Louisa Revealed by Maggie Ryan Read Free Book Online Page A

sides,
twisting into the fabric of her skirts.   She had broken position, which he would soon address as well.  
    Mrs. Bremmer surprised him by immediately
stepping past to the corner, and without a word, slapped her hand down hard on
the twisting fingers of Louisa’s right hand.   Louisa yelped loudly and flapped her
hand, even as Mrs. Bremmer scolded.
    “You know better than that, Missy.   Get your hands where they belong, unless
you want me to take a tawse to them?”  
    Louisa sobbed, but immediately put her hands
back on the top of her head; both Edward and Anna heard her small voice, “I’m
sorry, ummm, Mrs. Bremmer.”  
    “You may address me as ma’am when you are being
tended to, and I daresay, it appears you will be requiring a great deal of
attention in your training.   Do you
understand me, Louisa?”   Louisa didn’t
understand at all, but did know the woman seemed to have no problem in slapping
at her.   Mrs. Bremmer was speaking
as if she had no doubt or hesitancy in ordering Louisa about and, to Louisa’s
shame, her own husband was not rushing to chastise the woman for her liberties.   Louisa felt her eyes well up, even as
she forced herself to answer, “Yes… yes ma’am.”  
    “That’s a good girl.   Yes, that’s much better.” Mrs. Bremmer
turned back to face her employer.   “Is there anything else, Sir?   I would be happy to stay and assist you with your young lady.”   Edward knew the woman was sincere.   He also knew that while she would
certainly be called to assist him in the future, today he needed to speak with
his wife about that very future.   He
knew Louisa would feel more receptive if she didn’t have to worry about the
stern older woman listening to the intimate conversation.
    “I will take it from here Mrs. Bremmer.   I will definitely need your help this
evening as both the girls will be attending to me in the study after
dinner.   Perhaps you could make sure
that there are two strong and sturdy birches, well-brined, ready for this
evening?”  
    Mrs. Bremmer gave him a curt nod, and with a
glance towards the corner said, “Certainly my Lord.   I shall cut and bind them myself.   There is plenty of time for them to have
a good soaking before you have need of them.”   Edward nodded, and without another word
she left the nursery, pulling the door closed behind her.   Edward looked around the room and was
pleased with the sight.   His wishes
had been carried out and the nursery was bright, airy and full of pieces of his
wife’s childhood.   He grinned as his
glance again fell on Louisa.   She
was crying softly, and he knew she was aware of what would transpire later that
day.   However, the promised
punishment was still hours away, and he had several things to attend to before
then.    Knowing he had but a
few hours before Lucille returned home, he called to his wife, “Come here
Louisa.”  
    This time, when she turned from the corner it
was to find her husband standing before her but no longer with his arms
open.   She shuffled forward until
she stood only a foot from him.   Edward nodded and then turned to walk around her.   Louisa stood still as a statue, knowing
her discipline had begun.   Tears
continued to slide down her cheeks but she knew better than to brush them
away.   She tried not to shake as he
paused behind her, and she blushed, knowing where his gaze was falling.   Her bottom clenched under her skirt as
if it knew it was being scrutinized.   Edward continued his circle until he stood before her again.
    “You’ve been a very naughty little girl haven’t
you Louisa?”  
    She gulped but managed to whisper, “Ye… yes, sir.”  
    Edward nodded and said,   “Remove your clothing.”  
    Louisa’s face burned at the order.   She desperately wanted to talk to her
husband, to ask questions, to beg him to fire the horrid housekeeper.   Her eyes again roamed the room –
the nursery.   She had so many
questions,