The Companion Ch. 01-02

Chapter One

The imposing building loomed up, dwarfing the surrounding trees, as the carriage pulled up sharply and sent Rachel sprawling forward.

"Really, Rachel, you need to act like a lady!" snapped her great-aunt, impeccably dressed as usual, as she tapped her walking stick on the floor to signal the driver to attend to her. The man, rain soaking his cloak, pulled down the steps and then held his arm out to aid both ladies as they made their way down onto solid ground and then into the sheltering cover of the porch.

"Wait here, Jenkins, as I will not be that long," commanded Mrs Drake before she turned to the door and pulled sharply on the bell rope. Nerves jangling like the bell, Rachel waited apprehensively, wondering what her new life was going to be like.

It had been the year before that Rachel's parents had both died suddenly; killed when the ship they had been travelling in had foundered at sea during a storm. Orphaned at the tender age of eighteen, her great-aunt, Mrs Drake, had taken her in out of pity and supported her ever since but now, with her own funds slowly but steadily dwindling away, she had decided that it was time for Rachel to find some sort of employment. Naturally, being a well-brought up Victorian lady, Rachel was not exactly qualified for anything arduous so Mrs Drake had used her extensive circle of contacts and found her a position as a companion.

"My friend, Mrs Willis, has a friend who needs somebody to accompany them around town when shopping or going to dances and to their estate in the country. With no money of your own thanks to your father's recklessly extravagant lifestyle, it means that you can live there and be paid whilst having the chance to remain in society and maybe find a rich husband! It sounds perfect for you, Rachel, so I have made an appointment to see Miss Caine at three o'clock tomorrow afternoon," Mrs Drake had informed Rachel tersely before telling her to make sure that she was presentable.

Dressed in her best frock, a watered-silk in a fetching blue, Rachel rocked slightly from side to side, wondering if she wanted to remain in society. Her snobbish great-aunt clearly wanted her to but Rachel found parties and balls boring even though she was a good dancer, gracefully gliding round the floor. Shyness always made her blush furiously though when any man came to speak to her and she spent most of her time at parties hugging the wall and trying to avoid notice; something that was not easy as she was blonde, blue-eyed and possessed of an attractive figure. Really, sitting at home comfortably with a good book would interest Rachel more than being pawed at by youths of her own age as they tried to decide if she would make a suitable and compliant wife. One who was willing to sit at home and look after their children whilst they were away playing with their mistresses, Rachel assumed, remembering how her own father had behaved.

The slight creaking of the front door as it opened brought Rachel back to the present and she looked up and saw a tall, dark-haired butler staring grimly down at her.

"Mrs Drake and her great-niece to see Miss Caine," announced Rachel's great-aunt forthrightly, stepping forward and into the house as the butler moved out of the way.

"You are early, Mrs Drake. I believe Miss Caine mentioned one o'clock and it is now a quarter to the hour," intoned the butler, smoothing down his immaculate waistcoat as Rachel stepped inside. "Miss Caine is very particular about such matters so if you would like to wait in the drawing room until she is ready to meet you?"

"Of course."

"Then please follow me," added the butler, turning on his heel after shutting the door and heading down the gleaming parquet-floored hallway.

Settled in the drawing room, Rachel and her great-aunt spent their time looking round at the expensive décor and furniture, admiring in particular the Georgian elegance of the floor to ceiling windows that doubled as doors to enable people to walk out into the landscaped garden. The towering grandfather clock in the corner steadily ticked away until, just as a single chime announced the hour, the door opened and Miss Caine walked in, followed by a maid with a tea trolley.

"I am sure that you would appreciate some refreshments while we converse," their hostess announced, dark green eyes observing her guests thoughtfully as she sat down elegantly opposite them. A wine-red skirt and crisp white blouse with a gleaming ruby brooch at the neck adorned her slim body and Rachel was surprised that the woman was so young. She had expected someone in their fifties but Miss Caine appeared to be only in her late thirties at the most and she wondered, blue eyes narrowing slightly, why she needed anybody to accompany her at all.

