Julie

16

Editor's Note:

The endpiece of Julie's letter must have come as a signal surprise to her friend. It is not inconceivable, however, that Caroline must sometimes have pondered the same line of thought as to opening an “English establishment.” As a recent Supplement in our own Ladies' Domestic Journal has shown, interest in the disciplining of young ladies was as rife then as now. Scores of correspondents of both sexes in that Supplement praised the virtues of the birch, and many in a manner that the journal itself had probably never envisaged publishing before. As to Julie's cullings from the Personal Column of The Times, such “Announcements,” wherein ladies of good standing offer to take in girls for discipline, are still occasionally permitted to appear. One has long wondered who replies to these advertisements and what transpires in many an Acacia Avenue behind drawn curtains when the girls are taken in. Perhaps, however, we need wonder no more, since what is about to transpire will indeed lift more than one pair of curtains.

My darling Julie,

What a breathtaking letter! What descriptions! The poetess in you has really come out!

Dear Jeannette, how delicious she proved! Was there a reprise? But I believe you would have told me if there was. You see, I am all at a gabble in my excitement at your telling which, so well restrained, brought all most vividly to me-including the “stockinged serpent” of her leg which coiled about him. Such a languorous pose, I always think. It permits the other foot to dig into the bed or couch and act as lever to the hips! Had Jeannette struggled more, would you have restrained her or let her go and run up to your room (or hers!) in disarray? But tush, it does not come into question, your powers of persuasion being such. Besides, there are few moments more adorable than to kiss the lips of a young girl while she is being reamed. I'm sure that quite seduced her-more than he! But now to your little “surprise piece” at the end. You mean it? Do you really? Could I? Dare I? Oh, my thoughts spin round! How would I begin-what to arrange? I have always taken you for granted in this sense and never thought to ask. Such vistas open before me as I scarce dare think about. Would it be apt to ask Sylvia to assist me-or even Dick? Your advice first on this, my pet, would be esteemed more than I can ever say. You see, you have aroused me so much with the idea that I cannot wait to hear from you, and am in any event in poverty of other news from here. Tell me, tell me, tell me, as I used to say (while shaking you!). I would almost wish to take the carriage to the coast and run down to the harbour to wait upon the arrival of the mail. I wait breathlessly.

Believe me, I do!

Your impatient Caroline

Darling, dearest Caroline,

By such mischief do you absent yourself to Kew while writing to me upon such an enervating matter! Of course, I think it is a CAPITAL idea, and will help you all you need. What of Sylvia? Would she be part of this-and Alison-or Maude? What help that you might need, I will give you gladly, for I shall benefit a little from it in the end-some charming, round, tight, offered “ends” such as I have no doubt you will be able to present to me! Why not here? After all, the house is mainly empty and has many rooms. The country is to be preferred in any event, for one needs a certain isolation. As to fees, I have no idea, but given the success that Julie has obtained, I believe you might charge exactly as you wished and that none will flinch from writing out the cheques! Yes, I believe one might say that such an establishment would be self-sufficient in all respects! Return as soon as you can, you minx, that we may discuss it further.

