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H er days at Havenwood Academy had been quiet and restful.

Georgina couldn’t have asked for anything better to help her adapt to her new surroundings.

She had never had tranquility quite like this in her life, and she would never have known how much she needed it.

Charlotte and Jaclyn were becoming the friends she had desired but didn’t dare wish for.

They were everything she never could be herself.

Open, bold, and brave… Georgina desperately wanted to be so sure of herself that she could dare to do anything.

She just did not know how to even begin such an endeavor.

They had been trapped inside the castle for three days.

The rain had been relentless. Not that Georgina had minded.

The old keep had become a bit drafty and cold as the wind and rain blew outside, but she had found it cozy.

The rain had finally relented, and the sun started to peek out from behind the gloom of clouds.

Jaclyn sat on a nearby settee attempting to read, but she stared off not actually looking at the tome in her hands.

Georgina frowned. Something clearly bothered Jaclyn, but she didn’t feel comfortable enough asking her about it. Perhaps one day.

Charlotte strolled into the sitting room and clapped her hands. “Ladies,” she said with excitement. “We are going to take our leave of the castle and enjoy a midmorning stroll.”

Georgina frowned. She should have expected this. Charlotte had been chomping at the bit for two of the past three days. One day of rain had been bearable for her, but three had proved nearly impossible. The girl had difficulty containing her need to move.

“Are we?” Jaclyn lifted a brow. “I don’t recall agreeing to this endeavor.”

“You’re not fooling anyone,” Charlotte said as she narrowed her gaze on Jaclyn. “Lest you forget how well I know you. You’re about to run through the halls screaming with both boredom and for the sheer need to exercise your limbs from inactivity.”

Georgina giggled. “I wouldn’t mind a walk,” Georgina said in a soft tone.

“I haven’t had a chance to explore much of the school’s grounds.

You both promised you would give me a proper tour.

” She could do this much. They were helping her in their own ways, and she appreciated it.

Besides, she had not lied. She did wish to explore the grounds.

This was her home for the foreseeable future.

Jaclyn sat straighter at her words. “You are right,” she said in a gleeful tone.

“We did promise.” She met Charlotte’s gaze, and something passed between the two girls.

What were they saying to each other without the benefit of words?

What must that be like? To know someone so well no words were needed to communicate?

“Then we should go prepare for our walk.” Charlotte smiled brightly.

She wanted to go for this walk. She had suggested it after all; however, it didn’t escape Georgina’s notice that something had changed.

That silent communication had set Charlotte on edge.

Georgina would have to pay close attention to the two of them on their trek.

“Let’s see if we can pack a picnic lunch to take with us. ”

Charlotte and Jaclyn were far more acquainted with the inner workings of the school, but she had learned much in a short time.

She could do her part to prepare for their walk.

She took a deep breath for courage and opened her mouth to speak.

“I’ll see to the picnic essentials,” Georgina said.

“I am ready to leave now if not for that.” She smiled at them both, hoping that her shyness wouldn’t be off-putting to them.

So far it hadn’t been, but that could always change.

“Thank you,” Charlotte said. Her gaze fell on her and warmth spread over Georgina. “I only need to retrieve one thing from upstairs.” She turned to Jaclyn. “Do you require anything?”

Jaclyn shook her head. “Not at all. I’m perfect as is.” She beamed. “I’ll meet you both in the foyer in a quarter hour. Is that enough time?”

“It should be,” Charlotte said. “I won’t be long.” She focused her attention back on Georgina. “Do you need more time to pack a picnic?”

She shook her head. “The kitchen staff has kept a lot of cold fare for us to grab when we are hungry. It shouldn’t take long to pack enough for the three of us.” Georgina nodded at them both. “A quarter hour it is, then.”

They all scrambled off to do their errands before they left. Georgina made her way into the kitchen and found a basket to pack their picnic in.

“And what are you doing?” someone asked from behind her.

She turned and met Miss Spencer’s gaze. Georgina had come to like all of the instructors at the academy. They had all been so welcoming. “I am packing for a picnic,” she told her. “Jaclyn, Charlotte, and I are going for a walk to enjoy this fine day.”

