(It was 1892 and I, David Shaw, then aged 19 joined 'Maynard and Son, Purveyors to Gentlewomen and the Aristocracy' on Upper Richmond Road, Putney. The job involved providing 'underskirt services' to single women. This was my fourth day with the firm)
***
After my session with Mrs. Langley I arrived back at Maynard's and had some lunch with two other fellows.
"My word Shaw you were lucky with Mrs. Langley. She can be a vicious bitch at times when she's in a foul mood. She almost bent my back last time I went to pleasure her but she was wearing riding boots at the time," said Eric Treadwell, one of Mr. Maynard's older 'underskirt boys'.
Lorna gave me an address and was told that it was not far away, in Putney to be precise, and I decided to walk there.
***
I knocked on the door of a modest two story terraced house in Galveston Road, Putney and was met by a young maidservant. She took my card and bade me take a seat in the front parlour. I looked at the framed prints of views of the Thames and at the Aspidistra growing in an elaborate china bowl, on a similar china plinth in the bay window. The wallpaper was pale green with a Gothic floral motif on it at regular intervals. The house was neat and clean.
I heard footsteps, and then an elegant middle aged woman appeared at the door. I stood up, cap in hand and waited for her to speak.
"That will be all for the day Ruby, you may go now, thank you." She said to her maid. I watched as Ruby collected her things and changed into her outdoor boots, put on her coat, opened the front door and left. I watched her cross the road and walk briskly down the street.
"Right young man I am Miss. Sumpter and if you must know, I am a teacher at a school close by. You need not know any other details except that I have never married and prefer an independent life. Do you understand?" she asked.
"I understand perfectly," I said stuttering badly. I had always feared teachers for some odd reason but I think this may be due to the fact that I seldom excelled at school.
"Well that is good. You may also wish to know that I have used the services of Maynard and Son for several years and have always found their 'underskirt boys' courteous and obliging. Do you understand?"
I blinked as if I were being interrogated but understood that she was expecting me to be courteous and obliging too.
"Yes Miss. Sumpter, I do understand," I spluttered and smiled insanely at her. I felt my knees begin to tremble as I stared into her hawk like eyes which fixed me with a steady gaze. I felt as if she was reading my very thoughts and felt strangely afraid.
"Would you care for a cup of tea first?" she enquired and I told her that I would. Inside me, I felt more in need of a stiff drink to steady my nerves.
I watched her turn and leave the room. She wore a white cotton blouse with a high collar, lacy jabot and long sleeves decorated with pin-tucks. She wore a dark grey tweed skirt which was extremely full at her ankles. As she moved I heard the familiar sound of frou-frou from her silk-taffeta petticoats which she clearly wore under her clothes. Her light brown hair was coiled into a spiral bun and her neck was long and appeared almost regal in the way that she held herself.
She returned to the parlour with two cups on a wooden tray. I drank my tea in haste, not wishing to spill any. She took her time and asked me about myself. I explained that it was only my fourth day with Maynard's and didn't really have much experience with pleasuring women. I decided to be honest as I would then have an excuse if I failed to provide satisfaction.
I looked at the framed view of London Bridge, which hung above the mantelpiece.
"Then we must teach you mustn't we?" said Miss Geraldine Sumpter who now, I thought, looked about 35 years of age.
"If you would be so kind Miss," I said to her, deliberately putting on a 'little boy lost' expression in order to appear less threatening, when secretly I already imagined her screaming the house down with my tongue massaging her clitoris.
***
Miss Sumpter put down her cup and asked me to follow her upstairs. I watched her wide arse sway from side to side and I noticed the merest hint of lacy petticoat hems peeping from below her wide skirt. I must admit that once again I felt my penis stiffen and would have gladly unbuttoned my flies and wanked myself senseless there and then. We walked into a pretty feminine bedroom at the front of the house. The room was dominated by a big brass bedstead which had been pushed in the corner furthest away from the window. The counterpane was made of white cotton trimmed with eyelet lace flounces.
"We'll just draw the curtains shall we, as I don't think the neighbours wish to see you naked do they?" she said in a 'down to earth' and 'matter of fact' tone of voice.
My brain churned inside my head at the thought of being naked in front of this intelligent, prim and smartly dressed woman. I imagined that she was probably an intellectual and was a follower of the writings of Mary Wollstonecraft, or possibly a member of the Women's Trade Union League. My thoughts were bombarded with feelings of inadequacy and I felt my penis shrivel markedly.
"Here we are," she said shutting the front bedroom door behind me. "Will you take off your clothes?" she requested, although it sounded more like a command.
I nervously removed my jacket, shirt and trousers and stood before her wearing just my pants and vest.
"All off, please young man," she said and I was obliged to peel off my vest and step out of my underpants. Once again I felt small and puny in front of this woman who surveyed my frame and commented on my lack of muscles.