A Very Victorian Education Chapter 4

Hi All

I thought I would have this chapter finished sooner but unfortunately it was not to be.

It’s much shorter than previous chapters at 1900 words approx, it was my hope to extend it but truthfully this would take another few weeks to fully complete  so I felt it best to post this now and if I have the time I can begin on another chapter.

 I apologise to those who may have liked to see more (  the 18 people who were kind enough to tick the “more” box)– I feel I have cheated you in posting such a short chapter but on the plus side  this has given me great encouragement to continue with Aubrey’s life under Lady C’s regimen.

There is a mildly sexual content to this chapter which is a departure for me but I felt it was necessary to the storyline to include such a scene.

I’m hoping the next episode will not take as long but it is summer and the European Football Championship is on, as is Ireland’s rugby tour of South Africa ( first win ever in South Africa last Saturday) and Wimbledon starting in a few weeks  – so a lot of distractions but hopefully I’ll get something done.

Anyway I hope you enjoy this short piece and thanks again for all the support.

Carrie.

A Very Victorian Education

Chapter 4

They promised dreams can come true- but forgot to mention that nightmares are dreams, too. – Oscar Wilde

  “A perfect day.” he said out loud, a feeling of satisfaction coursing through his body as the shadows lengthened across the meadow “nothing better than a good day’s shooting followed by an even better night’s drinking and carousing”

Laughing loudly, the group all his close friends with their guns slung over their shoulders trudged their way towards the gate at the edge of the field but he found it hard to keep up. It was if something was weighing him down, slowing his progress.

“Hold on.” Aubrey called to his friends as they nimbly mounted the gate and stood on the other side their faces creased with laughter.

“You’ll have to pull your dress and petticoats right up over your knees.” one said as the others roared with hilarity.

Aubrey looked down and saw what was impeding his movement. He was horrified to see that he was wearing a voluminous two-piece dress of claret coloured velvet and taffeta with a large bustle.

“Better get back before your Governess discovers you’re missing.” another guffawed to the great amusement of the others.

Aubrey woke up with a jolt his eyes fixed on the ceiling and unable to move, frozen with the anxiety that comes with nightmares. After a few moments he slowly shifted his legs and felt a strange and unsettling but not unpleasant sensation. His hands moved over his stomach and his fingers experienced a soft and smooth feeling as they touched an unfamiliar fabric. With trepidation he lifted the sheet and looked down in horror at the peach silk embroidered nightgown that covered his whole body, just under his chest a wide gold satin sash reached around his body and served to emphasise his feminine bosom.

Suddenly he realised this was not a nightmare it was worse, this was his new reality and there would be no escape from his continuing feminisation. His masculinity was now to be hidden under feminine garments from dawn to dusk and as he looked at the feminine nightgown he knew even in the privacy of his bed he would have to conform to Lady Charlotte’s rules.

“Yes it is a pretty nightgown isn’t it Aubrey?” a familiar voice broke the silence.

The voice confirmed his fears, he was wide awake now and not dreaming. Instinctively he knew the answer the voice required.

“Yes Lady Charlotte.” he replied meekly and immediately.

“Oh I have many such gorgeous nightgowns which I’m sure you will really like wearing.” Lady Charlotte cooed as she removed the satin quilt “Now it’s time to get up and get you dressed.”

Aubrey slowly and reluctantly slid from the bed.

“I think he likes it too much your ladyship.” another recognisable voice said in a distinctly disapproving tone as her hand took hold of his erection and squeezed it firmly which brought a gasp from the young man.

“Oh dear! That is very naughty of you Aubrey. I thought we spoke about this.” Lady Charlotte said, the displeasure at confronting his erection was clear. “This is most disappointing.”

Aubrey was so embarrassed he could only hang his head, Alice’s hand squeezing his member ensured his erection would remain intact.

“Yes m’lady,  most disappointing.” Alice agreed with her mistress and squeezed him once more, much to Aubrey’s consternation. “But m’lady in his defence perhaps it is the male way of admitting he like the softness and femininity of his nightgown, it is merely he cannot express it verbally.”

“Perhaps Alice” Lady Charlotte said then fixed her eyes on him “but it is not very ladylike now is it Aubrey? ....And you do wish to become more ladylike, don’t you?”

“Please....please....”he pleaded not wishing to surrender his masculinity.

“In my experience m’lady, unlike our own sex many males like Master Aubrey here are slaves to their urges” Alice said stroking the top of his glans with her thumb as he whimpered. “I have also discovered that if they are milked regularly they tend ......”

“Milked!” Lady Charlotte exclaimed loudly “you mean....like a cow?”

“Yes your ladyship.” Alice confirmed, as she retained a firm hold on the boy’s erect penis she continued “I have found that if they are ...ahem...milked regularly like cows they become very docile and easily managed.”

