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Seb followed Curtis into the library, but the rows of books didn’t caled tables didn’t stop the fil his back

Three boys sat at tables scattered around the library, and they all turned toward him as he shuffled into the room

Paste seemed to fill his mouth as he looked at the boys he knew only by name They were all in the same house, and were all of them in E block, but it didn’t matter—Seb had almost no interaction with them There was Noel Edwards, Lord Clair and heir to the Duke of Rotherby Though Clair was the same year as Seb, the other boy practically ruled the entirety of Eton, but not by force Everyone, froood opinion If Clair decided that mutton pie was his favorite supper, all the boys would insist on eatingback his hair, and the next day everyone’s hair was loose Those boys ere part of Clair’s inner circle were an elite and favored few

Seb doubted Clair knew his na by the disinterested look in his eyes, it was a safe assumption

Sitting nearby was Duncan McCameron, a Scottish earl’s second son McCameron sent a brief sether the other day had been a high point of the week, with their tea the other boys On the pitch, Seb didn’t feel like a tongue-tied clod, and the ained him a measure of McCameron’s respect

The third boy gave Seb a tiny nod of recognition Naturally Seb and Williaes of school society At least Seb had a few chums No one talked to Rowe He rarely spoke, and when he did, it caible mutter A fehispered that he was mad, and most of the boys found him to be too eccentric to warrant an attempt at friendship

Seb took off his spectacles and rubbed theesture was so habitual, he barely noticed

Curtis strode past him, then threw himself into a seat and propped his feet up on a table

“Sit, Holloway,” McCa to be here any minute”

Seb grabbed the nearest chair and dropped into it A strained silence fell

The door to the library opened again and Eddings, a senior boy, marched into the roo his hands on his hips and gazing sourly at each of the boys Seb sat up straighter