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?
Before I had time to think any further on the matter my two girl friends Carol a stable girl and Heidi the French nanny moved toward me as the men stepped back. There was and unspoken understanding between us. Carol had once been in my place and I in hers. Heidi was new and had only heard of such events. This too was her initiation. Her eyes were be excited, alive and alert. I could see her nipples beneath her white, lacy top sticking out like two beacons.
They slowly began to undress me. First my top, then my boots and socks. Next my jeans and then my bra. Then Carol lent down and slowly lowered my favorite Mickey Mouse knickers. I just hoped they were clean. My mother had always warned us to have clean knickers in case we were in an accident and taken to hospital. I don't think she had this sort of situation in mind at the time!
There was an air of nervousness and excitement in the circle of workers and family.
I stood there naked. Defiant and proud. I was proud of my body. I could tell from the nervous anxiety emanating from the crowd that they too admired what I had to show. Why shouldn't I be proud? I felt powerful, I was the focus their attention. All eyes were on me. I could feel their eyes eating at my body with a desire most would never fulfill.
I wasn't going to let that bastard Anthony get any satisfaction. I was strong. My head was high like a proud filly as I surveyed the faces around me.
I soaked in the power. I could see it in their eyes. A glint of envy, of desire and pure lust.
I know my body is beautiful. I could sense for those few seconds that others too recognized that fact too. I have been blessed with a body that is strong, leggy, and shapely. Why not admit it, it's simply true. I have long legs; white skin and sandy colored hair.
I would not let them win. I stood and waited for a few moments with my head high looking straight ahead until a figure appeared from the crowd. Before me stood Lady Jane. She was still wearing her riding gear. Stylish jacket, a tie with white shirt, fashionable jombors and knee high boots.
In her hand she held a riding whip. Her self-assurance and sense of place in the World simply came from her position of wealth and power.
Although slightly smaller than me she still managed to stare at me with contempt and dispassion. She stood a few yards away and then moved slowly toward me until she was directly in front of me.
There was no denying it she was beautiful in body and presence. Sarah stood a few yards away hitting the side of her leg with her riding whip, her left arm on her waits and her head slightly cocked to one side.
Looking at me she moved very slowly, very provocatively toward me until she stood quite close staring into my eyes. I was transfixed. Her green blue eyes betrayed a sense of wickedness and malice which was both unnerving and a little chilling.
She fixed her stare deeply into my eyes and held my gaze for what seemed like an eternity before stepping back and looking at my whole body, taking in every detail. My shoulders, my pert little breasts, down to my tummy button and finally her eyes rested onto the dark inviting triangle between my legs.
Stepping back she circled me like a wild animal waiting to move on its prey. Her very presence and her intent made my breasts twitch with anxiety. I preyed they wouldn't betray me.