grayson nodded her approval but given his position in the household he was still reluctant to do so.

 “It’s quite all right William.” the housekeeper reassured him “you may sit next to the mistress.” 

It had now been several months since Mrs Dearlove had first met him at the orphanage where he had spent the previous six years. She was attending a charity event and afterwards as he had served her and her glamorous female companions’ coffee she had engaged him in conversation. He clearly remembered how he blushed when she remarked how delicate and feminine his features were, an opinion that was endorsed enthusiastically by her friends. Miss Parker the orphanage’s matron noticed the group of women talking to the young man and joined them. Mrs Dearlove quickly established that the young man would remain in the orphanage’s care for another two years, something the boy was deeply unhappy about as Miss Parker was a petty tyrant and now that his education had come to an end she was using him as unpaid labour. He recalled how his heart raced as Mrs Dearlove asked if he would be interested in a position in her household.  Given Mrs Dearlove‘s power and influence with the orphanage’s Board of Directors Miss Parker had to agree when William quickly agreed to her offer. The position was as a houseboy and despite some initial apprehension by the exclusively female domestic staff  he had been treated reasonably well as the sole male.  The work wasn’t too hard and Miss Grayson the housekeeper was far kinder than Miss Parker, apart from a few misdemeanours for which he had received a mild punishment he had been very happy. Until now.

With all this coursing through his mind it was with a great degree of nervousness that William crossed the deeply carpeted floor to join Mrs Dearlove on the couch.

“William, my mother will be staying with me for a few months and ....”Mrs Dearlove said softly, almost apologetically “...well....she has some unusual ideas regarding male domestic servants.”

William looked at his employer with a quizzical look, Mrs Dearlove took a sip of her tea then continued,

“You see she has had several bad experiences in the past with butlers, footmen etc. and will not employ a male servant. Such is her aversion that she will not even stay in a house that has a male servant. So you see my dilemma.....unfortunately I will have to send you back to the orphanage.”

“Oh Madam ...please not that.” the young man pleaded.

“I’m so sorry William but there is very little I can do about it.” she answered sympathetically.

“Please Madam.” he implored now almost on the verge of tears at the prospect of being returned to the orphanage, “I’ll keep out of her way, stay in the kitchen, the garden...anything.”

“I’m afraid that would not make any difference.” she replied in a regretful voice.

“Please...Madam....”he was begging now and slipped off the couch onto his knees.

Miss Grayson bent down and whispered in her mistress’s ear.

“Oh I don’t think the boy would agree to..... that Miss Grayson.” Mrs Dearlove answered her housekeeper, “But...” she hesitated “... with his features, those wonderful high cheekbones and those beautiful long eyelashes perhaps he would  pass.”

William sensed   there was a suggestion of a lifeline, he would grasp at any straw that was offered as the very thought of being returned to the orphanage was enough to make him weep. Anything would be better than that.

“Stand up dear boy.” Mrs Dearlove said and rising to his feet both women examined him closely “yes...yes.. if mother is any way reasonable I think it may be a solution.”

“Turn around William.” Miss Grayson ordered and he quickly complied “Yes Madam he certainly has possibilities and I’m sure if he was given some intensive training perhaps Madam’s mother would be willing to consider the idea.”

William didn’t know what they were talking about but felt that whatever it was there was no doubt Mrs Dearlove seemed very enthusiastic and positive, even Miss Grayson seemed more animated than usual. He sensed there may be some hope of resolving the issue and while they were engaged in their conversation William considered his own situation. There were many advantages to working for Mrs Dearlove, he was treated much better and life in this house was easier than the orphanage, the food was also better and there were fewer restrictions. Of course he was still a servant but at least his uniform of a white jacket and black trousers appeared more casual than that of a maid’s uniform. In this outfit he imagined he could have been mistaken as a visitor to the house but no one could mistake a female servant as there was a strict uniform code for Mrs Dearlove’s female servants , blue or grey dresses in the morning and a black one in the afternoon  with the regulation white apron and cap of course.

“William!”  are you listening?”  Mrs Dearlove said in an exasperated voice, interrupting his thoughts. He looked at her blankly.

“Miss Grayson believes there may be a solution to our little problem.”Mrs Dearlove informed him as she looked at her housekeeper “ a trifle unusual but my mother may agree.”

“That’s wonderful.” William blurted, barely containing his excitement “what is it?”

“As my mother’s objection is to male domestics, you will be dressed as a housemaid.” Mrs Dearlove exclaimed, clasping her hands to her bosom with excitement and smiling at him expectantly. “you have such delicate.... almost feminine facial characteristics, a little make-up and a light colour lipstick would work wonders.”

“And with the correct foundation garments your figure would be transformed into a more girlish figure.” Miss Grayson beamed, delighted with her solution.

William thought he was hearing things.

“A housemaid?” he repeated incredulously.

“Yes, yes” Mrs Dearlove declared in an exhilarated voice “Isn’t it a wonderful idea? Mother could not possibly object.”

“I would have to dress as a....a... housemaid? A... girl?” he asked still unsure that he had heard her correctly.

“Yes of course, it’s the only way we could keep you here.” Mrs Dearlove replied her voice now losing patience with his questions.

“Well.....I.....it’s just that...a housemaid....”he stammered not knowing how to respond to such an outrageous suggestion.

“Yes it is unusual I suppose.” Mrs Dearlove said “but there is no alternative I’m afraid. I suppose it was too much to ask but I really thought you were happy here but I do understand it is not every day you are asked to dress as a girl. Such a pity I think you would have been a great addition to the staff. But it is your decision.”

So many thoughts were running through his head and he barely noticed Mrs Dearlove had retreated to the couch looking extremely disappointed.

“While you are packing Miss Grayson will call a cab to take you back to the orphanage.”

Those last two words sent a shiver down his spine, Miss Parker the matron would view his return from such a prestigious establishment as Mrs Dearlove’s  as a personal insult and he knew she would make his life miserable.

“I...I...”he spluttered

“Yes?” Mrs Dearlove said.

“I.. didn’t mean to... be disrespectful Madam.” he babbled as he struggled for the words.

“Yes?” Mrs Dearlove repeated her eyebrows arching ever so slightly.

“I mean I would like to stay.” he finally blurted.

“As a housemaid?” she said as she elegantly crossed her legs and fixing him with her large grey eyes added, “ and....wearing the appropriate uniform?”

He looked at Miss Grayson who still held the telephone in her hands and felt anything would be better than returning in disgrace to Miss Parker.

“Yes Madam.” he mumbled.

“Please speak up boy I can barely hear you.” she said and he could hear the irritation in her voice, the last thing he wanted was to get her angry.

“Yes Madam I would like to stay .....as.....your... housemaid and I will wear the appropriate uniform.” he blurted and as the words left his mouth he could feel a wave of shame wash over him.

“Excellent, Mother will be here soon so we had better get you into your new uniform. Miss Grayson,will you locate something in his size and meet me in my bedroom.”

William was still in a fog at what he had just agreed to and mindlessly followed Mrs Dearlove up the staircase to her room. In the months he had been in her service he had never been in Madam’s bedroom as Miss Grayson felt it would not be proper to have a male enter the mistress’s bedroom.

“Stand by the bed.” she instructed him as she went to the mahogany tallboy “and take off your clothes.”

As he began to slowly remove his shoes Miss Grayson entered with various items in her arms.

“Oh do hurry William Madam’s mother will be here shortly and we don’t want her to find we have a male servant in the house.” she said in an urgent voice and turning to Mrs Dearlove said “I think these will fit him Madam, they are your former lady’s maid’s uniform, although they may be a little bit tight.”

“I’m sure once he is in this his new uniform will fit wonderfully.” she said returning to the bed and held up a long pale blue satin corset with long laces dangling from its eyelets.

William by this time had stripped to his shorts and gasped as she held it up to his torso, the full implication of agreeing to her proposal was finally beginning to emerge in all its horrible reality.

A corset I have to wear a corset he cried to himself.

“Yes dear boy” she said noticing the shocked expression on his face “I’m afraid wearing restrictive corsetry is among one of the many sacrifices we ladies have to make to make ourselves presentable.......and now as part of your new life you too will endure a similar experience.  It may seem like torture at first but wearing such a garment has wonderful benefits, enhancing ones figure and promoting excellent posture for a girl. There is also a very practical reason for wearing the corset, to get into your new uniform you will need a little help to shape your body. And this is the very thing that will achieve the perfect shape.”

The boy felt a surge of terror rising up from within but despite this he knew he had to tread carefully to avoid arousing her ire.

“How long will I have to dress as a maid Madam?” he asked as diplomatically as he could.

“Oh only for mother’s visit, then you can revert to your normal uniform.” she answered absentmindedly as she untangled the corset’s laces.

Well, I suppose it could be worse. he thought, consoling himself that his humiliation would not last long.

“A few months at the most.” she added as she unravelled the last knot

A few months!  The words shook him now realising he would have to dress like this for such a lengthy duration.

 “Your shorts.” Miss Grayson snapped, indicating him to remove them and handed him a satin dressing gown.

“But..I ...you can’t mean.” he spluttered.

“I am quickly running out of patience, or would you prefer me to do it.” Miss Grayson said in a tone that left no room for any misunderstanding of her intentions.

After putting on the dressing gown he quickly slipped down his shorts, Miss Grayson held up a white satin panelled long legged girdle against the dressing gown trying to judge his size.

“This should fit.” she said and abruptly handed it to him, he looked at her blankly.

“What are you waiting for?” Miss Grayson said, a slight irritation in her voice as she commanded him “put it on....now.”

He turned his back to the women and under cover of his dressing gown he stepped into the heavy garment, struggling to pull it up.

“Oh dear there’s one of those horrible male bulges Miss Grayson.” Mrs Dearlove sighed pointing to the offending bump between his legs.

“Oh I’m sure I can fix that.” her housekeeper answered and without warning she grabbed the top of the boy’s new girdle and to his astonishment pulled it down leaving his totally exposed, paralysed with a mixture of shame and fear.

