The earl pointed to a straight backed chair. “Headmaster, bring that to me, please. This temper tantrum is no longer acceptable,” Gerard ordered. Henry complied, his hands shaking with excitement as he witnessed Eliza being grabbed by the earlobe and forcefully pushed across Lord Remington’s solid thighs. She screamed profanities as Gerard positioned himself so that Eliza’s backside was facing the platform and then bared her bottom before the hushed audience.
He lifted his powerful arm high over his head and WHACK! The sound of his palm against naked flesh echoed through the rafters. Eliza screamed a profanity and a second WHACK was heard. The room grew tense as the earl generously unloaded his full attention to the correction of the unruly woman. She kicked, screamed, twisted, and struggled to escape his punishing blows, all decorum gone as her pale bottom quickly colored to the same red shade as that upon her face. Smack after heavy smack echoed through the rafters, the sound only disturbed by the woman’s angry tears.
“A young lady,” SMACK! “is always to present herself,” SMACK! SMACK! “with grace and proper decorum,” he lectured, addressing the stunned students. “She is never,” SMACK! “to lift her voice in anger,” SMACK! SMACK! “or utter profanities.” SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
Gerard easily repositioned the chair so that Eliza faced the now silent crowd, her mortification increasing as she looked upon the gloating stares of so many people she had hurt. Gerard paused for a moment to let her humiliation sink in before snapping his fingers toward Brigit. She quickly handed him a nursery cane, made specifically to sting the recipient as they were held over a lap. “This,” Gerard said, striking the crown of Eliza’s buttock with the cane and hearing her scream in pain, “is the only type of cane,” SWISH! “that should ever be used,” SWISH! SWISH! “on a girl’s tender bottom!” SWISH, SWISH, SWISH!!!
Every swipe was met with a high-pitched squeal, followed by pleas to cease. One by one, he grimly and precisely striped her with ten more severe lashes, seeing the purple bruises form well beneath the surface of her alabaster skin. Her tender creases upon which she sat no longer held so much as a glimpse of white, sporting a heated and angry crimson that promised her some difficulty in sitting properly for the next day or two. Eliza now sobbed uncontrollably, limply hanging over his lap and lacking the ability to budge from her spot. Her disgrace, pain, and loss of power sent her spiraling into a pit of self-loathing and hatred. Gerard held his hand upon her bare bottom as he addressed the hushed room. Her skin was hot to the touch, and he was able to feel raised welts upon it.
“The reformers are here to teach and to guide. To help you change what you are not strong enough to change on your own. We teach discipline, but we also teach forgiveness,” he said, pulling the weeping woman to sit upon his lap as he wrapped his large, strong arms around her shoulders. Eliza slumped against him, crying loudly into his collar as he gently stroked her back and rocked her slowly.
Eliza was confused. She felt… at peace in his arms, despite the horrible pain he had inflicted upon her. She felt safe as well. What could this be, this trick of the mind? No! She would never submit to any man, let alone this one. How dare he treat her with such indignities! She resisted the urge to slap him across the face, knowing that would result in the absence of any mercy in the resultant punishment. Instead, she pulled herself away from him and yanked herself from his hold, distancing herself from him.
“Stand with your back to the audience, Eliza, and pull up your skirts so they can see the marks of your shame,” Gerard ordered, aware of her conflict. “Do this, or I apply the headmasters cane to you as you have done to these girls.”
Eliza took a step back, colliding into Henry. He was a solid wall, arms crossed and staring at her with disapproval. When Gerard reached for the thick cane, Eliza slowly complied, trying to ignore the twitters of amusement coming from the seats.
“During Eliza's absence, Lady Brigit will be taking place as headmistress. Please do your upmost to please her, for that will please me. She desires your happiness, as do I and my son. You are all dismissed.”
Gerard waited until everyone had left the room before he had Eliza stand before him again. He wiped her face with his kerchief and held her hands in his. “You disappoint me, girl. You have so much potential, yet you chose to disregard it to save your pride. Go now and gather only your personal items and meet me at the carriage. You will need to pack no clothing. Be quick, child,” he ordered softly.
