Emily knelt at the fireplace, sweeping the ashes and cleaning the grate. The hour was still early and the great house was mostly silent, except for the muted hustle and bustle of other domestic staff quietly going about their morning chores.
She was dressed in a conservative black dress, her white apron and cap, and plain black shoes. Underneath she wore a chemise, and drawers that were split, partly to make using the privy a brisk process.
But the slit in her drawers was also to make Lord Osborne's use of her a brisk process. The year was 1903 and, as an 18yr old maid, Emily had no choice but to put up with his Lordship's regular use of her rear passage for his relief. It only took his Lordship a few minutes. Well, unless Lady Osborne was out for a ride, in which case he would indulge himself a little longer.
She finished cleaning the grate and began sweeping and dusting the corridors, listening to the sounds of the household gradually waking up. The noise of doors opening and closing, gruff voices, occasional female laughter. Eventually she heard Lord Osborne's heavy bootsteps descending the main staircase.
She'd been summoned to his study within her first week. His proposal was non-negotiable. She would be dismissed for theft or she could keep her job and look after what he called his 'needs'. She would need to be obedient and discreet.
Emily had no choice but to accept his terms.
She subsequently learned that Lord Osborne was 50yrs old. He had grey hair, mutton chops and whiskers, and a substantial belly. His wife didn't 'look after him' so he told Emily that he felt no shame availing himself of a young maid. But to avoid any 'unwanted events', he would restrict himself to her mouth and bottom. Her maidenhead must remain intact.
He made use of her most days. One of her duties was to clean his study. It was a large booklined room, like a library, with a mahogany desk, several armchairs and a sofa. She would raise her woollen dress and present her backside to him. Then he'd part her drawers and prise open her buttocks with his strong thumbs.