 “As I suspected..... nothing too large.” she said in a contemptuous tone as she viewed his flaccid penis before snapping “Open your legs boy.”

Stunned, he silently and meekly obeyed her instruction and in an instant she had pulled his member down and tucked it tightly between his legs.

“Now close them tightly and pull up your girdle.” she ordered, he looked down and saw there was practically no male bulge, any sign of his manhood had disappeared.

“Much better Miss Grayson” Mrs Dearlove said as she ran her hands over the now smooth and even satin material and slipped it between his legs and letting her hand linger momentarily she gently rubbed his hidden bulge which caused him to emit a slight groan. She ignored this and turned her head to Miss Grayson and added  “I would hate to have any unsightly lumps in case Mother wishes to inspect him.”

“Perfectly understandable Madam.” Miss Grayson replied.

She released him and nodded to her housekeeper, “Carry on Miss Grayson.”

 Mrs Dearlove watched as Miss Grayson sat him at the dressing table and showed him how to roll up stockings and attach them to the girdle’s garters and after he had finished she marched him back to her mistress who wrapped the corset around him and  as she tugged at the laces he felt his torso compress causing him to gasp.

“Yes it does have that effect, hold on to the bed post.” Mrs Dearlove said as she waited for him to grab hold of the bed post before resuming her task, he groaned once more as she tightened the stays.

“Oh don’t be such a baby.” Miss Grayson said sharply.

“Do you know William...” Mrs Dearlove said as she gave a final jerk to the laces “this is my mother’s corset, she gave it to me when I was about your age and was going through a tomboy phase. She insisted I wore it day and night for weeks, she said it would instil a more feminine attitude in me.”

She knotted the laces tightly, turned him around and inspected her handiwork before running her hands over the nipped in waist of her skirt and said

“And as you can see it really did work. There is nothing like a good corset to enhance one’s femininity.”

“Now my darling boy, how many petticoats would you like to wear?” she said.

“Petticoats?” he answered still trying to recover his breath.

“Yes I really want you to look your best when Mother arrives.” she said enthusiastically as Miss Grayson arranged several items on the bed.

“I... don’t  ... I mean  I...”he stammered barely comprehending what was happening.

“Yes..petticoats.” Mrs Dearlove explained as if talking to a child “you really will have to look as feminine as possible if you are to convince my mother  your intentions are honourable.

“I think Madeline always wore four under this particular uniform, Madam” Miss Grayson helpfully pointed out to her mistress referring to Mrs Dearlove previous lady’s maid.

“Yes, dear Madeline” Mrs Dearlove sighed at the mention of the name and turning to William said “an excellent lady’s maid I trained her myself...to a very high standard.”

William had heard the servants speak of Madeline and how glamorous she always looked and how obedient she behaved.

“Is four acceptable to you William?” Mrs Dearlove asked the bewildered boy who now unable to speak merely nodded. “Excellent , I think the silk and taffeta ones Miss Grayson, the ones with the deep frilled hems.”

In a daze he felt the soft fabric being pulled up his stockinged legs and watched them as they settled the petticoats over his now uncomfortably reduced waist, in a matter of moments they had slipped the heavy duchesse satin black uniform dress over his head and carefully arranged the skirt over his petticoats. Mrs Dearlove pulled back his longish fair hair into a knot at the back securing it with hairpins and placed a frilled lace cap on his head to which she attached more pins to keep it in place. Meanwhile Miss Grayson was busy slipping his arms into a starched white frilled apron which she tied in an ornate bow at the back. The youth was still quite disorientated as Miss Grayson applied some light make up foundation to his face.

“Pucker your lips William.” she instructed, meekly he obeyed as she covered his lips in a delicate shade of pink lipstick, both women stood back to view the result of their labours.

“Madam should really change as I believe your mother is due to arrive in a few hours.

“Oh! is that the time?” Mrs Dearlove said glancing at the clock “Yes I suppose I’d better change. Something conservative I think, you know how Mother is Miss Grayson.”

“Yes Madam.” The housekeeper said deferentially.“Perhaps the grey silk shantung and the pearls Madam’s mother sent from India?”

“Excellent suggestion.” Mrs Dearlove said “you fetch it and the boy can begin undressing me.”

As they were speaking William caught a glimpse of himself in the large ornate dressing mirror, it took several seconds for him to realise that he was the feminine figure in the formal maid’s uniform staring back. Still not quite believing his eyes he moved his body ever so slightly and the petticoats peeking out from under the dress of the girl in the mirror swayed. He was horrified at the sight but at the same time could not take his eyes away from it. So mesmerised by the reflection he did not notice that both women had stopped talking.

“I see your new maid is quite taken with her new uniform Madam.” Miss Grayson laughed.

“Yes he does seem to like it.” Mrs Dearlove agreed as she and Miss Grayson approached him, “I find that pretty boys are no different from girls Miss Grayson. Put them in a delightful dress and they behave just like a girl. Isn’t that so William?”

The boy hung his head in shame, this was the most humiliating experience of his short life. Miss Grayson began fussing with the skirt of his uniform.

“You were correct Madam he has made the transition from houseboy to housemaid quite easily.” she said “once he is trained properly he will make a wonderful addition to the staff. Madam’s mother will barely notice.”

“Oh dear just look at the time Mother will be here shortly I’d better hurry. William you may as well begin your duties now, unzip me.”

The boy just stared at her blankly.

“Oh I see your confusion you thought you would be put to work as a house or parlour maid. Well Miss Grayson and I have been discussing that and I think that as you are dressed in a lady’s maid’s uniform you may as well be trained as a lady’s maid. Of course when my friends come for morning coffee or afternoon tea we will have you in attendance, my friends simply adore pretty servant girls. Now do hurry up ....like a good boy.”

She turned her back to him as Miss Grayson busied herself in her mistress’s closet retrieving her change of dress. William in his new three inch heels minced his way across the room and began unzipping her dress. She pulled it down over her breasts and it slid to the floor leaving her standing in her pale blue satin slip. She stepped from the dress and looked at him quizzically.

“Well don’t just stand there.” Mrs Dearlove said as if speaking to a five year old “you are a maid ..pick it up and lay it on the bed, then fetch me a steel grey slip from the tallboy, the third drawer down. Oh dear you really are slow so I will remove my slip this time. Now run along and try to be quick I haven’t all day.

Miss Grayson returned with a beautiful grey silk shantung silk creation and laid it on the bed.

“Yes he is a bit slow Madam.”Miss Grayson said as she helped her mistress with her slip “and rather ungainly but once we get him trained properly I’m sure he will make an excellent servant girl.”

“Yes and hopefully Mother will approve.” Mrs Dearlove said as they both watched her new male maid return with her slip.

“Approve of what exactly my dear!” A voice boomed from the door as its owner looked at the uniformed maid and as she sailed gracefully into the room she added “you never told me you engaged a new lady’s maid....and such a pretty one. Come here girl and let me have a look at you.”

“Mother! How delightful to see you.”

William felt his knees weaken.

Fin.

Slight Delay with Latest AVVE Episode

Just a short note to readers who are following AVVE I’m about halfway through the next episode but finding it a little tricky to finish and had to rewrite parts of it so realistically it will be a few weeks before I can post it. However while I was having this difficulty I started another short story to try to kick start my brain and I’m close to finishing this – hopefully by the end of this week or maybe sooner. So hopefully that will make up for the delay.

Carrie

PS I'd done the new header picture above for the Jack and Pamela story but not sure if I posted it with that story at the time and was too lazy to look it up I'll look it up later and if that is the case I'll post another one soon.

A Very Victorian Education Part 2

Below is the next part of AVVE I had intended to keep this to approximately the same length as the first episode(4000 words) but it didn’t turn out that way and went on a bit longer than I expected so hopefully the extended version works.

As I mentioned in the last post writing a serial is much more time consuming than a once off piece or the text for an illustration. I know I sound like a broken record but unlike Bea or other writers this stuff doesn’t flow naturally for me and I really have to put a lot of time into it. Don’t get me wrong  I really enjoy it and it is a labour of love but the reason I say this is that recently after a prolonged period out of work I have re-entered the workforce and this will entail retraining which will also involve some  studying (something I’m a bit unused to).

As a result I will probably not be able to spend as much time writing a continuation of the story in long episodes so what I propose to do is post an illustration with an accompanying short story. These would be ‘stand-alone’ scenes from Aubrey’s life with Lady C and Felicity and not necessarily be a strict continuation of the story. I hope readers who are following the story will not be disappointed with this but otherwise there could be many weeks if not months between chapters and for me that would be unacceptable.

Readers of this blog have been very kind and supportive of the material I post and the Victorian slant on forced femme seems to have struck a chord with many readers. Knowing others share my passion for this and other past eras is wonderful and gives me encouragement to continue posting similar work.

Thanks again for your marvellous support and I hope you like the latest instalment of Aubrey’s  fate at the hands of Lady Charlotte.

   

Carrie

A Very Victorian Education Chapter 2

 Illusion Is The First Of All Pleasures. – Oscar Wilde

“Stay exactly where you are.” Lady Charlotte de Winter snapped as the confused and now disoriented youth tried to make for the door, the weight of the unfamiliar and heavy petticoats he had been forced to wear greatly impeded his progress as he stumbled clumsily across the bedroom floor. Her daughter Felicity anticipating such a move quickly positioned herself between the boy and his escape route. Dressed in her ruched and pleated purple heavy satin gown she barred his exit with arms folded across her ample bosom and considering the youth’s lack of any meaningful strength she made a formidable obstacle.

“And where exactly do you think you are going young man” Felicity said as if speaking to a naughty child even though she herself was two years younger than the wretched petticoated male in front of her.