“What a wonderful plan.” She smiled at her. “Be careful. Those two can be quite mischievous.”

“We will be all right,” she told the instructor. “They have good intentions.”

“On that I do not disagree.” She tilted her lips upward. “But even the best of intentions can lead us down a path of regret.”

Georgina frowned. Why was Miss Spencer offering up this warning? “I’ll keep that in mind.” She didn’t believe that Charlotte or Jaclyn would do anything to harm her. At least not willingly.

“That’s all I can ask.” Miss Spencer nodded at the basket.

“Pack plenty. I suspect you’ll need it.” That was odd as well…

Did Miss Spencer have knowledge that she herself should be privy to?

Georgina probably should make an inquiry but chose not to put a voice to her question.

It did not truly matter. She would have her outing with her friends and that was all she cared about in that moment.

She gathered all the items as fast as possible and neatly packed them in the basket.

She wanted to ensure there would be enough for all of them to eat.

She didn’t know how long they would be gone or how hungry they might become.

After everything was secure in the basket, she closed it and lifted it into her arms. She rushed to the foyer as quickly as possible.

When she reached the room Jaclyn and Charlotte were both there waiting for her.

Georgina came rushing toward them with the picnic basket in hand. “My apologies. It took longer than I anticipated.” She glanced at the two of them. “I also took the time to inform Miss Spencer of our plans, as she was in the kitchen when I was preparing the basket.”

“Excellent,” Charlotte said. “That saves time.”

They strolled out of the castle and headed toward the path in the woods.

Georgina became lost in thought as they walked.

None of them felt the need to speak and she appreciated that.

The silence was almost welcoming. “This is nice,” Georgina said.

“I like it here. It’s much better than a stuffy ballroom. ”

“I wouldn’t know,” Charlotte said. “I never had a season. I was supposed to have my debut this year, but Father believed I needed more refinement and left me here.”

“I had a season,” Jaclyn said. “Well, I had less than a sennight into a season when—all right, that’s not accurate either.

” She frowned. “It was more like a day, or rather a walk in Hyde Park. My official debut wasn’t supposed to happen for another fortnight.

But my brother thought it would be safe to allow me to attend a promenade. ”

“He was wrong, then?” Georgina asked. “What happened?” How fascinating… She didn’t want to cause any scandal, but she was unnaturally curious about them. Did that make her the sort that enjoyed gossip?

“I would rather not say,” she said sullenly. “If I could forget it, I would.”

“Some scandals are too painful to discuss.” Charlotte sighed as if she were remembering her own scandal. “We are both hoping that after another year at Havenwood we can have our debuts.”

“I understand,” Georgina said. “If you ever wish to discuss it, I would never tell a soul. I promise.” Her curiosity might just get the better of her.

She wanted to ask more questions, but she refrained.

Partly out of respect for their privacy, and partly because she just was not brave enough to ask those questions.

“That is kind of you,” Jaclyn said. “And perhaps one or both of us will speak of it one day. For now, let’s just enjoy this day.”

They walked out of the woods and into the meadow that they had permission to walk through. “This is so lovely,” Georgina said. Happiness flowed through her. She’d never felt anything quite like it. Havenwood Academy and her two new friends were a balm on her soul.

“It is, isn’t it?” Charlotte said, then frowned as she glanced toward something in the distance.

Georgina followed her gaze. There, coming toward them were three horses, with three gentlemen mounted on them.

Charlotte did not appear pleased to have them heading in their direction.

Georgina glanced at Jaclyn, and she didn’t seem any happier at this prospect.

Who were they and why did their sudden appearance bother the other two ladies?

*

The rain had been driving Adrian mad for days.

Days on which he’d been forced to remain inside.

There was only so much brandy and so many games of billiards one could play before he’d want to search out something else.

Anything else… He longed for more, but he didn’t quite know what else he wished to do.

The sun was out. He could do something outdoors, he supposed.