Page 108 of The Governess Who Stole My Heart

“About seveno’clock.”

Simon laughed. “Oh, Miss Susan, you greatly overestimate my abilities to be up and ready at such an hour. These days I don’t even awake until afternine.”

Susan laughed. “How very thoughtless of me. Then an afternoon walk perhaps? —while Elizabeth is taking hernap.”

“That sounds a great deal morepractical.”

“Then tomorrow afternoon I shall come and find you—weather permitting, ofcourse.”

“I look forward to it,” Simon saidsmiling.

* * *

Susan foundSimon sitting by the fire in the smaller sittingroom.

“Here you are. I went to yourrooms.”

“No. I’m trying to live a more normal life now. I seem to get by most of the day with only a brief nap beforesupper.”

“Then shall wewalk?”

Simon stood. Susan saw that he had regained much of his strength and vigor. His color had greatly improved and he no longer hesitated when hewalked.

“It’s quite chilly out, even though the sun isbright.”

“I’m prepared,” he said, wrapping a large wool scarf around hisneck.

They left the house and started on the path around the lake. There was a moderately biting breeze and Susan needed to pull up her coatcollar.

“Are you cold?” Simon asked as he took herarm.

“Just a little, but I’ll befine.”

“Thank you for asking me to walk with you. It means a lot to me that you even speak to me after the terrible way I treated you on our weddingday.”

“You might have at least written me a noteexplaining.”

Simon lowered his head. “I was out of my mind. I was angry, confused, and terribly resentful of John. I didn’t understand that he had planned to grant me a living. I stole from him, bolted, and behaved unforgivably to you. And there is noexcuse.”

“It hurt medeeply.”

“Of course, it did. And I can only beg your forgiveness.” Susan nodded but did not openly forgive him. “I understand you cannot forgive me now, but I will do everything in my power to win your trustagain.”

They walked back to the house mostly in silence. Susan was still struggling with some deep anger that she thought she’d released. But it appeared to have only beenrepressed.

Before going inside, Simon turned to Susan and, taking hold of her arm, asked, “Do you think you can forgive me oneday?”

“I thought I had, Simon. But seeing you, and being close to you again, has brought up feelings of anger I thought were long gone. It seems it is I who must also ask forgiveness ofyou.”

Simon hung his head. “Then, I believe, we both have work todo.”

* * *

John foundSimon in his room, gazing out of the windows, seemingly lost inthought.

“Brother, might I have a word with you?” Johnasked.

Simon turned to him. “Yes, ofcourse.”