Story: The Secret Slave. Part 14.

Sorry for the long hiatus. Here's the next chapter of Sophie's long journey. Never have I felt such affinity for a character and it saddens me to see where this is headed. I honestly did try to go easy on her and to help her out - resulting in me dragging my feet for days and weeks - but the story just wrote itself, taking her to the point of no return.

by Camille Langtry

Sophie sat quietly in the corner of the covered wagon. Her hands were painfully tied behind her back, forcing her into an uncomfortable position on the narrow wooden bench. She had tried to protest as she was unceremoniously dragged by her captor, but her insistence that she was not a slave was summarily ignored.

"One more word from yer and I'd put this in yer mouth, girl," the younger of the slave catchers barked and showed her what looked like a rope gag, dark and gnawed from repeated use. "Is that clear?"

"Yes, suh. I be quiet suh," she replied, switching back to her negro slave talk without even thinking about it. Given the circumstances it seemed futile to convince them of her real identity. Neither did it seem particularly wise. Perhaps the best way out of her situation was just getting a hold of Miss Elizabeth, who would somehow solve this mess for her.

Story: Florence, Lady Cranwell. Chapter 24.

by Jackie J

Janette looked at the floor of the carriage when it entered the gateway to Stoneleigh to his surprise and relief the security at the gate waved through the carriage knowing exactly who it’s occupant was. Drawing up to the main entrance to the manor the door of the carriage was opened by a uniformed footman who bowed respectfully.

He knew well not to raise his head until Miss Cat had passed.

Janette stumbled little on the steps caught up in his skirts and a helping hand from Sharista steadied him.

“Relax Janette eyes are on you.”

If Sharista’s words were meant to calm him they didn’t and he was becoming increasingly aware of the restrictiveness of his skirts gathering around him.

Story: Florence, Lady Cranwell. Chapter 23.

by Jackie J

Jonathan had been in his rooms gathering some belongings to take when he left Cranwell. It disturbed him that there was not a trace of Florence anywhere to be found but it was years since she left.

Jonathan having heard chatter from down in the manor and the sound of a dinner gong brought him from his thoughts down the stairway and into the parlour. His mother, maid Cathy was in attendance serving drinks to her Mistress and a guest. Sharista stood and with a contrived meekness offered a bobbed curtsy and her hand forward to the approaching Jonathan.

“Lord Cranwell, your servant Miss Sharista Matrina.”

“I understand Miss Summerville made you are aware of your mother's wish to reverse roles with her and to be the maid at Cranwell, some years ago now and what an accomplished maid she truly is. The level of devotion to her Mistress is remarkable and to be admired, don’t you agree Lord Cranwell?”

Story: Florence, Lady Cranwell. Chapter 22.

by Jackie J

Time passes as only time can, what went before consigned to history with only the present and the future of any relevance. Downton hall well managed by the dutiful housekeeper, Lucy Fairbright prospered. Cranwell manor, the domain of an increasingly confident and established Mistress Janet Summerville, well served by her now accomplished and totally subservient maid Cathy needed little improvement to the status quo. Still the venue of many ladies’ luncheons although the previous host now served such luncheons with a servility and humility befitting of the most well-trained maid servant that both surprised and amused many of the guests.

Three years had passed and it was if this situation had always existed. Sharista Matrina milked both estates of their wealth and grew richer and more powerful from her base at Stoneleigh, Lady Isabelle a mindless invalid locked away in the north tower of Stoneleigh being oblivious to the changes that had taken place, Stoneleigh having been transformed to become the destination of choice for those of a certain persuasion, many of who had previously visited the grubby suites of 27 Grafton Street.

Sharista’s client base had expanded considerably since moving her operation to Stoneleigh. Not everyone would be minded to indulge their fetish in the relative squalor of the city but within the luxurious setting of Stoneleigh manor well that was different. Protected by her influential client base things could not be better for Sharista Matrina. From her back-street brothel in the city she was truly a woman of substance enjoying the comforts of her country estate. Sharista never forgot the roots of her rise to riches and her stupefied pet remained her constant companion. No longer harnessed, there was no need now, Winifred deformed by the length of her confinement in the insidious harness could no longer stand even if she wished to and o the end of its leash the mute pet obediently crawled naked by Sharista’s side.  

Story: Florence, Lady Cranwell. Chapter 21.

by Jackie J

Lady Catherine was in a state of confused shock sat at her vanity staring at her reflection. News she had received from one of her luncheon friends that afternoon had almost made her faint. A random collection of hay by one of the guest’s tenant farmers from Downton hall brought news that Lady Dowton had met up with Lady Florence and was now travelling with her and that Lady Downton had been away for a number of weeks already.

Florence had been publically disowned for deserting her husband Lord Cranwell and the conversations around the luncheon table following this disclosure were very awkward for Lady Catherine. Lady Catherine knew exactly where Florence was and the fate she had suffered at Stoneleigh. But Mary joining her, she had to investigate there must be some confusion especially with the news coming from a mere farmer, someone had their wires crossed? Miss Hutchings had intended the news to seep out from Downton hall with the message she had sent to Lucy Fairbright, head maid and house keeper at Downton hall, and now it had and reached its intended target.

Lady Catherine brushed her hair deep in thought Mary Downton was her choice of bride for her son a son who she had heard little from since he resigned his commission and headed out to India, her many letters going unanswered. She had to go to Downton hall and find out how these rumours started, there was no way could Mary Downton be travelling with Florence because Florence was a captive maid at Stoneleigh. But first she would write to Lady Isabelle who would hopefully dispel this nonsense.

Story: Florence, Lady Cranwell. Chapter 20.

by Jackie J

The first week of the new regime at Stoneleigh passed quickly and Jess’s routines became established. The care of Lady Isabelle was her constant responsibility, dosed with Laudanum morning noon and night she would never be returning to her station in life. Jess had no choice but to follow Miss Matrina’s instructions regarding her harnessed pet and by the end of the first week all the signs of Winifred’s emotional and physical capitulation to her torment were becoming manifest.

Thankfully still using the grid but now enthusiastically nuzzling slops from the trough. Jess wanted to remove the cowl speak to Winifred, find out what had gone on, gone wrong, who are these two amazons who had taken control of Stoneleigh, what happened to Mary Downton? So many questions but Jess already knew better than to disobey her new Mistress and having hosed down the pen and pet, filled the food trough with swill prepared to leave the east wing.

When Jess turned to leave stood behind her was a smiling Sharista making her jump.

“You were fond of that were you not Jessica but look at it now rummaging in its own filth.”

Sharista walked to the pen and hooking a lead chain to her pet’s collar pulled it from the pen and having wound up its clitoral stimulator chained it on a short lead to a wall ring.

Two million page views!

Just saying.

Anyway, interesting results of the Lady-to-maid survey. Unfortunately there appears to be no way to publish them  (or I couldn't figure out how) in an easy-to-see form, so let me just spell them out with my brief comments.  Alternatively, you can see them yourself when/if you vote. For the rest of you here are the main takeaways (bold is how I voted myself):
What lady-to-maid scenario do you enjoy most?

I like it when someone forces it on the main character: 37.6%
Doesn't matter as long as the character ends up as a maid: 33.4%
It has to be voluntary, at least in the beginning: 29%

Relatively evenly spread between the three options, but a bit surprising my preferred option did noе win. For me a scenario where someone ends up stuck due to own stupidity/curiosity/bad luck is so much more powerful than when there is an evil protagonist playing with others' lives.

Does the story need to be as realistic as possible for you to enjoy it?