Page 48 of Cruel Hearts

Kendrick and Orlando visited with more intelligence on Elizabeth, who had been seen at a number of horse races. I could only assume she was trying to recoup her losses after misplacing her winning ticket. Perhaps she had a gambling addiction.

When term started, I was still suspended and banned from setting foot in the academy. As was Maxwell, whose face had mostly healed from Sammy’s fists.

One afternoon, as I was leaving Mr. Burgh’s quarters to take a walk around the grounds, Maxwell jogged through the gates with a huge bunch of snowdrops.

I eyed the bouquet of white flowers, which would look gorgeous on the dining room table. “What do you want?”

“Term’s started, and we’re both suspended. I thought we could spend some time—”

“I don’t even know you.”

Maxwell stared down at me as though I’d developed a third eye. “What?”

“The person I got to know last term was you playing a role, right?”

“Only at first.” He thrust the bouquet at me. “You’ve had ample opportunity to speak to Kendrick. Is he anything like the person you got to know?”

“Your brother’s an arrogant dick who thinks I’m in love with him.”

He suppressed a smile. I wondered if he misconstrued what I said as some kind of admission that I had fallen for him. Or the person he had pretended to be last term. Either way, I wanted to wipe the smugness off his face.

“What are you grinning about?” I snapped. “No one’s in love with you.”

“Lilah.” His gray eyes bore into mine. “What we have is special. You’re not the kind to jump into bed with anyone.”

A cold wind blew through the courtyard, and I clenched my teeth. This was one of those tricky dilemmas. Telling him I’d shag anything with half a cock, and he had just been convenient would be like shooting my reputation in the ass. Besides, the number of times I’d dodged him and Orlando had proven that I was careful of who I fucked.

Failing to produce a clever retort, I slapped him on the arm. “Bugger off.”

He grinned. “Is that an offer?”

“Yeah, you can bugger Orlando.” I turned on my heel.

Maxwell grabbed my arm. “Don’t go.”

“It’s hard not to when you’re holding onto me like King Kong. Let go of me, you gorilla.”

He released his grip and held up the large palm of his free hand. Like that would demonstrate his harmlessness. “How can I prove myself to you?”

“Do you have a time machine?”

His features twisted into a scowl. “Lilah—”

“Hey!” Orlando sprinted down the side of the fence.

“How did he know where to find us?” I muttered. When Maxwell didn’t answer, I said, “You texted him, right?”

“We’re best friends.”

“Is this an ambush?” I asked.

“Of course not,” he said, sounding unsure.

Orlando jogged through the gates, his cheeks red from both the cold and the run. “I paid a couple of fourth years to watch Herbert and Williams.”

“They’re the pair Elizabeth gave the stolen collection money,” added Maxwell.

“What did you discover?” I asked.