Aubrey St Clair stood motionless in front of the assured statuesque figure, his petticoats still gently swaying from his dash across the room. The sudden realisation of his dire predicament had proved too much for him, he knew overcoming these women in a physical confrontation was now impossible due to his current weakened condition. Nevertheless despite being dressed in female undergarments he still retained a degree of masculine pride, from deep within his being he mustered what little vigour he had and putting his hands on her shoulders he attempted to remove her from his path. His futile attempt was immediately dealt with as Felicity grabbed his arms and effortlessly lifted them above his head.

“Oh my word, you are such a weakling” she laughed and continued in her extremely patronising tone “ Now young man, I thought we had already established that you are incapable of any type of significant physical exertion and certainly not enough to overcome any female in this household.”

“Please …please Felicity” he pleaded, now almost on the verge of tears as Felicity easily restrained him, his petticoats still swaying gently from side to side he struggled manfully against her grip. It soon became clear to him his exertions were to no avail and as his feeble effort to overcome her subsided he stamped his foot and shrieked in a most unmanly voice “This is not fair.”

“Although” she laughed and ignoring his supplication “there may be a few of the junior girls at my school that on a good day you may just possibly beat. Mother, I’m afraid our little prince still does not realise who is in charge, he really needs to understand that disobedience will not be tolerated in this house.”

She lowered his arms and still retaining a strong grip on his wrist forced him towards the bed and in an instant had him face down and comfortably restrained him with her left hand.

“Please …Lady Charlotte…I ..”  he appealed to the older woman as he felt the tears begin to trickle down his cheek.

“Mother please hand me the hairbrush.” she said as she easily lifted his petticoats and bustle to expose his silk covered pantaloons “you are a very lucky boy it would be too much trouble to remove your bloomers.”

“I am afraid you only have yourself to blame Aubrey.” Lady Charlotte finally addressed his plea and ignoring his request to halt his punishment she handed the ivory handled hairbrush to her daughter “you said you would be an obedient and well behaved girl but clearly as with all males you are completely untrustworthy. Now please remain quiet while you receive your punishment unless you wish annoy Felicity even more….. and I really don’t think that would be wise.”

He howled as the first blow hit his plump cheeks and kicking his legs in a less than masculine fashion he wriggled and twisted and despite summoning all his strength he could not escape from under her firm hand. Felicity laughed loudly as she observed his futile attempts to break free and delivered another hard slap of the brush which brought another yelp of anguish from the prone figure. She allowed this to subside before she applied one more stroke. Over the sound of his wailing she called to her mother,

“Just look at his pathetic effort Mother.” as she dispatched yet another loud whack to his backside.

“Yes dear.” .” her mother replied casually as the boy whimpered face down in the soft satin of the quilt. “How very girlish of him.”

He cried out once more as Felicity executed yet another blow to her victim’s derriere.

“Please Felicity…..please stop ….please…..” he sobbed the tears now in full flow.

“Will you promise to obey from now on.” she said patting his silk covered cheeks before administering another sharp slap.

“Yes…..yes…..please stop…please…I’ll…. obey….”he wailed

“And….?” she asked while threateningly caressing his bottom threateningly with the hairbrush.

“And…. be a very good…… girl.” he sobbed as he surrendered unconditionally.

“Good I’m glad you finally understand.” Felicity cooed as she waved the hairbrush “because if you do not………. the next time it shall be Miss Bristlestrap or maybe even Dora or Hilda. And they shall not be as gentle as me.”

This further demonstration of his physical frailty, that- as Felicity had so cruelly put it – he was now weaker than a girl meant he was completely at the mercy of Lady Charlotte and her horrid daughter. Any hope he had of trying to escape or even convince them to abandon their vendetta against him had vanished. It was a ghastly situation and he was trapped.

He now knew that both Lady Charlotte and Felicity were determined to continue with their outrageous proposal to dress him as a girl and there was nothing he could do to prevent it. As it was impossible to escape and any attempt to do so would lead to greater pain and humiliation, he quickly concluded that he had no option but to concede their authority over him and hope that in the coming days he could convince them that he had learned his lesson sufficiently for them to relent.

Felicity eased her hold over him but he remained face down on the bed and motionless out of sheer fear of another stroke being administered. He heard her hum to herself as she rearranged his petticoat and bustle.

 “You may get up now.” Felicity said as she released her hand completely.

His new, unfamiliar and cumbersome underwear caused him some difficulty as he tried to move himself from the bed. His eyes were red from the tears and his face crimson with yet another layer of embarrassment.

Lady Charlotte settled his petticoats to her satisfaction and adjusted the bustle at his rear end as Felicity ensured his new bust was secure inside the cups of his corset and while they were preoccupied with their task he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He felt his heart race, the false bosom and corset had given him the figure of a girl and the petticoats and chemise gave him a decidedly feminine appearance. His inability to grow facial hair in order to conceal his boyish, almost androgynous features was always a source of annoyance to him and now dressed as he was he was appalled to see that his countenance seemed to gain a more feminine aspect to it.

“Much better.” Lady Charlotte declared as she gave the finishing touches to his petticoats, she regarded his face for a moment or two and stroked it gently with the back of her hand before adding “not as comfortable as male clothing, is it my dear?”

He shook his head and could feel the tears returning, as Felicity took her place beside her mother she could not conceal her delight at the sobbing petticoated boy in front of her. Lady Charlotte spoke first.

“Now you know what we ladies have to endure, the unwieldly and bulky petticoats, the restrictive corsetry and that is before we even put on our gowns.” she paused and with an elegant movement of her hands she gestured to her own exquisite gown before continuing “You see my dear Aubrey a major flaw in the masculine persona is impatience which if left untreated eventually leads to arrogance and then to a false sense of superiority over the female sex. I think we can agree that over the last few days you have manifested this disagreeable trait on many occasions. Is that not so?”

It was patently obvious that Lady Charlotte expected only one answer, both women looked at him with an intense gaze  waiting for his reply and he knew what the consequences would be if he failed to give the correct response. As if to confirm his suspicions a wide grin broke across  Felicity’s face and still holding the hairbrush she stroked the back of it with her other hand. He felt queasiness in his stomach at the prospect of once more being forced face down onto the bed.

“Yes Lady Charlotte.” he lied, confirming Lady Charlotte’s accusation and hoped he sounded convincing enough.

“I am so glad you agree and now that you have seen the error of your ways you will obviously wish to correct them?” Lady Charlotte said tilting her head slightly and arching her eyebrows in an inquisitorial way.

His eyes were fixed on Felicity, who was gently slapping the hairbrush into the palm of her hand, an action which disturbed him greatly.

“Aubrey! are you listening?” Lady Charlotte said in a sharp voice and he quickly returned his gaze to the older woman. The sound of the Felicity’s hairbrush slapping into the palm of her hand meant that once more there could only be one answer.

“Yes Lady Charlotte. I wish to correct my ways.” he repeated in a low and shameful voice..

“Excellent I am delighted you have come to your senses” the tone of her voice softening noticeably at his answer, she ran her hands down her bodice and over the skirt of her gown as she continued her lecture “You see, ladies bodies over generations have been restrained by voluminous and restrictive clothing and this has forced us to develop a more strategic view of life in order to achieve our long term aims. We have also acquired a more gracious, polite and courteous perspective on life and many of us believe if the male sex had a fraction of feminine sensibility the world would be a far better place. So fear not my dear boy, once you are confined in similar garments to ours your behaviour will undergo a most beneficial transformation both for you and your dear mother.”

Aubrey swallowed hard as he watched Felicity remove a satin gold coloured gown from the dress frame.

“Once you are in this” she beamed as she held the heavy gown up to him and unable to control her excitement continued “there will be no more strutting and stomping about the house in that horrible masculine manner of yours.” she gloated as her dress brushed against his petticoats “oh no, from now on you will be taught how to move gracefully in your skirts and petticoats, how to sit and rise form a seat gracefully, how to curtsy properly and many other elegant and charming feminine gestures. Now raise your arms like a good boy, mother and I wish to put you into your very first gown.”

Like a frightened child he meekly obeyed and remained silent as the two women slipped the heavy material over his arms and head. Felicity arranged the skirt over his petticoats while her mother pulled back the bodice and began buttoning him into new satin prison. He gasped as Lady Charlotte tugged at the buttons and felt his torso being squeezed once more.

“Yes it is rather tight fitting my dear” she said hearing his sharp intake of breath “almost like a second corset but this style is all the fashion these days. If we mere women can tolerate such minor inconveniences then I’m sure this will pose little difficulty to a rugged and macho boy like you.”

Felicity finished arranging the skirt of the gown and arrayed the substantial train to her satisfaction.

Both women then stood back and surveyed their work.

“Oh Mother he looks divine.” Felicity blurted as she clasped her hands to her bosom.

“Yes my dear simply delightful but then I always knew he would.” her mother replied, she stepped forward and took his face in her hands “you have such delicate features my boy, just like your dear mother. With a little powder, a touch of face cream and some colouring for those wonderful lips of yours I am sure you will look even more feminine.”

Aubrey winced at the remark but this went unnoticed by the ladies and after a few minutes of making minor adjustments to his gown Felicity made her way to the dressing table where she busied herself choosing various cosmetics.

“Well come along boy” Felicity snapped as she stood holding a jar of cream “we have to get you powdered and painted, we can’t have our new girl going about without her make-up.”

His stomach, even though laced into a confining female corset, lurched at her comment. He had witnessed his mother having her face made up by her maid and was vaguely familiar with the various jars and bottles arranged on the dressing room table and dreaded the result.

He began to walk towards her but after a step or two forgetting that he was now restricted by the unfamiliar long and unwieldly layers of petticoats and skirts he stumbled, luckily there was a chair close by and he was able to stop himself from falling over. Seeing his difficulty Lady Charlotte came to his aid.

“Not as easy as we ladies make it look, now is it?” she said taking hold of his arm and steadying him. “I see you shall require a great deal of instruction with all aspects of feminine deportment. The gown may be a fraction too long, sit down and I will change your boots to a higher heel.”