"I can see that you are wondering why I need a companion, my dear Rachel." stated Miss Caine, smiling slightly as the girl jerked in surprise. "I am clearly not a dried up old lady yet and can get around on my own legs but I do appreciate having youthful company with me. I am also a designer of clothing for the well off and it would be part of your employment to wear my creations and display them for me. You do seem to have an excellent figure hiding under that dress although I will need to examine it more closely later just to make sure. Have you any questions for me? Mrs Drake? Rachel?"

Rachel held on firmly to the cup of tea the maid had just handed to her and looked at her great-aunt who opened her mouth immediately and asked about remuneration.

"I think that three guineas per month to begin with, rising to five after a six month trial period, Mrs Drake. Rachel will, of course, live in this house and all her meals will be provided. No gentlemen callers will be allowed unless I decide that they are suitable!" stated Miss Caine.

"Eminently sensible, Miss Caine," fawned Mrs Drake, relieved to think that she could get Rachel off her hands at last, especially as it would give her the chance to go and see her old friend down in Exeter for a while.

"If you would like to sit and enjoy your tea and some of these little cakes, I will take Rachel and examine her to see if she will make an adequate model, Mrs Drake," added Miss Caine, placing her tea cup on the trolley and rising elegantly to her feet.

"Of course, Miss Caine. Rachel, off you go and do whatever Miss Caine wishes! Do not disappoint her!" snapped Mrs Drake, fastening her beady eyes on her great-niece threateningly.

Rachel stood and followed Miss Caine out of the room, face slightly flushed as she resented the way she was ordered about by her great-aunt. It would be a blessing to get away from the overbearing woman although Miss Caine's stern demeanour was quite intimidating. Out of the frying pan and into the fire? The old idiom stuck in Rachel's mind as she trailed after the owner of the house up the stairs and into a bedroom which was richly-furnished with a four poster bed dominating the space along with imposing mahogany wardrobes lining the walls.

"This will probably be your room, Rachel, if I decide that you are suitable. Now please disrobe so that I can see you properly," stated Miss Caine, turning on her heel and staring straight at Rachel, dark green eyes observing the girl thoughtfully. Nervously, fingers fumbling at the buttons on the bodice of her dress, Rachel obeyed, eventually sliding the silken material off her shoulders until it draped around her waist before she slid it down over her hips and stepped out of it. She looked round for somewhere to put the garment and Miss Caine indicated the bed with her hand and Rachel laid the blue dress down carefully then stood up straight waiting to be inspected.

"You have not finished yet, girl!" snapped Miss Caine, shaking her head in annoyance. "I do not want to look at your shift, do I? Remove it!"

"But..." began Rachel in surprise before she clamped her lips shut as she saw the angry expression on the other woman's face. Resigned to displaying her all yet blushing furiously at the idea, she slipped out of her shift and allowed it to pool around her ankles; a white lake beneath her feet.

Wearing only her stockings and garters, Rachel waited as Miss Caine slowly walked round her, eyes scanning her naked body carefully while she murmured to herself.

"Fairly tall and those breasts are just right. A nice handful but not too big or saggy."

Rachel flushed even more and opened her mouth to complain at being discussed in such a way but then stopped herself, remembering her great-aunt's stricture about being obedient and doing what Miss Caine required. Rachel knew that if she was not taken on by Miss Caine, her life was going to be made a misery as her great-aunt would decide that it was all her fault. She had to impress and therefore she stood up as straight as she could and tried not to flinch away too much as Miss Caine stepped closer and laid a soft hand on her bare flesh.

"Responsive too," added Miss Caine, stroking her fingers over Rachel's bare breast and then teasing the nipple with the tips. Rachel bit back a protest, forcing herself to stay still as a bolt of pleasure skittered through her body, slithering straight down to her groin. The hands slid over her shoulders and then down her back before they cupped her bottom cheeks and the woman's voice whispered in her ear, "Hmm, just right, I think. Pert yet with a hint of wobble. I wonder how quickly they will colour up?"

Rachel was still wondering what Miss Caine meant when the woman sidled back round in front of her and snapped at her to part her legs.

"What?" stammered Rachel in reply, looking down at the fluffy blonde curls of her bush as one of the woman's hands settled just a few inches away on her hip.

