Page 12 of Charming the Headmistress (Spinsters and their Suitors #3)

CHAPTER NINE

T he morning fog had barely lifted, but Camden rode as though pursued, the clipped rhythm of his horse’s hooves matching the unease pressing against his chest. Miss Langford's letter was tucked into his coat—brief, impersonal, and entirely unsatisfying. ‘ Helena is settling in,’ it had said.

What did that mean? Was she thriving? Tolerating it?

Merely enduring? The vague nature of the message grated at him.

Helena was not a girl who could be summed up in a line.

He needed answers—not vague reassurances.

After three days of constant rain, the clouds had finally parted this morning long enough for him to make the journey to the school without becoming drenched.

As Greenbrook Academy came into view, its stately stone facade rising against the crisp spring sky, Camden felt his jaw tighten.

Miss Langford's composed, unreadable expression lingered in his mind—her air of absolute control a stark contrast to the storm still churning in his chest. A letter was not enough.

Polite words on paper would not suffice. He needed answers.

He dismounted stiffly, barely acknowledging the stable hand who stepped forward to take the reins.

With a curt nod, he ascended the steps two at a time, each stride fueled by tightly held resolve.

If Miss Langford believed she could dismiss him with formal courtesies and headmistress decorum, she had gravely misjudged him.

A maid opened the door and offered a brief curtsy before leading him through the front hall to a modest receiving room. It smelled faintly of old books and lemon oil—orderly, restrained, and impersonal.

Moments later, Mrs. Carter entered, her posture poised, her expression unreadable save for the faintest flicker of recognition in her eyes. The air seemed to shift with her presence, and Camden squared his shoulders, ready to make his position known.

"Lord Camden, I have informed Miss Langford that you have arrived. She is finishing up with another meeting, but she will see you now, if it is urgent." She gave him a sharp glance, as if assessing his level of urgency.

"It is," he replied, the word leaving no room for doubt.

Mrs. Carter gave a brisk nod and turned without further comment, leading Camden down the familiar corridor toward Miss Langford's office.

The heels of her shoes clicked in sharp rhythm against the polished floor, echoing his own steady footfalls.

At the end of the hallway, she knocked once and opened the door without waiting for a reply.

Camden stepped inside.

Miss Langford was seated behind her desk, her attention fixed on a man in a dark coat holding an open ledger.

Their conversation broke off the moment he entered.

For a heartbeat, something flickered across Miss Langford's face—tension, perhaps, or surprise—before it vanished behind her usual calm, measured expression.

"Lord Camden," she said, rising with practiced grace. "This is unexpected."

The man beside her stood, bowing slightly before excusing himself, ledger in hand. Camden watched him leave, noting the strained silence that followed. He had overheard something about "outstanding expenses" as he entered, but before he could ponder on it too long, Miss Langford spoke again.

"Is there something I can assist you with?" she asked, her tone polite but with an edge of impatience.

Camden stepped forward, holding up the letter. "I received your message about Helena."

Miss Langford's eyes flicked to the letter, her expression unreadable. “I am relieved to hear that the exchange and posting of letters is still a viable way of sending a message. Yet, you have come to talk to me in person?”

“I wish for more details,” Camden said, his voice firmer than he intended. "What does 'settling in' mean exactly? You gave me very little information, which leaves me with more questions than answers. I should like to know how she’s doing in more detail.”

Miss Langford's gaze didn’t waver. “Lord Camden, I run a very busy school.

It means that she is adjusting, as I would expect any child to do in a new environment.

I do not make it a habit to explain every detail of my methods, Lord Camden.

I assumed you would trust that I have the situation in hand. "

Camden felt a flicker of irritation at her calm dismissal. "I’m her guardian. I have a right to know how she’s faring. You may have your methods, but Helena isn’t just any pupil. I want to know specifics."

Miss Langford sat back in her chair, folding her hands neatly in front of her.

"Miss Moreland is not a disruption. She participates in her lessons, obeys the rules, and is courteous to her teachers.

I consider that a successful beginning. I sent the letter to reassure you, Lord Camden, not to invite you to question my approach.

If there were any issues, I would have informed you. "

Camden narrowed his eyes, feeling the tension between them build. "I’m not questioning your abilities, Miss Langford, but I have every right to be concerned. My niece—"

"And my school," Miss Langford interrupted, her voice calm but pointed, "is not in the habit of making exceptions for every guardian’s whims. Miss Moreland is in capable hands."

Camden felt his frustration flare, and without thinking, he took a step closer, his voice dropping. “I am a patron of the school, and as such I should be allowed certain privileges, Miss Langford. Let’s not forget I’m doing you a favor by keeping Helena here."

For the first time, a flicker of something passed across Miss Langford's face—annoyance, perhaps. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by a steely calm.

