Page 105 of The Governess Who Stole My Heart

“Very good, YourGrace.”

* * *

It was wellafter breakfast and he estimated that Susan and Elizabeth would be in the school room. Should he also invite Aunt Clarissa to attend with them he wondered? He decided against it. Seeing Miss Susan, his one-time fiancé, and the niece he’d never met, seemed quite enough stimulation for oneday.

John went to the schoolroom and went inside, standing at the door as Elizabeth was looking at a book and picking out words at the moment. He didn’t want to disturbher.

However, Susan looked up andsmiled.

“Your Grace, welcome. Have you come to see ourlesson?”

“Not explicitly. It seems Simon has awakened and is both hungry and asking for me. A very good sign after his horriblefever.”

“Oh, that is goodnews.”

John stepped further into theroom.

“And, as he has never met his niece, I was thinking that you and Elizabeth might accompany me to see him. Do you think she might want to dothat?”

“Now?”

“If youlike.”

Susan seemed to hesitate. Perhaps she was concerned for herself about seeing Simon again after their poor meeting in London, Johncontemplated.

Susan turned to Elizabeth. “Honey, would you like to go and meet your Uncle Simonnow?”

“Is hebetter?”

“Yes, sweetheart, he is,” Johnanswered.

“I’d like that. Shall I take him a book to read?” Elizabethasked.

“Perhaps later. He’s still recovering and sleeping a lot. I think we might suggest that to him in a few days,” Susansaid.

“Yes. I’d like to meet him,” she said, standing down from herchair.

“Then let’s go.” John offered his hand to Elizabeth and they headed out the door, followed bySusan.