Chapter 7
Teaching was to commence tomorrow.Susan had promised Aunt Clarissa she would call on her and this afternoon seemed the perfect time. Once she began teaching she would get caught up in school activities and it would be more difficult to take the time for avisit.
“Papa, might I use the trap this afternoon?” She asked as he was mucking out thebarn.
“Don’t see why not.Watchagot going on?” heasked.
“I promised to pay a visit to the Duke’s aunt. She asked to seeme.”
Her father nodded. “Back bysupper?”
“Oh, yes. Much before that, Iexpect.”
“Keep an eye on the left wheel.S’beenscraping and rattling a bit. Need to get at it but never seem to have thetime.”
“Have Jacob take a look at it. He’s good withrepairs.”
“I’ve got him tending to the pump in the three sheepfield.”
“Thanks,Papa.”
Susan couldn’t imagine what Aunt Clarissa wanted to see her about. They had never conversed more than a few times—and then mostly just pleasantries and chit chat. And she couldn’t help but wonder if she would run into the Duke. It even crossed her mind that he could somehow be responsible for this invitation. Might he have asked his aunt to invite her for some reason? She would just have to wait andsee.
After lunch, she dressed nicely in one of her Sunday dresses and, after hitching up the horse to the trap, set out for HaverfordHouse.
It was a lovely drive. A few of the trees were starting to turn autumn colors. There was a grove of trees up the hill above the mill that was particularlyattractive.
She crossed the bridge by the pub and was soon starting up the drive to Haverford House. She had only been to Haverford House a couple of time when she and Simon wereengaged.
It was a handsome seventeenth century structure of brick and stone. It was not heavily ornamented on the outside, but the inside was impressively grand without being ostentatious. There were many fine landscapes and family portraits of past Dukes and Duchesses—their children and even their horses anddogs.
Susan had not written ahead, as Aunt Clarissa had said to stop by at any time. But she considered that she might be napping and if so, was prepared towait.
She drove the trap up the drive and to the imposing front entrance. She tied the horse and walked to the door and knocked, using the large lion-facedknocker.
The door was opened by Standish, the butler, whom she’d metbefore.
“Good afternoon, Miss Wilton. Did you have an appointment with HisGrace?”
“No, I am here to see Mrs. Darlington. She asked that I stop by at myconvenience.”
“Very good, Miss. Please come in and I’ll see if I can findher.”
Standish led her to a parlor and left to find Aunt Clarissa. While she was waiting, she studied a painting of a past Duke—looking to be from the seventeenth century by the look of the clothing he wore. It was uncanny how much he resembled John, even though he was older in thepainting.
Standish came back into the room. “This way, if you please, Mrs. Darlington will see you in hersuite.”
“Thankyou.”
He led the way up the grand staircase to the next floor and led her along a hallway, covered in more paintings, to Aunt’schambers.
“Oh, Miss Wilton, you have not forgotten me. How happy I am you called.” She turned to Standish. “Have Mary bring us some tea, if youplease.”
“Yes,Madam.”
Aunt Clarissa was seated by a large window overlooking the park at the back of the estate. There were two comfortable chairs and a small table, obviously in use often fortea.
“Come, my dear, sit with me. My arthritis prevents me from rising to greetyou.”
