“And I, you. What is that?”
“A gift. She was made by one of our tenants,” Gerard said, handing Brigit the beautiful doll. Tears filled her eyes and she hugged the toy to her chest.
“She is beautiful! I have not had a doll since…”
“Since I gave you that ragdoll in the nursery. The day you came to me for reform after you set the warehouse lavatory aflame,” he chuckled.
Brigit blushed, burying her face in her hands, “What a terrible child I was! I was so frightened when they told me that I was being shipped off to a reformer. And so surprised to see it was you!”
“That day was one I will never forget. Do you like her?” Gerard asked, as Brigit stroked the doll lovingly.
“More than I can express. She will keep me company while you are far away. I will miss you.”
“And I, you. If it becomes too difficult for you, please—”
“Gerard, I will be fine. We both have a job we need to do. Mine will be much more pleasant than yours, I’m certain.”
Several hours went by and they pulled into the grounds of the school. Gerard helped Brigit out of the carriage and requested her satchel from the driver, insisting on carrying it inside himself.
“Lord and Lady Remington! What a pleasant surprise!”
“Really, Stewart? After what my son reported, do you really see my presence as a surprise?” Gerard frowned, glaring down at the pasty-faced man. Henry reached up to twirl the end of his mustache nervously,
“I expected Lord Ryan to return, Your Lordship. But I am very pleased to see you and the lady. Please, come inside. Tea?”
“For the lady… Excuse me. Brigit? Where are you going?”
“I am going to set up my things and review the students’ records. I see no reason for my ears to be privy to your discussion with Mr. Stewart.”
“Very well. I will be back to see you shortly.”
Both men stood as she departed, then returned to their chairs. Gerard watched the man shrink before him, as he offered a stony glare. “Why have you been allowing your students to suffer abuse? Don’t even attempt to deny it. I witnessed the results of that woman’s cruelty myself. Be careful of the words you choose, Stewart. This could mean your job and, very likely, your future.”
* * *
Brigit hummed to herself as she settled in behind the large wooden desk in the headmistress’ office and opened the folders holding the information regarding the sixty students in attendance in the school. She looked up as the door was flung open.
“Yes? May I help you?” she asked gently, noticing the searing blaze in the eyes of the woman before her.
“How dare you rummage through my desk! This is a private office and—”
“You must be Miss Woods. Please, have a seat,” Brigit said calmly, nodding towards the chair.
“You are in my seat. Now I must demand that you leave.”
“I asked you to have a seat, Miss Woods. I am not in the habit of repeating myself,” Brigit said, once again her voice soft but firm as she met the angry woman’s eyes with an unwavering strength. Slowly, Eliza sat in the chair in front of the desk, livid with anger toward the intruding stranger.
Brigit smiled. “Very good. Obedience did not require my raising my voice or threatening a beating, did it, Miss Woods?”
“Who are you?” Eliza sputtered, fighting the desire to slap the woman across her lovely, flawless face.
“You may call me Brigit, if you like. That, or Lady Remington.” Brigit hid her delight as Eliza’s face turned ashen.
“I beg your pardon, milady. I did not expect you to be here. Please, feel free to help yourself to my files…”
“My files, Miss Woods. You were discharged from this position for abusing a student, were you not?
“Madam, that was a misunderstanding. I had to discipline a student, and Lord Ryan disapproved. I am required to…”
“Discipline, not abuse, Miss Woods. You bloodied that child within an inch of her life,” Brigit said with a low growl, her green eyes sparking as she slowly rose from her chair to glare at the younger woman. “How many others have you practiced your cruelty upon?”
“None, ma’am. She had blatantly—”
“Not another sound from you,” Brigit ordered, practicing Gerard’s technique of intimidation. Keep your voice low, body gestures calm, and never break eye contact. ‘Make them guess as to what you are thinking,’ he would say. Eliza shrunk in her seat, hiding the trembling of her knees. “And sit up straight. I would be very disappointed if I were your mother, seeing how you have managed to forget even the most elementary of good manners.”
“I apologize, madam,” Eliza growled, struggling to not break eye contact. She failed and glanced at the desk before her.
“You are to sit in that chair and not move until I return. Am I understood?” Brigit asked firmly, tilting the woman’s chin so she could look at her in the eye. Good, she was afraid. A trickle of excitement traveled down her spine as she acknowledged her ability to take command of an awkward situation by following Gerard’s instructions. He would be so proud of her!
“Yes, madam.” The hatred in her voice was pronounced, but Brigit was not disturbed. She was familiar with the defiant and haughty nature of those requiring reform. A nature that would quickly be altered if Lord Remington was involved. Without another word, Brigit departed to find Gerard. She tapped on the door to the headmaster’s office.
“Yes, my dear. Is all well?” Gerard asked, looking at her from his place behind Henry’s desk. He was leaning over the other man’s shoulders, scanning the ledgers. Henry looked relieved at the interruption.
“Miss Woods is in my office, sitting somewhat contritely, and impatiently waiting for my return.”
“Is she now? Did you demand obedience as I taught you, my lady?”
