‘There’s something I need to ask you,’ Allie said. ‘Something kind of weird.’
Shutting the door, Isabelle gestured to the leather chairs in front of her desk. As Allie sank into one, the headmistress sat in the other.
‘Now,’ she said, ‘what is this weird thing? And does it require tea?’
Shaking her head, Allie talked quickly, explained what Carter had told her about Gabe. As she spoke, she watched Isabelle’s cheerful expression fade.
‘Why didn’t Carter ever tell us about this before?’ she asked, when Allie finished. ‘Did he explain that?’
Allie thought she sounded wounded.
‘I don’t know. He said he didn’t really think about it.’ Hurriedly, she added, ‘Because … There was a lot to think about at the time. A lot happened. He kind of thought it didn’t matter any more once we all knew Gabe was with Nathaniel.’
‘I don’t know why he would have thought that,’ Isabelle said shortly. ‘It doesn’t make sense.’
Allie didn’t know either but she couldn’t say that. Worry made her stomach churn, and she started to explain more but the headmistress cut her off. ‘Please don’t worry, Allie. I understand completely. I was just thinking aloud. I’ll speak with Carter myself to find out if there’s anything else he might be able to tell us.’
Allie’s mouth went dry. ‘Don’t be angry with him. I feel strange about telling you this stuff. But I didn’t … I mean, I just thought you should know because it’s information about Gabe.’ She leaned forward in her seat. ‘You know Carter’s not working for Nathaniel, right? I mean, he’s not the one?’
Isabelle held her gaze. ‘I do not believe for one second that Carter would intentionally betray us to Nathaniel.’
Intentionally?
As she tried to figure out what the headmistress was really saying, Allie’s panic grew.
What have I done?
‘Thank you for telling me,’ Isabelle said, ushering her out. ‘You did the right thing.’
But as Allie headed up the stairs to her room a short while later, she didn’t believe her. She was completely lost under a heavy shroud of worry when a hand grasped her arm. With a startled squeak, she wrenched her arm free, only to hear a familiar deep chuckle.
‘Sorry, did I scare you?’
Carter stood on the step just below her, that sexy half-smile she so loved curving his lips as he reached out for her hand again.
Oh balls.
‘No,’ she said. ‘Just surprised me.’
‘I’ve been looking for you all evening,’ he said, lacing his fingers through hers. She wondered if he’d notice her palms were sweating. ‘Where’ve you been?’
Allie thought carefully before answering. ‘Oh, I was studying and then I kind of went for a walk, chatted with Isabelle, you know …’
‘Oh yeah?’ His expression didn’t change. ‘What were you chatting about?’
The sounds around them – students talking, feet thumping on steps, laughter – seemed to fade into the distance. She couldn’t tell him. She couldn’t bear to see the look on his face – the hurt and betrayal.
‘Nothing,’ she said, blood like ice water in her veins. ‘I’m behind with my maths work and I was hoping she could buy me some time.’
‘Tsk.’ He waved a chiding finger. ‘Behind on your work, Miss Sheridan? I’ll bet she didn’t like that.’
‘Yeah.’ Allie could hear the falseness in her own brittle laugh. ‘She told me to catch up. Fast. Without her help.’
‘Sound advice, young lady.’
He was standing one step below her and she had to look down to meet his eyes. Guilt seared through her.
I just lied to Carter for the first time.
Impulsively, she freed her hand from his and ran her fingers through his soft dark hair; instantly, his hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer. She bent over to kiss him.
‘Curfew!’ Zelazny’s voice sliced through her confused emotions.
‘Bugger,’ Carter whispered against her lips.
The rush began almost instantly as crowds of raucous students hurried past them up the stairs towards the dorms. But Carter wouldn’t let her go. His hands roved up and down her back sending sparks through her nervous system.
‘I wish we could go somewhere. And be alone.’ He pulled her towards him until his lips were against her ear. ‘If you’re not tired, I could come to your room later?’
Allie swallowed hard. She’d just betrayed him. Could she pretend nothing had happened while making out with him?
‘People do,’ Eloise had said. ‘All the time.’
But Allie couldn’t.
‘Seriously, Carter,’ she said, ‘I’m so behind on my maths work. I’ve got to catch up or I’m so profoundly screwed.’ Lie number two. Which he bought completely, of course. Because he trusts me.
As she ran up to the girls’ dorm, her heart was so heavy in her chest it seemed to slow her down. Moving one foot after the other was difficult.
Lying to Carter. She’d never imagined she could do that. How had everything got so tangled?
In the relative safety of her room, she closed the door and leaned against it. Catching her reflection in the mirror next to the door, she frowned at herself.
What have you done?
She had to tell him the truth, of course. He’d figure it out soon enough after Isabelle met with him. And when he realised she’d lied …