(Story written by Delicious Delight.)

The mistress of the house catches the stableboy returning after an unauthorised ride into town to visit his lady friend. Michael instantly confesses his guilt, but she is furious. She is tempted to sack him on the spot, but her husband persuades her to give the boy a chance, since he is so good with the horses.

The man of the house instructs him to go inside, arrange the chaise in the middle of the floor, place a cushion over the end, take the family strap down from its hook, and wait for them there. Michael obeys, shaking with nerves.

The couple arrive, and scold the stableboy some more. He apologises, but it is too late. The mistress orders him to lower his trousers and bend over the end of the chaise. She straps him, still very angry with his behaviour, and then orders him to drop his drawers and take the rest of his punishment on the bare bottom. Michael has no choice but to obey.

Once the lady of the house has worked out her anger with the strap, the master takes over and gives the boy some strokes with the riding crop. He tries the whip on him a few times, giving the boy a taste of the sensation. He then sentences him to ten strokes, and orders him to count each one.

After the punishment, the stableboy promises to be more obedient, and not sneak around behind their backs in future. The man of the house takes him aside and says a few words. Then he is ordered to clean up, put everything back in place and continue his work in the stables.

Photography: Nimue Allen