Clarissa studied Susan, and then said, “It couldbe.”
Susan looked up a little startled. “What do you mean bythat?”
“Only that you care for Elizabeth, and you are now an integral part of his family’s life. Anything that affects him is going to necessarily affect you aswell.”
“Are you going to read to me some more?” Elizabeth asked. “Youstopped.”
Susan looked at Elizabeth. “I did, didn’t I? How rude I am. But your dear Aunt and I needed to chat for amoment.”
“I should be going down. It’s the farewell dinner and I’ll beexpected.”
“I know you’re going to miss me,” Susanteased.
“You have no idea. The last thing I need is to see Miss Fitz pawing at poor John. And Mr. Comerford and his mousy wife trumpeting their shabbycredentials.”
Susan laughed. “Be brave, dearClarissa.”
* * *
The next morningthe servants were gathered in front of the house to accept the guest’s gratuities as they were leaving. The carriage was pulled up and the footmen were loading theluggage.
Miss Fitz had held back as the others were leaving and pulled John aside. Susan was just coming from the kitchen with Elizabeth’s breakfast tray since she was still displaying cold symptoms. She couldn’t help herself and, seeing the two of them together, she stopped and stepped back into the shadows. However, she could still overhear theconversation.
“My dearest John, thank you for such a lovely visit. I can’t tell you how much it has meant for me to get to knowyou.”
“It was all my pleasure,” Johnsaid.
“Your lovely home… the absolutely fascinating history of your family. It has taken me into another world. And I should so love to return very soon so that I might take up your instruction onceagain.”
“You wish to return?” Johnasked.
Fitz smiled sweetly, “Don’t you wish me to? This visit has been so rushed. I thought it might be nice if we had more time to get to know one another without all the distractions. We could spend more time… alone…together.”
Sir Andrew called loudly from outside, “Fitz, are you coming or not? It would be nice to get home beforeChristmas.”
“I’ll be there. Hold your horses,” she shouted back. Then she turned, once again, to John, and looked up at him with pleading eyes and placed both of her hands on his arms. “I was planning a country visit in a week or two, perhaps I might stop by and sayhello.”
“Very well,” John said, taking her by the arm and leading her to the door andoutside.
Susan, who’d practically been holding her breath, scurried up the stairs to take Elizabeth herbreakfast.
* * *
Elizabeth’s illnesswas short lived, and Susan arranged for a covered carriage to take the two of them to the village to seek out the Franklintwins.
The day of their outing, Elizabeth was so excited she hardly touched her breakfast, and Susan needed to insist she finish it before they couldleave.
“Might I go with you?” Clarissa asked, appearing in the breakfast room, already dressed for anouting.
“Of course. What interests you about our little jaunt?” Susanasked.
“Oh, I just need to get out. I spend far too much timeinside.”
“You’re always welcome to come walking with me in the mornings,” Susansaid.
“Yes, but my knees wouldn’t welcome that,” she saidlaughing.
“Do you know why we’re going to thevillage?”
