Their Master's Pleasure Read Online Free PDF

beating - prepared, maybe, but far from happy in the case of Alice, who I soon discovered had a morbid fear of the cane. As I kept such an implement on my desk at all times in case of urgent need, her nervousness was perhaps understandable.
    Alice eyed the cane anxiously as she stood before me, quaking in her shoes, and told me I had a visitor. ‘A... a young gentleman, sir,’ she stammered. ‘He said... he said his name is Frederick Patterson.’
    â€˜Frederick?’ I cried, jumping to my feet, which caused Alice to flinch mightily. ‘My dearest girl, show him in!’
    Alice fled in dismay - I think it was the endearment that did it - and a few moments later my visitor entered. ‘Freddie!’ I said. ‘Come in, my boy... come in.’
    â€˜Hello, sir,’ he said, grinning. ‘You’re looking well. Country life obviously suits you.’
    It was several years since I’d last seen this personable young fellow and only now did I realise how much I had missed him. I’d known Freddie since he was a babe in his nurse’s arms, being a friend of the family. I was his godfather, in truth of fact, though I had neglected his spiritual guidance dreadfully over the years.
    â€˜It suits me very well indeed,’ I said. ‘And how are you, you young rascal?’
    Not so young, in fact, for it was not the boy I remembered who stood before me now but a handsome young man, elegantly dressed in riding gear, almost as tall as I. He reminded me somewhat of myself at that age, when the world seemed full of possibilities and I couldn’t wait to explore every one of them. I too was considered handsome in those days (and still am, if several ladies of my acquaintance are to be believed) but Freddie would have put me in the shade, with his father’s elegant nose and his mother’s crystal blue eyes that seemed to twinkle when he smiled.
    He replied that he was well and we shook hands. ‘What are you doing here, Freddie? Not that you’re not welcome at any time, you know that - but shouldn’t you be at school? Or is it university now?’
    â€˜Cambridge, actually; but I’ve been expelled. I had a dalliance with the vice-chancellor’s daughter.’
    â€˜His daughter? Is that all?’ Had it come to this, that a promising lad could be expelled merely for tumbling some lass, even if she was the vice-chancellor’s own daughter? The education system had gone to the dogs since I was at school, clearly.
    â€˜Well, not quite all,’ Frederick admitted. ‘His wife too, in fact, and both their maids, though for some reason Dr Greenaway seemed less concerned about them.’
    â€˜Good God! Was there a female in the place you didn’t mount?’
    â€˜Matron,’ he said firmly. ‘But if you saw her, sir, you’d understand.’
    Bemused, I shook my head. Freddie had always been something of a scallywag, but I never anticipated anything like this. Expelled - for fornication, no less! There was hope for the lad yet. ‘I expect your father had something to say about it?’ I ventured.
    Freddie nodded slowly. ‘Indeed, we had a word or two. I’m sure you can imagine the conversation.’
    I had known Frederick’s father for more years than I cared to remember. Though I hadn’t seen him in some considerable time we still exchanged letters from time to time. Never the most tolerant of men, he wouldn’t view his son’s escapade with a kindly eye.
    â€˜He’s well, I hope?’ I said.
    â€˜Very well, thank you. Mother also. She sends her best wishes.’
    I felt a pang, even after all these years. There was a time... but that was ancient history. Colette had made her choice and we both had little option but to live with it. ‘So,’ I said breezily, deliberately lightening the mood, ‘do you have any plans? Anything I can do to help?’
    â€˜I’d like to stay a few