Your devoted Dick

My sweet, impatient Caroline,

Very well, I will answer exactly what you ask and will take no room up in my letter with fripperies, indulgences, or naughty tales. To begin with, you must not involve any men in your plan, for they will USE you, my pet, and nothing else. I believe myself that I erred a trifle in inviting Georges and the Minister here, but they were fortunate in this and no others will follow in their footsteps or their penis-probing paths! To the outer world (and I include your male friends much in this) you must remain remote-mysterious! They may enjoy the after-fruits, but are not allowed to shake the boughs! All must be as between a woman and her girls. The latter are more comforted thereby and take heed of other females far more than they will ever do of men. Indeed, they are to be taught this, taught their pride in womanhood, and counselled never, never to give it away. But I have said all this to you before, have I not-and quite unnecessarily, for you know it in your heart and have even practised it. The girls will believe in your guidance, whereas they would flee (and rightly, at that early stage) from the clasping paws of men. I frequently tell my pupils that the males are born in this world to pleasure US, and not vice versa, but that the skilful female will give every outward appearance of believing the latter while wending matters in her own way, and so arranging all to her advantage. This is the primary lesson and, having absorbed it, they will do as they are told. Imagine that Jeannette's allowance was doubled immediately after that torrid night, though he has only once since mounted her and she not half so fretful in their second bout, which took place in privacy, my dear, and in my bed (I, most nobly, absenting myself downstairs and treating it merely as a visit, don't you know!). But there, that little tidbit is for your ears alone. You will come to the same in due course, I have no doubt of it. All my girls know, by inference at least, to whose cocks they are first destined, for then I know them to be broken-in and ready for adventure as they will. They have but that one naughty hurdle to leap, as often enough I hint to them, and then the race to pleasure is all theirs. But to return to what we call administration. No- no males-not even Dick, and certainly not Horace!

Rent a house, my dear, at first; you will soon decide to afford a larger one than you at present have. Six small dormitories suffice.

Perhaps two girls to each-or three-the better to confide when lights are out. Three “classrooms”-but you can easily manage that, for they have for the most part no need but to sit around in chairs. Save, that is, for their “discipline.” Yes, they must always have it-and, besides, they are quickly enlivened (and intrigued) by watching the bare bottoms of others being warmed-up. I suggest the same curriculum as I: modes, wines, the arts of conversation (and the arts of teasing!), French, of course-for then they will learn better to read the naughty books-and always, daily, exercises to keep their limbs and hips supple. The real recalcitrants can be feather-teased when bending over-and perhaps held by a senior girl. I never use crude words, you know-may say “penis” or “stalk” or “manly weapon,” but never “prick” or “cock,” except when one or other is most positively about to receive such at the end of term or upon vacation! I am aware that a few do, but advise them privately against it, for I would have them mature first in my hands. Hence I tell them that they may kiss, be fondled a little and even rub themselves against it (though always shyly, of course) but no more than that. So expectations are built up, and again then they return to the birch and strap to keep them ready for the fray and to “advise” them that their treasures in between their thighs and between their bottom cheeks are not too readily to be given up to lusting males. Ever be on their side, and praise men but little! Of course, you must advertise, and most discreetly, as I know you will. “Young ladies disciplined and trained in understanding hands,” will best suffice. The wise will read in to that all that you would have them do. Letters will come in abundance, you may be sure of that! Reply with caution, and but rarely reply at all to those who offer not a printed address and, best of all, escutcheons of arms! To those who seem “inappropriate,” answer merely that you regretfully are full for several terms and will write to them again-but never do! Be utterly formal in your interviews with males. Say “with regret” that no visits are allowed by males who are not accompanied by wives. That soon will shut the eager up! Can I advise you further? I do not think I can. Your mind is just as alert as mine, and you can play the “Madam” beautifully when the mood so takes you. As to Sylvia, why not?

But have her play a different role. There can be only one leader to the pack! Install her, if you will, as a first pupil. Then (oh, cunning!) she can report to you on what goes on behind your back, though not maliciously but simply for your information, as you used to do with me. Alison? No, I think not. She has not the right character for it. Nor Maude, for she may be indiscreet and confess to having run away from just such an establishment. You know what young girls are when they begin to talk! I say again, you must be strong, my dear, and refuse all males their entrance, save for workmen and the like. From what you have told me in the past, Dick will fret at this, but it cannot be helped. You may otherwise cause scandals and alarms.

Should girls who have “passed through” decide to visit him and Sylvia, that is another matter and one wholly to his future advantage-but offer him no more than that. He has done well enough from my endeavours first, and then your own. Be merciless, for it will pay you dividends. The guiding of the girls is your first care. But how I lecture you! Forgive me, do. You do not need advice, but plain assurances, I know. You have them here. I hope you have! Besides, how utterly excited I am to know that you will do it anyway. Our correspondence will then be reversed, or at the least will be complementary! It is I now who will show impatience for news of the forwarding of your plans, for as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, they will transpire. Be stern, be kind, be firm, and know your purpose. That is all you need to know.

