Free Netherby Halls by Claudy Conn

force her fists from going to her hips.
“I should like to point out to you that, firstly, I was strolling
on my own, and on school grounds, and in full view. Dr. Bankes—who
I assumed from his air and his knowledge of my name and
circumstances, was an accepted visitor at Netherby—introduced
himself to me and then walked me back to the front doors. I see no
impropriety in that, madam!”
    The headmistress’s cheeks blazed bright red. Her eyes
were full with a loathing that surprised Sassy. She knew the woman
did not like her, but this, this was unexpected.
    “I shan’t argue the proprieties with you, Miss
Winthrop. While you are a member of my staff you shall observe the
standards I set forth. In the future you are not to go off at night
alone with a man—even if that man is as respectable as our Dr.
Bankes.”
    Sassy saw at once that the woman meant to cower her
with the threat of dismissal. She was in a precarious situation but
could not, would not allow her to dictate to her when she knew she
had done nothing wrong. “Again, I have done nothing wrong. I
repeat, I was out for a stroll and bumped into Dr. Bankes, who
kindly walked me to the front door. We did not hide ourselves
behind a bush. We did not have a clandestine meeting.” After a
deliberate pause, she said meaningfully, “Nor did we meet behind
closed doors!” Sassy eyed her grimly and shook her head. “What is
interesting is the fact that Dr. Bankes had been given a great deal
of personal information about me— by someone here . I feel
your concern is unfounded, as I know full well what conduct is and is not becoming to a lady.”
    Sassy was fully aware that she had sealed her fate
with the headmistress. No doubt, a letter of complaint would go out
to Edna Devine in the morning.
    * * *
    The little vicar’s daughter has a great deal to
learn if she thinks she can buck me. Bianca narrowed her
eyes as she studied Miss Winthrop and tried to make a decision
about what next she should say and do. The chit was not biddable
and therefore could be a problem. She paced and put her hands
together as she thought things through.
    She had sensed from their first meeting the girl
would be trouble in every imaginable way. The first thing she would
do in the morning would be to send off a note to Edna and recommend
the girl be dismissed. That would get rid of the threat Miss
Winthrop posed to her … situation.
    “Heavens, you do have a temper, another facet of your
character that makes you unsuitable for Netherby. I was trying to
point out to you that the older girls might notice you with the
doctor, and as they are impressionable, it wouldn’t do, as they are
bound to see romance in the slightest things.”
    “I see,” Miss Winthrop allowed.
    Bianca could see that Miss Winthrop had not been
taken in by this. “I caution you for your sake as well as
theirs.”
    “ My sake ? Are you saying that the good doctor
is a libertine?” Miss Winthrop asked, obviously skeptical.
    “Good gracious, no. Would I allow him here if he
were? No, it is just, well, solitary walks should be taken in the
daylight hours.”
    “As I am teaching most of the day, that is not quite
possible.” Miss Winthrop was unrelenting. “But tell me, madam, is
one of the girls ill?”
    “Why no. Whatever makes you ask such a thing?’ Bianca
realized her mistake as soon as the words were out. Miss Winthrop
was a clever little bitch she was going to have to get rid of, and
soon.
    “I assumed so because of Dr. Bankes’s presence here.
Isn’t it rather late for him to be out at Netherby without
cause?”
    Bianca tried to hide the anger from her eyes as she
calmed herself to answer, “Well, actually, I don’t like to speak of
it, but I have terrible headaches and find sleep a chore. The
doctor was here dropping off a portion of laudanum.”
    “Then, please, do not let me keep you from your
rest,” Miss Winthrop said as she turned towards the exit. Though
the words were polite, Bianca