He tried to sit down but found even this simple act difficult as his bulky skirts and large train conspired against him. Felicity observed his  comical attempts at the manoeuvre with a mixture of contempt and disappointment.

“You really are a silly goose.” Felicity admonished him as she left the dressing table to render assistance. “You gather your skirts and train in your left hand and draw them around your left leg and then slowly lower yourself onto the chair.”

She demonstrated the movement herself and the silence was broken as the swishing of the satin, silk and taffeta of her gown and petticoats filled the room like an aural perfume, the ease and gracefulness  with which she performed the action somehow managed to make him feel even more foolish. After a number of failed attempts which both amused and exasperated his new teacher he eventually managed to seat himself on the chair although his bustle and corset made his usual masculine reclining posture impossible and he was forced to sit bolt upright in a very ladylike fashion.

“Now arrange your skirts and train neatly around your feet.” she continued his lesson and watched him carefully as he carried out her commands.

“That’s a good boy.” she said her voice dripping with condescension and as if to emphasise her superior status she patted him on the head “a little more training and you shall make the most adorable girl. Isn’t that so Mother?”

“Yes dear I’m sure he will but please remember it not about him being “adorable” as you put it, the real purpose of the exercise is for the boy to acquire a far greater appreciation of and respect for the female sex.” Lady Charlotte answered without raising her eyes from inspecting various items of footwear which she had retrieved from the large walk-in closet. Having chosen a pale pink pair of buttoned-up ankle boots with a three inch heel she sailed across the room and addressed him directly “You may not realise it now Aubrey but this really is for your own good, mark my words in the coming days and weeks you will receive an education that will benefit you more than anything you will ever learn at university. You will gain knowledge and understanding that eludes the vast majority of your sex, you will learn what life is really like for a woman of our class and breeding. It is a life that demands we set an example to the lower orders and  the servant class and as such our appearance and manners must at all times be impeccable

Aubrey sat stiffly in his corset listened quietly and respectfully as she delivered her lecture, his hands resting on his satin covered lap. To interrupt or protest would only invite Lady Charlotte’s ire and by now he was only too well aware what that would lead to and he had no wish to reacquaint his buttocks with her or Felicity’s hairbrush. So despite his anger, resentment and shame at being punished by a mere girl and forcibly dressed as a member of the opposite sex he swallowed his bitter pill and remained silent while Lady Charlotte continued but not before reprimanding him,

“Aubrey please keep your knees together you are dressed as a lady not a tart.” she chided him, under his skirts he quickly obeyed and drew his knees together, Lady Charlotte resumed her sermon,

“We live in a modern age and for the past number of years women have been allowed to own and control their own money and property and as such are independent of overbearing, controlling and chauvinistic male family members. As I said yesterday your recent behaviour indicates that you are in danger of becoming yet another despicable and obnoxious example of the male sex. We need to save you from yourself.

 Your mother and I are part of a large circle of such ladies, our experience of men has been abysmal and we have no wish to either repeat this experience or allow our daughters suffer the same fate. The men we married were reprobates, scoundrels, womanisers, ill-mannered, and occasionally violent beasts. Now you would not want your daughter to marry someone like that now would you?”

He could see her demeanour and colour had changed and despite her calm exterior he detected she was barely containing a deep sense of repressed anger. The warm cheeks of his derrière instinctively prompted him,

“Oh no Lady Charlotte.” he squeaked, hoping he sounded genuine and after a moment or two she  quickly regained her composure.

“I’m glad you agree.” she said now suitably assured of his deference to her views, her voice a little calmer now she smoothed a minor wrinkle in the skirt of his gown before resuming “so you see Aubrey a male who is considerate, respectful, courteous, genteel and above all one who has empathy with women would have an outstanding advantage over any other male. You would be welcomed as an enlightened and modern thinking male in the houses and estates of the most powerful, influential and wealthiest ladies in the country. You would be the toast of female society, the envy of most other members of your sex – the world would be your oyster and your mother would be extremely pleased at the prospect of her only son being so highly thought of by such ladies. So I’m sure you can see why you need to be educated in all aspects of the feminine realm.”

Aubrey was very well aware that his mother, like all matriarchs, was constantly trying to introduce him to the daughters of her friends something up to now he had managed to avoid. The mothers were ghastly, overbearing and oppressive ladies, not badly unlike Lady Charlotte and he doubted if their daughters were much better. However under his present circumstances he was certain to utter such opinions would only invite a swift, painful and a most humiliating rebuke. He swallowed hard and nodded.

“Yes ….”he said quietly “I think so Lady Charlotte.”

“Splendid! I am so glad you have come to your senses and there will be no need for another lesson with the hairbrush.” she replied warmly however he noticed Felicity looked a little disappointed. “Now my dear let’s get your face made-up”

 Felicity and her mother set about their task with relish, they talked at length about what powder would best suits his colouring and there was a slight disagreement about the best colour for his eye shadow Lady Charlotte overruling her daughter’s choice saying it looked too garish. For what seemed like an hour but was probably considerably less both women debated various colours and styles until finally the colour of his lips was the last question to be decided.

“Well Mother at the very least you must agree his lips should be scarlet red.” Felicity said.

“Felicity” her mother gave an exasperated sigh “we wish the boy to look like a lady of breeding not a streetwalker.” her mother argued “I feel a rose pink would be a much more appropriate colour for such a dainty creature. What do you think Aubrey?”

He had long ago ceased listening to the women as he fretted about what he would look like. He could sense the texture of his skin change as the various creams and powders filled every pore on his face.

“Aubrey!” Lady Charlotte said in an exasperated tone “are you listening?”

He looked at both women blankly before she continued.

“Your lip colouring, my dear? Scarlett Red as Felicity suggests or the Rose Pink which in my view would be far more discreet and ladylike. Which would you prefer?”

After all the humiliations they had put him through now they wanted him to humiliate himself by picking a colour to decorate his lips. He knew from his own experience that women with red lips received more attention that those who painted their lips a more subdued colour- and more attention was the last thing he wanted. He knew he had to pick one quickly if he wished to avoid Lady Charlotte’s ire, he also knew the older woman was the more powerful of the two and he felt it more prudent to agree with her.  

“The Rose Pink………. I think.” he said in a hesitant voice.

“And why is that?” Felicity snapped, obviously annoyed that he agreed with her mother’s suggestion.

Aubrey immediately recognised Felicity’s displeasure and at this moment he felt he needed to make friends and not enemies. Being forced to wear ladies clothing was humiliating enough but now he was being compelled to justify his choice of ladies cosmetics.

“I feel the Rose Pink suits my colouring better.” he lied, a burning shame ran through his body as he heard his own words.

“Well……” Felicity began as she examined his face and after a few moments said grudgingly “perhaps you are right, you may make a reasonable girl after all. Now pucker those lips like a good girl.”

He winced at her assertion but obeyed and she expertly brushed the liquid onto his pouting lips, both then stood back to admire their handiwork.

“Mmmm….. reasonably acceptable I suppose.” she declared “ but you are a lucky boy, you have inherited your mother’s wonderful cheek bones such a pity your hair is not a bit longer but that can be easily overcome if required. Now lift your petties and raise your right foot.” Lady Charlotte instructed him as she took his new boots in her hand and positioned a foot stool in front of him.

The boots reached almost halfway up his calf and it took several minutes for them to button the boots when they had finished he felt as if his lower legs were now also in corsets.

“Stand up.” Felicity ordered as she removed the stool and spoke to her mother “Mother, he really should have his own maid for dressing and undressing. We cannot be on hand three of four times a day to dress and undress him and it is servant’s work after all.”

Aubrey became alarmed at her suggestion but was afraid to voice his protest, the thought of a maidservant witnessing his dilemma was excruciating and as he raised himself from the chair he once more felt several kilos of female clothing weigh him down. He stood there in front of them while they continued their inspection and made suggestions as to improvements they could make.

“Yes I suppose you are right, he really does need a girl to look after him, perhaps one of the housemaids for the time being but we can discuss that later with Miss Bristlestrap.” her mother answered as she fussed with his gown. Again he wanted to object but felt this was not the most opportune time. Lady Charlotte took his shoulders and turned him around. “Now have a look at yourself in the mirror I think you will be pleased.”

Pleased was not the word Aubrey would have used, he had caught glimpses of himself in several mirrors while they forced him into his new feminine clothing but now standing in front of a full length mirror he was faced with the full horror of their work. He barely recognised his face, he was not a girl but nor could he be described as a boy as not only had the cosmetics transformed his face the corset and false bosom gave him a decidedly feminine figure. They continued to gaze at him, inviting a response to their artwork. He smiled weakly which did not go unnoticed by his tormentors.

“As your education in the art of femininity continues dear boy you will discover that we ladies are mistresses of illusion.” Lady Charlotte said “we make our waists smaller and our bosoms larger by corsetry, our hair lighter or darker by dyes, our faces turned into works of art by powders and creams and many other feminine artifices which you will soon have the pleasure of learning. A little bit frightening to the male perhaps but we ladies greatly enjoy it, as my dear friend Mr. Wilde is fond of saying “Illusion is the first of all pleasures. Now let us see if your new boots have made a difference, walk to the door and back.”

He began his journey across the room, Felicity had given up her post guarding his escape route but it did not matter as he finally accepted that even if he could escape there was no hiding place now that he was dressed in such feminine finery. He was trapped and everyone in the room knew it, this realisation seemed to increase the weight of the gown and unwieldly petticoats. He tried to make his way across the room with as much dignity as he could muster however the drag of the gown’s heavy train combined with the height and tightness of his new footwear caused him to mince in a most unmanly fashion. The sound of rustling petticoats merely served to amplify his new feminised state. Once at the door he almost toppled over trying to gather his train behind him.

“Simply dreadful, Mother.” Felicity shook her head and snorted derisively at his feeble attempt.

“Now dear.” her mother gently rebuked her daughter “remember just a year or two ago when you graduated to long dresses and corsets, it took you a few days to come to terms with the intricacies walking in a graceful and feminin way.”