"I believe that you heard me, Rachel, so be obedient or maybe I will warm your pretty cheeks up for you here and now," stated Miss Caine, after sighing in exasperation. Slowly and reluctantly, Rachel inched her thighs apart, face flaming with embarrassment. She had not let anyone see her naked since her parents had died and her maid had been let go due to the financial constraints caused by her father's reckless spending on horses and prize fights. It was difficult now to make herself comply but a couple of sharp slaps on her bare bottom encouraged Rachel to surrender completely and to stand stock still as Miss Caine inched her hand through her pubic curls and down onto the softness of her slit. Rachel groaned as another bolt of excitement flashed through her body as the woman cupped her plump pussy lips for a moment or two before she stepped back and inquired, "Are you a virgin, girl?"

"Of course, I am!" responded Rachel indignantly.

"Good because I do not wish to employ a young lady who cannot control her base desires. If you come to live with me then you will be expected to keep yourself chaste... unless I wish otherwise anyway!" Miss Caine commented with a little giggle before she told Rachel to get dressed and then return to the drawing room. "Wait outside though while I talk to your aunt!"

Rachel got dressed slowly once Miss Caine had gone because her body felt different somehow after being inspected. As she slid her shift back on, she stroked her own fingers across her breasts and nipples and felt her flesh respond, hardening instantly as excitement burgeoned. She bunched up the thin material over her hips and slid her fingers down through her bush and onto her quim lips, feeling a slight trace of wetness as she traced her index finger along the length of her slit. She was about to slide it between the puffy lips when a noise outside made her jump and she hurriedly dropped her shift to cover her blonde bush and shimmied into her dress, buttoning the bodice up swiftly to ensure that she was decent again.

Rachel slipped out of the bedroom then back down the stairs and along the hall, shoes sounding loud on the parquet flooring, until she got to the drawing room. Then she waited nervously, wondering what Miss Caine was saying to her great-aunt as she heard the muted burble of conversation from inside the room. It seemed like an eternity but was really only five minutes or so before the door was opened and the two women walked out, Rachel's great-aunt leading the way.

"I will send her things over to you tomorrow, Miss Caine. Not that there is much after her parents' unfortunate demise and the debts that they left behind. Rachel, make sure that you work hard and obey Miss Caine in every way. I will write soon and let you know where I will be staying down in Devon whilst visiting my friend."

"But aren't I coming back home with you?" bleated Rachel, suddenly nervous about being left with a woman she hardly knew.

"No, Rachel. Mrs Drake and I think it would be best if you started today so bid your great-aunt farewell and then you can begin your new life as my companion," stated Miss Caine firmly and Rachel found herself hugged briefly by her great-aunt and kissed on the cheek almost dismissively before the woman bustled out to the waiting carriage. Feeling bereft as the door closed with ominous finality behind the stout figure, Rachel blinked back a tear and waited to see what she would be required to do for her new employer.

Chapter Two

"Follow me to my work room please, Rachel, as I think I would like to see if some of my designs fit you or if they need some adjustment," commanded Miss Caine, turning as soon as the door had closed.

"Alright," murmured Rachel unenthusiastically.

"Yes, Miss Caine!" snapped the other woman, green eyes narrowing dangerously. When Rachel rolled her eyes, Miss Caine's hand shot out and slapped her sharply round the face, stinging her cheek. Recoiling, Rachel looked at her in shock, mouth open as the pain shot through her nervous system.

"Don't stand there swallowing flies, girl. I expect to be addressed properly by my servants and as my companion you are classified as such. I will inform you when, if ever, you can call me by my first name!"

"Yes, Miss Caine," muttered Rachel, rubbing her reddened cheek as she wondered just what she had let herself in for.

"That's better. I hope I will not have to tell you again or I might have to take a cane to those pretty cheeks of yours, young lady," added Miss Caine before she turned abruptly and strode off, heels clacking on the floor and velvet skirt swishing around her ankles.

Rachel dragged her feet reluctantly as she followed her new mistress. The sudden sharp slap had left her nervous and afraid of the woman and she wondered just what she had let herself in for. Life with her great-aunt had been boring and mundane but at least she had not been ill-treated. Head bowed and blue eyes filling with tears, she trailed after Miss Caine into a long room lined with shelves on the far wall. Light flooded in through skylights and large sash windows, illuminating the wooden table in the centre while a tailor's dummy stood clad in what Rachel assumed was a half-finished corset or bustier.

