Elves and Escapades (Scholars and Sorcery Book 2) (21 page)

I run directly into the path of the girls returning from hockey practice, more or less into my friends’ arms.

“Whatever is up?” Cecily asks, laughing. I know she can sense my joy.

“Miss Roberts offered me a job after school!” I say, glorying in it.

“Well, that’s nice,” Gladys says, a little bemused. “Not really my cup of tea, shoveling manure, but you seem to enjoy it.”

I grin ecstatically at her, beyond words, and Cecily takes her arm and draws her away into the school, patting me on the shoulder as she goes.

That leaves me with Esther, looking remarkably pretty in her gym clothes. Her expression is both happy and puzzled.

“I’m glad for you, Charles. But is that it?”

“Not really.” My grin fades, and I take her hand, leading her into the school with me. We head for a classroom, empty in the evening. I know there are things I need to say to her, directly.

For once, she has no quips or chatter. She just winds a strand of bronze hair around her finger, waiting for me to speak. Her hand is still bandaged from her burns.

“Miss Roberts suggested that Rosalind board with her while she studies to be a Healer.”

Esther’s expression is unreadable. “Well, she would certainly be good at it. And afterward?”

“Afterward, we’ll find a way.”

She nods, then laughs, just a little sharply. “Oh, don’t be all doom and gloom about it, Charley. I’m happy for you, truly. And as for me. . . Well, you know I’m going on to University. There will be parties and fun and I will have the most marvellous time. You’d detest it.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Oh, don’t be. You are the most maddeningly earnest creature, Charley. And I really was just a trifle in love with you. But your friendship with Rosalind is different, I know.”

“You really are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.” It’s a stupid thing to say, but I can’t help it.

“Oh, don’t make me regret my generosity! Just for that, Charlotte Forest. . .”

She’s kissing me before I know it. Her first kiss, I think, because the press of her lips is clumsy. On impulse, I take the sides of her face and deepen the kiss, and feel her respond. After all, this is the first and last time I will ever kiss her.

“Now, don’t look like that,” she chides when our lips parted. Her eyes are bright and her cheeks are pink. “I would never forgive myself if I hadn’t kissed you at least once. Now, I can be good forevermore, and pack you off to your little elf girl.”

She’s smiling, and I would be a cad not to respect her smile. I turn and go.

Rosalind is waiting.

“It’s not going to be straightforward, Rosalind.” I’m perched on a footstool by her knee. She’s sitting up now, in a basket chair beside her bed. Matron says she can get up properly tomorrow, all going well.

“I know.” She looks serene.

“It’s not like we can tell anyone at all. We’ll have to be so careful. So much could go wrong.” I let myself think of what would happen if people were sure about the two of us, away from the protection of Fernleigh Manor, and it doesn’t bear thinking of the danger I am dragging my Rosalind into. Then, although I don’t like thinking about it, there’s an elf out there somewhere. An elf who knows her, and knows she is powerful. If she’s at finishing school, there will be nothing I can do to protect her. “And the training is hard. I’m worried about your health.”

“It’s what I want to do. When I helped you, and Sunflame, and Diana, I knew it. Mother will give in eventually, she always does. Don’t be afraid, Charley. Isn’t this—isn’t it what you want? To be together?”

“I want to be with you forever and ever.” I hug the nearest part of her, which happens to be her knee.

“You needn’t worry about me too much. My health isn’t… Well. It isn’t quite as bad as I might allow people to think,” she adds, a little nervously.

“You horrid malinger! I knew quite well!” I sit up straighter. “Listen, if I’m restored to Games Captain next year, you will have no excuse at all to shirk.”

Her already round eyes grow rounder. “I’m not quite
that
hearty, Charley,” she says hurriedly.

“You’re just a hypocritical imp!” I tickle her knees in revenge, and she giggles, sliding back in her chair. All of a sudden she grabs my hand.

“Charley?”

“Hmmm?”

“Tell me again, this is serious. That this isn’t just some schoolgirl romance. That we’ll make our ßfuture together.”

“We will. I promise.”

“Then I have courage enough for anything. I love you.”

“I love you with all my heart, Rosalind.”

The San. is empty and no one, no one at all, could blame me for kissing her with all the love in my heart, or her for kissing me back.

Promising forever.

Coming soon: Book 3 in
 

Scholars and Sorcery
:

Mermaids
and
Misadventures

Summer term comes to Fernleigh Manor, bringing with it tennis, cricket and a plague of pixies. It also brings the end of year production of "The Princess", and Esther is determined to shine. The presence of a noted theatre producer at the performance might just give her the ticket she needs out of the life her family has planned for her. She's not about to let complicated romantic entanglements, the rebellious Fifth form, or an ancient magic power on the loose get in the way of the performance of her life. Or mermaids. Especially not mermaids.

Unfortunately, Cornwall in summer is the very place for mermaids.

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xxx Eleanor