Free Outcasts of River Falls by Jacqueline Guest Page A

her neckline and Kathryn felt she was the height of Eastern sophistication.
    As this Galahad moved closer, his face broke into a grin that positively lit his chiselled features. Kathryn smiled primly back, her lashes fluttering only the merest bit. She noticed the light grey of his eyes and the dimples that bracketed his wonderful mouth.
    “Beautiful!” The young man pronounced as he stood beside the carriage.
    Kathryn blushed at the brashness of this stranger, al though she enjoyed the flattery. “Why, thank you, sir,” she replied coquettishly, the smile on her face blossoming. She was about to introduce herself when he reached out and patted the tall wheel of the phaeton.
    “When I get some money scraped together, I’m getting me one of these rides.” He whistled softly, and then nodded at Kathryn before going into the office. “Ma’am.”
    Kathryn’s face flamed as realization of the true object of his admiration became obvious. “Well, of all the insolent, rude, forward...” she cursed, trying to cover her embarrassment. He must think her vain, indeed, behaving like a smitten schoolgirl. She was mortified and prayed her aunt would finish her business and they could leave before he reappeared.
    The instant Aunt Belle climbed back into the wagon, Kathryn handed her the reins. “Next stop, the Carter Academy?” she inquired hastily. Any place would do as long as it was away from here. She never wanted to run into that insolent knave again.
    At the mention of the Academy, Aunt Belle’s face filled with sadness. “Katy, dear one, I think we should skip the school. Let’s go home for a nice cup of tea.”
    “Nonsense. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Kathryn reached over and gave the reins a shake of en couragement. Nellie tossed her head, still in coltish mode from their wild ride, and cantered off down the street.

    The Carter Academy was very modern. It was two stories and painted a dignified grey with white trim. There were tall mullioned windows, and a shiny brass bell hung in a covered alcove. On each end of the building were doors marked Girls and Boys , which seemed overly formal for this rustic town and better suited to a large city school.
    Pulling the carriage to a stop, Belle jumped down and bent to inspect the horse’s hoof. “I think Nellie picked up a stone. Give me a couple of minutes while I fix her up and I’ll go in with you.” She rummaged in the seat box for a hoof pick to remove the rock.
    As Kathryn prepared herself for being turned away be cause she was Métis, her mixed blood started to boil. Impatience overcame prudence as she strode to the front entrance and walked in the glass doors with the gold lettering proclaiming Carter Academy, No Peddlers .
    She marched past a polished wooden bench flanked by large aspidistra plants and headed straight for the office marked Head Mistress . Knocking politely, Kathryn waited to be admitted.
    An austere woman opened the tall, imposing door. “May I help you?”
    Kathryn’s bravado shrivelled as the woman assessed her over half-rimmed spectacles perched on a hawk-like nose.
    “I would like to attend your institution and have come to enrol.” Her voice sounded weak, so she straightened her spine and forced herself to meet the woman’s chilly scrutiny.
    Taken aback, the teacher hesitated; but, having ap proved Kathryn’s stylish outfit and well-bred demeanour, swung the door wide. “I’m Miss Weaver, Headmistress of this in stitution. Come in and we can discuss this matter in a more appropriate venue.”
    Kathryn did her best to sound mature and ladylike during the enrolment interview, which was what she imagined a police interrogation must be like. When asked about her academic background, she held her head up a fraction higher. “My marks from Our Lady of Mercy Academy for Young Ladies in Toronto have always been exemplary and I am confident that I can pass the entrance exam for your school.”
    This confidence must have been