The Governess Club: Bonnie by Ellie Macdonald

more of a clue as to what went wrong.
    He glanced over at Renard, bent over his work. As much help as the man had been, Stephen still didn’t trust him; he was too eager to point out George’s mistakes and failings. A man of business needed to be discreet, no matter the circumstances.
    He shifted his gaze to the bookcase that held previous ledgers; it held the estate records for the last fifty years. He would have to wait until he was alone in the study; he did not want to raise Renard’s suspicions.
    “Sir?”
    Stephen jerked his head back around to Renard. He raised an eyebrow in response.
    “The letter requires your signature.”
    Without speaking, he took the letter being held out to him and signed it. His mind began to ponder how he could get the man out of the room.
    “Sir?”
    Another eyebrow raised in response.
    “If I may say, you seem distracted this afternoon.”
    “You may not.”
    “My apologies, sir.” The tall man sat back down at his desk and resumed his work.
    With a loud sigh, Stephen stood and moved to the window, taking in the view of the back garden entering winter dormancy. Gray clouds hovered in the sky, threatening to bring the inevitable rain that accompanies the English winter.
    He hated this part of investigating, the distrust. Suspecting everyone, questioning every action. That suspicion followed him in his dealings with his father; it had been his steady companion both while the man was alive and after.
    He was tired of being suspicious.
    Movement caught his eye as two young bodies entered the garden from the drawing room terrace. Henry bounded down the stairs, a ball in his arms. Arthur followed him, his short, pudgy legs struggling to keep up. Their shouts were loud and excited, their scarves tied securely around their necks and coats buttoned.
    Coming onto the terrace much more slowly, Miss Hodges appeared in her gray pelisse and pink scarf, her head sporting a matching pink bonnet. Stephen watched as she paused at the top of the terrace stairs and tilted her head back towards the sun. More than a week had passed since the poisoning and this was the first time in his knowledge that she had stepped outside of the manor.
    He frowned when he saw Miss Hodges grip the balustrade for support as she gingerly descended the stairs. She still was not strong enough to be walking on her own, especially if she were to chase two young energetic boys.
    Stephen spun on his heel. “I am going out, Renard,” he said, leaving the study. Shrugging into his jacket, he followed Miss Hodges and the boys out the drawing room terrace and moved quickly to catch up to them.
    He did so easily, calling her name. Miss Hodges half turned and he managed to take possession of her arm, slipping it through his. He thought how nicely the weight of her hand felt on his arm.
    “You should not be out here,” he said.
    She glanced up at him. “You have become an expert on what I should or should not do.”
    “I merely meant that you should not be out here on your own.”
    “Why not?”
    “Henry and Arthur are young and energetic.”
    “They always have been. That has yet to be a concerning problem.”
    “You recently suffered poisoning.”
    “And yet I survived. Perhaps I am stronger than I look.”
    Stephen stopped and looked at her closely. He thought her still too pale and there was still dark circles under her eyes. “I think you are one of the strongest women I have met.”
    Her hazel-green eyes widened and a blush spread over her cheeks. She glanced in the direction of the boys and then the manor. “You shouldn’t say things like that,” she whispered.
    One corner of his mouth lifted. “Now you are the expert? Turnabout is fair play. Tell me why and I’ll tell you if I agree.”
    “Sir, you are the guardian and I am the governess. Such sentiments are inappropriate.”
    Stephen resumed their walk. Henry and Arthur were still in sight, kicking the ball on the lawn. “I assure you, Miss Hodges, I am not