Happily Married

By Freddie Clegg
 © Freddie Clegg 2006

All characters fictitious

No posting or reproduction without permission

https:freddiestales19.wordpress.com
 Contents
Chapter 1: Newlyweds................................................................................................................ 1
Chapter 2: Maria’s Findings........................................................................................................ 4
Chapter 3: More On D & S : That’s Danvers & Sarah Of Course..................................................7
Chapter 4: Many A Tear Has To Fall, But It’s All In The Game...................................................10
Chapter 5: Called To Account.................................................................................................. 13
Chapter 6: Dinner Date............................................................................................................. 17
Chapter 7: Hanky Panky............................................................................................................ 19
Chapter 8: Afternoon Delight................................................................................................... 21
Chapter 9: Splish Splash............................................................................................................ 25
Chapter 10: Windmills Of Your Mind........................................................................................ 27
Chapter 11: A New Role For Sarah ........................................................................................... 30
Chapter 12: The New Maid....................................................................................................... 34
Chapter 13: More S&M : That’s Sarah & Maria - Of Course......................................................36
Chapter 14: Brought To Book................................................................................................... 40
Chapter 15: Getting The Needle............................................................................................... 44
Chapter 16: Criminal Intent...................................................................................................... 49
Chapter 17: Meeting Miss B..................................................................................................... 54
Chapter 18: Sarah In Service..................................................................................................... 57
Chapter 19: Saturnalia ............................................................................................................. 60
Chapter 20: Future Interrogative.............................................................................................. 64
Chapter 21: Late Payment........................................................................................................ 67
Chapter 22: Dinner Party.......................................................................................................... 70
Chapter 23: Jack or Knave?....................................................................................................... 74
Chapter 24: Sarah’s Worries..................................................................................................... 77
Chapter 25: The Hounds of Love.............................................................................................. 80
Chapter 26: Maria’s Main Squeeze........................................................................................... 84
Chapter 27: Maid Danvers........................................................................................................ 86
Chapter 28: Danvers In Service................................................................................................. 89
Chapter 29 : Dinner For Four ................................................................................................... 92
Chapter 30 : Pillars of The Community..................................................................................... 94
Chapter 31 : Softly, Softly......................................................................................................... 96
Chapter 32 : Retribution........................................................................................................... 99
Chapter 33 : Nighty Night....................................................................................................... 102
Chapter 34 : Parliamentary Ambitions.................................................................................... 104
Chapter 1: Newlyweds

Sarah Ridley had been married for almost three months but she’d only really just got used to her
new name. “Sarah Ridley,” she used to repeat to herself, “Mrs Sarah Ridley, so much more
distinguished than simple Sarah Jones.” She laughed.

The home she shared with her husband, Danvers, was delightful and he was all that she had
expected of in a husband, attentive, considerate and kind. The speed of their courtship had
overwhelmed her and there was nothing she regretted. Well, almost nothing.

Danvers was fifteen years older than she was. Her friends had veered between envying her luck in
landing the well to do, respected, local councillor and fretting about the difference in their ages.
They all felt that Sarah would find it difficult to keep the freedoms she’d enjoyed in the year she
had been working after leaving school. With his bride only just turned nineteen on their wedding
day, Danvers’s friends had pulled his leg about his child bride. He had borne their teasing with
good humour and Sarah had loved him for it.

Sarah had found it difficult to adjust to being the lady of the house. Only a year earlier she had
been at school, subject to the beck and call of her teachers. Her ventures into the work place had
hardly earned her more independence; - as the youngest and least experienced in her office she
had only been expected to carry out the most undemanding tasks.

But then there had been Danvers and life had suddenly changed. Now, at least in theory, she was
mistress of the house and was expected to be able to cope with managing the maid and the rest of
the household. It was as if she was supposed to have suddenly been granted a divine insight into
these matters. Her husband expected it and the maid did too. She couldn’t bring herself to ask her
mother and none of her friends had yet married – they still enjoyed the single life. In any case
there weren’t too many houses like the Ridley’s. It was unusual these days for someone to be able
to afford staff at all. Danvers had grown up during the war years and made his money in the early
fifties but somehow he seemed stuck in the past – clinging to a way of life that few tried to
maintain as Britain staggered towards the middle of the nineteen-sixties and all that meant.

Their first disagreement perhaps encapsulated the difference between the two. Only yesterday
Danvers had returned home to find his wife listening to a programme on the radiogram that
dominated one side of their comfortable lounge. Danvers had looked disapproving. “Really my
dear, the Light Programme? I think you’ll find the Home Service rather more informative or if you
really have to listen to music there are some excellent concerts on the Third Programme.”

“Oh, Danvers, you can be so old-fashioned,” his wife had replied. “There’s some terrific pop music
around now. Even you must like some of it.”

Danvers had merely harrumphed in response. He turned the radio off, crossly, and left the room.
Sarah, surprised by his behaviour, called after him, but he ignored her, disappearing into his study
and slamming the door behind him.

Sarah, uncertain what to do to appease her husband turned to her book and began reading. She
hadn’t dared turned the radio back on.

The next events of the afternoon served only to emphasise the problems that she had with
running the house. Sarah looked up from her book, suddenly aware that she was no longer alone.
Maria the maid had appeared in the room and was waiting. Sarah put her book down, disturbed by
the maid’s silent arrival. “Yes, Maria, what is it?”

1
“I’m sorry to interrupt you, Mrs Ridley,” the maid began, “but I thought you would want to decide
on tomorrow night’s menu.”

“Tomorrow night’s menu?” Sarah queried. “Do I really need to...” Her words slowed to a halt as
she saw the look of disdain on Maria’s face.

“I need to make sure that any special ingredients are available, we will need to see that the right
wines can be found; that all is ready All this takes time, Madam,” Maria explained with
exaggerated patience.

“Oh, I see, yes, of course.” Sarah’s embarrassed response made it clear that she hadn’t thought of
it.

Maria peered down her nose “Perhaps you would prefer me to decide madam?” she asked.

“Oh, yes, yes, thank you, Maria.” Sarah said with relief, “I am sure you know what’s best. Please
decide for us.”

Maria left and Sarah returned to her thoughts. She found her relationship with Maria difficult but,
apart from that, married life was largely living up to her expectations. Sarah’s only regret was that
she wished Danvers was more loving, more demonstrative, more physical. Her mother had warned
her about what to expect (or rather what not to expect) from the physical side of her married life,
although as she said, she had never taken much interest in “that sort of thing” and that,
fortunately, Sarah’s father had not often “bothered her”. Sarah sometimes wondered how her
parents had managed to bring her into the world.

Sarah had been a virgin on her wedding night and Danvers had been nothing but kind to her.
Somehow, though, their coupling had lacked the passion she had expected and longed for. She
had no experience of other men beyond a furtive grappling with two enthusiastic but
inexperienced boyfriends. Her mousey, rather gawky looks had meant she had hardly been the
centre of attention for the opposite sex. There had been few social occasions where there had
been the opportunity for her to meet boys but a diet of colourful romantic novels read by
torchlight beneath the bedclothes in the dormitory at school had raised her expectations.

Danvers though seemed to adopt an almost clinical approach to his lovemaking with her. He held
her, caressed her, loved her but, in bed, he seemed to keep something to himself. Sarah longed to
free whatever it was that held him back and to enjoy the passion that surely should come with real
love.

The following day she was sitting in their secluded garden on the edge of the lawn, enjoying the
bright summer’s day. A box hedge that stretched alongside the garden shielded what she saw as a
sanctuary of nature from the other nearby cottages and cast a shadow into which she would
retreat from time to time. For now, though, she was delighting in the warmth.

The book she had been reading lay discarded on the grass beside her. Danvers came up to her on
his way back into the house. “Take care of the sun, my darling,” he said. “You don’t want to
scorch.”

“I’m all right, darling. Why don’t you sit with me a minute?”

“I have some papers to go through before tonight’s council meeting.”

2
“Oh, Danvers, don’t be so boring, leave them for a while. Let’s forget about responsibility and
enjoy the sunshine. Let’s be deliciously naughty.” Sarah reached out to her husband and clasped
her arms around his legs. Danvers bent down and stroked her face.

“Sarah my dear,” he said, laughing, “I am sure you can be very naughty.”

Sarah smiled in turn, flirting with him. “Ooh, yes, I was quite the naughtiest girl in school.”

“I see.” Danvers adopted a mock seriousness. “Well I do hope that you were properly corrected. I
would be shocked to discover that my wife had not been educated from her wayward, girlish,
behaviour.”

“My, yes.” Behind the joking words, Sarah detected that something had aroused her husband.
“You wouldn’t expect anything else at a good school, would you?” Danvers grinned at her and she
felt curiously close to unlocking something in him. “Discipline was very strict. Very strict, indeed,”
she said.

Danvers pulled a cane from the flower bed beside them. He ran the tip of it lightly along her calf.
“Well I hope it was sufficient. It would be terrible if I had to take on the responsibility for
continuing your correction.”

“Mmm, Danvers, you should. I want to be the most wonderful wife for you. You must make sure
that my naughtiness does nothing to stop me being the best wife in the world.” Danvers tapped
the cane gently against her thigh. Sarah felt excited by his unexpected interest, recalling her own
erotic thrill when she had once been caned at school in front of three of her house prefects
including the angelic Enid Goosens, a tall blonde girl on whom Sarah had the most immense crush.
“It was a very strict school, you know. I was quite often caned by the headmistress.”

“Ah,” Danvers responded with an intake of breath that told Sarah she had touched a vein of
interest in her husband.

“In fact sometimes, I wonder if I left school too soon - if I shouldn’t still be caned sometimes. Just
to make sure my standards don’t slip.”

“Well as a loving and dutiful, husband, perhaps I should …”

“Yes, Danvers, you should. Oh yes, you should.” Sarah could se that her husband was clearly
excited. His eyes had taken on a brightness that she had hardly seen since their wedding night and
he was catching his breath as he leant forward and kissed her.

They embraced and made love with a passionate urgency on the lawn that Sarah could never have
expected from before. Sarah was at once shocked and pleased by Danvers’ ardour as he pushed
her skirt up around her waist and wrenched her panties down. She was scandalised by her own
behaviour and surprised by Danvers’ readiness to join in. As she and Danvers thrust together in
unison, he had tapped her lightly on the buttocks with the cane - apparently exciting himself as
much is it did her. Their climax was more fulfilling than anything she had known. For the first time
she felt that real life could be like those romantic novels; although she couldn’t help but giggle at
the grass stains on the knees of Danvers’ flannels once they’d finished.

Looking down from the window of her room in the top of the house, Maria the house maid had
watched their love making with interest.

3
Chapter 2: Maria’s Findings

Danvers Ridley was sat at the desk in his study, peering into a box file when Maria came into the
room. He slammed the lid shut suddenly in irritation and barked at the maid. “Don’t you usually
knock before entering?”

“I’m sorry, Sir,” Maria answered respectfully, I didn’t realise you were in here. I certainly didn’t
mean to disturb you.” In the three months that Maria had been working for Danvers she had
discovered that he could often be sharp and that the best response was to try to calm things as
quickly as possible.

“No, well, please take more care in future,” he said, regaining his composure and pushing the box
into one of the desk drawers. “Now what was it you wanted…..”

“I was wanting to clean in here, Sir,” Maria responded calmly, “but you’ve been in here all day and
Mrs Danvers had said that you were going to the cinema this evening.

“That’s right Maria, I’m just going to get the Rover.”

“Very good Sir, I’ll tell Mrs Ridley.”

Maria found Sarah in her bedroom, finishing dressing. “Mr Ridley says he’s just getting the car,
ma’am.” She picked Sarah’s summer coat from a hangar in her wardrobe.

“Thank you, Maria,” said Sarah as she helped her put it on. “It’ll be such fun, we haven’t been out
in ages, Danvers has had to put up with dull old council meetings for weeks.”

“I’m sure you’ll have a nice evening.”

“Well it should be good – My Fair Lady – it only opened this week, I hear it’s fantastic. And it’ll be
so nice just to be out with Danvers.”

With Sarah and Danvers gone, Maria was able at last to start cleaning in Danvers’ study. It was as
she was polishing the desk that she noticed that one of the drawers was not properly closed.

It would hardly be true to say that she overcame her curiosity. That would imply that she felt some
reticence over her employers’ privacy. She had gone straight from school into service ten years ago
and had watched as the traditions of loyalty from staff and loyalty to staff had been steadily
eroded. She had been concerned when Danvers married that the arrival of his wife would threaten
her; that her post might disappear. She remained wary, anxious to maintain her position in the
household; keen to learn anything that she might turn to her advantage.

Without a thought for the propriety of her actions, she slid the drawer open. Seeing the box file
that Danvers had been looking at earlier, she lifted it onto the desk and tried the lid. The box
wasn’t locked and Maria looked inside at the curious collection that it held. Two short lengths of
soft rope – Maria thought it had come from a curtain tie – had been knotted neatly into two hanks.
Beside them was a white silk scarf, folded into a long thin strip and knotted in its centre. On either
side of the knot Maria could see crimson, waxy stains from a woman’s lipstick – a shade she had
never seen Sarah wearing. There were four envelopes addressed to Danvers in a carefully printed
hand. Beneath the envelopes, the ropes and the cloth she could see three magazines. Carefully she
slid the top one out. “Bizarre”, the title said. She slipped it into the pocket of her apron and
returned the box to the its drawer before she continued about her work.

4
Later that evening, Danvers and Sarah returned home. As they got ready for bed, Sarah took her
husband’s hands in her own. “Thank you for a lovely evening, darling,” she said. “I so enjoyed the
film.”

“I’m glad. I know you haven’t had too much fun lately – what with all my council meetings and
everything.”

“Yes, you neglect me horribly,” Sarah was smiling, not meaning it in the least. “But I don’t mind,
it’s quite worth it to have such a wonderful husband.” She stroked his face. “You’re rather like Rex
Harrison, you know.”

“Well, thank you, darling. I view that as a great complement.” He looked down at his wife. “I
enjoyed it too, although I fear that Professor Higgins was far too lenient with his pupil”

Sarah knew how to take a cue from her husband now. “Do you mean you weren’t impressed with
her diction? I could do as well myself,” she giggled. “The rine in spine stiys minely in the pline.”

“Appalling, Eliza, simply appalling.” Danvers sat himself on the edge of the bed. “Come here.” As
she did so, he gripped her wrists and swung her face down across his lap. He scoped up her skirt,
exposing her knickers and stockings. “Now let’s try that again. The rain…”

“The rine – Oww!” Sarah yelped as Danvers hand slapped down on her backside.

“In Spain..”

“In spine – ohhh!” Another yelp followed another slap.

“Try again, Eliza, do. The Rain In Spain Stays Mainly In The Plain.”…”

“The rine – oww – in spine – ohh – stiys – oww - minely – ooo – in the pline – ahhh! Yor ‘orrible
‘enry ‘iggings, you are!”” Sarah was rewarded with a further six slaps on her reddening buttocks
but as she wriggled on Danver’s lap she could feel his cock stiffening inside his trousers. ”Ere, ‘enry
‘iggins, I fink you’d better let me get your daisy roots orf and pull yor trousis darn, uvverwise yor
going to ‘ave a terribul problem.”

Danvers grinned at his wife. “Well you had better get to it, Eliza,I can only hope that a little
exercise with your mouth will improve your diction.

Sarah looked puzzled but Danvers guided her head towards his crotch and though she had never
imagined such a thing before she found herself being coaxed to kiss, suckle, and lick at Danver’s
erect member. It wasn’t as much fun as when Danvers made love to her but she could see how
much pleasure it brought him and so she loved to do it. As he bucked to a climax, his hands
running gently across her sore backside, she giggled with pleasure. “Ooh, ‘enry ‘iggins,” she
mimicked, “what would Colonel Pickering say?”.

In her room, Maria, could clearly hear the sound of each slap and Sarah’s giggles. Ignoring them,
she turned to the magazine she had taken from Danvers’ box. An interesting mix, she thought of
the deviant and the erotic. As she turned the pages she quickly came to the conclusion that Mr
John Willie had created a potent blend - evidently one that appealed to Danvers. She scrutinised a
grainy photograph of a girl bound helplessly with yards of rope over the caption, ‘Don’t Let This
Happen To You – Learn Jujitsu And The Art Of Self-Defence’ with interest. She wondered how she
might turn her new found knowledge to her benefit. It was only in the small hours of the morning

5
that she stole past the Ridley’s room and downstairs to replace the magazine where she had found
it.

6
Chapter 3: More On D & S : That’s Danvers & Sarah Of Course

Sarah was still in bed as Danvers left for the Town Hall. He had breakfasted as usual at half past
seven precisely and then taken the car into town. Maria had cleared his breakfast things away and
then made up a tray for Sarah. She knocked on the bedroom door and went in.

Sarah was sprawled across the bed, grinning broadly. “Oh, Maria isn’t it a beautiful day.” She sat
up, clasping her hands around her knees.

Maria looked out through the bedroom window at the rather grey, windswept, summer morning
and put the tray down on the bedside table. “If you say so, m’m,” she said.

“I do, indeed,” Sarah laughed. “When you’re as happy as Danvers and I are, the weather just
doesn’t matter.”

“Quite so, Mrs Ridley,” Maria agreed and then tried to change the subject. “I wondered if we could
look at the housekeeping budget this morning, Mrs Ridley. There are a number of tradesmen that
need payment, you’ll want to plan the menus for the week-end and I need to know what is
planned for the following week. Mr Ridley talked about a party for some of his fellow councillors, I
believe.”

“Oh, you can sort all that out, Maria, you don’t need me for any of that. I’m much too happy to
spend time worrying about silly things like bills and menus. As soon as I finish breakfast I am going
into town for a new outfit and then I’m meeting Danvers for lunch. Can you imagine that, Maria?
He’s actually taking some time off in the middle of the day!”

“Well, I’ll do what I can, m’m, but you will still want to approve the bills, won’t you?”

“Oh, I’m sure they are right. Just let me have what you want signed. Now do get on Maria, I have
to get out.”

Maria laid out Sarah’s dressing gown on the bed and left her mistress to bathe and dress.

With both Sarah and Danvers out, Maria had the opportunity to clean and tidy the house
thoroughly. She noticed with amusement that the riding crop Danvers used for hunting had
somehow made its way from the back lobby into the bedroom and wondered how long it might be
before she found some harness up there as well. “Pony girls” John Willie’s Bizzare had called them,
she remembered.

Danvers and Sarah met for lunch as planned. The dining room of the Kings Arms Hotel was small
and they had the place almost to themselves apart from two middle aged women who had
plonked themselves down at a table in the bay window looking out over the hotel’s garden.

Sarah smiled at her husband. “Thank you,” she said.

Danvers looked puzzled. “It won’t be a grand lunch, not here at any rate.”

“That’s not what I meant, darling. It’s just lovely to spend time with you. And, of course,
everything else. I’m very happy, you know.”

“I’m pleased too, my love; so pleased that I discovered what a naughty little girl you are.” He
smiled.

7
Sarah looked embarrassed and. blushed. “Shh,” she said, “someone will hear.”

“Would that worry you?” Danvers grinned as his wife nodded vigorously. “I wonder,” he said. “I
think there is a little of the show-off in you. Otherwise,” he did at least lower his voice a little,
“otherwise I don’t think you would have been so ready to drop your knickers in the garden.”

“Danvers, sshh, the waiter’s coming.”

“Goodness, my dear, you’re obsessed with sex. You really should leave the waiter a little privacy.”

“Oh, Danvers,” Sarah giggled leaning forwards conspiratorially. “Don’t be silly. You’ll get us thrown
out.”

“Oh, no, I ‘m sure that won’t happen. I do chair the licensing committee, you know. I suspect that I
could get away with almost anything short of bending you naked across the bar in the saloon.”

“Danvers!”

“Though the public bar would probably be all right.”

“Danvers! SShh!”

The waiter did indeed appear at Danvers’ side. “Always nice to see you Mr Ridley,” he said. “Are
you ready to order?”

“Yes, indeed, I’ll take the Game Pie” Sarah picked up her menu and was about to speak when
Danvers cut her off. “and Mrs Ridley will have the Plaice. Thank you.”

The waiter looked at Sarah but she said nothing. He scribbled down the order on his pad and left
them.

“That was a little high handed, Danvers, I can order for myself you know.” Sarah said petulantly.

“Oh no, my darling,” Danvers replied, smiling. “I think we both know that you need me to decide
what’s best for you and what you should have when. Don’t we?”

Sarah looked down into her lap with an embarrassed silence. “Yes dear,” she muttered quietly.

“Good, said Danvers, “I thought so. Now let’s enjoy our meal. The plaice here is quite good, you
know. And besides I’ve not forgotten the thought of you naked across the public bar.”

“Oh, Danvers!” Sarah exclaimed again, “You are a disgrace! I’m sure it would be most
uncomfortable. Not any fun at all.”

“Not even with the clientele looking on?” The two women at the window table turned towards
Danvers and Sarah, their attention attracted by Sarah’s giggles. “Or is it enough that those two
ladies evidently think you are some fancy piece I have slipped out to have lunch with while my
worthy wife is safe at home.”

Sarah tried hard to look shocked but couldn’t. She giggled again to the irritation of the others in
the dining room. “My darling, I want nothing more than to be your fancy piece” she smiled.

“Good heavens, Sarah, here you are flirting again. It’s absolutely disgraceful. I fear that once lunch
is over I will have to find some time to take you to task.”

8
“You’re right of course, Danvers,” Sarah smiled. “You will really have to make sure I’m behaving
myself properly.”

9
Chapter 4: Many A Tear Has To Fall, But It’s All In The Game

A little over a week later, rain was hammering on the roof of the Danvers’ house. It was already
dark; night had fallen with a suddenness usually only associated with the tropics. Through the
streaming rain the flashes of lightning were the only thing illuminating the village street.

Danvers Ridley and Sarah were playing cards with two of their oldest friends in the village; Jack
Carroway, one of Danvers’ fellow councillors, and Elaine his wife.

“This will need to be the last hand, I’m afraid,” Jack said. “I need to get back to make some calls.
Our MP is involved in an important debate in the House tonight – I need to know the outcome as
soon as possible – it will affect the budget committee tomorrow, I am certain.”

“Oh, Jack, that’s too bad,” Sarah smiled. “Won’t you at least have another drink?” She gestured to
Maria.

“Thank you, but no, Mrs Ridley. I need to have my wits about me when I’m working you know.”
Danvers finished dealing the hand. “not to mention for the game.” Jack opened the auction with a
bid of one diamond, Sarah intervened with one no trump, Elaine responded to Jack with a call of
two diamonds. Jack looked glum. Danvers topped it with a call of two hearts. Faced with his
partner’s weak response, Jack passed. Sarah followed with a call of three no trumps.

The others passed. Danvers was scowling. “Game call, rubber and match,” laughed Sarah.

“If you make it,” said Elaine with a smile leading the three of clubs. “I think you might be going a
trick too far.”

As Danvers laid down his cards as dummy, Sarah saw what Elaine meant. “Hmm,” she said biting
her lip. “This needs some thought…”

A few minutes later, Elaine and Jack were on their feet shaking hands with their hosts and making
ready to go. “Shame about that last hand, Danvers old chap,” said Jack, “Sarah had played a
blinder up until then.”

Danvers seemed distracted. “Yes, yes. Well sometimes the cards just don’t run for you. Sorry you
have to go, chaps. Do it again next week?”

“Of course. Always a pleasure, you know,” said Jack, “Goodnight Danvers, Mrs Ridley.”

Elaine joined in with the parting remarks. “Yes, next week should be fine. Jack’s work permitting,
of course.”

“That’s agreed then. Good night, everyone,” Sarah, cheerily, “it’s late anyway. I’m off to bed if
you’ll excuse me.” She turned towards Danvers. “Dear?”

“I’ll be there, shortly,” Danvers said. “You go on up. I’ll just see our guests off.”

As Sarah left them, Jack and Danvers shook hands again. Maria was walking back from the lounge
carrying a tray of coffee cups when she glanced through the front door at Danvers on the porch
saying goodbye to his guests. Jack was already at the foot of the front steps, unfurling his umbrella
against the downpour. Maria saw quite clearly Danvers reach out and stroke his hand across

10
Elaine’s backside. Curiously, Maria thought, Elaine didn’t seem to react, except that as she reach
her husband and ducked under his umbrella, she turned and waved to Danvers, “Goodnight.”

Danvers leant on the porch rail as he watched them scurry through the torrential rain towards
Jim’s black saloon. He gave a wave as the car pulled away and turned back to the screen door.
Maria was already tidying the card table away, putting the glasses onto her tray and returning the
room to a state of order. “Don’t worry about that now,” Danvers said to her. “Do it in the
morning.”

Maria smiled, nodded, and left with a “very good sir.” Danvers poured himself a large whisky for a
night cap, downed it in one and turned for the stairs and his bedroom at the rear of the house.

All was quiet as he entered the room. The only sound came from the rain on the windows. Two
rattan chairs stood either side of the shuttered windows. And there was his wife, Sarah. Kneeling,
naked her head bowed.

Danvers spoke quietly. “You know what must happen, don’t you?”

“Yes, sir,” her answer came with a tremor in her voice.

“And what do you propose?”

“Each trick, I suppose,” her mouth was dry. The words came with difficulty. “Each under trick.” She
heard him draw in his breath. “No, no. Each bid trick. Yes, each bid trick,” her voice was becoming
husky, “two strokes,” another intake of breath, “no, five, yes, five strokes.” She gave a short
whimper.

“You’re very hard on yourself, you know.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“No, you’re right, of course. It’s the right way to deal with it. Are you ready?” Danvers picked up a
short cane. It almost sang as he swung it through the damp night air.

“Yes, sir. Ahh!” No sooner had her affirmation left her lips than the blows began. Danvers placed
the cuts carefully. Buttocks, the backs of her thighs, her upper back, nowhere that would leave
visible marks the following day. By twenty strokes she was gasping, by thirty she was sobbing, but
for the strokes between forty and forty five her sobs were overtaken by almost soundless rasping
breaths.

Danvers put down the cane and took his wife’s hand. “Thank – thank you, sir,” she stammered as
he brought her to her feet and let her kiss his hand.

“And now, good night, dear.”

“Please,” she begged, “must I?”

“I think so after that.” Danvers took his wife by the hand and lead her towards the big wardrobe
that stood at the far end of the room He opened the wardrobe door.

Sarah looked again pleadingly at her husband. He shook his head. Distraught, she climbed into the
wardrobe. Danvers closed the door ignoring her red rimmed eyes. He locked the door on her sobs.

11
Maria, dozing fitfully in her room, unable to get to sleep in a heat that was still oppressive in spite
of the storm, had heard the crack of the cane. She knew exactly what it was. It reminded her of
when she had first entered service and the house keeper had adopted a brutal approach to
ensuring that her staff kept up to the mark. All in all she was becoming intrigued with the
opportunities in her current position. She had borrowed the copy of Bizarre again, reading with
fascination the various articles and letters from readers who clearly had similar enthusiasms to
Danvers. She was beginning to see ways in which life could be made a great deal easier for herself.

12
Chapter 5: Called To Account

Maria was pleased with the effect that she had achieved on her appearance. Taking her inspiration
from some pictures in the copy of Bizarre magazine that she had borrowed, she had put in a few
hours work in her spare time. That, coupled with a little extra care with her make up, would make
an impact on Danvers, she thought.

Sarah, foolish girl caught up in her own reveries, did not notice but Danvers most certainly did.
“Well, good morning, Maria,” he had said as she served breakfast, “I must say you’re looking very
smart this morning.” The look that accompanied the remark was enough for Maria. She knew that
had struck the right note.

“Thank you, Sir,” she’d answered. “I do try to look my best for work.”

She’d spent her free afternoon the previous day with her needlework box and her uniform dress,
carefully altering it with the thought of some of the pictures in Danvers’s magazine very much in
her mind. Two darts at the front, under the bust, and two at the back beneath her shoulder blades
had fitted the top of the dress closely against her figure. Carefully unpicking and re-stitching the
seams of the skirt to make it much narrower had emphasised her hips and legs. She’d added a little
extra starch to her apron. She’d spent, well - invested, a large part of her savings in three items – a
pair of dark stockings far more sheer than those she normally wore for work, a pair of black patent
leather shoes with heels a good two inches higher than was usual and a new bra, circle stitched in
a way that made her breasts much more prominent and gave them an artificial, almost conical look
that had been fashionable back in the fifties. She knew that the black of the uniform dress and the
white of her collar, apron and cap went well with her own black hair and piercing blue eyes, her
additions simply served to amplify the effect.

Danvers’ smirk had been reward enough for her efforts but after breakfast when Sarah had
excused herself and Maria was clearing the breakfast table, Danvers had turned towards her.

“Ah, Maria, this is convenient. I did just want to have a quiet word with you while my wife is out of
the room. Come and sit down.”

“Very good, Sir,” Maria replied. As she sat she crossed her legs and her tight skirt rode up showing
a glimpse of the welt of her stockings.

Danvers sucked in a breath “I wanted you to know how much I value your – ah – support with
Sarah. I realise that she is very young and not used to dealing with a household. I am sure that it
must cause you difficulties.”

“In this job, Sir, I just take things as they come. And really there has been no difficulty.” She
smoothed down her apron and skirt across her lap..