Your loving Julie

Readers, as I am aware, will not so much want to see “plans of the house” as the intended residence itself, and with its curtains gently raised so that one may peep inside. To this end therefore I hasten forward to a period just over two and a half months hence, when we find Caroline installed and ready in a modest but roomy country mansion in the further reaches of Surrey.

Darling Julie,

It has all begun, and what a tremulous excitement I feel! I know now the delightful thrill of seeing a fetching young thing for the first time and envisaging how she will look with her skirts up and drawers down, receiving the first admonitions of the birch-or at least, those from my hands! How careful one has to be in interviewing! Thus, the first was Colonel Patherington, who came accompanied by his soi-disant wife, though I suspected her rather of being a mistress, having at the least twenty years less than he and hence being hardly ten ears the senior of Adelaide, his daughter. I held myself with confidence-this being in my “study,” small and cosy as it is-and mulled through my curriculum with them, not hesitating when it came to discipline, but then not brooding on it either! To my surprise, the lady fell on that. “The girls are birched when they are awkward or recalcitrant?” she asked. I wondered then at her motive. Did she resent Adelaide's existence and see in her a bar to being favoured in the Colonel's will? Did Adelaide resent her presence in their house, and for this was to be punished? I replied briefly “Yes” and waited for another question on that topic.

The Colonel cleared his throat and asked if birching were then “regular.” “With some- with others not,” said I, and smiled at Adelaide. A careful smile! She is willowy, tallish, a straight nose, brown hair, and lovely eyes, her mouth patrician and waiting itself, perhaps, to be broken in. The Colonel appeared to wish to ask more, but was seemingly prevented by the presence of his lady from so doing.

She rather tartly said, “Well-so long as they are regular.” I marked her then again as most unusual (in this particular circumstance, I mean), but fetching both in face and form, and of a height that just matched Adelaide's. They soon enough departed, leaving Adelaide to me, and I showing no dismay at the Colonel's generous cheque, which lay upon my desk! Another future pupil, Rose, came next. I thought of your Dorothy on seeing her-shy (but soon will giggle), small and shapely, not yet seventeen! I knew immediately the purpose for which her “guardian” brought her-a man who cannot wait (I am sure) to get upon her as soon as he believes I have her ready for the fray. He had the impertinence to speak of teaching her to do what she is told! I shall certainly do that, but in MY way, not his, and will nurture her as you did Dorothy. It will not be to his advantage, that I am determined on. I shall teach her how most winningly she may refuse to entertain his lusts while garnering the greatest benefits for herself.

He shall pay, he shall pay! The philosophy comes all the quicker once one has encountered males such as he, does it not? Sylvia, being present and introduced as the first of the arrivals, all three were soon a-chatter and I left them to it, gave Rose into her care and Adelaide a separate room. No lessons having yet begun, they were free to disport themselves as they wished and were utterly delighted by the “informality” of things. After tea-for I must tell you this-I accompanied Adelaide to her room as if to further settle her in. She turned to me immediately the door was closed and asked, almost with tearfulness, “Am I to be birched?” She is twenty, my dear-and had not, I asked, yet felt the sting of twigs? “Somewhat,” she replied and bit her lip. I motioned gently to the bed, and we sat down.

“Somewhat?” I fended, “you must tell me all.” She wore a pearl-grey dress with ribbons at the bodice. Nice-quite nice-but not as expensive for her station as I would have thought.

“Occasionally-well, twice,” she said and flushed and gripped her hands together in her lap. Was she alone-were “they” alone? I asked. “Oh, she was present,” Adelaide said bitterly and might have cried, so woebegone she looked! I placed one arm around her shoulders, comforting. I dearly wished to get more details from her then.

