Chapter 8
“Miss Susan, is that you?”
Susan was startled by the voice calling to her as she was leaving Haverford House—she was so deeply in thought about Aunt Clarissa’s proposal. She swirled around to see John at the librarydoor.
“Oh,John…”
“I’m sorry if I surprised you,” he said, stepping forward to greet her. “I didn’t know you were calling here today. Was it to seeme?”
“No. Your aunt invited me to visit with her. I had no intention of disturbing you, as I’m sure you must be verybusy.”
“Not right now. There’s always a lot to do in running an estate of this size, but I’m having a quiet moment rightnow.”
Susan didn’t know how to respond. Did he want something from her? Then she realized she needed to establish an important fact, even though she had no idea how he’d takeit.
“John, during the course of the afternoon with your aunt, I had the occasion to meet your sweet daughter,Elizabeth.”
John didn’t respond immediately. “Did you?” he saidcoolly.
Susan could tell this displeased him, but she also knew that if she and Aunt Clarissa were to put forward their proposal to him, she would need to be strong, resolute, and clear in her ownthinking.
“You must be very proud of her. She’s verybeautiful.”
Again, John hesitated but said finally. “She takes after hermother.”
That gave Susan an insight into John’s feelings. If Elizabeth resembled his lost wife, then it made it clearer why he was pushing heraside.
“She must have been a very beautifulwoman.”
“Yes, she was.” John lowered hishead.
It pained Susan to see this man suffering the loss of his wife so deeply—still after all these years. He must have loved her very much. She didn’t want to prolong his pain and thought it best if sheleft.
“Sir, I should go. It was nice seeing you again. Goodafternoon.”
“Must you rush off? I’d like to show yousomething.”
This surprised her. “I’m not in a greathurry.”
“Come.” He took a step backward and invited her into thelibrary.
Susan stepped inside. She had not been in this room before. It was most impressive—with grand views of the park from large windows. It was also filled with rows and rows of book shelves. And over the fireplace was a portrait of awoman.
Susan was drawn to it and studied her beautifulface.
“That is my wife,” John said in a tone ofreverence.
Susan noticed he said “is” my wife, not “was” my wife. It was clear he had not yet let hergo.
“Stunning. Absolutely stunning. Was she a localwoman?”
“No. And strangely enough it was a marriage arranged by my family. She was the daughter of the Earl of Pembrook. I resisted such a marriage, but in the end, I didn’t regretit.”
Looking over at the Duke, Susan could see the adoration in his eyes. And it made her feel even sadder that it was so difficult for him to come to terms with her death. She turned away from the portrait and examined thelibrary.
“What a lovely room. Haverford House is really a lovely place to live. And I so much admire the beautiful park. It must give you a great deal ofpleasure.”
This seemed to distract the Duke from his wife for themoment.
