Miss Grimsleys Oxford Career by Carla Kelly Read Free Book Online Page B

thought you were deaf, my dear.”
    Ellen leaned her elbows on the windowsill. “What on earth do you want, Gordon? Don't you have a curfew?”
    He laughed softly. “I can climb the wall, silly! We're leaving for London in the morning. Loan me three pounds. I know Mama must have sent you some money. Be a sweet thing, Ellen.”
    She leaned farther out. “I dare not!” she called down to him.
    “I'll win it back at faro,” he assured, his voice sharpening with that impatient edge that reminded her of Papa. “Don't be so missish, El.”
    “Oh, very well,” she grumbled as she groped about on the dressing table. She counted out some coins and tossed them down to her brother one story below. He caught the money expertly and pocketed it. He bowed elaborately and walked backward down the deserted street, facing her.
    “I'll win it back, and with interest, El. Don't you worry about a thing.”
    Ellen stayed at the window until he was gone. She turned to her bed. The girl in the other bed was sitting up, watching her.
    “Why, hello, Fanny,” Ellen said, smiling. “I'm sorry I woke you.”
    Fanny rested herself on one elbow. She squinted into the gloom and then smiled, showing all her teeth. “I'm telling Miss Dignam in the morning.”

HANKS TO G ORDON'S LATE-NIGHT ENTREATY and Fanny Bland's spite, Ellen spent her first morning at Miss Dignam's Select Female Academy sitting on a hard chair writing, “I will practice decorum as a virtue whilst I reside in Oxford,” one hundred times.
    No matter that she had pleaded with Miss Dignam that Gordon was her brother and in need of assistance. Miss Dignam only pursed her lips in a thin line. “We have a front door,” she said and held up her hand when Ellen opened her mouth. “And he can plan ahead next time before curfew!”
    When Ellen tried to speak again, Miss Dignam forgot herself so far as to put her hands on her hips and exclaim, “Miss Grimsley, are you always so difficult?”
    Ellen closed her mouth and glanced at Fanny Bland, who had pounced on her as soon as Aunt Shreve had said her farewells with hugs and kisses. Fanny was smiling.
    Ellen raised her chin higher. “I have been told I am rather more trouble,” she said in her clear voice. “You can ask anyone in the district. I am certain Fanny would be happy to furnish you with names and directions. She takes such an interest in me.”
    The smile left Fanny's face.
    Miss Dignam chose not to pursue the conversation. “Fanny, please conduct Miss Grimsley to an empty classroom, where she can pursue her morning's labors,” she said.
    Ellen waited until Miss Dignam had closed her office door behind them. “Fanny Bland, you are a fine friend!” she declared. “And to think I was looking forward to being your rooming companion.”
    Fanny sniffed. “I don't know why you ever entertained that notion. You might have fooled me, except that Edwin wrote to warn me that you were a coming little snip who thought nothing of correcting people like our good vicar.”
    With a sinking feeling, Ellen remembered that Vicar Snead was a distant cousin to the Blands. “Lead on, Fanny,” she said, eyes ahead. “I will take my punishment.”
    Fanny blinked in surprise at Ellen's unexpected capitulation but led her into the empty classroom. She supplied her with pen and ink and moved to the door. Ellen stopped her.
    “Tell me, Fanny, what is the capital of the United States?” Fanny fiddled with the doorknob, a look of intense concentration troubling her face for a small moment. “I do believe it is Philadelphia,” she replied. “Yes, I am certain of it.”
    Ellen only sighed and turned to the blank page before her. “I am sure you are right,” she murmured.
    She finished writing her sentences before noon and was composing a letter home, begging someone to come and get her, when Miss Dignam swept into the room. She held out her hand for the sheaf of papers and checked them, her eyes growing wider and wider as she scanned