For some reason this did not get posted prior to chapter 7 - apologies. Jamie
6. Coronation Week
Time has wandered. A new King and Queen sit upon our Empire's throne and I was in the Abby to witness and pay homage to their Imperial Majesties having, somewhat unexpectedly, been elevated to a Peerage by the King upon his accession. The celebrations were magnificent with troops from all over the Empire lining the route from the Palace to the Abby. Without any disrespect intended, I am most worrisome about the Queen who is so stern looking that my malevolent eye cast upon my students from time to time might appear by contrast to be quite mild. Her Majesty is tall and stern, stands bolt upright and shows little emotion. Thank God for the King in these troubled times for he shall rally the Nation.
In the Abby I saw many faces that I knew although, if the truth be known, I might more easily recognised some by their posteriors with greater ease. Many of the chaps came to me and paid their respects - a sign of my dotage no doubt - but I felt a genuine sense of warmth from their greetings.
Five hours of ceremony left me tired to say the least and I repaired to James' flat in Grosvenor Square which he and Alexander shared. Both of the young men were there and most kindly helped me shed my regalia and provided a rather nice sherry which I sipped whilst narrating the developments of the day. Servants prepared a light repast and, somewhat contrary to my usual nature, I bade the men my apologies and retired to my rooms for a much needed rest.
Like all retired gentlemen I suspect, time sleeping is time wasted and I arose quite early the following morning and, without the aid of my valet, bathed and dressed and then went downstairs to take an early stroll before the household awoke. Before leaving the flat I had need to retrieve my spectacles from the drawing room and, as I did so, spied a cane resting upon one of the lounges. I stood there for a moment simply looking at the instrument of chastisement with which I had had such familiarity pondering its presence. With a certain degree of wonderment, I left the house and perambulated about the Square and then walked without much purpose towards Hyde Park enjoying the fact that the morning was brisk but not inclement.
After some time I returned to James' flat to find both he and Alexander in a state of consternation at my apparent absence. Having assured them that I had merely decided to take my morning constitutional earlier than might normally be the case, we repaired to the dining room in which we were served a fine breakfast. I had to admire the quality of the porcelain plates and the fine silverware that adorned the table and inwardly took satisfaction in the well to do condition of my younger son and his associate.
Alexander paid me the greatest of respect and courtesy as we ate and talked aimlessly. I took a genuine liking to the young man and tried as best I might to show no signs of discomfort at the circumstances of two young men quite clearly infatuated with each other. At one stage James made to touch Alexander on the arm but withdrew his hand as if I might be offended at the gesture. Firmly I advised both young men that I disapproved of their being so cautious about their displaying intimacy and that I was quite accepting of their relationship. I professed my misgivings about their situation having hoped that they might leave their feelings behind them as they matured, but gave them my blessing and wished them safety and happiness should they continue the life that they now shared. When I invited them to the house to stay, Alexander shed a single tear of relief at my acceptance of their relationship and the thought that I would accept them into my house without reservation.
Following breakfast, I went to the drawing room to read "The Times" which my valet had prepared. James and Alexander joined me but before they could take their seats the far too obvious cane had to be removed. I watched as Alexander picked up the implement and took it out to wherever it resided. James looked at me as I watched Alexander's departure and laughed at the obvious consternation on my face.
Sensing my unspoken question, James explained that he and Alexander, together with a group of other young men maintained a strict regime of discipline which could warrant chastisement for designated offences. One such young man had apparently been required to attend upon James and Alexander whist I slept the previous evening and had been duly dealt with. James apologised for the carelessness displayed in leaving the cane on public view and assured me that such tardiness would not be repeated during my short visit.
I enquired as to how this arrangement had come to pass and James explained that Alexander and some of their former school chums had formed a so-called Society in which they could indulge their idiosyncratic interests and that this had expanded quite considerably into a rather large community involving any manner of persons. James explained also that he and Alexander had developed an association with some of their neighbours in the vicinity of Grosvenor Square and had occasion to chastise young men and women whom their parents were loath to chastise.
I was amazed at this state of affairs and expressed concern that this might have emanated from their experiences at School. James assured me that the practice of corporal punishment was widespread and that it would be foolish of me to think that chastisement at School had caused their current disposition since discipline in one's life was considered one of the keys to success. Alexander, who had rejoined us during this discourse confirmed James' views and suggested that I might attend upon a meeting of "The Society" as it was called if I were prepared to extend my stay in London until the following Thursday evening. With certain misgivings, I agreed to extend my stay and to observe the proceedings. I duly ordered that my return be delayed.