“Yes, sir, Lord Remington,” Eliza sniffed, racing away as fast as her aching bum would allow. Those words, 'you disappoint me', caused intense pain in her heart. Why? None of this made sense to Eliza. What was this power he had? This ability to control and take over? It fascinated her as much as it repulsed her. And no clothing? Did he plan on keeping her naked? The thought caused her to both shudder in disgust and shiver in excitement. Where did that arise?
After Eliza had left, Gerard held his hand out to his wife and kissed the inside of her wrist, before pulling her onto his lap. Brigit wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled his strong chin affectionately, saying, “You always amaze me, my love. I fear, though, that it will take much more than a spanking to bring her around. She still did not yield to you willingly this day.”
“You are correct; however, I do believe that she will learn to become compliant in time. You know first-hand how a little discipline, humility, and forgiveness can change a stubborn heart.”
“It is unfortunate that we have no time for you to remind me of these lessons,” Brigit giggled in his ear before nipping his lobe with her small, white teeth. Gerard grinned, smacked her thigh, and then lifted her off his lap with a hearty kiss to her forehead. He offered his arm and led her outside to the carriage to where Eliza waited, angrily staring at the ground.
“Are you certain you need no assistance in settling in?” he asked Brigit, holding both her hands in his and lifting them to kiss her knuckles.
“I am very well, my darling. Please have a safe journey. Eliza?”
“Yes, Lady Remington?” the women responded sharply.
“Look at me when I speak to you, please. That’s better. You will find that your lessons will be much easier if you submit to them. Dispose of that pride and attitude, girl, and you will be a much happier person.”
“Yes, madam,” Eliza forcibly muttered, her cheeks red once again. “Are you not accompanying us?”
“No, I am staying here to repair the damage you caused. You will ride with Lord Remington alone, as though you were a little girl,” Brigit stated causally, knowing that the elicited response would be one of undisguised horror. It was unheard of for an unescorted woman to ride in the privacy of a closed carriage with a man that was not her husband. Brigit raised her eyebrow to Eliza’s expression and continued, “I would be more concerned with the fact that the entire institution just viewed your private parts rather than your travel status, little miss. Shall I see you in a couple of weeks, darling?”
Gerard nodded, kissing her soundly in front of the disgusted Eliza. He watched his wife return to the building and then turned to the silent woman. “Into the carriage with you, girl. Oh yes, one more thing. From this moment on, you shall refer to me as ‘Papa’.”
“You are not my father! How dare—”
“Would you like another spanking atop the most recent one? I see you do not sit comfortably. I can ensure that will continue,” he stared down, his eyes boring into her. Eliza shook her head. “Good. Now lift your skirts, spread your knickers and sit bare bottomed on that bench for the remainder of our journey.”
Eliza flushed once again as, trembling, she reluctantly obeyed him. Aware of his scrutinizing gaze, she folded her hands in her lap and clenched her teeth, desperately trying not to yelp at every bump or fidget to relieve the burning sting left by the cane. Tears filled her eyes as she realized the reality of her upcoming days.
Chapter Five
Ryan smiled as he placed a tray of porridge and a cup of tea before the wide-eyed Aryann
a. She watched as he drizzled some honey and cream and slowly stirred it in. He lifted the spoon to her mouth. “Eat,” he ordered.
Aryanna opened her mouth and allowed him to feed her, still confused and unsure of her situation or what he expected of her. So far, he had been nothing but kind and nurturing, and she began to look forward to his visits and the application of salve upon her slow-healing wounds. His touch was gentle, soothing, and raised a feeling within her that she did not know how to relieve. It was pleasantly uncomfortable, settling between the middle of her thighs.
Ryan was pleased with her response. In her present state, it took little to persuade her to submit to his care. In three weeks’ time, the hollow darkness of her cheeks were starting to show forth a rosy plumpness, and her over-sized eyes shined with eager intelligence. He loved her eyes. They were the color of a bright summer sky and almost too large for her slender face, making her look like one of his mother’s faerie-folk. Her halo of pale blond hair felt like corn silk to his fingers as he pushed it behind her ear.
