Chapter 17
They wentto Elizabeth’s room where Charlotte was sitting with her until Susan came to take Elizabeth to theclassroom.
“Good morning, my precious,” Susan said, greeting the girl. She then turned to Katherine. “And this is my very best friend in the whole world,Katherine.”
“Good morning, cutie,” Katherinesaid.
Elizabeth looked a little crestfallen, but Susan leaned in and blew noisy, wet kisses on Elizabeth’s neck. “Best friend, after you, ofcourse.”
That made Elizabeth giggle and squirm, as she was ticklish from thekisses.
“Let’s go, pumpkin. Time for class.” Susan took her hand and they left her room and headed toward the classroom.
“You don’t need to stay with me the entire morning. Feel free to go for a walk or wander the house and see the wonderful art. Or take a nap—whatever you like,” Susan said toKatherine.
“I don’t want to go walking without you, but I might go explore thehouse.”
“Good. And here weare.”
They went into the school room and Katherine settled in to watch as Susan both played and taught Elizabeth at the sametime.
After an hour Katherine excused herself. “What time do you break forlunch?”
“One.”
“I’ll be back before then,” she said andleft.
Katherine was not back by one o’clock, so Susan took Elizabeth to the breakfast room where she usually had her meals and then went looking forKatherine.
As she was passing through the entryway she saw John chatting with Katherine at the librarydoor.
“Not out sheering?” Susan asked as sheapproached.
“All morning and I’m afraid I smell like a sheepfold. But since I have guests I wanted to be back for lunch. Now I need to cleanup.”
“I assume Miss Katherine has introducedherself.”
“Yes, we’ve been chatting. It’s a pleasure to meet your friend. But how are you? I understand you were not well last evening. We missed you at dinner. All my guests were all so looking forward to meetingyou.”
“Oh, Your Grace, I’m ashamed to say I told a little white lie. I was not really ill. I feigned illness to avoid coming todinner.”
“Whatever for?” Johnasked.
“I’m not sure it’s appropriate for me to be with your guests attable.”
“What? Oh, Miss Susan, that’s not so.” He leaned in and whispered. “In fact, you’re far superior in manners and intellect to almost any ofthem.”
“Oh, sir…” Susan saidshyly.
“What’s keeping you, John?” a voice rangout.
Miss Fitzwilliam appeared at the library door behind John. She came over and put her arm throughJohn’s.
“Just having a conversation with Miss Wilton. I’ll be right back,” he said turning to her. “Have you twomet?”
“We have,” Fitz said,icily.
“Miss Fitzwilliam visited the school room yesterday afternoon,” Susan said non-committedly.