“Such things should be private,” I remarked, whereat to my surprise she said, “I know!” and twisted up her fingers more. Were her drawers down, I wondered? Was there then a feast of spitefulness in this for the Colonel's lady? “How many strokes did you receive?”

“Just six. No-four the first time, and then later six. She said… she said that I must feel the sting of it,” said Adelaide and gritted up her teeth. “Whereas you would rather have birched her,” I said most daringly, yet it came naturally to my tongue and- I believe-came rightly to her mood, with sweet surprise! “What?”

She could hardly then suppress a laugh of nervousness and some relief that I should have guessed it. “A young lady being birched sometimes wishes another one to be; it happens here-I observe it in their eyes,” I said, ignoring the fact (which she appeared not to have noticed) that I had not started yet! “Do they?” she blurted, eyes on mine, then said, “I mean…” “I know well what you mean, my dear. We have all in part been through it, have we not? A bared bottom soon attracts the eyes. Was yours then bared?” I had not meant to ask, but did. “No,” she said quickly and defensively, “well, at least…” I gathered from that only that her dress had been raised up.

“So I must be birched,” she then said dully. “I have my methods, Adelaide,” I said and stroked her back a little, felt it warm. There was a silence then, and then she asked, “What for?” and had a dull expression on again. Oh, goodness, I was not prepared for that! Such a direct enquiry is surely rare, I trust! “To bring you to the ways of womanhood,” said I and made her stare at me. “She wishes only to have me under her,” she said, and so brought my imaginings to truth. I smiled and kissed her brow, which must have surprised her but she did not move away. “You will be better under me, then will go under no one unless you wish it so. Antagonism sometimes conceals love, my dear-is brought to conceal the emotions.” “Do you think so?” she asked, and I believe indeed that there was a small and curious catch of hope in her voice. What deep waters was I treading here! “In your case, most certainly,” I replied and quite without meaning to I bore her back upon the bed and kissed her nose. “Perhaps she should have birched you on your own-as I may, if you are good,” I murmured. “Perhaps. I don't know. Shall you?” “If you are good, reveal all, reveal your innerness to me that I might guide you, Adelaide.” I kissed her lips- such lovely, curving lips! She lay inert. “Guide me,” she repeated in a flat tone, “but I have such wicked thoughts, I do, and never can reveal them to a soul.” “You must not tread in dangerous waters,” I hear you say, but certainty that I was right, in all my new and gathering thoughts, was rife in me. “Had you wished her to birch you, and both of you alone, would that have been a wicked thought?” I asked. She blushed and made to hide her face. “As I shall, with your drawers down, Adelaide,” said I, at which she gasped and would not look at me. I kissed her eyes, her cheeks-so velvet-soft. “She… she said once that she would birch me herself, but then Papa heard and said it was his task,” she muttered. “Then you are between the two, and only you can choose,” said I. “Oh, what do you mean by that?” she blurted, tried to say it crossly but could not. I then sat up, was wary of my would-be wandering hands that would have raised her skirt up there and then. “Only you can say, Adelaide, and will, in due course. There are no thoughts I recognise as wicked here. There are useful thoughts, and there are thoughts without any use at all, but I do not mind the latter, for they come and go like puffballs on a breeze.” “You believe no thoughts are wicked? It would help me much to know. I get confused, I really do,” she confessed and sat up, too, and rubbed her shoulder to mine. I had not bargained for such exactness, though! “I said, my pet, that there are no thoughts I recognise as wicked here-that is to say, thoughts which are contained in one when here, thoughts that arise. You would not think of killing anyone? That would be wicked-indeed all cruelty is. But as to pleasure- THAT is what I teach.” “B… b… but birching… that is cruel,” she whispered, though with uncertainty. “You are thinking of the circumstances of your birchings, and not the act itself. You wished her to see your bottom round and beautiful-not your Papa,” I ventured, at which she tried to mask her gaze. “'I do not think so, and anyway that is a wicked thought,” she mumbled. “Nonsense!” I said and laughed, adding (rather dangerously, you'll say!), “it will stir me in many different ways to castigate your own firm nether cheeks, which is to say that I shall desire to punish them and kiss them all at once.”

