Page 67 of Cruel Shame

I’ve removed her room number from the return address. Now the results will stay in the mailroom until they work out where to put them.

“He did it,” I whispered.

Orlando rose from his seat and offered me his hand. “This calls for a celebration.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

As Orlando led me out of the dining room, I glanced over my shoulder at Gideon and Kendrick, who both offered me smiles that told me they knew exactly how Orlando wanted to celebrate our little victory. With a little wave, I turned back to Orlando, whose hurried footsteps sent a tingle of excitement between my legs.

Would he take me back to his room and throw me down or would he bend me over the table and pummel me to a mind-blowing climax? Either way worked for me. We stepped out of the double doors and into the hallway, passing Miss Martin and Mr. McGarr’s brother.

Instead of turning toward the stairs that led to the boy’s accommodation, Orlando headed in the other direction, toward the academy’s entrance. My mouth dropped open. Was he taking me back to my room? After everything that happened in there, it no longer felt like mine.

My brows drew together. “Where are we going?”

Orlando squeezed my hand. “Which lessons do you have this afternoon?”

“Tailoring club?” I bit down on my lip, trying to work out what on earth he’d planned. “But that’s not until four. Why?”

“Good, then it means you have the afternoon free.” He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me into his side. “I’m going to whisk you away until tomorrow morning.”

I leaned back, placed a hand on his broad chest, and curled my fingers for a quick grope. Orlando stared ahead with a neutral expression, not giving me a single clue on those handsome features. “That still doesn’t answer my question.”

“How would you like an afternoon drive around the countryside, followed by an evening of sin?”

“Alright,” I said with a laugh. “Especially the part about sinning.”

We continued through the hallway, passing doors of classrooms containing students who’d been forced to remain inside to write lines. The poor buggers.

Orlando gave my waist a firm squeeze. “Last night, when my grandfather called, he was practically in tears. He seems to think all that lecturing on the evils of you-know-what finally sunk into my thick skull and cured me of becoming like that infernal reprobate, Oscar Wilde.”

I pressed my lips together in a tight line to hide a smile. How the old man could be convinced Orlando was gay because of one dumb video was mind boggling. Didn’t Orlando get into trouble loads of time before for lewd conduct with all those girls who got expelled?

A gaggle of fourth-year girls passed on their way to a late lunch, casting Orlando admiring glasses. I preened at his side. How did a girl like me get so lucky to have ensnared all three of the knights? We reached the half-staircase that led to the reception area, where the porter nodded good afternoon, and then we stepped through the double doors.

Frost-laden wind blasted down the driveway, making me squint to protect my eyeballs. How long did cold weather in Scotland last? Sure, we were four-hundred-and-fifty miles north of Richley, but damn…

When the air settled enough for me to crack them open them a crack wider, I stared at a large, black limousine. The driver, a man wearing a black suit and a matching cap, stood by the passenger door and saluted.

I turned to Orlando and frowned. “You arranged this?”

“With a little help from the old man. He ordered me to wine and dine you until you fell at my feet in a frenzy.” Orlando leaned into me and nuzzled my neck, setting the skin alight with his lips. “Falling at my feet is optional. I’d much rather you fell on my dick.”

An excited laugh bubbled up from my chest, awakening butterflies in my stomach, and I shot Orlando my widest grin. These boys really knew how to put a girl’s mind off her troubles. Having faces and bodies beautiful enough to keep a girl distracted also helped.

The driver opened the door, and Orlando swept out his arm. “After you.”

I stepped into a warm interior of walnut panels and cream leather. This limo was L-shaped, with a seat longer than my bed taking up its entire left space and a bar and entertainment center on the right.

Despite the array of drinks and snacks, a bottle of champagne sat in a bucket of ice, complete with four flutes. I settled into a plush seat, squeezed my thighs together, and smiled.

“This reminds me of the time we drove back from Wank.” I scooted down toward the front and patted the seat. “Maybe today, I can touch you wherever I want.”

“About that.” Orlando sat beside me with a grimace. “I don’t think I ever apologized to you for setting up those cameras—”

“We’re even.” I placed a hand on his thigh, giving the hard muscles of his quadriceps a firm squeeze. “I got you guys suspended, and you had to endure weeks of lectures from an old man obsessed with ass-fucking. That more than makes up for anything you planned.”

His lips formed a crooked smile. “It resulted in my Grandfather taking up arms against the Liddells and him urging me to do whatever it took to keep you happy.”