Page 31 of Deposed

Guilt churned in my stomach, and I slid a few inches down in my seat. If I’d thought my plan of vengeance through, I might not have involved the academy so much. It was hard to anticipate that the cameras would pick up so much corruption when I had only wanted to target Charlotte, the triumvirate, and Mr. Chaloner.

“Perhaps not erase it, Lady Seagrove,” said Edward. “But we need something to show the academy in a better light.”

“Viscount Highdown is correct,” said a rotund man. “Let’s give the papers something positive to report on us for a change. What do you suggest?”

“A sponsored run from Mercia Academy to Worthing Pier,” replied Edward. “Staff and students can participate for any distance.”

“And the charity?”

“More scholarship places.”

Mr. Weaver shook his head. “The press might consider that self-serving.”

The other board members mumbled their agreement. I gulped. Did they really need to shoot down his idea? I thought it had been great.

“I’m sure the nearest children’s hospital will accept a donation,” Edward added.

I gave him a nod and an encouraging smile.

Lady Seagrove stroked her chin. “A wonderful idea, but it dilutes the effect of our annual charity sports day.”

The room fell silent, and Edward’s posture sagged. I let out a long breath. As friendly as this board of directors appeared, I couldn’t help thinking that they might have a slight grudge against Edward. Something about the overly cordial tones combined with their polite refusals of his attempts to help told me they blamed him for the scandals that had befallen the academy.

“World Blood Donor Day,” I blurted.

Mr. Weaver made a slow blink of incomprehension. “I beg your pardon?”

“It’s an international event run by members of the World Health Organization,” I said. “My prep school in New York organized a blood donation event to support it.”

Edward straightened. “Staff and students old enough to participate can donate, and if it coincides with parents’ evening or another summer event, we can get a few parents and alumni to join in.”

Lady Seagrove turned to a rotund man sitting on her left. “Your thoughts, Dr. Asgard?”

He gave her a vigorous nod. “Wonderful. We’re always looking for more blood. My hospital will be happy to set up a temporary blood donation center on the academy grounds.”

Mr. Weaver nodded. “Excellent idea. Thank you very much, Viscount. Let us know your progress in a fortnight.”

I held my polite smile. Even though the idea was mine, I was happy for the credit to go to Edward. After the board gave us a polite dismissal, we both stood and walked out of the room. The door clicked shut, and we strolled through the hallway, past the portraits of former headmasters and Mercia ancestors, and toward the main staircase.

Edward wrapped his arm around my waist and beamed. “That went rather well, I think. Thank you for an idea everyone loved.”

“Do you think you can forgive me, now?” I asked.

His hand slid down to my hip, and he said in a low voice, “It will take a damned sight more for you to earn absolution for what you brought upon the academy.”

Irritation flared across my skin like fire ants. I stepped out of his grip and hurried ahead down the stairs, taking them two at a time.

“You’re deluded.” I spat.

“What did you say?” his voice echoed in the stairwell.

I whirled around and met his stormy glare. My heart pounded to the beat of a war drum and I clenched my fists. “Do you think all the crap you dished out in the first term counts for nothing?”

Edward’s brows drew together. “Of course not, but—”

“I know I took things too far,” I hissed. “But you guys hurt me, and if it wasn’t for Mr. Frost’s confession, you could have damaged my future. We’re even.” I continued down the stairs, pushed open the wooden door, and stormed down the hallway. Fortunately, classes were still in session, so no one witnessed our whispered spat.

Edward’s long strides kept up with mine. “Did you not hear the Board of Governors? Our school’s reputation is in tatters. Parents whose children were due to start in the next academic year have relinquished their places.”