“Thank you. And I hope I live up to your expectations with the school aswell.”
“I’m sure youwill.”
John smiled and looked into her eyes and lingered until she needed to turnaway.
“I’ll see you at supper,” she said before turning back to check onElizabeth.
“Untilthen.”
Then John left. Susan made sure Elizabeth was sound asleep before going to her own room. As she entered, she was pleased to find a letter from Daniel on her desk. She went to the window seat and snuggled in and opened theletter.
My Dearest Susan,
What a delight it was to see you on my brief shore leave. But alas, it is time for me to leave again. I know you have responsibilities with your charge, but I had hoped I might see you again before I left. But it was not to beso.
Those rascal American cousins of ours are acting up again and there is talk of a new war. However, my next assignment appears to be a routine voyage to Jamaica. There are pirates operating in the region again, so we are to go hunt us a few. Am hoping for a jolly chase and a successful and quick sailhome.
I had time to find a little token of my affection for you. Something other than a ribbon from my hat. And I have left it with Katherine. Know it expresses my sincerest love foryou.
I so long to see you again and I pray you wish me a fair wind both going and cominghome.
All my deepestaffection,
Daniel
P.S. Katherine asks me to tell you she wishes to come visit you soon and will send you a note when she can propose sometimes.
Inside the letterwas a dried autumn leaf she remembered him picking up during their walk by theriver.
Susan sat in the window seat contemplating the letter while gazing outside at the fading afternoon light. She folded the letter and put it back in theenvelope.
It was nearing suppertime and she needed to check in on Elizabeth and see if she was stirring yet. She must be hungry by now after her vigorous playtime thisafternoon.
As Susan left her room, she saw Clarissa walking down thehallway.
“Is it suppertime already?” Susanasked.
“Nearly. But I’m just headed to the laundry to check on today’s washing. I need to keep on top of those maids, you know. And how was yourouting?”
Susan told Clarissa about Elizabeth’s new friends and how suitable the house was for the school. She also said that John seemed reluctant to allow Elizabeth to play with the villagechildren.
“What do you think about that?” Susanasked.
“It seems like an excellent idea to me, but I’m not His Grace. He’s in a different positon than we are, and he has standards to uphold.” Clarissa leaned in and whispered. “It’s bred into them, you know. A little bit of snobbery is in theblood.”
Susan laughed. “But I think he wants to changethat.”
“Don’t push it. Drop subtle hints, but let him think it’s his idea. Understand what Imean?”
Susannodded.
“Then I shall see you at supper, my dear.” And Clarissa movedon.
Susan went to Elizabeth’s room to check on her. The girl was already up and sitting at her table practicing the letters Susan was starting to teachher.
“I’m having a hard time with my b’s. They look just like the h’s,” Elizabethsaid.
“That’s fine. It just takes practice. Are you hungry? Are you ready for yoursupper?”
“In just a minute. I want to practice the m’s and n’sfirst.”
As Susan waited, she stared out the window. However, something was nagging at her. But she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She had been happy to get Daniel’s letter, but she couldn’t get John out of her mind. There was something about him that had struck her in the carriage ride home. It was the slope of his neck as he was turned looking out the window, and the way the light played on it. It profoundly moved her and she didn’t know why. She felt ridiculous, but she couldn’t shake the image from her mind or the way that it made her feel. She had to laugh. She was, truly, becomingsilly.