“Just like cows.” Lady Charlotte said.

“Exactly m’lady.” Alice confirmed.

“But.....I...”Aubrey protested weakly.

“Hush dear boy.”Alice gently admonished him and squeezed his member again, he quickly aborted his objection.

Lady Charlotte observed the scene closely.

“Mmm.” Lady Charlotte pondered her remarks for a few moments before continuing “and you think this would help him in his efforts to discard those awful masculine traits and encourage him to incorporate a more feminine dimension to his personality.”

“Oh without doubt m’lady.” Alice replied enthusiastically “once in this state he will agree to anything, perhaps a demonstration would be helpful?”

“Proceed.” her mistress instructed.

“Now young man” Alice addressed him and expertly stroked him once more, he moaned as a feeling of exquisite pleasure ran through his body “tell Lady Charlotte how you would like to become more girlish and wear pretty dresses?”

The boy tried to muster all his self –control but Alice squeezed and the stroked his shaft, the combination of these actions as well as the soft silk of the nightgown enveloping his erection was simply too much and he nodded his agreement.

“I think you had better say it so we can hear you.” Alice breathed in a voice as smooth as the silk of his nightgown as she continued to stroke him.

The sensation was unbearable, he thought his brain would explode.

“Please....Miss.....I.....”he babbled.

“Say it.” she cooed “you know you want to.”

He could not help himself.

“I... want to wear.....pretty dresses.” he blurted.

Alice released her grip then tightened it again close to the glans.

“And.. become......more....” Aubrey gasped, desperately trying to think of a less demeaning word than ‘girlish’, sensing his reluctance Alice rubbed and squeezed him again, the exquisite sensations coursing through his body were overwhelming his brain, his mind was in turmoil and his thought process was practically non-existent.

“.......Effeminate.” he blurted

“Effeminate!” Excellent! What a simply delicious word.” Lady Charlotte declared excitedly “yes Alice, I must confess I do like the sound of that.”

Having completed her demonstration Alice applied the coup de grace with accomplished finesse, the youth’s body jerked into a climatic spasm and his male essence exploded from his member. She released her hand and quite exhausted he fell back onto the bed his nightgown visibly damp with his sperm.

“How curious.” Lady Charlotte said as she observed the boy prostrate on the bed, “Fascinating and revolting at the same time.”

“As I said m’lady, unlike the female sex males have so little control over their disgusting urges.” Alice said as she caught hold of Aubrey’s ear and in a further act of humiliation raised him from the bed before continuing,

“I do hope you are not going to forget your promise to her ladyship to become less masculine and more amenable in adopting feminine attributes or as you yourself have phrased it ... to become more effeminate.” Alice paused and fixed him with her steely eyes, a look that clearly implied there could only be one answer.

The intense sensations that ran through his body had now vanished and were replaced by a humiliating reality, he could not meet their eyes but knew he had to answer.

“Yes. “he murmured.

“Aubrey!”  Lady Charlotte said sharply “Is that the correct way to address your Governess?”  

An increasing sense of shame was now enveloping the youth, he was completely drained both physically and mentally and could not argue even if he wanted to.

“Yes Miss Alice.” he said softly.

“Are you forgetting something Aubrey?” Lady Charlotte chided him.

In an act of utter humiliation he turned to the woman who just the day previously, was a mere housemaid, someone who was at his beck and call, his social and gender inferior. He held the sides of his silk nightgown between in his hands and bent his knees in a deep curtsy.

“I’m sorry Miss Alice.” he said as he completed his act of indignity. “it will not happen again.”

Alice acknowledged his apology with a gracious tilt of her head and although she remained silent he could see the unmistakable look of triumph in her eyes. He could only hang his head in complete shame which did not go unnoticed by the women.

“I think you may be right regarding his milking Alice.” Lady Charlotte said as she examined his demeanour closely, her voice was composed, almost soothing as she continued “there does seem to be a slight change in his manner, less excitable and .....perhaps.... a little calmer. Am I correct Aubrey, do you feel a little more relaxed, less anxious about wearing your new clothes?”

Aubrey, such was his shame could only nod his agreement, standing in front of the women in his soiled silk nightgown he was close to tears.

Lady Charlotte embraced him warmly.

“It’s all right Aubrey.” Lady Charlotte said comforting him “young girls often find it comforting to cry every now and then you, it is part of the feminine experience. Now let’s get you out of your nightgown, you will feel so much better after Miss Alice bathes you in a nice warm bath.”