Felicity looked slightly sullen but said nothing, her mother glided gracefully across the room, her hips under the heavy silk of her exquisite gown rolled gently like a ship in a gentle ocean swell. Once she came alongside her protégé- for that is what she now considered him to be- she showed him how to gather his skirts in a deft and polished movement and arrange the train before turning his body.

“It will take you some time to grasp the finer points of parading in a gown with a train, in retrospect perhaps it was not the wisest selection for your first gown. Something a little less complicated would be better. Come along Felicity I think the ivory silk which I wore last year would be a better choice.”

The women began the process of unbuttoning the boy from his gown and soon left him standing in his hated petticoats. He now felt even more vulnerable and insecure and perversely he wished they would quickly put on his new gown.

“Oh yes Mother it is delightful, so soft and feminine.” Felicity squealed in delight at her mother’s choice. He felt mentally drained and exhausted from his ordeal and it was still only late morning, as Lady Charlotte approached such was his mental state that without having to be instructed he meekly raised his arms allowing her to place it over his head.  

“I’m so glad you are being co-operative.” Lady Charlotte said clearly impressed with his submissiveness as she and Felicity placed his new gown over his arms and settled it over his corseted torso.

“He finally seems to have learned his lesson.” her daughter said in a triumphant voice as she helped smooth the ivory silk of the gown’s skirt over his petticoats.

 “This really is the most gorgeous gown Aubrey, you will simply love it.” her mother gushed as she adjusted his sleeves. “and as it does not have a train it will allow you much more freedom.”

Freedom he screamed to himself I’m imprisoned in these horrible clothes and trussed up like a doll in a shop window and she thinks this is freedom.

“Now let me see you try walking once more.” Lady Charlotte said interrupting his thoughts.

He set off once more towards the other side of the room, the absence of an unwieldly train made his trek much easier however his new high heeled boots necessitated him taking a more cautious and shortened stride than a male would normally take. Once he reached the door he managed to turn around without any of his previous problems but because his petticoats extended his gown so much he had to wait until they settled before resuming his return.

“Oh dear!” Felicity sighed in a scornful voice.

“Felicity!” her mother snapped a rebuke to her daughter. She approached the boy with a supporting smile on her matronly face, their dresses meeting in a cackle of soft feminine fabrics as she held out her arms to embrace him and in a very soft voice said “Pay no attention to her dear boy, you did remarkably well under the circumstances.”

As they embraced she patted him gently on the back and then kissed him tenderly on the cheek before asking,

“You found the gown easier to manage without a train?”

He could only nod his agreement. Even in his confused and disorientated state he could see that she was very genuine in her appreciation of his efforts, he also took comfort that she reprimanded her own daughter so sharply. He became overcome with emotion and began to sob.

“There…there., dear boy” Lady Charlotte comforted him offering him her lace handkerchief, “it’s all right to cry, something else men should learn to do more often.”

“I think we should also change Felicity. Why don’t you get your delightful pale green gown from your room, the one with the ruffled lace at the neckline and cuffs , we can dress together.” Lady Charlotte said as she rang a bell on her bedside table.

Moments later a uniformed maid arrived, Aubrey recognised her as Lucy Lady Charlotte’s personal maid.

“You rang m’lady.” the maid said as she bobbed a curtsey

“Lucy as it will be lunch time shortly, Miss Felicity and I will change before we go downstairs.” Lady Charlotte said as she turned to walk into her closet to choose an afternoon gown leaving Aubrey alone with the servant girl. The maid, in her smart black uniform of a high necked black dress with a ruffled white collar and cuffs and the small frilled apron that separated a lady’s maid from a housemaid, regarded the strange sight of the boy in the beautiful silk ivory gown, a gown  she had dressed her mistress in several times.  Although the maid did not say or do anything that indicated any amusement or even surprise at his humiliating plight, Aubrey could plainly see that her eyebrows were visibly raised at the sight before her and he was sure he detected a nascent grin form at the corner or her mouth.

“Come along Lucy.” Lady Charlotte called to her maid from the closet “……and bring Master Aubrey he has a lot to learn.”

“If I may say that gown suits you wonderfully……Master Aubrey.” the maid said, her voice dripping with contempt as she stepped forward  her eyes now dancing with laughter and smoothed an imaginary wrinkle in the dress  and whispered “You look almost as pretty as the mistress did when she wore it to the Embassy Ball last month.”

He burned with humiliation at her remarks but did not respond.

“I really don’t think you need a valet to dress you now.” she whispered sarcastically in his ear referring to his refusal to let her attend him when he first arrived. “a well-trained lady’s maid will have you looking like a proper young lady from the moment you wake up in the morning until the moment you retire. Whomever the mistress’s chooses to be your maid will be a very lucky girl. Now I think we better attend the mistress…don’t you?”

Lady Charlotte had chosen a light silver gown of silk with a delicate pattern of tiny flowers with a deep pleated peach coloured hem and as she laid it on the bed Felicity entered carrying her own gown.

“Lucy will undress me and you will assist her.” Lady Charlotte informed Aubrey who was still becoming used to the restrictive nature of his new feminine attire.

“But… I ….” Aubrey stammered

“Aubrey if it is a question of male embarrassment at seeing a lady in her underwear, please banish that thought from that tiny male brain of yours.” Lady Charlotte said “I no longer consider you a vile, licentious, unprincipled male- you may well have been that up to recently- but as we have agreed you are now committed to changing your ways and becoming a more civilised, considerate and  gracious person. In short – I now look on you as a second daughter. Now please hurry up and unbutton me, we do not have all day.”

“Start here at the top Master Aubrey.” Lucy helpfully said pointing to the button at the nape of her mistress’s neck. “and when you have finished you may unbutton the sleeves.”

As he began his task he could see Felicity and Lucy grinning at him in the mirror, Lady Charlotte unaware of this continued speaking to him.

“You can learn a lot from assisting a lady to dress or undress, you become aware of their little idiosyncrasies....” she said as he finished unbuttoning her sleeves “that’s a good girl, now pull own the gown over my petticoats so I can step out of it.”

His corset ensured he had to lower himself slowly and his bulky petticoats made his task even more difficult, Lucy placed Lady Charlotte’s new gown over her head and instructed Aubrey to button up the back and as he did so Lady Charlotte continued,

“As I was saying Aubrey the act of dressing and undressing a lady is a very intimate process and must be undertaken with great care and delicacy. Participating in this…this … I suppose you could describe it as a… ritual, will greatly enhance your understanding of the gentle sex and increase your empathy and appreciation for the preparation we undertake in order to make ourselves presentable.”

“Almost perfect m’lady, I’m not sure any of the housemaids could have done a better job, he has very nimble fingers …for a male. Lucy said smiling sweetly at him as she made some minor modifications and corrections to the skirt of the gown.

Aubrey blushed at her remark, convinced that it was not meant as a compliment but a well disguised gibe.

“Yes mother he is quite adept at such a feminine task perhaps with the proper training he would make an excellent lady’s maid.” Felicity giggled as she agreed with the maid.

Aubrey’s cheeks became quite crimson from a mixture of humiliation and anger…….and fear. Did they know something of his past only a few people had knowledge of?  If their remarks had been made the previous day when he was dressed as a man he would have berated his two persecutors with a tirade of abuse or perhaps even a physical assault but now dressed as a girl and with little appreciable physical strength to assert himself he had little option but to suffer their sneering and scornful remarks in the silence of his feminised humiliation.

This exchange did not go unnoticed by Lady Charlotte who held her arms outstretched inviting him into the comfort of her embrace.

“Pay no attention Aubrey there is no need to feel ashamed you were wonderful, they are only teasing you.” Lady Charlotte consoled the boy in a most sympathetic tone “That’s what girls do when they are jealous of girls who are more attractive. Now come here dear boy”

Aubrey did not know whether it was their mocking, his total helplessness due to his forced imprisonment in female clothing or lack of male vigour and assertiveness  but he suddenly became emotional and could feel tears welling up inside. It was all becoming too much and he began sobbing like a girl, the girl they had forced him to become. He ran girlishly to the comfort of her arms and she held him close, the skirts of their gowns merging as she guided his head onto the softness of her ample bosom.

“There…there…, you just let it all out.”  she consoled him as she stroked his hair, she dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief “it’s all part of your learning experience. Ladies often feel frustrated, disheartened and even angered by perceived slights and insults from the opposite sex.”

“But…..I ……they said…..”he blubbered as she  continued,

“Our gender has developed wonderful strategies to deal with life’s little trials and tribulations. And a little cry now and then will allow you to cope with your continuing education in all things feminine. Now don’t you feel better?”

He nodded but still felt angry, annoyed and humiliated but for some strange and illogical reason had to admit that he also felt calmer and sensed that his little breakdown may have endeared him further to Lady Charlotte and this may work to his advantage. Perhaps, as he thought earlier, if she feels he is making progress he may even escape with only a day or two dressed in these ridiculous clothes?

After comforting him Lady Charlotte left him for a few minutes to check on Felicity who was being dressed by Lucy.

At least when they go downstairs I will get some peace he said to himself as he watched Lady Charlotte fuss over the bustle of Felicity’s gown.

“Much better.” he heard Lady Charlotte say as she finished her inspection of her daughter.

Both she and Felicity glided elegantly across the room and positioned themselves either side of the boy.

“Well come along Aubrey.” Lady Charlotte chirped as she smoothed the skirts of her gown “time to present you to the domestic staff.”

Aubrey felt a sickening lurch in the pit of his corseted stomach. Having the servants see him dressed like this would be mortifying in the extreme.

“Oh …no please…please not that.” he snivelled as mother and daughter grasped him firmly by the elbows and firmly guided him from the room. Felicity whispered in his ear,

“Careful you don’t trip on your skirts and look foolish in front of the servants.” 

An Obvious Solution - Another Victorian illustration/story

It’s taking me longer than I expected to finish the latest chapter of AVVE and in the interim I was going to post an unused illustration I did for that story  in caption form but as OGF pointed out viewers whose first language is not English have difficulty translating this easily.