Danvers coughed. “Good. And I meant what I said about you looking smart. Please carry on in the
same fashion. I think I should see to covering the additional costs of your uniform.”

“Thank you very much, Sir. I will certainly try to please. Should I speak to Mrs Danvers about that?”

“No, no,” Danvers replied in a measured manner, “No need to worry her about it, she finds the
household accounts enough of a challenge as it is. I’ll let you have a little extra as necessary
myself. I’d have thought that three guineas or so each month should cover it. Let me know if there
is anything particular that you need which that doesn’t cover.”

13
“Well thank you very much Sir,” Maria could hardly be other than delighted – the extra was more
than she had spent. “I’ll put it to good use.”

“Excellent. Let me also say that I do understand the – ah – difficulties involved in a household
where the lady of the house has little experience of her role. I do think you have been doing well –
please realise that I am aware that my wife has a lot to learn in that area.”

“That’s hardly for me to say, Sir, is it?”

“No, of course not. I’d expect no less of you. Please be assured, though, that I have the matter in
hand.”

“I understand Sir, but really there’s been no bother.”

“Well, thank you for your forbearance, Maria. I would like to feel that I could call on your
assistance in the future if there was any way in which I might improve things.”

“Well, of course Mr Ridley. You only have to ask.” Maria smiled.

“Thank you Maria,” Danvers replied. I think I can see how you might be able to assist to both our
benefit. I need to talk to my wife about a problem and it would help if you could support me in
that but that will be all for now.”

“Very good Sir,” Maria replied and took her leave. As she stepped carefully from the room – the
heels on her shoes were much higher than she was used to – she felt sure that Danvers was
watching her rear approvingly. She smiled to herself at the effect she had evidently had but she
was also intrigued as to what Danvers meant by supporting him.

An hour or so later, Sarah was sitting in the lounge, sipping her coffee and enjoying the morning
sunshine as it streamed through the French windows. She barely paid attention to the sound of
the post dropping through the letter box on to the mat behind the front door, or to the tap of
Maria’s heels on the parquet hall flooring as she went to collect it.

She picked up her newspaper and turned, as she always did, to the crossword, ignoring weightier
matters of business and politics. She had only just begun to puzzle at that day’s clues when a
knock at the door interrupted her.

Maria was standing in the doorway. “Excuse me, Ma’am. I’m sorry to disturb you but Mr Ridley
says could you join him in the study.”

Sarah put down the paper. “Why couldn’t he just come here himself, sometimes I think he just
does this to be theatrical,” she thought to herself, in mild irritability. “It’s hardly any distance.”
What she said, though, was, “Of course.”

Maria followed her as she walked down the hall to her husband’s study.

“Ah, Sarah, darling, good.” Danvers seemed affable at first but almost at once his mood changed.
He picked up a letter from his desk, waving it at her. “Do you know what this is?”

“No, dear, but it has obviously upset you. What is the problem?”

“It seems that you are,” he answered, bluntly. “This is from your dressmakers. It appears that your
account has not been paid. It is overdue by two whole weeks.”

14
“It must have been an oversight. I’ll let them have a cheque immediately, I’m sure there’s enough
in my allowance to cover it.”

“That’s hardly the point. Do you have any idea how this makes me look?” Danvers was becoming
progressively more angry. “Either I cannot afford to keep my wife properly clothed or I cannot see
that she pays her debts. In either case it’s really intolerable.”

“I’m sorry, darling, I had no idea, of course I didn’t mean for it to reflect on you. I’ll be more careful
in future.”

“I’m sure that’s your intention but you have to realise how important this is. I am a public official -
the slightest suggestion that I cannot keep my affairs in order could lead to fingers being pointed,
suggestions being made. I cannot permit it. I intend to make sure that you remember to be more
careful. Is that the dress concerned?”

Sarah was dismayed by his tone. She looked down at the floral print, summer dress. “Yes, dear,
yes, it is.”

“Then take it off.” Sarah looked aghast “You heard me I think. Take it off. It’s not paid for, so you
shan’t wear it.

“But, darling,” Sarah protested, “here? Now? In the study?”

Danvers, eyes narrowed. “Take it off, now, my darling or I shall rip it from your back.”

Sarah saw the determination in his look and began, reluctantly, to unbutton the dress. “And your
slip as well. I believe that was on the same account.”

“Oh, Danvers, please.”

“I’d advise you not to defy me,” he responded, coldly. Sarah finished undressing. She was sobbing
as she put the dress and the slip across the back of one of the study chairs and stood, feeling
foolish, in front of Danvers’ desk wearing only her bra, pants, suspender belt, stockings and shoes.
“That’s better,” Danvers said and reached for the bell that stood on his desk.

“No, Danvers, please, you can’t,” begged Sarah as he rang it. Her sobs became all the louder.

Maria appeared in response to the bell. She looked querulously at the half undressed, tearful and
blushing Sarah but said nothing.

“Ah. Maria, good. Please take these clothes and lock them in Mrs Ridley’s wardrobe. Then bring
the key back to me.”

“Danvers, please I can’t stay like this,” Sarah begged.

Maria ignored her. “Very good, Sir,” she said, without turning a hair. She scooped up the dress and
slip and left the room.

“Oh, Danvers, in front of Maria, surely that wasn’t necessary.”

“Necessary? I hope you now feel something of the embarrassment that I felt over this matter.”

15
“I’m so sorry, can’t you see? I understand now. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I’ll be so much
more careful in future. Please let me have my clothes back.”

As Sarah finished, Maria appeared again and placed the wardrobe keys on Danvers’ desk. “Thank
you Maria, that’s all for now,” said Danvers without looking up. Maria curtsied and left without a
glance at Sarah. Danvers turned to her. “Now I suggest that you go upstairs and think about what
you must do to make amends while I deal with your debts.”

“Darling, please say you’ll forgive me.”

“I’m sure that I shall – once I am sure that you have learned your lesson – I shall need to be
convinced, however.”

Danvers spent the remainder of the morning in his study, his wife in her bedroom. Still half naked,
she dared not even put on her dressing gown without Danvers’ approval.

When he came to her though, after lunch, her underwear was torn from her as he took her
violently. Their love making was more ardent than ever before. Sarah was ecstatic. She felt closer
to her husband than ever.

Maria, heard the sounds of their passion from her room. Intrigued by the day’s events, she
resolved to continue to indulge Danvers. There was no telling where it might lead.

16
Chapter 6: Dinner Date

It was later that same week at just before he went up to change for dinner that Danvers called
Maria in to see him again. “Ah, excellent,” he said, when she arrived. “Thank you for your help
over the matter with my wife’s bills. I shouldn’t have to ask you to become involved in a situation
like that but I am determined that Sarah will come to understand her role and how she must carry
it out.”

“Of course, Mr Ridley,” Maria responded. “I was brought up to understand the importance of firm
discipline,” she noticed Danvers tongue slip briefly across his lips. “I can see what you were trying
to achieve and of course if you wish me to help in the process I can only see it as part of my job
here.”

“Well Maria, that is most accommodating. I am sure I would not want you to do anything that you
felt was in any way in conflict with your position here.”

“I am sure, Sir,” Maria replied, without much conviction, “that you would not ask for anything that
was other than entirely proper. Now if you’ll excuse me Sir, I need to see to the dinner table if you
are to sit down at eight o’clock as usual.”

“Of course, Maria, of course. Oh, by the way, I hope the formality of our dinner will be enhanced
by the appearance of your “best” uniform.”

“I’ll do what I can, Sir,” Maria replied, thinking that she would have to rush if she was going to get
everything ready and take the opportunity that was presenting itself.

On Saturday evenings the Ridley’ often entertained but even when dining alone they would always
dress for dinner, Danvers maintained that the touch of formality provided an anchor point in a
changing world.

As usual for a Saturday he was wearing the uniform he had been proud to wear until his
retirement from the military two years before. He looked resplendent; a Colonel in the fourth
battalion of the Royal Artillery.

Sarah was, as had become the practice on these occasions, wearing evening dress, a low cut gown
that Maria had last seen here wearing for the Council’s annual Mayor’s Ball. She sat at the
opposite end of the long dining table,

Maria was serving the meal. At Danvers’s suggestion she was wearing her “best” uniform. She had
improved it further as a result of Danvers’ initial reaction and his additional contribution to her
wages. She’d invested this month’s money in a “cincher” – a narrow, elasticated and boned corset
that nipped her waist in tightly. She’d moved the top button of her dress down and inch to show a
little more cleavage, she tightened her skirt still further but added a kick pleat to the back which
was just high enough to give a flash of the welt of her stockings if she stepped out. Hair pulled
back severely from her face and carefully applied but exaggerated make-up completed the picture.
Sarah seemed still not to have noticed either her changed appearance or Danvers’s response to it.
Maria was sure she heard an “ahh!” under his breath as she turned her back on him and leant
forward to serve Sarah.

Maria had been busy with the food so she wasn’t sure what started it but suddenly she was aware
that Danvers and Sarah were in the middle of a disagreement.

17
“I don’t think that’s the case, Sarah.”

“No, Danvers, I’m sure it is, absolutely certain.”

“I don’t think so, Sarah.”

“But Danvers, I’m sure, it’s definitely ….”

“Enough,” he barked, slamming his fork onto the table and jumping to his feet. Sarah was shocked
by his sudden and violent reaction. Danvers turned to a startled Maria who was standing by
holding a dish of vegetables, waiting to serve them. “Maria, would you leave us for a moment.”

“Yes, of course,” she said, placing the dish on the table, taking her leave quickly and shutting the
door to the dining room behind her. The door was scarcely closed before the sound of raised
voices, mainly Danvers, could be heard from within.

Maria was stacking the first course plates in the scullery when she heard the ring of the bell from
the dining room summoning her. She returned to the dining room.

Danvers had returned to his seat at the head of the table and Sarah was also seated. She had
however been securely tied to the chair she was sitting on and her napkin was wedged into her
mouth almost choking her. With his wife bound helplessly, Danvers had taken the opportunity to
wrench her dress violently down from off her shoulders, baring her breasts. The result was to
provide him with a splendid view of her nakedness from his place at the other end of the table.
She shook her head in shame as Maria came in. She tried to struggle against the ropes that held
her in her chair but without effect. Danvers continued eating, ignoring her distress.

“Ah, Maria,” Danvers greeted her, putting down his knife and fork as he finished his food.. “I’ll take
my dessert now, thank you. Mrs Ridley won’t be having any: she still has her mouth full from the
first course.” Danvers gave a sardonic grin. “In fact, could you bring my dessert and then leave us:
that will be all for this evening,” he smiled. Sarah looked up at Maria, pleadingly as the maid
turned to leave them. What ever the cause of the disagreement Danvers was far too distracted for
even Maria’s best uniform to divert him.

18
Chapter 7: Hanky Panky

In the middle of the following morning Maria, working in the kitchen, heard the call bell ring. She
looked up and saw the indicator for Danvers’s study flicking. She hurried upstairs to respond to it.
When she reached the study Danvers was sat behind his desk as he was so often at this time of
day. Unusually, though, Sarah was with him, but standing with her face pressed against the wall,
hands clasped on the top of her head, in one corner of the room.

Danvers spoke without looking up “Maria, could you fetch my hair brush from my dressing room,
please.

“Yes, of course, sir,” Maria replied, leaving the two of them, only to return moments later with the
article requested.

“Thank you, Maria,” said Danvers as she passed him the brush. “And do stay, please. I’d like you to
witness this.” Sarah gave a whimper from her corner.

“If you insist, Sir,” said Maria reluctantly.

“I do, I do. I’m afraid my wife behaved quite improperly last night. I have explained to her that it is
quite unacceptable for her to start arguments in front of the staff. I am most anxious to impress
this fully upon her so I would be grateful if you could assist me.”

“Very good, Sir,” Maria replied, with some diffidence. “If that is what you wish.”

“Excellent. Then we can begin. Sarah, come here.” Danvers beckoned towards his wife. As Sarah
turned, Maria could see that the girl was clearly frightened. “Now bend over across my lap, please
Sarah.” She did as she was bid and as she did so Danvers grasped her wrists tightly behind her back
with one hand while picking up the hair brush with the other. Sarah whimpered. “Please, Danvers,
I’m sorry,” she begged. “It won’t happen again.”

“I’d very much like to be sure my dear, very much,” Danvers replied. “That’s why I have to do this.
You do understand, don’t you?”

“Yes, Danvers,” she replied quietly.

“Excellent,” said Danvers, smiled. “Now Maria, if you could just lift Sarah’s skirt, please.”

Maria stepped forward and leant across Sarah, gathering her skirt up at the hem and pulling it up
so that it draped around her waist. Sarah struggled a little but Danvers simply wrenched her wrists
a little higher up her back and she gave a sharp cry.

“Thank you, Maria,” Danvers said, pleasantly ignoring his wife’s wriggles. “And if you could just
lower the young lady’s underpants, as well.”

“Yes, Sir.” Maria responded with a little hesitation. She reach for Sarah’s knickers, pulling them
down to leave her buttocks bare, framed neatly by the white silk of her panties and the tightly
stretched fabric of her suspenders.

“That’s fine,” said Danvers. “Just stand back a little, please.” Maria stepped back and as she did so,
Danvers brought the back of the hair brush down swiftly on his wife’s backside without the least

19
warning. Sarah yelped in pain and bucked on Danvers’ lap. Blow followed blow. Sarah was
sobbing, first begging Danvers to stop and then simply crying incoherently.

Throughout it all, Maria stood by watching impassively as Danvers, obviously aroused by his own
actions, the humiliation of his wife and the presence of his maid, laughed at each protest from the
helpless, and ultimately sobbing, Sarah.

After a dozen blows, Danvers stopped and passed the brush back to Maria. “Thank you, Maria” he
said. “Please put it back. I’ve finished with it for now.”

As Maria left the room she heard Danvers speaking to his wife. “There, there my darling you do
know that I had to do that don’t you?”

“Yes, Danvers, of course,” came Sarah’s quietly sobbing reply.

20
Chapter 8: Afternoon Delight

Three days later, Sarah Ridley arrived home after taking afternoon tea with Elaine in the North Cliff
Hotel. Maria was standing in the hall, waiting for her, as she opened the front door.

“Good afternoon, Maria,” Sarah smiled brightly, “It’s a delightful day isn’t it?“ She went to remove
her hat. She was trying hard to forget Maria’s involvement in the embarrassing events of the
previous week but she couldn’t hide the delight that she took from the exciting relationship that
she and Danvers were enjoying.

“Oh, Mrs Ridley, before you do that.” Maria was almost apologetic. “Mr Ridley was most insistent
that you read this as soon as you came in.” Maria held out the letter tray with a single crisp white
envelop upon it. “Before you do anything else, he said. Well, you know what he’s like.”

Sarah blushed with embarrassment as Maria’s smirk confirmed her view of how Sarah’s husband
treated his young wife. Sarah was resigned to ignoring it as best she could. Even the maid’s
mocking grin could not take away the delight that she now took in the passionate union she had
found with Danvers. If the affair in the dining room had been excruciatingly embarrassing, and the
beating in his study painful, then the after-math had made it worthwhile. Danvers seemed to
become more and more aroused, the more outrageous his behaviour.

Sarah looked at the envelope. The letter “S” was all that was written on it but she recognised her
husband’s flourishing script. She picked up the envelop gingerly and slid the blade of the letter
opener along its edge. Maria stood holding the tray as Sarah first discarded the envelope and the
paper knife and then unfolded the single sheet of paper from within.

“Sarah, my darling,” the letter began. “I know you will want to indulge me,” Sarah was uncertain
that she did but felt compelled to read on. “I’d like you to help me enjoy a small fantasy of mine by
acting out a little charade. Maria has most kindly agreed to assist.” Sarah now was in no doubt as
to the cause of the smirk. “I am sure you will want to follow the instructions below. There is not a
lot for you to do as I am sure that Maria has organised it all in her usually efficient way. Now, my
fantasy is this…”

Sarah turned over the paper, aware that Maria was watching her.

“You have just returned home to discover the house has been burgled. Horror of horrors! The
burglars are still there. They drag you to the bedroom, bind and gag you before making their
escape. I return home to discover you helpless and free you from your bonds.” She read further in
horror. “Now Maria will be your ‘burglar’. If you go with her now, she will see to everything and
you need only await my return.”

The note was signed. “Your loving, D.”

Sarah was torn between extreme arousal at Danvers’ proposal and deep embarrassment at the
involvement of Maria. She was teetering on the edge of hurling the letter to the floor and running
in tears from the house.

The maid broke the silence, “You’ll be going upstairs to the bedroom, then Ma’am.”

“Yes, err, yes, thank you Maria,” Sarah said thickly, feeling her mind made up. “Please lead on,
since you appear to know what is planned.”

21
“Very good, Ma’am, just as you wish.” Maria’s tone was respectful now. Sarah found it hard to
know if that made her feel better or not.

The bedroom was a complete shambles. One of the rattan chairs had been overturned. Drawers
were pulled out of the cabinets. Sarah’s clothes had been pulled from the wardrobe and tossed in
a heap on the floor.

“I’m sorry about the mess, Mrs Ridley,” Maria apologised. “Mr Danvers was most insistent, that
things should be just so.”

“That’s all right Maria, I understand.” Sarah had recovered her composure. “Now where are these
burglars going to secure their captive? On the bed?”

“No, I’m afraid not, Ma’am. Mr Ridley said to use your dressing table chair.”

“I see,” said Sarah tentatively, sitting down, “well, you’d better get started.

“If you wouldn’t mind leaning forward. Ma’am, and then if you could put your hands behind your
back.” Sarah did as Maria asked and felt rope being pulled around her wrists. She squealed as the
Maid jerked the cords tight. “Sorry Mrs Ridley but it has to be tight.” Sarah said nothing as Maria
continued her work. More rope was wound around her arms and her waist. She felt herself pulled
upright against the back of the seat as more ropes fixed her to the chair. Next Maria busied herself
at Sarah’s ankles tying each to a leg of the chair. “Mr Ridley said you were to be gagged as well –
he thought the burglars would want to be sure you wouldn’t cry for help.”

“I understand, Maria, that’s all right” Sarah looked across to the bed as Maria picked up the bright
scarf that Danvers had bought her for her birthday earlier that year and watched as Maria tied a
large knot in its middle. She gave a choking cough as Maria pushed the knot into her mouth and
behind her teeth, and a muffled groan as the scarf was knotted tightly behind her head.

Sarah caught sight of herself in the dressing mirror, her body criss-crossed with ropes, her pill-box
hat still perched, rather foolishly, on her head.

“I was told to use a blindfold too,” said Maria, picking up a second scarf. Sarah shook her head and
tried to grunt her disagreement with the idea through the gag but Maria was not to be diverted
from her task. In spite of Sarah’s struggles the blindfold was tied in place, robbing her of sight.
Maria conscientiously enquired after her. “Are you all right Mrs Ridley?” – a gagged grunt from
Sarah indicated only partial agreement - “Mr Ridley wanted me to read another note at this point”
– a gagged grunt of curiosity.

Maria pulled a paper from the pocket of her apron. “Well my darling,” Maria read, “Your captors
have dealt with you brutally. I am afraid they are ruthless men who will stop at nothing. I am sure
that you would have put up a struggle though. You are young and spirited and would not give in
easily. But this has not stopped them and in the course of your desperate efforts to fight free your
clothes are torn.” Suddenly Sarah felt Maria’s hands inside her coat, on her blouse. As she twisted
in the ropes that held her the maid tore Sarah’s blouse open scattering its buttons across the
room. Sarah cried through her gag, part in pain, part in anger but Maria had not finished. Gripping
the hem of Sarah’s skirt, she ripped it open at one of the seams exposing her mistress’s stockinged
legs. Maria returned to the note as Sarah slumped in her chair sobbing with embarrassment and
discomfort. “In spite of your brave efforts, you have been over powered. Your attackers leave you
to complete their work.”

22
Maria said nothing else. Sarah heard no more except the sound of Maria leaving the room and
shutting the bedroom door behind her. She tried to cry out to stop the maid leaving but the scarf
muffled her calls and in any case Maria was under strict instructions to leave Mrs Ridley until her
husband’s return.

Sarah continued to struggle on her chair but Maria’s skills with the ropes were more than equal to
her efforts. She could hear the church clock across the fields from their house. It struck five. She
listened to it chime the quarter, the half, three quarters and then six. Her wrists and ankles were
sore, the scarf that gagged her cut into the side of her mouth. No matter how she shook she had
failed to dislodge the gag or the blindfold. The clock struck seven. She was exhausted by her
efforts and fell into a fitful sleep. The clock struck. Nine, was it really nine – or was it eight – had
she miscounted or had she been asleep. Her legs and arms were stiff now, her mouth sore and dry
from the gag.

Then she heard sounds from down stairs. The sound of her husband returning. Soon she would be
freed. Soon she would be enjoying Danvers’ embrace, thrilled as he would be with how she had
played her part.

There were voices outside the bedroom door. Danvers and Maria.

“Oh, Sir, I’m very frightened,” Maria was saying.

“That’s all right, Maria,” Danvers replied, “it was lucky that you weren’t here. I dread to think
what’s happened to Mrs Ridley and it would have been terrible if anything had happened to you as
well.”

“She could be in the bedroom, Sir.” Sarah gave a gag muffled cry. “Listen, what’s that?”

“Come, on,” cried Danvers and burst into the bedroom. “Thank goodness, she’s here.” He dashed
across to her. “Oh, my darling, are you quite safe?”

Sarah tried to grunt in response. The ropes around her chest across her lap and around her legs
loosened. She felt Danvers draw lift her from the chair. “It’s all right my darling, you’re quite safe
now.” Sarah wriggled in his grip grunting to try to get Danvers to untie her and to take off her gag
and blindfold. Danvers did no such thing. “Oh, Sarah, you look so desirable.” She felt his hands
inside her blouse and then pulling the tattered remnants of her skirt aside as he laid her down on
the bed.

She groaned with desire as she felt him pulling her knickers down. Arching her body against his,
she squealed into her gag as he roughly entered her. She thrust back at him as he thrust against
her. She wriggled against the ropes that still held her wrists and arms and squealed as Danvers
tore at her bra, pinching and scratching at her nipples. Her body bucked as they drove towards a
joint climax.

Danvers came with a deep grunt, nuzzling at Sarah’s neck and moments later Sarah reached her
own orgasm. The two of them sank into a post coital calm.

It was then that Sarah heard a cough. She squealed and started against Danver’s body. She heard
Maria’s voice. “Excuse me, Sir, will there be anything else?” Sarah felt Danver’s pull away from her
and realised that the maid had been watching the two of them all the time.

“No, that will be all Maria, Mrs Ridley will clear up the mess, don’t worry about it.”

23
When Danvers turned back to his wife, still bound and gagged on the bed, it was clear she was
sobbing with embarrassment.

“Come, my dear, it’s all right,” he said. And then, deliberately misunderstanding the cause of her
distress. “It won’t take you long and after all you surely don’t expect Maria to tidy up after our
games.”

24
Chapter 9: Splish Splash

“Good evening, Maria,” Sarah greeted her maid as she returned from her afternoon trip to town,
the following day. She had determined to treat the previous day’s events as though they had never
happened. She was sure that Maria would do the same, “I’m going to take a bath and then I’ll take
some tea in the lounge, please.”

“Very good, Mrs Danvers,” Maria replied, taking Sarah’s hat and coat. She watched as Sarah
walked upstairs and then she turned to the closet and put the clothes away. As she emerged, the
telephone rang. It was Danvers. A short conversation followed. Maria put down the handset and
went to follow Sarah upstairs.

“Was that for me, Maria?” Sarah called out from the bathroom.

“Yes, Mrs Ridley, it was Mr Ridley,” Sarah replied.

Sarah emerged from the bathroom in a towelling robe, a towel wrapped turban-style around her
hair. “What was it then Maria?” she asked

“Well actually it was to ask a favour of me.” Sarah looked puzzled. “I think you should understand
Mrs Ridley,” Maria went on in a rather displeased tone, “that this sort of thing is quite outside
what I was engaged for and I am quite sure that it is the sort of thing that would not be
countenanced in other households.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”

“Well, Mrs Ridley. I am quite used to cooking meals, cleaning and doing laundry but I was never
asked to get involved in, shall we say, my employer’s personal lives, before I took on this position.”

“Oh, yes. Of course. It must be difficult for you. Perhaps I should speak to Danvers about it?””

“No, that won’t be necessary, Mrs Ridley, I am sure I can clear it up with him myself, but thank you
for offering.”

“That’s quite all right, Maria. Now what did Danvers want?”

Maria lowered her voice. “I am to tell you to lay on the bed. You are to do exactly as I say.”

“Oh, Maria, not more of this,” Sarah’s hands flew to her mouth. “Must I? What is this all about?”

“Mrs Danvers, I can’t force you if you don’t wish to do as your husband says but he did say that he
expects your usual measure of obedience. I do hope that you won’t make this more difficult for me
than is already the case. I hardly wish to have to explain to Mr Ridley why I have failed to carry out
his instructions.”

“No, it’s all right Maria, it’s not your fault. Of course, I’ll do as you say.” She sat down on the bed.
“How should I lay?”

“On your back please, Mrs Ridley. That’s right. Now stretch out your arms to the side. … And your
legs, spread them wide Mr Ridley said. Now please lay quite still.” Maria reached over her and
pulled the towel down from Sarah’s head so that it covered her face. She unfastened the tie of
Sarah’s robe and pulled it open, leaving her naked body exposed. Sarah gave a slight whimper as

25
her robe was opened. “And please do not speak. Mr Ridley was most anxious that you should say
nothing.”

With the towel covering her eyes Sarah could not see Maria pick up her knickers from the pile of
clothes she had discarded. But, as Maria urged her to take them into her mouth, but she knew
what was being pushed between her lips from their musky scent as. She tried hard to be as silent
as Danvers had ordered but she was already aroused by the off-hand way in which Maria was
carrying out her husband’s instructions.

Maria pulled a chair up beside the bed, took up a copy of a magazine from the bed side table and
began reading. Sarah, stretched out on the bed, arms and legs spread, her head draped in a towel,
her mouth stuffed with her own pants was lost in a reverie of sexual submission.

She didn’t hear as the door to the bedroom opened and Danvers stepped inside. He said nothing
but held a finger to his lips to indicate Maria should not acknowledge his presence. The tableau
was exactly as he had imagined it. His wife naked, exposed, stretched out. Maria, aloof in her
“best” black uniform, white apron and cap., sitting disinterestedly beside her; reading a magazine.
He gestured to Maria with a wave of his hand.

In response to his gesture, she reached out with her hand and began to stroke Sarah’s breast.
Sarah immediately stiffened her body in response. Maria returned the reaction with a pinch to
Sarah’s nipple that brought a quiet, muffled, mew in return. Danvers watched attentively as
Maria’s fingers fluttered across Sarah’s breast. Maria ignored Sarah’s reaction, she continued
reading turning the pages of the magazine on her lap with her other hand. The hand that had been
caressing Sarah now moved down across her belly and down into the soft blonde hairs that veiled
her sex.

Maria paused to turn a page in her magazine. Sarah wriggled, tensing her spread arms and legs in
anticipation. Danvers smiled as Maria’s hand restarted her caresses.

Danvers lent forward and cupped his hand under Maria’s chin lifting her face towards his. Ignoring
the way in which Maria was still touching and stroking his wife he placed his other hand firmly on
the maid’s left breast, delighting to feel the rigid form of her heavily wired brassiere. He forced his
mouth against the maid’s and was pleased by the way in which she kissed him back, opening her
mouth to his probing tongue as her hand thrust between Sarah’s legs, bringing her finally to
orgasm.

Sarah’s body bucked as she tried to hold her arms and legs spread against the waves of her
coming. She gave a quiet choking cough, her mouth filled with her knickers.

Danvers stepped back from his embrace with Maria and spoke for the first time. “Thank you Maria,
you can leave us now.” His wife’s muffled whimper seemed to convey a mixture of
embarrassment, arousal and desire.

26
Chapter 10: Windmills Of Your Mind

It was morning. Maria had cleared away the table in the dining room, noting that Sarah had not
apparently come down for breakfast. She knocked on the door to Danvers’ study. He called her in
and set aside the papers that he was working on as she entered.

“You wanted to see me, Sir,” Maria said.

“Yes. Good morning, Maria,” he said, looking up. “I trust you are well.”

“Yes, thank you, sir,” Maria responded.

“I feel I ought to thank you for your help over the last few days. I do recognise that these
additional tasks have been, let us say, somewhat outside the normal range of duties.”

“Well yes, sir. I must confess that I haven’t had to do anything quite like this for any of my previous
employers.”

“I was very pleased with the way that you have felt able to help out with my little – ah -
amusements.”

“Well, Sir,...”

“No, I can imagine. It is, however, appreciated. I wanted you to know that.”

Maria was fully conscious of Danvers’ appraising stare. There was no doubt where his interests lay.
She took the opportunity to straighten her back, pushing her chest out as she did so. Danvers’
tongue slipped briefly across his lips. “Well thank you sir, I like to think that can oblige the master
of the house.” Danvers swallowed. “There is, however, one thing I wanted to raise with you,
though.”

“Of course, what is it?”

“Would you mind if I sat down sir?” Maria asked.

“No, please do,” Danvers replied.