As Alice approached and lifted the soft fabric over his head he felt powerless to stop her and in a moment he was standing naked in front of the two women. He didn’t have to look to confirm his penis that just a few minutes ago was a rigid instrument of masculinity had now shrivelled to a fraction of its size and was now barely noticeable. The look of derision on Alice’s face seemed to shrink it even further. He now realised that under Lady Charlotte’s regimen he would have no privacy and he would be under female supervision at all times. He began to formulate a plea to be allowed to bathe alone but his face betrayed his thoughts and Lady Charlotte read his intentions.

“I do hope you are not thinking of refusing.” she asked sharply.

“Oh no, Lady Charlotte.” he lied unconvincingly but she chose to ignore it..

“That’s a good boy, I’m so glad that you are finally learning.” she said “now run along and when you return I may even allow you to choose your own undergarments and gown for today- just like a real girl.”

Lady Charlotte busied herself locating clothes in the large walk in dressing room and paid little attention as Alice took a firm hold of his flaccid penis and led him to the bathroom, she turned to him and smiled.

“Not very big now, is it?”she sneered “but it really doesn’t matter, effeminate boys like you have little need for such things and shortly it will be safely tucked away under several silk and taffeta petticoats. By the time we are finished, you will make the most gorgeous feminine male. Your life as your mother’s prodigal son is now over and you will soon discover the joys of being a young lady, restrained by corsets and dressed from head to toe in the most sensuous fabrics. Oh yes! I will certainly enjoy the challenge.”  

Aubrey now knew it would be some time before he emerged from this particular nightmare.  

A Very Victorian Education part 3

 Below is the third past of A Very Victorian Education I was hoping to have another illustration completed for it but I just ran out of time.

The usual  and  most genuine thank you to the 12 or 13 readers who consistently tick the “more box” I really do appreciate the gesture as without this I would not know if readers actually like the story or not. At the moment I have lot of commitments so it will be very difficult to finish the story in this format i.e. 4000-5000 words per chapter.

 So as I mentioned in a previous post I think the best way to continue will be to publish an illustration displaying a scene from Aubrey’s new life with an accompanying short text. This way hopefully the period between chapter s may not be too long.

Thanks again for your patience and support and I hope you enjoy it.

Carrie

The gentle whispering sound of soft silk skirts and petticoats filled the air as three elegantly dressed feminine figures moved along the upstairs corridor of Lady Charlotte de Winter’s London mansion. The only thing that made this quite ordinary domestic scene somewhat unusual was that the middle one of the fashionably dressed trio, the one who moved with an awkward and ungainly gait was in fact male. The young man in question was dressed in a gorgeous elaborate gown of the most delicate shade of ivory silk and decorated with an ornately embroidered bodice of gold and silver. He wore, along with his corset and petticoats of course, an expression of dread and trepidation. Wearing such a wonderfully feminine confection was not – as his countenance so clearly suggested – an arrangement he had entered into voluntarily. No, dear reader, the callow youth had been forced into wearing his new feminine garments by his mother’s dear friend and her daughter. After displaying the most arrogant and appalling male behaviour his hostess administered an exotic potion from the Far East which had temporarily robbed him of his male strength. When Lady de Winter insisted that his attitude towards the female sex would greatly benefit from some time living as a woman. Naturally the boy recoiled at such a notion but after having his behind thrashed by her daughter and physically unable to resist he soon found himself trussed up in petticoats, corset and gown. It was a dreadfully humiliating experience and he had hoped to limit it by remaining in his room for the duration of his stay but Lady de Winter had other ideas.  

“Such a pity we did not have a little more time with him to practise ascending and descending stairs.” Lady Charlotte said as she and her daughter steered the unwilling young man along the corridor towards the head of the wide staircase leading down to the expansive entrance hallway. “It would be nice if he was to make a graceful descent by himself. Servants always look to us as exemplars of feminine deportment.”

“Please Lady Charlotte …I can’t …the servants…..what will they think….”the petrified youth said desperately trying to dig his three inch heels into the large circular Persian rug at the top of the stairs.

“Please do not concern yourself about the servants Aubrey” Felicity said “they are servants they will think whatever Mother tells them to think. Like most women they have endured various humiliations at the hands of males and they were very grateful to be given the chance of serving in an all-female household. As a result of their experiences they understand and agree with Mother’s views on the subject and I think you will find they will welcome the chance to educate you in the more civilised ways of our gender.”

As he looked over the balustrade into the spacious hall below he could see the maids gathering to greet their mistress. Instinctively he tried to turn and go back but Felicity’s hands tightened sharply on his upper arm, two days ago he would not have felt a thing but now he felt even the slightest pressure when she chose to apply it.

“Ouch” he squealed in a girlish tone. “You’re hurting.”

A triumphant smile creased her face and he felt ashamed at his admission.

