“Perhaps. But it’suncertain.”
“Ah, then we must find you the perfect gentleman while you’re visiting London. I know any number of eligible young men who’d find you the essence ofcharm.”
“Oh, my, I don’t know if I’m quite prepared to go husbandshopping.”
Miller came in with the teatray.
“Madam,” she said, as she placed the tray and pouredtea.”
Jessica sat back in her chair and studied Susan. “Best not to take it too seriously. I think we’ll go shopping tomorrow and find you some stunning new dresses. Then we’ll attend a few teas, a few suppers, and a night or two at the theater. And we shall let nature take its course, shall wenot?”
“Oh, I feel quite exhausted already. You must remember I come from a quiet country village. My life is comprised of my students, my family, and my few childhoodfriends.”
There was a knock at the door and Lowell came in. “Madam, Sir AllisterBeaumont.”
“Please show him in,Lowell.”
“Oh, Jessica, you have a guest,” the dapper young man said as he gazed at Susan through his monocle. “What’s theoccasion?”
“Allister this is my dear cousin, Susan Wilton, visiting me fromKent.”
“Kent? Really? I thought only sheep came fromKent.”
“Sit down Allister and have some tea and behave yourself. You sound like the most hideous London snob.” Jessica poured him a cup oftea.
“Ah, but Jessica, my dear, that is exactly what Iam.”
Susan leaned forward, “And you would also be correct, Sir Allister, as my father is, indeed, a sheepfarmer.”
“Then I beg your pardon, for I thought you were nothing less than a Duchess—such a handsomelady.”
“Most gracious, Sir Allister, but I’m just a schoolteacher.”
“And what brings you to Radcliff Square this afternoon?” Jessicaasked.
Sir Allister, shot a glance to Susan before answering. “I thought I might find you grieving the loss of you husband to the wilds of the Scottish Highlands and I thought you might like somecomfort.”
Jessica lowered her eyes and poured herself another cup oftea.
“How kind of you to think of me. However, as you can see, I’m entertaining my cousin for a week or two and we expect to be fully employed during the time she’shere.”
Susan sensed a certain underlying tension brewing between the two. It briefly crossed her mind that it sounded like an exchange of lovers—but she dismissed that asunlikely.
“And how is your lovely wife?” Jessica asked. “Is she still mourning the loss of herPekinese?”
“Ah, the precious Cybil—struck down by a hackney cab on the BromptonRoad.”
“We’re to interview new puppies for the vacant position tomorrow morning. I can hardlywait.”
“Be charitable, Allister, you wife needssomekind of entertainment. You’re out and about so often, I’m sure she must feel like a widow attimes.”
Allister shifted in his chair. “And how about another cup of that delicioustea?”
* * *
“How canI ever thank you enough for these lovely dresses. You spent far too much on me,” Susan said, as she held up another one of the three dresses Jessica had bought for her when they were out scouring the very bestshops.
“Really it’s nothing at all. And I want you to look your most elegant for the theater this evening,” Jessica said, as she sat in a chair in Susan’s room. “Try that one on. I think I have the perfect necklace you can wear withthat.”
