Page 41 of A Relentless Rake

“And the guards in their red uniforms were so handsome!”

“Oh! They had a band, too, with drums and fifes—”

“And the royal barge with all its gold—”

Olivia put up her hand and swiftly silenced them. Her head had started to pound from the back-and-forth.Good heavens.It was like watching a tennis match. “You know the rules, girls, and you know they must be followed for your own safety.”

Daphne lowered her eyes. “Will we be punished, Miss?”

“I’m afraid so. Tomorrow, instead of spending the afternoon in the park with the other girls, you’ll remain here and help Mrs. Adams clean the kitchen.”

A stricken look flashed over Mary’s face. “Miss the park? But Papa sent money for ices!”

Once again, Olivia fought back a smile. Oh, to be so young and innocent again that happiness revolved around something as simple as purchasing ices. “That will have to wait until the next outing. Perhaps you’ll spend that time thinking about what you did and why you shouldn’t have done it.”

“Yes, Miss.” Both girls looked glumly at their shoes.

“Please return to your lessons, and we’ll never mention this again.”

They turned toward the door.

“And, girls,” Olivia called after them, “if you behave yourselves, I might be persuaded to let Miss Smith chaperone you to the official bridge opening to see the parade.”

“Really?” Daphne squeaked hopefully.

“Truly?” Mary seconded.

“Really and truly.” Olivia settled into her chair and sighed at the daunting chore of having to work through the endless stack of bills and correspondence waiting for her. “Now, back to your lessons.” She gestured toward the older girl who stood quietly by the door. “Miss Smith? A moment please.”

Lady Gantry’s young niece Justine remained after the two girls chattered their way toward the classrooms on the first floor. When Justine closed the door, Olivia let go of the laughter she’d been holding back.

Justine pressed her hand against her mouth as her own giggles came.

Olivia let out a long sigh. “They can be troublesome, but pressing against the rules is all part of growing up, isn’t it?” Then she felt obligated to warn, “As long as one doesn’t go too far, of course.”

“Yes, Miss Everett.”

Olivia smiled warmly at the girl. Slender, tall, and pretty, it was little wonder she’d caught the attention of the neighboring gentleman at her family’s country house. When she finally made her debut, she was going to take society by storm. She had the beauty to be considered an Incomparable, and with her social standing as the daughter of a wealthy landowner and the niece of a baron, the right future husband would be understanding—if not completely uncaring—about her past indiscretions.

Olivia had already decided to discuss Justine with Lady Gantry. She hoped to persuade the baroness to sponsor the girl next season. True, Justine had made a mistake, but should a young woman be punished for the rest of her life for daring to follow her heart?

“Keep a close watch on those two, will you? They’re well behaved when they’re apart.” Olivia rolled her eyes and muttered, “Together, they are an absolute trial!”

Justine smiled, and her entire face shone. Oh, yes. She was definitely pretty enough to find a good husband.

Settling in to work, Olivia reached for the first letter in her stack and asked casually, “Is Mr. Everett in the school?”

“I think he went to the coffeehouse to meet his friends,” Justine answered. “He was gone before I came down for breakfast.”

No. Olivia knew the truth, although she hadn’t wanted to face it—he hadn’t come home at all last night.

Justine turned toward the door, then paused. “Miss Everett?”

“Yes?” Olivia looked up from the letter.

“Thank you for all you’ve done for me. I mean, for letting me stay here with you and keeping silent about…well, you know.”

Olivia knew well. More than Justine would ever have suspected. “Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is how we choose to deal with them.”