Maria at on the chair that stood beside Danvers’ desk. She crossed her legs and smiled at him as
she caught him watching as she brushed the hem of her skirt back over her knees. Danvers
coughed. “Well, sir,” Maria went on, “you remember that you raised with me that you felt Mrs
Ridley might be having some difficulties adapting to her role as mistress of the house.”

“Yes, of course. I was very pleased with how well you were coping. I know it has been a problem.”

“Well, I haven’t said anything since then but I am afraid that the situation has not really improved.
I still find it very difficult to get Mrs Ridley to take her responsibilities seriously. That really makes
my position quite difficult, Mr Ridley – it is only a matter of time before something goes wrong and
you would be quite within your rights to blame me. I am quite happy to help out with these other
tasks, Mr Ridley, but it would be a great improvement if we could find a way to overcome the
problem. I hope you don’t mind my criticism sir. I like working here and I like Mrs Ridley a lot. She
is a lovely person and I think you are very lucky to have her for your wife but I have to think about

27
the running of the household, and I do think it prevents me being of the greatest possible service
to yourself. You do understand, sir.”

“That is quite all right, Maria. I see your point entirely. Rest assured I have no complaints about
your services but of course there could always be room for improvement, I suppose.” Danvers
smiled, Maria straightened her back and turned towards him. It was as if the two peaks of her
breasts were being trained like a weapon at him. Danvers smiled again and went on. “I have been
considering what to do about it, of course, but if you have any thoughts yourself then I would be
happy to consider them.”

“Well, sir,” she leant forward. “I had thought, sir, that a lot of the problem is that she doesn’t really
understand what’s involved in running the house. She hasn’t really had any direct experience of it
– as I understand it she spent most of her childhood at boarding school and then you were married
not long after she left there. She hasn’t seen how a house works. It’s not her fault. She’s not much
older than when I first entered service. I was lucky, though – I was able to learn my skills under the
direction of a strict lady of the house who had a very clear idea of how thing’s should be run and
how I should contribute to it. It has stood me in very good stead, I believe, sir.”

“Yes, indeed, Maria. You certainly put that learning to good use here, at any rate.”

“Thank you, sir. You see, if I could find a way of helping Mrs Ridley to better understand what’s
involved in work below stairs, then I think she might be better able to cope with her role.”

“I can see that there might be sense in that, Maria, I can see that. Perhaps you’ll let me think about
it for a while. I’m sure I can rely on you to help.”

“Of course, Mr Ridley, anything to help you and your wife. You know that.”

“Well, thank you Maria. And while we are talking about it, I think my wife must be finding it hard
to get up this morning. She needs to stay in bed for a little longer but it gets to about ten o’clock
and she still isn’t up then perhaps you could give her a hand? I know you need to tidy up in the
bedroom so please carry on, I’m sure you won’t disturb her.”

“Yes, Sir,” Maria said and left. She had formed a good idea of why Sarah was unable to get up
before she got to the bedroom and her suspicions were confirmed by the muffled groans coming
from inside the Ridleys’ bedroom door.

When Danvers had said that Sarah was still in bed he wasn’t being entirely accurate, thought Maria
as she entered the bedroom. Across the end of the bed might have been more correct. Sarah had
each of her ankles roped to the two bed legs. She was bent forward across the bed rail so that her
backside was high in the air and her arms were stretched out with her wrists tied back to the bed
frame too. Maria could see that Danvers had evidently given her an unpleasant beating. Her naked
buttocks were criss-crossed with red wheals, presumably, Maria thought, from the belt that lay on
the floor near to her right foot.

“Sorry to disturb you, Mrs Ridley,” Maria apologised as she entered the bedroom, “but Mr Ridley
was keen that I should tidy up in here. I’ll be as quiet as I can.”

Sarah gave a muffled grunt of protest, “gleeegh – ungghhi –ee” she gasped from behind her gag.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be long,” said Maria, deliberately misunderstanding her. She set to collecting
the discarded clothes that were strewn around the room, putting Danvers’ suit on a hangar in his

28
wardrobe and tidying away the towels from Sarah’s shower. All the while Sarah was struggling
across the end of the bed rail and begging to be freed.

Eventually Maria completed her work, Sarah was still wriggling at the end of the bed, trying to gain
some relief from the ties that held her bent across the bed rail. “I’ve finished now, Mrs Ridley,”
said Maria, earning only an exasperated groan in reply. “Mr Ridley said I should give you a hand to
get up later.” She looked across at the clock on Sarah’s bedside table. “Half past eight,”, she
thought., “The poor girl will be in agony by ten o’clock.”

She returned down stairs but Danvers had already left for work without even looking in on his
wife.

By ten o’clock, when Maria returned to the bedroom, Sarah was whimpering almost continuously.
“I expect you’d like to get up now, Mrs Rildey,” Maria said.

“Mmmm, ghleesh,” came the reply.

Maria began to free Sarah from her bonds. Her wrists and ankles had been tied with stockings. In
her struggles Sarah had pulled the knots ever tighter and Maria had to find scissors to release her.
As the last stocking was cut free Sarah slid to the floor. Maria bent to untie her gag, finding that
Danvers had used Sarah’s own bra. Se prised a ball of cloth from Sarah’s mouth and found herself
holding a pair of her own knickers which Danvers had evidently stolen from the laundry basket.
Sarah coughed her thanks to the maid and clung sobbing to her as she tried to recover.

29
Chapter 11: A New Role For Sarah

Two days later. Sarah was sitting up on the bed while Danvers lay back in his pyjamas, reading.
“You’re not cross with me are you, darling,” she asked coyly.

“Hmm,” Danvers looked up from his book. “Cross, no, why?”

“That business this morning; about lunch. I know it was my fault, Maria asked me days ago what
she should get but I just didn’t get around to telling her and then I forgot and,…”

“It’s all right, my dear.”

“I mean,” she flirted, “if you really felt I’d been naughty it would be quite all right for you to give
me a spanking. “

“Sarah, you are incorrigible. It’s hardly a punishment if you are so keen for me to do it.”

Sarah snuggled alongside him. “Danvers, you know I only want to please you. I so enjoy what we
do together.”

“And I, too,” he replied. “But you do make things difficult for Maria, you know and it isn’t an easy
job.”

“Oh, I don’t know, running around waiting on you hand and foot, I could do that. In fact sometimes
I’m quite jealous of Maria and the way she gets to attend to you. Perhaps you’d take more notice
of me if I put on an apron and a little white cap.”

“There’s more to it than that, Sarah.”

Sarah leant over and stroked Danvers, chest. “Oh, yes of course, I was forgetting. There’s that bit
where the master of the house catches the maid dusting in the bedroom and throws her to the
bed and ravishes her.”

Danvers put down his book and turned to his wife. “You are indeed incorrigible but if I ravish you
well enough will that make you content.”

“Of course, Danvers,” she giggled, lying back “of course.”

“Then I shall have to give this little scullery maid a good seeing to, I can see.

“Scullery maid, pooh!” Sarah exclaimed as Danvers ran his hands across her breasts, “I should have
to be the upstairs maid at the very least, otherwise what would I be doing upstairs?” She rolled
towards him and kissed him. His enthusiastic response was all the encouragement that she
needed.

The following Wednesday, Sarah got back home after her trip to town just after two o’clock. The
house was silent. Danvers was at work and as every Wednesday afternoon it was Maria’s half day
off. Sarah hung her coat in the closet and then went upstairs to put away the results of her
shopping trip.

As she opened the door to the bedroom she saw the intriguing pile of boxes stacked on the table
at the end of the bed. An envelope with the letter “S” in Danver’s hand sat atop the pile.

30
Trembling, Sarah picked up the envelope and opened it. The letter inside was succinct. “Sarah, my
darling,” it said, “you said that you wished to take the part of my maid and of course I can do no
other than to indulge you. I think you will find everything that you need in these boxes. Be ready
for me when I return. D.”

Sarah, laughed and clutched the letter to her. Danvers was a delight. Sometimes he might go a
little far but she was sure that he loved her and this was yet another game that they could play
together. She looked more closely at the pile of boxes. A shoe box from Chaussures De Temps in
the high street, two flat boxes which carried the insignia of Madame DeFarge Costumiers and two
more from Minissima Lingerie. It didn’t take much imagination to guess what they contained. She
looked at her watch. Danvers would be home at five. There was plenty of time to have a bath and
change to be ready for him. She laughed, delighted, and ran off to the bathroom.

She emerged an hour later, pink and clean from a long, hot, soak in bubbles. She pulled her bath
robe around her, finished drying her hair and then applied her make up. “Something rather flirty,
she said to herself, picking out the brightest of her lipsticks, “to go with that frilly French maid’s
outfit.”

Finally, she turned to the boxes. She picked up the shoe box first. “Black patent,” she said to
herself, giggling in anticipation, “and at least a four inch heel,”

As she opened the box her laughter turned to puzzlement. Inside were a pair of shoes, certainly
and black as well. But there the comparison with her imaginings ended. They were plain, flat
heeled, lace-up shoes. It was hard to think of a duller pair of shoes. Whatever could Danvers have
been thinking of? Not the sort of thing that Sarah had in mind at all. Sometimes he could be so
unimaginative, she thought. Surely the underwear would be better. She pulled open the first of the
two pink Minissima boxes. It held the plainest of white cotton bras and a pair of equally pain
cotton pants. Confused she turned to the other pink box. That held an unadorned garter belt and a
pair of heavy, opaque stockings. This couldn’t be anyone’s idea of a sexy maid, Sarah thought.
Now more and more puzzled she turned to the De Farge boxes and opened those. The first held a
dark grey dress. She held it up against herself. The skirt came to well below her knees. In the other
box, as she expected, were a maid’s apron and cap but there was no fine broderie anglaise or lace
trim.

Sarah’s delight turned to disillusionment. She sat amongst the boxes and sobbed. What did it
mean? This wasn’t what she had imagined at all. She picked up Danvers’ letter and peered at it
through her tears, but then bit her lip and dried her eyes. It must be a test, she decided and if this
was what Danvers wanted she would do the very best that she could, no matter what she looked
like. And so she set to putting on the uniform.

Once she had finished she looked at herself in the bedroom dressing mirror. Dowdy was the only
word she could think of, in spite of her bright lipstick. The dress had short sleeves and buttoned at
the back. The skirt hung loosely from her hips. The shoes were clumpy; the stockings completely
opaque. Even Maria’s uniform was sexier than this, Sarah thought but she patched up her eye
make up and settled down in the chair to wait for Danvers’ return.

It wasn’t much later when she heard the sound of Danvers’ car on the drive. She thought about
how she should greet him, deciding in the end that she should be standing, facing the door as he
came in.

She stood, trying to look as demure as she could, clasping her hands behind her back as Danvers
came in. Her concerns lifted with his response.

31
“Oh, excellent,” he enthused. “Exactly as I imagined. Now do tidy up this muddle,” he gestured to
the discarded boxes that had held her clothes.

As she started to pick up the boxes, Danvers went to the bedroom door and called through. Sarah
could hardly believe what she heard. “You’d better come in now,” he said. “It will give you a
chance to meet the new maid.” Sarah started in horror as she realised that she and Danvers were
not alone.

But then the bedroom door swung open and Sarah almost fainted as Maria walked in, sleek in
pencil thin, knee-length skirt, figure hugging V-necked sweater and broad, cincher belt.. “Well,
Danvers, I do hope this new girl is going to be of use, She looks like she needs to smarten up a bit”
she said, brightly, as she peeled off her tight leather gloves, “and there’s a lot that needs doing
around here.”

Sarah stared in shock at Maria, dropped the boxes and burst into tears. Sobbing loudly she pushed
past Maria and Danvers and ran from the room, along the landing and into their spare bedroom.
She flung herself on the bed crying.

It was a few minutes later when she heard the door open. “It’s me, Mrs Ridley, Maria,” she heard.

“Go away, this whole thing is horrible. I don’t want you here.” Maria ignored her exhortation.
Sarah’s sobs subsided. “Why do you have to be involved too? Why can’t it just be Danvers? He
keeps involving you. And just look at me in this – what must he be thinking?”

“Mrs Danvers, I am sorry you are so upset. I know that is difficult for you that Mr Ridley has
involved me but I think I can help.” Maria spoke quietly. “You are very much in love with Danvers
aren’t you?”

Sarah sniffed and nodded. Maria passed her a handkerchief and Sarah started to wipe her eyes.

“And you want to please him?”

“More than anything. And I love the games we play – the thrill of it, it’s exciting. Deep down I am
happiest when I am pleasing him, giving in to his desires and needs. But, this…”

“I understand. But, you know, I think that for Mr Ridley this isn’t a game. This isn’t some grown-up
version of let’s dress up. He sees how you love him and how you love to please him and he loves to
give you the chance to show that. And for him to see you submit is to know that you love him, to
see you’ll do anything for him is the thing that brings him the most pleasure of all. It may be fun, it
may be exciting but it isn’t a game.”

Sarah looked thoughtful and bit her lip.

Maria went on. “If you are truly happy when you are pleasing him then you have to find it in
yourself to put your fears to one side. It’s not easy to give yourself up to someone as completely as
I think you want to, as completely he would like.”

Sarah looked down at her lap and thought for a few moments. She seemed to come to a decision
and turned towards Maria. “What should I do?” Sarah asked. “He’ll think I have spoiled it all. He’ll
think that I don’t love him; that I don’t want to be just as he wants me to be.”

“It’s all right. I am sure he realises how hard it is for you. As to what you should do. My advice
would be to do exactly what an inexperienced young maid might be expected to do if she had just

32
been very rude to her employer - apologise, asked to be excused and then take the consequences.
I think you’ll find that Mr Ridley will understand.”

Sarah sniffed back another tear, but she nodded and gave Maria a thin smile. “Thank you Maria.”

“Well, then I suggest you patch up your make-up, tidy your uniform and then set to being the best
servant that a gentleman ever had. I’ll be here to help.”

“I’ll try, Maria, really I’ll try…”

33
Chapter 12: The New Maid

Maria ushered a bashful Sarah into the lounge, where Danvers was sitting. “Go on,” she said to
Sarah, as Danvers looked up.

Sarah, gulped and spoke in a quavering voice. “I wanted to apologise, Sir. – for my behaviour just
now.”

“I see,” Danvers sounded unsympathetic and looked at her sternly.

“And to say, Sir, that I hope you’ll overlook it this time.”

“By which I take it that you are prepared to take on your duties in the household?”

Sarah drew herself up and looked Danvers squarely in the eye. “Yes, Sir, I am,” she said in a firm
voice.

“You realise, that you will have to take instruction from Maria here as well as from me?”

“Yes, Sir,”

“And that she may be more exacting in her expectations than I am?”

Sarah looked at the pair of them with new found confidence, “Yes, Sir, I’m sure that it will just
enable me to serve you both better.”

Danvers smiled. “Excellent, excellent. I am sure you will be fine. Now run along and clear up those
boxes. Then Miss Greyston and myself will take a drink in the lounge while you prepare dinner.”

“Very good, Sir, Madam,” Sarah bobbed a curtsy, “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Clearing the boxes took Sarah only a few minutes and when she returned to the lounge, Danvers
and Maria were chatting. Danvers looked up as she entered. “Ah, Jones,” Sarah winced at the use
of her maiden name, “Good. I’ll have a scotch, thank you. And for you Maria?”

“A dry martini, thank you Danvers.” Maria replied.

“Very good,” Sarah said.

“Oh, Jones,” Danvers said, “please remember to knock when you come into a room. You never
know what Miss Greyston and I might have been up to.” Smiling, he reached out and patted Maria
on her knee.

Maria saw Sarah’s lip tremble. “Danvers,” she chided, “don’t tease the poor girl. It’s hard enough
with all that she has got to learn without embarrassing her.” She smiled at Sarah.

Sarah looked relieved at Maria’s intervention. “Thank you Miss Greyston,” she said. “I’ll try to be
sure and knock in future Sir. And I’ll get your drinks.”

Maria and Danvers passed the evening in amiable conversation. Maria affected a fascinated
expression as Danvers explained the minutiae of his work at the council. Danvers attempted to
show interest in Maria’s explanation of her flower arranging. Sarah arrived to announce dinner at

34
eight o’clock on the dot and managed to keep her emotions under control while she served their
soup and then their entrees.

Sarah proved to be an attentive waitress, busying herself at the table ensuring that their glasses
were kept filled and that every need was met. When not serving around the dining room she stood
quietly at the head of the table, quite close to Danvers.

As he started on his pudding, Maria realised that while Danvers was still engaged in their chit-chat,
his attention was elsewhere, as was one of his hands. Maria smiled to herself as she realised that
while he was spooning down treacle pudding with one hand, his other was up the back of his
wife’s skirt while Sarah attempted to keep a straight face. Maria entered into the spirit of things. “I
was reading, Danvers,” she said, “that there are some people who are extremely sensitive to being
touched. The newspaper article claimed that the touch of a finger could be like heavy blow.”

“Well, I don’t know about that,” he said, realising that Maria had seen what he was up to, “but I do
know that some people, women especially, are extremely ticklish.” Sarah gave a muffled whimper
and bit her lip. “While others do exhibit a sensitivity to other forms of touch.” Sarah made another
half swallowed noise. “But some can exert a measure of self control. What do you think Jones?”

Danvers’ other hand suddenly reappeared. Sarah gave an audible grunt and appeared to sink down
on the heels of her shoes but otherwise said nothing. Danvers smiled at Maria. “I do hope you
won’t think me rude, Maria. But I suddenly feel rather tired. I wonder if you would excuse me.”

“That’s quite all right Danvers,” Maria replied understanding only too well the cause of his current
sense of fatigue. “I ought to be getting to bed myself. Thank you for a lovely evening.”

“Well I apologise again for cutting it short. I’ll see you out, Maria.” At the door he took hold of
Maria, turned her towards him and pulled her to him. He took hold of her face and planted his lips
firmly on hers. “Thank you, Maria,” he said, “for a splendid evening. We will really have to talk
about how I can recognise your splendid service.” In full view of his wife, he kissed Maria again,
but then turned towards Sarah. “Jones – would you go and turn down the bed please.”

He watched as Sarah bit back her distress and said, “Very good, Sir, and left them.” Maria watched
his appraising look as his wife headed upstairs. She was in no doubt about Danvers’ intentions.

“Well thank you too, Danvers. I’ve had a very good time.” agreed Maria, “even if it was a little
unorthodox.” She raised an eyebrow and Danvers smiled as he shut the door behind her.

35
Chapter 13: More S&M : That’s Sarah & Maria - Of Course

The next day, when Maria returned to the Ridley’s after an early morning shopping trip, Sarah was
still sitting at the breakfast table. Danvers had already left for work.

“Good morning, Maria,” Sarah said brightly, smiling in welcome. Maria guessed from her smile
that her duties the previous evening in the bedroom had involved rather more than just turning
down the bed.

To Sarah, Maria seemed puzzled. She took off her coat. Beneath, instead of the uniform that Sarah
expected, she wore a dark, straight skirt with a broad, patent leather belt and a plain white blouse.
“I’m sorry,” Maria said, seeing Sarah’s surprised look, “I hadn’t dressed for work. You see, I was
expecting to see you in [i]your[/i] uniform.”

Sarah almost choked on her cup of tea. “I beg your pardon?”

“Your uniform; I thought you would be wearing it.”

“Now, just a minute, Maria,” Sarah began indignantly. “Last night was one thing but…”

“Well, I’m sorry Mrs Ridley,” Maria interrupted her. “Really I don’t want to interfere and I thought I
had explained that it’s only because of what your husband asks that I have become involved in any
of this. After all, this is just my job, you understand and I can hardly afford to upset my employer,
can I?”

“That’s all very well, Maria, but I think you are being over zealous. It’s true that Danvers and I had
a lot of fun as a result of our little game yesterday evening and of course we’re both grateful for
your part in that but I don’t think that gives you the right to come in here suggesting that …..”

“I’m sure you are right, Mrs Ridley. It’s just that I had this note from Mr Ridley this morning and
naturally assumed that…”

Sarah’s indignation evaporated in the moment she took to recognise Danvers’ handwriting on the
envelope that Maria was holding. “Oh,” she said. “Show me. Please.” She opened it and read the
note within. “Maria,” it said, in Danvers’ firm hand, “Thank you for your assistance last night. I
would be grateful if you could assist me further today by continuing with the instruction of our
new maid this morning. Please take whatever measures you deem appropriate to assist her in her
progress.”

“Now, I quite understand if you don’t wish me to proceed but if you could make sure that your
husband understands the situation then it will be better for us all, I think. After all, I thought you
had decided that this was what you wanted last night.”

Sarah looked bashful. She handed the note back to Maria. “I am sorry, Maria,” she said. “I had no
idea that Danvers had asked you to ... Well. I am sorry.”

“And you’ll talk to Mr Ridley?”

“Oh.”

Maria could see that Sarah was struggling with her embarrassment and with the desire to please
her husband and to continue indulging in the games that brought so much pleasure to the two of

36
them. “Please, Mrs Ridley, I really cannot be caught between the two of you, you must
understand. Surely you see it’s not fair on me.”

Sarah, torn by indecision, sank back down on her chair with her head in her hands. “Oh, Maria,
what on earth should I do? I want to please him but it’s so humiliating, so degrading, to dress like
that and…”

“I’m sorry Mrs Ridley, I can see you are upset but it is difficult for me to agree with you. After all
it’s what I do, what I wear, and I don’t find it either degrading or humiliating.”

“No, of course, I didn’t mean to imply that…” Sarah was sitting looking tense, biting her lower lip.

“Of course not. But that’s neither here nor there is it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d better get on
with my real work.” Maria went to reach for her coat.

Sarah looked at her and made a decision. She got to her feet. “No, that’s all right, Miss Greyston.
I’ll do that. Let me hang it up and then you can let me know what I need to do next.” Maria
allowed herself a quiet moment of satisfaction as Sarah picked up her coat and gloves.

She was still seated at the table when Sarah returned. She stood in the doorway with her hands
behind her back. “Will that be all for the moment, Miss Greyston?” she asked. “It’s just that I need
to get changed, if that’s convenient.”

“That’s quite all right, Jones,” Maria smiled with approval. “Just get back here as soon as you can.”

Sarah reappeared a few minutes later wearing her maid’s uniform. Maria invited her to approach
the table and looked her up and down. “Well, Jones, I see you are prepared to dress the part. The
question is, are you prepared to accept my instruction?”

“Yes, Miss Greyston,” Sarah replied unequivocally. “Danvers – sorry - Mr Ridley said that I should
and of course I accept that.”

“Good. That is a start. You will have to do better with your uniform though for a start.”

Sarah looked puzzled. “Turn around,” Maria said. Sarah did so. “I thought so,” Maria went on.
“Back to face me.” Maria got to her feet and stood, hands on hips, facing the new maid. “Now
listen to me, Jones. I shall give you instructions only once. I expect you to take them in and apply
them. We’ll start with your cap. I don’t expect to see strands of hair escaping and waving around
across your face.” Sarah put one hand up to her head. Maria reached forward and gave it a sharp
slap. “Not now, girl!” Maria snapped. “Listen first, then act.”

“Sorry, Miss Greyston,” Sarah apologised.

“So, no stray hairs. And make sure the cap’s straight. Take care that the tapes from your apron
hang evenly at the back. One of the buttons on your dress is unfastened and somehow you’ve
contrived to gather that dress in such a way that the hem at the back is a good two inches higher
than the hem at the front. Your shoes have a smudge on them and you have the same problem
with your laces that you have with your apron. The point of your uniform is that you should blend
into the background but these examples of carelessness just call attention to yourself. I expect you
to be neat and tidy. A maid is there to serve not to distract.”

“No Miss.”

37
“Are you contradicting me, foolish girl?”

“No Miss, I meant – oh, I’m sorry Miss.”

“Really Jones, do try to wake up. This is going to take a great deal of work if you do not pay
attention. Anyway, I have your work programme for the morning. Firstly you can go and tidy
yourself up. Then, let’s see - there are the beds to be made and the dusting to do upstairs. Then
clean out the fire places in the lounge, the dining room, and Danvers’ study. Do that before you
dust downstairs. After that you’d better see to the laundry and by then I think it will be about time
for my lunch. I think I’ll take it in the summer house today – the weather seems to have turned
milder and we ought to make the most of it.” Maria looked at Sarah’s shocked expression. “Close
your mouth girl,” she admonished. “That’s a perfectly ordinary morning’s work. You’ll soon get the
hang of it and I won’t want my lunch to be late so you’d better get started. Oh, and by the way it is
either Miss Greyston or Madam, when you address me.”

Sarah gulped, and bobbed a curtsy, “Yes, Madam. Straight away, Madam,” she mumbled and
scuttled off to start her tasks.

It was almost three hours later when Sarah appeared in the garden, carrying Maria’s lunch on a
tray. Maria smiled as Sarah made her way across the lawn trying to keep her uniform neat in the
wind while balancing the tray. Sarah put the tray down on the table. Maria pulled off her sun
glasses and peered at what Sarah had brought.

“I wonder if I might have a word, Ma’am?” Sarah asked.

Maria paused as she picked at the salad with her fork. Not a bad effort for a beginner, she decided.
And the glass of wine was an agreeable touch. “Yes, of course, Jones, what is it?” Maria looked up
at the girl, standing with her hands clasped modestly in front of her apron.

“Well, Madam,” Sarah began, smiling “I just wanted to say thank you. While I’ve been working this
morning I’ve had a chance to think and I wanted you to know how happy this is making me. I
thought it was just my feeling for Danvers but I now see there is more to it than that. I actually
enjoy being useful, having something to do that matters to someone. When you found fault with
my uniform this morning I was shocked at first and then I felt that you cared about me - that it was
important how I looked and how I behaved. I know that you are only doing this at Danvers’ bidding
but I wanted to say that I value it, really.”

“Well, thank you, Jones,” Sarah responded. She was pleased that Sarah had felt able to speak out
and even more pleased at the effect she was having on the girl. She was careful not to let any
sympathy that she might feel for Sarah disturb the mistress-servant relationship that was building
between them.

“And you’ll help me to become a proper maid servant. To be your ladies’ maid? To do every thing
as it should be done?“ Sarah was apparently embracing her new role with enthusiasm.

“Yes, of course Jones,” Sarah was anxious to begin her lunch.

“Oh, thank you Ma’am. Thank you so much. You’ve no idea how happy….”

“All right Jones, that’s enough.” Maria interrupted. “You’ve got work to do I think.”

Sarah smiled. “Sorry, Ma’am, yes Ma’am.” She curtsied and left Maria to her lunch. Maria watched
her as she crossed the garden with a noticeable lightness in her step.

38
Maria was lounging on the couch in the living room, enjoying the leisure that the new household
arrangements had brought her, when she heard Danvers returning home. Sarah was busily tidying
and dusting the sideboard. Danvers came in and, ignoring his wife, asked, “How has our new maid
been today, Maria?””

“Oh, some good progress has been made, Danvers,” Maria replied. “But there is still much to do,
of course.”

“Excellent.” Danvers looked up at Sarah and waved her away. “Please leave us, Jones,” he said
dismissively, “I have things to discuss with Miss Greyston.” Sarah looked hurt but curtsied and left
the room.

Maria watched sympathetically as Sarah left them. “I hope you don’t mind me saying sir but Mrs
Ridley needs to feel that you aren’t taking advantage of her willingness to please you.”

“Now don’t worry about that, Maria. I’m sure we both understand each other. Just you make sure
she keeps up to the mark and I’ll see that your pay packet reflects the additional contribution you
are making.” He leant forward and put his hand on her knee. “Perhaps we could find some further
amusement for the two of us?”

“I’m not sure that would be a good idea, Mr Ridley,” Maria responded picking up his hand and
taking it from her knee. “I think we had just better keep things on professional footing, don’t you?”

“Just what I had in mind,” Danvers smirked, opening his wallet and pulling out a bundle of notes.

“That’s not what I meant, Sir, and you know it,” Maria replied firmly.

39
Chapter 14: Brought To Book

Danvers was delighting in the new household arrangements. With both Sarah and Maria working
around the house, service had definitely improved he felt.

Sarah, as befitting her junior status, took on most of the menial tasks of cleaning, polishing and
laundry while Maria, to Danvers’ approval, seemed perfectly content to wait at table and fetch and
carry for Danvers as he needed.

Danvers had encouraged Maria to invest a little more in her uniform and she was now learning to
walk in heels that were so ludicrously high and pointed that Sarah almost had to follow her around
polishing out the marks on the parquet flooring.

Danvers had also insisted that Maria’s skirt be made a little tighter and shorter. It didn’t help her
walking but, as Maria realised it did distract Danvers from worrying about any of the tasks that she
might have been expected to carry out.

Danvers had summoned Maria to his study. She stepped in as quickly as her skirt and heels
allowed. Danvers gestured to a chair beside his desk. “Do take a seat, Maria,” he said.

“Thank you, Mr Ridley,” she replied. As she sat down she just managed to cross her legs in her
tight skirt, giving Danvers the treat of a flash of stocking top as she did so. Danvers coughed. Maria
smiled. “What can I do for you, Mr Ridley?” she asked, fully suspecting what he really wanted to
say in response.

“I’ll be direct, Miss Greyston,” Danvers began. Maria was sceptical. “Now that Sarah is fully
engaged in the work of the household, I believe that you should have some time free in order to
provide a few additional services for myself. You are an attractive woman and you certainly seem
to have a way with that uniform of yours that encourages my attention in case you hadn’t realised
it.”