I had gone too far in my explanations, and my tongue was loose. I knew that, Julie, and yet sensed in her a quality that is not over-common. She will slip into certain ways with women, might abjure the men, but must learn under my firm hand to take both-now and then, at least. Do you agree? Oh heavens, another would-be entrant! I must fly! Forgive me if I have not told you more, but at the moment there is not much more to tell.

Your naughty imitator Caroline

Dear darling Caroline,

No more to tell? I'm sure there is-at least by the time this has wended to your shores (I feel in a poetic mood!) and crossed the countryside to you. You were a little brash, perhaps, with Adelaide, but who can better judge such things if they are not there to observe and take the temperature of all? No, I chide you not, though am intrigued to know how you ended up. By now her nether cheeks will surely have been scorched by you- though tenderly! Do I agree as to her future ways? I am not sure. I do not know her well! She may have a little penchant for the lady, or may be confused by jealousies. Such women who love other women only, will not wend to men and find them-as you really know-repulsive, or are just indifferent to them all. I am sure, however, from your tender description of your conversation with her that she has a girlish need for cock as much as for a finger or a tongue. Tickle her up a little and you'll soon discover! If she has the worth you say she has, and which at present is mainly hid within, then put her to the dildo after her third or fourth birching. And yet there is a mystery here. I know you sense it, too. Why else your conversation with the girl? It may be a matter hard to breach, my pet, but you must try. I know you will. There is a greater mystery, is there not, in the Colonel's mistress rather than in Adelaide? You see-you have intrigued me from the start! We have reversed our positions, as it were, and I am hungry now for all your news. My girls have all gone home for just a week. What a lovely silence has descended! I am not alone. Henri and Antoinette are here, and with them a most charming young man whose cock I have already milked-as also Antoinette has too! They brought with them a paddle-rather like a small tennis racquet, but the splatting end made of leather, and the handle wood. You must obtain one, or have one made. The effect is very moving-I can vouch for that!

I had my bottom basted by all three, in perfect merriment, and was then like a pupil of my own, put up to both the men in turn. The sound the paddle makes is the most exciting you can hear-much louder than the tawse and not so fierce, for the air pressure softens all the blows. So one may have three dozen, as I did, and get a really wriggling glow! Enough, though, of my fripperies. Tell me of yours. Or are you in more serious intent with Adelaide? My nose twitches, for I scent excitement there. Shall I be disappointed?

Surely not! And have you others now? I'm sure you have! You see, I am almost talking to myself in plain anticipation just to hear. If you are too busy, write me a short note, but let me know the core of it.

Your ever-loving Julie

My darling Julie,

Your nose did not twitch in vain, and neither did your instincts let you down. Nor mine, if I may be so bold! I will spare you news of my new entrants until later. Life is so occupied! What you most need to know, I will however tell-and quite extraordinary it is. Beyond all my experience, but I am sure not outside yours. Two weeks have passed since Adelaide arrived. I have put her up to training. She endures it well. On birching her, I exacted not a single squeak nor cry although her bottom twisted all about. We speak of globes, of orbs, but you have never seen the better of this one! It is as round as a harvest moon and almost quite as luminous! The cheeks are plump and firm (and, as so often, larger than I thought), and so resilient!

Her furrow has a darker tone than most, is gingery but fades into the cream as perfectly as might have been painted by Van Dyke-or even Rubens, if you will, though he preferred a sugary pink. It is not of Adelaide whom I will speak immediately, though, but of her visitor-the Colonel's lady, yes! (Now preen yourself, for you are bound to do so!) She arrived dressed all in black and grey with tricone hat and veil one Friday afternoon and, curiously, begged my pardon for doing so. Her abrupt and haughty manner had deserted her.

