Chapter 23
“Ah,John, how delightful to see you again,” Fitz cooed as she floated into the library, hands extended, to grab hold of John’s hands. But, as she neared, he took a step backward and withdrew his arms to his sides andfrowned.
Fitz froze at the gesture. John was staring at Susan by the window and Fitz turned and sawher.
“Oh, Miss Susan…” She turned back to John. “I see you are engaged. Please excuse the interruption, but perhaps you might dismiss the help and welcome meproperly.”
Susan heard Fitz’s words but didn’t register the meaning. She was totally overwhelmed by John’s words to her earlier. Her mind was spinning. John had feelings for her? How was this possible? But at the same time, she had to recognize that his words had stirred something deep within her that she now recognized had been there all along. She could not deny it, she responded to his declaration with a passionatelonging.
She turned and looked out the window, trying to calm her inner turmoil at this newrevelation.
“Miss Fitzwilliam,” John said. “You are most welcome, but Miss Susan is not the help and we are presently engaged in an important meeting. Standish will be happy to escort you to your room where you may lounge until I am prepared to visit withyou.”
Fitz caught her breath and put her hand to her mouth, utterly confounded. She turned to Standish, and barked, “Make sure all of my luggage is properly stowed in my room. And I would like some teaimmediately.”
She turned and swept out of the room in ahuff.
Susan and John turned to look at each other, and at the same time burst out laughing. It gave each of them a release from their mutual tension at their previously interruptedmoment.
Susan walked over to John and stood before him. “I didn’t know you were expecting company. I don’t mind leaving if I’m aninconvenience.”
John took her hands again. “You certainly arenot.”
Susan lowered her eyes briefly and then looked up at him. “John, what you saidearlier…”
“And I meant everyword.”
“I know you did. And I’m not insensitive to your expression of affection. It’s just…” She wincedslightly.
“Your captain. Iknow.”
“I truly care forhim.”
“More thanme?”
“Oh, John, how can you ask methat?”
“Then you do. He is yourchoice?”
Susan squeezed his hands. “I…” She shook her head. “I… I… don’t know. It’s toosoon.”
“Then you do have feelings forme?”
“Yes, I do. But I don’t know what they mean. It’s all so sudden. So new. My head isswimming.”
John sighed. “Of course. For metoo.”
“Then what? What do we do about this? It doesn’t make any sense right now. You have a beautiful woman who’s just come to spend time with you. And here you are declaring your affection for me. How can thisbe?”
“Miss Fitzwilliam invited herself. She is clearly out to capture herself a Duke with no subtlety at all. She’s like a vixen hunting her prey. But I’m not about to be her catch. Try as she might, her wiles have no effect on me,whatsoever.”
“Will you ask her to leave?” Susan asked, turningaway.
“Not immediately. She’s a guest and I may not force her out until she is able to make plans to leave and has somewhere else togo.”
“Certainly that would be home,no?”
“You are probably not aware, but there is a certain class of ladies who are huntresses—constantly on the prowl for a romantic catch. They have no permanent abode but travel from house to house as guests, trading on their charms until they find the perfect mark—a gentleman with title and means. However, their charms have a certain end date and there is a desperation in their hunt which reveals itself as insensitivity andimpatience.”
