The Loden-Twins 1-3

One day in May a lawyer contacted them and asked Peter Blackwood if he was born in Switzerland and had a daughter called Maria Schwarzwald. Although Peter had sworn himself to forget the fact of having a daughter he admitted, that he had a daughter named Maria who was born on the twentieth of June nineteen-seventy-two in Switzerland and the last I heard was living somewhere in Europe. “I have not seen or heard from her for nearly eighteen years” he told the lawyer.

“In that case Sir, I have some distressing news for you” the lawyer said and lowered his voice. “Maria Klum, maiden name Schwarzwald and her husband Wolfgang died in an accident three weeks ago. A technical defect on their car caused them to swerve and hit a tree. Both died on impact but their twin daughters Angelica and Katharina Klum survived with only minor injuries. You are the nearest – and as it looks like - the only relatives of the girls as Mr. Klum’s parents are dead and he was an only child. It took me some time to find you, but I am glad to have found the grandfather of the two girls. May I ask if the two sixteen year old orphans have a grandmother too, Sir?”

Peter was shocked. He just nodded until he realized that the lawyer on the phone was waiting for an answer. “Yes, my wife, Maria’s mother lives with me.”

“So, could you arrange to come to Switzerland and pick up the girls or shall we put them on a plane . . I mean, I hope you will want to see your granddaughters. Do you Sir?”

“Please give me your phone number and I will call you back after I have spoken with my wife” was all Peter could think to say. The lawyer understood and promised he would be at his desk for the next hours. He added that if he was not in the office he could be reached by e-mail.

“I will call you” was the answer and Peter replaced the phone. Margret had been in the living room when the phone call was finished and when Peter came from his library she saw that something terrible must have happened. However, as she was used to waiting for her husband to start a conversation she did not say a word, but did stop knitting.

“Did you have a clue that Maria had married and was mother of twins?” he began in a breathless voice. His wife nodded “It . . . I will never lie to you, so, yes, I had some loose contact and knew about her family. But, what do you mean with “was” mother of twins. Did something happen to Angelica or Katharina?”

“No, the girls are okay, but . . . I am afraid they have no longer have parents and it look as if we are the only relations of sixteen year old twins as Maria and her husband died in a car accident three weeks ago”

Margret started to silently cry and Peter Blackwood hid his face too. After a while he said with a trembling voice. “We will have to take a plane to Zurich as soon as possible to sign the papers as I believe we will become the official guardians of the girls, and then we can bring them to their new home, to Meadvale” He then raised his head and said religiously “And I swear by God, this time we will NOT withhold on the education of our grandchildren. They will accept the Reformist Society as the one and only place to live protected and in peace, they will learn to obey and they will go along with GOD.” Then he asked his wife “Did you store Maria’s clothes” “Yes, of course, they are still like new, but what about the dress code here in the Reformist Society. All young ladies wear velvet dresses and coats?” Margret worried.

“Do you wear velvet, or do you wear wool and loden as you always have done? Peter asked. “As long as it meets the moralities of Meadvale, the rules of protection and that no bare skin is shown, I believe the loden dresses, coats and capes, together with the woolen undergarments, WILL be accepted. And I am sure there is enough for TWO girls, at least in the beginning”

Two days later the Blackwood’s arrived in Zurich and met their grandchildren. It was a strange situation as the girls were still shocked by the accident and the death of their parents. They had not been rich and the new car bought on credit was a total loss. They had lived in a small flat and although they did not want to leave Switzerland they understood that they could not afford to stay as they had both been students in an international school still two years to go for the Matura. The lawyer had explained to them that they had rich grandparents who could give them a new home in England. Coming from an international school, their English was nearly perfect, so they could easily go to a college and later to the best universities in their new country.

As they were still minors, Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood signed the papers to become guardians of Angelica and Katharina and left it to the lawyer to handle all the rest, like canceling the contract for the flat, terminating the credit contract for the car etc.