So I intended to write a very short story to accompany it. It went on a bit too long but it was easy to write so I continued with it. 

 It could be a few weeks before I finish AVVE so hopefully this will suffice in the meantime. I hope you like it. Thanks again to the readers who commented and those who were good enough to tick the "more box." It does mean a lot.

Carrie

I wrote this in a bit of a hurry so hopefully I got all the typos and the grammar is ok. If not apologies.

 An Obvious Solution.

CarrieP

A tale of a kindhearted Victorian stepmother.

In the few years since his father had died Claude had successfully managed to avoid spending much of his summer vacations from school with his stepmother at their country estate. He preferred instead to spend this time with some understanding school friends and their families. It was not that he disliked his stepmother if fact it was quite the opposite as she had always been friendly and warm to him from the moment they met, the reason for this aversion was that the house always seemed full of women, her sisters, female friends, there was not even a male member of the domestic staff. An entire house of women and it was a stifling atmosphere for a young man. When he did stay it was only for a few days at a time and even then he spent most of his time horse riding, shooting and fishing or any activity that would keep him far from the suffocating and genteel feminine embrace of the residence. It didn’t make any difference where he tried to hide in the house’s many rooms he was always found by a maidservant or Miss Prism his stepmother’s new housekeeper. Once his hiding place was discovered he was then gently but firmly encouraged to partake in some all-female gathering. These generally consisted of an incredibly boring afternoon tea, a tedious bridge party or some other dull gathering where middle-aged matrons and their daughters spoke incessantly about the latest fashions. However worse of all as his stepmother was a dedicated follower of fashion he was expected to wear clothes invariably chosen for him by his stepmother or Miss Prism.

 These were usually ghastly items of the most unmanly materials, silken velvet, very soft linen or in one horrible instance a particularly delicate cashmere. And the colours! What dreadful hues they chose for him and invariably these were always in  soft pastels,lavender, lilac, delicate pinks- they were truly awful. He was fond of his stepmother and only wore these hideous garments to prevent her from becoming extremely emotional as ladies often do when refused a simple favour from a male. Despite his embarrassment and for the sake of a harmonious relationship he agreed to wear them for her various afternoon teas and occasional soirées, on these occasions he was greatly relieved that he was the only male present. He dreaded these afternoons and evenings as he was paraded like his stepmother’s prize pet poodle and as the sole male he was always the centre of attention.

So, dear reader, as you can imagine it was with trepidation that he arrived back to his home for his summer vacation as this particular year all his friends were vacationing abroad. On this visit things went badly from the very beginning as his luggage went missing from the train and from his previous experience he knew it would take days to locate and return it assuming it was found at all.  He feared there would be a disagreement after dinner and this proved correct.  

“Out of the question Claude.” his stepmother said gathering her voluminous skirts about her as they made her way upstairs to retire for the night. “it is most inappropriate for a young gentleman to sleep …..I can barely bring myself to say it……..” and in a hushed voice she whispered ….naked! Whatever would the servants think?”

“Well my nightshirts are probably in Scotland by now.” Claude replied “what do you suggest?”

The instant the words left his mouth he knew he had made a mistake.

“Run along and brush your teeth, I shall be with you momentarily.” she said as she called out to her maid who was who was standing at the door to her bedroom awaiting her mistress.

“Martha.” his stepmother called to her lady’s maid “Fetch me one of my nightgowns, perhaps the coffee coloured one.”

“Yes Madam.” the maid replied in her monotone voice.

Claude was grateful that the maid was dismissed before his stepmother turned down the bedclothes and plumped his pillows.

“I think you will find this will suit you quite well.” she said holding up a satin coffee coloured nightgown with a chocolate brown pattern around the bust area and the hem.

“Please Honora ……”he said “this is really quite unnecessary. This is one of your nightgowns.”

“Yes I know dear.” she said laying the garment on the bed. “and I thought we agreed about the correct form of address you should use.”

“I think I’m a little old to use that Honora.” he said and he immediately saw that she was genuinely hurt by his remark and he thought he saw her eyes well up. He hated ladies crying and would do anything to prevent it.

“Please don’t cry Hon…..Mummy.” he blurted cringing at the girlish form of address.

She dabbed her eyes with her lace handkerchief and gave him a smile of gratitude.

“You were always such a sensitive boy.” she said as she embraced him and kissed him tenderly. He could feel her breasts contained by her heavy corset press into his chest as she began unbuttoning his dress shirt.

“Now please …..for me?” she said holding up the satin garment once more and with one elegant movement she swept her skirts behind her and crossed the room and placed the nightgown on the top of the dressing screen.

It was a heavy price to pay to avoid witnessing a tearful and emotional woman.

Anything but tears he thought as he donned the soft garment and he tried to persuade himself that it was not all that different from his regular cotton nightshirts.

“See I told you it would fit you, a few inches short perhaps but an excellent fit nonetheless.” she said as she fussed with the bodice and adjusted the shoulder straps slightly she then took him by the hand and led him to the bed. “you look divine. Now into bed young man.”

He blushed deeply as she arranged the pillows and burgundy satin quilt over him and kissed him gently on the cheeks.

“Thank you for respecting my views on this matter Claude, you are such a dear boy. Now go to sleep. You must be exhausted.” she whispered softly in his ear.

It had been a long day and he was asleep before she closed the door behind her.

“Good morning Master Claude.”

The young man stretched as the voice penetrated his brain and he heard the sound of curtains being drawn. The voice belonged to Miss Prism.

“I trust you slept well.” she said as she tied back the curtains. “It’s well past ten, the mistress asked me to wake you.”

He blinked his eyes sat up in the bed and stretched once more before realising he was wearing his stepmother’s nightwear. He quickly pulled up the sheets to conceal the garment from the housekeeper.

“Quite all right Master Claude.” Miss Prism said as if this was an everyday occurrence “no need to be embarrassed the mistress has told me about your lost luggage. It was the obvious solution.”  

She whipped the sheets away from him revealing leaving him exposed in his feminine nightgown.

“Madam would like to see you immediately. There has been an unfortunate mishap.”

Sheepishly he rose from the bed and looked around for his dressing gown before remembering he now did not possess one.

Miss Prism rearranged his rumpled nightgown to her satisfaction before pointing her hand towards the interconnecting door to his mother’s bedroom.

“Ah there you are Claude” his stepmother said as he entered, lying outstretched on the large bed her body enveloped in a blood red silk nightgown and peignoir.

“There has been a slight faux pas by one of the new housemaids.” she continued as Claude stood awkwardly in front of her with Miss Prism by his side. “very early this morning while you were sleeping she collected the clothes you wore last evening and unaware that these were your only clothes she washed them.”

“That’s not a problem.” he said wishing she would get to the point and allow him to go back to his room out of the gaze of Miss Prism and remove his awful satin nightgown. “I will just wait for them to dry.”

“Well you see Claude …that is the problem. The silly girl unfortunately added some additional substance to the water and …..well the truth of the matter is they have shrunk to the size of a ten year old’s clothes. Miss Prism would you be so kind as to show Master Claude the terrible result.”

Miss Prism retrieved a basket from beside the door and held up a pair of trousers that a ten year old would have difficulty in wearing.

“But….but   what  …. How….”he stammered incoherently as he viewed his miniature sized clothes.

“What…. am I going to wear?” he blurted the panic rising in his voice.

“Unfortunately the local tailor is unwell and even he measured you tomorrow it would take at least two weeks to get you a set of clothes.” his stepmother said as she rose from the bed. “and we can’t have you walking about in nightwear.”

 “Miss Prism” his stepmother addressed her housekeeper who moved a dressing frame with a navy dress and jacket from the corner of the room close to the bed. The jacket was plush velvet with a deep satin collar and the dress was an over-elaborate brushed silk confection of ruffles and frills.

“Unfortunately the only clothes we have that will fit you are several dresses and gowns of mine from a year or two ago.”

“But what about those awful clothes I had to wear last year.” he said referring to the dreadful items she had him wear on several occasions.

“Well.. you did complain about them so much I threw them out.” she replied.

“But I can’t wear….a…….. lady’s gown.” he pleaded almost in tears.

“There…there….. my poor darling.” she said embracing him in her arms “You have to wear something, you just cannot remain as you are. Come now… It won’t be as bad as you think.”

“But ….the servants…..they will laugh ……..”he blurted as he watched Miss Prism remove the dress from the form.

“No they will not” his stepmother kissed him on the forehead and consoled him. “The staff are very loyal and discreet and hold you in the highest regard, they are mortified and upset that one of them has made such a dreadful error and put you in this extremely unfortunate position. They will understand perfectly.”

“But….. I….it’s just so…..” he struggled with emotion as he observed Miss Prism removing an ivory coloured  long corset and  matching silk chemise from a tallboy and laid them on the bed.

“Please….”he sobbed as Miss Prism slipped the straps from his shoulder and let the soft material slip down his body “..please ……”

“It’s all right my dear….Mummy’s here.” she whispered and taking the chemise from Miss Prism she slipped it over his head. He felt the tears well up inside.

“Dear..dear Claude, do not fret everything will be all right.” she whispered softly and nodded to her housekeeper.

“Now breathe in Master Claude” Miss Prism said wrapping the heavy garment around his torso and as she pulled the laces he heard her say “ girls always find this a great help when they’re being laced into their corsets.”    

A Very Victorian Education - New Story and Illustration

First off, many thanks to Our German Friend for his kind words and excellent comments and also to those who ticked the “more” box – believe me it really does make a difference. It tells me I’m not alone in liking this type of material and the way it is presented, it also encourages me to keep trying different ways of expressing my ideas- so thank you, I really appreciate your support.

I’ve always wanted to base a forced femme or petticoat discipline story in the Victorian era and OGF’s remark about readers whose first language is not English having difficulty translating the text finally pushed me into writing it. This is a first draft but if I was to rewrite it I would not be able to post it for another week or so(off to London for the rugby on Thursday – England vs Ireland in case you’re interested. I travel more in hope than expectation.)

