“Perhaps you might suggest you’ll make a carriage available to her for her departure. That might let her know you mean business and it might spur her intoaction.”
John laughed. “I’m afraid the only actionshe’staking is her pursuit ofSimon.”
“And what will you do about that?” Susan asked. “Do you plan tointervene?”
“No. Simon is his own person. I’ve caused him enough grief over time and now I want him to feel free to be himself. I want to support him however I can. But wisdom dictates that he’ll find out about Miss Fitz’s nature and intentions soon enough. It’s a decision he alone canmake.”
“That’s most generous. But I just hope she doesn’t upset you too much in her quest forSimon.”
“How can she upset me when I have you?” John went over, smiling, and took Susan by the waist, kissing her gently on the forehead. Then he reeledbackward.
“Oh, I shouldn’t have done that. I’m so sorry. I just got carriedaway.”
He seemed agitated, but Susan reached out and put her hand on his arm to calm him. “Don’t be upset. That was a very sweet gesture. I quite likedit.”
“But I promised not to intrude during your time of grief,” he said, pulling on hiswaistcoat.
“John, I’m not an invalid. And I’ve had time to sort out things more clearly in my mind. And that’s why I wanted to speak withyou.
“Tomorrow morning, then,” he said, nodding toher.
“Until tomorrow morning. But, of course, we’ll see each other again atsupper.”
