Read Online The Reformer by Breanna Hayse - Free Book Online Page B

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