“Thank you, Suzy. I appreciate the food and your company.”
“I’ll be back this evening with something warm. Be sure to lock the door behind me.”
Three hours later, Madelene closed her book with a sigh. For some reason, time seemed to be passing at a snail’s pace ever since Suzy left. She’d sat down to read multiple times, but all her mind could think about was Simon and the incredible things that had happened between them the previous night.
The pleasure she’d found had been astonishing, but watching him bring himself pleasure had been an experience all its own. She could still see his eyes closed, his jaw clenched, the muscles working in his arm and chest, sweat glistening as the lamplight poured over his skin. Then, he’d apologized for something that had been nothing short of magnificent. Was he embarrassed that she’d witnessed it? She only hoped she’d be able to experience it again. Perhaps next time he’d remove the towel. Maybe he’d even let her touch him. He had said yes, after all.
The sound of the front door closing startled her. Was he home? A flutter of anticipation rippled through her stomach. She brushed the wrinkles from her skirt and patted her hair before making her way downstairs.
Bonnie was in the sitting room, flicking a feather duster over the surfaces. She smiled at Madelene as she entered but then laughed under her breath.
“You don’t need to look so disappointed.”
Had she? She hadn’t meant for it to show on her face.
Bonnie shook her head and laughed again. “And you don’t need to be worried. I haven’t come to accost you this time.” She set the duster down and plumped the pillows on the sofa.
“Perhaps I should help you.” Madelene suddenly felt useless standing there while Bonnie was cleaning.
“Simon is very particular, so I’d rather you didn’t. But I wouldn’t mind the company while I work.”
Madelene nodded. “How long have you known Simon?”
She stopped and tilted her head in thought. “Five or six years?”
“How did the two of you meet?”
“You make it sound as if we’re courting.” Bonnie laughed. “I used to work for Suzy, so when he asked her where to find a housekeeper, she recommended me.”
“When you say he’s very particular, what do you mean exactly?”
“Surely you’ve noticed. He likes every detail to be just so. Everything has its place.”
She nodded. She had noticed, of course. It seemed contradictory to the experiences she’d had with him, though. Their kisses, his offer to show her pleasure, what had happened last night, it was all so spontaneous. None of it was neat or tidy or planned out.
“What happens if you don’t do things the way he likes?”
“He doesn’t get angry, if that’s what you’re wondering. It's pretty hard to make Simon angry. He has more control over his emotions and his reactions than anyone I’ve ever met.”
Once again, that was not the Simon she knew. Last night he’d even said he couldn’t help himself. She had seen him controlled, even in his anger. When he’d confronted that man who had touched her, he hadn’t raised his voice, neither had he when he’d threatened the men in the asylum.
But even in the very beginning, when he’d kissed her in the carriage, he’d had to push himself away from her and look out the window as if he was afraid of losing control. A small voice asked if it might be the evil inside of her that gave her power over him.
“Have you ever seen him angry?” Madelene asked.
Bonnie stopped and lowered the duster with a reluctant nod. “I’ve made him angry before. Just once.”
“What did you do?” Madelene leaned in slightly, waiting to hear the story.
“It’s not very exciting I’m afraid. I entered his study.” She shrugged. “I only went in there to dust. After a month of cleaning the rest of his house, I thought I was doing him a favor. He probably wouldn’t have even cared if I’d asked for his permission, or at least hadn’t lied about it. But when he asked me if I’d gone in there against his wishes, I panicked and denied it.”
Madelene hung on every word, her heart racing. “What did he do?”
Bonnie looked at her and burst out laughing. “He didn’t beat me, Madelene. He’s not a violent man. Not with people like you and me, at least.”
Madelene nodded, breathing a sigh of relief that she hadn’t been wrong about him.
“He did sack me, though. Quietly. He never raised his voice. In fact, I’ve never heard him raise his voice. But it didn’t matter that he spoke quietly. When he told me I was no longer welcome in his home, I knew better than to argue. I simply gathered my things and left without a word.”
