“My name’s Bonnie. I’m Simon's housekeeper.” She looked over her shoulder. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
“Do you really know how to stab someone?” Madelene asked as Bonnie set the tea tray on the table.
She nodded. “That isn’t something you want to bluff about.” She added a plate of biscuits to the tray and poured them both a cup of tea before seating herself across from Madelene.
“Simon taught me how to protect myself.”
She offered sugar and Madelene shook her head. Sugar was an extravagance and having those kinds of things would only lead to her giving in to her other wicked impulses. Perhaps it already was. Only a short time after that indulgent breakfast, she’d been asking for a kiss.
“Do you think he might teach me?”
Bonnie raised her brow. “Will you be staying for a while, then?”
“I don’t know.” Madelene shrugged. “Are you going to tell him I was in his personal things?”
Bonnie took a sip of her tea. “You are going to tell him. That’s how you’re going to start to earn his trust.”
That didn’t make any sense. How would telling him she’d been snooping around in his bedroom earn his trust?
“Simon is extremely observant and will know you were in there whether you tell him or not. Don’t ever try to hide something from him, and certainly don’t ever lie to him. That’s one of the few ways you will ever make him angry.”
Simon stared down at the mess of paper scattered across his desk, but none of it was helpful. The vicar was the last thing keeping him at this job, and they were no closer to finding the charlatan than they had been a month ago.
He leaned back in his chair, blowing out a frustrated sigh toward the ceiling as he tipped his head, stretching his neck.
Timms stepped into his office and nodded with his own sigh. As far as Simon knew, Timms had no personal connection to this case, but he’d thrown himself into it, all the same, working himself to exhaustion at Simon’s side. Simon had never told anyone here about his sister’s involvement. Not even Timms.
“Do you have anything new?” Simon asked him.
“No.” He shook his head dejectedly. “We might as well call it a night. We’re not going to get anything more tonight.”
With another sigh, Simon pushed himself to his feet. Timms was right, of course. But as long as Simon was here, he didn’t have to face the new conundrum he had waiting for him at home. The very tempting conundrum.
He had managed to find some information about her father today, at least. Robert Lund, fourth son of a viscount. His family connections would make it even harder to find Madelene a safe home where her father wouldn’t find her. That was a problem for another day. For now, at least she was safe.
Simon rolled his shoulders before inserting his key into the lock on his front door. He should be going after the next man on his list tonight, but he was tired. It was important for him to have his wits about him for that sort of thing, so it would have to wait until tomorrow night.
Female laughter floated out from the kitchen, which was a nice surprise. Bonnie and Madelene were seated at the table, each with a cup of tea in hand. At least Bonnie had been friendly and made her feel welcome. He’d completely forgotten she’d be coming and hadn’t warned Madelene.
“Good evening, ladies.”
Madelene whipped around, her happiness instantly replaced by fear. Her eyes widened and she swallowed as she stared up at him. She hadn’t been afraid of him when he left.
“Good evening, Simon.” Bonnie got up from the table and walked to the sink to wash her cup, leaving it on the side to dry. “Will you walk me out?”
When they reached the front door, he held up a hand to stop her. “Give her a chance to tell me whatever it is herself.”
“I was only going to tell you to talk to her. She has no idea what she’s doing here, who you are, what you do, or what you’re going to do with her. She needs some answers.”
“Does that mean she didn’t break any rules?”
She finished buttoning her coat and pressed a light kiss against his cheek. “Goodnight, Simon.”
He sighed as he locked the door behind her. Returning to the kitchen, he sat in the chair Bonnie had vacated and helped himself to a biscuit. As he chewed, he simply stared at Madelene. She looked terrified.
“I’m sorry, Simon. I shouldn’t have violated your personal space.”
“You went into my study?” He really should have a lock on that door, but he lived alone, so there wasn’t usually a reason to keep it locked. Bonnie was the only other person who ever came in, and other than the one time, she only entered the room to dust while he was present.