“Do I really, Sir?” Maria asked coyly, straightening her back in a way that pushed her chest
forward. Danvers licked his lips. Maria smoothed her apron down across her lap and smiled again.

“I think you know you do,” he replied. “But no matter. I wondered if you might join me for a drink
this evening, I know a rather discrete bar in the next town. We could take the Rover, be there in
next to no time. I’m sure you can find plenty to keep Jones busy. I think it would be rather amusing
to see how she copes with the idea of us being out together.”

“I’m not sure Mr Ridley,” Maria responded carefully, certain that his motives were not just the
further humiliation of Sarah. “I’m not sure that would be at all proper. I thought I had made it clear
that I am very happy to carry out my duties here but my involvement in these other activities ….
Well, its not what I’m used to, I think its most unreasonable of you to ask me Sir, if you don’t mind
me saying so.” Maria reached into the pocket of her dress for her handkerchief and wiped away a
non-existent tear of distress.

“Come, Maria, don’t be upset. I’m sure we can have some amusement and it would certainly help
Sarah’s progress, don’t you think?”

“I can see that, Sir,” Maria replied, keen to balance discouraging Danvers from pursuing her while
keeping things progressing to her own advantage, “but I’m sure we can do that without needing to
expose you to the threat of scandal. I mean, can you imagine the reaction of your colleagues on

40
the Council if we were seen together? No, Mr Ridley, I really don’t see how I can agree to that. I’m
sure we can find plenty of ways to help Mrs Ridley between these four walls. I really think that’s as
far as my employment here allows.” She got to her feet. Danvers looked disappointed. “Now, if
you don’t mind, Sir, I need to ensure that Jones has tidied the pantry properly. You can be assured
of my full support in the house, Mr Ridley.”

“Very well, Greyston,” Danvers responded coolly, using her surname for the first time in a long
time. “You can go now.”

“Very good, Sir,” said Maria, calmly, getting to her feet. As she reached the door she half turned
towards Danvers. “Oh, excuse me Sir, I wonder if I could ask a favour?”

“What is it?”

“Could you just check if the seams of my stockings are straight for me? It’s just that I’m going to
take Jones to task over her uniform and it would never do if my own were out of order.”

Danvers peered over the rim of his glasses. “Really Maria, you are the limit.” She watched his
appraising glance, noting that his gaze travelled much higher than the hem of her skirt. “Yes, I
think you will do. Please make sure that Jones is up to your very high standard.”

“Don’t worry, Mr Ridley, I certainly will. Thank you.”

In spite of Danvers’ flirtatious advances Maria was enjoying the fact that Sarah was doing virtually
all the housework. She certainly wanted it to continue that way and had decided that it if she was
going to equip Sarah for a life of domestic service then she had better make sure that she did it
properly. The housekeeper where she had first entered service had used a veritable bible of
household management, but search as she might Maria had failed to find a copy in the Ridley
household. Refusing to be defeated she left Sarah to deal with that morning’s chores and made
her way to the District Library.

The librarian, a rather forbidding looking woman in horn rimmed glasses and wearing a tie, was sat
behind her desk appearing to take more interest in her index cards than in Maria. “Daphne Pullin
(Miss)” the nameplate had said. Maria finally managed to attract her attention and was directed to
a case of books backing onto the reception desk. “You’ll find it under domestic science and
household management,” Miss Pullin said, peering disapprovingly over her spectacles. “But you
will be quiet, won’t you?”

Maria soon found the book. “The Management of the Household – A Guide For The Mistress of the
House” was a substantial work of three, thick, leather bound volumes. It was an old book, written
originally in the golden age of the grand house at the turn of the century but although few today
could boast the size of household that the book envisaged the principles were very much the ones
in which Maria had been instructed. She picked “Volume 2 : Staff : Their Duties, Selection, Training
& Supervision” from the shelf and sat down to explore it. She had found a chapter entitled “Maid
Servants” which listed the tasks to be assigned to each grade in a rigid hierarchy of service:
Scullery Maid, Down-stairs Maid, Upstairs Maid, Ladies Maid, each had there own assigned tasks
and responsibilities.

Maria was busily scribbling down notes, thinking that it might be amusing to have Sarah work to
progress through each grade, when she became aware of Miss Pullin’s voice behind the book
shelf, hissing into a telephone. “I told you not to call me here.” … “Of course I can’t talk
now.”….”No, it’s quite improper,” Maria was inevitably intrigued by the overheard half
conversation and then her interest was sharpened by the next thing that she heard. “I think that’s

41
a gross abuse of your position, Mr Ridley,” …. “Well, yes of course I want to keep my job.” … “Yes, I
know you are chair of the leisure services committee.” …. “But, ..“ …. “But there are people here.”
… “All right, all right.” … “Please Danvers, don’t make me. We shouldn’t be doing this now you are
married.” …. “But..” … “All right, tomorrow night. … Yes. … 8 o’clock.”

Maria peered at her notes with a new intensity, intrigued and angered by what she had heard.

Sarah was busily cleaning in the hall, neat in her black and white uniform, when Maria arrived
back. Sarah greeted her at the door. “Good morning Miss Greyston,” she said welcoming her with
an evident pride for the spotless shine on the polished floor. She took Maria’s hat, coat and gloves.

“Good morning, Jones,” Maria replied. “Is Mr Ridley in?”

“I’m afraid not, Miss Greyston. He won’t be back until late this evening. He called a little earlier – a
problem in the office apparently. He may not be back until 11 0’clock, tonight he said.”

Maria was angry. Danvers was evidently taking advantage of the situation. But, on the other hand,
Sarah seemed content and was busily working away at her tasks. Maria couldn’t find fault with any
aspect of her uniform, she seemed to be learning well.

“If that’s all, Miss Greyston, I need to get on.”

“Yes, of course, Jones,” Maria smiled and watched her go. She heard the girl scuttling off to the
kitchen and thought to herself that she would take the opportunity to explore Danvers’ study.
After all it was the contents of his box that had been the impetus behind the current situation.
Maria was not sure where things were going but she felt that things were moving to her
advantage. There might be something to throw some light on the overheard phone call.

She slid the desk drawer open once more and took out the box file. Inside things were much as
before but, she noted, the lipstick stained, knotted silk scarf had been replaced by another – the
one that she herself had used on Sarah as her “burglar”. There too were the panties that Maria had
pushed into Sarah’s mouth when she was stretched out on the bed. There was an envelope. Maria
slid the contents out. It was handwritten. Maria began reading it. “This Agreement,” it started,
“dated the 14th day of May 1965 sets out the terms and conditions of a contract of slavery
between Miss D. Pullin (‘the slave’) and Mr. D. Ridley (‘the Master’). Whereas: (1) The slave
undertakes to submit to the direction and governance of the Master and (2) The Master agrees to
take ownership of the slave, it is agreed that….”

Maria read on taking in each term of the legalistic document that had Daphne submitting to
Danvers in every respect of her behaviour and appearance and acknowledging his right to punish
her as he saw fit. Astonished, Maria returned the contract to its envelope and went on exploring
the contents of the file.

After the legalistic terms of the Slave Contract, the contents of the next envelope were couched in
more passionate language. It was a letter. “Master D,” it began, “you know I will obey you in
everything. I long to be kneeling before you….” Maria read on with interest.

The copy of Bizarre that she had borrowed was still there. She thumbed through it again, finding
the picture of the maid that had inspired the redesign of her “best” uniform. She took out the two
other magazines. One, called “Kidnapped Kuties” had pictures of struggling women helplessly

42
bound and gagged. Maria was pleased to see that her efforts in roping Sarah to the chair in her
bedroom looked at least as convincing as these grainy pictures.

The other magazine, more intriguingly, took a different approach. “Bitches in Boots” it was called
and the cover showed a man cowering on his knees in front of an elegantly dressed woman as she
stood flexing a riding crop between her hands.

The rest of the contents of “Bitches in Boots” followed the theme of the cover. Maria was
fascinated by the letters from readers – all of them men - describing their experiences at the hands
of women that demanded complete obedience. As she thumbed through it, a business card fell
out. She picked it up. “Miss Bartholomew, Lessons in Music & Movement” it said. The card carried
a telephone number. On the back, scribbled in Danvers’ handwriting, was a time, 7:00 p.m. and
today’s date. Maria slipped the card into her handbag. Maria had hardly had a sheltered up
bringing. She needed little imagination about the purpose of Danvers’ appointment. She was
reasonably certain that he hadn’t taken up learning the piano.

Danvers arrived home late that evening as he had forecast. Maria overheard him telling his wife of
the tedium of that evening’s council meeting and then declining her offer to scrub his back while
he took a bath. “I’m not surprised,” thought Maria, “I’ll bet ‘Miss Bartholomew’ has already given
his back some attention this evening. She was angry with Danvers. Angry because he was
deceiving his wife with at least two other women, when she seemed ready to do almost anything
for him; angry because he was evidently bullying the Librarian far beyond anything she had been
prepared for and angry because of the pass he had made at her.

The following day she decided what she would do about it. Maria dialled the number she had
found on the card and, overcoming the reluctance of the woman that answered, made an
appointment to see her the following week.

43
Chapter 15: Getting The Needle

In the intervening period Maria was determined to continue with Sarah’s training. The girl was
proving quite capable at her scullery maid and house maid duties and Maria was taking quiet
satisfaction from the way that Sarah was responding to instruction.

Maria and Danvers had together decided that Sarah should move into one of the old servant’s
rooms up in the attic. Sarah’s first reaction had been one of distress when Danvers and Maria had
informed her of their decision. She was no better pleased when they had shown it to her and she
saw how the room was furnished.

Seeing the simple iron bed, with its single sheet, blanket and pillow, the chamber pot beneath it,
the sparse furniture, the tiny window without a curtain and the single, naked, dim light bulb that
illuminated the room, she had clutched her hands to her mouth and given a muffled gulp.

Maria had shown her the wardrobe in which a spare uniform was hanging and the drawers that
contained only a change of underwear and a simple cotton night gown. “Now Jones,” Maria began,
“you are expected to keep this room as clean and tidy as the rest of the house. I shall inspect it
regularly so I advise you to do as I ask. You will not have much free time as I am sure you have
realised but you may spend it here if you wish. Otherwise I expect you to be about your duties, not
skulking up here. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Miss Greyston,” Sarah responded dejectedly looking around at the room. She had already
decided that she wouldn’t want to spend much time there.

That evening once she had completed her work she was laying on her bed, sobbing. She was
holding the plain, cotton, nightdress that contrasted so greatly with the nightwear that she had
worn on her honeymoon only a few weeks ago. Danvers appeared at the door of her room. “My
dear girl,” he started. “Don’t be upset.”

“Oh, Danvers,” she replied, “this is supposed to be fun for both of us isn’t it?”

“Of course, dear, of course,” he comforted. “That’s why I am here. This really gives me a lot of
pleasure, you know and I think I can bring you a little as well. Now, get into your nightgown and
get ready for the master of the house.”

Sarah sniffed, taking consolation from Danvers’s words, and began undressing. Danvers watched
appreciatively as his wife took off her uniform. Barely had she got her nightdress on than he
pushed her down on the bed roughly. She responded with a giggle, pleased by his attention to her
and encouraged by his ardour. He unbuckled his belt and pushed his trousers and underpants
down around his knees. Kneeling astride her, he dragged her nightdress up around her waist,
exposing her naked belly. Holding her down by the wrists, he took her roughly as she moaned in
pleasure.

Over the next week, Sarah found increasingly that she was as likely to have to accommodate
Danvers in her attic room bed as in his. She was no longer allowed in the master bedroom that
they had once shared apart from to clean and polish or, of course, at Danvers’s insistence.

Danvers for his turn was spending more and more effort in trying to insinuate his way into Maria’s
affections. Late one evening Maria found Danvers sitting on her bed, smirking. “Good evening Mr.
Ridley,” she said, calmly. “How can I help you?”

44
“I thought you might be able to assist in the, ah, release of a little stress, the alleviation of some
tension.”

“Mr. Ridley, I cannot help but feel your wife would be very distressed to learn you were here. By
the way where is she? I set her some tasks a while ago but I haven’t seen her for half an hour or
more.”

“Oh, skulking in a corner somewhere, I expect. Came up here looking for her myself but she
doesn’t seem to be around. Thought I’d pop in and see you instead.”

Maria displayed an air of disinterest. “I’m sorry Mr Ridley, I can’t stop to chat. There is so much to
do if you want me to keep up with Sarah’s training.”

“Hmm,” said Danvers, “yes. In fact I wondered if you needed anything of the kind yourself?”

“Myself?”

“Yes. You seem quite at home with my little ways, I thought perhaps you might like to experience a
little more of the delights available. The seductive sense tautness of rope for example, the frisson
of pleasure at the edge of pain, perhaps.”

“I don’t think so, Mr Ridley,” Maria said firmly. “I think I have explained that my only interest here
is in doing as good a job as I can for yourself and Mrs Ridley. I think that should be enough. In fact
given the nature of things, I would have thought that was more than reasonable. Now if you’ll
excuse me, I must get on.”

“As you wish,” said Danvers, disappointed, “Just let me know if you change your mind.”

Maria left Danvers where she had found him and went off in search of Sarah. It was only when she
reached the foot of the stairs that she heard the banging coming from behind the cellar door. She
went to open it but found it locked.

Retrieving the key from its hook n the pantry she went back and opened the cellar door. A tearful,
filthy and distressed Sarah almost fell into the hall. “Oh, Miss Greyston, thank you,” she gasped.

“What on earth have you been doing, Jones?” Maria asked. “And why are you in that state?”
Sarah’s white apron was streaked with coal dust and her hands and face were filthy too. Both her
stockings were badly laddered.

“I’m sorry Miss, I went to get the coal for the living room fireplace like you asked me and then
while I was down there the door slammed and the light went out and I fell over on the coal and
then I tried to climb the steps and the door was stuck and …..”

“Goodness, Jones, do calm down.” Maria was pretty sure what had happened. Danvers, confident
of his seductive powers had simply locked his wife in the cellar and then turned out the light.
“Take the coal through to the living room and then get cleaned up. That uniform is filthy, you’ll
have to launder it tonight.”

“Very good, Miss,” Sarah replied. “Thank you for letting me out.”

“Never mind that, you’d better get on.” As she turned to go, Danvers appeared in the hall,
evidently amused by his wife’s appearance.

45
“Goodness, Maria, I hope you haven’t been hauling that poor girl over the coals too badly,” he
grinned.

“No, Mr Ridley. She had had some problems getting out of the cellar.”

“Terrible, terrible, oh well if that door is sticking we’d better get it seen to I suppose. Still she’s off
to launder her uniform is she? Perhaps she’d like some company while it’s drying,” he leered.
“Unless of course you’ve had a change of heart?” Maria simply stared back. “Ah, no thought not.
Perhaps another time.”

“Good night, Mr Ridley,” Maria said and left him heading towards the scullery. The squeals she
heard later meant, she assumed, that Danvers had managed at least one conquest that evening.

With Sarah taking on most of her duties, Maria now had relatively little to do around the house
except to supervise Sarah’s training. Maria decided that it was time that Sarah should take on
more tasks upstairs.

When Sarah served Maria with her coffee in the lounge that morning she asked her to wait behind
while she drank it. Sarah stood quietly to one side as Maria drank her coffee. Maria put her cup
down. “Come here Jones,” she said. “How are you finding things now?”

“Well, Madam, I hope I’m giving satisfaction. I know I have had to learn a lot but I feel that I have
been doing everything that has been asked of me.”

“Yes, Jones, I think you have. I have been pleased generally by the standard of your work and you
seem to be able to learn new duties quite quickly. I’ve also been pleased by your attitude. Given
the circumstances in which you came into your current position I could imagine that there might
have been some difficulty in our relationship but I do feel that you have put every effort in.”

“Thank you, Madam. That’s most kind.” Sarah was evidently pleased by the praise. “And please let
me say how much I appreciate the time and attention that you are giving to my training. I know
that I was not keen at first and that I seemed upset by my new accommodation but I do see that
you are trying to help me.”

“That’s quite all right, Jones. I am pleased with your progress - so pleased, in fact, that I think the
time has come for you to take on some of the duties of my personal maid.”

“Oh, thank you Madam. I’ll be happy to.” Sarah beamed.

“Excellent. Can I ask how are your needlework skills?”

“I was quite proficient in needlework at school, Madam. I think I can cope with most basic repairs
and alterations in clothing.”

“That should be sufficient. I want you to help me get an outfit ready for this evening. Danvers has
invited me to have dinner with him and I want to put in a bit of an effort. Come with me.” Maria
led the way upstairs with Sarah following. She went into the main bedroom and threw open the
doors of the big double wardrobe that held Sarah’s clothes. “Now this is what I need,” Maria said
pulling a long, black evening gown from the wardrobe. “I need this altering slightly.”

46
Sarah looked in horror as Maria tried one of Sarah’s best dresses against herself. “But that’s my
…” Sarah began.

“I beg you pardon, Jones. What is it?”

Sarah backed down. “Nothing, Madam, nothing. I just meant that I am sure I’ll be able to do what’s
needed for you.”

“Good, well you’d better fetch the needlework box. Be quick.”

By the time Sarah had found the needlework box and returned to the bedroom, Maria had
stripped to her underwear and was rummaging through the Sarah’s chest of drawers.

“It’s lucky that these clothes will fit me nicely,” Maria said, cheerily. “But I want to have a little fun
with Danvers so there are a few changes that I’d like.”

Sarah gulped uncertainly. “What do you mean, ‘fun’, Madam.”

“Oh, come on, Jones,” Maria joked. “Surely you have noticed what a dreadful flirt he is. I just
thought I’d tease him a bit.”

“Oh,” said Sarah, shakily, “no I hadn’t noticed.”

“Well, you just watch this evening at dinner. He’ll be falling over his tongue.”

Sarah looked uncomfortable but Maria ignored her, pulled the dress on over her head and set to
explaining what she wanted doing with it. “Ooo, this is well fitted,” said Maria, with evident
pleasure. “It really skims the hips doesn’t it.”

Sarah sniffed. She had to admit that Maria had a figure that carried off the dress rather better than
hers, in spite of the fact that they were virtually the same size. Somehow Maria’s breasts looked
fuller and her waist line slimmer. “Now pay attention, Jones. What I want you to do is to unpick
this seam at the front for say, two inches. That will show off a bit more cleavage with a little
assistance from some well engineered underpinnings, don’t you think?”

Sarah sniffed again.

“Have you got a cold, girl?” Maria demanded, looking at her reddening eyes.

“No Miss Greyston, it’s just….” she began.

“Just what, Jones?”

Sarah gulped, took in a deep breath and settled herself. “Nothing, madam. Everything is
completely all right. I am sure I can do that. Was there anything else?”

“Yes, I think so,” said Maria, slowly, seeing that Sarah had composed herself. “You see how the
seam of the skirt runs up to the hip here. If you could open that up so I can flash some leg at
Danvers. That should really get him going! Now if you get started on that you will have it finished
in plenty of time for this evening. I’ll come up for a fitting at 6 o’clock which will give you time for
any final changes. Then you can get dinner ready. You needn’t help me to dress tonight. You’ll be
able to see the effect of your work when you wait on us at dinner. Won’t that be fun?”

47
“Yes, Madam,” Sarah said, agreeing. But, Maria thought, she didn’t look as though she meant it.

48
Chapter 16: Criminal Intent

While Sarah was busy with needle and thread, Maria made the rest of her plans for the evening.

By the time it got to six o’clock she was satisfied that all was ready. Sarah had done an excellent
job in altering the dress and Maria declared herself well pleased with the results. Maria hadn’t just
explored Sarah’s wardrobe and dresser drawers but she had taken the opportunity to take her pick
of the items in her jewellery box as well. Three fine strings of pearls now adorned her décolletage,
pearl drop ear rings completed the elegant look that Maria was striving for.

Sarah’s reaction to the dress was a nervous combination of pride in her work and concern about
the effect it would have on Danvers. She hadn’t considered it previously but now that Maria had
mentioned it, she realised that Danvers did sometimes seem to have something of a roving eye.
The pearls, a wedding present to her from an aged aunt, had once seemed the epitome of
decorousness. Now, draped across Maria’s chest they took on a more sensuous nature.

As soon as Sarah entered the dining room she saw exactly what Maria had meant about Danvers.
She and Danvers were sharing a drink beside one of the landscape paintings of which Danvers was
so fond. “A delightful prospect,” Maria remarked.

“Absolutely,” Danvers agreed but Sarah could see that his eyes weren’t on the picture. He was
staring down Maria’s cleavage, effectively revealed by Sarah’s skills as a seamstress and
emphasised by the way in which the strings of pearls draped across it. Maria, following Danvers’
gaze, giggled.

Sarah gave an embarrassed cough, choking back her concerns at Maria’s behaviour and that of her
husband. “I’m sorry to interrupt Madam, Sir. But dinner is ready.” Maria turned round in response
to Sarah’s announcement, Sarah watched in distress as Danvers allowed his gaze to travel down
from her cleavage to the view of her legs afforded by the extended split of Maria’s skirt.

The tip of Danvers’ tongue slipped quickly across his lips. Sarah looked upset at seeing her
husband’s reaction. Maria ignored Danvers. “Thank you, Jones,” she said in a friendly tone, seeing
the girl’s concern and giving her a reassuring smile. “I think we are both ready for something to eat
now.”

Sarah gulped back her concerns and set to serving the meal. Each time she came back into the
dining room, Danvers’s gaze was fixed on Maria’s chest. Sarah drew some comfort from the fact
that Maria appeared to ignore his carnal looks, chatting to him comfortably.

Then Sarah became more concerned as the conversation took a different turn.

“You know Danvers,” Maria said as she picked up the last spoonful of pudding, “I was thinking
about that terrible burglary the other week - when the lady of the house was tied up so horribly.”

“Yes, shocking business,” answered Danvers, “what of it?”

Maria blotted her lips with her napkin. “Well I also wondered what would it have been like for the
household staff if any of them had been present?”

Danvers saw where the conversation was leading. “Hmm, I see what you mean. I am sure it would
have been terrifying,” he said with a smile.

49
Sarah was standing back from the table, waiting to clear the desert course, looking increasingly
concerned.

“I mean can you imagine what it would have been like for a house maid like poor Jones here, if she
had been caught up in it.”

“Goodness, it would have been shocking.”

Sarah made to excuse herself but Danvers insisted that she remain. “No, Jones, this is important.”
Maria said, “We should discuss what you should do if anything like that were to happen when you
were here in the house. Shouldn’t we Danvers?”

“Oh yes, Maria,” said Danvers with a wink.

“Well,” Maria went on, “perhaps she should even be given the opportunity to learn what to do. I
do find Jones learns quickly and she should be prepared for any emergency. I know you are friends
with the Chief Constable. Has he said anything about these criminals?”

“Well yes, he did as a matter of fact. It seems that they were very violent men. Armed too,
apparently, with a revolver like this it seems.” He pulled his service revolver from the sideboard
drawer.”

“Oh!” Sarah exclaimed.

“They would be quite prepared to take on anyone then?”

“Oh, yes,” said Danvers enthusiastically, “If they came across Jones here while entering the house
they wouldn’t hesitate to threaten her.”

“What do you think might have happened?” Maria enquired. “I mean from what you’ve heard
from the Chief Constable?”

“Oh, no, please, don’t,” Sarah started.

“Hmm, let me see.” Danvers continued. “Oh, I expect they’d be masked. I wonder if I could have
one of your stockings?”

“Certainly, Danvers.” Maria turned coyly to kick off one of her shoes and, fumbling under the
table, unfastened a stocking from its suspender. She passed it to him. Danvers gave Maria a
salacious grin and pulled it over his head. Sarah looked more and more uncomfortable.

Danvers leapt to his feet and prodded the barrel of the pistol against Sarah’s belly. “Allright,
darling, do as you’re told and you wont get hurt!” he barked. Sarah tried to back away from him
and pressed against the wall.

“No, please don’t,” she begged in a voice that needed no theatrical skills to appear scared.

Danvers ignored her pleas. “I think my associate ought to be masked as well,” he said. “Would you
mind, Maria?”

Maria reached under the slit of her skirt to unfasten her other stocking, this time she made no
attempt to hide her legs as she slid the stocking off. Danvers was not unsurprisingly distracted.
Sarah tried to edge towards the door but Danvers noticed her movement and ordered her to stop.

50
With a leap he was by her side, pressing her back against the wall and pushing the barrel of his
pistol up under her chin.

Maria pulled the stocking over her face. Fastidiously, she took great care to ensure that the seam
was positioned straight down the middle of her face. The dark nylon stretched across her features
gave her a sinister look. She and Danvers presented a threatening, almost bizarre, sight in their
masks, Danvers in his suit and tie, Maria in her evening gown and long gloves. In spite of the fact
that she knew they were only acting, Sarah was still scared by them.

“We should take her upstairs,” suggested Maria. “Keep her out of the way while we look for the
jewels.”

“Right!” Danvers ordered, prodding Sarah in the stomach with his gun. “Put your hands up, you!
And get upstairs!”

Sarah did as she was told, pushed roughly and stumbling up the stairs by Danvers with the gun at
her back. They took her to her room and told her to sit on the bed, hands still raised. “You keep
her here,” said Danvers to Maria, “while I find something to tie her up with.”

“OK, boss,” Maria replied, keeping up her part. Once Danvers had left the room. She sat down next
to Sarah. “Are you alright?” she asked.

“Mmm, yes, just,” Sarah nodded, relieved at Maria’s concern. “I was scared at first but I’m all right
now.”

“Good. Quick, Danvers is coming back.” She leapt to her feet, pointing the gun at Sarah. “Keep
those hands up,” she ordered, sternly.

Danvers came back in clutching two hanks of rope. “I found these in a room down the corridor, he
said, taking the gun back from Maria and passing the ropes to her. “Tie her wrists to the bed rail.”

Sarah tried to struggle as Maria bound her wrists but could not prevent her efforts.

“Her ankles,” said Danvers, “spread her legs out and tie her ankles.”

“Now we need a gag,” Danvers turned his eyes to a basket of laundry waiting to be ironed. He up-
ended the basket, turning the clothes out into a pile on the carpet.

“No, please,” begged Sarah, “I’ll keep quiet.”

“You certainly will, my dear, with this.” Danvers pulled one of Sarah’s blouses from the pile of
laundry and ripped one sleeve from it. He knelt across her on the bed and dragged the cloth across
her lips. She whimpered as he knotted it tightly, dragging the cloth into the corners of her mouth.

“Oh, my,” said Maria looking at the gag. “That looks painful.”

“I fear so,” said Danvers, “but they are violent criminals and at least having secured their captive
she would then be left alone while they stole whatever they wanted and made their escape.”

“So eventually, Jones would be able to wriggle free?”

51
“Oh yes, I’m sure.” He turned towards his wife as she tried to pull against the ropes that held her.
“You see how you get on, We’ll finish our drinks down stairs.” He pulled off his stocking mask and
Maria followed suit.

Sarah looked up them pleadingly and grunted through her gag, begging to be freed

Danvers considered his wife’s protests. “I think we should have used something to stuff her mouth
for that gag to be really effective. I wonder if I could trouble you for your knickers, Maria.”

Maria laughed. “Goodness, Danvers,” she responded, flirtatiously, “whatever makes you think I’m
wearing any? I am sure that will do for now.”

Danvers snorted and smiled gesturing to the door. Sarah looked miserable as the two of them left
her. Her distress only increased hearing Maria’s giggles as the two of them walked along the
corridor outside her room. She wasn’t sure that she trusted Maria to resist Danvers’ advances,
even if she wanted to.

No sooner were they down stairs than Danvers took the opportunity to grasp Maria by the waist,
spinning her around to face him. “Well, Miss Greyston, you are an extraordinary lady. Were you
serious about your underwear?” He ran a finger along her naked shoulder and began to trace a line
down her back from her shoulder blade towards her waist.

“Now, Mr Ridley, that was for your wife’s benefit, not yours.” Maria said, stepping away from him
“You know that I am only doing as you ask to the extent that it helps you and your wife. I would
rather you did not try to take advantage of the situation, otherwise I might have to reconsider my
involvement. Now, if I can offer you some advice, I think that if you return to her now you will find
her in a rather willing mood.”

“Oh, I think we should let her try to escape for a little longer. If you aren’t certain about your
knickers, perhaps I could help you check.”

“Mr Ridley!” Maria responded with indignation. “Really! I admire your persistence but cannot
accept your suggestions. Please, go to your wife.”

Danvers smiled and turned towards the stairs. “Yes, you are right, I should. But be assured I will
carry the image of your perfect, knickerless bum with me.”

When he returned to his wife’s room, Sarah had recovered from the threats and was stretching
against her binds in a sensuous manner. He stood silently in the doorway watching as she writhed
against the ropes that held her wrists and ankles. “How could any burglar resist such a sight?”
Danvers said, sitting beside her on the bed and starting to unbutton her uniform. He left her
bound and gagged as he first toyed with her breasts and then mounted her. The two of them
bucked against each others bodies to orgasm, Sarah squealing loudly into her gag.

Danvers laid back, content with the outcome of the evening. He loosened the knots at his wife’s
wrists and ankles and took her in his arms as she slipped towards him. She fumbled at the knot
that held the gag in her mouth and pulled the torn sleeve clear. “Good night, now, Jones,” Danvers
said, levering himself up from the bed.

