Bentley looked at John. “Old man, I believe you have a thing forher.”
John looked over—a little shaken. “Not at all. Why would you saythat?”
“I’ve seen you staring at her. Quite a looker, I do agree, but are you sure? The nanny? Isn’t that a terriblecliché?”
“It’s your imagination, I quite assureyou.”
“Bentley, you’re a pompous bore. I think she’s very charming,” Sir Andrewsaid.
“What would you know?” Bentley barked. “She’s hardly your type, wouldn’t yousay?”
“Still. She was very kind to me and took a keen interest in mypoetry.”
“Rubbish. All of it’s justrubbish.”
“I’ll not have quarreling. Please let’s just shoot or go back,” Johndemanded.
“How many more do we need for supper?” Bentleyasked.
“Two more pheasants or a dozen morequail.”
“Then let’sshoot.”
* * *
Elizabeth seemedto be coming down with a cold, so Susan put her to bed early and decided to stay and read to her instead of going down to dinner. She sent John word Elizabeth was ill and not to come to the school room as he’d planned, and she knew he wouldunderstand.
Before going down to dinner, Clarissa stopped by Elizabeth’sroom.
“Are you off to dinner?” Susanasked.
“I am.” She smiled. “Lucky you for being able to staybehind.”
Susan sat back in her chair and asked, “How can these people be John’s friends? They are so verydifferent.”
“Only one was an early friend. But even friends change and John is no longer in touch with his university crowd. And since he became Duke his whole focus has been on Haverford. And, of course, Annabel’s death was a terrible blow and there is no doubt that changed himsignificantly.”
“I can’t imagine losing someone like that. It must have been a terribletrial.”
“Such grief! Of course, I lost my husband too, but we’d been married a long time and his passing was slow. I became used to the inevitability by the end. But when one dies so young and unexpectedly—it can be trulydevastating.”
“But you had no children to share thatwith.”
“No, I didn’t. But John has been very dear to me—almost like a child. I care for him so much. And, of course, there’s the dearElizabeth.”
“Has he ever said if he would consider marrying again?” Susanasked.
Clarissa thought about that. “I can’t remember him ever saying. But he is still so young, with his whole life before him. I would certainly urge it if he ever consulted me on thematter.”
“Miss Fitzwilliam seems to have her eyes on him,” Susan said softly. She looked up to Clarissa. “Has he said anything to you abouther?”
Clarissa shook her head. “Not a thing. But I can’t imagine he would be attracted to her. True, she is quite beautiful, but in a rather obvious and not very subtleway.”
“I’ve seen him smile at her quiteoften.”
“Smiling is not necessarily desiring,” Clarissaadded.
Susan nodded. “Ah, well. It’s none of mybusiness.”
