Page 8 of Charming the Headmistress (Spinsters and their Suitors #3)

Miss Langford nodded to Camden. “I feel it is very important to help all girls feel settled when they first arrive.” She turned directly to Miss Moreland.

“I know that being in a new place can sometimes feel scary or overwhelming. Please let me assure you, Miss Moreland, that I am here to help you adjust. You are always welcome to come and visit, no matter the hour or the reason.”

Helena gave a small nod, perhaps the biggest one she’d given all day.

“Shall I show you to your room, Miss Moreland? Would you like to see it?”

She gave a small nod again.

She led them down a wide corridor and up a flight of stairs, pointing out common rooms and school spaces along the way, her voice calm and even.

When they reached the chamber, she opened the door to reveal a small but sunny room.

A tidy bed with a blue quilt was positioned in the room.

A narrow desk stood beneath the window with fresh paper already in place. A vase of daisies sat by the washbasin.

Camden stepped inside, looking around slowly. He hadn’t known what to expect, but this was more than sufficient.

“This is thoughtful,” he said at last, turning to Miss Langford. “Thank you for your kindness.”

She met his gaze with quiet steadiness. “We are a school, my lord. But we do our best to be a home as well.”

Something about the way she said it settled the last of his unease.

“We will introduce you to the other girls during the midday meal. There should be enough time to give you a tour of the school, if that is agreeable to you, Miss Moreland?”

Helena’s gaze had been focused on the desk, but she finally looked up at Miss Langford and then to Lord Camden. “I should like that,” she said very quietly.

Camden felt a leap in his chest at Helena’s words.

Miss Langford's gaze was still on Miss Moreland. “During our school hours, we do not usually have outside visitors in our school halls.”

She looked at Camden, and Camden felt properly chagrined.

He now felt the weight of his rude behavior yesterday when he’d demanded a tour in the middle of Miss Langford's day, without any notice or regard to their policies.

Miss Langford had been polite to him, mostly.

But he had not realized just how much he had demanded until she was explaining the information to Helena.

“However,” Miss Langford went on. “If it would make you feel more comfortable to have your uncle escort you around the academy, we will make an exception this once.”

Camden was about to protest, when Helena quietly asked for her uncle to join them. The tour mainly focused on rooms that were vacant. Miss Langford passed by the rooms that were full of students learning, explaining which subjects were taught and when Miss Moreland would go to each class.

By the time the tour was over, Helena did not look as forlorn, and Camden held onto the idea that he truly was doing the right thing for her. It didn’t have to be a permanent situation, but right now it would be the way forward.

Before too long, they were finished with the tour, and a lump formed in Camden’s throat at the prospect of leaving Helena here. Something pulled at his heart.

Mrs. Carter came around the corner. “Miss Langford, there is a group of girls gathered on the back patio. I thought an introduction to Miss Moreland to a smaller group of girls might be to her advantage before they gather in the dining hall.”

Miss Langford looked to Camden, then back to Mrs. Carter and said, “I think that would be an excellent idea. Miss Moreland, would you follow Mrs. Carter, and I will join you momentarily?”

Helena nodded.

“Goodbye, Helena,” he said, his voice softening despite himself.

“Goodbye, uncle,” she said so softly, he almost thought he’d imagined it.

“I will see you soon.”

Helena gave him a small smile, then followed Mrs. Carter down the hall and through the back door. When she was out of sight, Camden turned to Miss Langford. “Thank you, Miss Langford.”

Miss Langford raised an eyebrow, her countenance changing just slightly.

“There is no need for that, Lord Camden. Rest assured, we will take good care of your niece.” Her tone was light, but there was something in her eyes—something that made Camden feel as though she had already taken his measure and found him wanting. It was unsettling, to say the least.

“Then I leave her in your capable hands,” Camden said, though the words felt hollow. He didn’t expect such a feeling of loss at the prospect of leaving Helena, despite knowing it was for the best.

“You may be assured of that,” Miss Langford replied, her eyes never leaving his.

There was a pause, the silence between them stretching taut. Camden cleared his throat. “Very well. I will return in a few days to check on her progress.”

“That won’t be necessary, my lord,” Miss Langford said smoothly. “I will send word if there are any issues.”

The dismissal was clear, and though it rankled, Camden could hardly protest. “Please do not hesitate to keep me informed. I should like to know how she is faring. I have never dealt with any of this before.” Tightness squeezed his throat, and he wished he could undo his cravat and gain some relief.

“It is my job to do so, Lord Camden,” she said, her voice softening.

As the carriage rolled away from Greenbrook Academy, Lord Camden leaned back in his seat, letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

After Helena had left them, speaking with Miss Langford had been as stiff and formal as he had expected, but there was something else—something about the way she had spoken to him, calm but firm, as if she already knew how to handle Helena’s quietness without hesitation.

He wasn’t used to feeling so unnecessary.

Ordinarily, he would have welcomed the reprieve from his growing responsibilities, but in this case, it felt wrong.

Helena was, after all, his family—his last real connection to the brother he had lost. And yet, he felt as though he had already failed her, passing her off to a woman who seemed so certain of her ability to manage her.

As the carriage picked up speed, Camden closed his eyes, trying to shake the unease that had settled in his chest. He had trusted Greenbrook to provide Helena with the guidance she needed. That was what had to matter. He had no other choice.

But as much as he tried to focus on his duties—on the estate, on the tenants, on the financial burdens that still loomed—his thoughts kept drifting back to the composed figure of Miss Langford.

It was as though she was etched in his mind, a reminder that he was no longer in complete control of everything in his life.

He wasn’t sure why that thought unsettled him so much.

Perhaps it was because he had always believed himself to be a man who could solve problems, who could manage whatever was thrown his way.

But Miss Langford had made it clear, in her quiet, unflinching way, that in this case, he was just another obstacle to be managed.

The Marquess of Camden, a mere bystander in his own niece’s life.

The thought grated on him, but what could he do? He wasn’t a governess. He wasn’t a tutor. And, as much as he hated to admit it, he wasn’t prepared to be a father figure, either.

He exhaled sharply, opening his eyes and focusing on the rolling countryside. The estate was only a few miles from the school, a convenient distance, but not far enough to escape the nagging doubts that lingered in the back of his mind.

What would his brother have done in his place? Camden had asked himself this question a hundred times since the accident, and each time, the answer was the same: his brother wouldn’t have needed to ask. He would have known exactly what to do.

But Camden wasn’t his brother. He wasn’t the perfect heir, the natural leader.

He had never expected to be. And yet, the image of his brother being the perfect heir had now started to unravel in his mind as well.

Underneath the surface of polish and confidence, there was crumbling and ruin.

And now, as the new marquess, he was left to pick up the pieces of a life that had never been meant for him.

As the carriage neared Haverton House, Camden let out a long breath, trying to shake off the weight of his thoughts.

There was no point dwelling on what could not be changed.

He had to focus on what was in front of him—his responsibilities as marquess, and now, ensuring Helena received the guidance she needed.

Miss Langford had seemed confident and more than capable.

Perhaps those two qualities should have reassured him.

But instead, it left him feeling like a man on the outside looking in.

And, despite his best efforts, the sharpness in her gaze lingered in his mind, reminding him of just how far out of his depth he truly was.