 I think I corrected all the typos if not apologies.

Anyway as I said before I usually get about 250- 300 words into these illustrations – this story is a little longer –approx. 3,700 longer. Hopefully you will like it, if not you can blame OGF.

Carrie

A Very Victorian Education.

BY

CarrieP

The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.- L.P. Hartley

London 1890

Returning from his first year at Oxford for his summer vacation Aubrey St Clair was puzzled and quite annoyed to find his mother’s friend Lady Charlotte de Winter and her daughter Felicity taking afternoon tea with his mother.

“Ah there you are my boy.” she said an unmistakable hint of annoyance in her voice as he entered the drawing room “don’t bother to sit you won’t be staying that long. My aunt Beatrice has invited us to her country estate for a few weeks and we must leave immediately if we are to catch the afternoon train.”

He had intended to spend his stay in London attending parties, casinos as well as several horserace meetings and boxing matches as most young men of his age and class liked to do. Staying in the middle of nowhere for several weeks was not an enticing prospect for the young man, he had to think quickly to avoid a fate worse than death.

“But mother I need to access libraries, museums as well various other institutions in preparation for my new tutorials next autumn.”

“I expected you would come up with such an excuse” his mother sighed in exasperation “so if you will not accompany me Lady Charlotte has kindly offered to accommodate you in her home.”

“Oh don’t you worry about studying Aubrey my dear, you may find staying with us is an education in itself.” Lady Charlotte said.

He knew he had been outmanoeuvred by his mother but staying in London, even if it was with the intimidating Lady Charlotte and her ghastly daughter was a better prospect than weeks in rural isolation. He did not want to refuse as his mother would have stayed and that would have completely ruined his plans. His silence resolved the issue and in a matter of moments he was ensconced in a carriage and nestled between the skirts of his new female companions. As the carriage made its way the short distance to Lady Charlotte’s house in Belgravia she engaged him in small talk as her daughter listened attentively. It seemed she knew quite a lot about his time at university and although she did not touch on some of his more unsavoury escapades there was something about the extent of her knowledge that disturbed him. He had tried to hide aspects of his behaviour at Oxford such as drunkenness, gambling, and acting in an extremely lewd manner, if his mother had known about these traits she would have withdrawn him from college immediately. Even though Lady Charlotte did not allude to any of this he suspected from her tone she did have some idea of his carousing. He had already been warned several times by his mother about getting into trouble and she had threatened him with denying access to his substantial inheritance. Such action would ruin his immediate plans and he quickly realised Lady Charlotte would have to be appeased at all costs.

The first few days of his stay were uneventful, he observed the required social conventions and even managed to be polite to Lady Charlotte’s annoying and tedious daughter. He soon discovered he was the only male in the house as Lady Charlotte did not employ a butler or footman, something  he found strange and also a little irksome as a male servant would be able to act as his valet. Lady Charlotte offered to have Lisa, her lady’s maid, tend to his needs but he laughed at the very idea and told her the notion of a female attending to a male in such a capacity was preposterous. He could see that Lady Charlotte seemed to be perplexed and perhaps even slightly annoyed by his attitude, he also noticed Miss Bristlestrap, her housekeeper, become quite red in the face but said nothing. His dismissed these as typically feminine overreactions, these delicate creatures were unused to the more direct masculine approach to domestic matters, indeed his own mother was the very same. He had to be patient with them and over the course of his sojourn with Lady Charlotte he would attempt to inject some much needed masculinity into her household.

Conversations were a little exasperating as the ladies knowledge of issues of importance was very limited and they were not very well informed regarding matters of state or politics. However he tried patiently to educate his new female companions on these topics particularly the ridiculous idea of female suffrage, a subject they seemed to be particularly exercised about. This he thought was only to be expected, they were merely women afterall and matters such as these were far too complex for them.

After dinner on his third evening in Lady Charlotte’s house he joined his hostess and Felicity for drinks in the drawing room. Female company night after night was becoming very tiresome, listening to their dull and boring talk about the latest fashions was extremely irritating. He felt this was the opportune time to inform the ladies that he was going out for the evening and from now on he would be dining out with his friends from college and would be spending more time in male company.

“Of course this is no reflection on your own excellent company ladies.” he patiently explained to them “it is just that a man such as myself cannot be limited to the presence of the… weaker… pardon me..I mean the fairer sex.”

“Oh dear, it is such a disappointment, is it not darling?” Lady Charlotte sighed as she lowered herself gracefully into a large wing backed chair.

“Oh yes Mummy” Felicity answered her voice tinged with sadness as she carefully arranged her skirts and eased herself elegantly onto the pale blue silk damask couch opposite her mother.” I had hoped he would be a little more indulgent with us. Are you sure we can’t persuade you to stay?”

“Quite sure Felicity.”he answered and patronisingly patted her on the hand before continuing in a pretentious voice “as you have probably noticed  I am a man’s man and my personality is best suited to male company where the  conversation is more intellectual, no offence intended of course.”

“Well I suppose if we cannot dissuade you … “ Lady Charlotte said offering him a drink from the decanter on the table by her chair “ then perhaps you will  have a glass of wine before you go.”

Within seconds of the wine entering his bloodstream he began to feel a little lightheaded.

“I think I had better sit down for a minute or two before I leave.” he said as he sank onto the couch beside Felicity.

“Oh I don’t think you shall be going anywhere this evening dear boy……..” Lady Charlotte said as she watched him struggle to get up “…..or anytime soon for that matter.”

“And certainly not in those clothes.” Felicity added, a wide smile creeping across her face.

“What…..What’s happening?” he blurted as he felt his strength drain from his arms and legs.

“Your drink contained an extract from the Siamese tree snake, lethal in large quantities of course but a small dose causes a major reduction in muscular strength.” Lady Charlotte explained calmly “you can move your limbs- just not with the same vigour. Absolutely no need to worry, you shall make a complete recovery in a few days.”

“But…”the young man looked at her, anger flashing in his eyes “why?”

Lady Charlotte stood up and glided gracefully across the room, her navy silk gown and her petticoats rustling loudly as she approached him. She regarded him with a stern expression,

“Your dear mother has spoken to me many times regarding your boorish behaviour and is concerned you will take after your deceased father who was a shameless reprobate. She is a very close and dear friend and I will not stand by and have her hurt a second time. I have promised her when she returns she will be pleasantly surprised by your reformed behaviour.”

“This is outrageous….. I shall refuse  to…..” Aubrey began before Lady Charlotte silenced him with a sharp slap across the face. She nodded to her daughter who rang the servants’ bell.

Miss Bristlestrap entered followed by two maids who he noticed carried various items of clothing.

“Proceed Miss Bristlestrap” Lady Charlotte instructed her housekeeper.

The young man tried to resist the maids as they raised him from the couch but he quickly discovered that his male strength had deserted him and he was no match even for these slight female servants. They soon had him stripped and as he stood naked trying to cover his genitals in front of five sniggering women, he felt tears welling up inside.

Lady Charlotte arranged her skirts once more and lowered herself onto the couch, she patted her silk covered lap.

“Now Aubrey, your first lesson. Place yourself face down over my knees…….like a good boy. Or perhaps you would prefer if Hilda and Dora assisted you?”

The arrogant and conceited youth who just a few minutes ago was pompously lecturing his female audience glanced at the two maidservants and immediately knew what would happen if he refused. Still hiding his member with his hands he meekly made his way to Lady Charlotte and stood in front of her.

“Please… Lady Charlotte…..please I beg you.” he sobbed.

The mistress of the house with her daughter and servants looking on merely smiled and ignoring the youth’s pleas she imperiously patted her lap once more.

The cool silk of her gown brushed against his naked flesh and he could feel the fabric of her petticoats slide against the soft silk of her gown.

“The paddle Miss Bristlestrap.” Lady Charlotte said and from his shameful position over her knees he could see the housekeeper hand her mistress a wooden implement with a long handle.

He was sobbing long before the first stroke hit the soft flesh of his buttocks and could hear the muffled laughter of the maids and Felicity as his punishment continued to the sixth and final slap.

“You may now rise Aubrey.” Lady Charlotte said as she handed the paddle to Miss Bristlestrap.

He unsteadily got to his feet and humiliation seeping from every pore in his naked body he stood in front of Lady Charlotte who was nonchalantly smoothing the folds of her skirts. His shame prevented his eyes rising to meet hers.

“I have concluded that the precise cause of your disgraceful behaviour is the manner in which you treat the female sex, your arrogance is only exceeded by your selfishness and stupidity but I believe this can be corrected by your total immersion in the feminine realm.”

“I…I…I.. don’t understand.”he stammered, his buttocks still stinging from his punishment.

“Miss Bristlestrap.” Lady Charlotte called to her housekeeper who stepped forward with the maids.

“Hold your arms over your head Master Aubrey.” Miss Bristlestrap ordered in a curt and obviously mocking tone.

Hilda- a maid he had taken a fancy to and recently had groped her breasts and backside- approached him with a shapeless piece of fabric. She gathered it carefully and held it over his head and then let it slide down over his arms and torso. With a broad smile she looked directly into his eyes as she fixed the soft pink satin girls nightgown over his weak body, its large diaphanous bishop sleeves with wide buttoned cuffs and quilted bodice giving it a decidedly ultra feminine look.

“A little long M’Lady but with matching heeled slippers it will fit perfectly.” she said as Dora knelt and placed pink kitten heeled satin slippers on both feet.  

Lady Charlotte stepped forward to inspect the young man.

“Yes, quite satisfactory, obviously very loose in the bosom area” she said as she made adjusted the bodice, cupping his face in her hands she added “but don’t you worry my dear we shall put that right tomorrow.”

“But …I….. PLEASE…… Lady Charlotte…”he babbled incoherently unable to comprehend what was happening.