“Felicity!” her mother snapped “stop hurting the boy, remember he is not as strong as you and may be far too delicate for your heavy handed ways. Felicity reluctantly relaxed her steely grip and Lady de Winter continued,

“Now Aubrey, regarding your apprehensions about the servants’ views please do not concern yourself about such trivial matters. Of course they will find a male dressed in such a beautiful gown somewhat .....shall we say…unusual. However they are well trained and they understand that the manner in which the upper classes conduct their affairs may sometimes appear unorthodox but as well trained and loyal servants they accept that there may be good reasons for everything their mistress does.”

She stood back and made a minor adjustment to his sleeves and looked at him directly in the eye before adding,

“No matter how unconventional or even odd that may seem. I expect they will soon get used to it- as I am sure you will.”

This did not assuage Aubrey’s fears and he continued to dig his three inch heels into the carpet. Lady de Winter looked at him quizzically and tilted her head in a questioning manner.

“Of course if you are still reluctant to descend the stairs voluntarily I’m sure Miss Bristlestrap would only be too happy to assist us.” she said in a low voice.

Aubrey, his heart beating fast under his chemise and corset, knew exactly what that would entail. He immediately decided whatever chance he had of maintaining even the slightest degree of dignity if he voluntarily accompanied Lady Charlotte and Felicity, to refuse and be forced in front of the servants by Miss Bristlestrap would only make him look even more foolish and unmanly… if that was possible.

“Oh no Lady Charlotte I’m just a little nervous.” he answered as he caught a glimpse of Miss Bristlestrap smiling in a vaguely threateningly manner at the end of the stairs.

“It’s all right my dear boy,” Lady Charlotte said, her voice much more comforting now, “take a firm hold of your skirts ensuring you also have a grip of your petticoats and slowly put one foot in front of the other. Don’t worry Felicity and I will be next to you just in case you stumble.”

After a tentative start he managed to reach the end of the wide staircase without incident and as he finally alighted from the last step he felt a now familiar queasiness in his stomach as he saw the housemaids lined up behind Miss Bristlestrap to await their mistress and her new guest. The housekeeper, Lady Charlotte and Felicity left him standing alone as they engaged in conversation. He tried to avoid the gaze of the maids but was unable to do so, it was as he had feared  he quickly detected on each of their faces a look of ridicule and derision.

“Girls.” Miss Bristlestrap called her staff to attention “the mistress has an announcement to make.”

“As you will be aware we have a guest staying with us, the child of a very dear and valued friend. “Lady de Winter began as she gestured her hand towards the mortified boy in the ivory silk own whose eyes were now fixed firmly on the floor, she called to him “Aubrey you can let go of your skirts and petticoats now and come over here.”

Under his voluminous gown his feet slowly began to move him to Lady Charlotte’s side, the skirts of the gown swaying gently as he did so. He knew all eyes in the spacious hall were on him and as he walked in as dignified a manner as he could under the circumstances.

He tried to calm himself.

Remember you are a man, a man of breeding and of high rank just because you are dressed like a girl does not mean you should act like one.

Once at her side Lady de Winter took him by the hand and addressed the servants once more.

“You are perhaps wondering why a young gentleman is dressed in such a fashion. You are also aware of my views regarding the arrogance and conceit of the male sex and how abhorrent I find them. Master Aubrey, after some…..persuasion, has conceded that since his arrival in this house he has been guilty of such obnoxious and loathsome male behaviour and has offended, disparaged and insulted the female gender.”   She paused and looked at the shameful boy, Aubrey shifted uncomfortably under his gown at her characterisation of him but she squeezed his hand gently and gave him a broad benevolent smile before continuing

“However, to his great credit he has expressed genuine remorse for such conduct and has shown a willingness to rid himself of these dreadful traits. So for the duration of his stay with us he has committed himself to acquiring the more courteous and refined values associated with the feminine persona. To demonstrate his sincerity he has agreed that he could absorb these qualities if he was to immerse himself fully in all things feminine.”

She interrupted her address and once more smiled proudly at him and out of the corner of his eye he could detect the thinly disguised smirks of the servants. Such was his mortification Aubrey wished the floor would open up and swallow him, he just wanted Lady Charlotte to stop speaking and allow him to leave, but there was little chance of that. She recommenced her speech,

“I am happy to announce that the dear boy has agreed to my suggestion that the best way to do this would be to dress and behave as a female until he returns to his mother.” she paused and beamed at the servants. “So thankfully the gender balance has been restored and we are once again an all-female household.”

The maids broke into spontaneous applause at this announcement and Aubrey cringed at the thought he was now considered female –even by the servants.

“I’m sure Master Aubrey will be most grateful for your assistance and support in helping him to integrate into my home in his new role. Naturally you will grant him the same respect and deference as you would any lady of high social standing.”

