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Perhaps they would become dear friends for her.

Only time would tell. So far, on her first day at Havenwood Academy, it was going well.

She prayed it would continue in the same fashion.

She wanted desperately to belong somewhere.

Even if it was just for a fraction of time.

Georgina needed to find some semblance of happiness.

Otherwise, what was the point of her life?

Georgina followed the two girls down the hall, her mind chaotic with all the possibilities.

The large, dimly lit corridor was filled with soft laughter and the quiet rustle of skirts.

It was such a stark contrast to the cold environment of her father’s house, where every movement was scrutinized, every word weighed carefully.

Jaclyn’s bright, unrestrained laughter rang out, and Georgina couldn’t help but smile.

There was something freeing in Jaclyn’s reckless abandon, and despite the rumors that likely swirled around her, there was a warmth in her presence.

Charlotte had an air of quiet confidence about her—something Georgina longed to possess.

“Don’t allow Jaclyn to lead you astray,” Charlotte said, her voice warm but firm, as though warning her to be cautious. “She’s full of mischief, but she has a heart of gold.”

Georgina smiled, nodding in acknowledgment. “I’m sure she does. And I suppose a little mischief could be just what I need.” If she could get over her innate shyness to cause any…

Jaclyn’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Now that’s the spirit! I’m sure Havenwood will be much more exciting with a little bit of trouble.”

Charlotte chuckled softly. “You know she’s only teasing, Georgina.”

Georgina’s heart swelled with something unspoken—hope, perhaps, or the faintest glimmer of acceptance. Here, at Havenwood, maybe she could be someone different. Someone more confident, more certain of herself. For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to believe it might be possible.

Jaclyn flashed a teasing grin. “It’s time for some fun. Let’s go find some adventure, shall we? I predict our summer will be filled with surprises we won’t soon forget.”

Georgina couldn’t help but laugh at Jaclyn’s exuberance.

For the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of belonging.

She might not have found her place at her father’s side, but here, with these two, she had the faintest feeling that she could carve out something that was truly her own. Something that would make her proud.

Charlotte gave her a reassuring smile before speaking again. “We may not be able to change what others think of us, but we can change how we see ourselves. Here, you can be whoever you choose to be.”

Georgina felt a surge of emotion, a rush of gratitude toward these two girls who were willing to welcome her without question.

They didn’t know her full story, didn’t know the weight of her father’s dissatisfaction with her, but they saw her.

For the first time in years, someone saw her as more than just a disappointment.

They saw her as Georgina, with her own thoughts, her own desires, and a future that was hers to shape.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you both.”

Jaclyn gave her arm a firm squeeze, her voice light with mischief. “What are friends for, if not to lift each other up?” she teased with a grin. “Now, enough with all this sentimentality—let’s go find something mischievous to entertain ourselves with.”

Georgina’s laughter bubbled up, feeling lighter than it had in so long. She was here, at Havenwood, and perhaps, just perhaps, this would be the place where she could finally become the woman she had always longed to be.

*

Adrian Carter, the Earl of Foxmoore, stared at the billiard table as he sipped on his glass of brandy.

He twirled the amber liquid in the tumbler and stared down at it as if it held the answers to every question he had.

It didn’t, of course. Brandy was a nice diversion but never the answer to anything.

Unless that question was how to have a good time.

Something of which he had in abundance. He fully believed in enjoying life to the fullest. It was his motto, or at least it would be if he deigned to have one.

Adrian didn’t commit to anything. Even the most mundane activity was too much for him to follow through on.

Why bother? Those sorts of things only led to disappointment. He definitely didn’t believe in that.

Declan, Marquess of Easton, lounged on a chair in his game room and stared at him and the Duke of Amberwood.

Adrian and the duke were embroiled in a grueling game of billiards and had been playing for over an hour.

Neither of them had been able to best the other.

Though it did not help that they were both inebriated.

It made the game far more interesting in Adrian’s estimation.

They were playing by candlelight, which meant usually a shorter game and a smaller amount scored to win.

Except neither one could manage to meet the lofty goal of six points to be declared the victor.

Amberwood leaned over the table with his cue stick primed to strike his gleaming white ball and could win if he managed to strike the ball in just the right way.

Adrian doubted he’d accomplish that goal.

It was far more likely he’d hit a hazard and not gain any points.

That was why this game had been going on for an age.

Not that he fared any better. He only had three points.

He was at least closer to perhaps winning, but he’d been hitting losing hazards equally as much as Amberwood had.

“Be careful, ol’ chap,” Adrian said. “Would hate for you to strike your cue ball with the red ball and then smack into my ball. Would be a shame for your ball to pot into that corner pocket. You would be at negative one point then.” He grinned.

Mischievousness spilled out with each word he spoke.

“By all means, help me win.” Adrian could not help taunting the duke.

“Bugger off,” Amberwood said as he lined up his cue stick.

He slid it across the table with ease considering his drunken state.

The cue ball slid across the table and hit the red ball.

Luckily for Amberwood, it did not slide into Adrian’s cue ball and then amble directly into a pocket.

Instead, the red ball rolled into the pocket, leaving his cue ball on the table.

“Nicely done,” the marquess said. He tipped his glass of brandy in Amberwood’s direction. “Now to not lose any of those points you gained on your next turn.”

The duke glared at him. “I don’t need any comments from the spectator. I’d like to see you do better.”

Easton grinned. “I’m not nearly as foxed as you are. I might have already won if I were playing.”

Amberwood rolled his eyes. “A likely story if I’ve ever heard one. A fairy tale at the very least.” He nodded toward Foxmoore. “It is your turn. See if you can win this game or give me a chance to boast my prowess.”

Adrian would love to end the game. Well, perhaps not.

He was having a roaring good time. He always enjoyed times like this.

These were his two best mates. They had been close since they were boys at school.

He loved being at Easton Abbey. It was far preferable to his own home.

His father was a miserable bloke who made Adrian’s life equally miserable.

The Duke of Ravenmoore, his doting dear father, did his best to let Adrian know how much of a disappointment he was, and continued to be.

He did his best to live up to his father’s expectations.

Considering that nothing he did would ever be good enough, Adrian aimed to do as he pleased.

It was the only true way to live his life. His father could go to the devil.

“You’re delusional,” Adrian said shaking off his dark thoughts.

“You’re living in that fairy tale world, not Easton.

” Perhaps it would be better if they all lived in such a world.

At least they might be able to fight off any adversary with swords and bravery.

It wasn’t such a simple task in the real world.

“We will see about that,” Amberwood told the earl. “After you take this shot.”

Adrian lined up his cue stick to strike his ball.

The red ball was back on its starting point on the table.

He needed three points to win. “Watch and learn,” Foxmoore said.

He struck the cue ball. It slid across the table but veered in the wrong direction.

It hit the red ball like he’d intended, but not with enough force to sink it.

Instead, it rolled around the table and spun for several seconds.

He cursed under his breath. That definitely did not end the game.

He shrugged it off. Nothing to do about it now.

He could not change it, and it was just a game. No reason to upset himself about it.

“I’m waiting,” Amberwood drawled. “But I’ve learned nothing I should take note of.” His grin was smug as hell. “It looks like you have gained zero points this round. My turn. Let me show you how to handle this.”