“You still don’t understand, do you?” she said as if speaking to a five year old.

Aubrey shook his head there were so many emotions swirling around in his head he could not speak, adding to his discomfort was the soft material of the nightgown caressing every centimetre of his body.

“Well then let me explain.” she began “It is clear to your mother and I that your obnoxious attitude towards women combined with your disgraceful conduct at university is as a result of  uncontroled masculine behaviour. A lady would never act in such a vile and nasty manner. I feel that spending some time dressed as a member of the female sex would give you the help and support you need to overcome your vulgar and sordid masculine behaviour. Dressing and acting in a ladylike manner will allow you the opportunity to cast aside those disgraceful and repulsive male attributes.”

“You mean…I .. you want me to …..this is outrageous.” he blurted and attempted to raise his arms to remove his new nightgown however the strong arms of the maids quickly pulled his hands back down.

“I see you require another lesson.” Lady Charlotte sighed wearily as she sat once more “Miss Bristlestrap fetch the paddle, twelve strokes this time I think.

Another thrashing from Lady Charlotte would be an unbearable humiliation as well as very painful.

“Oh no please Lady Charlotte……. not that….”he shrieked “I’m very sorry please don’t punish me.”

“Then you shall be an obedient and very good girl from now on?” Lady Charlotte said fixing him with a steely stare.

He nodded but Lady Charlotte was not satisfied with his response.

“Say it dear boy. What shall you be from now on?”

“An obedient and very good girl from now on.” he whispered.

“Louder Aubrey, Felicity and the servants would like to hear you.”

“I shall an obedient and very good girl from now on.” he blurted the shame filling his cheeks.

“Oh Mummy he’s gorgeous when he blushes, so girlish.” Felicity said.

“A nice curtsey would show you really mean it.” Lady Charlotte said inflicting more humiliation of the weak and demoralised boy.

“Oh he’s not used to such feminine gestures. Let me show you how to do it Aubrey.” Felicity helpfully offered as she dropped to a deep and graceful curtsey

Aubrey held his satin nightgown and performed his first curtsey.

“A reasonable attempt but I’m sure we shall improve your skills in the weeks ahead. Now it’s time you were in bed young lady.” Lady Charlotte said indicating to Miss Bristlestrap to escort the boy to his bedroom.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Aubrey was brusquely awoken the following morning by Hilda and Dora who whipped back the bedclothes with a single stroke. They sniggered contemptuously at the boy curled up in his new feminine nightgown.

“That pink is such a lovely shade Dora.” Hilda said barely supressing her delight at the mortified youth.

“Yes Hilda so feminine, it really suits his colouring.” Dora giggled as his cheeks went crimson.

“Girls!” Miss Bristlestrap’s voice laden with sarcasm  called out from across the room “the young master should not be exposed like that. Please fetch his peignoir.”

“You heard Miss Bristlestrap Hilda” Dora sniggered “fetch the young master’s pink peignoir”

The door opened, Lady Charlotte and Felicity entered.

“I see our new girl is awake Miss Bristlestrap.” she said.

“Yes Madam and breakfast is served on the table by the window.” The housekeeper answered with a curtsey. “I shall lay out the young master’s clothes while you take breakfast.”

Aubrey dressed in his ultra-feminine night attire did not have much of an appetite and sat in silence as Felicity and her mother discussed what dresses would be suit the boy. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Miss Bristlestrap and the two maids laying out various items on the bed.  He suddenly remembered occasions when he would have to speak to his mother in her bedroom while she was being dressed by her maid and he felt his knees weaken as he now realised he would soon be wearing petticoats and a chemise and he gasped as he saw Miss Bristlestrap lay a sturdy white satin corset on the bed. He decided to try once more to get Lady Charlotte to see reason.

“Lady Charlotte please I beg you please don’t confine me in ladies clothing.” he pleaded and almost crying he implored her “I…I am a…. man.”

“I really don’t think so but I suppose if you say you are a man…”Lady Charlotte replied “you can prove it. If you beat Felicity, a young lady of delicate features, at arm wrestling then you can have your clothes back. If not ……it is petticoats and corsets and some simply adorable gowns for you dear boy.”

A space was cleared on the table and Felicity carefully arranged her taffeta skirts around her as she sat down and presented her soft girlish arm for him to engage with.

The contest was over within seconds and as his hand lay under her smaller female hand he could feel himself losing his grip on his masculinity.

“Oh Mummy” Felicity squealed with laughter “my ten year old cousin Emily could beat him.”

Lady Charlotte looked at the boy with a mixture of contempt and pity then stood up, took him by the hand and led him to the bed.

“Now Aubrey I do hope there shall be no more silly talk of retaining your masculinity during the remainder of your stay with us.”

He knew that to argue otherwise would only lead to further punishment and humiliation and meekly nodded his agreement. Felicity could barely contain her excitement and since her arm wrestling victory she became even more haughty and patted him on the head in a most patronising manner before asking him in a slightly menacing tone

“And what did you say you shall be from now on?”

There was only one answer she wanted and he was only too well aware what would happen if he failed to answer correctly.

“An obedient and a very good girl.”

“And what does a good girl wear?” she continued her interrogation.

“A… dress” he answered shamefully, his eyes firmly fixed to the floor.

“Oh not only a dress Aubrey there is so much more. Now I’m sure you know what they are, why don’t you tell us.” she said in a mocking voice as she gestured towards the items of ladies underwear carefully laid out on the bed.”

“Petticoats,……corset…… chemise…… pantaloons, stockings” he stammered as he looked at the array of feminine clothing that he would soon be forced to wear.

“Oh he shall make a wonderful girl Mummy” Felicity giggled.

“I don’t think we shall have any trouble Miss Bristlestrap” Lady Charlotte said and dismissed her servants.

“But there is one item that you have never seen before. One that ladies do not have to wear but unfortunately my dear you must.” Lady Charlotte said as she held something that to Aubrey looked like flesh coloured bulbous mounds.

As traumatising as his experience was up to now he suddenly felt a lurch in stomach as he now realised what they were.

“Yes my dear boy, we can’t have a girl without breasts.” Lady Charlotte smiled. “these were developed by some very clever ladies who graduated from a very progressive all female college in Cambridge. They believe some males should understand what it is like to have secondary sexual characteristics. A strange notion I grant you but one I am becoming more tolerant of.”

Aubrey looked at the perfectly shaped orbs in horror and had to hold on to the table to steady himself as Lady Charlotte continued,

“Incredibly lifelike don’t you think? Perfect weight and shape and the colour is almost flawless.”

 “Let me help you with your nightgown.” Felicity said as she lifted the satin gown over his head leaving him totally exposed and vulnerable but he was too much in shock to protest.

Lady Charlotte massaged a substance onto his chest and quickly attached the left breast and held it firmly in place, Felicity picked up the other and repeated the process.

“There..” she said standing back to admire their handiwork  “almost seamless”, leaving Aubrey the not so proud owner of a pair of female breasts, his shoulders hunched forward from the new weight on his chest.

“I feel jealous.” Felicity sniggered as she felt his new breasts, lifting them and letting them drop suddenly which elicited a sharp cry from the disorientated youth as his new attachments tugged abruptly at his skin, she added in a triumphant voice “not so pleasant having your breasts fondled is it?”

“Enough of that Felicity we really must get the boy into his underwear, I expect the servants shall return soon to tidy the room.” Lady Charlotte interrupted and then turned to him and asked “unless you want to remain naked?”

Aubrey felt totally humiliated and exposed in front of his tormentors but being left naked in front of the servants would be horrible. 

“Oh no Lady Charlotte, please ..”

“Well you had better put on your pantloons then.” she said handing his a pair of knee length white silk bloomers, he quickly pulled them up and tied them around his waist.

Felicity slipped a silk chemise over his head and with great fuss arranged the material over his new bosom making sure she tugged them slightly causing him to wince.

“Oh don’t be such a little girl, you think that’s uncomfortable?” she laughed “just wait until we get you into this.”

Lady Charlotte produced a long white satin corset, quickly and expertly she placed it around his torso. Felicity once more settled his breasts into the moulded cups and tugged the corset over his hips. Lady Charlotte began pulling the laces jerking Aubrey backwards. He gasped as the corset began to tighten, she paused for a moment until he got his breath back then she started pulling the lower section and he could feel his waist being compressed and could see his bosom lift and push out. She then tightened the upper part of the garment and he quickly felt his shoulders being pulled back which emphasised his bosom even more. His entire torso was now encased within the ridged confines of his new corset and he felt the pressure of the ridged bones constrict every centimetre of his upper body.

“Excellent, what a wonderful girlish figure you have my dear. Are you comfortable? Would you like it a little tighter perhaps? It’s all the fashion these days you know.” she said with a mischievous smile.

“Oh no Lady Charlotte it quite comfortable.” he lied.

“Very well, Felicity his petticoats.” Lady Charlotte instructed her daughter.

“Will three be enough?” she said.

“I suppose it shall be enough for today, the pale blue taffeta first, then the ivory and last will be the while silk one with the ruffled hem.” Lady Charlotte replied before turning to the boy “it will give you that glorious rustling sound we ladies love so much. It makes us feel so ……..deliciously feminine”

Now overwhelmed and controlled by both women, Aubrey remained completely docile as his petticoats were placed over his head and slipped down his inflexible foundation garment  Felicity then tied neatly them into place over his corseted hips.

“And your last item shall be your bustle.” Lady Charlotte announced.

“Which one Mummy? There are so many pretty ones.” Felicity cooed fingering several garments on the bed. “What about the one with the five flounces it is one of my favourites.”

“An excellent choice dear.”her mother said as they both set about attaching the fabric covered framework around his hips and settling it over his derriere before tying it in place. She then placed a mirror in front of him and ordered him to look at his reflection.

“Yes dear Aubrey you shall make a very pretty girl.” Lady Charlotte said “this gown shall suit you perfectly.

Felicity squealed with delight.

“Oh we are going to have so much fun with you.”