The maids all nodded eagerly and broke into frenzied chatter and smiling in his direction as they did so, Aubrey felt distinctly uneasy by this display of female excitement, one of them   spoke to Miss Bristlestrap who in turn spoke to Lady de Winter.

“My Lady, the staff are curious as to how exactly they should address your new …ahem…guest, should they refer to him as Master Aubrey or…….” Miss Bristlestrap paused as she fixed the boy with her steely gaze “….or in view of his new feminine attire should he be addressed as  ……Miss Aubrey?”

Lady Charlotte seemed to be taken by surprise by her housekeeper’s question.

“I really had not thought of that Miss Bristlestrap, an excellent question. What clever girls they are ” she replied as she turned her attention to Aubrey once more and fussing unnecessarily with his collar smiled at him before asking,

“What do you think Aubrey?”

Aubrey’s brain had been experiencing ever increasing levels of turmoil since he first opened his eyes that morning and was now faced with yet another humiliating choice. Choosing the feminine form of address would mean he had surrendered his increasingly tenuous claim on his masculinity but being addressed as Master Aubrey dressed in ladies clothing would sound equally degrading and would only serve to draw attention to his predicament.

“I ..ah... I....”he spluttered as every pair of eyes in the room fixed on him once more.

“Maybe it is a little too soon for you to decide.” Lady Charlotte interrupted his babbling, “Perhaps it may be better to wait until you become a little more......” and she paused momentarily, her hands gesturing to his gown before continuing “..... comfortable in your new attire?”

Such was his confusion he could only nod, Lady de Winter turned to Miss Bristlestrap and the assembled maids. 

“The change from male to female clothing will obviously take a little time for the young master to become used to both physically and mentally and I’m sure  Aubrey is still a little confused with our new arrangement.”

Once more words failed him and he could only nod his head in agreement.

“Yes your ladyship.” the housekeeper agreed “In my experience young males require a period of adjustment in their new attire before they begin to empathise with the female sex. Naturally they are totally unused to the restrictive and voluminous nature of garments worn by ladies of polite society, and like Master Aubrey here, once they find themselves dressed in such feminine attire they have  absolutely no idea how to comport themselves in a natural or graceful manner.”

Aubrey was still coming to terms with his bizarre plight and focused on avoiding the smirking faces of the maidservants, he wasn’t sure he had heard her correctly. Lady Charlotte’s voice cut short these thoughts,

Did she say she has experience of seeing males dressed as girls? Has she or Lady Charlotte done this to other boys?

“I suppose we will have to leave that particular question for the time being.” Lady Charlotte said “however the most important thing is that he is shown deference as befits a girl......I mean boy of his class.”

“Of course m’lady.”Miss Bristlestrap replied “the staff are well trained and will ensure he is treated in the appropriate manner and with the utmost......”she paused and looked disdainfully for a few moments at the figure in the silk gown before adding “...  respect.”

 “Now Miss Bristlestrap” Lady Charlotte announced as she began to gather her skirts and move away “Miss Felicity and I have some matters to discuss in private and we would welcome your views, please join us in the library.

Aubrey was relieved that he would not have to continue to face the servants prying eyes and their barely concealed smirks and went to follow her.

“This will take several minutes Aubrey and we do not require your presence, please wait in the drawing room and we will join you when we have concluded our business.”

He tried to say something but by the time the words reached his mouth they had already arrived at the library door and he was left standing in the company of the four maids. The smiles that crossed their faces unsettled him greatly as they gathered around him like sharks surrounding a lone seal, their eyes examining every part of him, he felt they were  mentally undressing him. Although they had not spoken a word he knew that behind the mask of their polite smiles they were laughing at him- the boy in the dress. He tried to avoid their eyes but it was impossible and he could feel himself becoming even more anxious and........... feelings he rarely felt before....... he felt intimidated and vulnerable. His usual poise and self-assurance had disappeared – now buried deep under his taffeta petticoats and rigid corset.

The maids continued to examine him and he became fretful and agitated, he grabbed the soft silk of the dress’s skirt trying to stop his hands from shaking. He began swaying nervously and in the almost funereal quietness of the hallway even his slightest movement created a rustling sound from the silk and taffeta petticoats that shamefully hung from his slim hips. He rarely took notice of servant girls, well maybe the pretty ones and like most of his peers he deliberately remained aloof and haughty in their presence. After all servants particularly maidservants should always be aware of who was in charge. But now stripped of the male clothing that marked him as a scion of that very upper class society and dressed as a girl in silks and satins he no longer felt as authoritative as the youth who entered this house just a few days ago.  He knew he had to escape from their mocking eyes and contemptuous smiles, he decided to break out of their circle to the safety of the drawing room.

