Page 55 of Revenge

Taking a deep breath, Edward straightened his tie and blazer. I ran my fingers over his hair, smoothing it to perfection.

He swallowed and headed for the door. “Thank you.”

My heart thudded in my chest. The most damning article about International House hadn’t yet been published. What could be so urgent that the headmaster was summoning Edward?

Chapter 18

The door clicked shut behind Edward, and I stared at its wood panels as though that would give me an insight into why the headmaster wanted to see him. It couldn’t have been because of the exam paper article. Days had passed since then.

Henry developed me in a mint-scented hug. “You’re worried.”

I leaned into his chest and murmured, “I don’t trust Mr. Chaloner.”

He kissed me on the tip of my nose. “Neither do I, but Edward will be safe with him.”

I stepped away and locked eyes with Blake, who gave me the strangest look, almost as though he had come to some sort of realization. It might have been because of my concern for Edward and my closeness with Henry. I certainly hadn’t given him any cause to suspect me of setting him up to be exposed in the national press for repeating his stepfather’s treasonous words. Pushing away those thoughts, I buttoned up my shirt and fastened my tie.

“Let’s go to lessons,” I said. “It wouldn’t feel right to continue without Edward.”

Blake’s face fell for a second, but he hid the expression with a smile. “You’re right.”

Henry pressed a kiss into my temple. “And we have to hand in that Spanish assignment.”

The three of us walked out of Edward’s study at the same time Mr. Jenkins was stepping out of his office. His eyes widened at the sight of our kiss-reddened lips, and he dove back through the door and shut it behind him.

I narrowed my eyes and muttered, “Is this what he does at any sign of inappropriate behavior?”

“He’s been like this ever since we got to Elder House,” said Blake. “It works out to our benefit.”

As I walked through the hallway, I swallowed hard and pushed away memories from the gauntlet. Mr. Jenkins must have heard the noise from his office. He and the matron might have been able to talk sense into the baying crowd or at least ordered those from outside the house to leave. Or he could have called campus security, but he did nothing.

Mr. Carbuncle sorted a stack of mail in the reception hall, which he had upended on the large table. The man looked more haggard than usual, his cheekbones prominent, eyes sunken, and mustache thicker. He gave the boys a polite nod and went on with his work.

Outside, bass music boomed from International House, and a cold wind swirled in from the direction of the woods, bringing with it the scent of pine and juniper. The fresh air from the overcast day cleared my head and returned echoes of three sets of lips and hands caressing me to distraction. I ran a hand through my hair and sucked in a deep breath. If Mr. Chaloner hadn’t called Edward when he had, I might have ended up sleeping with at least one of the triumvirate.

Blake headed off to the music block on the far right of the campus, while Henry and I walked down the path of bare magnolia trees toward the main teaching block.

As the gravel crunched underfoot, Henry shook his head. “I can’t believe you got rid of Bachmann.”

I smiled. “Why not?”

“After everything we put you through last term.”

“But you apologized, didn’t you?”

“And I meant every word.” He placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed.

I turned my head up to meet his gaze and smiled. As long as the apology was backed up with the clearing of my name, I would accept it. “What will you say to your parents?”

“That we’re friends, of course.” He smiled back, eyes shining with affection. “Summer’s a slow time of year, and they usually visit the stores in the Middle East. Henry, Blake, and I spend most of our time in one of the villas. We’d be delighted to have you join us.”

My jaws tightened with irritation, and my hands twitched and curled into fists. I stopped by a bench labeled TOBIAS UNDERWOOD and grabbed Henry by the wrist. He furrowed his brow and peered down at me as though I was acting strangely.

“We had an agreement,” I said through clenched teeth. “I would break up with Sergei, and you would tell your parents the truth.”

His frown melted into a blank look. “And I will.”

“What will you say?”