Sarah was distraught. “You’re not going! Please,” she begged, “Stay here or let me come with you.
Please.”

“No, not tonight, Jones, not tonight.”

52
“You’re going to her, aren’t you?” Sarah accused.

“Jones, I hope you are not questioning the master of the house?” Danvers responded sternly. Then
he smiled. “No, my darling, no. It’s just that I will be out early in the morning and I would hate to
disturb you.

From downstairs, Maria heard the sounds of Danvers footsteps returning to his bedroom and she
climbed the stairs quietly to her own room. Passing the door to Sarah’s room she heard moaning
from within. She edged the door to Sarah’s room open. Sarah was sprawled naked on her bed,
naked that is except for a stocking pulled over her face.

Sarah had recovered the two stockings that Danvers and Maria had used as masks. One stocking
was pulled over Sarah’s face, filling her nose with the scent of Maria’s perfume and make up. The
other stocking was being dragged by Sarah backwards and forwards between her legs, as she
pushed herself towards a groaning orgasm. As she writhed and moaned on the bed it was what
Sarah was muttering under breath that interested Maria more.

“Oh.” Sara called, Oh, Maria, please let me serve you. I’m your maid - not Danvers’ - please be my
Mistress. Please.”

Maria listened with interest for a while, then closed the door silently and slipped into her own
room to plan just what she would say to Miss Bartholomew on the following day.

53
Chapter 17: Meeting Miss B

Maria was intrigued by the outcome of the previous evening and the opportunities that seemed to
be presenting themselves but she had a meeting to go to. She was off to the meeting she had
arranged with the woman whose telephone number had been on the card that fell out of
Danvers’s magazine, “Bitches in Boots”.

Just after lunch, Maria found herself outside a small terraced house on the edge of town. A small
brass plate on the gate said, “Miss Brenda Bartholomew, BMus, FRSM, Lessons in Music &
Movement”. She rang the door bell.

The door was answered by a rather mousey looking woman in her mid-thirties, wearing a pale
cream blouse and a tweedy skirt. “Miss Bartholomew?” queried Maria, feeling that the woman
wasn’t quite (or at all) what she had expected. She wasn’t very tall, perhaps a couple of inches
shorter than Maria’s 5 feet 4 inches and she was hardly what you would call slim. Her hair was
wavy and rather longer than was fashionable. She kept it in order with a band across her head but
it looked as if it possessed a wiry will of its own and threatened to escape at any moment. Maria
worried for a moment that she had jumped to the wrong conclusions about Danvers and the
business card she had found. Even so she was determined to pursue her original intentions. “My
name is Greyston, I phoned earlier.”

“Oh, yes. Of course. Please come in.” The woman shepherded Maria into the front parlour. The
two women sat down. Brenda turned towards Maria. “Now how can I help you? I can’t spare much
time, though. I do have some clients this afternoon.”

“I’ll come straight to the point, Miss Bartholomew,” Maria began, sounding rather more resolute
than she felt. “I found your telephone number on a business card in the pocket of my husband’s
jacket. I have had my suspicions about what he gets up to for some time Since he has never shown
the slightest interest in music and from what else I found with the card, I believe that you offer
services of a very different nature. I suspect that his visits here would have been of a sexual
nature. I suspect that probably he would know you as Mistress B.”

Brenda appeared unfazed by Maria’s accusation and ignored the implications. “Mrs Greyston, you
must understand that I cannot discuss my clients. That card may have come from anywhere, there
could be lots of reasons for its being in his wallet. I really think it would be best of you discussed it
with your husband rather than me.”

“So do you deny that you run what is described in the more salacious of the newspapers as a
house of correction?. Can you at least tell me that he has been here?”

“I’m sorry, Mrs Greyston, I meant what I said about discretion regarding my clients. I also have to
say that even if I were to be running the sort of establishment you suggest and even if your
husband had been here, then I would be very surprised if had used his real name. Certainly I don’t
recognise the name. I really can’t help you.” Miss Bartholomew folded her arms and got up,
moving towards the door to show her visitor out.

Maria apologised, anxious not to cut the conversations short, “Oh, I’m sorry. Look I really didn’t
want to make a fuss. I just wanted to understand what sort of thing it is that he might be
interested in. I’d like to be able to please him myself, you see but he’s never spoken of it and
unless he does say something then I just can’t know how.”

54
Brenda clapped her hands together and laughed. “Goodness, that’s the last thing I expected when
you called. Since you have been open with me, then I shall be as open with you. I really don’t have
very much time though and unpleasant as it may seem time is very much money in my business.
Let me just tell you what I would tell any of my visitors. What I provide here is as you suggest. I
offer a domination service, there is no question of any sexual contact and, in any case, that is not
what any of my clients are looking for. I cater for a range of fantasies. You might be surprised to
learn how common they are. I can be their teacher, their nanny, a stern nurse, a rebellious
secretary or a sinister vampire. Some of them even like me to dress up as a bullying maid. Can you
believe it! As you can imagine it’s all a bit theatrical - I have rather an extensive wardrobe which
helps a great deal. The men can act as my slave, my prisoner, a kidnap victim, an errant pupil. It
doesn’t matter too much, I find. Some of them look for punishment – spankings, caning, whipping,
that sort of thing. Some of them want to be tied up or chained up. Some of them just want to be
shouted at or talked down to or even just ignored.”

“I see, but what…” Maria began when the door bell interrupted her.

Brenda looked at the clock. “He’s early,” she said. “Trying it on. Excuse me a moment.” She got to
her feet and went out to the hall. Maria could hear her voice as she let the client in. Brenda was
longer speaking in the quiet, apologetic, tones she had used when Maria first arrived. Now she
spoke in a clipped, forceful way. “What are you doing here now? You’re early. No, don’t speak. I’m
not interested in anything you have to say. Leave the tribute there. Now upstairs, you know where.
Not like that – on your belly – better. Then stay there.” Moments later she reappeared in the
parlour. “Now where were we?” she asked, calmly returning to a quieter voice.

“I guess it isn’t very convenient to talk now,” Maria said.

“No that’s all right. He’ll keep. He has no business being here for another 10 minutes. He’ll be
expecting me to beat him for it. He can wait and then find out that I won’t.” Brenda smiled warmly
and Maria giggled. “I’m not what you expected, am I?” Brenda asked, warming to her caller.

“Well, I …”

“That’s all right. I know I haven’t stepped out of some fetish artist’s magazine. You don’t need to
be in thigh boots and corset, carrying a bull whip, to do this, you know - although I have been
known to get into all that if needed. Mostly they just want someone to take control; to tell them
what to do; to bully them a bit, make them feel foolish.

“But I’ve always thought of my husband as being quite decisive, even a bit too ready to jump in
with his point of view if the truth is known. He doesn’t seem to be the submissive type at all.”

“No, I don’t suppose he does. Most of my clients aren’t submissive in their everyday life at all, I’m
sure. Many of them seem to have quite high-powered jobs so I don’t think they can be. Its just one
part of them, People aren’t one thing or another in other areas of their lives, so why should they
be when it comes to what turns them on sexually?”

“I see what you mean. I’d worried that it meant he was weak in some way.” Maria found herself
warming to Brenda’s practical views.

Brenda smiled. “I think it’s quite the reverse if you see what some of them are prepared to put up
with!” she exclaimed with a laugh. “I’m no psychologist but as far as I can see they seem to think
that it’s all a terrible burden being the big bosses and running the world so they want to take some
time off! Of course if they had to put up with really not running things they’d soon change their
minds but it helps me to pay my bills and they seem happy so why worry?”

55
“Is that really all there is to it? I mean isn’t it all a bit – well – perverted?”

“I’m not sure I know what that means. I see such a range of types here that I have to think that it’s
not anything unusual. So, if it’s that common, is it perverted? I try not to judge what it is that
people are interested in as long as it doesn’t cause any harm to them or others. I do know though
that things can be difficult if couples don’t sort out these things between themselves.” Brenda
looked at Maria sympathetically and went on. “Look – about your husband. I really don’t know if
he has been here but I’m sure you can find out what it is he will respond to – they are all very
similar, believe me.” Brenda looked up at the sound of a bump on the floor above them. She gave
an exasperated sigh before she went on. “I think you’ll find that a stern word and a bossy manner
will be all that you’ll need to get him started on the right lines at home. Start off by telling him to
do the washing up one day or threaten him with a spanking if he knocks over an ash tray or
something like that. I wouldn’t be surprised if he said ‘yes please’ – then you can take it from
there.” She looked up at the ceiling again “Now, I wonder if you will excuse me. I really do need to
do something about the gentleman upstairs.”

“Of course. Thank you Miss Bartholomew. I appreciate you taking the time to see me.” Maria and
Brenda both stood up. Maria put out her hand. “Well, good bye. And thank you again. I’ll think
about what you said, I’m sure it will help. Good luck with your client.”

Brenda took Maria’s hand and clasped it warmly. “I have absolutely no idea why I am saying this,
since it seems to me I am taking bread out of my own mouth but would you like to see a session?
Between me and a client? It could give you some ideas.”

Maria jumped at the opportunity. “Would that be all right? How would we manage it? Wouldn’t
your client object?”

Brenda raised an eyebrow. ”It’s not their job to object to anything I decide,” she laughed. “Give me
a couple of days. Call me. I’ll set something up.” She laughed conspiratorially. “Besides it will help
me with the neighbours – seeing a woman turn up here.”

56
Chapter 18: Sarah In Service

Two days later, Sarah was cleaning the floor in the kitchen under Maria’s supervision. She was
down on her hands and knees using a heavy scrubbing brush and a bucket of soapy water. Her
hands were red and raw from the work. Maria was standing over her keeping a careful eye on her
efforts. “Come on Jones, harder than that,” she scolded, “I expect this floor to be properly clean
when you have finished.”

“Sorry, m’m,” Sarah apologised, wiping a strand of hair away from her face as she bent over the
brush again. She was pleased that Maria was taking an interest in her work.

Maria was paying such close attention to Sarah’s efforts that she didn’t hear Danvers arrival in the
kitchen. The first she knew of his appearance was the touch of his hand on her backside. She
almost jumped with surprise but managed too stop herself. “Really, Mr Ridley,” she admonished
without even turning around. “I don’t know how I am supposed to supervise Jones if you are going
to interrupt me all the time.”

“And I don’t know how I am supposed to keep my hands off you, Miss Greyston, if you insist on
wearing clothes like that.” Danvers looked appreciatively at the black uniform dress that fitted
Maria’s figure so well.

Sarah stared up at the two of them. Maria waved her back to her work. “You’ve no time to be
slacking, girl,” she said. “And Mr Ridley’s conversations with me are none of your concern.”

“Sorry, m’m,” she said, and went back to her cleaning.

“Glad to see you’re keeping the girl at her tasks,” said Danvers. “It leaves more time for us to have
some fun.” He slid his hand from her backside up to her waist and pulled Maria towards him.

“Mr Ridley, I don’t have time for this now,” she protested, though without pulling away.

“We have to seize the opportunities that face us, Miss Greyston. How could I not take this
opportunity?” While one hand was at her waist his other was moving up to her breast. “Such a lot
of armour under there, Miss Greyston,” he said tracing the rigid form of her bra beneath her dress,
“Armour that invites amour.” He chuckled. In the next moment Danvers was kissing her, hard, on
the mouth. From the corner of her eye, Maria could see that Sarah was watching the two of them,
evidently distressed. Danvers pulled his hand from her breast but only to start fumbling with the
buttons of dress.

“Really Mr Ridley, that’s quite enough,” Maria objected, tapping his hand away. “Surely you
shouldn’t be doing this in front of Jones, here.”

“Perhaps we should go through to my study? Or perhaps you’d like to go a little further?”

Maria ignored the obvious innuendo. “I have to make sure that Jones does this properly. Her last
attempt left the kitchen filthy.” She turned her back on him, Sarah was working hard at her task
trying to ignore their conversation.

Maria felt Danvers come up close behind her, one arm snaked around her waist the other toyed
with a tuft of hair at the nape of her neck. He pulled her back towards him and she felt his breath
on her neck. “Jones has taken on so many of your duties, my dear,” he hissed in her ear. “Perhaps

57
you should think of taking on some of hers? After all, I am entitled to my conjugal rights in one way
or another.”

“Perhaps you should remember that I am simply an employee here, Mr Ridley. I can find other
employment if needs be,” Maria responded, bluntly.

Danvers grinned in response but, Maria noted, backed down. “Well, perhaps later then,” he
smiled, un-phased by Maria objections. “I need to go out.”

“Very good Mr Ridley, we can discuss this later,” Maria heard Sarah give a quiet whimper as
Danvers left the kitchen. She turned to the distressed girl. “Don’t worry, Jones,” she said, “I’ve no
intention of taking him to my bed.”

“Oh, thank you m’m,” Sarah responded gratefully.

“But he does have a certain charm, you know. He does manage to stir up certain desires, I’m sure
you see how it might prove difficult to resist in time. He’s obviously very determined.”

“But you couldn’t! You just couldn’t, after all he’s my …”

“Your what, Jones?

“Nothing, m’m, nothing,” Sarah backed down. “I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn.”

“No, Jones, you shouldn’t. Now get on with this.” Maria heard the door slam as Danvers went out.
“And come and see me in the lounge when you’ve finished.”

It was half an hour before Sarah had finished the kitchen floor and was able to seek out Maria
again. Knocking respectfully on the lounge door she waited for Maria to ask her to enter and so
was all the more surprised by what she saw. Maria was sprawled on the couch, her legs drawn up,
her hands underneath her skirt, touching herself sensuously. She made no attempt to stop as
Sarah entered the room. “Ah, Jones,” Maria said thickly. “You see the effect that Danvers has.”

Sarah looked on fascinated as Maria continued to touch and stroke herself. Maria, recalling Sarah’s
own, over-heard, fumblings, was in no doubt of the effect that the tableau was having on the girl.
Summoning up all her courage Sarah decided to speak out. “You shouldn’t have to do that, M’m,”
she said. “Not for yourself.”

“Hmm,” Maria moaned quietly, stretching backwards.

“No, Madam, you you should have your own maid to take care of all your needs. Please let me.”
Sarah came over to the edge of the couch and knelt beside it. She put her hands on Maria’s. Maria
made no attempt to stop her as Sarah moved her hands beneath the Maria’s skirt. “There, Madam,
isn’t that better?” Sarah asked.

Maria lay back, allowing Sarah to stroke and squeeze between her legs, letting her own hands
move up to her breasts. “Yes, Jones, very good. Perhaps we have found something that you are
good at after all.”

“Thank you, Madam,” Sarah allowed herself a smile.

“Can you use your tongue as well as your fingers?

58
“I think so, Mistress.”

“Madam will do, Jones.” Maria corrected, leaning back. “Well see what you can do.”

Sarah went to push Maria’s skirt up. Maria stopped her. “No, not like that,” she said. “ Don’t use
your hands at all. In fact put them behind your back – imagine you’ve been tied up again.”

“Couldn’t you tie them there, Madam?” Sarah asked coyly.

“Jones, you are quite incorrigible. I can see now why Mr Ridley sees it necessary to punish you
quite so often.”

“Well, Madam, I’d quite understand if you felt the same way.”

“Just do as you are told Jones and be grateful that you are being allowed to help out. I’ll think
about whether you need any further training later.”

“Very good, m’m,” Sarah replied and bent to her task.

59
Chapter 19: Saturnalia

Sarah was busily polishing glasses in the kitchen, carefully shining each one until it sparkled while
Maria stood over her watching. “I think you are progressing quite well, Jones,” said Maria, picking
up one of the glasses and holding it up against the light.

“Thank you, m’m,” Sarah responded. “Could I talk to you about something, please?”

“What is it Jones?”

“Well m’m, I appreciate the instruction that you are giving me and I know that as the junior here I
shouldn’t question things. It’s just that,…” Sarah paused.

“Go on, what is it?”

“Well, I think it would be more appropriate if you were to appear as the lady of the house, I’d love
to be your proper lady’s maid. I thought you looked so lovely for dinner the other night when you
wore my – sorry – that dress I altered for you. There’s lots of clothes in the wardrobe’s upstairs
that aren’t being worn and I’d love to be responsible for laundering them, helping you dress,
helping you look as elegant as could be. Keeping the house clean and tidy takes a lot of time, I
know, but I do really want to serve you properly too, Madam.

“I’m not sure, Jones, I suppose it’s up to Mr Ridley, really. I’d be prepared to worry less about the
house if he was happy with that, I suppose. I do think you’ve made a lot of progress and perhaps it
would be a way to progress your training.”

“Would you talk to Mr Ridley then?” said Sarah. “I don’t really feel that I should.”

“No, quite right, Jones. Its not the sort of thing you should bother the master of the house with. I’ll
deal with it now. You can get on with these glasses.” Maria went off in search of Danvers with a
smile of satisfaction.

She found him in the lounge puzzling over the crossword in that day’s newspaper. He looked up as
she entered, smiling approvingly at her as she stood, hands clasped in front of her, neat in her
“best” uniform. “Could I have a word, Mr Ridley?” Maria asked.

“Of course, Maria. Always a delight to see you. How is our trainee doing?”

Maria bridled at the word “our”. As far as she was concerned she was doing virtually all the
training and while it certainly suited her to reduce her work load she didn’t feel that Danvers
should be sharing the credit.

“Making progress, Mr Ridley. In fact that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. It occurred to me
that she might progress faster if she wasn’t simply submitting to another maid but was serving the
lady of the house. I think she would find even more encouragement if I were to dress in the clothes
she used to wear and so forth. It certainly seemed to be a success when I wore her evening dress
for dinner the other night. With her doing most of the work around the house now it leaves me
time to take on that part,”

Danvers smiled. “Well, I’ve been encouraging you to take on parts of that role myself.”

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“Sir,” said Maria trying to avoid Danvers suggestive remark, “this would simply be to reinforce Mrs
Ridley’s position, to improve her training. That’s all I was thinking.”

Danvers looked thoughtful. Maria tried to read his thoughts – he was evidently trying to balance
the sense of increased humiliation that Sarah would feel from Maria’s promotion against the loss
of the opportunity to see Maria in her uniform.

“And, Sir,” she said, anticipating his concerns, “it would give me an opportunity to have her
practice her needlework skills on a whole series of outfits.”

Danvers smirked, remembering the very successful adaptation of his wife’s evening gown that
Maria had worn a few nights before. “Very well,” he said, “let’s try it. I’ll leave you to organise
things but don’t start getting ideas above your station, though, young lady.”

“Of course not, Sir, this is purely for your benefit and Mrs Ridley.”

“Good,” replied Danvers. “Just as long as that is understood.”

With Danvers’s approval given, Maria informed Sarah that she was to take over all the domestic
duties and that she, Maria, would now be the lady of the house. Sarah would be expected to serve
Maria as her lady’s maid, in addition to dealing with the running of the household. Sarah was
pleased to have got her own way. Maria was satisfied with the way that things were progressing
and that she could now give up even the few household tasks she had been dealing with of late.

As a first step Sarah had been told to move Maria’s things from her old room in the attic to the
larger of the two guest bedrooms and Sarah was also to bring all of her own clothes from the
master bedroom into Maria’s new room as well.

Maria arrived just as Sarah brought a final bundle of clothes into Maria’s room. “You’re not looking
very happy, Jones,” she remarked. “I thought this was what you wanted. Mr Ridley seemed most
keen on your suggested changes. I’d have though that would make you happy”

“Well, m’m,” Sarah responded, glumly. “I hadn’t thought you’d just be taking,, I mean, I thought
that , well, I don’t know,”

“Heavens Jones, you seem to be getting dimmer by the day. You are the maid of the household,
you have your uniform and your night things. You don’t really need anything else. We’ll sort
through these and anything that I don’t need can go. Now pay attention because you’ll need to
alter most of the clothes I want - trim in the waist, tighten the skirts, that sort of thing. I want to
tease Danvers in just the same way we managed with the evening gown. Understand?”

“Yes, m’m, I suppose so.” Sarah sounded less comfortable by the minute

Good. Then let’s start. I think,” Maria picked up a selection of bras and panties, “ that these can all
go. Far too lacy and floral for me I’m afraid. Not something that would get Danvers enthusiastic
either if he were lucky enough to see them.” She tossed them to the floor. “Now what about
these?” She picked up a handful of hose of different colours and styles. “No need for tights,
goodness they’ll never do for Danvers, I’m sure. And these stockings are no use – not fully
fashioned, I’m afraid, no seams. No good if we are trying to get Danvers going are they?” She
threw them aside too. “There isn’t this fun,” said Maria. Sarah did not look as if she agreed.

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As Maria went on the pile of clothes for disposal far exceeded that to be kept back. Out went
summery floral print dresses and a whole series of pastel coloured blouses and skirts that Sarah
had loved. Maria was left with a few fitted suits and day dresses but there was one item that she
was particularly pleased with, an emerald green, shantung silk, shirt-waister dress that seems to
catch every glint of the light. “Now I’m sure we can do something with this,” she smiled. “Fetch
your needlework box, Jones. When you’ve finished with this Danvers will have his tongue hanging
so far out that I’ll have to be careful not to step on it! With the heels I am planning to wear I’d go
straight through it!”

Far from joining in Maria’s amusement, Sarah just burst into tears and threw herself on the bed
sobbing. “I won’t, I won’t,” she cried defiantly. “I won’t help you to seduce Danvers.”

Maria bent down towards her. “Come, Jones,” she said, in a kindly way, “there’s no need for that,
I’ve already explained that I don’t intend any such thing. Don’t get so upset. Come on now.” She
took her gently by her arm and helped her slowly to her feet. Sarah looked calmer. “Better now?”
asked Maria. As Sarah nodded Maria swung her hand forward and dealt Sarah a brutal slap in the
face that almost lifted the girl off of her feet. “Don’t you ever defy me, again my girl,” she barked
grabbing Sarah and dragging her, face down, across her lap as she sat on the bed. “You had better
learn quickly what it means to have me in charge here. It certainly doesn’t include you making a
fuss about Danvers. Do you understand?” By now Maria had pulled Sarah’s skirt up and dragged
her knickers down around her knees. She was raining slaps on Sarah’s steadily reddening backside.
Sarah could only gasp as the blows fell one after another, so quickly that she had barely the chance
to catch her breath, much less to cry out.

Eventually Maria stopped. Sarah slid from her lap to the floor, sobbing incoherently. Between the
gasps and sobs, Maria could make out Sarah’s gasped apology as she clung to her ankles. “I’m so
sorry, Madam. It won’t happen again. Tell me what I have to do and I’ll do it. I won’t question your
instructions again. I’m so sorry.”

“All right,” said Maria, “we’ll say no more about it. Get up now.” Sarah climbed slowly to her feet
pulling up her knickers. As she did so, Maria held up her skirt, inspecting the girl’s reddened
backside. Pleased with the effects of her handicraft.

Sarah set to folding up the unwanted clothes and piling up those that were to be altered. Some,
particularly some tight, low cut sweaters, Maria had decided were fine as they would fit her even
more snugly than Sarah. Sarah simply had to tidy them away in Maria’s drawers. It wasn’t long
before the piles of clothes had been finished and Sarah was asking if there was anything else that
Maria wanted before she went off to deal with her other tasks.

“Yes, there is Jones,” Maria said. I’m glad you asked.”

“What is it, Madam? You know I really will do anything you ask me to.”

“Well I think perhaps you deserve a little more punishment for your defiance just now, don’t you?”

Sarah looked worried. Her backside was still smarting badly. “If you say so, m’m” she said, quietly.

“Well since you were so worried about clothes you can spend the rest of the morning without
them. Get undressed!”

Sarah looked astonished but then thinking of the violent spanking she had just been given began
to obey, stripping off her uniform and her underwear until she was naked.

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“Now put your apron and cap back on, young lady,” Maria ordered.

“Oh, madam,” Sarah complained as she did as she was told, “I feel so silly.”

“Well, that’s a step forward,” smirked Maria. “It wasn’t so long ago that you were complaining that
wearing your uniform was humiliating. I view it as progress that you feel humiliated by not
wearing it. Now carry on with your work. If I’m pleased with your behaviour for the rest of the
morning I might let you put your uniform on again after lunch.” Sarah looked glum. “Clear this lot
away,” she gestured to the heap of Sarah’s clothes.

As the girl bent to pick them up she stopped her. “No, leave the tights and stockings,” she said
picking up a pair of dark tights and stretching them taught between her hands. “I just thought how
I might find a use for them after all. I think you might get to spend a quiet hour or two later on.”

Sarah brightened up immediately. “If you say so, Madam,” the half naked girl said. “I’ll make sure
all my work is finished quickly.”

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Chapter 20: Future Interrogative

The next evening Maria was relaxing in the lounge, thinking about her meeting with Brenda
Bartholomew, while Sarah was finishing off her tasks. Danvers had just returned home from the
office and had gone straight to his study. Maria had received a note from Danvers that morning
informing her of his plans for the evening so she wasn’t in the least surprised.

Sarah appeared in the lounge, expecting Danvers to be there. “Oh, I’m sorry, ma’am. I thought I
heard Mr Ridley returning.” Maria noticed with pleasure that Sarah was keeping up her attention
to her appearance, her uniform was, as usual, neat and tidy and almost as well presented as her
own. She seemed to be taking a real pride in her new role. It was becoming increasingly difficult to
find fault with the girl.

Maria got to her feet, smoothing down her skirt and looking sternly at Sarah. “You’d better come
with me, Jones,” she said sharply leading the way out of the room, towards Danvers’ study. Sarah
looked confused but followed behind her as Maria’s heels tapped their way along the parquet
floor of the corridor to Danvers’s study. She ushered Sarah through the door ahead of her. Danvers
was sitting behind his desk; a chair had been brought up opposite him.

“Ah, come in Miss Greyston,” he said. “I take it that this is the downstairs maid in question.”

“Yes, Detective Inspector,” Maria responded, puzzling Sarah still further.

“Well, thank you very much. I’m determined to find those responsible for these robberies and
according to our informant this young lady can help us. There is a suggestion that she has been
providing inside information to the burglars.”

“But Inspector, she was assaulted herself during one of the robberies. They burglars left her tied
up on a bed. She was threatened at gun point.”

“So it appeared. I am not so sure, though. Our informant suggested that the attack might just have
been staged to divert attention from her involvement. I want to get to the bottom of things so I am
going to interview Miss Jones and see what can be found out.”

Sarah was disturbed by this latest turn in Danvers’s fantasy. “Maria,” she began, “sorry, Miss
Greyston, please. I haven’t done anything…”

“Then you have nothing to fear, Jones. Please co-operate with the Inspector and I am sure all will
be well.” She turned to Danvers. “Please let me know when you have finished your interview,
Inspector,” she said, leaving the study.

“Take a seat, Miss Jones,” Danvers said, looking at her with a cold, expression. Sarah did as he
requested. “So, do you want to tell me how you got involved with these burglaries?”

“No, no,” said Sarah.

“No, you aren’t involved or no you don’t want to tell me?” He leant forward across the desk.

“No, I’m not. Look, this is silly.”

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“I don’t think so Miss Jones,” Danvers said sternly. “You’d do better to cooperate with me. People
have been terrorised by these burglars. We heard from their last victim that one of those involved
is a woman, so why don’t you come clean?”

“But I’ve nothing to tell you. I don’t know anything about this. Oh, this is so confusing.”

Danvers got up from his chair and stepped around to Sarah’s side of the desk. “That’s all right,” he
said, “you just tell me what you’ve been up to and I’ll make sense of it.”

“But I haven’t done…Oww,” her denial was cut off as Danvers slapped her face.

“No, Jones, wrong. If you want to be difficult, I can be difficult too. I’m thinking of those poor
women you and your friends terrorised, so tell me who you’ve been working with if you don’t
want to have an unpleasant time with me.”

“I’ve done nothing, please believe me,” Sarah begged. “I’ll do anything to convince you that I’m
innocent, anything.”

“Oh, I get the picture,” Danvers smirked. “You think you can wheedle your way out it by coming on
to me do you?”

“No, I didn’t mean that, please.” Sarah sobbed as Danvers leaned closer to her, his face only inches
from her own.

In the lounge, Maria carried on reading her book, She was aware of raised voices and cries from
Danvers’s study. After about an hour, Danvers’ head appeared around the door. “Maria,” he said,
“could you join me and Jones in the study, please.”

Maria followed him back to his room. There the unfortunate Sarah sat in the chair opposite
Danvers’ desk. Blindfolded and with her wrists handcuffed behind her she had been unable to
avoid Danvers’ attentions. His interrogation technique was evidently ‘hard cop’ rather than ‘soft
cop’, Maria thought, looking at the way that Sarah’s uniform had been torn open.

“This little criminal has something to tell us, Miss Greyston,” Danvers began. “Haven’t you girl?”
He reached across to his wife and pinched brutally at an exposed nipple. Sarah yelped with
unexpected pain.

“Yes., M’m, I’m sorry M’m. He made me do it.” She whimpered.

“What Jones? Made you do what?”

“Come on, now speak up,” Danvers barked, giving the blindfolded girl a slap. “Tell her what you
told me.”

“I was going to help him burgle the house, Madam,” Sarah was sobbing, “I was going to let him in
and then he’d tie me up – as if I’d been attacked, like before. Then he was going to wait for you,
M’m.”

“I see, Jones,” Maria said carefully. “And then what was the plan?”