He bolted for the door several metres away but forgetting that he was now wearing long and cumbersome petticoats under a dress he stumbled and fell unceremoniously to the ground. He did not think his humiliation could reach a new level but now, crumpled into an undignified figure on the marble tiles with his dress and petticoats bunched up around his thighs in a most indecorous manner, he knew he had plumbed a new level of shame.

“Dora, Hilda.”a voice said quietly “pick Master Aubrey up.”

He felt two strong hands grip him under the arms and lift him effortlessly to his feet. He was speechless with mortification as the maids set about fixing his dress and adjusting his petticoats neatly under the skirt.

“Are you hurt Master Aubrey?” one of the maids said in an unmistakeable mocking tone.

“No...no.... I’m...  all right.”he answered still shaking slightly.

“Oh let me fix your dress and petties.”

Three of the maids fussed about him carefully arranging his dress.

“Running in a dress is not a wise choice Master Aubrey.” the maid with the brown hair said. “A lady’s clothing does not have the same freedom as that of a young gentleman and as such young ladies tend to avoid such exertions as the consequences can be.......”she paused as she adjusted his bodice around his false bosom before continuing “.... very embarrassing.”

“I...it’s ....”he spluttered.

“Perhaps if you sat down in the drawing room you may feel a little better. Some tea may help calm you?” she said.

“Yes....that...I think that would be...” he said still shaken but before he agreed to her suggestion she had already taken hold of his arm and guided him to the drawing room door.

“It would be best if you held your skirts whilst walking Master Aubrey, like this,” she advised and demonstrated with the skirts of her uniform before explaining “young ladies do this naturally from a young age, however for a young man it may require a little more practice to achieve the desired effect. I’m afraid you will have to modify your gait also.”

His embarrassing tumble to the floor had completely eroded what little confidence he had left and he felt his petticoats were now a hazard to his movement and a source of further potential embarrassment. He knew her remark about his gait was also true, he would no longer be able to stride about in the normal male fashion. If he was to avoid another mortifying fall he would have to shorten his male stride and learn how to walk and move in a more ..... and he hated to admit it.....feminine manner.

Alice spoke quietly to the other maids and they left, leaving just the two of them in the room.

“Perhaps you had better sit down Master Aubrey.” she said and as before without waiting for an answer she took him by the arm and guided him to the large couch.

He tried to sit but almost tripped on the hem once more Alice moved quickly to prevent him falling once more.

“You will have to lift your skirts slightly before you sit, this will ensure to do not stumble and also that you will not bunch your petticoats underneath you.”

She demonstrated the correct method and he gingerly lowered himself onto the couch and as he sat there in his feminine finery he caught sight of his reflection in the large mirror over the fireplace and the enormity of changes he had been put through suddenly hit him. He  saw the girl in the mirror begin to sob.

“May offer some advice Master Aubrey?”she said proffering the tearful youth a handkerchief

He was still transfixed by his reflection and through his tears nodded his agreement, Alice sat down beside him the jet black of her uniform contrasting with the beautiful ivory silk of his gown.

“Difficult as it is for you to understand, you must accept that you are now completely under Lady Charlotte’s control.” the maid began “Your mother and Lady Charlotte agree that women have suffered too long under a hypocritical patriarchy which they feel leads to moral corruption and a life of debauchery, they are fearful that you may be led down this path.”

Aubrey looked at her blankly not fully understanding what this had to do with his present predicament, Alice dabbed the last tears from his cheeks and continued

“As you know only too well she and your mother are extremely close, almost like sisters. Your mother has always been a great admirer of the mistress’s abilities to achieve exceptional results in even the most trying cases. The maids in this household are one example, most of them were streetwalkers, ladies of the night, but Lady Charlotte rescued them and through patience and some unorthodox methods she turned them into presentable girls with impeccable manners and moral rectitude, they are no longer at the mercy of men.”

 The youth shifted uneasily on the couch, his bulky new clothes creating a faint crinkling noise every time he made even the slightest move, reminding him as if that was necessary, that he was now confined within a silk and satin prison. Aubrey knew the maid was right his mother often expressed an excessive affection towards Lady Charlotte and held her opinions in the highest regard. He was aware his mother strongly disapproved of his behaviour and he suddenly realised that she may not only fail to condemn his treatment at Lady Charlotte’s hands. Worse still- she may even approve of it. Alice waited for her words to seep into his brain before she spoke again.

“If you rebel against Lady Charlotte or fail to show sufficient progress it is extremely likely that your stay here will be prolonged for several months. As you know your mother had planned to go abroad for an extended tour of the continent, Paris, Venice, Salzburg and a spa in Germany I believe. I overheard her tell Lady Catherine that it would be a great relief to know that you were in the safe hands of Lady Charlotte and not involved in any disgraceful male behaviour.  If you think you are suffering now just imagine weeks, months perhaps longer dressed.....”she paused and gestured to his sumptuous silk gown “in beautiful gowns of silk, taffeta, satin and other soft feminine fabrics. Not to mention of course being confined in corsets. I think after such a long period in feminine clothing you would probably forget what is was to be male.”

