“Perhaps. We’re still many months away from opening the school. Work with me closely in the meantime and we’ll see how well you like what we’re doing. If by the time we open the school you still want to be involved, I’ll considerit.”
“Excellent,” Fitz said, beaming. “Oh, and Susan, if you don’t mind. I’d like to be called Fiona from now on. Fitz belongs to a person from that past that I no longerrecognize.”
Susan laughed. “Gladly.”
* * *
Elizabeth was seatedon Susan’s lap in the window seat. She was leaning back against Susan as she read aloud to her. Susan would occasionally point to a word and ask Elizabeth if she knew it. Mostly shedid.
The story was about mother and baby goats. Elizabeth looked up at Susan and asked, “After you marry Father, can I call youmommy?”
Susan looked down at her. “Is that what youwant?”
Elizabeth nodded emphatically. “Father has been so sad for so long. I’m really glad to see him happyagain.”
“Yes, he seems to be. But I know he’s also happy because you’ve been learning so quickly. He wants you to be happy and healthy and smart and beautiful, and forever his darlingdaughter.”
“That’s because you’re such a goodteacher.”
“Thank you, for saying that, mydear.”
“Will I be able to go to the new school when it opens nextyear?”
“Maybe. Your father and I will need to discussthat.”
“I want to be with other children. It gets lonely only seeing Sara and Patrick once aweek.”
Susan nodded. “I’ve yet to speak to your father, but I’ve been thinking about inviting the workers from the village and their children to come here Christmas day for a party in the afternoon. What do you think aboutthat?”
“Oh, yes. That’d be lovely. Will there begames?”
“Absolutely.”
She then gave her a kiss on top of her head. “Now then, let’s see what other trouble those baby goats are going to get themselvesinto.”
* * *
Susan and Clarissawere enjoying their afternoon tea when Clarissa looked up from her darning and said, “Susan, there’s something else we need todiscuss.”
“Ofcourse.”
“You have a wedding coming up. Have you thought about agown?”
That surprised Susan for she’d not given any consideration to that yet. “Oh, I still have my wedding dress from when I was engaged toSimon.”
Clarissa tsked. “Susan this is to be a wedding for a duchess. I think we’ll need something befitting your new station, don’tyou?”
“I keep forgetting I’m to be aduchess.”
“Yes, and we need to addressthat.”
“How exactly do youmean?”
“I know this might sound absurd, but you need to have some lessons in becoming aduchess.”
Susan laughed. “Is there a school for suchoccasions?”
Clarissa smiled. “Most young ladies who become duchesses are born and bred into the tradition. They do not need tutoring. However, you, my dear, are going to need to learn the manners, forms, and traditions that go with the title. And I have set myself the task of helping you learn what you need toknow.”
“Then you shall have a very willing and able pupil. Even a teacher must learn from time totime.”
“Excellent. Then at the first opportunity, you and I shall go to my dressmaker and we will begin the process of constructing yourgown.”
