Page 20 of Cruel Hearts

After I removed the shepherd’s pie, the kitchen door creaked open, and Gideon returned.

“Did Orlando say anything else?” I asked.

Gideon shook his head and walked to the table. “Not a word.”

The hardened cellophane crackled as I pulled it off my ready meal. After plating my lunch, I sat at the table and took my first mouthful of mashed potato and minced lamb. Gideon watched me throughout like I was a walking, talking bomb about to explode.

He cleared his throat. “What will you do?”

“Find a way to get my revenge on all four of them. Preferably something that involves dragging them through the school naked.”

Gideon shook his head and sighed.

“What?” I snapped.

“Anything you do against Elizabeth in her own territory will backfire. Half of the Board of Governors consists of her family and the other half are those loyal to either the archbishop or sycophants of Lady Liddell.”

“What are you saying? That I should lie back and take whatever Elizabeth dishes out?”

“Excel in your studies, develop your talents as a fashion designer, and don’t give her any ammunition to use against you.”

“No.” I stuck my fork in my shepherd’s pie.

Gideon frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Elizabeth dug into my background, exposed my secrets to the school, and brought my worst enemies up to Glasgow. Then she got me arrested for possession with intent to supply.” I shook my head. “If I turn the other cheek, she’ll come after me again with worse.”

“How do you intend to avenge yourself without it backfiring? You have neither her resources nor her network of support.”

“I’ll think of something.”

He brought his teacup to his lips. “Meanwhile, you’ve just ejected your best potential ally.”

I clenched my teeth. Gideon was right. “I might have said no, but those assholes will try to recruit me again. If I infiltrate their gang, I can take them down from the inside.”

Gideon might have made another weary sigh, but I wasn’t listening. I could still get good grades, learn everything I could about fashion from Miss Martin, and get revenge on Elizabeth and those bastards.

Chapter 9

On Monday morning, the chiming of the clock tower woke me at seven. I snapped my eyes open and stared at the ceiling. Thanks to Elizabeth and her bloody knights, I would miss the last week of term and lose out on an opportunity to observe my enemies at work.

After swinging my legs out of bed, I stood at the window and stared at the academy building. From a distance, it looked like a fairytale castle with its pretty balconies and tall towers, but up close, it was just part of a vast estate owned by a powerful lord and lady who overindulged their spoiled daughter.

If half the gangsters in Richley didn’t want to skin me alive, I might have considered returning home. A cloud drifted over the sun, making my heart sink. But that would mean leaving Mr. Burgh, and he’d already taken up a large space within my heart.

The bell rang.

My heart did a couple of jumping jacks. It was probably Orlando, begging me to reconsider. I shouldered on a dressing gown and bolted out of the room. The landscape paintings in the upstairs hallways blurred as I raced toward the grand staircase. This time, I would make him get down on his knees and kiss my feet.

At the bottom of the stairs, I slowed, straightened out my hair, and winced at the dry strands. With all this stress about the arrest, I’d forgotten my Sunday-morning deep conditioning treatment.

The bell rang again, and excitement fizzled through my chest and gathered between my legs. Orlando was an eager fucker. After kissing my feet, I’d make him suck my clit.

With all the dignity I could muster, I opened the door, letting in a gust of cool air.

Miss Martin stood at the doorway, clad in a black, wool coat that looked like it had been inspired by a straight jacket. She pursed her lips and breathed hard through her nostrils as though out of breath. “Good morning, Miss Hancock. May I come in?”

“Um… Yes.” My gaze traveled down to the suitcase she’d placed on her right side. Next to it was a plastic sewing-machine case. I bent down and reached for the cases. “Let me help you with your things.”