Page 114 of The Governess Who Stole My Heart

Just then Simon came into the drawingroom.

“Hello, I don’t believe I know you,” Simon said, going over to Fitz to introduce himself. “I’m John’s brotherSimon.”

Fitz looked up slowly and a large grin crossed her face. “Miss Fiona Fitzwilliam, but all my friends call me Fitz.” She held up her glass to Simon. “Would you be a darling, and pour me anotherglass?”

* * *

Dinner was somewhat strained—withJohn barely tolerating Fitz, and Fitz barely tolerating Susan. That left Fitz and Simon to carry the brunt of theconversation.

“Do you ride?” Fitz asked, twirling one of her curls with afinger.

“I do. But I’ve not gone riding not since myillness.”

“Then you and I must get back in the saddle. Isn’t that what they say after one has suffered a misfortune? I should love to see the estate by horse. Perhaps you might show me. If you are up to it thatis.”

Susan was amused by Fitz’s obvious flirting. John must have said something to Fitz as she was now turning her attentions fully onSimon.

Simon replied, “I think it’s time to give it a try. I feel much better and my strength is graduallyreturning.”

“Excellent. Tomorrow then? Shall we say teno’clock?”

Simon gave a quick glance at Susan. “I’ll have to see how I feel in the morning. If I have a bad night, I might not beavailable.”

Fitz pouted. “Then we need to get you off to bed early so you can have a good night’srest.”

John turned to Susan and whispered, “I’m sorry you must endure Miss Fitz’s embarrassingflirting.”

“John, think nothing of it. I feel sorry for her actually. It can’t be easy being a single woman with little money, no family, and tenuousprospects.”

John nodded. “Yes, some compassion is called for… unless you’re the target of herintentions.”

They bothlaughed.

Susan became serious. “John, I’ve not had the opportunity previously, but when Elizabeth and I were last in the village there was some heated discussion amongst the village women about conditions in thevillage.”

“Oh?”

“They said they’d alerted you to their concerns before, but nothing was ever done. Is thattrue?”

John looked sheepish. “Yes, I’m afraid it’s true. But I was burdened by the repayment of the loan to my father-in-law at the time and I had no way to address theirconcerns.”

“I see. It’s just if we are promising them a school, it also raises their expectations for otherimprovements.”

“I understand. We can discuss this later. Dinner may not be the best place for this discussion,” he said, with just a touch ofirritation.

“Of course,” Susansaid.

When the dinner was finished, John stood and announced. “Coffee will be served in the drawing room. But you must excuse me, I have an early morning and I still have my correspondence to addendto.”

“And I must excuse myself, as well,” Susan said without giving anexplanation.

Fitz turned to Simon and took his arm, “Then that leaves just the two of us. Shall we have a jolly eveningtogether?”

Simon gave Susan a pleading look, but he was quickly whisked away byFitz.