Author's preamble: I puzzled over the category to select but decided that the often brutal images in several scenes required the BDSM tag. For those who do not like surprises sprung upon them, I should add further tags: Lesbian sex, 'straight' sex, anal, oral, fisting, anal fisting, menstruation, pissing, piercing and a passing mention of gay sex (but don't worry, those who are put off by two men together: that element is truly miniscule and lasts only for a very few sentences with no detail.)
All sexually active participants are over the age of 18.
Forever M'Lady is a stand-alone story set in late Victorian England. Essentially a Romance, the story is entirely fictitious, a product of my own imagination. Any names, either of person or place, have no counterpart in the real world. Nor do the characters.
I am no expert in late 19th century life so if there are anachronisms herein, I beg forgiveness.
I am indebted to Dan Griffin for his prompt and scholarly editing of my text. If you find any more mistakes, they are entirely mine.
Now nothing remains but the reading. I trust you will enjoy the story as much I enjoyed the composition.I welcome comments and votes.
Merf68
Forever M'Lady.
Chapter 1 Barton Court
The day after my fourteenth birthday, my father took me to Barton Court, the local 'big house', where I was to be taken on as the most junior servant. Daddy patted me on the head and said he would see me on Sunday. He left me there in my Sunday best with just a change of clothing in a package clutched to my chest. A girl, who told me her name was Faith, took me in hand and led me first to the Housekeeper's door. She was just a year or two older than me.
We entered her office when called in; Faith bobbed a little curtsy and hissing at me to copy her. Mistress Sharp was a tall, imposing woman wearing a starched, tight white blouse and voluminous black skirts. Around her waist was a wide belt from which hung a large ring of keys. "Well?" she almost barked, glaring at the intrusion.
"Please, Mistress Sharp, this is the new girl, Jane Fairfax," said my guide.
"Harrumph," Mistress Sharp grunted, looking down her long nose, which was as sharp as her name. "Come here girl, I do not bite. I want a proper look at you." As she looked me over, motioning for me to turn this way and that, she continued, "I am in charge. You will always address me as Mistress Sharp or just Mistress. I am Lord Barton's Housekeeper and so control his domestic staff." She finally gripped my jaw and looked straight into my eyes. "I will not tolerate misbehaviour. Understand?"
"Yes, Mistress Sharp."
"Faith, take her to the Linen Keeper for a uniform, then to the still room. Then return to your own duties."
"Yes, Mistress." We both had to curtsy again before we left.
That was four years ago. In that time I had made my place in the big house until, one day, Mistress Sharp summoned me. It was with some trepidation that I went. My only other visits to her office had been to be disciplined for infractions of the rules. I left each time with a very sore bottom imprinted with the marks of a large wooden spoon and tears flooding from my eyes. However, this time I knew of no reason to be summoned.
I entered her office, dropped a curtsy and stood before Mistress Sharp and Master Johnstone, the Butler. I had learned in my time that Master Johnstone was even the Housekeeper's boss, only one-step below God, so I was even more nervous. It was almost like having the clock turned back when I was instructed to turn my head and my body this way and that, this time for Master Johnstone's inspection. "Show me your legs, Jane. Lift your skirts." I did as bidden, holding up my skirts and turning to give him views all round, until he told me cover up again.
"Yes, Mistress Sharp," he turned to the Housekeeper. "She's a comely, buxom wench. M'lady told me to bring her although I cannot think where M'lady saw her. She has been kept downstairs?"
"Master Johnstone, last week, Faith was ill in bed and Jane was sent to empty the chamber pots. Perhaps M'Lady saw her. I trust she has done nothing wrong?"
"I think not, Mistress Sharp. M'lady did not seem annoyed or distressed when she instructed me." Turning to me, he said, "Come." He walked out of the door and I had to rush to keep up with him. "When did you last bathe, Jane?" he demanded over his shoulder.
"All Souls Day, Sir," I responded. Without breaking his long stride, he turned to a side passage and took me to the large bathing room. He called for hot water and within minutes, four maids had filled the bath, meanwhile I had been ordered to strip. I obeyed reluctantly but I could have been a marble statue for all the attention he paid to me. A quick glance up and down, an almost imperceptible nod and then he turned to speak to one of the girls. She was to run and get me a new uniform. "And I mean 'new'," he finished.
I scrubbed myself everywhere, yes everywhere, with carbolic soap until my skin was almost sore but felt tingling and glowing. I then dried with a big white towel and stood there shivering for a minute until my new uniform arrived. I quickly dressed myself and brushed my hair as best I could until Master Johnstone was satisfied. Finally, I was taken into the Family part of the house and it almost felt like hallowed ground. At the door from the servants' area into the Family area, he stopped and told me, in a very soft voice but his tone was hard as steel, "Whatever you see or hear beyond this door is Private. You will never tell anybody, not your friends, not your superiors, not even me. You will obey any orders M'Lady gives you instantly. If you transgress, you will be severely whipped and taken to prison. Is That Absolutely Clear?"
"Yes, Master Johnstone."
His face softened with a friendly smile. "Jane, M'lady has not told me why she wants to see you but I think your fortunes are changing for the better. Mistress Sharp has given me good reports on you so I am confident you will fit in. Good luck. Now, chin up and come with me."
He led me into another world where everything was beauty and elegance. Up a grand staircase, he led me, and along a couple of passages until we stood outside a large, heavy door. He rapped loudly then opened the door and ushered me in on command from within.