In this Kingdom, all unmarried aristocratic ladies must have a Goodwife to run their households, even if like me they're in their 40's and are only unmarried due to divorce. Nevertheless, all's been going well with Goodwife Broadside, my housekeeper, until she arrives at my office to let me know I'm due in court tomorrow for unladylike behaviour, having been seen with a man who's not my official suitor. I accept the summons, only for her to tell me that there's the household account to settle too. Because of the trouble I've brought to the servants, she plans to give me a thorough slippering, ...

In this Kingdom, all unmarried aristocratic ladies must have a Goodwife to run their households, even if like me they're in their 40's and are only unmarried due to divorce. Nevertheless, all's been going well with Goodwife Broadside, my housekeeper, until she arrives at my office to let me know I'm due in court tomorrow for unladylike behaviour, having been seen with a man who's not my official suitor. I accept the summons, only for her to tell me that there's the household account to settle too. Because of the trouble I've brought to the servants, she plans to give me a thorough slippering, as it her right. But I'm furious and ashamed, I don't want to be given a paintful bare-bottom punishment as though I was a mere girl, barely out of finishing school! I'm a senior aristocrat!