“I did, My Lord. And I thank you for that instruction.” Brigit tipped her head graciously. She took the arm offered to her and was silently led from the room by her husband. He paused in the doorway to looked back at the headmaster. “Call an assembly of all the students and faculty. I want every person who is employed by the institution present.”
“Yes, Lord Remington,” Henry said sickly.
“And I will be back to look at those ledgers,” he warned, noticing Henry's fearful glance towards the books. “They had best be in order.”
* * *
Gerard entered the headmistress’ office and took his place behind the desk, observing the uncertainty hidden under the arrogant glare of the pretty woman who sat nervously before him. He took a moment to study her, measuring her reaction to his presence, her body language, her eyes. “I am Lord Remington, Miss Woods.”
“Yes, I am aware of who you are. I demand an opportunity to explain—”
“You are in no position to demand anything, young woman. You were terminated from this position. Why are you still present?” Gerard interrupted, his voice rumbling through the small room.
“It is my opinion that the discharge was ordered in haste, and without justification. Your son—”
“Lord Ryan,” Gerard corrected firmly.
Eliza snarled, “Lord Ryan overheard me punishing a pupil for a serious misdeed and interfered. It appears that his attraction to her caused him to react unprofessionally and imprudently.”
“Are you suggesting that after Lord Ryan laid eyes upon this creature, he took pity upon her? It sounds to me that he used his position to manipulate the system because he found her appealing.”
“Yes, sir! I am so glad you understand! It is so inappropriate—”
“You are lying to me, Miss Woods. I abhor liars.”
Eliza turned white, her words cut mid-sentence.
Brigit intervened angrily. “My son did not see that child until she was brought to the carriage. It was also at this time when he noticed the blood on her clothing as a result from a horrendous caning that you administered. What you did to that girl was unforgivable, Miss Woods—”
She was cut off by the raising of Gerard’s hand. “My wife is very passionate about our reform system. As I am certain you know, she is a product of this establishment and is very conscientious as to how the students are treated. While I personally would not have used the term ‘unforgivable’, being that I believe that most sins can be forgiven when the right price is paid, I would have chosen the word ‘disgraceful’ instead.”
He paused, taking the moment to walk in front of her and lean against the edge of the desk with his arms crossed as he stared down at her. Seething, Eliza lowered her face to the floor, unable to meet the eye of this formidable man.
“I am very well aware of your economic situation, Miss Woods. In addition, your termination here will guarantee that you shall never work again as either an educator or a governess in this country. Because I am a fair and just man, I have decided to allow you a small degree of control over your future. I am giving you a choice. You may resign from this position effective immediately, or you will agree to present yourself to a reformer.”
“A reformer? I am not a hopeless child in need of training! How dare you assume such of me? You certainly cannot be serious!” Eliza yelled, standing.
He pointed his finger to the chair and stood over her until she sat again, glancing behind her to see his wife offer him a wink. “Oh, I am very serious, and you will lower your voice when you speak to me. Your behavior is such that it needs to be altered and restructured. Should you submit to the training and prove yourself worthy, I may allow your return to position as headmistress of this school to come under consideration.”
Silence filled the room. Brigit cleared her throat. “It appears that Miss Woods is contemplating employment in a workhouse or a mill, since she has no response to your generous offer, husband. That, or she could return to her childhood home and live with her family. I will escort you out…”
“How long must this be done?” Eliza interrupted, her pride shriveling before her.
“However long it takes for you to learn, Miss Woods. I warn you that your reformer demands complete obedience and will not suffer a word of complaint or argument. Nor will that unseemly tone of voice be tolerated.”
“And who would this reformer be, sir? Your son?” she could not hide the disgusted growl in her voice.
Gerard raised an eyebrow before lifting her chin to face him, “You will wish it were my son, Miss Woods. No, you require a more experienced hand in guiding and restructuring you. A much more experienced hand. Mine.”
Blood left Eliza’s face as the reality of her situation came to light. There was no choice. Either she submit herself to the impassable dominance of the Earl of Yarlshire, or she spend the rest of her life withering away in filth, living off scraps. “It appears that my choices are severely limited. I accept, Lord Remington,” she sneered.
“Wise decision, girl. From this moment, you are to obey all orders given you by my family and your elders, regardless of their position. Am I understood, young woman?”
“Yes, sir,” Eliza said, unsuccessfully hiding her disgust.
“Excellent. Lady Remington? Would you please see that Eliza is dressed properly for the assembly?”
“As you wish, Lord Remington,” Brigit responded back in a formal manner. Eliza stared after him as he left the room, aghast that he had the audacity of calling her by her Christian name. She was even more appalled when she saw the clothing that Brigit was laying out for her.
“These clothes are for children!” Eliza shrieked, glaring at Brigit.
“A three-year-old displays better manners and self-control than the behavior we have witnessed from you. Because of this, you will be given the same consideration and treatment as one would a child. That means that, from now on, you will dress as a child, speak as a child, play as a child, and be instructed as a child. Turn that I may unbutton you.”
“Lady Remington, this is outrageous! How dare—OW!” Eliza’s eyes widened as she placed her right hand upon her stinging left cheek. Brigit pointed at her.
