Page 64 of Cruel Shame

A loud pop from the fireplace had me looking into the flames for answers. They just flickered and danced and released tiny sparks. It would have been a calming sight if not for the mystery caller.

“I don’t have the words,” Mr. Burgh said in a voice choked with emotion. “Thank you.”

By the time he hung up, every nerve ending in my body thrummed with curiosity. I was about to ask, when he downed the entire glass of whisky and shuddered. Scooting back along the sofa, I waited for him to return to his seat.

“Good news?” I asked.

Mr. Burgh turned to me with his eyes narrowed. “What were you doing this morning?”

I leaned into the firm backrest, casting my mind back to when Lady Liddell ambushed me at breakfast. “I went to the Board of Governors’ meeting, then Business Studies.” My mind went blank. “Why?”

“That was Hamish Nevis.” He raised his brows and gave me a meaningful stare.

I tried to mirror his expression but didn’t quite have the eyebrows. “Orlando’s grandfather?”

“Lady Liddell called him to say that young Mr. Nevis was engaged in an act of public lewdness with my granddaughter.”

I shook my head. “We were just kissing.”

“Apparently, you seemed to have a rousing effect on his grandson.”

I wrinkled my nose. “She’s a liar—” My mind rolled back to that kiss we shared in the garden. I’d pressed against Orlando and felt that glorious, thick erection against my belly. “Why would that collagen cow look at him down there?”

Mr. Burgh shook his head, as though removing the image from his mind. “Nevis is so pleased that you seduced his son straight that he’s willing to fund any civil lawsuits against the academy.”

I stared up at my grandfather, letting the words percolate in my mind. He seemed to be waiting for a reaction to what appeared to be the most bizarre act of generosity. It was great that the old man would lift the financial burden from Mr. Burgh, but it was just a kiss. Any girl in the academy would jump at the chance to lock lips and other body parts with a hot guy like Orlando.

Then realization hit me upside the head. “That gay sex tape?”

Mr. Burgh nodded and lowered himself onto the sofa. “Nevis was still under the impression that Orlando and Maxwell were involved. He’s absolutely delighted at the prospect of one day having grandchildren.”

“So, good news for us?” I curled up at his side.

He placed an arm around my shoulders. “Good news for every student who suffered under the tyranny of Elizabeth Liddell.”

* * *

The next morning at breakfast, I lowered myself onto Orlando’s lap and gave him a long kiss on the lips. Cheers and wolf-whistles filled the dining room, and Miss Harper the Home Economics teacher stepped down from the head table to break us apart.

“Is this about the old man?” Orlando grinned, his eyes sparkling.

I plonked myself onto the chair and winked at Gideon, who sat up in his seat, looking scandalized with pursed lips. He and I both knew how naughty he was under that veneer of sophistication. “Mr. Burgh told me last night your grandfather would to help the parents sue the academy for negligence.”

Gideon leaned forward. “How so?”

It looked like Maxwell and Kendrick already heard the news, so I told Gideon everything Mr. Burgh had told me. Gideon’s face stilled. “It’s wonderful news, but I’m sorry you have such an intolerant grandfather.”

Orlando rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged. “I won’t repeat what he said when I got suspended, but the old bastard is obsessed with continuing the family line.”

Kendrick narrowed his eyes, glancing from Gideon to me to Orlando. Annoyance and confusion warred on his features. He looked like he was about to ask Gideon why he’d poke holes at such a generous windfall but then flinched. Either Maxwell or Orlando must have kicked him under the table. Kendrick’s eyes widened with realization and he returned to his porridge without a word.

“That’s one worry off our backs.” I leaned forward and told the boys that the archbishop offered Mr. Burgh his job back in exchange for him dropping the proceedings against the Liddells for defamation.

“What has he decided?” Gideon asked, his brows drawn into a frown.

I glanced at his empty spot at the head table and exhaled a long sigh. “He didn’t say.”

“It’s going to be a hard decision.” Maxwell squeezed my hand. “Is there anything we can do to help?”