“Is she well?” she asked-but I had best name the lady now. Her name is Vivienne. It suits quite aptly her dark hair and oval face.

“Extremely so. I do not mis-use my girls. You came to ask that and no more? You came so far?” I might have added that a letter would have sufficed. I confess that my tone was a little curt and should not have been. It was unusual for such a visit, I said, and inferred as delicately as I could that I preferred the girls not to have visitors while they were in teaching. “I understand. Yes-this I understand,” she said, and with such seeming sympathy for me as did amaze me. “You do? She has been birched, you know. Fret not on that,” I said with a trace of sarcasm in my voice. “She has? How did she take it?” “She was quiet,” I said, to which she replied-as one who speaks to herself rather than to another-“Yes, she always was. I could not help myself…” I interrupted. It was scarce my business, though I rather wished it to be! “You need say no more,” I told her. “May I see her, then? I shall not stay too long.” I could not then resist asking her if she were staying in the neighbourhood, since to make a journey of over fifty miles as she had done and all for the sake of an hour or so appeared to me extraordinary. “I may, yes,” she answered absently and looked all about my study as if expecting to find Adelaide secreted there.

“I will inform her of your presence. Will you wait, please?” I arranged for her to be given tea and then sought out Adelaide, who was at that time sedately imbibing French grammar. Drawing her outside the room away from other girls, I informed her of Vivienne's visit and, as though to soften the effect as I thought, employed the lady's Christian name. “She is here?” she echoed and fell quiet.

“If you wish to see her privately-or in my study with myself,” I suggested helpfully. Her fingers twisted. She looked a little tense, though not so annoyed that I felt she might have been at this intrusion. “No. I will see her on my own. Perhaps…?” She gazed at me questioningly. “In your dormitory, yes. I will not disturb-though call me if you need, Adelaide. Go now, and I will send her up.” She was gone. I stood and pondered this strange matter for a moment and wondered even if the Colonel was unwell or some such, but dismissed the thought, for Vivienne would have mentioned that, or used it as an excuse. Upon presenting myself again in the study, the lady looked pleased at my news. “I shall not intrude for long,” she said again. “As you will, Mrs. Patherington,” I said, thus providing her with a polite honorific! I then guided her up to the dormitory that Adelaide occupied and then absented myself… agog with curiosity! I returned to my study, but could restrain myself no more than you could have done. I braced myself. After all, it is my own establishment and residence! The doors to the dormitories upstairs are close together. On reaching the landing, I opened quietly the door adjoining Adelaide's, mindful that I could use that room as a bolthole, so to speak. The doors are not too stout, thank heavens, and I could hear some words within where the two were. “Because you were wilful,” I heard Vivienne say, and then Adelaide-in that dull voice she occasionally puts On-replied, “I did not mean to be.” There was then a silence as if neither knew what to say. “Papa is well?” Adelaide asked, to which Vivienne replied briefly, “Yes-as ever. Did your birchings sting you much?” “No more than yours-his,” Adelaide replied as if correcting herself. “Had you but let me do it, Adelaide-” “He would not permit it-and besides…” said Adelaide. “And besides, what? Do you think I wished to have your skirts taken up before him and your drawers displayed? I did not, and you know I did not-” “I do not know of what you speak or what you mean,” replied Adelaide, and then there was a squeak from her and I heard a movement on the bed. “No!” she blurted. A scuffle, rustling, all the usual sounds came to me then! I put my hand to the doorknob, knew not what to do. Should one disturb a family quarrel? Was it truly such? “Bend over as I tell you. Do it now!” I heard to my astonishment from Vivienne, and then a choking cry from Adelaide. Oh dear! My indecision grew. What would you have done, Julie, in such a contretemps? My authority was being over-ridden, so I thought. A smack! A cry! Another smack! How dearly and ridiculously I wished to fly like a bird to St. Germaine-en-Laye, ask your advice, and then return-all in seconds, as it were!-Smack!

