The Governess Club: Bonnie (13 page)

More hooves thundered up behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see Sir Stephen approaching, riding Emperor without a saddle. He blew past her, his gaze intent.

Renard saw him. He shouted again at the coach from which men were exiting. The driver was working on settling the horses, the groom helping him. A footman was riding on the box as well.

When it was clear the coach was not moving, Renard turned to leave the bridge the way he came, but Sir Stephen had reached it, blocking his escape.

Bonnie continued to run, needing to reach Arthur. By the time she had reached the bridge, Sir Stephen had dismounted, leaving Emperor blocking the exit of the bridge.

He commanded. “Put the boy down.”

“Mama!” Arthur screamed when he saw Bonnie. She moved to run to him, but Sir Stephen grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back.

“I am not going to Newgate,” Renard said, his voice calm.

“You have murdered a peer of the realm,” Sir Stephen said. “There is no escaping it.”

“Actually, so long as I have this leverage,” he replied, giving Arthur a shake that set him off screaming again, “anything is possible.”

“No, please,” Bonnie begged. “He’s just a child.”

“I am not a monster, Montgomery,” Renard said. “Allow me to leave unaccosted and I will take the governess to care for the boy. Once I am comfortably free on the continent, I will provide them with safe transport back. I do have the funds to arrange it.” He laughed.

“Yes, I’ll do it,” Bonnie agreed frantically.

“Not a chance,” Stephen said over her.

“It is a good exchange, Montgomery,” Renard said.

“It is not him you need to speak with.” Bonnie recognized Lord Sinclair, the magistrate. “But I assure you I am of the same opinion as Sir Stephen.”

“As am I,” said Mr. Baldwin, the constable.

“You are outnumbered,” Sir Stephen said, advancing slowly towards Renard. He pushed Bonnie behind him.

“But not necessarily outmatched.” Renard backed his mount away.

“Just let Arthur go,” Bonnie pleaded. “He has done you no harm.”

“That is not the issue, dear girl,” Renard said in a patronizing tone.

“Bonnie lass, stay out of this,” Stephen warned. He didn’t take his eyes off Renard, nor did he stop advancing.

“Please,” Bonnie repeated.

“See here,” Renard said, continuing to back his horse away. “We can come to a suitable compromise, as gentlemen.”

Stephen was unrelenting. “How many times do we have to say this? Your release is not an option.”

Renard’s horse hit the bridge barrier. Renard glanced over his shoulder, panic flickering in his eyes for a moment. Looking back at his confronters, he adjusted his grip on Arthur and hung him over the side, suspending him over the rocks and water at the bottom.

Bonnie’s scream was cut off by her heart blocking her throat. Stephen halted, but the magistrate and constable both took several steps towards Renard.

“I will do it,” Renard said in a calm voice. “And if you attack me, he will fall. You are in no position to negotiate.”

His words were cut off when a crack shattered the air. Before her eyes, Bonnie watched Renard jerk back, a large red hole appearing on his forehead. He fell backwards in his saddle, his arms splayed out. His horse reared and Renard continued his fall, disappearing over the side of the bridge, taking Arthur with him.

B
onnie screamed.

Stephen lunged, partially disappearing over the edge. Bonnie dashed to where he hung, Lord Sinclair and Mr. Baldwin fast approaching from the other side.

Bonnie reached Stephen first. She bent over the side, holding onto his shoulders.

“Pull me up,” he said, his voice strained. His fingers were turning white from gripping Arthur’s wrist. The boy was swinging slowly, eyes wide with fright, staring up at his rescuer.

Bonnie grasped Sir Stephen under the shoulders and heaved. He barely budged. She tried again with the same result. She was pushed out of the way by Lord Sinclair, who pulled on Sir Stephen with much more success.

As soon as Arthur was safely over the bridge, Bonnie rushed to him and gathered him in her arms, holding him close.

“Mama,” Arthur wailed.

“Yes sweetie, Mama’s here,” she crooned, rocking him back and forth, rubbing his back. “You’re safe now. Everything is fine.” She looked at Sir Stephen, who was leaning against the barrier, his chest heaving. Tears of relief spilled down her cheeks as she gave him a grateful look.

“What the hell happened?” he demanded.

