Surprises

I had just hung up the last dress in the wardrobe when Miss Charlotte burst into the room. Such was her haste to get to her writing desk that she didn’t notice me at first. As she foraged amongst her papers I closed the wardrobe door and bid her ‘Good afternoon.’

‘Oh Maria!’ she exclaimed, turning to face me. I took in her bright eyes and flushed face in wonder. Since Sir George’s refusal for her to wed she had been pale and withdrawn and we all worried for her.

Now she ran to me and embraced me tightly. ‘I am the happiest girl in the world right now. Oh Maria!’

Somewhat startled I stepped back and asked was she feeling quite well. Laughing, she explained: ‘Sir George has changed his mind and I am to marry Martin as soon as it can be arranged!’

My heart leapt at the news. I was very fond of my young mistress and had watched her change over the years from a shy, awkward girl to a mature young woman. As her maid I often bore witness to her generous nature, and her kindness on my Father’s passing was not to be forgotten. She deserved to be happy and her gentle manner would make her an excellent parson’s wife.

I heartily congratulated her and both forgetting our place we did a little dance around the room.

She had come to write to Martin's sister, delighted that at last she would be a member of Martin's lovely family. I agreed to take the letter to the Post Office as soon as it was ready. Collecting some other messages from the kitchen I set off on my bicycle on my errands. I rode quickly, eager to get the letter on its way, but also eager to avoid Jake who seemed to have an uncanny knack of appearing at my side whenever I left the house.

My mind was in turmoil and it was good to have the journey in solitude to think. As happy as I was at Miss Charlotte’s news I couldn’t help think of what the future held. Once she left Winterbrook there would be no need for two ladies’ maids. One of us would have to go. And surely in such a situation that would be me. Everyone knew that Sir George was very fond of Alice, certainly he would favour her over me. I’d have to find a situation elsewhere. Maybe I’d go to London for real this time.

But then what of Jake? I’d miss him, yet maybe I was safer away from him. He’d made his feelings clear. He wanted me as his wife: to love and to honour and to obey. They were his exact words; jokingly said, but with seriousness behind them. They confused me. I wanted him too, but not on those terms.

I had grown to love him over the past few months, but we disagreed on so much, especially his insistence on watching over me; meddling as I put it. And his way of making sure I kept out of trouble. I hated what he did to me, as much as I hated myself for letting him do it and how I went back to him every time. He was so good and kind and generous in every other way. And I felt so safe and happy when I was with him. Why couldn’t he look out for me without needing to beat me?

I still burned in mortification over last week thinking of how he’d whipped me in front of Jenks.

It had been my evening off and I’d spent it with Jake, visiting Mother and then taking tea in his lodge. He walked me back to the house, later than I should have been in, but I hadn’t told him that. I always got away with it, but not this time. At the back door we were discovered by Jenks who demanded to know where I’d been and why I was so late.

Before I could make any reply, Jake stepped in calmly apologising for my tardiness and promising it wouldn’t happen again. He explained we’d been vising my mother and he was just seeing me back to the house. Jenks calmed down immediately and pointed out Jake could not have known I should have been back an hour ago.

I fumed as the men discussed me like I wasn’t there. Finally I could take no more. ‘I’m a grown woman, thank you kindly! If I’m out later than some out-dated rule says I ought then that’s my own responsibility.’

Jenks tutted in disapproval. ‘I was prepared to be lenient this time Maria but I don’t like your attitude. Come see me in the morning, in my office.’

‘With all due respect Mr Jenks, I’ll deal with this,’ Jake interceded. ‘I’ll make sure she’s not tardy again and I think a few licks of my belt will cure the attitude quick smart.’

I blushed in shame, how dare Jake speak for me like that!

Jenks nodded slowly, ‘I’m sure you’ll make her see sense. I’d like an apology in the morning and then we shall see.’ He turned to leave the room and I sighed in relief. To my horror Jake invited him to stay and observe matters for himself. With a slight smile Jenks took a seat at the kitchen table and looked at us expectantly.

Turning to me, Jake slowly removed his belt. The sound of it rasping though the loops of his trousers made me shiver involuntarily. When he removed his belt I usually experienced great pleasure or great pain. I knew this was to be the former.

I glared at him angrily, frustrated by how neatly he had arranged things. He loved to beat me and to do so in front of Jenks was an added thrill for him: the more embarrassed I was, the more he enjoyed it. I resolved to give him no satisfaction at all and turned to lean against the wall, bending over so my bottom was out in readiness. I prayed he would just begin but despite my furious hissing he pulled my skirt up above my waist and parted my drawers. My face burned deep red at the thought of both of them seeing me so exposed.

Jake stood behind me, scolding me softly. Telling me how embarrassed he was to have been party to me letting Mr Jenks down, how this whipping was for my own good and that he would make sure I learned my lesson. I scowled into the wall, resolving to never talk to him again once this night was done. This was definitely the last time he’d ever do this to me.

The first stroke caught me by surprise and I jumped up squealing. It was low, landing firmly on the tops of my thighs and searing my delicate skin.

‘Try and take it like a good girl, Maria, without all that fuss. Show Mr Jenks how sorry you are,’ he admonished. I knew Jake was playing up to his audience and I bit back any retort. I wanted it to be over as soon as possible. He gave me six in total and I cried out over each one, playing up in turn: if he wanted a show for Jenks he could have it. Once he was done he made me apologise to Jenks before sending me back to stand facing the wall, my red hot bottom still on show.

‘Very good Dobson, we’ll say no more about it,’ Jenks concluded. ‘Lock the door after he leaves Maria.’ We were alone.

I swung around in outrage to Jake. Before I could utter a word he was before me, his finger on my lips shushing me. ‘Now, now my little firecracker, you know what I gave you wasn’t half as bad as what Jenks himself would’ve given you,’ he grinned at me.

In temper I tried to hit him but he was too quick, pinning my arms by my sides. I had to acknowledge he was right, Jenks would have been far more severe and there would have been the embarrassment of all the other staff listening to it. But still I didn’t have to be happy about it.

‘You swine Jake Dobson! I know you enjoyed every minute of it. Ugh I hate you!’ Confidently he kissed me. ‘No you don’t,’ he muttered, his hands feeling under my skirt for my special place. As his fingers got to work I forgot everything, lost in the pleasure of what he was doing. Forgetting myself I moaned aloud and he put his hand over my mouth to quieten me as he brought me to my peak and I slumped in his arms.

‘See you don’t hate me, you love me,’ he laughed as I collapsed against him. ‘And I will have you Maria, I’ll have you to love and to honour and to obey me. Mark my words my pretty little firecracker.’

Only later that night I realised that Jake had proposed. And I had been trying to avoid giving him an answer ever since.