Page 15 of A Relentless Rake

Olivia smiled. Maintaining the appearance of propriety and good manners had become her life’s objective. Her reputationwasthe school’s reputation, and if the baroness thought she was a good hostess, then so did the rest of theton. “I wasn’t expecting you this afternoon. Did I forget we’d made an appointment?”

The baroness often stopped by the school. Usually, though, she made an appointment far enough in advance that their cook could bake those lemon biscuits she loved so much.

Lady Gantry gave a curt headshake. “I’ve come with an urgent request. I hope you’ll be willing to help me.”

Olivia blinked. Well,thatwas new. Normally, she was the one asking for help.

“Of course.” She gestured at one of the chairs in front of her desk. “Whatever do you need?”

Lady Gantry sank into the chair. “I can, of course, count on your complete discretion?”

“Always.” Olivia took the chair opposite her.

The baroness focused her attention on her white kid gloves as she fussed with the pearl buttons at her wrists. “To my great dismay, my sister’s youngest daughter, Justine, has placed herself into a scandalous position.”

In other words, her niece had allowed herself to be compromised. Olivia’s chest constricted with empathy for the poor girl.

“Fortunately,” Lady Gantry drawled, “the family was able to keep secret what happened, but my niece can no longer remain at her parents’ estate.”

“Is she…increasing?” Olivia asked delicately.

“Thank goodness no! The foolish chit would have found herself banished to Ireland if she were.” She pursed her thin lips in aggravation. “The young man’s family owns the property bordering theirs, you see, and Georgiana is worried that her daughter might very well find herselfjust soif half of England isn’t put between the two.”

“Marriage isn’t possible?”

Lady Gantry looked appalled. “The boy’s family are Whigs!”

Olivia cleared her throat to cover her laughter. “Normally, we don’t enroll girls over fifteen years old.”

At that age, most of the girls who attended the Everett School for the Education of Proper Young Ladies returned home to study how to find the most advantageous marriage match. A proper education in philosophy, science, history, and the classics fell by the wayside in favor of how to create seating plans for grand dinners, paint watercolors, and make floral arrangements. After all, society gentlemen preferred wives who knew the pianoforte over Plato. Olivia was grateful that families were willing to educate their daughters for even this limited amount, as their tuition allowed her to find positions in shops and houses for the scholarship girls.

“However,” she continued, “if your niece is willing, we could hire her as a companion for the younger girls, and I could give her private lessons to continue her education until she’s ready to return home.”

Such an arrangement would end the gossip before it began. If anyone dared spread rumors about Justine’s sudden arrival in London, it wouldn’t be because she was ruined but rather that Lady Gantry had used her influence to secure a position for a poor relation. Both the Everett School and Lady Gantry would be viewed as generous, and the girl would have a second chance at a respectable life.

“That arrangement would do perfectly,” Lady Gantry assured her but then followed it with a sigh of defeat. “Although I daresay that an education will be wasted on the gel.”

Olivia struggled to keep her smile in place against her rising anger. An education wasneverwasted on anyone. Justine had made a mistake, and no matter how impulsive the decision, she still deserved to have her mind developed, especially if she were to be imprisoned as a governess or schoolmistress for the rest of her life. After all, didn’t Olivia know well what refuge the intellect could provide when the heart turned traitorous?

Lady Gantry rose and retreated toward the door. “I am very grateful, Miss Everett, for your willingness to assist me with this bothersome problem.”

Bothersome problem?The girl had given her innocence to a man she loved and could potentially spend the rest of her life paying for that mistake. It wasn’t a bothersome problem. It was utter devastation.

Yet Olivia bit her tongue and forced out, “Of course.”

Lady Gantry paused in the doorway to pin her with a look. “I am certain you understand the possibility of scandal over this.”

Olivia caught her breath. Did the baroness know about her past? But how—

“Surely you know other schoolmistresses who have accepted fallen girls and attempted to bring them back into respectability, only to have their indiscretions made public.”

The air rushed from Olivia’s lungs in a pulse of relief so hard that it made her dizzy. Lady Gantry didn’t know…Thank heavens.

“Your example of spotless propriety will be a good model for Justine.” Lady Gantry smiled brightly, certain she was giving Olivia the highest compliment she could, but it tore at Olivia’s heart. “I’ve never met a more respectable woman in my life than you. Good day, Miss Everett.”

Olivia stiffly bobbed a curtsy and mumbled, “Good day.”

She closed the door and returned to her desk. She sank into her chair and stared at the papers, bills, and messages stacked so tidily on the desktop. So ordered and neat.