The constable waved at his groom, holding a smoking blunderbuss, a guilty look on his face. The groom took a few steps towards Sir Stephen. “Sorry, milord,” he said. “I didn’t have no idea. I jes’ wanted to stop him from hurtin’ the lad.”

“I will see to him, Sir Stephen,” Mr. Baldwin assured him.

Stephen nodded and closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the barrier.

“Is Mr. Renard . . . is he . . .” Bonnie couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.

Lord Sinclair looked over the barrier, grimaced, and turned back. “Fortunately, yes.”

Arthur was calming and Bonnie wanted to get away from the bridge. “Please sir,” she addressed Lord Sinclair. “Might I bother you for the use of your coach back to the manor?”

“Hm, of course, of course,” the middle-aged man replied. “We ought all to convene there. Statements need to be taken and all that.”

“Thank you.” Bonnie climbed into the coach, still holding Arthur. Lord Sinclair and Mr. Baldwin joined her. When the coach jerked into motion, she looked out the window and saw Sir Stephen standing beside Emperor.

W
hen she opened the study door to leave, Stephen straightened from the corridor wall on which he was leaning. Lord Sinclair had wanted to take all their statements separately. Bonnie looked pale and wan. “Are you fine, lass?”

She nodded. “I am simply relieved for it all to be over.”

“And the boys?”

“I gave Arthur some laudanum to calm him. He fell asleep before I came down. I left Henry with a maid.”

“Good.”

Silence fell between them, Stephen staring at her and Bonnie not quite meeting his gaze, twisting her hands nervously.

She swallowed and then spoke. “Sir Stephen, I wished . . . I mean, you . . . thank you, sir, for saving Arthur.”

“No thanks are necessary.”

“I disagree.”

“If it appeases you, you’re welcome.”

Bonnie nodded. “I should go check on the boys.” Stephen took a step to the side, giving her room to pass. She held her skirts away from him so they wouldn’t brush his legs. He moved to the study door.

Bonnie paused at the stairs. “Sir Stephen?”

He turned and looked at her questioningly.

“I am glad you are safe as well.” She hurried up the stairs.

“E
nter,” Stephen responded to the knock on the study door. Several days had passed since the Renard scenario had been cleaned up and things were already improving.

Stephen looked up to see Henry and Arthur enter the room, followed by Miss Hodges. His gaze riveted on her, taking in her usual bun and demure dress. She still looked pale and wan.

He ached to hold her.

Henry came to stand beside the desk, holding a football, while Arthur did not hesitate to climb up onto his lap.

“Good afternoon boys,” Stephen said, his voice wry.

“Hullo Uncle Stephen,” Arthur replied.

Henry joined in. “We have come to invite you to play with us.”

Stephen glanced out at the pouring rain. “The weather does not appear to be in our favor.”

“Oh, Miss Hodges allows us to play in the ballroom when it is like this,” Henry explained. “My father said that boys need to play and that ballrooms can be replaced. We use potted plants or chairs as wickets.”

“More proof that your father was a wise man,” Stephen said. He ruffled Arthur’s hair. “Shall I be on one team and you two on the other?”

“Yes!” Both boys rushed to the door.

Stephen stood and glanced at Bonnie. “Will you be playing?”

She shook her head. “If it is permissible sir, I would appreciate some personal time.”

“Of course. Is there anything you need assistance with?”

“No thank you sir.”

“Uncle Stephen, hurry up,” Henry shouted from the door.

Stephen gave her a wry smile. “The king commands.”

Bonnie smiled and preceded him out of the study. Stephen turned down the hallway, the boys running to meet him. She watched as Arthur grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the ballroom. Henry was chattering excitedly about a new kick he wanted to learn.

She gave a small, sad smile. It was time.

S
tephen cracked open his eyes, squinting against the morning light. He scratched his chest, inhaling deeply and groaning into a stretch. He sat up and blinked, bringing the eight-year-old standing at the foot of his bed into focus.

“Henry?” His voice was thick and gravelly from sleep.

The boy stood stiffly, his hands clasped behind his back, looking every inch an angered lord despite wearing only a nightshirt. His glare radiated fury. “What did you do?”

Stephen racked his brain. “Excuse me?”

“You were supposed to make her stay,” Henry accused, his face turning red.

