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She pretended to go into her room and then, crouched low, went to the railing just before the staircase. She watched as he turned and went into the headmistress’s private chambers—without knocking.
* * *
“James, where have you been?” Bianca Sallstone demanded as he walked into the room, dropped off his gloves on a nearby settee, and removed his outer garment to throw it with some annoyance there as well.
“We need to talk,” he said ominously.
“What? Whatever is wrong?” she asked, moving close and putting her hands on his arms.
“You were seen with that ugly brute you have the misfortune to be married to,” he snapped. The doctor shook his head. “What it is you ever saw in the scoundrel is beyond me.”
“Seen? That is impossible. Who could have seen us?”
“Sassy Winthrop.”
“That little bitch!” Bianca exclaimed.
“Temper now … temper. It was your own fault for not taking more care,” he answered with what he hoped was a firm warning in his voice. She could be extremely vicious when she lost control of herself, and he didn’t need her indulging in a tantrum now.
“What was the spiteful little wench doing up at such an hour?”
“She awoke from a nightmare and heard intruders. She was on her way to advise you of the problem when she saw them in your company.”
“Damn her eyes!” Bianca snapped angrily. “I wrote to Edna, saying we should dismiss her, but she hasn’t replied. She probably doesn’t want to insult Lady Margate. But maybe I’ll just—”
“Oh, do shut up. The fact is she was about to advise you that the school was being invaded by strange-looking men when she witnessed you welcoming the culprits inside your private quarters.”
“What did you tell her?”
“The truth. I told her he was your husband, here to plague you.”
“What?” screamed Bianca.
“Damnation, woman, should I allow her to imagine something else was towards?” he said disgustedly. “Take care in the future.”
“May she rot in hell. Just because she is the daughter of a vicar, you think she is Little Miss Perfect!” Bianca seethed.
“Never mind that—just take care in the future,” Bankes warned her.
“Devil take you too, James,” she said angrily.
With a laugh he picked up his hat, gloves, and coat. Then he strolled out of her chambers and out the front door.
* * *
From the window above in the long hall overlooking the front courtyard, Sassy watched Dr. Bankes head for the carriage house. She knew something from his story was missing, but what?
She hurried to her room, closed the door at her back, and had started to rub her ring when she was interrupted by a knock at her door. “Yes?” she called out.
Molly opened the door and stuck her head in. “Is now a good time?” Her hands were laden with a tray of hot food.
“You wonderful girl! Here on the table, and sit, join me,” Sassy said, realizing she was famished.
“I ate already.” Molly smiled broadly as she sat. “But I did bring a few extra biscuits and butter to nibble on.”
They dove into the food, and when Sassy pushed it away, satisfied, she said, “Now, where did we leave off?”
Molly pulled out the book, and they began her next lesson.
