Page 3 of Deposed

“She hasn’t responded to any of my texts.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out my smartphone. “Maybe she’ll remember she has a daughter if she finds out I’ve turned to boys to fill the maternal gap.”

His silent stare continued for so long, my stomach twisted. I pressed my lips together and held his gaze. A tactic like that probably intimidated a whole bunch of people in the business world, but so what? His disapproval was nothing compared to the crowd of violent assholes at Mercia Academy who would bay for my blood when they discovered what I’d done to their precious school.

Nobody in the room spoke. My heart pounded in synch with Jackie’s drumming of the pads of her fingers on the wooden desk, and one of the personal assistants standing behind us shifted on her feet. The silence built and built like a pressure cooker about to explode. Rudolph showed no signs of wanting to speak to me, so I caved.

“Did you know Headmaster Chaloner cornered me this morning and nearly had me arrested by two police officers? Or that he’s insane enough to kick a door off its hinges? And the first term, a whole hall of people attacked me because they hate Americans? You want to send me back to that, after what I’ve done to the academy?”

Jackie cleared her throat. “The headmaster was arrested earlier today. I doubt the police will let a criminal return to a school full of children.”

“No, but Edward Mercia just worked out that I’m the leak.” I pointed at the door. “Ask your interns if you don’t believe me. They’ve seen the recordings. Don’t you think he’ll make sure everyone knows about this? With my cover blown, no one will trust me enough to say anything incriminating.”

Jackie glanced down and didn’t reply. Probably because I’d won the argument.

Rudolph stroked his chin. “It’s that or military school.”

“Where?” I asked.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Which school?” I snapped. “If it means not going back to Mercia Academy, I’ll do it. But when I eventually catch up with Mom, I’ll tell her I did everything you asked of me and more, yet you put me in military school because you didn’t care what the boys would do to me if I returned.”

It was his turn to flare his nostrils. “Very well. If you want to go somewhere else, you’ll have to fund it yourself.”

Blood drained from my face and settled into my frantic heart. “Y-you would leave me stranded in England?”

“There’s a place for you at Mercia Academy.” He folded his arms over his chest and stretched out his legs in a display of nonchalance.

I pulled myself out of my seat and walked out on shaky legs. There was no point in continuing this conversation. Until I could accrue enough allowance to buy a plane ticket to New York, I had no choice but to return to Mercia Academy. To the triumvirate’s wrath.

My legs felt like wooden pegs as I walked out of the building, and my insides felt raw and hollow, as though someone had scooped them out with a rusty knife. How could Rudolph be so ruthless? Black cabs zoomed past on the red stretches of roads reserved for busses, and I closed my eyes and inhaled cool, spring air laden with exhaust fumes.

“Emilia?” asked a familiar voice.

I turned toward the road. Peeking through the limo window was Marissa, the assistant of the assistant who had escorted me on my first day of the academy.

“What are you doing in London?” She poked her long-nailed hand out of the window and beckoned. “Shouldn’t you be at that school?”

“I had to leave.”

“Couldn’t stand the people?” she asked.

“Something like that.” I leaned my hand on the roof of the limo. “Have you seen my mom?”

“She flew across with us but went onto Paris to meet a girlfriend.”

My heart sank into my loafers. Why would Rudolph treat me like I was anything but expendable when my own mother didn’t give a shit? “Right. Could you tell her I’ll be in London for the next few weeks? It’s school holidays right now, and I’d love to see her.”

Marissa grinned. “Of course, honey.”

“Thanks.” I didn’t hold out any hope that Mom would get in touch. The lifestyle of being the wife of a multimillionaire had clearly gone to her head, and she wouldn’t let something as trivial as motherhood spoil her fun. “See you.”

As I headed down Fleet Street toward St. Paul’s station, I glanced at the buildings of various other British newspapers. None of them would allow an underage girl on an undercover mission, much less force her to return once her cover had been blown. The phone buzzed again. It was probably Edward, telling me I was a bitch.

I pulled it out and gazed at the message on the screen. Father has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering. FATHER! I hope you’re proud that your machinations have brought both the school and the duchy into disrepute. Return to the academy, NOW.

Guilt gnawed at my insides like a colony of maggots. Even if I replied to explain that I hadn’t meant for any of this to affect Edward’s poor father, my words would be meaningless. I slipped the phone back into my pocket and waited in line to buy an Oyster card. There was only one person in the world who might be able to give me refuge, and I hoped he was still in London.

Chapter 2