"Stand up straight, girl!" hissed Miss Caine abruptly. "You need to project confidence when you are modelling one of my creations, not look as if you are ashamed of it! Head up, not studying the floor!"

Rachel stared obstinately down at the parquet flooring, studying the intricate herringbone pattern intently until her new mistress' hand gripped her chin and forced it upwards painfully.

"It appears that you still have not learnt your lesson, Rachel. Good because I need to assuage my bad temper and there is nothing better to do that than to teach a girl how to behave properly when around her betters!" snapped Miss Caine. "I can see why Mrs Drake was keen to wash her hands of you!"

Expecting another slap, Rachel flinched as the woman's hand moved but it only gripped her shoulder and pulled her over towards a chair situated in the corner of the room. Was she going to be made to sit there like a naughty child? She almost giggled at the thought then gasped as, to her surprise, Miss Caine sat down and dragged Rachel down onto her lap effortlessly. Twisting Rachel's arms up behind her back with surprising strength, the woman swept up the girl's dress and shift until her bottom cheeks were exposed and then laid her warm hand on the slightly cold white flesh.

"You are about to learn how dangerous and painful it is to anger me, girl. Next time, it will be something harder than my hand hitting your bottom and making it glow so take this as a warning!"

Trembling from head to toe and with her long blonde hair tumbling around her face, Rachel could not believe what was going to happen as the hand on her bottom suddenly moved away. Yes, she had been spanked before but only when she was much younger and then just briefly by her nanny or mother. This was highly embarrassing, almost mortifying in fact, and her face went as red as a tomato as her soft flesh was suddenly struck by Miss Caine's hard hand. A pang of pain shot through her and she moaned as the sound echoed round the room. Before she could recover, another sharp smack followed and then another and soon she was lost in trying to cope with the rushing heat and agony that suffused her flesh and shot up into her brain. All thoughts of decorum were lost as she kicked and struggled but it was all in vain as Miss Caine held her effortlessly and continued to spank her new servant's arse cheeks, delighting in the steady change of colour from white to pink and then to a pale red.

The smacks suddenly stopped raining down and Rachel breathed a huge sigh of relief, fighting back tears which were more of shame than pain.

"Don't think that I have finished yet, girl," remarked Miss Caine. "I am going to award you two dozen very hard spanks now and you will thank me for each one. If you do not then I will start again from the beginning. Do you understand?"

Rachel wanted to stay silent but fear of what might happen if she did loosened her tongue and she stammered out that she understood.

"Good because that means you have no excuse if you fail to comply, doesn't it? Afterwards, you will get off my lap and kneel down until I tell you to move! If you disobey then this pretty bottom will feel my namesake today!"

For a moment, Rachel wondered what Miss Caine meant then she worked it out and her body quivered in fright, fearing the hard wood of a cane striping her soft flesh. The woman's hand hurt enough and suddenly she was back to trying to survive the stinging pain as Miss Caine brought her palm down hard and fast. The sound resounded round the room along with Rachel's shrill cry before she managed to control herself enough to thank her mistress. It was shaming to have to do so but she could not think of anything but compliance as she had no wish to encounter the cane. The heat in her bottom seemed to spread as the harsh spanking continued and Rachel became conscious of a slick wetness between her thighs and a tingling in her clitoris. She wanted to keep her thighs pressed together tightly but it was impossible to do so as she automatically kicked and wriggled with every sharp smack that landed on her bottom cheeks. Groaning at the pain that swept through her nervous system and exploded in her brain, Rachel clenched her teeth and tried to endure as Miss Caine reached the final half a dozen smacks.

Miss Caine glanced down at the scarlet bottom cheeks beneath her and smiled with pleasure. There was nothing like making a young girl's white cheeks red and glowing. She had discovered that at a young age when experimenting with her cousin, Victoria, and had gone on to perfect the art of warming up a pair of buttocks since. She could feel her pussy melting with desire and delight as her hand encountered the taut firmness of Rachel's arse. The way that the flesh dimpled upon impact then resiliently bounced back was intensely intriguing to watch and the sweet echoes that assailed her ears were absolutely delightful. It was also pleasurable to glimpse a trace of wetness on the girl's pussy lips as she reacted to the hard hand striking her bare bottom by jerking and wriggling.

