"Is everything all right?"
Reginald asked the question as soon as he reached them.
His gaze moved from Barbara to Edward, assessing the distance between them and the expressions on their faces. He had noticed the exchange from farther away, though the noise of the hall had prevented him from hearing much of it.
Whatever they had been discussing, it had not looked like a cordial introduction between the new headmistress and a future student.
Barbara glanced toward Edward.
Then she drew a breath and relaxed her folded arms.
"It's fine."
She had received the apology she wanted. For a while, she had thought he might refuse to give her one at all, but there was little reason to prolong the confrontation now that he had.
Reginald looked at her briefly, accepting the answer without pressing for details.
Edward glanced at him and stepped aside.
"May I have a word?"
"No."
The refusal was quick and curt.
