02

Chapter One

The imposing building loomed up, dwarfing the surrounding trees, as the carriage pulled up sharply and sent Rachel sprawling forward.

"Really, Rachel, you need to act like a lady!" snapped her great-aunt, impeccably dressed as usual, as she tapped her walking stick on the floor to signal the driver to attend to her. The man, rain soaking his cloak, pulled down the steps and then held his arm out to aid both ladies as they made their way down onto solid ground and then into the sheltering cover of the porch.

"Wait here, Jenkins, as I will not be that long," commanded Mrs Drake before she turned to the door and pulled sharply on the bell rope. Nerves jangling like the bell, Rachel waited apprehensively, wondering what her new life was going to be like.

It had been the year before that Rachel's parents had both died suddenly; killed when the ship they had been travelling in had foundered at sea during a storm. Orphaned at the tender age of eighteen, her great-aunt, Mrs Drake, had taken her in out of pity and supported her ever since but now, with her own funds slowly but steadily dwindling away, she had decided that it was time for Rachel to find some sort of employment. Naturally, being a well-brought up Victorian lady, Rachel was not exactly qualified for anything arduous so Mrs Drake had used her extensive circle of contacts and found her a position as a companion.

"My friend, Mrs Willis, has a friend who needs somebody to accompany them around town when shopping or going to dances and to their estate in the country. With no money of your own thanks to your father's recklessly extravagant lifestyle, it means that you can live there and be paid whilst having the chance to remain in society and maybe find a rich husband! It sounds perfect for you, Rachel, so I have made an appointment to see Miss Caine at three o'clock tomorrow afternoon," Mrs Drake had informed Rachel tersely before telling her to make sure that she was presentable.

Dressed in her best frock, a watered-silk in a fetching blue, Rachel rocked slightly from side to side, wondering if she wanted to remain in society. Her snobbish great-aunt clearly wanted her to but Rachel found parties and balls boring even though she was a good dancer, gracefully gliding round the floor. Shyness always made her blush furiously though when any man came to speak to her and she spent most of her time at parties hugging the wall and trying to avoid notice; something that was not easy as she was blonde, blue-eyed and possessed of an attractive figure. Really, sitting at home comfortably with a good book would interest Rachel more than being pawed at by youths of her own age as they tried to decide if she would make a suitable and compliant wife. One who was willing to sit at home and look after their children whilst they were away playing with their mistresses, Rachel assumed, remembering how her own father had behaved.

The slight creaking of the front door as it opened brought Rachel back to the present and she looked up and saw a tall, dark-haired butler staring grimly down at her.

"Mrs Drake and her great-niece to see Miss Caine," announced Rachel's great-aunt forthrightly, stepping forward and into the house as the butler moved out of the way.

"You are early, Mrs Drake. I believe Miss Caine mentioned one o'clock and it is now a quarter to the hour," intoned the butler, smoothing down his immaculate waistcoat as Rachel stepped inside. "Miss Caine is very particular about such matters so if you would like to wait in the drawing room until she is ready to meet you?"

"Of course."

"Then please follow me," added the butler, turning on his heel after shutting the door and heading down the gleaming parquet-floored hallway.

Settled in the drawing room, Rachel and her great-aunt spent their time looking round at the expensive décor and furniture, admiring in particular the Georgian elegance of the floor to ceiling windows that doubled as doors to enable people to walk out into the landscaped garden. The towering grandfather clock in the corner steadily ticked away until, just as a single chime announced the hour, the door opened and Miss Caine walked in, followed by a maid with a tea trolley.

"I am sure that you would appreciate some refreshments while we converse," their hostess announced, dark green eyes observing her guests thoughtfully as she sat down elegantly opposite them. A wine-red skirt and crisp white blouse with a gleaming ruby brooch at the neck adorned her slim body and Rachel was surprised that the woman was so young. She had expected someone in their fifties but Miss Caine appeared to be only in her late thirties at the most and she wondered, blue eyes narrowing slightly, why she needed anybody to accompany her at all.

