“Oh, your dearparents….”
“Devastated,” Katherine said, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose with a now soaked handkerchief. She stopped and looked at Susan. “You’re numb, aren’tyou?”
Susan nodded. “I am. I can’t get it to register. And all I can think about is you and yourparents.”
Katherine just sat there, almost in atrance.
“How kind of you to come and tell me yourself. You have no idea how much that means to me in your time ofgrief.”
“I hadto.”
“Will there be aservice?”
“I expect so. We haven’t made any plansyet.”
Susan felt surprisingly calm. Everything was too much. But she couldn’t help thinking briefly about John. But she immediately shook the thought away. This was absolutely the wrong moment to be thinking aboutthat.
“Do you want to stay over?” Susan askedKatherine.
She shook her head. “I borrowed a horse and cart. I need to get back and I don’t want to leave my parents alone toolong.”
“Is there anything I can do foryou?”
“Not that I can think of. It’s just too horrible and overwhelming. I have no idea what to think or do except to put one foot before the other until the shock and dismay wear off. I’d betterleave.”
“Let me go out withyou.”
Susan put her arms around Katherine’s shoulders when she led her out of Clarissa’sroom.”
As they were passing down the entry stairs, Fitz passed them on her way up. She looked over at the stricken women and said, “How bizarre,” anddisappeared.
Katherine was momentarily taken aback and asked Susan, “She’sback?”
“Don’t ask. It’s a long story. One day over tea—but muchlater.”
They reached the entrance and Standish kindly opened the door for them. Susan led Katherine to the cart and helped herup.
“My thoughts will be constantly with you and yourparents.”
“But what about you, Susan? You seem to be taking this very well. Do you think it’ll hit you later and then you’ll have acollapse?”
Susan shook her head. “I don’t know. There’s been so much going on, my head is a complete muddle. I need to sort everything out. And remember, I’m still responsible for Elizabeth and must keep myself together forher.”
Katherine reached out her hand and Susan took it. They looked at each other and gave sad smiles. Then Susan let go of Katherine’s hand and watched her driveoff.
After Katherine disappeared down the drive, Susan just stood there, unable to move, think, or decide what to do next. She was surprised when John suddenly appeared besideher.
“Did I see your friend, Katherine leaving thehouse?”
Susan nodded and turned toward him. “There’s been terrible news, and Katherine came to tellme.”
John put his arm around her waist. “Do you care to tellme?”
Susan related the tragedy and he leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “Terrible. Just terrible. My dearest Susan, you have my very deepestsympathy.”
“Thank you,” she said simply looking up athim.
“I expect you’ll want the evening alone. Shall I arrange for a tray to be brought up toyou?”