Reaching the final smack, Miss Caine whipped her palm down and smiled at the sweet sound before she waited for the girl to say thank you. Resting her hand, itself stinging from the spanking, upon her companion's red arse, she felt the warmth suffuse her skin and then, before Rachel could react, she slid her hand down between the girl's soft thighs and cupped her slit.

"So very, very wet, young lady," she murmured as Rachel shrieked and tried ineffectually to dislodge the fingers as they stroked over her sensitive folds, teasing slippery moisture everywhere that they touched. Rachel's reaction suddenly changed as she felt pleasure slither temptingly into her senses and she parted her legs wider and began to sigh in appreciation as Miss Caine's thumb came to rest on her swollen and needy clitoris. Little tremors of delight rippled through her body and she pushed her softness onto the fingers wantonly only to moan with disappointment as they were suddenly snatched away.

"I do not think that you deserve any pleasure, Rachel. Good girls get rewarded whilst bad ones get spanked or caned or... whatever else that I wish to do to them!" remarked Miss Caine, pushing Rachel off her lap and standing up. "Now kneel and do not touch yourself or it will definitely be my favourite rattan cane that will introduce itself to your bottom!"

Fear pervaded every part of Rachel as she obediently knelt and tried not to give in to the temptation to touch her pussy folds and make herself come. Her flesh urged her to surrender but she resisted the tingling sensation in her swollen bud and instead tried to fix her attention on her new mistress who was rummaging through a cupboard.

"This one will do the job very nicely, I believe," the woman announced finally and Rachel looked at the object in Miss Caine's hand in puzzlement. Walking back over until she stood by her servant, Miss Caine dangled the item from her fingers and waited for the penny to drop, smiling as she saw the worried look flash into Rachel's soft blue eyes.

"Yes, girl, it is a collar to put around your pretty neck and keep your head up high," the woman announced, letting the leather touch Rachel's skin gently before she bent down and started to slip it into place. Rachel kept still, wanting to run away but knowing that if she did, her already sore bottom would make a prolonged and very painful acquaintance with the cane. The stiff leather pushed uncomfortably against her chin once the collar was fastened tightly and therefore she really had no choice but to keep looking up otherwise it would chafe her skin.

"Excellent. Now I can get down to work and see if any of my recent creations suit your body, Stand up and remove your clothes, girl!"

For the briefest of moments, Rachel wanted to rebel but then she thought about what would happen if she did and she surrendered, standing up and then slipping out of her dress and shift, all too conscious of Miss Caine staring at her.

"Perhaps my very latest idea?" the woman mused, stroking her long fingers across her lips thoughtfully before she went to the tailor's dummy and slid what Rachel had presumed to be a half-finished corset off its slim shoulders. She came back and Rachel felt the touch of cool satin on her back and stomach then looked down despite the pain of the collar and gasped as she realised that her breasts were going to be left completely bare. Miss Caine fitted the garment expertly then tightened the laces, pulling them in hard until Rachel could hardly breathe before tying them off in a bow. She pushed Rachel over a few steps until she stood in front of a tall cheval mirror then remarked, "I believe that this should be a definite hit amongst my clientele!"

"But it's indecent!" exclaimed Rachel indignantly, staring at her breasts and the way in which the top of the corset was designed to almost push them out onto display as if offering them to anyone who wished to handle them.

"Exactly, girl! Now you need a better pair of stockings to complement the corset, I think, and ..."

"A pair of drawers!" interrupted Rachel, face flaming with embarrassment as she looked at her golden bush almost shining in the reflecting glass of the mirror.

"Did I ask for your opinion?" snapped Miss Caine and Rachel shrieked as the woman reached round, cupped her hands around the proffered breasts and squeezed them both tightly for a few seconds. The sharp jolt of agonised delight that rushed through Rachel's body down into her clit caught her totally by surprise and she was left helpless by the strange feeling. Miss Caine's fingers teased and caressed her nipples which hardened instantly, wanting to be touched and caressed but pain followed as her mistress pinched one and then the other between her index finger and thumb, smiling as Rachel's mouth opened in a silent scream.

