Well I knew I had done it now. I was in big trouble. Here I was being literally man handled across the square. I could see faces watching from the windows and doors of the old buildings as I was frog marched toward what I knew would be a humiliating and exacting punishment.
I had broken the rules. I knew that when I had asked Donna to play a trick on Waine. I also knew I was under strict instructions to do the deed, so to speak, my self. But I just couldn't help myself. I'm always getting into trouble, and usually just managing to avoid it at the last moment. Well that was until now.
The rules when it came to punishment on the Estate were clear. You obeyed orders or took the consequences. I could of course leave. I had the choice. We could all leave if and when we wanted to. But if we wanted to stay we had to take the good with the bad and I can tell you today was not looking good.
All I had to do was ask to leave and I would be free to go but I could never return. I loved working here. I loved the horses most of all, I had lots of friends and I was after all a country girl so events like today had been pretty much part of my life as long as I can remember.
I had seen lots of others being punished so I knew what to expect and my brain was telling me to run but my heart wanted me to stay.
I still couldn't work out why Anthony had asked me to play with this new fella Waine while he perved on that 'little high and mighty' bitch Sarah Jane.
I was told to play with him but not to let him come. But why? Well it was too late to think about it now.
Then the bell rang. Three times it sounded over the estate from the small Chapel across the square. They let everyone know that a punishment was about to occur. Workers all over the estate laid down their tools and proceeded to assemble in a various places around the small cobbled area in front of the stocks. There was a great deal of whispering, a few giggles and an air of nervousness in the circle of my fellow workers, family and friends.
Even the Vicar felt it was his duty to be there, as part of his watchful role over his flock of course. I think though it may have been his more private member was the one leading him to the scene today.
I knew what was coming. I had seen it many times before but until now I had been spared. I was to be humiliated, beaten or perhaps even worse, sexed in front of all these people as a public spectacle.
I was lead to the front of the stables. Held firmly by the men beside me and looked at my instrument of torture - the stocks. They had been there ever since the family had settled here in the early 1800's. They had been used cruelly for well over a century and remained a symbol of power and subservience.
I looked on in silence; my heart beating so loudly I thought I would wake the Owls.
*
At last Lady and Sir Charles Faulkener arrived.
She sat comfortably on a chair especially arranged for her just in front of the stocks. Sir Charles leant easily on his shooting stick, and began to fill his pipe as if we were all there for an afternoon chat about shooting partridge.
'Now what have we here? Been a naughty girl eh? Anthony what's she been up which is so bad we all have to stop what we a doing and come the stocks? Damned waste of time if you ask me. Got better things to do'
'Defied my orders Sir.' As he said this he leant down close to Sir Charles ear and whispered something. He frowned and then looked toward me.
'Well Emma you know the rules. You can collect your things now and leave Surrogate Farm now and nothing more will be said. Or you can stay here, take your punishment and carry on as you were. What's it to be? Come on girl we don't have all day.'
There was a hushed silence in the crowd.
My voice seemed almost to have disappeared. And then in a broken whisper, I heard myself saying,
' I accept'
'Can't hear girl. Speak up dam it.'
'I accept my punishment Sir.'
The onlookers relaxed, some called out 'good on you girl' while others settled back to watch the show. The show, which involved me, being center stage!
'Very well, six and one. Lets get started.'
My heart sank. I knew what this meant. Six beatings but one what?