Mrs. Blackwood told her grandchildren to pack just personal belonging and mementoes, saying there was no need to pack clothes, but the twins insisted on taking their own clothes with them. Margret let them go, as home in Meadvale there was enough time to show them their new way of dressing in their future lives. Only eight days after the phone call Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood flew back home with their grandchildren or by Swiss law, their new guardians. Angie was wondering about the warm clothes her grandmother had worn all the time. It was early summer, not hot but warm in Zurich. Nevertheless she had worn a woolen turtleneck and a loden woman’s suit with an ankle length skirt every day. Her sister Kathy supposed that she was an old lady of slight build and might have low blood pressure. “Those women often dress warm, also here in Switzerland you know”. The twins did not know that Peter Blackwood had planned to take a woolen and loden wardrobe in all sizes to Zürich to get his grandchildren dressed properly as soon as the guardian contract was signed, but Margret convinced him to wait until they finally arrived at their new home. 

Chapter Two - Preparing the welcome

The flight to London was short and the girls where exited at going to live near such a big city. They just found it a pity that the big chauffeur driven car had such dark tinted windows that they could not see out so they had no idea about the exact location of their new home, but it seemed to be not more than two hours drive from the airport.

During the absence of the Blackwood’s their housekeeper had been very busy. Mrs. Miller conducted interviews for the position of Head Governess. The demand was to find the best available in the Reformist Society. After much deliberation she selected Mrs. Kelly, a sixty-five year old lady for the job of head governess. Mrs. Kelly had retired six month ago as the girl she had been governess for got married and there had been other, younger servants from her husband’s family to take care of her in the future. Mrs. Kelly was known for her strict, uncompromising and plausible art and, as an old friend of Mrs. Miller, she wanted to help her find the rest of the staff who were to comprise the twins team.

Also in the house some adjustments had to be done before the twins arrived. The room for the twins had to be furnished. Mrs. Kelly inspected the room of Maria and found it not the best choice. It was a big and friendly room with a king size bed and a nice carpet. The new governess inspected the other available rooms and found one under the roof that seemed to be perfect from her point of view. It had two roof windows to the south and two additional smaller rooms at each side that would be perfect for wardrobes. As the floor was also equipped with a separate bathroom there would be no need for the twins to leave the floor if not requested by someone else. Maria’s huge wardrobe was separated into two identical sets, and the last room at this floor – very small with only a small skylight in the sloped roof was chosen to be their chamber of reflection. As it had no direct access to the chimney two of the biggest available electric fake fires were installed in this room just in front of each other. The room was only 1.8 x 2.5 meters in size, the door being on the opposite side from the slope in the roof and so the heaters had been placed on the longer walls with just ninety centimeters free. Two girls in a standing or kneeling position in this aisle would have to stay side by side facing her own heater in front of her, but feeling the other on in her back. Each heater had a remote control that could turn on the fake fire but also controlled the heat. Even one of them turned on to its lowest temperature would be enough to bring the room to a more than comfortable temperature even on winter’s night.

In the now upcoming summer the room would be heated by its sloped roof wall and the sticky air could not escape due to the small and permanently closed window. In all the rooms on this floor Mrs. Kelly had ordered that the windows were equipped with sliding bolts that could be locked with a single key. “Girls should not fall prey to the temptation of opening a window themselves” she said to Mrs. Miller when the bolts had been installed on the large bedroom windows. As the sun was pretty strong on these days and the curtain was open from nine in the morning until five in the afternoon the room got very warm through its closed windows. Mrs. Miller ran a hand over one of the extremely thick and fluffy woolen bedcovers that had warmed up due to its dark color. “Now I understand why you insisted on positioning the two beds directly under each of the skylights. The sun is doing a good job and what would be more appropriate than the power of God’s nature for the girls?”

“I totally agree with you, but WE should leave the room now, as ‘this’ comfort should be reserved to for twins if possible. I also want to show you the rules for the girls that I sent to Mr. Blackwood for his approval yesterday” she said, closing the door, which did not have a knob on the inside, behind her, meaning it could only be opened from outside the room. “We have to expect some – let´s say – slip-ups from the girls. As I understand it they are not used to a strict regime as young girls should be. As their mother escaped in Australia I am afraid she did not take the good basic education with her. And if her husband had the same soft background it will be hard work.”

“I am afraid you are right, my dear. I know as much from a phone call from Mrs. Blackwood the girls have never even seen a corset so needless to say they have not worn one” Mrs. Miller replied as they sat down in the big kitchen for a good cup of tea. “But I cannot imagine anyone better than you to get the girls on the right track” she added with a smile.

