Susan went over and took both of Aunt’s offered hands and then sat downopposite.
“Did you have a pleasant drive over? I assume you didn’twalk.”
“Autumn is coming on and the air was fresh and the declining light gave everything a rich, warmglow.”
“I must convince John to take me for a drive at the height of the leaveschanging.”
“Was your trip to Bath as restorative as you’d hoped?” Susanasked.
Aunt slightly waggled her head. “My dear, at my age, almost any treatment is temporary. But I did enjoy being away. My husband and I loved to travel, and I miss that. So, yes, it was nice to be away from home, if only for a fewdays.”
Mary brought in the tea tray and set in on thetable.
“Thank you, Mary,” Aunt said. “I’llpour.”
“Thank you,Madam.”
“Milk andsugar?”
“Yes, please,” Susanresponded.
After serving the tea Aunt Clarissa sat back in her chair and regardedSusan.
“I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your attention to me at your sister’s wedding when I was feelingpoorly.”
“That was entirely my pleasure, I assure you. Anyone would have done thesame.”
“No. I felt a genuine caring that went beyond just the physical attention you gaveme.”
“Thank you fornoticing.”
“And that is why I’ve asked you to come and see me. I want to share something with you that I would not ordinarily discuss with a stranger. However, you were almost family, with your engagement to Simon, and after seeing your gentle care with me, I should like to elicit yourhelp.”
“Oh? I would be honored if it is within my power to assistyou.”
“It would not be for me particularly, but more for John and his daughter,Elizabeth.”
This surprised Susan. What could she possibly have inmind?
“Pleaseexplain.”
“It’s not generally known by those in the county, but John’s wife, Annabel, died giving birth to Elizabeth. It totally devastated John and, despite his claims, he has never completely recovered from hisloss.”
“I didn’tknow.”
Aunt nodded. “Most folksdon’t.”
“And how could I possiblyhelp?”
“I’m sad to say that as a result of Annabel’s death, John has nearly abandoned any care for Elizabeth. He ignores her, feeling that Elizabeth was responsible for her mother’s death. That is complete nonsense, of course, but he totally ignores the facts and feels that the child somehow betrayedhim.”
“That’s truly tragic. The child’s notresponsible.”
“I, the doctor, and even his closest friends have all tried to dissuade him from his erroneous thinking, but hepersists.”
“Then how could I possibly persuade him?” Susanasked.
“I’m not thinking that you could. What I need from you is to care forElizabeth.”