Aubrey let out an audible gasp, being held prisoner in female clothing for a day or two was excruciating but for months. He desperately tried to remember how long his mother had said she would be away at her aunt’s estate. A week? two? And he did recall her saying she had plans for a Grand Tour of Europe however at this moment such was his confusion he could not remember when exactly she said she was leaving. The thought of such a long time dressed as a female was too much to bear, he burst out crying again.

“ Months.....oh no.....”he sobbed.

“If she decides to extend her tour it could even be a year.” Alice helpfully added and produced another handkerchief.

“A YEAR!” he wailed taking the handkerchief and burst into tears once more.

“Of course....” Alice said softly as she smoothed out a crease in his skirt “.. if you conform to her ladyship’s regimen and impress her with your willingness to change your ways, abandoning the arrogant and disrespectful attitude of the male sex I’m sure your time in female clothing would be very short.”

“Do you really think so?” he answered still sobbing as he grasped at this lifeline.

“If you are to be successful you will need to fully comprehend the nature of femininity with all the complexity of emotions that it brings.” Alice said taking the handkerchief and wiping the tears from his cheeks. “This is a good beginning.”

He looked at her with a vacant look on his face.

“You see,” she explained “this is one advantage women have over men, the relief of tears, the torrential downpours that wash our spirits clean. It will help you accept that you are no longer in control. Do you understand?”

He really didn’t know what she was talking about but he did not feel as tense, he nodded and Alice continued 

“The mistress is a highly intelligent woman and will not be fooled by you merely wearing a dress, making a feeble effort to change. She will want to be satisfied that you are making a sincere attempt to transform your life and become a better person. If she sees that you accept her methods I’m sure she will be more forgiving.”

“How....what can I do?”he blurted as he realised there could be a quick way out of his predicament.

“Oh it will take a few days but you could begin by a display of respect and....” Alice hesitated .......obedience, curtsying to her when she enters the room would be a good start. It would show her that you are sincere in your wish to change.”

“But ..I can’t....I don’t know..... how.” he said.

“Every girl knows how to curtsey.” Alice answered “and you must remember...... in the mistress’s eyes, you are a girl now Master Aubrey. Let me see you try.”

Aubrey knew he had no way out of this dreadful plight and he was prepared to do anything to get released as quickly as possible from his horrible clothes. A few days ago he could never have imagined taking instructions from a servant girl, a maid, but he now felt Alice seemed to offer the best solution to his problems.

With these thoughts in his head Aubrey lifted himself from the couch and very clumsily attempted a curtsey.

“Oh dear” Alice sighed “I’m afraid that will not do, it may be all right for a kitchen or scullery maid but not a girl of a high social rank”

He looked at her blankly.

 “As I said you really need to think of yourself as a young lady.” Alice smiled sweetly. Now try again, your right leg behind the left and holding your skirts slowly lower your body.”

He was concentrating so much he didn’t hear the door opening, the other maids arrived and began arranging the low table for tea. They found it difficult to conceal their amusement, seeing them Aubrey became flustered once again.

“The young master is trying very hard to improve his .....” Alice said pausing to find the right words “....feminine qualities.”

“Her ladyship will be impressed.” Dora said barely suppressing her giggling.

“Yes...”Hilda agreed in a tone that betrayed her hilarity “most.... ladylike, I’m sure.”

“Girls!” Alice admonished the maids “I am trying to teach Master Aubrey some feminine etiquette.”

She then turned her attention back to the bewildered youth.

“Now if you imagine Dora here is her ladyship’s daughter, let me see how you would greet her.” Alice said.

The maids gathered close to him fixing him with their eyes, sly smiles breaking out across their faces.  Aubrey’s thoughts drifted to a time before he was imprisoned in these dreadful female clothes. Yesterday, he said to himself, he would have reprimanded them for their insolence, they were mere servant girls after and he was superior in rank and gender. He was a man. But that was yesterday, today he was barely recognisable as that man, today he was a feminised male in a dress.

“Master Aubrey!” Alice said sharply rousing him from his reflections and asserting her growing authority, leaving him in no doubt this was an order not a request.

Aubrey looked at her with pleading eyes but Alice ignored his unspoken appeal, her eyes widening as if daring him to refuse. She gestured him to stand in front of the smiling servant girl.

The only sound in the room was the swishing of his skirts as he meekly complied.

“Miss Dora.” Aubrey mumbled in a broken voice as he lowered his body and performed the submissive feminine gesture.