Smack! “I will not! Oh! Don't make me!” Adelaide sobbed out, and I had never known her cry before when her bottom was being attended to, as I have told you. “You would not take them off before him, Adelaide.” “I would not, no!” Smack! “Ow! No, don't! Oh god!”

By some instinct as we all possess, I divined somehow that Adelaide's last exclamation was not drawn out by the obvious smack on her bottom, but by something else. And, very obviously, her drawers had been descended. To what purpose, though? What was the secret of it? That I dare not let it continue and have my authority removed was obvious, and yet I waited still- again by instinct-for another moment or two. Smack! Smack! again and an utterly babyish “Gooo! Gooo!” from Adelaide that quite astonished me-if I were by then not utterly beyond astonishment! “You will, you will!” from Vivienne. Smack! Splat! “I w… w… won't-lah! Ooooh!” Again I sensed that her cry was of some otherness. Dare I intrude on this bizarre and unaccustomed scene? You will fret with impatience, I know, at my indecisiveness, but I trust will find sympathy with it. The smacks ceased, and still I waited. Sounds, though much muffled, were apparent. I interpreted them well enough to feel a slight moisture of excitement between my thighs!

I counted. How desperately I counted up to a hundred-yes!-and then turned the brass handle, not making an abrupt entrance but looking within with all the casualness I could summon. You will have guessed what I came upon, but who would not? Both lay full length upon the bed. Adelaide's rosy bottom was half cupped by Vivienne's soothing hand. The girls hands trembled at Vivienne's shoulders. Their lips were merged as if in the longest and most dreamlike kiss. Before either could recover I drew the door to quietly and made my way back down. Neither had seen me, but Adelaide at least would guess that it was I. A glass of wine was called for, though whether to still or to increase my excitement I was not sure! Having imbibed to my satisfaction, I replaced the bottle and the glass and composed myself, giving every apparent attention to the papers on my desk when Vivienne at last reappeared, though the interval could not have been longer than ten minutes. She was suitably flushed, I might say, and I guessed her to be at a loss for words, just as I guessed at the rather frantic conversation that must have taken place upstairs! Nor did I need to conceal my intrusion upon the amourous scene, for after all I was in my own domain and must be seen to be in charge. Even so I modulated my tone of voice and, speaking first, asked her whether she would not like some refreshment. She thanked me quietly but otherwise appeared speechless. I produced my bottle again and, as we drank, uttered one or two quite mundane things-Such as one does when working towards the real subject of conversation! Giving every appearance of but half listening to me, Vivienne twisted the stem of her glass restlessly and half drank the wine, whereat, to encourage her, I rose and refilled it. Her discomfort not lessening, I rose from behind my desk and invited her to join me on the couch, the which she did hesitantly and delicately, perching herself nervously on the edge.

I waited for her to speak. The moment then seemed appropriate for her to do so. “He would birch us both,” she said suddenly.

“Pray tell me. I am not unsympathetic, I rejoined. “I know.

Adelaide has told me so,” she said and, at that, sank back beside me with her shoulder touching mine. “Men take pleasure from it. Some women also do,” I remarked quietly. “I know. You will think me utterly strange. From the very first I was attracted to her. You must be aware, I am sure, that I am not married to the Colonel-that I am… well… his mistress.” “I am not easily shocked, Vivienne. You may confide in me. Adelaide-and of course I but surmise this now-was caught between the two of you and knew not where to let her affections fall. You wished to birch her for the love of her-to bring her to your arms. If I did not surmise this, what a simpleton I would be! But you said that he wished to birch you both.” “Together, yes.” Her voice broke a little, “He often tried to urge me to it-said that I should offer my bottom up beside her own while he was birching her. I knew too well what would be the end of that! Once I tried to kiss her and she spurned me.” Tears glistened in her eyes. So moved I was that I made bold to turn her face to mine and kiss her lips. She has lovely ones. The temptation to continue doing that was great, I can tell you! “It is different now,” I said and clasped her hand. Her eyes gazed into mine adoringly. I had no need to tell her all that I had heard and briefly seen, for she had guessed. “Yes. We have an understanding now. Even so, we must return. What will become of us?” she asked. “My dear, she must need a normal life, and so must you. Let me speak frankly. She has not taken the cock now, but I believe is not averse to doing so-and plainly you are not. We are all women together. We have an understanding of such things. Leave her in my hands a little longer. She will have benefited much from your visit-the ice is broken; she is less constrained than otherwise would have been, without my intervention and without your own, I mean. A month will suffice in her case. Let her then return. What have you told her upstairs? All? I guess that you have, and all is better for it. Now that she knows, then let him have his will.” “His will?

