Page 24 of Deceiving an Earl
“I hear that there was talk of expulsion.”
Godfrey sighed deeply. “We don’t take expulsion lightly. It reflects badly on the school. But we also can’t keep a student who has no desire to be here and whose antics could affect our reputation.”
“I understand that his indiscretion was…inappropriate and that the young earl is apologetic.”
Godfrey tilted his head. “Is he? Knowing Fieldhurst as I do, I question his remorse.”
Truth was, Oliver had no idea if Fieldhurst was apologetic. He should have known Godfrey would question his claim.
“May I be honest, Armbruster?” Godfrey leaned forward, hands folded on the desk. The same desk that Oliver had been summonsed to many times in the past.
“Of course.”
“Fieldhurst is one of the most difficult lads we’ve had at the school. This isn’t his first suspension and quite frankly, if we bring him back, I see more suspensions in his future. He’s a bully, he’s self-centered, and he feels the world owes him something.”
All traits that Oliver had glimpsed the night he’d picked Fieldhurst up from the Yard. He understood Godfrey’s point, but he’d also told Ellen he would try.
“What if I vouch for him?”
Ashland looked at Oliver like he’d grown a second head.
Godfrey grinned. “You would attach your name to the boy? Put your reputation on the line?”
Oliver hesitated. He’d worked hard to build his reputation as a solid businessman who could be trusted. Could young Philip destroy it? He doubted it, but was he willing to put it to the test?
There was something about Philip that reminded Oliver of himself. Maybe not the blatant disregard for the rules, but the recklessness. Without a father to guide him, Oliver could see why Philip was out of control. Oliver had been lucky enough to have a wonderful father who’d let him be himself to an extent and had reined him in when needed.
Philip was not lucky enough to have a father in his formative years.
“He needs the guidance of Eton to set him straight.”
“You don’t think we’ve tried? He cares little for punishment. Will gladly serve it and not change his ways one bit. He’s a wild one and needs a very firm hand. He has been suspended until the end of the school year, and I will not bring him back early from that. But I will consider bringing him back for the next school year if you can vouch that he will behave himself. His behavior has to change, Armbruster. I will not back down on this.”
…
“How in the hell are you going to vouch for the lad’s future behavior?” Ashland asked on the way back.
Oliver had been wondering that himself.
“Do you even know what you agreed to? The boy sounds like a right bastard.”
“I promised Ellen I would help,” Oliver said.
Ashland raised a brow. “Ellen, huh? You must know her awfully well if you’re on a first name basis.”
Oliver didn’t comment and Ashland did not let the point go.
“How long have you known her?”
“Many years. Seventeen.”
Both of Ashland’s brows went up. “Seventeen years and you’ve never told me? Hell, our friendship goes longer than that.”
“It wasn’t important.” But he felt a betrayal even saying that, because ithadbeen important. At the time it had been everything.
“She’s special to you.”
“Enough, Ashland.”
