Free The Reformer by Breanna Hayse Page B

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!”
    “Y-yes, Papa,” Eliza shivered, turning to show him her bruises.
    He placed his hand on her right cheek and patted it. “Very good. That was not so difficult now, was it? Follow me,” Gerard said, ignoring the tearful glance she offered him. Martha met them at the door, her solid, broad body filling the frame. She scowled at