Page 16 of The Governess Who Stole My Heart

She looked over at him with a great deal of affection and said, “And you shall have it, Roger. I was just trying to get my no-good brother and my reluctant girlfriend to get out there aswell.”

“Come, brother, join us,” Roger said toDaniel.

Daniel looked over at Susan and she nodded. “Very well,” shesaid.

They stood, and the two couples headed for the dancefloor.

But all through the dance, even though she was now more settled, Susan couldn’t get John’s reaction to her question out of her mind—not to mention her inner turmoil at his touch. She’d never felt that way at any other man’s touch—ever. Especially not Sir Jasper’s. And, as she thought about it, not evenSimon’s.

“Are you happy for your sister’s marriage?” Daniel asked as theydanced.

Susan was taken from her brief reverie. “Very much so. Robert’s a good friend and colleague of mine from where I teach. He’ll make her a very good husband. And I know she’ll make him a very goodwife.”

Daniel seemed to hesitate, but went ahead and asked, “And I seem to remember, that not long after I left for the Navy, Katherine wrote that you were to be married, isn’t thatso?”

“Indeed.” Susan smiled faintly. “But, alas it was not tobe.”

Daniel waited for a further explanation, but it was not forthcoming. “Do you care to share thecircumstances?”

Susan had long ago come to peace with the situation and was no longer shy about talking about thefiasco.

“My fiancé was Simon Chamberlain, the Duke’s brother. And—being the scoundrel that he was—absconded with goods and money from the Duke and disappeared on our weddingday.”

“You seem to take thatwell.”

“Oh, Daniel, how can one not laugh at the absurdity of thesituation?”

“So you’re unattached? You aren’t being courted byothers?”

“I recently escaped from a most boring suitor—who shall remain nameless. And at present, I’m enjoying myspinsterhood.”

“I see.” Daniel seemed to go into his own thoughts just before the danceended.

As they were leaving the dance floor, Katherine came over and pulled Daniel aside and spoke tohim.

He then came over to Susan. “My parents are jealous of the attention I’m giving you, and insisting that with my brief time home I spend more time with them. Will you forgiveme?”

“Of course. Most understandable. And I should be spending more time with the new bride, groom, and my family aswell.”

Daniel followed Katherine to where her family was gathered. She knew she needed to be with her family, but she took a moment to assess the past few moments. She was still shaken by the Duke’s abrupt departure, but she was also resonating with the fact that Daniel appeared to be interested in her. She had had no time to consider this new development and she realized his attentions pleased her. Daniel was most charming, quite handsome, and the brother of a close friend. But to be quite honest, hewasa sailor—bound to be gone for many months or even years at a time. What sort of husband could he be under thosecircumstances?

Susan saw her mother waving for her to come over to the bride and groom’s table, and she went to join herfamily.

Her mother reached out her hand to Susan. “Come, sit with us. You’ve been too long away fromus.”

Susan sat between her mother and Louisa. Susan leaned in and bumped her shoulder against hersister.

“How’re you holding up?” sheasked.

Louisa turned to her. “Oh, I’m exhausted, but whatfun.”

“Yes, Mrs.Tunbull.”

Louisa looked startled. “Oh my, I am, am I not? I only just realized when you saidthat.”

“You’ll get used to it. Is there anything you need from me right now?” Susanasked.

“Oh, no. I’m in my husband’s care from here on out. You’ve done your duty well. Thank you, dearsister.”