My first recollection of Matlock House was a dark forbidding shape looming up out of the darkness as the carriage slowly made its way up the long drive. It had been a long and difficult journey from the railway station on a road that was potholed and badly surfaced. I had been travelling since the early hours and I was tired and weary. Now that I had arrived in this grand house in the English Peak District, all I could think about was having a bath and getting early to bed.
It was February, 1911 and I had come to take up my position as Governess to two young boys. It was my first appointment since graduating from Cheltenham Ladies College. I was 24 and young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. But, being one of 4 daughters in a large family, I was forced to make my own living, and, as I had no dowry or other prospects, the option of returning to my parent's house in Bath was no longer feasible. In these circumstances, I had no choice but to succeed in my new role and I was determined to do well.
The early signs were not encouraging on that cold and dark February night. After I was allowed in by the housekeeper, I was shown to the study of the master of the house. He kept me waiting for a good twenty minutes until he finally made his appearance. He was a tall, stern figure of a man with a cruel mouth and humourless eyes.
He outlined my duties and responsibilities, while I sat and listened to him without interruption. I could see, even at our first meeting, that he was not a man to be crossed or disobeyed.
"I really wanted a man here," he grumbled, "but, nevertheless, I expect you to further the boys' education and maintain a firm discipline,"
I nodded wisely, not having a clue as to how I was going to achieve that.
Then I met the boys. They were twins and had just had their 18th birthday. Neither had much to say in front of their father and my hopes were raised that they were quiet and good natured boys who would be easy to control. How wrong I was, that first night.
I was shown to my room on the second floor and that, at any rate, was most pleasing. It was a large delightful room with a desk in an alcove and a connecting bathroom. I loved it immediately. Then, tired from my journey I prepared for bed. I remember brushing my long dark hair and standing naked in front of the full length mirror. From early childhood, I had got into the habit of never wearing a nightdress. Now, I had a very good figure and at a height of 5 foot 7 inches, my legs were long and shapely. I bounced happily on the bed, very pleased with myself, I was about to start a new job on the road to life's adventures. But, little did I know what troubles lay ahead.
At first, things went very well. I was able to give lessons in all the subjects I had been taught at the College and the boys responded well. We covered Mathematics, English, history and Science and those early weeks were very satisfying.
Unfortunately, as time went on, I found my pupils were becoming less respectful of me. Sometimes they were downright unruly.
On sunny days, they seemed quiet and attentive. Later, I realised that as I stood at the window against the sunlight, they could clearly see my legs and the outline of my body through my thin day dress. But, those occasions were few and far between. As time went on, I found controlling them to be a continuous problem.
You see, I suppose I am fairly timid person by nature. My own teachers never had a problem controlling me. Ideally, I should have been teaching small children, preferably girls, but obtaining posts such as these were not easy. I had to support myself and circumstances were such that I had to obtain employment at the earliest opportunity. When the Governess position came up at Matlock House, I didn't hesitate. I was lucky to be offered the opportunity.
Sir Charles Percy was not a man to accept excuses or shortcomings in others and I dreaded having to explain my lack of control to him. I suppose it was inevitable that he would find out about me. One day, he happened to pass by the room which was used as my schoolroom. He opened the door and witnessed an appalling scene. Albert and Earnest were leaping about and throwing things at each other and making a terrible din.
And what was I doing? I was making my usual feeble and ineffectual attempt to restore order. No wonder Sir Charles was furious. His face just got redder and redder as he fought with his anger and outrage at what he was witnessing. And, of course, one look at his face was all it took to stop his son's mischievous behaviour. Oh how I wished I had such natural authority.
"The three of you will report to my study in five minutes," he growled. The menace in his voice was enough to send shivers down my spine and make me go weak at the knees. With trembling hands, I picked up my books and put them away. It was not long before I was standing with the boys in his study. His anger seemed to have been replaced by a cold fury and I dreaded what punishment he had in mind for us.
His sons were dealt with first. They had to bend over and drop their trousers while he thrashed them six times each with a rather vicious looking cane that he produced from a locked cabinet.
I blushed scarlet, as I was forced to witness their pain and humiliation. I was not used to seeing young boys without their trousers and bare bottoms on display. I remember blurting out something about leaving the room, but, was quickly put in my place.
"You will stay here until I deal with you" he shouted. "Meanwhile, you can witness some real discipline. It is something in which you appear to be entirely lacking."
And how he lashed those bottoms, by the time he was finished they were howling in pain and jumping up and down in agony. Then they pulled up their trousers and huddled in the corner, as he addressed me.
"Now, Miss Walker, as you are primarily to blame for this disgraceful situation, I think some form of punishment
would be appropriate for you, would you not agree?"
"Yes sir," I mumbled, my stomach churning with anxiety.
"What should I do?" He pondered aloud. "Should I dismiss you now or will you accept a similar punishment I have just given these wayward youths."
I gasped, open mouthed, at what he was proposing. To administer corporal punishment to me was something that shocked me to the core. Not since I was a wayward little girl had I been dealt with in such a way. But dismissal from my post was simply unthinkable for me. I would be in disgrace and finding other employment in these circumstances would be practically impossible.
"Well?" He boomed.
I looked at my feet and fidgeted. I had no real choice in the matter. "I will accept your punishment, Sir," I whispered.
"Very well," he acknowledged. "Remove your clothing and we will begin."
"But Sir," I spluttered, "surely you can't expect me to take off my clothes?"
"Of course, I expect it madam, punishment such as this is always taken on the bare bottom. It is the way it has always been done and there are no exceptions."
In a dumb daze, I started to undo the buttons on my dress. Then I rallied and tried one last protest.
"Can't I have some privacy," I pleaded looking at the young men standing wide eyed in the corner.
"Certainly not," he growled. "You deserve no such concession. Besides it will be part of their education to see how their father deals with an unsatisfactory employee."
