London 1910
I arrived home from school, after another long day teaching history to the offspring of the rich and famous. On the doormat, I found a letter written in perfect handwriting and addressed to myself.
With curiosity, I open the envelope and read the contents.
Dear Mr. Wilkins,
Would you be so kind as to join me at the above address, I believe I have need of your services.
Unless I hear to the contrary, I will expect to see you on Thursday at 7 PM.
Yours sincerely,
Lady Birch
The letter was written on the highest quality paper. The address was in the heart of Kensington, everything spoke of high class and money.
I was not too surprised to receive such a message. Although the private school I work for pays well, I supplement my income by doing extra tuition. I assumed this was a request for these services. I could not however remember coming across the name Birch previously.
The next day I asked in the staffroom if anyone had come across Lady Birch, and one of the teachers thought her husband had something to do with the tea trade, but I was unsure of how reliable that information was.
Thursday evening, I found myself outside the residence of Lord and Lady Birch. A brass plaque with their names attached to the door told me I had arrived at the right house. The residence confirmed my earlier impression of wealth and opulence it was a very substantial building. I rang the bell and waited.
I was not kept waiting for long, the door was answered by a young girl in a formal maid's uniform. She looked very smart with her full-length black dress covered by a long white apron.
I announced myself and was told I was expected. I followed her into a large hallway.
I was led down the hall and into what could only be the library, it was a very well-appointed room, with the walls surrounded by bookcases. Sat in one of the two leather armchairs was a very sophisticated-looking lady who I could only assume to be Lady Birch.
She stood as I entered and held out her hand.
"Mr. Wilkins, thank you for coming to see me. I am Lady Birch, I am pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Likewise, I am delighted to meet you."
Lady Birch, I guessed, was in her early thirties, tall with light brown hair. She looked every inch the elegant lady around town. She was also an extremely attractive woman.
I was offered tea, which I accepted, and we made small talk until the maid reappeared carrying our refreshments.
"How can I help? I assume you need my tutoring services."
I was given a long appraising look, which I found slightly off-putting. She briefly nodded her head, as if I had passed some secret test.
"Mr. Wilkins, I do not need your teaching services, but before we go further. I need your assurance that nothing we discuss will be mentioned outside this room. I am acquainted with one of the governors of your school, and I understand you to be a man of high moral standards, do I have your assurance?"
I was taken aback by this comment. I was surprised she had inquired into my background. However, I was intrigued by what she needed to discuss with me.
"You can have my assurance of complete discretion. I assure you that anything we discuss will remain between ourselves."
"Good, then let's begin."
She spent the next couple of minutes telling me of her loveless marriage. As soon as the wedding had taken place two years previously, her husband had left for India, and even though it was early summer, he was not expected back this year. She finished her sad tale with, "He married me for my title; he wished to become a Lord; that much is now clear."
"I am sorry for you," I could not honestly think of anything else to say.
"Please don't be I am not unhappy. I have many friends and generally like all my staff here. I am wealthy, some would say very wealthy. I enjoy my life. My husband, for his many faults, is a good provider. Although he does insist that we employ no male staff members, and this brings me to the reason for wishing to speak to you."
I nodded but was still uncertain about what she thought I could do to help.
"Could I ask you how you dispense discipline at your school?"
I was taken aback by the question, "I am not sure I understand how this is relevant."
"Please bear with me, if you could answer the question, hopefully all will soon be revealed."
"For a first or a minor offence, I smack the bottom of the offender."
"Is this over clothing or naked?"
Lady Birch was leaning forward, and excitement was showing in her eyes.
"For a first offence on one layer of clothing, usually their underwear, later offences on the bare bottom."
"Very good, and for more serious offences?"
"I have a strap I can use again over underwear or naked. However, there is always the ultimate threat of the cane."
"Do you cane on the naked bottom?" She was hanging on to my every word now and blushing a shade of pink.
"Usually yes."
"How many strokes?"
"Usually, six but never more than twelve."
"Does corporal punishment work?"
"For most people, yes, although it hurts it is over quickly, it does modify behaviour at least for some time."