Later that day, after luncheon, James informed me that he had determined in consultation with Alexander that the latter should be chastised for having been so tardy as to leave the cane on public display. James requested that I might attend the punishment of his associate. Having been acquainted with Alexander's posterior from days gone by, I agreed. At dinner, Alexander looked disconsolate but joined in our discussion about the merits or otherwise of discipline and confirmed my suspicion that he and James both submitted to the rod when a significant transgression of rules or etiquette occurred.
James and I enjoyed our repast far more than Alexander and, when completed, we retired to the drawing room whist Alexander was ordered to go about the matter of preparing himself for his scheduled meeting with the cane.
James and I were drawing and conversing over a cup of coffee and a glass of port when Alexander joined us some ten minutes or so after we had left the dining room. Alexander wore a loose cotton top which showed of his well developed chest to perfection and enhanced his inherent beauty. His white trousers were of a very light linen and closely fitting. They reminded me of some of the sailors who had lined the route of the coronation the previous day but in this case I could see immediately that the young man wore no underwear and could not help but admire the prominent genitalia that had been the matter of much attention whilst he had been at School. I glimpsed also a slight spot of moisture on the front of his trousers which seemed to evidence a degree of anticipation that was not reflected in his rather tense face.
Without being given any instructions, Alexander put the cane down on the lounge opposite to where James and I were drawing and then stood at the end of the piece of furniture blushing at the fact that both James and I were admiring the view. I glanced at James and saw that he was in a state of excitement and that he had a slight smile on his face. I wondered whether James might be taking pleasure from the fact that Alexander, rather than he, was in this predicament.
James stood up, adjusted himself and then picked up the cane. My examination of the instrument that morning had indicated to me that it was a rather thicker variety than that I had used on most occasions but I was surprised to see how supple it was as James bent it between his hands. It was truly a wicked instrument.
Alexander was then advised by James that his tardiness had earned him the standard "six of the best" at which pronouncement Alexander winced in anticipation of the pain about to visit his posterior. Without further ado, Alexander bent over the end of the lounge not some six feet from where I was seated. As James moved into position to measure his distance from the target, I noticed that Alexander's buttocks had filled out a little since I had last seen them but they were strong rather than flabby with exquisite muscle definition.
James launched into the first stroke with a ferocity that startled me and the grunt from Alexander indicated that the stroke had had its intended effect. I wondered for a moment about the neighbours and their possible reaction to the sound but quickly realised that the flat's thick walls would be impervious to sound. The second stroke diverted my wandering thoughts back to the matter before me and I noticed Alexander gasping in pain as the fire in his backside raced to his brain. The grimace on his face enthralled me for I had rarely witnessed a chastisement where the recipient's face was so apparent to me.
Stroke three landed quite low and caused Alexander to yelp as the crease between his backside and thighs was set ablaze. I was almost moved to make a comment to James but realised that this was a matter between the two of the young men.
From my vantage point I could thus see three weals had formed under the flimsy cotton trousers that were stretched to almost breaking point as Alexander awaited the fourth stroke.
With an aim that must surely be complemented for its accuracy, James landed the fourth stroke between the first two and the first signs of a tear began to seep from Alexander's eye.
Stroke five landed between the second and third lines and was placed with unerring accuracy and I could see the deep redness in Alexander's face as he tried to avoid crying out. Almost reading my mind, James changed his stance and I saw Alexander gritting his teeth for he knew precisely what was about to befall him.
James swung the heavy cane fiercely and landed the sixth and final stroke diagonally across Alexander's buttocks, cutting across each of the five stroke which he had already received. Alexander let fly with an expletive that would make a sailor blush for such was his agony.
I expected Alexander to get up from his position of chastisement but instead he apologised to me for his language. Alexander then asked James for an additional stroke because of his outburst and James obliged by lashing the cane down in parallel to the previous blow and Alexander bellowed in pain but at least withheld his tongue.
Rubbing his backside, Alexander rose and then took the cane from James and then, before departing the scene, thanked James for his punishment. In response, quite tenderly, James put his hand on Alexander's tear stained cheek and I could feel the bond between them as Alexander departed to put the cane in its appropriate place.
In my heart I knew that James wanted to comfort his partner and I quickly suggested that I take my glass of port to my room and bid young James goodnight. James bid me a good evening and then set off upstairs, no doubt to comfort his friend.
