Alice is a naive, trusting orphan and ward of Sir Edward, a lecherous laird in Victorian Scotland. Determined to break down her prudish modesty, he birches her (before the action of the story) and insists that she wear an indecently revealing outfit as she deals with servants and visitors. She is repeatedly exposed and sometimes toyed with by Maude, another ward, and others until she climaxes.
Alice, Sir Edward and Maude are characters borrowed from an anonymous, Victorian erotic tale bondage and discipline. The present tale picks up the action after the birching described in the original story. Alice must wear an outfit consisting a low cut and short frock with starched petticoats under it and no panties (knickers) so that whenever she bends over or leans back her most intimate parts are exposed to any bystanders.
The pain (first as a result of the birching and later from peas shot at her exposed buttocks and pussy by wicked stable boys) is soothed by mischievous Maude who toys with Alice's sensitive parts under the guise of applying a soothing balm.
Since Sir Edwards believes women should ride astride rather than on the old-fashioned sidesaddles, Alice is sent to a saddler who is to custom fit a saddle for her. The saddler, a portly, middle-aged lecher takes full advantage and succeeds (with Maude's help) in making her reach an orgasm.
The story ends with Alice, no longer so innocent, experimenting with masturbation and being lectured by Maude about the sexual power of women over men in the male-dominated society in Victorian times and how to use it.