Read Online A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin - Free Book Online Page A

I suggested we keep the name, but think of it as a nickname for Judas. As you can see, he’s a rather disloyal thief.”
    Sera nodded sympathetically at me. “You’ll get used to them. But guard your ribbons well. They’re his favorite.”
    Her olive branch of kindness intensified my curiosity. Why was Sera here? Why had any of them been sent to this awful school? I couldn’t figure it out. Unlike me, all of these girls were beautiful. Which meant they were marriageable. There was always a gentleman willing to marry a pretty girl, as long as she was moderately well behaved and had an enticing dowry. I doubted they would be here if their families didn’t have money.
    My question was impertinent, but I couldn’t help myself. I had to know. I turned to Jane and asked, “Why are you here?” When she didn’t answer immediately I tried to clarify. “What I mean to say is, why are you at Stranje House? You don’t seem in need of … er … reforming.” I couldn’t think of a way to ask that wouldn’t insult her.
    An emotion splashed across Jane’s face, but vanished so swiftly I couldn’t identify it. Was it anger? Sadness perhaps? Or pain? She withdrew and turned stiff and formal. “Are you asking why I’m here, instead of in London lined up against the wall at Almack’s, hunting a husband along with all the other sheep-faced little debutantes?”
    She said it with such ferocity that I could only nod.
    â€œIt’s simple really. I made too much money.”
    Even more confused, I shook my head. “You must’ve misunderstood my question—”
    â€œNo, you’re the one who doesn’t understand.” She spoke loud enough to draw the other girls’ attention. “I’m here for the same reason all of us are here. The same reason that brought you here.”
    â€œI doubt you burned down your father’s stables,” I blurted, and immediately wished I could retract the words.
    â€œBurned it down?” Jane drew back and exchanged glances with Tess. “Well, I admit, that is a trifle unique.” The corner of her mouth quirked up. I expected her to laugh at me, or mock me. She didn’t. Instead, her wry smirk developed an edge of respect. For the first time Jane seemed genuinely interested in me. Her eyebrow hooked up sharply. “Surely, you realize that the fire isn’t the only reason your parents sent you away.”
    Her question wormed into my mind, burrowing into dark corners I wanted left untouched. It was better not to question my parents’ motives. Better not to dwell on their lack of affection for me. Better to never think about such things.
    Ever .
    But Jane waited for an answer, and the longer I hesitated the more knowing her expression became. Cruel of her to guess at their intentions. Anyway, she was wrong. I swallowed down the bile rising from my stomach. She didn’t know them. She couldn’t possibly know how invisible I usually was to them. No, the facts of the matter were simple. I’d caused a problem for my parents, that was all. I’d been a nuisance. Stranje House was simply their reaction to the fire. I refused to put any other construction on it.
    I backed away and shook my head. “No. It’s simple. Cause and effect. I started a fire and now I’m being punished.”
    â€œWhat were you doing when it started?” Tess asked.
    â€œMixing chemicals.” I answered too quickly, and awakened the worm again. It started gnawing away at my raw places. No, no, no . I pushed it away, and threw a question back at Jane, where it belonged. “Why would anyone send you away simply because you made too much money?”
    They all stared at me. The fire forgotten. Rats forgotten. Lord Rotten Ravencross forgotten.
    Jane rubbed the bruise on her jaw. “You might just as easily ask why Sera is here for drawing a picture.”
    Tess