“Well, I hope that Mr. Blackwood will follow my guidelines, I have already adapted my approved methods with the Blackwood tradition as you will see.” Mrs. Kelly offered the document to her friend.

Mrs. Miller took her reading glasses and opened the folder.

Basic rules:

1. All my thoughts, words and doings are known by GOD, so I must always remember that although I might try to hide them from authorities I can never hide them from HIM
2. If my doings, my words or even my thoughts fail in the eyes of GOD, I deserve a punishment.
3. My education, and so my rules, I have to obey have been defined under this premise by my grandparents as my legal guardians, and so they are irrevocable.
4. My rules are executed by my head governess and her assistants.
5. They can transfer this function to others if required
6. In case any punishment has to be pronounced it is done either by the head governess or the first governess. Any punishment can be overruled by my grandparents at any time in any direction
7. My second governess is my guardian in the common way of meaning. She will take care of my needs but also report any misbehavior.
8. I am responsible for my appearance. This means that I have to take care that the clothes I am to wear are in perfect condition and worn in exactly the required form. Any unauthorized change of my clothing is forbidden and will result in a harsh punishment.
9. Whenever I am allowed to communicate I must speak quietly and with respect. What I say has to be as courteous as possible, as submissive as applicable and completely honest.
10. I am responsible for fulfilling any rule or direct order, which includes retaining in the ordered position or shape.
11. I have to obey any order coming from one of the above named legal guardians immediately, without hesitation, without dissent (in doings, verbal or in even body language) and follow it to the letter.
12. If I fail in thought, word or deed, I have to report this to my governess and beg for the deserved punishment to become a better person in the eyes of my LORD
13. If I refrain from reporting misdeeds about my own failures and they are reported/recognized by someone else, my deserved punishment will be at least doubled
14. In case I see any other alum in my presence failing – especially my twin sister – I have to report this to one of the governesses to help her in becoming a better person in the eyes of our LORD.
15. If I refrain to report failures in others and these are reported/recognized by someone else, I will earn the same punishment as the not reported alum and an extra charge for my own omission.

Standards

1. Dressing (general)
   - I will wear appropriate underwear which includes at least two complete layers over my corset
   - Turtleneck and opaque tights will assure a complete covering
   - A floor length dress or skirt and jacket are mandatory
2. Dressing in public requires a complete covering – no skin maybe visible
   - This includes a coat, gloves + mittens, and a bonnet with a veil (the layers of the veil might change from time to time, but two layers of gauze covering the whole face and one layer of thicker material (Velvet, Loden, etc.) is the minimum
3. During the night.
   A night corset is mandatory, the rest of the layers, including body or sleeping bags, blankets and or duvets might change but a minimum of two layers is mandatory

Punishment

1. It is only my grandparents decision (as my legal guardians) to set any standards about the methods of my punishment
2. The methods will be agreed to between the legal guardians and my governesses.
3. The severity of my punishment will be decided either by the head governess, my first governess or my legal guardians. They can all be overruled by my grandparents who hold the right to a final decision.
4. There is no special punishment ‘catalogue’.
   Listed below are the most common methods that will be used, although other means may be used.
   a. Lacing of my corset
   b. Changes in my current clothes - in quality, number of layers, outerwear or
   accessories such as balaclava, mittens, scarves, veils, blankets.
   c. Restrictions in my mobility by clothing or other means.
   d. Restrictions to the room I have to remain in, or a spot I must remain motionless on.
   e. Changes in temperature in enclosed rooms or access to direct sunlight if outside.
   f. Changes in bedtime (immediately or earlier in the coming evening)
   g. Changes regarding my night gown, blankets, sleeping bag or other device.
   h. Restrictions such as tight blankets around my body or being tied/strapped to the bed while sleeping.
   i. Indignities by e.g. using one of the above named methods in public
   j. Corporal punishment (e.g. spanking)

ALL the above named methods can, and will, be pronounced as immediate punishments, starting at a specific time or day and last for the (case-by-case) decided duration.

Exception: ‘J’ needs an explicit consent by at least one of the legal guardians. The details (method of spanking and number of strokes) can only be decided by my legal guardians, if applicable following recommendations of the head governess.