"I can see that you are wondering why I need a companion, my dear Rachel." stated Miss Caine, smiling slightly as the girl jerked in surprise. "I am clearly not a dried up old lady yet and can get around on my own legs but I do appreciate having youthful company with me. I am also a designer of clothing for the well off and it would be part of your employment to wear my creations and display them for me. You do seem to have an excellent figure hiding under that dress although I will need to examine it more closely later just to make sure. Have you any questions for me? Mrs Drake? Rachel?"

Rachel held on firmly to the cup of tea the maid had just handed to her and looked at her great-aunt who opened her mouth immediately and asked about remuneration.

"I think that three guineas per month to begin with, rising to five after a six month trial period, Mrs Drake. Rachel will, of course, live in this house and all her meals will be provided. No gentlemen callers will be allowed unless I decide that they are suitable!" stated Miss Caine.

"Eminently sensible, Miss Caine," fawned Mrs Drake, relieved to think that she could get Rachel off her hands at last, especially as it would give her the chance to go and see her old friend down in Exeter for a while.

"If you would like to sit and enjoy your tea and some of these little cakes, I will take Rachel and examine her to see if she will make an adequate model, Mrs Drake," added Miss Caine, placing her tea cup on the trolley and rising elegantly to her feet.

"Of course, Miss Caine. Rachel, off you go and do whatever Miss Caine wishes! Do not disappoint her!" snapped Mrs Drake, fastening her beady eyes on her great-niece threateningly.

Rachel stood and followed Miss Caine out of the room, face slightly flushed as she resented the way she was ordered about by her great-aunt. It would be a blessing to get away from the overbearing woman although Miss Caine's stern demeanour was quite intimidating. Out of the frying pan and into the fire? The old idiom stuck in Rachel's mind as she trailed after the owner of the house up the stairs and into a bedroom which was richly-furnished with a four poster bed dominating the space along with imposing mahogany wardrobes lining the walls.

"This will probably be your room, Rachel, if I decide that you are suitable. Now please disrobe so that I can see you properly," stated Miss Caine, turning on her heel and staring straight at Rachel, dark green eyes observing the girl thoughtfully. Nervously, fingers fumbling at the buttons on the bodice of her dress, Rachel obeyed, eventually sliding the silken material off her shoulders until it draped around her waist before she slid it down over her hips and stepped out of it. She looked round for somewhere to put the garment and Miss Caine indicated the bed with her hand and Rachel laid the blue dress down carefully then stood up straight waiting to be inspected.

"You have not finished yet, girl!" snapped Miss Caine, shaking her head in annoyance. "I do not want to look at your shift, do I? Remove it!"

"But..." began Rachel in surprise before she clamped her lips shut as she saw the angry expression on the other woman's face. Resigned to displaying her all yet blushing furiously at the idea, she slipped out of her shift and allowed it to pool around her ankles; a white lake beneath her feet.

Wearing only her stockings and garters, Rachel waited as Miss Caine slowly walked round her, eyes scanning her naked body carefully while she murmured to herself.

"Fairly tall and those breasts are just right. A nice handful but not too big or saggy."

Rachel flushed even more and opened her mouth to complain at being discussed in such a way but then stopped herself, remembering her great-aunt's stricture about being obedient and doing what Miss Caine required. Rachel knew that if she was not taken on by Miss Caine, her life was going to be made a misery as her great-aunt would decide that it was all her fault. She had to impress and therefore she stood up as straight as she could and tried not to flinch away too much as Miss Caine stepped closer and laid a soft hand on her bare flesh.

"Responsive too," added Miss Caine, stroking her fingers over Rachel's bare breast and then teasing the nipple with the tips. Rachel bit back a protest, forcing herself to stay still as a bolt of pleasure skittered through her body, slithering straight down to her groin. The hands slid over her shoulders and then down her back before they cupped her bottom cheeks and the woman's voice whispered in her ear, "Hmm, just right, I think. Pert yet with a hint of wobble. I wonder how quickly they will colour up?"

Rachel was still wondering what Miss Caine meant when the woman sidled back round in front of her and snapped at her to part her legs.

"What?" stammered Rachel in reply, looking down at the fluffy blonde curls of her bush as one of the woman's hands settled just a few inches away on her hip.