"Lord Camden," she said, her tone sharp, "let me make one thing clear.

Greenbrook Academy has never needed anyone to stay.

We pride ourselves on maintaining our standards, with or without the favor of benefactors.

Your niece is here because we believe she can thrive, not because we need your generosity. "

Camden opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, the door opened, and Mrs. Carter stepped inside. She was followed by Helena, who entered with her usual quiet, guarded demeanor.

"Ah, Miss Moreland," Mrs. Carter said with a cheerful smile. "Your uncle was just asking after you."

Helena's eyes flicked to Camden, then to Miss Langford, before she approached the desk. Camden felt his heart twist at the sight of her, the same vulnerability he had seen before now softened by something else.

He turned to Helena, his voice gentler now. “It’s good to see you, Helena.”

“Hello, Uncle,” she said with a soft voice.

He crouched down next to her so they were at eye level to one another. “I came to see how you are faring at the school. Are you well?” He fully expected a complaint—a list of grievances about strict rules or harsh treatment. But Helena's gaze remained steady as she nodded, her voice calm.

"I’m not unwell."

The words were simple, but Camden could see something had changed. There was no bitterness in her tone, no defiance. It wasn’t the Helena he had left at Greenbrook.

“Do you like it here?” he asked.

“I do not dislike it,” she said.

He dropped his voice lower. “Are they treating you kindly?”

She nodded. “They are.”

She wasn’t unhappy. If anything, she seemed calmer, more composed—just as Miss Langford had said.

“I’m glad to hear it. I have missed you at Haverton since you’ve been here. But I’m happy to hear that you are doing well.”

“You’ve missed me?” She asked, her eyes widening.

He smiled at her and nodded. “Of course I have.”

“Could you come and visit me here?”

Camden looked up to Miss Langford. “Is that something that you would allow?” He braced himself to hear a dismissal of the idea.

But Miss Langford surprised him. She gave a small, measured nod.

"I don’t usually make exceptions for frequent visitations," she said, her voice still as firm as ever.

"There are days set aside for that purpose.

However, given the circumstances, I can allow a weekly tea—but only if the visits take place in my office.

I cannot have the other girls seeing that someone is receiving more visitors than is customary. "

Camden felt a mixture of relief and surprise. "I understand. Thank you." He turned to Helena. “Would that be acceptable?”

Helena nodded.

Miss Langford stood, her tone softening slightly as she addressed Helena. "You may return to your lessons now, Miss Moreland. Mrs. Carter will see you back."

Helena nodded and followed Mrs. Carter out of the room, leaving Camden alone with Miss Langford.

The silence between them was thick, but not as tense as before.

He could still feel the lingering irritation, but it was tempered by the sight of Helena's small smile. He couldn’t deny that Miss Langford's methods, however frustrating, were working.

As the door closed, Camden exhaled slowly. "She seems different."

"Children respond to expectations," Miss Langford said, a small smile playing on her lips. “Miss Moreland is bright and perceptive. She has potential, provided she feels safe."

"Thank you," he said, and meant it.

She inclined her head. "Let us both hope she continues to feel safe."

He nodded, but didn’t yet move toward the door. “I’m sure she will.”

Miss Langford crossed her arms, her expression neutral. "I want to make it clear that this arrangement is temporary, Lord Camden. Your niece is adjusting well, and I believe the best course of action is to allow her the space she needs. Frequent visits can sometimes hinder progress."

Camden nodded slowly, feeling the weight of her words. "I trust your judgment, and I appreciate you allowing the visits, at least for now."

Miss Langford's gaze softened ever so slightly. “I am not sure that you do trust my judgment, but there needs to be trust between us. I will allow these visits until you see they are no longer necessary. It’s not an exception I often make, but in this case, I believe it will help you during this transition, perhaps more than it will help Miss Moreland.”

Camden exhaled, feeling the tension ease from his shoulders, even as he struggled to fully understand the beautiful woman in front of him. "I won’t abuse the privilege."

“Very well. Then you are welcome to visit Tuesday next for tea.”

Camden inclined his head. “I look forward to it.” He gave her a short bow. “Thank you for your time, Miss Langford.”

“Did I have a say in the matter, my lord? It was not as if I planned to have you intrude upon my morning.” She raised a teasing eyebrow at him.

He blinked. He had expected her to take the praise, not to question him. She was most unexpected. “I suppose you didn’t. But I thank you all the same.”

“You’re welcome, Lord Camden.”

As he turned to leave, he couldn’t help but glance back at Miss Langford. She had returned to her seat, her attention already back on the ledger in front of her. The woman was unshakable, determined, and utterly focused on her task.

And yet he found himself wondering what it would take to draw even the smallest crack in that polished armor.