Chapter 11
This was an entirely new development,John realized. Miss Wilton was to care for his daughter and was due to move in this very afternoon. He paced the library. For far too long he had pushed his daughter aside, anguished by the memory of his wife’s untimely death at giving birth to this child. Now he was being faced to acknowledge this child, and he was being asked by his aunt to actively participate in herupbringing.
Yes, he knew he must open his heart to his daughter, but he was still too anguished to reach out to her just yet. He would need more time. But at least he recognized what he must do. But he still had to find the way to getthere.
He heard a horse and vehicle driving up to the front of the house. He looked out the window and saw a wagon with Susan and, who he assumed was, her father getting down. Standish had just come out of the house with two footmen for theluggage.
John left the library and wentoutside.
“Welcome, Miss Wilton,” he nodded toward the older man, “Sir.”
“Thank you,” Susan said. “Your Grace, you remember my father, SquireWilton?”
“Ofcourse.”
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Your Grace,” Papa said, as he moved a bag to the back of wagon within reach for one of the footmen totake.
John turned to the butler and said, “Standish, make sure Miss Wilton is comfortablysettled.”
“Of course,” heanswered.
John turned back to Susan and her father. “Would you like to come inside for a glass of sherry?” Johnasked.
“Wouldn’t say no to a glass of hospitality,” Papa said,smiling.
John ushered them into the Library where he poured three glasses ofsherry.
“Squire and how is your lovely wife?” John asked, being the perfecthost.
“Most gracious of you to ask. A few creaks in the old joints, but fair tomiddlin’otherwise.”
Susan stood by and let John and her father talk about sheep and weather. Then her father asked out of nowhere, “Sir if you don’t mind my asking, have ye heard from your brother, or naught, since he ran off on our Susan’s weddingday?”
John was taken aback. He’d not given too much thought to Simon lately with all of his debttroubles.
John answered, “I’m sure Miss Susan must have told you of her encounter with him in London, but as for myself, I have not heard from him and, unfortunately, I have no way of reaching him. He has cut himself off completely from thefamily.”
“Aye, most sorry to hear of that, Your Grace,” Papa said as he offered his glass for arefill.
John topped up Papa’s glass and then turned to Susan. “Miss Susan, please take the time to familiarize yourself with Haverford House, and feel free to walk anywhere on the estate. There are some very fine walks and paths for exploration if you are soinclined.”
“I should like that very much,” she answered. “And if you don’t mind me asking, can you clarify for me what exactly my status will be as tutor and governess? Shall I dine and socialize with the staff, or am I to share the table with you and Aunt Clarissa? I have no preference either way, but I would like to know what is expected ofme.”
John had not given that any previous thought. On the one hand, she was the ex-fiancé of his brother, and as such should be considered as part of the family. But, on the other hand, shewasa member of the staff and in some households would not be allowed to socialize with thefamily.
John answered, “In this large, and relatively empty house, it would be a great pleasure to have your company as part of the family. And, as you’ll be intimate with my daughter, it would be good for me to hear first-hand of her progress from the person most in theknow.”
“Then if that’s what you wish, that’s what I shall do,” Susan said with a slightnod.
John hesitated but felt he needed to say, “But Miss Susan, now that you’re an employee at Haverford House, I think it best, for all concerned if you called me, Your Grace, in the future. I’m sure you can see the need for greater formality under thecircumstances.”
Susan looked a little surprised but nodded gain. “Of course, Your Grace, I totallyunderstand.”
Susan turned toward the window and looked out towards the fields beyond. Was she feeling slighted? John didn’t know, but he did feel his request wasnecessary.
At the same time, a cloud moved from the face of the sun and a beam of light shown upon her hair and face. He was suddenly stricken by her beauty. Not that he’d not noticed it before, but it was only now that he saw how delicate her features were, how lovely her hair, and how noble her reserved bearing. It made him feel at peace for a short moment. It caught him by surprise, but pleasantlyso.
Susan turned to her father. “Papa, I think it’s time for me to settle into my new quarters. Would you like to see where I’ll bestaying?”