But you have not understood! Dear heavens, he will attempt her then as well!” “Tut-tut, you know very well that I know all-from what you have told me now. Do not tell Adelaide this- and I most certainly will not-but upon his broaching it with you, agree. Upon condition, that is, that when you are both offered up to him, he puts his cock to you first, withdraws after several strokes, and then enters it in Adelaide. Let him take his pleasure thus for but a few seconds. She will be too bemused-awed and excited, both-to rise when he first takes you from the rear. Upon his so mounting her in turn, let him proceed for as brief a moment as he has with you, then cry the house down in despair. Tear at his hair and pummel him! Adelaide will then cry out her own despair and join you in the fray, I have no doubt. You then will be the victors, Vivienne. His discomfort will be such-not merely physical but striking to his very soul-that he will have no recourse but to retire.” “You believe? Oh, I suppose it is possible! But what then? What afterwards?” “My dear, you are two women together, and are more close in league than you were an hour ago. You will arrange thereafter matters as you think-stay or depart together.

If you threaten the latter he will soon come to heel, as all men should,” I laughed, and brought a look of wonder to her face.

“In… in his excitement he might come. I mean when he is…

“Pumping Adelaide? He may indeed, but you will time it well enough, I'm sure. Besides, if he ejaculates so quickly in the circumstance” (which was a fine way of referring to Adelaide's warm pussy!), “then he will be the more easily pummelled, will he not?”

“What a wicked man he is,” she said, but could not help but smile-which I took to be a compliment to my wisdom. “You may stay the night, my dear, if you so wish. No one need know. A spare bedroom can accommodate you both. By the morning it might be thought that you slept with me,” I could not help but say with certain mischief.

“Oh, Adelaide would then be jealous,” she replied with utter frankness, whereupon our mouths met again as much in pleasure as in newfound friendship. “It is nice,” she sighed as our lips parted, and added, “Oh, I wish that I knew more about you.” “There is no need to do so, Vivienne. My advice and my actions are alone what counts,” I said. I kept company with her until after dinner that night, not wishing the other girls to know of her liaison with Adelaide (to whom, of course, I said nothing, nor have done since).

When Vivienne retired for the night, it was to join her, very discreetly and without anyone else seeing. By the morning both looked in the bloom of health! Well, my love? Have I pleased you? I believe, immodestly, that I might have done, and cannot wait to hear from you. I have not seen Vivienne again, nor shall, but will let matters take their course, though she has promised to write to me and let me know all that transpires. I hope she does, for if not I shall write to her. But now it is your turn to write to me, and I am, as ever, breathless to know what you think of all this.

Your ever-devoted Caroline

Editors Note:

Alas, we shall never know-for the nonce at least-what Julie's response contained, though one may well guess that it was congratulatory. Caroline seemed to have behaved with great finesse in these unusual circumstances and bid fair to become as accomplished as her mentor. Such letters as I have managed to obtain and collate, end here, but I am in hope of finding more-indeed am promised them by such collectors who laid hands on them-and will not fail to bring them then to publication. Such will be my endeavour, and it will be as great, I trust, as surely will be the readers hopes.