Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(67)

Don’t fall in love with him, girlie!

“Shut. Up,” I mutter. Krev’s voice isn’t as loud as the first time, but it’s still bothersome. God, when will he leave me alone?

Edward’s body tenses. “What did you say?”

Alarmed, I realize that I just said my words out loud. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that. I was . . .”

Girlie!

I grit my teeth. At least Krev’s voice is weaker now. It’ll die away eventually. It has to.

“I . . . I have scheduled a visit to the school today,” I say lamely, forcing myself to slip away from his arms. I shut my notebook and hand it to him. “They are holding a meeting to discuss the decreasing number of students. Here, take my notes. I know my handwriting sucks, but it isn’t incomprehensible.”

I head to the door, not daring to look at his face. Because if I do, I’m certain I’ll beat myself up for causing him pain.



* * *



Princess College seems quieter than usual when I enter the gates and ascend the steps leading to the entrance.

I’m early, since I had to tear myself away from Edward. Classes are in session, so I can’t go and see Rosie right now. I consider talking to Miss Cavendish about Molly and the working-class girls. If anything, I can use a cup of hot cocoa. The wind has been relentless since I stepped off my carriage.

“Katriona.” Liam approaches me, a stack of papers under his arm. “How generous of you to continue supporting the school, considering its precarious state.”

I do my best to keep my irritation bottled inside. “Good afternoon, Liam. Are you finished with your class today?”

He shakes his head. “My class was done yesterday. Today, I’m here to inform the headmistress of my desire to resign.” He indicates the papers he’s carrying. “All I need is to hand in the graded papers of my last class and my resignation letter.”

“You’re dropping out as well?”

“I’ve been offered another job by a lord. To put it bluntly, this other job provides better pay and more prominence than teaching schoolgirls. Not to mention that I fail to foresee a viable future for the girls.”

“That’s what you think.”

He flashes a cold smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Indeed, Your Highness, I wish no ill will. I am merely speaking in practical terms. Even if you can prevent the school from shutting down, there are only a handful of students left, and even then there’s little you can do for them. The University won’t recognize their diploma, nor let the girl students take part in the entrance exams.”

“We’ll work on that later,” I say. “Giving the girls a primary and secondary school education is only the first step. At least it’s an improvement. Think of the limited resources they had had, whether it may be an incompetent governess or no instruction at all. I don’t believe in deriding girls for their inferior intellect when you haven’t even given them a fair chance in the first place.”

Liam claps his hands, and the sound echoes in the hallway. “Bravo, Your Highness. Your argument is sound and your intentions most commendable. However, I’m afraid that the majority cannot understand what you endeavor, whether it may be a noble woman like Lady Willoughby or an impoverished laborer like Mr. Ripley.”

I fold my arms. “So?”

“You will find that what you’ve been doing all along, such as writing those essays in the paper and trying to educate girls, are eventually a waste of time and effort. A woman of your position is much better off staying in the palace and producing the next heir to the throne. Life doesn’t have to be that difficult.”

Oh no. Not that again. I straighten my spine and look at him with as much intimidation as I can muster. “I can’t.”

He tips his head to one side, apparently surprised by my response. As if he thought that I would be convinced by his cynical speech. “What?”

“Because I care. Even if it’s only a few students, even if the public thinks I’m wasting my time, I still believe that I am doing the right thing. And even if I fail in this endeavor, I will re-evaluate and try to improve on the second try. But what I can’t do is sit still and do what’s traditionally expected of me.”

He stares at me, his mouth slightly open.

“Well then.” I spread my hands. “If you don’t mind, I have a meeting to attend.”

I sweep past him and continue on my way to the conference room. When I pass the headmistress’s office, voices float from behind the door. The walls here definitely could be more sound-proof, I muse. I can hear every word—wait, is that Bianca speaking?

“ . . .have learned that this place is in deep financial trouble. Students are dropping out at an alarming rate. Therefore, I have come to propose to you: I can take it off your hands.”

“I beg your pardon,” Miss Cavendish is saying, her tone quiet but unable to mask her astonishment. “You wish to become a patron, Lady Pembroke?”

I grip the sides of my head. Impossible. I’d sooner see Edward filing for divorce.

Bianca gives a tinkling laugh, which sounds like a xylophone made of glass. “Certainly not, my dear Miss Cavendish. I merely wish to purchase the property.”

“Buy . . . the college?”

“But of course.” Bianca uses her patronizing tone, as if Miss Cavendish were a child. “The property is centrally located, yet the area it covers is uncommonly large. The playgrounds shall convert very nicely into a tennis court, a garden, and a carriage house plus stables. Where am I to find a place that is ideal in both location and dimensions?”