"I believe that you heard me, Rachel, so be obedient or maybe I will warm your pretty cheeks up for you here and now," stated Miss Caine, after sighing in exasperation. Slowly and reluctantly, Rachel inched her thighs apart, face flaming with embarrassment. She had not let anyone see her naked since her parents had died and her maid had been let go due to the financial constraints caused by her father's reckless spending on horses and prize fights. It was difficult now to make herself comply but a couple of sharp slaps on her bare bottom encouraged Rachel to surrender completely and to stand stock still as Miss Caine inched her hand through her pubic curls and down onto the softness of her slit. Rachel groaned as another bolt of excitement flashed through her body as the woman cupped her plump pussy lips for a moment or two before she stepped back and inquired, "Are you a virgin, girl?"

"Of course, I am!" responded Rachel indignantly.

"Good because I do not wish to employ a young lady who cannot control her base desires. If you come to live with me then you will be expected to keep yourself chaste...unless I wish otherwise anyway!" Miss Caine commented with a little giggle before she told Rachel to get dressed and then return to the drawing room. "Wait outside though while I talk to your aunt!"

Rachel got dressed slowly once Miss Caine had gone because her body felt different somehow after being inspected. As she slid her shift back on, she stroked her own fingers across her breasts and nipples and felt her flesh respond, hardening instantly as excitement burgeoned. She bunched up the thin material over her hips and slid her fingers down through her bush and onto her quim lips, feeling a slight trace of wetness as she traced her index finger along the length of her slit. She was about to slide it between the puffy lips when a noise outside made her jump and she hurriedly dropped her shift to cover her blonde bush and shimmied into her dress, buttoning the bodice up swiftly to ensure that she was decent again.

Rachel slipped out of the bedroom then back down the stairs and along the hall, shoes sounding loud on the parquet flooring, until she got to the drawing room. Then she waited nervously, wondering what Miss Caine was saying to her great-aunt as she heard the muted burble of conversation from inside the room. It seemed like an eternity but was really only five minutes or so before the door was opened and the two women walked out, Rachel's great-aunt leading the way.

"I will send her things over to you tomorrow, Miss Caine. Not that there is much after her parents' unfortunate demise and the debts that they left behind. Rachel, make sure that you work hard and obey Miss Caine in every way. I will write soon and let you know where I will be staying down in Devon whilst visiting my friend."

"But aren't I coming back home with you?" bleated Rachel, suddenly nervous about being left with a woman she hardly knew.

"No, Rachel. Mrs Drake and I think it would be best if you started today so bid your great-aunt farewell and then you can begin your new life as my companion," stated Miss Caine firmly and Rachel found herself hugged briefly by her great-aunt and kissed on the cheek almost dismissively before the woman bustled out to the waiting carriage. Feeling bereft as the door closed with ominous finality behind the stout figure, Rachel blinked back a tear and waited to see what she would be required to do for her new employer.

Chapter Two

"Follow me to my work room please, Rachel, as I think I would like to see if some of my designs fit you or if they need some adjustment," commanded Miss Caine, turning as soon as the door had closed.

"Alright," murmured Rachel unenthusiastically.

"Yes, Miss Caine!" snapped the other woman, green eyes narrowing dangerously. When Rachel rolled her eyes, Miss Caine's hand shot out and slapped her sharply round the face, stinging her cheek. Recoiling, Rachel looked at her in shock, mouth open as the pain shot through her nervous system.

"Don't stand there swallowing flies, girl. I expect to be addressed properly by my servants and as my companion you are classified as such. I will inform you when, if ever, you can call me by my first name!"

"Yes, Miss Caine," muttered Rachel, rubbing her reddened cheek as she wondered just what she had let herself in for.

"That's better. I hope I will not have to tell you again or I might have to take a cane to those pretty cheeks of yours, young lady," added Miss Caine before she turned abruptly and strode off, heels clacking on the floor and velvet skirt swishing around her ankles.

Rachel dragged her feet reluctantly as she followed her new mistress. The sudden sharp slap had left her nervous and afraid of the woman and she wondered just what she had let herself in for. Life with her great-aunt had been boring and mundane but at least she had not been ill-treated. Head bowed and blue eyes filling with tears, she trailed after Miss Caine into a long room lined with shelves on the far wall. Light flooded in through skylights and large sash windows, illuminating the wooden table in the centre while a tailor's dummy stood clad in what Rachel assumed was a half-finished corset or bustier.