Mrs. Miller finished reading. “I believe this will do for a start” she confirmed with a satisfied nod. “I assume you got the ‘exception’ from Mrs. Blackwood?”

“Yes, indeed, and if you ask me, it’s wrong, as a good spanking never did any harm to a girl, I can say from my experiences as a governess for forty-five years. In earlier days a so called ‘Welcome spanking’ showed arriving girls the right way from the very beginning, and you can believe me, it helped a lot to start with less resistances. But as it is not a Blackwood tradition it remains reserved for real extreme misdeeds” she finished with regret in her voice. 

Chapter Three - The arrival of the Girl’s

The Blackwood’s owned a big property that was well protected against intruders, now it became also more or less escape-proof. Of course this did not work for the whole property including the little wood and a small lake but the main building had been checked to become as secure as possible in both directions, in and out.

Also some additional items had to be purchased, for example the Reformist nearly mandatory pyjamas and the body-bag like ‘monsters’ that could be completely closed over the wearer’s head. Of course the girl had a thick down mummy sleeping bag lined with sheep’s wool, but the tradition of the Reformists required those pyjamas. To hold on the Blackwood tradition the girls would wear additional wool layers under her body bag. Two standing desks had been organized as the girls might be required to stand motionless during their study of the bible. Mrs. Blackwood had transmitted the girl’s sizes for shoes and it was a piece of luck that all the boots and ankle boots that have been stored from Maria’s wardrobe were the right size, although the size would depend on the number of stockings or woolen tights the girls would be wearing, so Mrs. Kelly organized some additional models in different sizes, each in two identical pairs.

Mrs. Kelly conducted further interviews with women who were willing to work under her strict rules and supervision. She eventually chose Mrs. Kent as Angelica’s governess, Miss Glass as Angelica’s junior governess, Mrs. Hunter as Katharina’s governess and Miss Bell as Katharina’s junior governess. The four women at first wondered about having a supervisor and working in teams, as one governess was the standard in the Reformist society, but Mrs. Kelly explained that Mr. Blackwood had given strict orders that the twins could need special assistance and protection twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It was also expected that the young Misses would not be used to this strict regime. To the corset, the restrictions in what to wear, the veiling etc. So a monitoring of their behavior as well as some support to obey would be needed.

Angelica and Katharina chatted during the flight as they always did. The conversation with their grandparents was a little bit hesitant but this seemed to be normal when you travel with older people you have never seen in your life. Margret tried to make conversation but she saw that the twins just answered with empty phrases. Peter was quiet as usual, totally engrossed in his memories of Maria, her ‘escape’ from the farm and what might have been different if she would have lived in the Reformist Society where she would have seen that all teenagers live in the same ‘world’ and like it. The differences in the material of her clothes, velvet and a corset instead of Loden and wool could not be the reason. Peter was not sure about the standard underwear of the girls in United Kingdom but he could not believe they did not dress accordingly. He would talk with Mrs. Kelly about the corset because it was obvious the girls had never worn one before in their lives, but if a veil, mittens and a corset were good for all the other girls in Meadvale it would definitely do no harm to his granddaughters.

Once, during teatime with neighbors, he had seen a girl – or better not seen her – as she was covered by a very thick woolen blanket sitting motionless in the conservatory for the whole afternoon. It was a hot day and everybody stayed in the air conditioned living room. The glass door to the conservatory was closed and all venetians including the sunblind for the glass roof had been opened so the room was sun-drenched. He wondered what effect the thick dark blanket over the girls head might have in a closed hot room so he asked if the girl was not boiling in her dress. He was told that she was in disgrace so she was fully dressed, including coat, mittens and four layers of thick veils. She had to remain covered by the thick blanket so that she totally concentrated on the words of the bible coming from her headphones. Peter agreed that this would definitely help her to regret and wondered to himself if this would have been a better way for Maria than the reflection room she had used in the past. Maybe being veiled in this restrictive way would have reflected her back to herself better than staying in a room or on a terrace, even without anything else she had to do than read her bible. A second benefit would have been monitoring the girl all day long, under similar conditions as they had in the room or on the terrace in Australia. But for Maria it was too late.

At this time he had no idea that the fate would give him another chance.