“We start lessons today, Ary. You are to tell me if you do not understand your instructions.”
“Yes, Lord Ryan,” she whispered, listening carefully and hanging onto his every word. His voice was warm, soothing, and rich, his accent less pronounced than the others. She found it easy to understand him and repeat his words, doubling her vocabulary during her convalescence. He had brought her beautiful picture books to look at and read stories aloud to her. He asked questions, and, after discovering her fondness for sweets, rewarded correct answers with candy, as well as tremendous amounts of praise, which caused her to swell proudly in delight.
No longer embarrassed, Aryanna lifted her arms so that he could remove her nightgown, dress her in a shift and soft smock, and pull long-legged bloomers over her slender limbs. She giggled as he tied them in place, and he tickled her. She knew these were children’s clothes, yet she did not mind. They were soft and free, and they made Lord Ryan smile when she twirled for him. She grinned broadly as he buttoned her boots after grabbing her swaying foot playfully between his knees.
“Hold still, you little brat,” he ordered with a chuckle. Aryanna giggled and twisted her foot in circles to make the chore more difficult. “You are asking for a spanking, little one. Behave.”
“Where Papa and Mama?” Aryanna asked innocently, hopping off the bed and following him downstairs to the drawing room. He sat on the lounge and placed her between his knees so that he could brush and braid her long, silky hair.
“They went to the academy… Ary? What is wrong?” he asked, feeling her stiffen.
She turned to him, tears in the blue orbs, “Headmistress not good. She hurt Mama!”
“No, no, dove. Don’t you worry. Mama will be fine. Papa will protect her, like Lord Ryan protects you,” he reassured, frowning at her fright.
“Please, no go academy. Hurt there,” she forced out, trying to find her words.
“Shhh, calm down, now. We are not going to the academy, my pet. You are safe here. Aryanna?” Ryan said firmly, with a frown as she began to launch into hysterics. “Did you hear me? You are safe.”
Aryanna bit her lip and slowly nodded. She did not like to displease her reformer, and his frown saddened her. She wiped the tears off her face with the kerchief he handed her, noticing he maintained a stern, foreboding expression. She touched the smooth shaven edges of his mouth with her index fingers, and, on an impulse, pressed them up to force his lips into a smile.
Ryan grabbed her fingers and kissed the tips, rewarding her efforts with a genuine grin on his handsome face. “You don’t like my frown, do you? You think if you are cute, you can manipulate me, don’t you, missy? Well, you are partially correct. Come outside for a walk with me.”
Aryanna accepted his offered hand and scrambled to keep up with his strides. He pointed to items, asking their name. Aryanna responded quickly, eager to please him and earn his approval. After their stroll, he took her back into the house and sat her at a student desk in his study.
“Are you comfortable?” he asked, watching her carefully and aware of the deep lingering bruises. She nodded and smiled up at him, the look of trust on her face making his heart flutter. She grew more beautiful every day, and he felt himself growing quite fond of her. But he had a job to do. As his father had dolefully reminded him, she wasn’t his pet and must be supplied with the skills she needed to survive. He could not afford to become attached to this young woman. He thought back to Gerard’s words that the first was always the hardest to let go. Ryan snickered to himself. That was how his parents ended up together.
He handed her a copy book, a fountain pen, and a picture book, ordering her to practice her letters. Aryanna stared at the paper in front of her, scrunched her face, and pushed the books away. Ryan lifted a brow.
“Is there a problem, little girl? You don’t use a slate here—”
“No like. I do that.” She pointed to his ledger books.
“Oh, you do? Well, I no like to do this,” he teased, handing her the large book and tweaking her nose as she eyed him strangely. She opened the book and started shaking her head.
“This wrong. And this. And this! Lord Ryan does book?” she frowned disapprovingly.
He shrugged, “Yes, Lord Ryan does the books. I am not very good at mathematics. I did not inherit my father’s aptitude for numbers.”
“I do numbers, you do letters?” Aryanna asked with a mischievous twinkle.
