Obliged To Bend introduced James Montague, Victorian gentleman of leisure and master spanker. Their Master's Pleasure described his continuing adventures. Now, in Hard Strokes, comes the concluding part of James's story.With his sweet young wards, their governess Irene Hammond and a houseful of maids in need of constant discipline, life for James has grown rather hectic. Cane, strap and paddle have never been busier, in fact, yet he cannot afford to relax, for fresh victims soon arrive on the scene - women from the village guilty of various misdemeanours, his former maid-of-all-work, Polly, and a beautiful but rash young woman who foolishly tries to rob him. Has the master of Bleekston Hall bitten off more than he can chew, or will his strong right arm rise to the challenge?