Chapter 21
Susan was thoroughly enjoyingthe rest of her trip home. She even managed to visit her old school to see how Peggy Alexander was doing as her replacement. She monitored the boy’s class and Peggy had them behaving like choir boys before anarchbishop.
Susan and Elizabeth took walks. Susan had intimate chats with both her mother and her father. And she even visited Louisa in her new home. The whole trip was mostsatisfying.
On the third day, the carriage from Haverford arrived, as scheduled, and the two of them returned in near silence, as they were both tired and contemplative of theirvisit.
When they arrived at Haverford, it was just before Elizabeth’s mealtime, and Susan took Elizabeth straight to her room to wash up and get ready to go down to the breakfast room for hersupper.
After taking Elizabeth to her meal, Susan went to find Clarissa. She was not in her room so Susan went looking for her, finding her in the pantry with thecook.
“There you are,” Susansaid.
“You’re back. How nice. It’s been lonely with the two of you gone and John up inLondon.”
“He’s notback?”
“Notyet.”
“But has there been any news ofSimon?”
Clarissa took Susan by the arm and led her from the pantry and into the main sitting room where they sat by the fire. She lookedconcerned.
“Not a word, my dear. And it worries me. It’s unlike John not to send word right away. Even if Simon were seriously ill, he would write a short note to let us know what was goingon.”
Susan was thoughtful. “Elizabeth’s never met her Uncle Simon, hasshe?”
“No. She was born after heleft.”
“So we needn’t feel she will be too upset if he should not makeit?”
“I don’t think so,” Clarissa said. “But you might want to tell her what’s going on. She’s going to have questions about where her fatheris.”
“Yes. I’ll take care ofthat.”
Clarissa reached over and took Susan’s hand. “And how are you dealing with all ofthis?”
“I’m concerned, butfine.”
“Hopefully we’ll hear somethingsoon.”
* * *
It was stilldark outside the rented carriage. They had been traveling for several hours. Simon was sleeping fitfully as John kept a watchful eye on him. Simon was bundled up like a newborn baby—which in a sense he was—or at leastreborn.
John watched as the dawn began to break. He was exhausted from his long vigil with Simon, but he felt a lightness of heart as he realized he was once again reunited with his estranged brother. He had no idea what Simon might want to do after his recovery, but he held out hopes that he might be able to entice Simon to stay and become an active participant in the running ofHaverford.
John realized he’d not been wise in his previous relationship with Simon. He had, in fact, been thoughtless when their father died, and he’d inherited the titles, responsibilities, and inheritance of the Duke. He had totally disregarded Simon’s plight as the second son—with no title or living. Now it was time to address that slight and redressit.
The carriage pulled up to the entrance of Haverford House. Only a few of the staff were stirring, and most of those would be in the kitchen preparing breakfasts, or restoring the fires throughout the house after they had gone to embers during thenight.
The front door was locked so John knocked. A grumpy looking Standish finally appeared and brightened up when he saw it was theDuke.
“Your Grace, we didn’t know you were arriving—soearly.”
“I’m sorry, Standish, it was a last minute decision. I have Simon in the carriage and my horse is tied to the back. Will you please tell the groom to care for the horse? And I need assistance in getting my brother up to hisrooms.”
“Of course. Just one moment—I will fetchhelp.”