"Excellent, thank you. I do not require your teaching services; it is your disciplinary services that I require."
"I am not sure I understand."
"You have the reputation of being a strict but fair disciplinarian. These are the services I require; of course, you will be paid for these services, and if complete discretion is maintained, you will be very well paid. The standard and discipline of my staff are a cause for concern, I wish to improve this. Ideally with your help."
"You want me to punish your staff?" I asked. I could not believe this, although I did not say it, I could not believe I was being offered payment for something I would have gladly done for free. I have always had a strong interest in corporal punishment, and I was being offered an opportunity to practice. I sensed Lady Birch was more interested than she was saying.
"I pay my staff very well, more than is usual for their services, most have been with me for some considerable time, but I feel standards have slipped. I do not wish to resort to dismissing people, and this seems to me a reasonable alternative. Of course, if they are unwilling to submit to this new regime, they are welcome to leave, and I will give them a good reference and endeavour to find an alternative position for them. I will not force discipline on anyone."
Silence fell in the room, I was trying to process what I had just been told, and Lady Birch was giving me time to think.
"So just to be clear, if you feel your staff warrant it, you wish me to punish them?"
"Yes exactly, if you agree, I will tell them of the new regime. I am confident everyone will stay, but some of my staff have been the subject of unsavoury gossip for their behaviour. As you can imagine, in my position as a woman on her own, I cannot allow any whiff of scandal. You said corporal punishment is quick and effective, and I believe you are right."
"How do you imagine this working?"
"Well, as I say, I will tell everyone of the change of working arrangements, and perhaps once a week you could visit, and we could discuss the previous week's conduct and agree on what punishment would be appropriate and dispense the agreed punishment."
I smiled, "You have this worked out."
"Yes, I have been thinking of this for a long time. So will you help?"
"Yes, this evening has been a surprise, but I would love to help."
"What equipment would you need?"
"Well, a strap or a tawse, and of course a cane."
"Perfect, anything else?"
"Well, I have seen a piece of equipment for securing someone securely for punishment. I have only seen a drawing, but I have not seen or used one. It does look perfect for the situation."
"If you can get to see one and you think it would help, please could you procure all the items you need. Get them delivered here, and I will pay upon delivery."
"Thank you, I will investigate and get that sorted."
"Perfect, I will update my staff. Does next Friday evening work for you? We could start the process of increasing standards then. Could you arrange to have everything you need before then?"
"I am sure I can make that work."
We engaged in some more small talk, and I took my leave.
I decided to walk back home, I could not believe I was being asked to spank and punish adult woman. In addition, I was going to be paid for doing it. I do not enjoy punishment at school, but I have always thought punishment in a domestic environment would be most stimulating. Certainly, I could only imagine the pleasure of punishing the maid who had answered the door earlier.
The next day after school I found my way to Underwoods shop in Marylebone, it advertised itself as a general hardware store. I knew from experience that it stocked many implements of punishment, and I had also seen an advertisement for the punishment furniture I had mentioned to Lady Birch.
I choose a couple of canes, one light, and one medium. I do not believe that punishment should be brutal. It should certainly sting, but any marks should be short-lived. Memories of the punishment and the humiliation should remain. Therefore, I did not need any of the dragon canes displayed. I had just chosen two straps, and as I was perusing the tawse's, the proprietor came over and asked if he could help. I inquired if he had any spanking furniture I could see.
"Of course, I have a room at the back of the store if you would like to follow me."
I was led down a small passageway and through a previously closed door, this led to a well-lit room that smelt strongly of leather. In the centre of the room was the item of furniture I was looking for. It was made of dark wood with red leather padding. There was a section for the torso to be laid upon, this was gently angled so the bottom would be uppermost, and the torso would be secured with a thick leather belt. The legs of the person being spanked would be bent so they would almost be kneeling on the framework, again red leather padding would provide support. Belts would ensure the victim's legs would be well separated and secure. Likewise, the arms of the person would rest on red leather and be secured. Once in position, the bottom would be uppermost and perfectly positioned for punishment. I could only imagine how exposed one would feel when awaiting retribution.
