The year is 1933 when Miss Hardwicke travels to Cranhurst Hall to take up a new position as governess to Elizabeth and Alice Abercrombie, the wayward daughters of Sir Alfred Abercrombie. Following the untimely death of his wife, Sir Alfred entrusts the care of his teenage daughters to a governess - who proves sadly lacking at maintaining discipline. Miss Hardwicke, however, proves herself far more capable than her predecessor; she immediately takes the spirited young ladies to task with a wooden spoon. The girls quickly learn their new governess does not tolerate disobedience, and when they are late to the schoolroom they are introduced to the taste of a leather strap on their bare bottom, and subsequently the fierce bite of the cane. Elizabeth has had enough of rigorous discipline and demands to be sent to live with Aunt Griselda, thus providing the perfect opportunity for Alice to invite her cousin Georgiana to Cranhurst Hall. Both girls share a fascination for corporal punishment, which is laid on hard and often, as Georgiana is even more wilful and mischievous than Alice. The girls are equally fascinated by their governess, who is not who she appears to be. Miss Hardwicke takes them into her confidence, informing them her role as governess is a cover for her real work with the Ministry of Defence, and that she has been sent to Cranhurst to watch over Sir Alfred. But unknown to the girls, their governess is a Russian spy. Underpinned with a dash of espionage, this rollicking tale is primarily focused on corporal punishment, and an exploration of the craving for such discipline, painful though it may be. Lasting bonds of affection are forged between the governess and her two young ladies, ultimately culminating not only in a shared passion for CP, but a treasured and enduring relationship...