Chapter 24
The next morningSusan was out for her morning walk. It was a chilly late November morning. She was walking smartly along when she heard someone calling her name. She turned and saw Simon trotting afterher.
“Good morning,” he said as he caught up with her. “My, but you move right along don’t you,” he said, catching hisbreath.
“It’s cold. One needs to keepwarm.”
“Might I walk withyou?”
“Of course, if you can keep up,” she teased, charging onahead.
“That Fitz is some woman isn’t she?” heasked.
Susan turned to look at him, not believing her ears, but she didn’tanswer.
They carried on for a while before he spoke again. “Susan, you may have guessed that I still have sincere feelings foryou.”
Not breaking her stride, she turned to look at him. “Youdo?”
“I thought it was obvious,” hepleaded.
She stopped walking and turned to face him. “Simon, what are you saying? Are you looking for us to be together again? Do you want to court me?” Her tone was, if not severe, then at leastfirm.
“Ever since I’ve been home, you’ve been attentive and most kind. And being around you again has ignited feelings for you I thought weredead.”
“Simon, I do care for you, and I’ve shown sympathy for your illness, but please don’t mistake my sympathy for anything more thanthat.”
“You have no romantic feelings for me atall?”
“Simon, you know that I’ve been courted by a naval captain for many months, and to my great surprise I also find that your brother and I have feelings for eachother.”
“You andJohn?”
Susan nodded. “It’s too early to tell what will happen. I’ve been torn between the two. Please don’t complicate this for me. Simon, I do have warm feelings and regards for you, but it will never rekindle into a romance again. I’msorry.”
Simon nodded. “I see. Thank you for being honest withme.”
“How else could I be with you? We have a history, and you deserve thetruth.”
“Thank you. I’ll go back now.” He started back and she could hear him muttering, “Her andJohn?”
* * *
As Susan was coming backfrom her walk, she came across John coming down the stairs as she was goingup.
“Out for your morning walk?” he asked, as he leaned in and kissed hercheek.
She pulled back slightly. “Yes, and I need to tell you something,” she said ratherseriously.
“Oh. And what isthat?”
“Simon sought me out earlier and expressed his interest in reigniting our romance. And I had to tell him that was not possible. And, in telling him that, I needed to confess that you and I had feelings for oneanother.”
“Oh…”
“I felt you should know that he knows about us. Just in case it comesup.”
“Thank you for telling me. But does this mean you’re accepting mysuit?”
