106. Love's Dream in Peril Read Free

window and we can have our little talk.”
    She then walked across the room and sat down.
    Adella was feeling rather confused by this sudden visitation. If she had known that the Headmistress was about to descend upon her, she would not have strewn her belongings all over the floor and the bed.
    But at least there was plenty of space in the lovely room where she had lived all the years she had been at the school.
    Uncle Edgar’s money had meant that Adella could have the use of this spacious and comfortable room all to herself with wide windows overlooking the garden.
    Mrs. Mottram was gazing around at all the pretty flowery curtains, the china washstand and silver-backed mirror and brushes that Adella had chosen for herself.
    “How charmingly you have made your room,” she said. “I do wish that all my pupils had even half of your good taste. What a privilege it has been to teach a girl like yourself – so refined and elegant.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Mottram.”
    Adella perched herself opposite the Headmistress on the window seat, as she prattled on,
    “It will give me the greatest pleasure in years to come to offer my humble services to your own offspring, when they are old enough to start at school.”
    Mrs. Mottram’s eyes were shining at the thought.
    “Goodness,” Adella sighed. “That is a long way in the future!”
    “Don’t be so sure,” Mrs. Mottram gave a laugh. “You will be the most sought after girl in Society with your fortune, good looks and your charming character.”
    “You are too kind, Mrs. Mottram. “But I have no intention of getting married for a very long time indeed.”
    “We shall see.” The Headmistress suddenly looked rather dour. “It pains me, Adella, but I must introduce a sombre note into our conversation.”
    ‘Oh dear,’ Adella thought. ‘She has indeed noticed my pink ribbon after all! I am about to be ticked off!’
    But Mrs. Mottram was gazing out of the window, a deep frown on her brow.
    “A girl as lovely as you and with such abundant riches soon to be at her disposal will be like a candle to a moth to some of the less desirable elements of Society,” she said in a grave tone.
    “I am sure that Uncle Edgar will take good care of me,” Adella replied.
    “Your uncle has been most generous in the way that he has provided for you. But he is a bachelor, Adella, and he has spent a very long time in India, devoting himself to his work for the Civil Service. He will know nothing of the pitfalls that lie in store for a young girl, an heiress like yourself, as she makes her debut in London Society.”
    “Pitfalls?”
    Mrs. Mottram leaned forward on the sofa.
    “You have been protected from all the evils of the world here at the school, my dear. You are a high-spirited girl but an innocent one. It will be all to easy for you to fall prey to the unscrupulous fortune-hunters who lurk on the fringes of Society.”
    “How awful!” Adella gave a little shiver. “Perhaps you are right, Jane is always telling me I am too impulsive and that I should look before I leap.”
    Mrs. Mottram nodded.
    “There will be many who will seek you out not for your own sake but for your money. People are not always what they seem, Adella.”
    “I suppose not. Maybe I should take dear Jane with me so that she can look out for these villains!”
    The Headmistress rose to her feet.
    “I am glad that we have had our little talk,” she said. “I hope that you will take my words to heart, Adella. Oh, and I must tell you, I am very pleased to have been able to offer Jane the post as a teacher here at the school.”
    Adella jumped up from the window seat.
    “What – ?”
    Mrs. Mottram was leaving.
    “It is a great opportunity for a young woman like herself with no prospects and nowhere to go, as I am sure you are aware, Adella.”
    “I suppose so.”
    Adella felt a chill run over her body at the thought of Jane having to stay on here at the school.
    Suddenly everything felt very strange and