Ryan laughed, shaking his head. “Oh no, you don’t, you sly little fox. You need to learn your letters.”
Aryanna wrinkled her nose, thinking. “If Lord Ryan does bad on numbers, you let Ary do for him?”
“You want to balance my books? Seriously? Well, my dear, consider yourself hired. But letters first.”
Aryanna sighed and picked up her pen, making a face as she began to scribble out the letters. Time ticked by and, bored, she began to draw pictures in her copy book. Ryan looked up from his desk, noticing how she kept eyeing him. With a frown, he rose from his chair and walked over to her. She quickly shut her book and flashed him the innocent smile that she had quickly learned caused him to relent from his scoldings.
“Allow me to see your letters, please.” Ryan held out his hand. Aryanna bit her lip and shook her head. He snapped his fingers. “Now, Aryanna. Give me that book. I do not enjoy repeating myself.”
Aryanna timidly handed the book to him and then faced the floor, ashamed of having made Ryan be demanding with her. Further, her fondness for drawing was an action that had sent her many times over the desk for a leathering by the headmistress. Ryan opened the book and began to flip through the pages, his mouth falling open as he viewed her sketches.
It was an exact likeness of him, sitting at his desk slaving unhappily over his ledgers. She had even caught the small ‘v’ between his brow and the tightness of his cheek as he clenched his jaw in concentration. Ryan looked up at her. “Ary? Why are you crying? This is incredible.”
“Please, no, Reformer! Don’t hurt!” she started to cry, covering her eyes with her hands.
Ryan squatted in front of her, pulling her hands gently from her face and holding them down. “Aryanna, stop crying. This is very, very good. You have true talent, my silly girl. You also have given me a way to teach you letters and spelling. I have to ride out for something. Will you be okay to stay here? Work on the ledgers?”
Aryanna looked up at him through teary eyes, confused. Why was he was not angry with her distraction from her assignment? He seemed… pleased. And he wanted her to work his books! She nodded, a small smile on her pink lips. Following a kiss on the forehead, Ryan quickly departed his residence to make his way into the small town several miles away. There was a papermaker there from whom his mother purchased her stationary. He quickly made his selection and several other purchases before returning to the house several hours later.
He entered the study to find Aryanna hard at work at his desk, correcting his many mistakes
to his accounts. She looked up, ink smudged on her cheek, and smiled at him. “Lord Ryan! Look! You have much money now,” she announced proudly, handing him the book as he placed the brown paper-wrapped package down.
“Well, what do you know… Quite impressive, dove! Quite impressive! I bet Father could give you a job working for him once your reform is complete.”
“Work for Papa? No. I work for Lord Ryan.”
Ryan chuckled at the stubborn tilt of her pretty chin and handed her the package. She unwrapped it and stared with astonishment. He had purchased hand-pressed paper of many different colors and scents. The merchant gave him the Lady Remington’s favorites, embedded with flowers and leaves. He had also purchased drawing pencils, a hand mirror, and a magnifying glass. Aryanna’s hands shook as she stroked the paper before lifting it to her nose. Never had anyone given her such a beautiful gift.
“Your lessons, my pet. A is for Aryanna,” Ryan said, writing her name on the top of the paper and underlining the letters. He handed her the mirror, “Draw me a picture of Aryanna.”
* * *
“Wake up, Eliza. We have arrived,” Gerard announced as the carriage pulled into the estate grounds. Eliza sleepily groaned, rubbing her eyes tiredly. Her body ached from the ride, her muscles tense from trying to stabilize herself and avoid as many bumps on her seat as possible.
“Show me your bottom,” he ordered gruffly.
“Please, sir… it is improper…”
“This is the absolute last time I instruct you regarding your position here, young lady. You have lost all rights to your opinions, modesty, dignity, and social position once you come under the care of a reformer. You have brought this upon yourself, and it is time to pay the price,” Gerard’s voice boomed menacingly in the confines of the carriage. Eliza’s eyes widened fearfully. “Now answer properly and obey me, girl!”
The Reformer Page 6
