A Calculated Display of Affection

"Miss Beaumont, we've arrived."

James's voice pulled me from my thoughts as the car rolled to a stop in front of Adrian's sprawling villa. I'd spent the entire ride from the academy replaying the day's events, trying to figure out who might have exposed my dyslexia to the dean. The list of suspects was frustratingly long.

"Thank you, James," I said, gathering my bag.

He stepped out and opened my door with a small bow. "Mr. Valois mentioned he'll be late this evening. Business meeting in the city."

I nodded, ignoring the strange flutter in my stomach at the mention of Adrian. Since our arrangement began, I'd been hyper-aware of his presence—or in this case, his absence.

"Will you be needing the car later, Miss?" James asked.

"No, thank you. My friend Chloe is picking me up after Leo's session."

The front door opened before I reached it, revealing Marcus's stern face. The butler's perpetual disapproval of me had become almost comical.