The Governess Club: Bonnie by Ellie Macdonald Page B

IFTEEN
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    Come for tea in the study this evening. -S
    T he note was presumptive. Arrogant really. To expect that she would obey such a summons.
    Well, she was a servant of sorts. It was expected that she obey such a summons.
    But theirs didn’t feel like a normal master-servant relationship. Which was dangerous. She really ought to treat this as he were a normal master summoning his normal servant to his study.
    For tea.
    Oh good heavens, she was becoming one of those women who analyze everything about a gentleman they were being courted by.
    Which he wasn’t. Courting her, that is. Despite his earlier statement, courting her was not an appropriate option. Nor an intelligent one.
    So when Bonnie knocked on the study door, she was telling herself that this was not a courtship. She did not want it to be a courtship. He did not want it to be a courtship. Thus, it was not a courtship. It was a master summoning his servant.
    For tea. In the study.
    She must not, would not make this into more than it was.
    Bonnie opened the door at his voice. The familiar warm walnut panels surrounded her as she stepped inside, the fire casting a healthy glow throughout the room.
    Sir Stephen wasn’t behind the desk as he normally was. Instead he stood up from where he was sitting on the sofa. He smoothed his waistcoat. “Miss Hodges,” he greeted, inclining his head. “Please sit.”
    The man was a lesson in brevity. Bonnie moved around to sit, settling her skirts around her legs before looking up at him. He positioned himself opposite of her.
    When he didn’t speak, she gestured to the tea tray on the table between them. “Would you like me to pour?”
    He nodded. “Please.”
    She did so, preparing his cup as he liked before seeing to her own. She blew on it to cool it before taking a sip.
    “I had Mrs. Dabbs send more biscuits,” he said, breaking the silence.
    “I am abstaining from biscuits for the time being,” she replied with a small smile.
    “Understandable.”
    When he didn’t speak again, she prodded him again. “You wished to see me, sir?”
    “Did you enjoy your afternoon outside?” he asked.
    “Yes, we did. I am glad it did not rain. The boys and I were feeling cooped up.”
    “I had a good time playing with the boys.”
    “They enjoyed it as well.”
    Silence fell between them again. This was not like their other teas. Those times had not been prearranged or heavy with expectations. Those times had not been laden with memories of his lips against hers, of his arms carrying her up the stairs. Those times had not been thick with the desire that he actually would court her.
    Bonnie put her teacup down and glanced around the room. “How is the investigation proceeding?”
    “You shouldn’t concern yourself with that. I will take care of it,” he said.
    “Respectfully sir, it became my concern when you told me the incidents were intentional. It became my concern when I saw my employers die in front of my eyes. It became my concern when I was poisoned.”
    Sir Stephen lowered his chin in acknowledgement. “I do not wish to concern you more about this. You should worry about the boys and allow me to continue to investigate the situation.”
    Bonnie was incredulous. “So you are fine with sharing just enough information to make me concerned for my safety and that of Henry and Arthur, but then deny me that which may very well help me?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “This afternoon, you showed me your timeline and said that I should be careful as it has been over a week since the last incident.”
    Stephen was pleased she had given his words such attention. “Aye, I believe that.”
    “Well, what am I to do, exactly? Taste everything that comes from the kitchen? Check their clothing and bed sheets for razors? Patrol the perimeter for gunmen? Cross the bridges, climb the trees, and jump into the rivers first?”
    He didn’t answer.
    “They are young boys, Sir Stephen. Even when there is not a threat, they are