“But John has said you may stay, as a favor tome.”
“But surely, not indefinitely? I can’t impose on his homeforever.”
“But this is also my home, and you are myguest.”
“Am I?” she askedbrightly.
“Of course, I treasure your presence. I thought you understoodthat.”
“That is so sweet,” she said, placing her hand on his. “But still… I have to ask myself, what are your intentions toward me? Are we just friends…? Or might there be something moredeveloping?”
Simon took her hand. “Oh, Fiona, of course, there’s more. Why else would I have interceded on your behalf withJohn?”
Fitz lowered her eyes. “Then you care for me just a little?” She said softly, not lookingup.
“Oh, much more than a little, Fiona. But I’ve been unsure of your feelings towardme.”
She looked him directly in the eyes. “Oh, Simon, how could you doubt? I care for you as much as any woman can care for agentleman.”
Simon broke into a grin. “How jolly. Shall we go for that ridenow?
* * *
Susan wasin her room in the morning before lessons, sewing, when Standish knocked on the door and cameinside.
“Miss Susan, there is a gentleman here to see you,” hesaid.
Susan looked up surprised. She wasn’t expecting anyone. “A gentleman? Did he give hisname?”
“Yes, a Captain Daniel Howe. He said you weren’t expecting him but he begs an audience withyou.”
It was like Susan had been struck by lightning. What could this mean? “But, I don’t understand. Captain Howe was recently lost atsea.”
“Well, I can assure you, Miss Susan, this gentleman is very much alive and sitting in the first sitting room. Or, at least, that’s who he says heis.”
Susan stood, dropping her sewing. “Tell, whoever it is, I shall be rightdown.”
Standish left and Susan went to the mirror to check her hair. Her heart was pounding and her face was flush. She could barely contain from crying out as she raced down the stairs to the sitting room. She threw open the door and racedin.
And standing before the fire was, indeed, her Daniel. He was wearing his navel uniform—his skin darkened, and his blond hair bleached almost white by thesun.
At first, she just stood and stared at him. Too shocked to speak. “Daniel?” she finally managed to blurtout.
Daniel rushed over and took her in hisarms.
“Susan, Susan, I didn’t have time to write. But I rode over here as soon as I got backhome.”
Susan began to sob and laid her head against hischest.
“I don’t understand,” she finally managed to say. “The Admiralty letter said there were no survivors. How did thathappen?”
“I know. It was cruel of them to send that letter before they knew the full story. My family wasdevastated.”
“As was I,” Susan said, stepping back but holding on to his hands. “What happened? Tellme.”
Daniel led her to the chairs by the fire and theysat.
“It was indeed a terrible storm. I’ve never seen anything like it before. The winds were so fierce they snapped the masts and we were totally unable to maneuver the ship and soon capsized. There was no time to launch the lifeboats, and we were all tossed into the pounding waves. I was certain I had but a few moments of life left. But somehow one lifeboat broke free from the sinking ship and a number of us were able to scamper aboard and head for a nearby island where we landed and soughtrefuge.