“Much better.” Alice smiled “And now do the same with Hilda and Sarah.”

He repeated his performance to the obvious satisfaction of the grinning maids.

“Oh that was wonderful, I feel like a real lady.” Sarah cooed, clearly delighted “I’m usually the one curtsying.”

“Yes.” Hilda said to the others in a quiet but excited voice that Aubrey could not help but hearing “would it be marvellous if he was wearing my uniform and I was wearing his gown. Maybe her ladyship might........ ”

“That’s enough girls, the mistress be here in a moment you may go.” Alice said putting an end to his torment as the maids left the room still giggling.

“You see the effect an elegant curtsey can have, Lady Charlotte will be most pleased with such a display of feminine decorum.” Alice said as she turned to the door “I think I hear her in the hallway, now sit down and when she enters rise  and slowly lower yourself into a graceful curtsey.”

A loud rustle of taffeta and silk announced the arrival of Lady Charlotte followed closely by Felicity and Miss Bristlestrap. Alice nodded to her pupil who rose from the couch and performed an almost faultless curtsey.

“Oh you darling boy, such a charming curtsey.... what a wonderful surprise. I really did not think you were quite ready to fully accept my ideas.” she exclaimed her voice filled with emotion and opened her arms “come here and let me embrace you.”

It was plain to see that his curtsey had the desired effect as she enfolded him in her arms and held him to her ample bosom.

Maybe Alice is right he said to himself as she maintained the embrace for a few moments, If I keep up this pretence for a few days I may get my clothes back.

She eventually released him from her grip and smiled at him, he could see Felicity and Miss Bristlestrap exchange knowing smirks.

“It will take more than a simple curtsey to convince me Mother.” Felicity snorted.

 “Mmm...perhaps.” Lady Charlotte said holding both his hands in hers and scanning his face “however something in his demeanour seems to have changed since we left him. It’s as if he’s had an epiphany. Has Alice been giving you a little advice dear boy? she is a clever girl.”

“Um...ah.....she...”he mumbled, mortified that he had debased himself in front of Felicity and Miss Bristlestrap and flustered by her perceptive question.

“I merely pointed the young master in the right direction your ladyship.” Alice intervened “I did not mean to interfere.”

“Quite all right Alice.” Lady Charlotte replied “in fact we were just discussing how best to proceed with his ...” she paused for a moment before continuing “training.... I suppose is the best word. He really does need a lot of work and as I may not always be on hand to supervise his progress and Miss Bristlestrap has enough to do running the household. I had thought about employing a responsible and discreet lady’s maid to help develop his more genteel and feminine qualities however his education is another major consideration after all he did express a concern regarding his next term at Oxford.”

“A.... lady’s maid?”  Aubrey blurted, the very idea filled him with dread and he visibly recoiled at the suggestion. This would be the worst possible eventuality, he tried desperately to dissuade her “...but there’s no need I assure you Lady Charlotte. I will be.....”

Lady Charlotte ignored him and continued,

“However, although a lady’s maid would be helpful I feel someone with a little bit more experience in dealing with boys would be ideal in giving you a more rounded education.”

Aubrey looked at her with a mixture of apprehension and confusion.

“Miss Bristlestrap tells me that Alice has just such a background. Isn’t that so Alice?” Lady Charlotte said.

“Yes m’lady.” Alice replied. “you were kind enough to employ me as a head housemaid when circumstances made it difficult to obtain a position more suited to my abilities.”

“With Aubrey’s elegant curtsey I think we have already witnessed your inspirational qualities.” Lady Charlotte said as she sat down “And you would be willing to take on this responsibility.”

“Of course m’lady.” Alice answered “it would be a wonderful opportunity.”

Aubrey’s head was following the conversation like a spectator at a tennis match.

“Then it is settled.” Lady Charlotte.

“I...don’t understand Lady Charlotte.” Aubrey said fearfully.

“Oh..Aubrey you silly boy, have you not been listening?” Lady Charlotte explained to the confused youth. “Alice will become your Governess, under my supervision she will help nurture your progress. She will have full authority over you and I expect you to obey her as you would me.”

“Alice?” he blurted still not believing his own ears “but I....can’t...she’s only a  ...”

“She is your new Governess.” Lady Charlotte said “and given her new position I think it best if you address her as Miss Alice.”

“But....I....she’s a.... you can’t really expect....”he spluttered.

“Aubrey!” Lady Charlotte snapped, the sternness in her voice did not escape him and he feared the consequences of defying her “now greet your new Governess in the appropriate fashion for a young lady.”

A wave of subjugation washed over him, his hands grasped his skirts and he bent his knees and lowered his body as he had been taught.

“Miss Alice” he said as he curtsied to his new Governess.

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.”