“He was going to attack you, Madam. Tie you up and gag you. Then he was going to force you to
open the safe.” Maria caught Danvers lecherous look from one corner of her eye. “and then he
said he was going to rape you. He said he’d like to have a go at the lady of the house.”

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“I see,” said Maria, slowly.

“Now don’t you worry, Miss,” said Danvers in his most officious voice. I shouldn’t think there is
much danger of that happening – he will have known that we have picked up his accomplice here
and that will probably have scared him off. But perhaps,” he smirked, “you had better watch out,
just in case.”

Maria appeared unperturbed. “Oh, I’m not concerned Inspector, I can look after myself” she said
smiling quietly and enjoying Danvers’ puzzled look. “Well, did you watch any of that programme
last year on television – ‘The Avengers’ it was called?”

Danvers appeared to be none the wiser. “I may have seen a few,” he said. Maria was reasonably
certain that he had watched the series avidly.

“Well,” Maria went on. “I’m ever such a fan. I was so impressed by Cathy Gale – you know: the
Honor Blackman part - that I took lessons in self defence. I thought that it would be good fun and
useful too. Anyway I turned out to be quite good at it. I think I’d be able to handle any unwelcome
advance. Just look at some of the things that the new girl has to deal with, what’s her name, Emma
Peel. She manages to have the best of the villains though, doesn’t she? I think I could too. I mean
you can’t be too careful these days can you?” She smiled at Danvers.

“No, of course,” said Danvers with discomfort, evidently changing his plans. “Well if you’ll excuse
me I need to take this young lady upstairs to search her bedroom. I want to see what I can find up
there.” He pulled Sarah to her feet and pushed her, still cuffed and blindfolded with her uniform
torn open towards the door.

“That’s quite all right, Inspector,” “Do let me know if I can be of any further help,” Maria said
politely but all the time thinking; “That is short of you getting your greasy paws on me.”

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Chapter 21: Late Payment

The following day, Maria was sitting in the lounge enjoying her afternoon tea. Looking through
that week’s edition of Photoplay she was reading a review of “The Ipcress File” - from what she
read this new actor - Michael Caine - would be well worth seeing in it. Sarah, dressed again in her
uniform, appeared at the door. It was just as well she wearing the long sleeved dress, Maria
thought, otherwise her wrists would be showing some rather unpleasant red marks from the hour
that she had spent hogtied before lunch. Now she was having to work even harder to make up for
the time she had lost. She looked agitated.

“What is it, Jones?” Maria asked. “Do stop hopping from foot to foot.”

“I’m sorry, m’m,” Sarah responded. “It’s the grocer’s lad. He’s brought today’s delivery.”

“Yes, Jones, that’s right. Wednesday. We’d expect that.”

“Well he wants paying m’m and there’s no money in the cash box and he’s being very insistent and
…”

Maria put down her magazine with an irritated air. “I don’t know what you expect me to do about
it Jones. If you haven’t managed the budget for the week then I can’t do anything now. Mr Ridley
is going to the bank this afternoon but there’s nothing here now. The boy will have to come back
tomorrow.”

“But, m’m, he’s…”

“Don’t bother me now, Jones. Just sort it out. You’ll have to tell him to come back tomorrow.”

Sarah looked dejected. “Yes, m’m. I’ll do what I can,” she said and left Maria to her reading.

When Sarah returned to the kitchen, the grocer’s delivery boy was sitting on the kitchen table with
a cigarette in one hand and an apple in the other. “Nice apple’s these,” he said, taking a bite. “You
should have ordered more. Have you got my money?”

“No, I’m sorry,” said Sarah, firmly. “I’ve spoken to the lady of the house and the soonest we can
pay you is tomorrow. You’ll have to come back then.”

“Oh, dear,” he said threateningly, “oh dear oh dear.” He picked up a glass and dropped it. It fell to
the kitchen’s stone floor and shattered.

“What did you do that for? Stop it!” Sarah protested.

“Just an accident, darling,” he responded. “I get quite careless if I’m put out and right now I’m
quite put out.”

“Look, I said I’m sorry. You can come back tomorrow can’t you? It’ll be here then.” Sarah was
becoming increasingly agitated.

“Well I could but it’s a lot of trouble isn’t it? And I’ll have to explain to my boss why I haven’t been
paid. And he’s not likely to like that either.” The delivery boy picked up another glass.

Sarah grabbed it from his hand. “I can’t do anything about it, can I?”

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He grinned. “Nah, not the money I guess. But you could, say, compensate me for my trouble.”

“What do you mean?”

“Come on, I know you maids are always up for it. Right little goers. Looking after the master of the
house in more ways than one. Lad like me needs his oats too. Why don’t you and me pop
somewhere for a little bit of fun and I’ll feel I’ve got a reason to not mention that fact that you
couldn’t pay me today. How about that?”

“No, you’re horrible, I couldn’t, I…. “ He picked up a large crystal vase that Maria had asked Sarah
to fill with flowers. Sarah panicked, imagining the vase broken on the floor, the mess and the cost.
“No, wait, all right. Come on,” she submitted, terrified that Maria or Danvers would find out.
“Through here.” She took the delivery boy by the hand and led him towards the pantry. “But you’ll
have to keep quiet.”

“You must think your something special if you think you’re going to get me all worked up,” he
smirked pushing her back against the pantry shelves and running his hands over her breasts. “Very
nice, very nice indeed.” Sarah squealed as he pinched at her nipples. His other hand was pulling up
her skirt as she tried to wriggle. “Ooh, stockings,” he said. “That’s a treat. So many of you young
girls are getting into tights now. I much prefer these.” She groaned as he pushed his fingers inside
her pants and started stroking her. “Not too wet down there, are you? Never mind, I think you can
use our mouth.” He grabbed her by the back of the neck and pushed her to her knees. Grabbing a
hank of her hair he twisted until she yelped turning her head up towards him. “That’s right, girlie,
open wide,” his hand was on his trouser fly and a moment later his cock was out and Sarah was
being guided towards it. She gagged and choked as his cock swelled further. “Oh, very nice, very
nice indeed. Keep your tongue busy darling, that’ll do , mmmm! Now don’t you do well for
someone that looks so sweet and innocent, ain’t you just a little slut after all?” He pushed towards
her as he came, jamming her back against the wall.

Just then one of the bells rang in the corridor. The delivery boy, distracted by the sound, stepped
back. Sarah managed to wriggle free, spluttering and choking on his cum. “You’ve got to go,” she
begged. “I have to answer that.”

“Yeah, all right. I’ve got other deliveries to make and I can’t hang around chatting with you all day.”
And with that he fastened the buckle of his trouser belt and left her.

He elbowed his way out of the pantry and through the kitchen, to the back door. As he reached it,
Maria appeared in the kitchen. “Morning, lady,” the delivery boy tipped his cap. “I’m just off –
your groceries are in the pantry.” He shut the door behind him.

Sarah emerged from the pantry looking sheepish, coughing and wiping her mouth with a
handkerchief.

“Good heavens, Jones, what on earth have you been up to? You look as if you have been dragged
through a hedge backwards. Straighten your uniform up. I thought we’d got through that part of
your training.”

“Sorry m’m,” Sarah replied, embarrassed, pulling her skirt into place, “I was just putting things
away in the pantry.”

“Well don’t let that lad get too familiar with you. He’s renowned around here for chancing his arm
at every opportunity. Now why did I want you? Oh yes. I’ve just realised,” she opened her handbag

68
and took out her purse, “I do have the grocery money after all. Danvers gave it to me this morning.
We could have paid him. Still, not to worry, tomorrow will be fine for him, I’m sure.”

Sarah burst into tears and ran back into the pantry.

Maria called after her. “Jones, pull yourself together. You haven’t got time for that. Mr Ridley just
called. He has decided to hold a dinner party this evening and you’ll have a great deal to do,
particularly since he wants you to look especially smart.” Sarah emerged sheepishly and listened in
disbelief as Maria outlined Danver’s plans; it was one of the most bizarre ideas for an event that
she had ever heard of.

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Chapter 22: Dinner Party

Sarah was distressed at first by the idea that she would have to wait on someone other than
Danvers and Maria. She was even more perturbed when Maria told her that Danvers’ guests that
evening were to be two ladies and that she, Maria, wouldn’t be there. Maria did what she could to
reassure Sarah, taking her usual no-nonsense approach and chiding the girl for even thinking
about it.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Jones,” she scolded. “It’s not for you to question how Mr Ridley runs his
social arrangements. You simply have to accept that it is your role to serve in whatever capacity he
requires.” Maria watched as the concern welled up in Sarah and she appeared about to burst into
tears. “Besides, I think you’ll be enough of a distraction for Danvers yourself when you see what he
wants you to wear.”

Sarah certainly cheered up when Maria showed her the uniform that she would be wearing to wait
at table for the party Danvers was planning. It was exactly what she had hoped for when she had
been so disappointed by her first maid’s uniform. Then, as she examined the dress, she realised
that it was going to take quite some effort to get into it.

“Oh, Madam, it’s far too small,” she said holding the short, low cut dress against herself.

“We’ll see,” said Maria. “You’ll be surprised what can be achieved with a little whalebone and
some lacing.” She held up a corset. “Put this on,” she ordered.

In a few minutes Sarah was gasping for breath as Maria tightened the lacing of the corset
relentlessly. Sarah protested as Maria insisted that she swap her bra for the quarter cup bra that
Danvers had prescribed and tried to resist as Maria forced her to remove her panties. But in time it
was done and Sarah was dressed as Danvers had ordered. Maria made her stand for inspection.
Sarah was teetering on a pair of stilt like heels. A short chain linking the padlocked fastenings of
each shoe’s ankles straps made her consider every step carefully. “Danvers will approve,” Maria
thought, seeing Sarah’s nipples clearly erect as she struggled to keep them concealed underneath
the dipping neckline of the silky fabric of her dress.

Maria watched as Sarah caught sight of herself in the bedroom mirror. Seeing that her skirt barely
reached the tops of her stockings, Sarah tried to pull down the hem, and earned a slap from Maria.
“No,” Maria said, sharply. “You are not to try to cover yourself. Mr Ridley will want to see that you
have been dressed as he ordered. You don’t wish to get me into trouble do you?”

“Sorry, Madam. No, Madam,” Sarah apologised.

“No matter. Just remember not to do it this evening. Now there are a few final touches. You’ll be
wearing a mask and a wig, and I’m afraid you’ll be chained and gagged for the evening too.”

Sarah looked even more uncomfortable. “Oh, Maria, must I?” she said.

“You will be fine, I am sure,” said Maria, “and it’s what Mr Ridley has asked.”

“But you won’t be there to look after me, Madam,” Sarah looked pleadingly at Maria.

Maria tried to reassure her but persisted with the process of getting Sarah ready for the evening.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “Come on take this into your mouth.” Ignoring Sarah’s objections, she
pushed a wad of foam between Sarah’s lips, thumbing it in until she was quite sure that the girl’s

70
mouth was well packed. Sarah choked slightly and Maria waited for her to recover her breath. She
reached into the box and took out a roll of wide, medical, strapping tape. She cut two strips,
stretching each diagonally across Sara’s mouth in criss-cross fashion. Sarah’s sense of smell was
overwhelmed by the pungent, clinical odour of the tape. “Is that all right?” Maria asked.

Sarah gave a muffled grunt of assent and nodded her head.

“Are you ready for the mask?” Sarah looked uncertain but then nodded again and Maria took the
mask from the box. She fitted it over Sarah’s face, using more tape to hold it in place. Maria
checked to see that the air holes of the mask were positioned over Sarah’s nostrils and the
eyeholes that were punched through the mask would allow Sarah to see. Maria opened the other
box and took out a long blonde wig, setting it on Sarah’s scalp and combing it into place before
setting her maid’s cap in place on top of it. Sarah gave a grunted “thank you.”

Maria took Sarah by the shoulders and walked her to the full length mirror that stood in the corner
of the bedroom. Maria watched as Sarah looked at herself in the mirror. She gave a whimper from
behind her mask. The mask had transformed her into an expressionless doll, the mask’s painted
features a parody of feminine beauty. The corset had reshaped her body, the wig had changed her
from a mousy brunette to a blonde. The shoes made her legs appear unnaturally long. To Maria
she looked like a different person but somehow not a person at all.

“I think you are ready,” said Maria. Sarah gave a slow nod in response. “Come on it’s time.” She
steered her from the bedroom and along to the head of the stairs. Sarah went down carefully, the
chain at her ankles threatening to throw her down the stairs at every step. Maria positioned Sarah
next to the front door, ready to open it for Danvers’ guests. “You just have to do the same job you
have done every evening for Danvers and me,” she reassured Sarah. “You’ll be fine and Danvers
will be so pleased with you.”

Sarah nodded and gave a muffled grunt of thanks as Maria left her.

Maria heard the ring of the door bell and walked to the top of the stairs, peering down into the hall
as Sarah teetered across the hall on her impossibly high heeled shoes. She reached for the front
door and fumbled with the catch, her task made more difficult by the chain that linked her wrists.
Maria watched as Sarah opened the door to see a masked face just like her own staring back.

After an hour or so, Maria crept downstairs to see at first hand what she could learn of the
evening’s developments. Pushing the door to the dining room carefully ajar, she stared in through
the gap at an extraordinary scene. Danvers sat at the head of the table. Each of his guests to left
and right wore identical, black, low cut dresses and the same, expressionless, doll masks and
blonde wigs. Each woman had a plate of food in front of her. The food remained untouched partly,
Maria assumed, because the women had their hands bound behind their backs and partly because
eating would be impossible with the gags that she imagined they wore, like Sarah, behind their
masks.

Sarah stood to one side, holding a tray carrying a riding crop, between her chained hands. She
looked vulnerable in her ridiculously short uniform. Danvers was ignoring her completely,
preferring instead to regale his silenced and helpless dinner companions with a seemingly endless
series of anecdotes about his army experiences, each punctuated by his own laughter. Maria
slipped away from the door silently and returned upstairs.

From her bedroom, Maria heard the tap of Sarah’s heels in the corridor outside as she returned to
her own room. When Maria opened Sarah’s door she saw Danvers’s wife seated on her bed

71
holding her masked face in her hands, apparently sobbing behind her gag. She looked up as Maria
entered and instinctively got her feet.

Maria smiled and took the girl in her arms. She removed the tape that held Sarah’s mask in place
and then peeled away the strips of tape that closed her lips. Carefully she prised the sponge from
Sarah’s mouth. Almost at once, Sarah collapsed against her and began sobbing. “Oh, Maria, he’s
down there with those other women. He told me to go. ‘That’s all for tonight, Jones,’ he said. He
just waved me away.”

Maria saw that the last thing Sarah needed at this point was sympathy. “Pull yourself together
Jones,” she insisted. “You are lucky that Mr Ridley didn’t keep you longer. Besides, he may have
finished with you for the evening but I most certainly have not.”

Sarah brightened. “Of course, Madam, I’m sorry,” she said, sniffing back her tears.

“Good heavens, Jones your face is a mess. Put your mask back on.” Maria watched as Sarah put
the doll face back in place. “That’s better,” she said. “Now follow me.” She led Sarah back to her
bedroom. “Now Jones, about these clothes.” She waved to the wardrobe that was filled with what
remained of Sarah’s clothes. “I want you to go through everything here and make sure that there
are no buttons missing or any other repairs needed. And make sure that you have finished all
those alterations I asked for. When you’ve finished that there’s the laundry to do and I do believe
there is still some ironing not yet finished. You’d better get on with things, I’m sure that Mr Ridley
will need you again later.”

Sarah muttered her acceptance from behind her mask.

“What’s that, Jones?” Maria asked. “You need to speak up when wearing that mask,”

“Sorry Madam,” said Sarah, her voice echoing slightly. “I’ll do it at once.”

“Good,” Maria said. “And I shall see just what Danvers is up to.”

“Thank you, Madam,” said Sarah and she started to pull her clothes on their hangars from the
wardrobe. As she did so, Maria, slipped silently downstairs again and peered around the edge of
the dining room door.

Both of Danvers’ dinner guests were still wearing their masks and wigs but both had now been
stripped to their underwear. Danvers had obviously taken advantage of the fact that each wore a
strapless evening gown to remove their dresses. One of the women had been bent across the end
of the dining table, her knickers had been pulled down and her backside was criss-crossed by a
series of red welts. The other was still sitting in her dining chair but Danvers had now turned his
attention to her and was squeezing and pinching at her nipples as she whimpered behind her mask
and wriggled in her attempts to escape him. Maria wasn’t sure why but she felt almost certain that
she knew the identities of the two women. The thinner woman across the end of the table was
almost certainly Daphne Pullen, the librarian. The other, she was convinced, was Elaine Carroway –
the wife of Danvers’s council colleague.

Maria backed away as she heard Danvers speak. “Goodness, ladies, is that the time. I feel sure you
will want to be on your way. Here, let me just loosen off your wrists and you can dress and go. It
would be most un-gentlemanly of me to keep you too late, after all.” Maria stepped back from the
door and tip toed back upstairs. It was only a few minutes later that she heard the front door open
and close.

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Sarah was still busily sorting through clothes. Maria interrupted her task. “Mr. Ridley’s guests have
gone, Jones,” she said.

“Was he?... I mean did he…?” Sarah asked anxiously.

“It’s not for the maid of the house to question the doings of the Master, Jones. I’m surprised that
you should even think such a thing. However, I suggest that you go and clear up down stairs and
then get off to bed.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Sarah replied respectfully, but still looking worried. She curtsied, left the room and
went down stairs. As Sarah reached the foot of the staircase, Maria heard Danvers’ voice.

“Ah, Jones, excellent,” he said. “It’s good to see you being so diligent. Come into my study for a
moment.” From the sounds that followed this, Maria was reasonably certain that Sarah would not
have been disappointed by the outcome of the evening.

Later, though, when she passed by the girl’s room, she could clearly hear Sarah’s cries of self-
induced sexual ecstasy but it was Maria’s name she was invoking, not Danvers’.

As for Danvers’s diner guests, they both found a note in the pockets of their coats when they
returned home. “I hope you enjoyed your evening,” it said. “Your secret is safe with me but I must
talk with you. Please call me. Maria Greystone.”

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Chapter 23: Jack or Knave?

The day of Maria’s visit to Mistress B arrived. Sarah was left cleaning and tidying the house.
Danvers was at another of his interminable council meetings. Or, Maria thought to herself,
somewhere else entirely.

Maria had felt she really ought to dress up a bit for her evening out but she had taken a leaf out of
Brenda’s book and decided on a rather understated look. She’d taken one of Sarah’s cocktail
dresses, a black strapless number with a boned bodice and a hip skimming skirt. She’d teamed it
with it long black gloves and a mask she had made herself by adding a deep strip of black lace to
the bottom of a strip of black velvet in which she had cut eye holes. The velvet covered the upper
half of her face, the lace hung down to the level of her chin. With her hair piled high on her head
and the high heels from her “best” uniform, she felt she cut a sufficiently imposing figure to
intimidate any of Mistress B’s visitors.

Brenda greeted her warmly, congratulating her on her choice of outfit. Brenda herself was dressed
rather ordinarily in a high necked, cream blouse and a knee length, plaid, skirt. Her one concession
to her role as a dominatrix was the long cane that she was carrying. “Come on up,” she said, “I’m
really glad you came. My client is here already so if you’re ready we can start.”

Maria followed Brenda upstairs. “I’m really grateful for this,” she said. “I’m sure it will be a great
help.”

“Well, I hope so,” Brenda replied. “Now as we agreed you don’t have to do or say anything. I have
simply told him that another Mistress is interested in the way that I train my slaves. As far as he is
concerned, he’s to take not notice of you. That is unless you want to join in?”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” said Maria, feeling that it would be all she could do not to burst out laughing
while she watched.

Brenda led the way and was soon standing threateningly in front of her cowering visitor, flexing
her cane in a menacing manner.

Her visitor was kneeling in the middle of the room that Brenda referred to as her “dungeon” The
sparsely furnished room looked more like one in a down-market boarding house than a
dramatically dank torture chamber in some cold, stone, castle.

Brenda’s visitor hadn’t dared to look up as Maria entered the dungeon and sat in the one
comfortable chair. He was less than conventionally dressed, Maria thought; well hardly dressed at
all. He wore only a leather pouch over his genitals and a spiked collar. Maria peered at the man,
thinking that he looked familiar. It was hard to be sure as his face was almost completely covered
by a pair of woman’s panties that Mistress B had insisted that he pull on over his head. She’d told
him to take care to position the crotch just over his nose.

His singular headwear certainly didn’t make it easy to recognise him but the dark mole on the back
of his right hand gave him away. Maria was certain that the man kneeling at Brenda’s feet, begging
for her forgiveness and thanking her for each blow of the cane was Jack Carroway, one of
Danvers’s fellow councillors. He and his wife had been playing bridge with the Ridleys only weeks
earlier and Carroway’s wife had been one of the guests at Danvers’s bizarre dinner party.

For a moment Maria was nervous; concerned that she’d be recognised. Then she remembered her
mask and, in any case, the slave looked pretty preoccupied. Then she thought, “The very nerve of

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it! Last week he made a pass at me when he saw me in town.” She had agreed with Brenda that
she wouldn’t get involved but this was too good an opportunity to miss.

Mistress B paused in the beating she was handing out to her slave. Carroway had been thanking
her for each blow and his gasps of gratitude were become quieter and quieter. Maria took
advantage of the pause. She clicked her fingers and Jack turned his head towards her. Brenda shot
her a quizzical look as if to ask if she was sure but Maria gestured for the slave to approach.

“Well, slave,” Brenda announced, “it seems that my visitor is intrigued by the sort of things I find
on the floor in here. You’d better see what she wants.”

Jack shuffled on his knees across towards Maria. As he got close she held her hand up to stop his
approach, then pointed with one extended finger to the toe of her shoe. Jack knew exactly what
was intended and he fell to with a will, pressing his face to her foot, using the silk of the panties
stretched across his face to polish Maria’s shoe. Maria let him continue for a few minutes and then
clicked her fingers again. Jack stopped and looked up expectantly. Maria waved him away with a
disdainful gesture, delighting in the evident disappointment that it caused.

He shuffled silently back to Brenda’s side and, kneeling beside her, lowered his gaze to the floor. In
the manner he had been evidently instructed. “Oh, dear,” she said to him, “I fear you haven’t
made much of an impression on my guest. I cannot imagine why she bothered to see what it was
you could do. Still I think you should have your quiet time now. My guest and I have much to talk
about.”

Maria watched fascinated as Jack was made ready for his “quiet time”. Brenda reached into the
top drawer of a tall chest. “Open wide,” she said as she pulled out a bright red rubber ball
threaded through with a leather strap. Jack obediently did so. Brenda ignored the fact that the
panties were still across his face and pushed the ball into his mouth cramming the fabric into his
mouth and stretching the crotch of the knickers more tightly across his nose. He choked as the ball
slid behind his teeth and grunted as Brenda tightened the strap. “Do be quiet,” she said. “We’re
not in the least interested in what you have to say.”

More straps followed for Jack’s wrists and ankles. “Now get over there and press your stupid nose
against the wall and stay there,” Brenda ordered. Jack hopped and shuffled to the wall. “I will be
back and I will know if you have moved.” She beckoned to Maria and the two of them left Jack
with his face against the wall.

Downstairs in the kitchen, the two women burst into laughter. Maria took off her mask as Brenda
switched on the electric kettle.

“And he pays you to be treated like that?” Maria giggled.

“Oh, yes. And he keeps coming back for more. Most of them do.”

“Fascinating,” said Maria, recollecting the tales that had emerged in the press recently with the
resignation of a government minister who had allegedly been involved in similar activities.

“Did you find that helpful?”

“Very much so,” said Maria. “I think I can see how to move things forward with my husband. It
seems to me as though it’s possible to give a man what he wants in this area without too much
effort.”

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“You’re very right, my dear,” Brenda replied, passing Maria a cup of tea. “If you play your cards
right you shouldn’t have to tidy the house ever again.”

Maria laughed. “Oh, I don’t have to worry too much about that as it is!”

Brenda looked puzzled but went on. “Did you find out any more about your husband’s interests? I
really can’t help as to whether he has been here, They all use false names – this one calls himself
‘Lewis’ but he’s got monogrammed handkerchiefs with ‘JC’ on them. There’s another one I see –
I’m sure he works with this one – if one has to cancel because of job problems the other one does
too, He wants to thinks he’s got a submissive side but he’s really very manipulative. I just get used
to their duplicitous ways. They are all cheating on their wives or girlfriends, so why should they be
honest with me?”

“I suppose you’re right,” Maria replied. “You must find it depressing.”

“Oh, no. I just see it as a way of earning a few pounds. After all I’m hardly living an honest life
either. Anyway,” Brenda was keen to change the subject, “I was impressed by your handling of our
friend upstairs. I loved the way you encouraged him to come across and then waved him away.
That’s exactly the sort of haughty behaviour that many of them respond to. I’m sure it’s the sort of
thing your husband will enjoy. I think you might well find you have a talent for this. If you should
ever be interested in perhaps pursuing it from a professional perspective….”

“I’m flattered,” said Maria, smiling and taking a sip of her tea, “but I think I’ll start as an amateur.”

“Well, if you change your mind I hope you’ll let me know. I can often use a helping hand.”

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Chapter 24: Sarah’s Worries

Returning from her evening’s excursion, Maria arrived back at the Ridley’s house just in time to
catch the sounds of Sarah pleasuring herself in her room. From the sounds of Sarah’s cries it was
evident that she was lost in the throws of passion. Maria knew she was hardly likely to be
disturbed so she slipped into Danvers’s study and took the copy of Bitches in Boots magazine from
his box file.

She crept upstairs to her room and settled down to read the magazine thumbing her way through
articles on bondage, whipping, forced feminisation, pony play, a curious range of activities
apparently known only by their initials and a whole raft of practices that Maria had never
previously suspected. Even more fascinating from Maria’s viewpoint, were the letters from readers
that described their encounters, real or imagined, with dominant women. It didn’t take her long to
think of her next steps.

She had almost finished the magazine when Sarah knocked at the door. Maria tucked the
magazine away before inviting Sarah in. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Madam,” Sarah began.

“That’s all right, Jones. What is it?” Maria gave the maid a cool look.

“Well, m’m, I wanted to talk to you about the other day. When I was able to, err, help you.”

“Help me, Jones?” Maria thought back to Sarah kneeling before her with her face pressed against
her crotch, ‘help’ was a bit of a euphemism. “Oh, yes, of course.”

“You said that you thought you might need to punish me. If I didn’t perform well, I suppose.”

“Did I, Jones? I’m not sure that’s what I said at all.”

“Well, m’m, I can’t be expected to learn without proper direction, can I?”

“No, Jones you cannot. I need to make sure you are fully able to take on all your duties as my
personal maid. Especially with the other changes that will be taking place around here.”

“Changes, madam?” Sarah looked concerned.

“Now don’t be worried, Jones,” Maria said reassuringly. “If you are to spend more time looking
after me then I will need to make sure that Danvers isn’t distracted by other women. You see what
he is like don’t you?

“Oh, yes, madam. I was quite shocked by the way he was pressing himself on you. I mean I know
that men have, well, desires, but even so… It would be terrible if he was to take advantage of the
fact that I was helping you out.”

“Quite,” said Maria. “But I think I know how to cope with that. It’s just that he needs to learn to
keep himself under rather better control. I am going to help him with that.”

“Well, madam, I just want to make sure he stays faithful to me. And I suppose it would be all right
if it meant I could be of more help to you, madam.”

“Well, Jones, please understand I don’t expect you to approve my plans. However, I am sure you
will trust me to act in your best interests.”

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The next day, towards the end of the afternoon, Sarah was kneeling, her face inches from Maria’s
buttocks, as she stitched closed the seam of her black, satin, toreador pants. “But you’ll hardly be
able to move in these, Madam,” she said as she finished the last stitch.

“That’s all right, Jones, Maria replied, “I’m not planning to.” As Maria turned around, Sarah could
swear that she could almost see her Mistress’s pudenda outlined beneath the gleaming fabric, so
tight was the fit. “Now fasten the laces, and do it neatly.” Sarah carefully tied the laces that criss-
crossed the slits that stretched three inches up the outside of each calf. Maria carefully placed first
her left and then her right foot into the high heeled sandals that she had chosen for the evening’s
entertainments. Sarah bent to fasten the straps. It was all she could do to stop herself falling
forward and kissing the crimson varnished toe nails of her Mistress’s feet.

While Sarah had been working on her trousers, Maria had fastened on a silk, halter-neck top which
somehow contrived to drape loosely from her breasts to her waist but at the same time showed
clearly the form beneath. She pulled on a pair of wrist length kid gloves and looked down just as
Sarah finished and stared up at her.

“Oh, Mistress,” Sarah, exclaimed with a heartfelt sigh.

“Madam, Jones, madam,” said Maria. “Now pass me those glasses.”

Sarah picked up the black framed sunglasses from a side table. Maria took them and put them on.
She looked across at the mirror and contemplated the effect. With her black hair drawn back from
her face and fastened in a pony tail behind her head and the red slash of her lips beneath the black
sun glasses she felt she presented a suitably commanding image. “That,” she thought to herself,
“should do the trick.” Maria turned to the kneeling Sarah. “Jones, do you have that shopping I
asked you to pick up?”

“Yes, m’m,” Sarah said, getting to her feet and brushing off her apron. “Though I can’t think that
Mr Ridley will be pleased if he knew you were thinking of getting a pet.”