When the car stopped in front of the big House the girls became excited and impatient to see their new home. But their grandmother had, in arrangement with Mrs. Kelly, a ‘surprise’ for the girls. “Angelica, Katharina, you both could do me a big favour” she started with a smile. “I would appreciate if the first thing you would do in your new home is to visit your bedroom. It had been prepared for you and I would like to show you the rest of your new home afterwards, piece by piece” the old lady continued. This was not really a lie, as ‘afterwards’ was a relative word, and their bedroom was indeed prepared for them. “I would also like you to wear these blindfolds and let yourself be guided through the house?” The girls faced each other and although they found it strange, Katharina, who was always the more yielding one agreed. “Okay, if it´s important for you, grandma, why not?” she agreed. Peter jerked as Katharina called her just grandma, but did not say a word. The grandparents had the opinion that the girls needed to read and understand their rules provided by Mrs. Kelly first. Before that, it would be not fair to blame them for making mistakes. And Peter was always a gentleman, and fair play was important to him, as was obedience and perfect behavior, but the girls would learn. Hopefully they would learn the easy way, but if necessary they would learn the hard way.

Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Kelly and the four servants had noticed the car and opened the door to help guide the blindfolded girls in. As was part of the plan they did not say a word. In the presence of their grandparents the two girls would meet Mrs. Kelly. Their grandmother would introduce her and make it clear to the girls that from now on, Mrs. Kelly’s word was law and had to be followed in the same way as their grandparent’s word. After the introduction Mrs. Kelly would hand each a copy of the rules and leave them alone for a while. Then, with enough time to prepare them for dinner, all the governesses would meet the girls and help them to change in a more appropriate outfit than the light blouse, cotton skirt and, for God´s sake, hip-length DENIM-jackets!

The first part went very well and the girls were in their new bedroom before they removed their blindfolds. The room was simply furnished, hot and sticky. Angelica wanted to open a window at first. “Please, Angelica, wait until you have both been introduced to Mrs. Kelly” her grandfather said, stopping her in her tracks. Mrs. Kelly will help you to let’s say ‘acclimatize’ to your new home. I hope, no better said, I EXCPECT that you will follow her instructions as if they come from me or your grandmother. There are no exceptions, no excuses and no alternatives. You will learn that obedience is one of the most important characteristics, only surpassed by the love to God, I would believe.”

“Very well said, Sir” Mrs. Kelly said before turning to the twins. “Girls, I believe everything is new and unfamiliar to you, and as your parents did not educate you in the correct manner, it is not your fault. By the way, please accept my condolences on the loss of your parents. To become orphans so young is tragic, but all the better for you that your parents legal representative found your grandparents, who honestly care about you and your future. Due to this situation it is even more important that you trust in God, in the love of your grandparents and in the fact that everyone in this household just wants what is best for you. It is our deep conviction that you understand that everything we teach you is for your benefit and that you learn everything as quickly as possible. Before I will introduce you to the rest of the staff who will be assisting me, we, that is your grandparents and I, want you to stay here in your room stand and read the folders on your bedside table in complete silence. Angelica, you stand beside your bed on the right side, Katharina, on the left. Take your time as it is very important that you read carefully so you understand what is written there. Believe me, if you understand and follow those guidelines, you will have wonderful and peaceful lives here, but if not . . .”

Mrs. Kelly did not finish the sentence but only the Blackwood’s had any idea what this meant. “But, can´t we first open the window or better still take the folder outside? It´s such a lovely day and I would love to see the garden. But through this sloped window we can´t see out, and also there is no curtain to block the sun if required. That’s why it is so hot and sticky in here, so can we go downstairs or sit in the garden, please?” Angelica, as the always more active twin said.

Nobody could say that the girl was impolite or her arguments had been unreasonable, nevertheless Mrs. Kelly just gave her a stoic look. “Angelica, I presume? I know you have not read the rules yet, but I believe I made myself more than clear that you will stay HERE, or better said STAND beside your bed and read the folder in complete silence! You will be given the chance to asks questions when I come back, and I will answer them in the cases they are relevant to you”

Without waiting for an answer the three adults left the room and as they closed the door for the first time, Angelica realized that there was no door knob on their side of the room. “What the hell does that mean?” she asked her twin sister. Katharina had picked up the folder and started reading. “I don´t know, but I think you should read THIS” she answered shocked.