"This is what happens to girls who open their mouths without permission so remember the lesson or next time it will be far worse for you. Perhaps I will find some clamps and add them to these gorgeous nipples..."

"No please don't," mumbled Rachel, tears spilling down her cheek as the woman walked away suddenly back towards the cupboard which the collar had emerged from. Her fears were well founded because Miss Caine returned a few moments later and dangled a metal chain in front of Rachel. She swung it gently back and forth, almost like a hypnotist and Rachel stared at it as if mesmerised, fearing the metallic clamps that were attached to both ends. Threading it through a ring in the collar, Miss Caine slowly and deliberately pressed down on the first clamp and made the jaws open before she touched it to Rachel's swollen, aching nipple, working it over the raspberry-like bud whilst the girl remained frozen in fright.

"This should give me more tears to lick up," Miss Caine murmured, dark green eyes boring into Rachel's just before she let go and allowed the clamp to press into the tender flesh abruptly. Pain blossomed in an instant and Rachel gasped, feeling her bud being crushed by the jaws of the clamp. Jolt after jolt of agony flooded through her body and made her clit throb in sympathy with her nipple as tears did flow, running down her cheek and over the corner of her mouth before, to her amazement, Miss Caine did exactly what she had just said and began to lick them off delicately like a cat with a saucer of cream.

"Such a delightful taste," whispered Miss Caine as she moved the second clamp into place, smiling widely as she saw the fear blossom in Rachel's eyes. She opened the jaws wide then allowed them to snap shut and Rachel squealed as a rich red rush of agony raced through her body. Tears flowed copiously and her tormentor bent her head and flicked at them with her tongue, lapping away at the crystal spheres of sorrow while Rachel tried to cope with the waves of pain caused by the clamps on her swollen buds.

"Obviously, a girl should wear stockings to please her admirers," mused Miss Caine and she picked up a pair of silken ones from her work table and proceeded to work them up Rachel's legs, inching them up as far as she could until just a mere couple of inches of creamy thigh remained bare. Garters followed but they were not like any Rachel had seen before. They were metallic circlets which clicked into place and then cleverly constricted, pressing tightly into her flesh and keeping the silken stockings firmly in place. Each had another ring attached which dangled down and chinked gently when Rachel moved involuntarily; something she did often as the woman's touch so close to her throbbing pussy made her feel even more aroused. Then she gasped out loud as Miss Caine trailed the tip of her tongue up the still-exposed flesh until it teased over the very edge of her wet pussy folds.

"Walk for me now, girl!" ordered Miss Caine a few moments after she straightened up and wiped her lips delicately dry with a handkerchief which she produced like a magician from her sleeve. Rachel obeyed, knowing that there would be pain if she did not. She discovered that there was pain when she obeyed too as the collar chafed at her neck and the devilish little clamps tore at her nipples with every movement. She tried to glide along but then Miss Caine told her to walk on the balls of her feet and finally her tiptoes, commenting on how sensual the sway of her hips was and how attractive the redness of her beaten bottom cheeks.

Rachel blushed furiously at the compliments as she walked up and down the room for what seemed like an eternity before Miss Caine announced that it was time for afternoon tea. Relief flooded through Rachel at the thought of escaping from the work room and the restrictive corset as well as the teasing jaws of the clamps but to her dismay, her mistress simply ordered her to walk out of the room in front of her.

"But I can't!" wailed Rachel, heart thumping at the thought of being seen by any of the other servants.

"There is no cannot, only will not!" snapped Miss Caine. "You have just walked up and down in here for several minutes so you can walk down the hall and into the drawing room for afternoon tea, girl! You have already earned yourself six strokes of the cane for wilful disobedience and I will make it a dozen unless you move within the next ten seconds!"