“I have never struck my child on the face, however, he would never have spoken to me with the disrespect you display as a woman grown! You are not to raise your voice again, young lady,” she said in a cold, calm voice. “And you are not to voice another opinion unless it is requested by your elders. You are to be seen and not heard, just as you expect your students to present themselves. Is this understood?”
“Yes… madam,” Eliza growled, rubbing her cheek. Lady Remington had surprised her with quite a strong right arm.
“Good. Now finish dressing,” Brigit ordered, crossing her arms. Red in the face, Eliza gathered the clothes and started towards the dressing screen. She froze in her tracks when Brigit announced, “Right here, where I can see you.”
Humiliation rushed through the younger woman as she removed her undergarments and replaced them with split knickers, long socks, and a muslin chemise. No corset or excess layers were provided and she felt her plump breasts fall loosely beneath the soft fabric. She slipped a white and blue smock over her head, blushing as it fell to just below her knees. Brigit tapped her foot impatiently as Eliza donned the pinafore apron and kid leather boots.
“Take your hair down and part it in half. Use a ribbon to hold it in place,” Brigit ordered, seeing the slight tremble of the woman’s hands as she was forced to dress like a five-year-old child. How could she survive the indignity of being seen like this? She looked around her for a coat, but the room was completely bare.
“Much better, now follow me,” Brigit ordered, leaving the room. They walked down the corridor, with Eliza acutely noticing the intense silence. Where was everybody? Her heart stopped when she heard bustling activity in front of them. The auditorium? An audible groan escaped her lips, and she froze at the doorway.
“I implore you, Miss—”
“Lady Remington, Eliza,” Brigit corrected, opening the door.
“Lady Remington, I can’t go in there looking like this! It’s improper, and my position demands…”
“I will remind you one final time that your position is that of a naughty child who must be taught boundaries, limitations, obedience, and manners. Go, before I lose my patience.”
Head down, Eliza walked pass the rows of the gaping students and faculty. The room grew deathly silent as Brigit led Eliza to the platform and stood her before Gerard.
“Much better. Ladies and gentlemen,” he addressed the assembly, “if I may have your attention, please. Ladies in the front row, I would strongly urge you to reserve your whispers for a later time, unless you would care to meet me after this assembly.” He glared straight at them. The three girls nodded, sinking in the chairs. He cleared his throat,
“I am Lord Remington. I am here because your headmistress, Miss Woods, has recently provided the opportunity to have one of you sent out to a reformer. I felt it is important for each of you to know and understand our purpose and goal in the event one of you require such intensity of training. Eliza, stand here before the school,” he ordered, watching the woman flush the deepest crimson he had ever witnessed upon a face. “One who is sent to a reformer is first stripped of all dignity and is deemed a petulant child. Hence, they are first attired in the garb of a child. This is a visible reminder to the reprobate, as well as to those around her, that she has to earn the right to be an adult once again. It is very effective, is it not, Eliza?”
The girls whispered as he addressed the headmistress by her first name, looking around in shock. The faculty grimaced, glancing at one another. Eliza did not respond.
“Eliza has elected to go through reform in lieu of losing her position here. I assure you that if and when she returns, she will be a much better teacher and a more understanding human being. How many of you have been disciplined by her?”
Nearly all the girls, and some of the staff, raised their hands.
“Keep your hands up, if you please. Of those who have been disciplined, who has been bloodied? The rest, lower your hands.”
“Of you, who has been bloodied more than once?”
Two of the girls lowered their hands.
“Would you mind telling me what occurred that deserved such severity?”
“This is unacceptable, Lord Remington! These children have no right—”
“I am not asking you, Eliza. I am asking these young ladies. Well, girls? There is no need to be afraid. You are not going to be punished for answering my questions. I promise.” His warm voice and gentle expression earned him a response. The girls shared their sins—uttering a profanity, stealing a pastry, tripping into the headmistress while coming down stairs, copying a sentence incorrectly, hanging a smock inside out—and Gerard felt his anger burn within him.
“Thank you, my dears. Has anyone else here committed any such heinous crimes as these as well? Do not be afraid, I only want the truth.”
As he suspected, all the girls and most of the staff raised their hands. He turned to Eliza, “Why did you blood them, and not the others? “
“They were impertinent, sir! They refused to submit to my authority! They must be taught.”
“Beg pardon, Your Lordship,” a woman called out, “the lady broke a breadboard on a girl because she was hungry. The girl reported that the headmistress had cut back their rations, and the girl was severely underfed as was. The child still cannot walk due to her bruises. It has been over ten days, sir.”
“Yes, Your Lordship,” a man stood up and said, “she cut another girl from the stables with a whip because she was afraid of the horses. That one ran away and is probably selling her body to survive.”
The floodgate opened as the staff, no longer afraid, shared the abuse and terror of the woman’s reign. Eliza reddened and started screaming at them to be silent, calling them ignorant peasants and stupid fools. The headmaster stood back, both shocked that the staff dared speak out and repulsed by the woman’s lack of etiquette and failure to remain dignified and silent in the face of her accusers. Henry glanced over at Gerard, noting that the large man had crossed his arms and stared at the woman as she revealed her wretched temper.
The Reformer Page 5
