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She laughed at that “Dr Bankes, Ito hear you speak of impertinence in such a fashion, for you have been just that from the moment you introduced yourself”
He laughed as he slowed to a stop, and when she turned to look inquiringly at hi as he lifted up from that audacious maneuver, “You aroused fully “And more, and I hope to renew our lively conversation in the very near future Shall I hold such a hope in vain?”
He was being blatant in his flirtation, for they had only just met Her broas up, her voice quiet as she answered this “Did you not say you enjoy mysteries, Dr Bankes?” With that she moved away from him, for they had arrived at the wide stone steps to the front doors Without looking back, she took the steps and let herself in
Inside, she found Molly rushing towards her and saying, “I lock up at this hour, Miss Winthrop, but I’ll get ye a key for the future, though I’ll thank ye not to mention it to the headmistress She wouldn’t like ye to have one, but it would make it easier on me and the staff” She smiled warmly “Then ye can pop in and out whenever ye like, for I’ve noticed ye enjoy yer walks”
“Thank you, Molly That would be so convenient,” Sassy said, irl’s speed, for once
again she had disappeared down the corridor
She crossed the central hall to the staircase, but a voice at her back called her to a halt
“Miss Winthrop!” Miss Sallstone’s tone was severe and her face no less so as she stood in the archway of her anteroom doorway “Please step inside, as I would like a ith you”
Sassy felt her heart rate increase and silently chided herself She had nothing to concern herself about She had a good rapport with her students and had been working very hard
Miss Sallstone’s slender ar breast, and her expression was stormy “I do not like to have to reprimand you so soon after your arrival,” she said, her voice harsh “However, your thoughtless behavior tonight leaves me no choice”
Stunned, Sassy frowned as she shook her head slightly “My thoughtless behavior? Whatever are you referring to?”
“Stupid child, you don’t even realize, do you? Good Lord, I a about in the dark with Dr Bankes!”
Sassy’s chin went up She didn’t need to explain herself to this wo to do with her job “I understood the evening hours were my own, Mistress Sallstone” She felt her cheeks burn
“And so they are, but that has naught to do with discretion, and it is discretion we are referring to here Our teachers are expected to conduct themselves in a manner beyond reproach”
“I couldn’t agree with youto allow the woman to lecture her “I do not believe I conducted myself in a manner that could be considered a deviation froot the better of her at that point, and she had to force her fists fro to her hips “I should like to point out to you that, firstly, I was strolling on rounds, and in full view Dr Bankes—who I assue 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!”