Their Master's Pleasure by B. A. Bradbury Page A

that. I shouldn’t have punished Mrs Hammond in the first place. As you say, a governess isn’t the same as a maid.’
    â€˜Spankers spank, Freddie,’ I said, using my grandfather’s own words. ‘It’s what we do. Sometimes we make mistakes along the way - God knows, I’ve made enough in my time. What’s important is that we learn from them.’
    My godson nodded slowly. ‘I’ll speak with Mrs Hammond and apologise to her.’
    â€˜Well, that’s your decision, of course.’
    â€˜You wouldn’t do that?’
    â€˜No. We need to be respected too. Apologising for beating someone gives the impression we don’t know what we’re doing. I would simply leave things as they are, but be careful to find no fault with her in future.’
    â€˜I understand, sir.’
    â€˜That’s good,’ I said. ‘The matter is closed and we shall say no more about it. Now then, tell me something - I’m a little out of touch with current fashions. Are bright yellow riding crops all the rage with spankers these days?’
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Chapter 7
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    A week or so after this incident, late in the afternoon, Elizabeth came to see me. I was sitting on the terrace at the time, an easel and canvas before me. For the past few hours I had been attempting to capture the grounds in all their splendour - and not doing too well, in truth of fact.
    â€˜Uncle James,’ she said, ‘I need to ask a favour of you.’
    â€˜My dear Elizabeth,’ I said, dabbing on a blob of Burnt Sienna to represent a molehill, ‘ask away.’
    It was unusual for my eldest ward to ask me anything, let alone a favour. The pair of us maintained a kind of uneasy truce, since Elizabeth knew me for the lecherous spanker I was and trusted me not at all in consequence.
    â€˜It’s about Frederick,’ she said. ‘I want you to tell him not to seduce Cathy.’
    I carefully put down my brush and palette. She was standing quite still, hands clasped demurely in front of her, a preoccupied expression on her face. There was no question of telling her I had already secured Freddie’s promise on this very topic, for the situation was brim full of possibilities.
    â€˜What do you think of it?’ I asked.
    â€˜What do I think of what?’
    â€˜The painting, of course. Be honest.’
    â€˜Oh,’ she said. ‘It’s... very nice.’
    â€˜It’s bloody awful,’ I said. ‘Come on, let’s take a stroll.’
    I led her down towards the lake, though I had no ulterior motive in choosing that particular direction. Boathouse frolics were out of the question, for Elizabeth considered sex outside marriage wicked and immoral, not to mention demeaning to both parties. As I knew from past experience her body thought otherwise, but she refused to listen to it.
    â€˜What makes you think,’ I asked, coming straight to the point, ‘that my godson has designs on sweet, innocent little Catherine?’
    Elizabeth gave a snort - though a remarkably refined and ladylike one - and a crease appeared between her elegantly curved dark eyebrows. ‘He appears to be systematically working his way through the entire household. Sooner or later he’s bound to get to Cathy.’
    From everything I’d seen and heard her analysis of Freddie’s strategy was an accurate one. So far Molly, Mary, Victoria and Rose had fallen victim to his charms. Judging by Alice’s dreamy expression whenever he was near, he would soon have yet another notch on his bedpost.
    â€˜And how about you?’ I asked. ‘Has he worked his way through you yet?’
    â€˜Certainly not!’ Elizabeth said, her cheeks flushing pink.
    I grinned. ‘I did wonder.’
    I had come across Elizabeth and Freddie in the conservatory that very morning, so deep in conversation they didn’t see me. I had no wish to eavesdrop, for they were entitled to