“Don’t you worry about Mr Ridley. Where is it?”

“In the kitchen, madam.”

“Well, please lay the things out here on the sideboard,” Maria asked, and then you can go to your
room. I won’t need you this evening, I’ve got a lot to go through with Mr Ridley.”

“But, but,“ Sarah stammered.

“But what Jones?”

“Well, madam,” Sarah pulled herself up to her full height, “I know it’s not for me to say but I do
worry that Mr Ridley might get the wrong impression from the way you are looking this evening.”

“I’m pleased you’re ready to be so direct, Jones, but don’t worry. Mr Ridley will get exactly the
right idea. In fact, I’ll confide in you I rather intend to tease him and see just how he responds. And
for just that reason I am afraid that you will have to stay out of the way.”

“I see, Madam,” Sarah began slowly with a sly grin. “Well, I would hate to disturb you
inadvertently. I really think that you should make sure I can’t.”

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“Jones, you are really the limit!! Maria exclaimed. “But I do see what you mean and besides if Mr
Ridley knows we won’t be disturbed I suspect he will be even easier to tease. However, if you think
I am teetering upstairs to your room in these heels, young lady, you are very much mistaken. Do as
I asked with that shopping, fetch me some washing line and a pair of scarves, and then I’ll see to
you in the pantry.”

“Very good, m’m,” grinned Sarah as she dropped a curtsey for Maria and scuttled out of the room.

A little while later Maria closed the door on the helpless form of Sarah in the pantry. As she fitted
the key in the lock of the door she looked down at the girl’s trussed body, the gag that filled her
mouth and the scarf that blindfolded her. A knotted cord ran from her wrists down and between
her legs across her crotch and up to her waist. “Now behave yourself while I am seeing Mr Ridley,”
Maria said. Sarah grunted in response and twisted against her ropes, loosing herself in a reverie of
erotic ecstasy as her struggles pulled the knotted rope backwards and forwards across her groin.
“And make the most of that crotch rope,” Maria urged wickedly, “you won’t get treats like that
every night.”

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Chapter 25: The Hounds of Love

Maria was standing by the fireplace in the lounge when Danvers returned home. She heard him
close the door,and tut in an irritated way at the absence of his wife to take his coat and hat. A
moment later he stepped into the lounge. “Where’s that blasted maid, she should know that..” he
began before noticing Maria for the first time. “I say!” He dropped his brief case in surprise as he
took in her outfit.

Maria smiled, her bright red lips opening like a scarlet gash across the lower half of her face. “I’ll
take that as a sign of approval, shall I Mr Ridley?” she said.

Maria watched as Danvers collected himself and took satisfaction from the way that Danvers
tongue slipped across his lips. “Yes,” he said, “yes, I think you can.”

Maria took courage from Danvers’ response but even so she knew that the next moments were
perhaps the most crucial. Recalling Brenda’s treatment of Jack Carroway, she decided to retain the
initiative. “I thought you might,” she said, “I thought that your interests in dominance and
submission were not entirely one-sided. You said you thought that I should be taking over some of
your wife’s duties now that she had taken over so may of mine. Maybe this is what you were
looking for?”

Danvers looked up. His gaze had travelled from Maria’s breasts past her crotch to her feet and
back again several times. “Well,” he said, “this isn’t quite how I saw things but perhaps I’d be
prepared to indulge you.”

Maria, laughed to herself, recalling the contents of Danvers’ box and the conclusions she had
drawn from her conversations with Brenda. “Indulge me!” she thought. “Well, if that’s what you
want me to think, that’s fine by me.” What she said was… “In which case, I take it that you know
how to respond in the presence of a Mistress rather than a maid?” Danvers grinned, a reaction
that might have been interpreted as humouring Maria but which, Maria felt, betrayed Danvers’
underlying discomfort with this aspect of his drives and desires. She knew she was prodding him
out along a tightrope and the last thing she wanted was for him to bolt or fall off. “You do realise
that is what I intend this evening?”

Danvers bit his lip but could not conceal his underlying eagerness. “Yes, yes, I can see that, I mean,
your outfit… It’s … Well…”

Maria decided to treat his remarks as a compliment. “Well, thank you, Mr Ridley, I am pleased that
you appreciate it. You know how grateful I am that you’ve been able to help me with improving my
wardrobe. I thought this was the sort of thing you would like and I’m only too willing to please
you, you do know that?”

Danvers seemed to relax a little. “I hadn’t thought that was the case when I suggested a closer
liaison before,” he said. He slid towards her and reached out to grasp her waist. Maria gripped his
wrist, twisted and brought a gasping Danvers to his knees. “Oh, goodness,” she said, “Mrs Peel
would be proud of me.”

Danvers sat on the floor looking up in silent astonishment at the ease with which Maria had put
him there.

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“My,” said Maria, “I hadn’t thought you would give up so easily. Perhaps I just needed to see
whether you really were interested?” Maria peered at Danvers over the rim of her dark glasses.
“After all, there is the little matter of your marriage. You do remember Sarah, your wife?”

“Of course. Where is she?”

“She won’t disturb us this evening. Let’s just say I learned a few things from helping with your
games Mr Ridley. She’s having a little trouble getting out of the pantry.” Maria smiled.

“Ah,” said Danvers, still looking uncertain. Maria pulled a cigarette from a box on the mantelshelf.
She held it out. Danvers fumbled in his pocket for his lighter, eventually found it and lit the
cigarette.

“There,” said Maria, inhaling deeply, “that wasn’t difficult, was it? You’ll soon get the idea.” She
breathed out, sending a stream of cigarette smoke into Danvers’ face. He coughed. “In fact,” Maria
said, “why don’t you find me an ashtray?”

“Yes, of course, Maria,” he said.

“Uh – uh,” she responded wagging her finger and shaking her head with a good humoured grin.
“It’s ‘Mistress’ this evening if you want to play properly.”

Danvers smiled in return and Maria began to feel that all would go as she had planned.
“Naturally,” he said, “that was most impertinent of me. I do apologise - Mistress.” He picked up an
ashtray and returned to her side. Seeing her querulous look he dropped to his knees in front of her
and held out the ashtray.

She leant forward and tapped the cigarette on the ash tray. “Excellent,” she said. “I see that you
can take orders as well as you can give them. Now, do you like what you see?” The look on
Danvers’ face was sufficient, Maria didn’t need a response but she was keen to hear him say it
nevertheless. “Well,” she barked.

“Yes, Mistress,” he started. “Your outfit is very, ah, effective.”

“Effective?”

“In, ah, emphasising your figure, Mistress,” Danvers went on, his eyes not lifting above her waist.
“especially, if I may say, your legs and, ah, …” His gaze drifted down to her ankles and feet.

“That’s all to the good since I was planning to keep you down there.”

“Thank you, Mistress,” Danvers responded.

“In fact, Mr Ridley,” Maria went on, “I seem to remember that you are quite keen on my wearing
high heels.”

“Oh, yes, Mistress,” he interrupted.

“In which case you can show your approval for these by giving my feet a kiss.” Maria extended her
left leg, the black patent straps of her sandal sparkling as Danvers looked down. He coughed and
looked up at her, pausing for a moment. Then she watched approvingly as Danvers lowered his
face to her feet. He made to lift the hem of her trouser leg clear of her shoe. “No,” Maria ordered,

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“don’t use your hands.” She looked down as Danvers grovelled at her feet. He had crossed his
hands behind his back. Maria allowed herself a smile of success.

“Sorry, Mistress,” he apologised pressing his lips to the leather straps of her shoe.

Maria pulled her foot away suddenly and Danvers toppled forward, his face to the floor. “Enough
for the moment,” she said. “I need to take care of something in the kitchen. I shall not be long but
if you want to play some more you can get undressed.”

“Undressed, Mistress?”

“I won’t have time for this if you keep asking questions, Mr Ridley. I think you know what’s
needed. If you do still want to play that is?” She didn’t wait for his answer but left and returned to
the kitchen, opening the pantry door to check that Sarah was still all right. Maria needn’t have
been concerned, Sarah didn’t even seem to notice the door opening, she continued to writhe and
moan on the floor of the pantry, stretching against the ropes around her body and wriggling her
hips and legs to try to get the most friction from the rope that cut across her crotch. Maria was
glad that she had run a rope from Sarah’s wrists to her ankles, otherwise there was no telling what
she might have kicked over. As it was, her struggles had toppled a bag of flour from the shelf
above her, showering her black uniform dress with white dust. “She’s going to have to spend
sometime cleaning up when we’ve finished,” Maria thought.

Satisfied that Sarah was safe, if not comfortable, Maria shut the door again and returned to the
living room.

Danvers, in accordance with her instructions had stripped and was naked. She was pleased to see
that he was on his knees. It was no surprise to see his substantial erection although it did go
someway to explain the enthusiasm with which women appeared to fall for his charms. She knew,
however, that she had to retain the initiative. “What are you staring at?” she barked. “Bow your
head!”

“Sorry, Mistress,” Danvers apologised.

“And keep quiet.” She strode past Danvers, conscious that he was trying to follow her every step
while still keeping his eyes to the floor. On the sideboard were the purchases that Sarah had
brought from the pet shop; a collar and leash, an enamel bowl and a large, rubber, play bone.
“Now, Mr Ridley, you obviously think you’re a bit of a hound when it comes to the ladies so that’s
how I am going to treat you.”

“Very good, Mistress.”

“Hound’s don’t talk, Mr Ridley, you can bark if you must but for now just chew on this.” She
pushed the rubber bone into his mouth. He looked up at her, the bone wedged across his mouth.
”Now kneel up and beg. If you’re very good, you’ll have your collar and leash.” Danvers did as he
was told and Maria fastened the collar around his neck.

For the next hour or so, Maria amused herself with her new pet. Danvers was kept on all fours,
crouching at her side. The only time the bone left his mouth was when she graciously allowed him
to lap some water from the bowl and when she tossed it across the room for him to retrieve it and
return to her side.

Then, suddenly, Maria declared she was bored and that all was over for the evening. When
Danvers tried to bark in protest she took the leash end to his bare backside. “Don’t argue with me

82
or you will find yourself in the yard,” she warned. Danvers, with the bone still wedged across his
mouth, looked glum. She pulled the bone from his mouth. “Good night, Mr Ridley,” she said. “I
think its time you were off to your kennel.” She looked down at his erection which was
undiminished. “I suggest you take that to your wife. You’ll find her in the pantry.” And with that
she waved him away.

“But, Mistress,” Danvers began.

Maria simply stared back at him. “If you want to play, Mr Ridley,” she said, “you’ll play by my rules.
Now go.”

“Very good, Mistress,” Danvers responded, “I wouldn’t want to do anything that would deter you
from a future session of this kind. I’m sure you could find me a most attentive slave in many ways.
Perhaps we could explore that at some point?”

Maria looked exasperated. “You’re procrastinating. Just go!”

Danvers picked up his clothes and shuffled out. Maria heard squeals coming from the kitchen as he
found and evidently took advantage of Sarah in the pantry. Maria lounged back on the sofa, taking
the weight off of her heels. It had, she felt, been a successful evening. “It’s all right now,” she said
quietly towards the curtains across the room’s bay window. “You can come out now, Daphne. I
hope you got the pictures we wanted.”

“Oh, I think so, yes,” said the librarian emerging from behind the curtains with a small camera.
“I’m sure they’ll be every bit as good as the ones we got of Jack Carroway, too.”

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Chapter 26: Maria’s Main Squeeze

Two days later Sarah was serving breakfast to Maria on the patio when the telephone rang.
Danvers had left for work as usual. Sarah scurried to answer it. “It’s for you, Madam,” she said with
a puzzled look on her face. “It’s Mr Ridley. He seems ever so agitated.”

“Thank you, Jones,” Maria said, taking the handset from her while allowing herself a quiet smile of
satisfaction, “I’ll deal with it. You can carry on with your duties.”

“Yes, M’m,” she said, looking puzzled as she bobbed a curtsy and left the room.

Maria watched her go before turning to her conversation with Danvers. “Why, good morning, Mr
Ridley, what can I do for you?” she asked brightly.

“I think you know quite well what I am calling about,” Danvers’ tone was terse.

“Ah, you’ve got my note, I expect.”

“Have you any idea how dangerous it is sending something like that to me here?”

“Oh, I’m sure that your secretary knows not to open a letter marked ‘Private and Personal’. She
didn’t did she?”

“No, she didn’t but that’s not the point.”

“Well, never mind, Mr Ridley. It seems there’s no harm done. I’d just be interested to hear your
response.”

“It’s rather difficult for me to talk right now.”

“Oh, I‘m sorry Mr Ridley, I thought that you had phoned me. Why don’t you call me back when it’s
more convenient? Then we can have a nice long chat.” Maria smiled at the click as the receiver
went down at the other end of the line.

It was less than five minutes before the phone rang again. Sarah’s face appeared at the door as
Maria reached to answer it. “Shall I get it Madam,” she called.

Maria waved her away, irritated. “Hello again, Mr Ridley,” she said anticipating his greeting.

“What do you want?” Danvers spoke quietly but in a clipped manner.

“Oh, I thought I had made that plain Mr Ridley in my letter.” Maria was lounging back in the
steamer chair enjoying the comforts of the morning sun.

“What you suggest is blackmail.”

“Oh, I am not sure that’s the case. I think really that blackmail is about somebody having to do
something they don’t want to do whereas after our session the other day I think that this is
something you are rather keen on. Isn’t that the case? I thought you’d said you were quite keen on
the idea of further sessions. It’s certainly what I would have thought having had the chance to talk
to your – ah – music teacher.” Maria could hear Danvers sputtering as he digested the significance

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of her remarks. “Now why don’t you just agree to my proposals and I’ll be very careful not to make
any little indiscretions that would be so hurtful to your poor wife or the mayor.”

Danvers was silent for a moment but eventually spoke again. “What do you want me to do?”

“Nothing for the moment, Ridley - Oh, I hope you don’t mind me calling you that – just be ready to
do as you are told when you get home this evening. And don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll have just the
sort of evening you’ve dreamt of.” Maria dropped the telephone handset back into the cradle of
the receiver with a self satisfied smile.

Hardly had she done so than Sarah reappeared carrying a tray with a fresh pot of coffee. Alongside
it on the same tray Sarah had carefully placed the wad of foam and the roll of surgical tape with
which she had been gagged for Danvers’s dinner party.

“What’s this, Jones?” Maria asked.

“Well Madam, I know I shouldn’t have burst in just now to interrupt you when you were about to
talk to Mr Ridley. I thought perhaps you might want to make sure that I couldn’t inadvertently
interrupt you again this morning.”

Maria smiled at Sarah’s cheek. “I must admire your persistence, Jones,” she laughed. “Come here.”
Sarah stood wide-eyed and mouth wide open in anticipation. Maria picked up the foam ball and
tossed it from hand to hand for a moment before shaking her head. “No, I’m not going to use
this.” Sarah looked crestfallen. “We’ll use your knickers instead. Take them off.”

Sarah stepped out of her underwear and held the knickers out to Maria. “Oh, no,” she said. “You
can do this yourself. Push them in,” She watched as Sarah reluctantly balled up the knickers and
pushed them into her own mouth. “Now the tape. Get on with it. You’re the skivvy around here,
you might as well do things like this as well.” Maria’s only contribution to Sarah’s gagging was to
make sure that she had smoothed down the tape neatly. “Actually,” she said, “this was a very good
idea, Jones. I’ve got a lot to think about. You can get on with your work quietly.”

Sarah did as she was told and was soon polishing away in silence.

“I thought you might like to know what a nice time I had with Mr Ridley the other night,” Maria
began.

Sarah gave an “mmph” that Maria could either interpret as interest or dismay. She chose to take it
as the former. “Yes, I thought you’d be interested. Well, it turns out that he’s quite prepared to
mend his ways. He really hadn’t seen how his behaviour might be misunderstood. In fact he’s so
apologetic that he’s going to make sure he’s home tonight really promptly. And he’s going to be
helping out a lot more around the house. You will have a lot more time to attend to my needs, just
you wait and see!”

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Chapter 27: Maid Danvers

Danvers was sitting in the lounge looking angry as Maria came into the room. In other
circumstances he would have been disappointed to see that she was not wearing the outfit that
had worn on the previous confrontation. In a simple beige dress she looked the epitome of
domesticity. Apart, that was, from the riding crop she was flexing between her hands. “Now, you
are going to behave, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Yes, yes. Of course. You have those photographs, after all,” Danvers said.

“Yes, what?” Maria queried with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes Mistress.”

“Better,” she responded, sternly. “You’d better get ready, then.”

“Ready?”

“Mm, yes. From what I remember from my discussions with Mistress B I don’t think that it is usual
for a slave to be sitting down, fully dressed like that. I suggest you get to your feet and then take
your clothes off.”

“Ah.” He got to his feet and started to unbutton his shirt.

“That’s better. Get on with it.”

“Yes, Mistress,” Danvers replied. “Can I ask, Mistress, about Sarah?”

“Your concern about your wife does you some credit, I suppose but you need not worry yourself
about her. She will not disturb us. Now hurry up.”

Danvers continued to undress, hesitating only a moment over his underpants until he saw the
scowl that this pause brought from Maria’s gaze.

Maria gestured with the riding crop towards the hall. “Now let’s get you dressed,” she said.

“Dressed, Mistress?” responded Danvers with a look of concern.

“Yes, when I said that you were to be my slave, perhaps I should have been more explicit. What I
had in mind was more that you should be my maid. After all you have been keen enough to see
Sarah in that position, I thought it might be amusing for you to take over from her.”

“I, I, I,” stuttered Danvers.

”Now, don’t be bashful. Surely you realise that submission means doing what the Mistress wants
not having her do what you want? You have a choice. You can put on the uniform that you’ll find in
the box room and do as you are told or we can forget all about this. I really don’t care Mr. Ridley.”
Maria appeared completely off-hand about the whole exercise and she found it hard not to
address her employer as she always had in spite of the fact that he was standing naked before her.
“I’d be quite happy to pass those photographs on to the press and find myself some alternative
employment.”

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Danvers was abashed but seemed ready to obey her. “No, I’m sorry, it’s all right. I’ll do as you ask,
Mistress. What should I do once I’m dressed?”

“You are to take on much of Jones’s role. She will be more concerned with serving me; you will
have the running of the house to deal with. For now you shall attend me in the bedroom.” Maria
ordered. Then, catching Danvers smirk, she swung the crop against his leg. “And don’t get the
wrong idea, you’re going to be working. You’d better show proper respect or there will be more of
that. Now crawl off and get dressed.”

“Yes, Mistress,” Danvers responded, dropping to his knees and crawling away up stairs. Maria
watched him go, relieved that this first confrontation had been resolved.

Danvers had been encouraged to cross dress only once before at the hands of Mistress B. He
shouldn’t have been surprised to discover that Maria’s ideas on a maid’s uniform exactly
paralleled his own; no frills and no petticoats. The uniform was strictly functional with the
exception of a corset that he knew would need to be tightly laced and a bra that had been padded
to simulate an unlikely looking chest. There were stockings of course and high heeled shoes
complete with locking ankle straps but no sign of a key.

He put on the clothes slowly, taking comfort from the fact that in spite of his situation that might
be some amusement to be gained from an evening serving Mistress Maria. “Where was Sarah?” he
thought. Helpless and locked in the wardrobe was his considered view. Maria was showing every
ingenuity in these matters and it would be just like her to have his wife witness their session in
some way.

When Danvers presented himself in the bedroom he found Maria waiting for him but there was no
sign of his wife. Maria inspected her new maid carefully.

“I see that you have evidently had experience of cross dressing, slave, No doubt you’ll be
disappointed to hear there is little to find fault with. Now turn around and put your hands behind
you,” she said, waving a pair of handcuffs at him.

Danvers did as he was told. “Please Mistress, if you use those on me, how will I serve you?”

“Don’t worry slave, that’s my concern.” She fastened the cuffs around his wrists and locked them
together. She slipped a length of rope around them and then around his waist before tying it off
tightly and fixing his wrists against the small of his back. Danvers was startled to realise just how
helpless it left him. “Your gag,” Maria announced as she pulled a harness from the bedside table
and strapped it around his head. Danvers began to object as she picked up a penis shaped rubber
plug. Maria ignored his protests and fitted the plug through the harness and deep into Danvers’
mouth. He gave a choking cough as Maria pushed it in.

“Now you were concerned about how you were going to serve me.” Maria pulled a rubber dildo
from the cupboard. “It should become clear soon,” she said screwing the base of the dildo onto
the end of the plug that filled Danver’s mouth. It projected a good eight inches forward from his
face. “How’s that my dick-faced maid?”

Danvers realised what was about to happen as Maria led him towards the bed but was now unable
to resist. She sprawled back, pulling him forward with his leash until he was kneeling and bent
over the end of the bed, his face close to Maria’s crotch. As she pulled up her skirt he saw that she
was wearing a strange leather harness beneath. Its purpose became apparent quickly as, grabbing
Danvers by the hair, she dragged him towards her onto the bed. She pulled his head closer until
the dildo slid inside Maria’s welcoming cunt. With the dildo in place, Maria clipped fastenings to

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link Danvers’s collar to her harness, ensuring that he could not move his head away but allowing
him to move his head back and forth enough to provide Maria with a very agreeable sensation.
Maria twisted in pleasure, half choking Danvers with the plug that pushed back against his throat
with each forward thrust she made.

Unable to see much of his surroundings with his head wedged firmly between Maria’s thighs he
could not respond as he heard the sound of someone else in the room behind him.

“Here’s the other one,” he heard Daphne’s voice say.

Had he been able to turn his head, he would have seen his wife led into the room by Daphne.
Sarah, naked except for suspender belt, stockings and high heeled shoes, bound, ball- gagged and
blindfolded, was in a state of heightened arousal. Left helpless by her Mistress she was at first
horrified and then excited by the arrival of this unknown woman. Then she was being led through
the house to where she knew not.

“This one needs encouragement,” Danvers heard Maria call and a moment later he bucked in pain
as the cut of a cane came down across his buttocks. Others followed in quick succession. He tried
to wriggle but could not avoid the blows. Irritated with his struggling, Maria crossed her legs
behind his head pressing his face ever more firmly to her crotch and almost suffocating him and
choking him before his struggling subsided. Danvers’s moans of discomfort merged with Maria’s
grunts of pleasure as each twist of his head moved the dildo pleasurably inside her.

“Nice and red,” said Daphne. Even with his face locked against Maria’s crotch and his head wedged
between her thighs, he recognised the voice and was aware of the flash as Daphne took a few
photographs. “For the family album,” she said. Danvers whimpered into his gag, knowing that this
would only reinforce their hold over him. Then, even more disturbing, he felt Daphne’s hands
upon his buttocks, spreading his cheeks apart.

The next sensation was the jamming pain of a dildo being pushed into his anus and the feel of a
woman’s stockinged legs against his own.

It wasn’t though as Danvers thought, Daphne that was violating him, but his wife. Sarah had been
brought into Maria’s bedroom and fitted with a double ended, strap on, dildo. Daphne had
manoeuvred the still blindfolded Sarah into position behind Danvers and then had coupled the
two, pushing the dildo into Danvers’s arse and fixing Sarah in place with straps that held her legs
tightly against his. The two of them were now bucking as the effects of their joint impaling became
stronger and stronger.

Daphne pulled off Sarah’s blindfold. Sarah she saw immediately that she was buggering her
husband as he pleasured Maria. In her surprise she tried to break free. Her efforts only caused the
dildo in her husband’s arse to rasp even more effectively back and forth.

More flashes came as a laughing Daphne took more and more photographs while Danvers
struggled and Sarah moaned into her gag in a combination of shame and passion.

The two maid servants were kept helpless for the remainder of the evening, Maria and Daphne
changing places with one another to keep encouraging them in their labours.

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Chapter 28: Danvers In Service

Maria was still lounging in bed in the middle of the following morning. Sarah, dressed in her
uniform, lay alongside her. Maria reached inside the unbuttoned front of Sarah’s dress and toyed
absent-mindedly with one of her nipples as the girl squirmed in response.

Maria reached out for the small brass bell that sat on her bedside table. The short ring it gave was
sufficient to summon Danvers to the room. He appeared, fully dressed in his uniform, ready with a
tray to clear Maria’s coffee cup. He wore a sullen look on his face.

Maria allowed herself a smirk at his appearance. He was proving capable at ensuring that he was
correctly dressed – a few sessions with the riding crop had been sufficient to convince him of the
need for care in that area – and he was even coping with the challenge of teetering on high heels,
while held rigid by corseting. No effort on his part, though, could compensate for the absurdity of
the extravagantly padded bosom that Maria had insisted he wore or for the fact that beneath his
blonde, Dusty Springfield style, beehive, blonde wig, his face still sprouted a bushy moustache.
“Still,” Maria thought, “we’ve had the hair off most of the rest of his body, perhaps he’ll have to
bite the bullet on that as well.”

Danvers scowled in response to Maria’s amused grin. “What was it,” he said. Then after a
perceptible pause, “Madam?”

“I wondered how your work was going, Ridley,” Maria enquired. “I know how hard you are having
to work to cope while Jones hear attends to my more personal needs.” As she spoke, Sarah
shuffled herself down the bed, diving her head beneath Maria’s dressing gown and sliding her
tongue down between Maria’s thighs. Maria giggled in response and, far from telling her to stop,
gripped the back of Sarah’s head and pressed her closer to her crotch. Danvers’s wife gave a
muffled grunt.

“I’ve finished the washing up from last night, Madam,” Danvers began, trying to ignore Sarah’s
activities. “Laid the fires, cleaned and tidied down stairs and done the laundry as well.”

“Very good, Ridley, you have been industrious,” Maria responded, tapping the back of Sarah’s
head to discourage her, rather too industrious, nibbling. Sarah ignored Maria and continued to
attempt to distract her mistress, succeeding in drawing an “Ahh!” of appreciation before Maria
regained her composure. “And the ironing?”

“I was about to start that, Madam,” Danvers looked at the bell on the bedside table, “when you
rang for me.”

“Very good indeed. And have you needed any correction from Mistress Daphne this morning?”

Danvers bit his lip and looked furious. “Yes, Madam,” he said.

“Oh, dear. You’d better show me.” Choking back his anger and embarrassment, Danvers turned,
bent forward, and lifted his skirt. Angry red welts from a riding crop marked out a pattern across
his buttocks and the tops of his thighs. “Oh my, Ridley, you must have done something to upset
her so badly, I’m sure you will have learned from your punishment though.” Sarah, who had
emerged from beneath the bed covers, her lace cap hopelessly awry, to see her husband’s sore
and scarred backside, giggled at the sight.

“Indeed, Madam,” Danvers said with barely concealed irony.

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“How’s your chastity device Ridley?” Maria asked toying with the key that dangled from a chain
around her neck. The key was for a padlock on a strap that pulled his cock back between his legs.
“Have you got used to sitting down to pee yet? It must make you feel quite the lady.” Danvers
didn’t reply but then Maria heard the rattle of the letter box down stairs. “That’ll be the post,
Ridley,” she said, fetch it up here directly.”

Danvers returned after a few moments with a silver tray carrying the mail. Maria tore open the
largest brown envelope and pulled a thick wad of photographs from it. “Do come and look at
these, Ridley,” she ordered. “They’re frightfully good of you. I wasn’t sure if we’d be able to
recognise you with that dildo gag in your mouth but I think it’s fairly obviously you isn’t it? Oh,
look at this one….”

Maria held up one of the glossy black and white prints. It showed Danvers in his maid’s uniform
with his gag and its dildo attached curling upwards from his mouth. His white maid’s cap sat
incongruously on his head as he stood with his skirt and apron lifted up showing the stockings he
was wearing and the padlocked strap that held his cock in check. Maria showed him another. In
this he was bent forward, his lifted skirt showing the crop wheals across his buttocks. Another was
a close up of his face with the toe of a high heeled shoe pushed into his mouth. “Goodness me,”
said Maria. “Anyone seeing these might get quite the wrong idea about you Ridley. I’d swear that
you don’t look in the least like you’re enjoying it.”

There was a knock and Daphne put her head around the door. “Oh, Maria, I hope you don’t mind
me interrupting.”

“Not at all,” Maria replied, brightly. “I was just having a chat with our new maid.”

“Well it’s convenient that they are both here,” said Daphne. “I thought we ought to try that idea
you had yesterday. “

“Oh, yes,” Maria giggled, pushing Sarah out of the bed. “Up you get, Jones, you’ve got work to do.”
Daphne stood by, arms folded, as Sarah tried to put her uniform in order.

“What is it, Madam?” Sarah asked.

“Fetch the laundry basket in here and be quick about it,” Maria ordered and Sarah scuttled away in
response.

“I’ll carry on with the ironing, then, Madam,” said Danvers, edging towards the door.

“Oh, no,” said Daphne. “You can stand there for the moment.”

Sarah returned clutching the large wicker basket that was used to hold clothes waiting to be
washed.

“Bring it here,” said Maria. Sarah did so, holding the basket out to her. Maria lifted the lid. “I
though you said that you had done the laundry, Ridley?” Maria accused, pulling a small pile of
underwear from the basket.

“I did, Madam. Those must have been put in after I emptied the basket.”

“Hmm, sounds more like he’s been slacking,” interjected Daphne.