"Stand up straight, girl!" hissed Miss Caine abruptly. "You need to project confidence when you are modelling one of my creations, not look as if you are ashamed of it! Head up, not studying the floor!"

Rachel stared obstinately down at the parquet flooring, studying the intricate herringbone pattern intently until her new mistress' hand gripped her chin and forced it upwards painfully.

"It appears that you still have not learnt your lesson, Rachel. Good because I need to assuage my bad temper and there is nothing better to do that than to teach a girl how to behave properly when around her betters!" snapped Miss Caine. "I can see why Mrs Drake was keen to wash her hands of you!"

Expecting another slap, Rachel flinched as the woman's hand moved but it only gripped her shoulder and pulled her over towards a chair situated in the corner of the room. Was she going to be made to sit there like a naughty child? She almost giggled at the thought then gasped as, to her surprise, Miss Caine sat down and dragged Rachel down onto her lap effortlessly. Twisting Rachel's arms up behind her back with surprising strength, the woman swept up the girl's dress and shift until her bottom cheeks were exposed and then laid her warm hand on the slightly cold white flesh.

"You are about to learn how dangerous and painful it is to anger me, girl. Next time, it will be something harder than my hand hitting your bottom and making it glow so take this as a warning!"

Trembling from head to toe and with her long blonde hair tumbling around her face, Rachel could not believe what was going to happen as the hand on her bottom suddenly moved away. Yes, she had been spanked before but only when she was much younger and then just briefly by her nanny or mother. This was highly embarrassing, almost mortifying in fact, and her face went as red as a tomato as her soft flesh was suddenly struck by Miss Caine's hard hand. A pang of pain shot through her and she moaned as the sound echoed round the room. Before she could recover, another sharp smack followed and then another and soon she was lost in trying to cope with the rushing heat and agony that suffused her flesh and shot up into her brain. All thoughts of decorum were lost as she kicked and struggled but it was all in vain as Miss Caine held her effortlessly and continued to spank her new servant's arse cheeks, delighting in the steady change of colour from white to pink and then to a pale red.

The smacks suddenly stopped raining down and Rachel breathed a huge sigh of relief, fighting back tears which were more of shame than pain.

"Don't think that I have finished yet, girl," remarked Miss Caine. "I am going to award you two dozen very hard spanks now and you will thank me for each one. If you do not then I will start again from the beginning. Do you understand?"

Rachel wanted to stay silent but fear of what might happen if she did loosened her tongue and she stammered out that she understood.

"Good because that means you have no excuse if you fail to comply, doesn't it? Afterwards, you will get off my lap and kneel down until I tell you to move! If you disobey then this pretty bottom will feel my namesake today!"

For a moment, Rachel wondered what Miss Caine meant then she worked it out and her body quivered in fright, fearing the hard wood of a cane striping her soft flesh. The woman's hand hurt enough and suddenly she was back to trying to survive the stinging pain as Miss Caine brought her palm down hard and fast. The sound resounded round the room along with Rachel's shrill cry before she managed to control herself enough to thank her mistress. It was shaming to have to do so but she could not think of anything but compliance as she had no wish to encounter the cane. The heat in her bottom seemed to spread as the harsh spanking continued and Rachel became conscious of a slick wetness between her thighs and a tingling in her clitoris. She wanted to keep her thighs pressed together tightly but it was impossible to do so as she automatically kicked and wriggled with every sharp smack that landed on her bottom cheeks. Groaning at the pain that swept through her nervous system and exploded in her brain, Rachel clenched her teeth and tried to endure as Miss Caine reached the final half a dozen smacks.

Miss Caine glanced down at the scarlet bottom cheeks beneath her and smiled with pleasure. There was nothing like making a young girl's white cheeks red and glowing. She had discovered that at a young age when experimenting with her cousin, Victoria, and had gone on to perfect the art of warming up a pair of buttocks since. She could feel her pussy melting with desire and delight as her hand encountered the taut firmness of Rachel's arse. The way that the flesh dimpled upon impact then resiliently bounced back was intensely intriguing to watch and the sweet echoes that assailed her ears were absolutely delightful. It was also pleasurable to glimpse a trace of wetness on the girl's pussy lips as she reacted to the hard hand striking her bare bottom by jerking and wriggling.