Page 60 of To Wager with Love

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10th September 1814, Holbrooke House, Sussex.

The picnic had been a wonderful idea. Matilda and Harriet, Ruth, Bonnie and Minerva had gone with Henry and Jasper and Jerome, down to the lake with baskets laden with goodies. Now, everyone was sleepy and replete, having stuffed themselves fit to bursting point.

Matilda sighed and put her parasol to one side, tipping her head back. Summer had decided it wasn’t quite ready to hand over the mantle to autumn and was putting on one final show for them. The sun warmed her face, and she decided it was worth risking freckles to enjoy it. There couldn’t be too many days like this left this year, and she wanted to revel in what remained of the summer.

The lazy afternoon was delicious and perfect; not so hot as to make everyone irritable, but warm enough to bask in the golden light burnishing every exposed inch of skin. There wasn’t much skin exposed, naturally, but it was still a delight.

Jasper had taken Harriet out on the boat and Matilda smiled happily as she watched the two of them lean in and steal a kiss. There was a wistful sigh from beside her, and Matilda turned to see Bonnie gazing at the two lovebirds.

“Lucky things,” she said, clutching her arms about herself.

Matilda nodded, unable to disagree. “Indeed.”

“We’re not all so lucky, are we?” Bonnie said, a bleak note entering her voice.

Matilda felt her heart ache, and not only for Bonnie.

“No,” she said, for what was the point in pretending otherwise? “But you are young and pretty, Bonnie. There’s time yet.”

Bonnie shook her head. “No,” she said, and Matilda heard the catch in her voice. “No, there’s not. I told you, I’m already living on borrowed time.”

Matilda reached out and took her hand, and Bonnie squeezed it in return. “You’ll not be alone, Bonnie. Not forgotten or abandoned. Whatever happens. We won’t allow that. Your friends will always be there for you. I’ll come to Scotland and stay with you, I promise. No matter how far into the wilderness they try to bury you.”

Bonnie made a choked sound and then laughed, and Matilda followed, blinking back tears.

“Lud, how maudlin we’ve become,” she said, shaking her head. “This won’t do at all.”

“Aye, there’s time enough for tears and wailing,” Bonnie said, scrambling to her feet. “I won’t waste a moment of what’s left to me.”

Matilda watched, rather daunted by what Bonnie meant as the girl took up her drinking cup and went to the water’s edge, filling it to the brim.

“Oh dear,” Matilda murmured as she saw Bonnie run unerringly towards Jerome, who was dozing on a blanket in the sun. Bonnie threw the water on him, laughing her head off as Jerome spluttered and cursed.

“Why, you little brat!” he shouted, pushing to his feet as Bonnie shrieked, dropping the cup and hitching up her skirts, running away as Jerome chased after her.

“I’m going to throw you in the lake, Bonnie Campbell,” Jasper warned her as he set off in pursuit.

Bonnie crowed with laughter and turned back, sticking out her tongue at him.

“You’ve got to catch me first, clod pole,” she taunted, before running off, into the trees.

“My, she’s bold,” Minerva said, shaking her head with admiration as she and Ruth came to sit beside Matilda.

“Yes,” Matilda said, her voice faint with worry as she wondered how to get Bonnie back before there was another scandal to contend with.

“I wish I had half her nerve,” Ruth admitted with a sigh. “Every time I think about my dare, I quake in my boots.”

“To say something utterly outrageous to a handsome man?” Minerva said, grinning. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll think of something. You must have a witness, though. We need proof.”

Matilda looked back to Ruth, who looked rather sick.

“Does anyone know when Bonnie will do her dare?” she asked them. “I have a rather anxious feeling she will choose the engagement ball.”

Both Ruth and Minerva shook their heads.

“No, she’s been very quiet about it,” Ruth admitted, which was the most worrisome thing she could have possibly said.