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“I agree,” said Maria. She held out the pile of clothes towards Sarah. “Jones,” she said, “put that
basket down. Good. Now, you’ll find a pair of tights in this pile. I want you to use them to tie up
our lazy maid Ridley.” Sarah looked as though she was about to object. “No, Jones, you’ll do as you
are told. And you Ridley, can spend some time contemplating the importance of being thorough in
executing your duties. Sit down over there!” Maria gestured to the dressing table chair where only
a few weeks ago Sarah had sat struggling, herself. Sarah reluctantly did as she had been ordered,
Danvers scowling all the while as Sarah first tied his wrists and then, stretching the tights as far as
they would go, his ankles. “Now,” said Maria, “since Ridley failed to use the washing machine for
these underpants he can wash them out in his mouth.” She passed two pairs of knickers to Sarah.
She looked down at them, hesitantly.

“Come, on, girl,” Daphne barked. “You should have learned how to do as you are told by now.”
Sarah whimpered in response but complied, pushing the under garments into Danvers’s protesting
mouth.

“Tie this across his mouth to keep them in,” Maria said, passing Sarah the bra which was the last
item from the pile. She smiled at the effect of Danvers, sat on the chair in his black and white
uniform, his wrists and ankles tied and his mouth stuffed with underwear.

Daphne turned to Maria. “I hope you didn’t mind me intervening with Jones then,” she said. “It
was rather rude of me. She’s your maid after all.”

“Not at all,” Maria responded warmly. “I’m quite happy for you to make use of her as you see fit.”

“Oh, but Madam,” Sarah stood up from adjusting Danvers’s gag. “Surely I’m to be your personal
maid.”

“Jones!” Maria exclaimed, “I’ve never heard such insolence. You’ll do just as Daphne directs. In
fact, I have to go out this morning, so you can look after whatever Daphne requires. After all Ridley
isn’t going to be much help is he?”

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Chapter 29 : Dinner For Four

Maria sat comfortably at the head of the table, enjoying the quiet conversation of her dinner
guests. Daphne, Brenda and Elaine were all on delightful form, laughing over their experiences of
the day, sharing confidences, scandalously exchanging gossip. The meal had been superb and the
service, of course, exemplary.

She looked, she knew, superb. Danvers’s regimental uniform had proved easy for Sarah to tailor to
Maria’s measurements, the trousers were not quite as tight as those she had worn for the first
time she had confronted Danvers but they were snug nevertheless, the tailed, scarlet, bum-freezer
jacket with its black lapels was resplendent over the white waistcoat, white shirt and white bow
tie.

Elaine at the other end of the table had followed a similar approach for her own outfit, adapting
one of Jack’s herringbone tweed suits.

Maria genteelly swept up the last of the chocolate mousse with her spoon. She touched the spoon
to her desert glass. It gave a sharp ‘ting’.

“Ladies,” Maria said, “I must thank you for a delightful evening.”

“Nonsense,” replied Brenda, “it is we that must thank you. And,” she went on, raising her glass to
Maria and Daphne “I feel I have to propose a toast of congratulations. To our two soon-to-be new
councillors, Councillor Greyston and Councillor Pullen. So very lucky that two seats should be
coming available together; so unfortunate that your predecessors other duties will prevent them
from standing again.”

A muffled grunt of complaint came from the side of the room.

“Tsk, tsk, Ridley,” Maria chided. “I hope that was not some indication of disapproval. My
apologies, Brenda. It’s so difficult to get good staff these days.”

“No need to apologise, Maria dear. I’m sure you will see to it after we have gone.”

Maria nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, yes,” she said, “I most definitely will.” She looked at the two
men standing beside her. Danvers and Jack were finding it difficult to adjust to their new roles but
her efforts, Daphne’s and those of Jack’s wife had managed to get them to provide a reasonable
performance for the evening. Maria gestured to the two men to approach her.

Danvers teetered across the room on his high heels and stood to Maria’s left holding a box of
cigars. Jack followed him with equal difficulty to stand at her right with a tray carrying the port
decanter and glasses for each of the dinner guests. Both men were enduring being dressed as
maids as best they could. Both were having to cope with tightly laced corsetry and extravagantly
padded chests.

The two had been ordered to wait at table for the evening. Danvers had been carefully prepared
by Maria. He had been tape gagged and now wore one of the masks that he had required the
women to wear at his dinner party earlier that month. A long blonde wig framed his doll-like mask.
Jack Carroway had been similarly adorned, his wife taking revenge for Jack’s part in forcing her
into a relationship with Danvers against her will.

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Sarah was serving at table as well. She stood holding a pile of dishes which she was about to
remove to the kitchen. She had been gagged after Maria had lost patience with her protests at
being asked to help Daphne prepare for the evening. From the way that her cheeks bulged under
the tape that sealed her lips it seemed that her mouth had been well stuffed.

Maria turned to Danvers. “Really, Ridley, she said, I’d have thought you would have adjusted to
your role by now. Jones here seems too have got into things much quicker. I’ll have to get her to
give you some instruction, I can see.” Both Danvers and Sarah gave a disturbed grunt through their
gags. “In fact,” Maria, smiled, “that might give us some more photos for the family album.

Danvers and Jack Carroway exchanged looks. Their masks hid their growing frustration, bitterness
and simmering anger.

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Chapter 30 : Pillars of The Community

The dinner party had been the last straw.

“Danvers, you’re looking remarkably calm,” Jack Carroway mopped his brow with a handkerchief
as he peered around the curtains in the Ridley’s lounge and out into the night.

“Jack; at this point,” Danvers said, “calmness is our best ally. In fact I would say it is our only ally.”

“But isn’t this a rather extreme remedy. I mean when you said we would have to fix things, I
thought you meant, … well, .. I didn’t think you meant…”

“Jack, Jack,” Danvers tried to calm his friend. “We’ve been through it all. It has become an
intolerable situation and we can’t allow it to continue. We owe it to ourselves to address the issue.
You know how it is. If you don’t confront problems in a relationship then things just become sour.
Resentment builds up and then before you know it you are in the divorce courts with all the
distress and not to mention cost that implies.”

“I think that resentment has already manifested itself, old man,” Jack said peering over his
shoulder.

Behind him, sat on the floor were Brenda, Sarah, Maria, Daphne and Jack’s wife, Elaine.
Resentment was one emotion that could be seen in the five. Terror was the other. All five were
helplessly bound and gagged.

Maria was wearing her maid’s uniform for the first time in months. On her forehead was a bruised
and bleeding bump from where Danvers had hit her, knocking her unconscious as she emerged
from the bathroom. She’d been wearing Sarah’s bathrobe then, Danvers had stripped that off and
dressed her in her uniform before tying her up. He had applied the ropes proficiently, she could
get almost no movement from her wrists or ankles and the slightest attempt to struggle simply
brought a choking sensation from the rope that circled her throat and linked her hands and feet.

Danvers checked that the ropes around Maria’s wrist and ankles were still tightly knotted. He
looked up at his colleague. “Jack – you are in charge of Borough works after all. I assume there will
be no trouble in getting access to the construction site for the new flyover.”

“No, no problem,” said Carroway. “I’ve got a council van out front – that’ll arouse no suspicion up
there.”

“Good, well we’ll wait until midnight, I think. Always the best time for dire deeds. The streets will
be quiet.”

Maria moaned and coughed. Danvers crouched down beside her. “Dear me, Miss Greyston, an
unfortunate end to the proceedings, I fear. I am going to miss having you around the place but
things started to go down hill when you stopped wearing this uniform I felt.” He traced a finger
across her breasts and then up to her head. “And that’s a nasty bump. You really shouldn’t have
reminded me about “The Avengers” – it was only after I’d thought about it that I realised how
often Mrs Peel was simply subdued with a blunt instrument to the head.”

“Danvers, come on,” Carroway urged, impatiently. “Help me with this one.” He was tightening the
ropes that held Brenda helpless. She had been easy to entice to the Ridley house. Danvers had
simply telephoned her and said, as Maria’s maid, that his mistress was most anxious to entertain

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Brenda to tea. Brenda, sensing further opportunities to help Maria in her humiliation of Danvers
had been only too pleased to oblige. Now she was struggling as Jack Carroway jerked at the knots
that held her wrists locked together behind her back but with ropes tied tightly around her ankles
and knees she was unable to move from where Jack had forced her at gun point.

Danvers’s wife was tied up as well. Danvers had found Sarah naked in Maria’s bed with her wrists
cuffed behind her back, waiting for Maria to return from her shower. She had tried to wriggle free
as her husband, dressed in his maid’s uniform, had seized her on the bed and rolled her on to her
face. Danvers had gagged her with a scarf and then added ropes to her arms, ankles and knees
before changing back into male attire for the first time in a week. He had carried his wife down
stairs to join her mistress.

Alongside Brenda, Sarah and Maria was Elaine Carroway. She too was helpless. She’d been
chastising Jack for failing to press her suit as he was helping her on with her coat to leave that
morning. A moment later the coat had been thrown over her head and its belt used to strap her
arms to her sides. Carroway had improvised a gag by tying a rope across her mouth over the coat
and had then made sure her wrists and ankles were securely bound with rope. Changing out of his
maid’s uniform he had bundled the struggling Elaine into the boot of his car before driving over to
join Danvers. Elaine still struggled on the floor of the living room with the head wrapped in her
coat. Her kicking and wriggling was achieving nothing except to push her skirt up around her waist,
much to Danvers’s appreciation.

The last of the helpless quintet was Daphne, the librarian. She had arrived to find the house
apparently deserted. Only when she went in search of the others did she come across the others.
Helpless, struggling, sobbing and grunting through their gags they had tried to warn her but as she
stepped into the room, Danvers had grabbed her and in only a few moments she had joined them
on the floor with washing line tightly binding her wrists and ankles and a tea towel jammed into
her mouth as a gag.

“Now, Mr Carroway,” Danvers smiled. “I think we should let ourselves have a quick drink before
we take these ladies for a last drive. And since there’s no maid service to be had, I suppose we’ll
have to get it ourselves.” He turned towards the five helpless women. “We’re going to take a look
at the foundations for the new fly-over,” he said, “and we thought you should come too. In fact we
thought you ought to play a supporting role in this important new road.”

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Chapter 31 : Softly, Softly

It was just after midnight as Police Constable Jock Weir scowled out through the windscreen of the
Ford Zephyr at the rain dripping down. The orange glow of the sodium lights on the Seaport By-
Pass failed to add any cheer to the scene. The radio on the car’s dashboard crackled. “BD to Z
Victor One, BD to Z Victor One. Come in please.”

Weir reached forward and pulled the radio’s microphone from its cradle. “Z Victor One.”

“Z Victor One, return to Seaport.”

“Z Victor One. Wilco. I’m looking forward to me tea.”

“Don’t get your hopes up, Jock, DI Barlow wants a word when you get back.”

“Z Victor One, listening, out.” The radio crackled again. Weir leaned across the bench front seat
and pressed the car’s horn.

Constable “Fancy” Smith came scuttling out from a shop doorway, zipping the flies of his trousers.
“Hey Jock,” he said as he slid in behind the steering wheel. “You could give a man a real problem
startling him at a crucial moment like that.”

Weir looked unconcerned. “We’re wanted back at the Station.” Smith pushed the car into gear and
pulled away. The windscreen wipers slapped back and forth sullenly making little impact on the
rain.

As they pulled up outside Sea Port Police Station, Detective Inspector Barlow emerged, hat down
over his face, pulling his coat around him against the rain. He climbed into the back of the car. The
car sagged as he sat down heavily. “You took your time,” he snarled.

“Sorry, sir, we were as quick as we could be,” said Jock.

“Well, take me up to Hilldale. And when we get there you can turn the blue lamps and the gong
on. I want us to make an impression on the good citizens up there.” He slumped back in his seat
without another word.

Fancy and Jock looked at each other and set off. The drive out through the grimy heart of Seaport
passed warehouses and small factories and the site of the construction work on the new by-pass,
quiet now but with orange warning lights blinking around the construction areas. The roads were
dark and greasy. As they drove into Hilldale Drive, Fancy turned on the lights and gong. A startled
cat ran across the road in front of them.

“Up to the top,” Barlow said, “I thought I’d pop in on my old friend Councillor Ridley.”

The effect of the sound of the police car’s bell and the flashing blue lamps as the Zephyr turned
into the drive up to the Ridley’s house was electric. Danvers busily tried to calm Jack down as
Barlow thumped on the front door, ignoring the bell but even he was almost in a panic.

The five women had heard the car coming and seen the flashing of the police cars lights on the
ceiling of the room where they were being held and were already squirming and squeaking in an
attempt to make themselves heard. “For god’s sakes keep this lot quiet,” said Danvers. “I’ll see

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what they want. It can’t be anything to do with the women. Look on the bright side – this will be
the perfect alibi.”

Danvers answered the door. “Hello, Charlie,” he said seeing Barlow on the door step. “What brings
you up here on a filthy night like this?”

“I need a chat,” said Barlow, gruffly. “With you. Now.”

“Well, Charlie, it’s late. I’m just about to turn in. Can’t it wait?”

“No.” Barlow had his shoulder wedged in the door way already. It was obvious he wasn’t going to
be turned away. “Not unless you want to make a very silly mistake.”

“You’d better come in,” Danvers said with as much grace as he could muster. He watched as
Barlow pulled off his raincoat and tossed it over a chair. Rain dripped down from the coat onto the
parquet flooring of the hall. “Let’s use my study,” he said.

The two men went into Danvers’s study. Barlow sat down without being invited. “I’d just like to
give you a bit of advice,” he said peremptorily. “I don’t know what you are about to do and I don’t
want to know either. All I will say is that it would be a very bad idea if any harm came to certain
individuals that you may, or may not, be acquainted with. Individuals that have friends that might
be concerned if anything were to happen to them. Friends that would be sure to know who to
come looking for if anything were to happen to said individuals. Friends who might not be quite as
concerned for your well being as someone like myself, for example.”

Danvers looked blankly back.

“Danvers, don’t be a bloody fool. I spend my days looking at villains. Even the lads nicking bottles
of scotch from the docks are better at looking innocent than you are. What ever you’re up to, just
unwind it. If anything happens to said individual your problem won’t be blue lights coming up the
drive, it’ll be people who go about things more quietly than that. Not pleasant some of the, I can
tell you.”

Danvers gulped. Barlow could see that he had taken the point. “Well, thanks for the advice,
Charlie,” he said. “I’ll certainly take that on board.”

“Good. Well I’ll be on my way. Oh, one thing.” Barlow turned to Danvers. “I don’t suppose that
you’ve seen a friend of mine lately – Brenda Bartholomew? I’m very keen to see her.”

Danvers looked startled. “Well Charlie, that’s a coincidence. She happens to be here right now. I’ll
go and get her if you like.”

Barlow gave a cold smile. “That would be very good.” Danvers backed out of the room. Minutes
later Brenda came in. Barlow looked up at her. “OK?” he asked.

“Mmm, just,” she said. “I’d have preferred it if you’d been quicker. I wasn’t looking forward to an
appointment with the concrete mixer on the by-pass.”

“Still, all’s well. I assume he’ll do the decent thing?”

“I think so. He was untying the others as I left him. Well, Charlie, I’m obliged to you. You were right
to suggest a safe call whenever I was going visiting.”

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“All part of the service from your friendly local constabulary,” Barlow grinned.

“Well thank you anyway. And just to prove how grateful I am, the next time you come to see me
you can bring your handcuffs and your truncheon.”

Barlow snorted, said good night and headed back to his car. Brenda turned back towards the living
room and the others.

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Chapter 32 : Retribution

When Brenda got back to the living room there was no sign of Danvers or Jack. Sarah was busily
untying the ropes around Elaine’s wrists. Maria was sitting alongside her on the floor removing the
ropes from around her own ankles. Daphne was free as well, tugging at the scarf that was still tied
tightly across her mouth as a gag. The floor of the living room was scattered with the ropes and
cloth that had been used to bid and gag the women. Sarah’s handcuffs lay on the coffee table.

As Brenda came in, Sarah got up and ran towards her, giving her a hug. “Oh, thank you, thank
you,” she said. “What on earth happened to make Danvers and Jack change their minds?”

“I have a friend with a very persuasive turn of phrase,” Brenda grinned.

“But the police, won’t they arrest them?”

“If we wanted,” Brenda smiled. “But I think this way that we will all be safer.”

There was a knock at the living room door. The girls looked up as Danvers and Jack reappeared,
dressed once more in their maid’s uniforms. Maria, seemingly un-fazed by the events of the
evening gestured at the floor. “Ridley, you really had better clear this mess up.”

“Yes, Madam,” Danvers responded contritely. “I hope, Madam, that you weren’t too distressed by
our simulating the sort of situation that could arise if those burglars we heard about had….”

Maria cut him off. “That will do. We’ll discuss this later. I’ll see you in your room, shortly. Elaine, I
expect you will want to have a word with Carroway as well.”

“Oh, yes,” she said. “We are definitely going to have words when we get back.” Jack looked
suitably worried.

Maria turned to the still naked Sarah. “Now, Jones, I want you to get dressed. Go and put your
uniform on and then meet me in Ridley’s room. Ridley,” she turned to Danvers, “you can go to
your room right now.”

“Yes, Madam,” Danvers replied quietly and scuttled away.

A few minutes later, Danvers, Maria and Sarah were all gathered in Ridley’s box room. Maria had
changed out of her uniform and was now wearing a long dressing gown over her underwear.
Danvers, his head bowed, caught a glimpse of the tops of her stockings. He knew better than to
respond to it as she strode up and down in irritation, slapping a riding crop in her hand.

“I am afraid I have been altogether too lenient with you, Ridley.”

“Yes, Madam,” Danvers replied penitently.

“Don’t think for a moment that you can expect to get away with something like that again.

“No Madam,” short answers seemed best to Danvers in his current position.

“It’s obvious that you need much closer supervision,” Maria continued. “Fortunately, I feel that
Jones here is ready to take on that role. It’s only right that a wife should take some responsibility
for controlling her husband, after all.” Sarah began to look alarmed. “Now it’s late and frankly, I

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need a good night’s sleep to prevent me doing something that I might regret. You,” she gestured
at Danvers with the crop, “can take off that uniform.”

Danvers quickly stripped down to just his corset, bra, panties and stockings. Maria watched,
impassively, arms folded. “Now get on the bed she ordered.” Danvers did as he was told. “And you
Jones, make sure he stays there.”

“Me, Madam?” Sarah looked puzzled.

“Yes, Jones, you. He is your husband and you are the senior housemaid. Take some of the ropes
that Ridley thought would be so amusing to use on us and make sure he is tied to that bed so we
can all enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep. Get on with it. I’ll be back in a minute or two to see how well
you have done.”

“But, Madam, I don’t know … and I mean well I’ve never … and I…”

“Jones! Just do as I’ve told you. I’d have thought you had enough incentive this evening to make
sure this miscreant cannot get up to anything over night, but in case you haven’t you can expect a
thrashing if I am not satisfied with what you do!” Maria swept out of the room, cracking the crop
on the door frame as she went.

Sarah, looked sheepishly at Danvers. “I’m sorry, Danvers, you do see that I have to do as she says.
Don’t you?”

Danvers looked resigned as Sarah looked around the room. “What do you want me to do?” he
said.

“Well, lie down on the bed, I think. That’s the best if we are all to get some rest. I’ll tie you to the
bed as Madam has done to me. You get on the bed and I’ll get some of the rope you were using
earlier. And hurry up, Madam will be back in a moment.” Sarah disappeared from the room leaving
Danvers feeling that she was showing all too much enthusiasm for her task.

His concerns were rewarded when she returned carrying a tray with the remains of the bondage
equipment that he and Jack had used on the girls earlier that evening. Without speaking, Sarah
took four lengths of rope and secured Danvers’s wrists and ankles to each corner of the bed,
stretching him out. Danvers thought he might find it easy to wriggle free once his wife and Maria
had left but to his surprise she jerked the ropes tight and knotted them off with a surprising
confidence. Danvers gave a yelp as rope pinched his wrist against the bed frame. Sarah, sitting on
the bed beside him, apologised. “Sorry, dear,” she said, “I’ve only done this sort of thing with
ropes and spars at Girl Guide camp. I must do it tightly, you see. I’m sure that Madam will be upset
if I don’t.”

Danvers grunted. He was still pulling experimentally but unsuccessfully at the ropes when Maria
returned. She peered approvingly at the knots that held Danvers secure to the bed. “Very good
Jones, you’ve done this very neatly.”

Sarah smiled in gratitude and bobbed a curtsy. “Oh, thank you Ma’am. I’ve never done anything
like that before.”

“Well,“ said Maria, ignoring Danvers’s scowl, “that’s very good for a first attempt. And I’m sure
you’ll get better at it.” Danvers and Sarah both looked concerned. “Now there’s only one thing left.
He needs a gag – otherwise he’ll be complaining all night, I am sure.”

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“Oh, yes, Madam, I’m sorry, I didn’t think of that.” Sarah turned eagerly to the tray and picked up
the scarf that Danvers had used on herself only hours before. “Will this do, Madam?” she asked.

“I think so, Maria responded. “But I suggest you take off your panties and use those to fill his
mouth first. It will keep him quieter and serve to remind him just who is responsible for his
discipline now.”

“If you say so, Madam,” said Sarah, stepping out of her knickers. Danvers tried to resist as she
pushed them between his lips but a crack from Maria’s crop across his outstretched thighs caused
him to yelp in pain and gave Sarah the opportunity she needed. Proficient, girl-guide knots in the
scarf followed and soon Danvers could do not more than grunt impotently, spread out like a star
fish on the bed.

“There,” said Maria to the helpless Danvers as she turned to go. “Spend the night thinking about
how you can make amends for your behaviour today. Come along Jones, you can help me get
ready for bed now that you’ve done that.”

“Very good, Madam,” said Sarah as she followed her mistress from the room. Danvers watched
them go.

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Chapter 33 : Nighty Night

To Danvers the night seemed endless. Tied to the bed, his every attempt to ease the strain on his
stretched out arms and legs came to no avail. He had no way of measuring the passing of time
until a grey dawn started to announce the arrival of day but although the day arrived, the rest of
the house slept on.

He began to become aware of an increasing need to pee. He couldn’t remember when he had last
used the lavatory but he knew that he needed it now. He tried to call out but the combination of
his wife’s panties and the scarf made sure that he didn’t disturb any of the sleeping household. He
tried to distract himself, counting spots on the rooms wallpaper, considering just what he would
do to Maria when he got free of her. It didn’t work. The more he tried to think of other things, the
more his mind filled with images of waterfalls, dripping taps and gently flowing rivers.

Eventually he could bear it no longer. With a whimper from the gagged Danvers, a flood of urine
spilled across the bed, soaking into the mattress and running under his legs and buttocks, soiling
his stockings and knickers. Danvers groaned in frustration and humiliation.

It was hardly any time later when his wife arrived in the room. Seeing the mess, her hands flew to
her mouth and, ignoring Danvers’s muffled bellows, she went away again without making any
effort to free her helpless husband. She returned after a short while with Maria. “I thought you
would want to know, Madam,” she said pointing at the mess on the bed.

“Thank you, Jones, “ Maria replied. “I’m afraid it just makes more work for Ridley to take care of.”
Danvers grunted in irritation. “Here’s what I want you to do. You can untie him from the bed but
he’s not to go free. Use the handcuffs that are over there on the table but cuff his hands in front of
him – he’s going to be working. And lock a gag on him too. I don’t want him twisting you round his
finger. Get him to clean up in here and then have him wash his knickers and stockings before he
gets properly dressed in his uniform. Then the two of you can report to me in the lounge.”

Maria left the two of them to go downstairs, relaxing in the comfort of the sitting room while she
hear the thumps and grunts echoing from above as Sarah and Danvers carried out her instructions.
It took half an hour before the two rejoined Maria as she had ordered. It was the start of a week in
which Sarah took over more and more of the day to day management of her husband’s tasks.

A week after Danver’s attempted abduction of Maria and his wife, Sarah watched as Maria ordered
Danvers to his knees in front of her. Ignoring Danvers, Maria turned to his wife. “You’ve done well,
Jones,” she said. “I do think he’s getting the idea about how to behave. Don’t you?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Sarah replied. “I have been happy to help.”

“I thought so,” said Maria, smiling. “In fact, I’ve got a treat for you. Why don’t you pop up to your
room and see what I’ve left for you there.” Danvers looked quizzical. Maria ordered him to keep
his eyes on the floor. “And don’t worry about Ridley for a while. He’s going to have plenty to do.”

Sarah smiled, said, “Very good, ma’am,” and left the room.

Maria turned to Sarah’s hapless husband. “Coffee, you, and be quick about it!” He got slowly to his
feet and teetered off in his high heels towards the kitchen.

Half an hour later, Maria had finished her coffee; Danvers was kneeling before her, carefully
applying scarlet varnish to her toe nails. He heard an ominous clack of high heels on the parquet

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flooring of the hall. Only a barked “carry on with your work, Ridley,” from Maria stopped him
looking up as the sitting room door opened.

“Oh, madam, it’s wonderful,” he heard his wife say.

“I thought you’d like it,” said Maria. “The question is can you live up to it?”

“Oh, I think so, Madam, I think so.”

“I think you can call me Maria, now,” Maria said.

“Oh, thanks you, err, Maria,” Sarah responded.

Maria smiled. “Well, I think Ridley has finished, here,” she said. “You’d better take him up stairs.
He hasn’t made a bad job of this but you can give him half a dozen strokes with the crop to keep
his mind on things. Is that all right?”

“Yes, of course, Maria.” Danvers felt a collar being buckled around his neck. He looked around to
see his wife, clad in a black leather cat suit and high heeled leather boots. “Come along you,” she
barked, jerking on the leash attached to his collar.

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Chapter 34 : Parliamentary Ambitions

“Ridley, I want a word with you!” Maria summoned Danvers from his tasks in the kitchen. He was
still wearing his maid’s uniform and his shackles but at least his gag had been removed.

“Of course, Madam, what is it?” Danvers was using his most obsequious tone.

I had a very interesting lunch date today, Ridley. With an acquaintance of yours.” Maria held out a
letter. “I was surprised,” she said, “to receive a letter on House of Commons notepaper. I was still
more surprised that it contained an invitation to lunch with our Member of Parliament. He’s an
interesting man, wouldn’t you say?”

“I think he’s done a good job for the constituency, Madam. I spite of his being a Labour man. I
wouldn’t be at all surprised if he went on to Cabinet if they ever get in. And who knows, now this
man Wilson is leading them maybe the country will think its time for a change at the next
election.”

“Quite Ridley, but I didn’t really intend to talk politics. You see he’s offered me a job. He seems to
think I’d make a good personal assistant. He thinks I have the sort of determined personality that
can get things done. That I’d be able ‘to bring some order and control to his life at Westminster’
were I think his exact words.”

“Really, Madam?”

“I was just wondering where he might have got that idea, Ridley? Indeed, I was wondering how he
might have heard of me at all. And then I thought, well I know one person as far as I am aware that
is in touch with this gentleman. I wonder if it could be any thing to do with him? What are you
playing at Ridley?”

“Playing at, Madam? Nothing, I assure you. It’s just that I had spoken to him last week just before
the unfortunate confusion over the by-pass incident, and he asked me if I knew anyone that would
be suitable as his personal assistant. I would have thought that might suit you well Madam, close
to the centre of power and so many opportunities. I took the opportunity to suggest that he might
contact you, I admit.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me Ridley?” Maria asked.

“Goodness, no Madam,” Ridley replied.

Maria looked quizzical. “Perhaps not Ridley. However, I’m sure you won’t be sorry to hear that I
intend to take up this offer. Since I am still in your employment I’d like to give notice. I’ll be leaving
at the end of the week, if that’s convenient. I hope you won’t expect me to work my full notice
period?”

Ridley gave a sigh of relief. ”Of course not, Madam. I can quite understand your desire to move on
and I wouldn’t want to stand in the way of this career move in any way.”

A week later, Sarah watched with mixed feelings as Maria left the house for the last time. For
Danvers there was no question of anything other than delight that Maria was out of their lives for
good. She had barely left the house before he had gratefully taken off his maid’s uniform and
changed back into shirt and trousers for the first time in weeks. Our loss is very definitely
Westminster’s gain, he thought as he sat for the first time in a long time in the comfort of the chair

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behind the desk in his study. He allowed himself a cigar in celebration, drawing on it with a deep
satisfaction and sense of well-being. Things had finally taken a turn for the better.

Sarah came into his office. “She’s gone,” she said.

“Good,” said Danvers. “Perhaps now we can get back to a more normal life around here.”

“Yes,” Sarah said, “Maria thought that might be your hope. I told her that I wasn’t at all sure that
going back to how things were would be a very good thing. Anyway, never mind that. With Maria
gone I’m going to need some help around the house and since you stood down from the council
you have little enough to do. I think some things are going to stay as they were when Maria was
here. After all she did let me have that interesting collection of photographs that she had been
building up and those very intriguing magazines. I think I’ve learned quite enough from Maria for
us to carry on just as before. I don’t think that we need you in your uniform just now but you can
just take your trousers and pants off darling.”

“This is nonsense, Sarah,” Danvers protested.

“Oh, I don’t think so,” she replied, picking up the cane that Maria had left on Danvers’ desk. “You
do remember the photographs, don’t you. They are ever so good of you.”

Danvers gave a resigned sigh and got to his feet.

+++ THE END +++

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