Page 41

Aston would vow that was the only reason she still remained on her feet.

The game was up, and she realized it. What was more, she had grossly underestimated Aston’s response for what she’d so cruelly done to Chasity. Not a jot of mercy or compassion would she see from him. In this, he was his grandfather’s spawn after all.

Potterburger chuckled a dry, hacking cackle. “Why, one would have to be demented to include such a provision.”

Aye, demented might be exactly what Rafaela Crenshaw was. Perhaps Bedlam would serve as well as Newgate.

Aston reached inside his coat and removed his copy of the contract. “Please, read my employment agreement for yourselves. I assure you, it is authentic, and if you compare my signature on this document to the one that is supposedly on my resignation and the other contract in my folder, I’m positive you’ll find they are not the same.”

Mrs. Crenshaw made a strangled sound and clutched at her throat before pointing a shaky finger at him. “He’s conspiring with that trollop to ruin me. I knew they were plotting something nefarious, but you see how far they have gone?”

She’d turned a sickly shade somewhere between spoiled cream and rancid porridge.

Lady Balderbrook narrowed her eyes and studied Aston for a long moment. “You’re very much like your father, young Terramier. He was a man of strong principles too. I cannot say I always agreed with him, but he stood his ground when he believed in something.”

She held out a black kid-gloved hand. “Let me see.”

Aston passed the papers over, which she quickly perused. As she read, her mouth pinched impossibly tighter and tighter.

“Well,” she said as she handed the document to Mr. Potterburger for his examination. “I believe I understand exactly what has transpired here.”

Before she could explain, a hesitant knock caught the attention of the room’s occupants.

“What now?” Mrs. Crenshaw grumbled, but she didn’t bid anyone enter.

Mr. Bramblefink raised his eyebrows as he wiped his monocle with a handkerchief. “Aren’t you going to answer, Mrs. Crenshaw?”

“Oh, very well.” She sank unsteadily into the chair behind her desk. She really didn’t look at all well. Good. It was justice for what she’d put Chasity through.

“Come in,” she bid rather hoarsely.

Mrs. Ramsbottom entered, followed by the saucy maid.

What was her name?

Ah, yes. Josie.

“You asked to see us, Mr. Terramier?” Mrs. Ramsbottom studiously avoided looking directly at Mrs. Crenshaw.

Aston summoned an encouraging smile. Dead tired, his eyes gritty, and feeling like he’d been run over by a buggy, he raked a hand through his hair.

“Mrs. Ramsbottom, would you kindly tell everyone what you told me earlier today?”

She swallowed audibly and twisted her hands together. Her gaze darted about the room like a caged bird.

Astonishingly, Lady Balderbrook’s features softened. “Do go on, Mrs. Ramsbottom. You needn’t fear retribution. I give you my word.”

She gave Mrs. Crenshaw a quelling glower. The headmistress wilted farther into her chair, but sullen anger glittered in her unrepentant gaze.

“I…I heard Miss Noble telling Mr. Terramier that she feared something dishonest was going on with the account books. She was so upset that she was weeping. Miss Noble thought perhaps she should contact the board and benefactors with her suspicions.”

“She’s lying,” Mrs. Crenshaw screeched. “That fat cow has always been jealous of my position and Miss Noble’s too.”

“Silence!” Lady Balderbrook thundered, causing Mr. Bramblefink to jump and Mr. Potterburger to drop his spectacles.

“She’s telling the truth.” Josie edged around the plump instructor and bobbed an unnecessary curtsy. “Begging your pardon, but I heard Miss Noble too. I was standing in the corridor behind Mrs. Ramsbottom and heard every word. Miss Noble was most distraught that something wasn’t right with the books. She was also concerned about how that would impact the school, the staff, and the students.”

The headmistress lurched to her feet. She threw her arms out to her sides. “This is utterly ridiculous. You would take the word of a servant and a teacher over the school’s director?”