Rachel blanched at hearing that she was going to be caned and then her attention was fixed on Miss Caine as the woman began to count down inexorably towards zero. Rachel surrendered at three, eyes once again leaking tears as she walked towards the door, opened it and then headed down the long hallway, nerves jangling as she wondered if she would encounter anybody on the way to the relative safety of the drawing room. Every single step was torment and her worst fears came true when, just before they reached the door to the drawing room, the immaculately-groomed and imposing figure of the butler loomed abruptly into view. Rachel shrieked and would have turned on her heels and fled but Miss Caine simply gripped her tightly by the shoulders and held her still as she asked, "What is it, Dawson?"

"Tea is ready, Miss Caine," the butler remarked, eyes flickering up and down Rachel's body briefly and almost impassively. "Miss Rachel's things have also arrived. Sent over by her great-aunt."

"Put them in her bedroom please, Dawson," replied Miss Caine.

"Lord and Lady Hawkwood have sent a message to say they will call on you at about eight tonight with their daughter for a fitting if that is convenient?"

"Perfectly convenient, Dawson, so please send a message back for me as soon as possible," replied Miss Caine and the butler bowed briefly, turned and disappeared down the corridor that led towards the servants' quarters. "I think another three strokes is needed as you so lamentably failed to act properly just then, girl. Dawson has been with me for years and is well-acquainted with my little foibles. You are not the first half-naked girl he has seen walking around the house."

Pushed forward abruptly, Rachel gasped as the sudden jerk made the clamps on her nipples bite in harshly and she stumbled through the drawing room entrance and then stood, wondering how something so normal as afternoon tea could be waiting for her on a trolley after the trials and tribulations of the previous hour.

"Sit opposite me, Rachel and do not cross your legs as that would not be very lady-like," stated Miss Caine as she walked by and sat down gracefully in a high-backed chair that faced out onto the garden. Rachel obediently went and took the chair opposite, sitting down slowly because every movement made the nipple clamps move slightly. Her bare bottom cheeks, still hot from the spanking, met the cool leather seat of the chair and she sighed with delight at the soothing feeling then swallowed hard as she wondered how they would feel after the cane had been applied.

It felt unreal to be sitting down drinking tea wearing just a corset. Rachel found that she was expected to make polite conversation when all she could really think about was how much pain the cane was going to cause when she encountered it later. How much later would it be? Straight after afternoon tea or would Miss Caine make her wait and add to her misery?

"Pay attention, girl!" snapped Miss Caine angrily and Rachel tried to force herself to listen properly, fearing that more strokes would be added if she annoyed her new mistress once again. Discussing fashion, members of high society whom she did not know and the flowers in the garden failed to distract Rachel from what was going to happen and the tiny cakes, something she would have enjoyed normally, tasted like ashes in her mouth.

"Do you know Lord and Lady Hawkwood at all?" inquired Miss Caine as she set her bone china tea cup down on the trolley by her side.

"No, Miss Caine. My mother and father passed away before I could be introduced into polite society."

"And your father had gambled most of the money away so your poor great-aunt was left to keep you. No wonder she was keen to pass you onto me!" remarked Miss Caine cuttingly. "I will introduce you tonight then and you can model some of my designs to see what their daughter, Arabella, thinks will suit her on her wedding day next month... although I am sure her father will have his own ideas! Now I am going to have a little rest after my busy afternoon but before I go, I will release these clamps and remove the collar although you will keep the corset on and wear it for dinner at seven. Until then, you can go to your room and rest for a while too as it will be a busy evening ahead."

"Thank you, Miss Caine," murmured Rachel, wondering if the woman had forgotten all about the promised caning. Desperately hoping so, she put her cup down and rose as gracefully as she could when Miss Caine beckoned her over. Her mistress gripped the first clamp and then released it and Rachel shrieked immediately as the blood flowed back into the crushed nipple and sent shivers of pain dancing through her body.

"Yes, it does hurt when they are removed, doesn't it?" opined Miss Caine, pulling gently at the remaining clamp and making Rachel shudder as she waited for the pain to flood into her once more. A few more seconds of tantalising and then it too was pulled away and more agony scorched through Rachel's nervous system and sent her clit throbbing once again. The collar came off next and Rachel breathed a sigh of relief, moving her neck up and down to try and ease the stiffness before she followed Miss Caine out of the room and up the stairs to her room.