“Who?” Stephen asked.

“I told you I did not want Miss Hodges to go. You were supposed to make her stay.”

Stephen rubbed his face. “Miss Hodges is gone? Where?”

“I don’t know,” Henry ground out. “I went to her room when she was not in the nursery. It is empty.”

Stephen threw off his covers and went to pull on a shirt and trousers. He strode to the door and headed to the nursery.

Henry followed him and shouted. “You best get her back, Sir Stephen. You were supposed to make her stay. Get her back!”

Oh bloody hell
.

“B
onnie? Bonnie?”

“Hm?” Bonnie looked over at Sara.

“You haven’t been listening to a word we said, have you?”

She gave an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I haven’t been sleeping well. I think it is the new bed; I am not used to such luxury. I am a little worn out.”

Sara smiled. “It took a few days for me to get used to the well-maintained mattress as well. There are some benefits to living with the son of a duke.” She turned her smile to Claire and Jacob.

He saluted her with his teacup. “Glad to be of service.”

Bonnie watched Claire give him an intimate smile and soft squeeze on his hand. It hurt to see that easy familiarity between the newlyweds. It reminded her of her teas with Sir Stephen. And that one night . . .

“You are losing weight as well,” Louisa declared.

“Louisa,” Sara admonished.

“Am I lying?”

“That is not the point.”

“Oh hush, Sara.” Louisa returned her critical eye to Bonnie. “Did they cease serving food at Darrowgate?” “It was a trying few months,” Bonnie replied. “I suppose I lost my appetite for a good portion of the time.”

“Oh, poor dear,” Claire sympathized. “I do not know how you managed it.”

Bonnie managed a weak smile. “I am simply glad it is behind me.” Except at night when she still felt a certain man’s lips and the memory of sandalwood drifted over her. “I must admit, it is quite a shock to not have Henry and Arthur to focus on. I had been there for three years.”

“It is a change,” Sara agreed.

“A positive change,” Louisa stated. “Now that the entire Governess Club is here, we can offer a full range of tutoring services. We shall be fully independent of others and be wildly successful at it.”

“I am looking forward to it,” Bonnie replied. Looking forward to a lifetime filled with students and her friends.

With no Sir Stephen with his intense eyes and dreadfully endearing lack of conversation.

A throat cleared at the door. “Excuse me, Mrs. Knightly.”

Claire looked to the butler. “Yes, Greaves?”

“There is a visitor.” He offered her a card.

Claire’s eyebrows rose. “Send him in, please.” The butler bowed out of the door.

“Who is it, my love?” Jacob asked.

The boots clacking on the wooden floor captured the attention of all in the room. Greaves reappeared at the door and announced, “Sir Stephen Montgomery.”

Bonnie shot to her feet. What was he doing here? Mercifully, her action was hidden in the others rising as well. Claire held out her hand and said, “Welcome to Ridgestone, Sir Stephen.”

He took her hand and bowed over it. “Thank you for receiving me, Mrs. Knightly.” He was introduced to the others.

When his eyes met Bonnie’s, she felt a jolt to the core of her being, a yearning so strong it nearly crippled her.

“Would you care for some tea, Sir Stephen?” Claire asked when the introductions were complete.

“No, thank you.”

“Then how may we help you? You live too far away for our services to be of use to you.”

“Forgive my bluntness, Mrs. Knightly, but I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with Miss Hodges alone.”

“What for?” Louisa demanded.

“It really is not our business,” Sara said, starting to move to the door.

Louisa grabbed her hand and pulled her back. “He may speak freely in front of us. The Governess Club has no secrets.”

Sir Stephen turned to Louisa. “Miss Hodges left in rather inauspicious circumstances, Miss Hurst. I wish to discuss it with her.”

“Louisa, it is fine,” Bonnie said in a quiet voice.

They left, Louisa more grudgingly than the others, her eyes promising retribution should anything befall her friend.

Bonnie remained standing, folding her hands in front of her. She focused her eyes on his cravat.

Sir Stephen turned to her, his hat in his hands. He looked at her for several long moments, in silence of course.

Bonnie refused to speak first. She was no longer in his employ. He had no power over her.

Or so she told herself.

He finally spoke, clearing his throat first. “You are well?”