I slowly made my way to my room, concentrating on not spilling my drink and trying to avoid conjuring up thoughts of what undoubtedly was transpiring between the two young men in the main bedroom. I closed my door thankful that the heavy oak might spare me any sound from the room at the other end of the corridor.
My port was a fine way to end a memorable evening and my valet helped me disrobe and bathe and then I went to bed somewhat aroused by the scene I had just witnessed but ready for a pleasant sleep.
Unfortunately my sleep was somewhat fitful that night as scenes from the past flooded my brain. Thinking about that night, I believe it was the tenderness that James had displayed towards Alexander at the end of Alexander's punishment that triggered old memories for I recalled that evening many flashes of not dissimilar episodes that I had witnessed whilst discharging my duties as Headmaster. Those memories were not quite as explicit in their nature as I had witnessed between James and Alexander but they brought back scenes that I had possibly chosen to ignore from the past.
Many of those memories were quite vague but some were of comparative clarity . I recalled one occasion upon which two youths had been called before me for failing to attend prep the previous day and their Form Master had decided that they required an appropriate punishment and had reported the matter to me. I saw quite vividly in my memory the two boys entering my study and recalled the glances that passed between them as they prepared for their most justified beating. The caning of the boys did not stand out in my memory but the look that passed between them as the first boy stood and turned away towards his partner in crime suddenly came to me as a look of tenderness and genuine feeling for the pain that the other boy was about to experience.
Another incident which stood out vividly in my unsettled sleep was of a birching that had been inflicted upon a curly headed fifth former whose name I cannot now recall. He had had to be held down quite firmly for the thrashing that left his naked backside speckled with purple and deep red patches. It was not his demeanour that I recalled but rather that of another boy who was to bear witness to the chastisement. As the culprit was brought forward for his punishment, the other boy had a tear in his eye as he looked the offender directly in the face. In that restless sleep I imagined that the two were indeed more than just school chums and that a form of silent communication of pathos passed between them in that instant.
Such scenes left me somewhat weary and I slept late the following morning and appeared for a late breakfast. Alexander had left for his work whilst James had remained to keep me company.
James enquired about my health, observing that I looked tired. I mentioned to him my restless night and some of the images which had interrupted my sleep. In reply, James noted that my revelations, merely confirmed what he had long suspected, namely that I was so absorbed by my sense of duty that I had had no time to observe much of the finer details of the environment in which I lived. For quite some time he regaled me with stories of youthful infatuations and relationships, of wagers won and lost regarding the efficacy of my administration of corporal punishment and the manner in which such matters had eventually sorted themselves out, some in the manner in which he and Alexander now resided.
I reflected upon this discourse for the remainder of the day and wondered at my naivety through all those years and felt somewhat disconsolate when, after an early evening's perambulation, I returned to the flat to find that Alexander had returned from his office. Sensing my mood, the two young men sought to restore my spirits with a glass of sherry before dinner but even a strong libation failed to lift my mood.
During dinner, Alexander posed the question as to whether he and James should make recompense for having taken advantage of my lack of perception during the years they had been as School. I enquired what the young man had meant and to what issues he was referring.
I noticed a quick glance pass between James and Alexander with James seemingly discouraging his companion from proceeding but this seemed to have little effect on Alexander. He proceeded to tell me of a serious of episodes in which both lads had partaken whilst at School for which they had not been punished. Episode after episode flowed from his brain whilst James seemingly started to cringe at the effect these revelations were having on me.
By the time dinner was completed and we had adjourned to the drawing room for a glass of port, I had determined upon a course of action. Innocently enough, I enquired about the forthcoming meeting of the Society and what exactly would transpire. I was informed that there would be a number of penitents brought forth (both male and female) and that the leaders of the Society would determine, and oversight, their appropriate punishment. Anyone invited to the meeting could bring charges against another and with due solemnity the person so charged would be judged and, if appropriate, dealt with in an appropriate manner.
James saw where the conversation was leading but it came to Alexander as a bit of a shock when I suggested that, having been invited to the meeting, I should be entitled to bring charges in accordance with the tales with which I had been regaled during dinner. Alexander was verbally chastised by James for his indiscretion whilst Alexander went very pale. Instinctively, Alexander put his hand to his recently chastised buttocks as if to implore me not to carry out my threat. I chuckled at the gesture and let the matter slide, knowing that both young men would have to endure two full days of apprehension before finding out whether I was determined to carry out the implied threat.
I slept peacefully that evening.