Page 25 of The Governess Who Stole My Heart

Sally continued, “This is Mr. Simon Chamberlain and his guest, Miss Leticia Cresswell of Bristol. And this is Miss Susan Wilton and Mrs. JessicaBradley.”

Neither Simon nor Susan said a word, but just stared at eachother.

Finally, Simon said, “Yes, we have metpreviously.”

Susan’s head was swimming. She could barely catch her breath. She saw Jessica blanch, as she figured out that this wastheSimon who had jiltedSusan.

Susan gathered her wits and nodded. “Mr. Chamberlain, Miss Cresswell. Is it not a marvelousplay?”

Simon scowled and seemed to be nervous. “Indeed, Miss Wilton, mostengaging.”

Jessica reached over and took Susan by the arm. She leaned in and whispered, “Do you want toleave?”

Susan turned and looked at her. “I think not. It would be most amusing to see what happens in the second act, don’t youthink?”

Jessica smiled. “Why Susan Wilton, what a quick study you are. Soon all of London shall be at yourfeet.”

But despite her bravado, inside Susan was still in turmoil. She had no idea what she should say to Simon—if anything. Then she got the nerve to look at him again. She could see that he was similarly affected, but besides registering shock, he also looked ashamed. He looked like a little boy who’d eaten too many greenapples.

Bunny spoke up, “Miss Susan, did you know that Mr. Chamberlain here is also from Kent? Is that how you know eachother?”

“Yes, it is. Although our paths diverged some time ago,” Susanreplied.

Susan suddenly felt the need to speak with Simon and she turned tohim.

“Mr. Chamberlain, might we step aside for a moment? I should like to have a fewwords.”

“If you like,” hesaid.

Bunny then asked, “Miss Cresswell, might I fetch you a glass ofrefreshment?”

“That would be lovely,” sheanswered.

Susan and Simon walkedaside.

“So you did go to London,” Susan started by saying. “How are you keeping yourself these days? You certainly must have run through the money you stole from your brother by now,no?”

“I am in business with a fewchaps.”

“What kind of business?” she askedforcefully.

“Import-export.”

“That sounds suspiciously vague. Have you ever repaid your brother for what you stole fromhim?”

Simon shook his head but could not look at her and, while he was nervous, he did not look too deeplytroubled.

“I only took what was rightfully mine. Our father didn’t leave me a penny when he died. And John refused to share any of his inheritance with me. I had nochoice.”

“But you didn’t understand that upon our marriage he was to bestow a living uponyou?”

Simon looked dumbfounded. “He was? No that can’t be. He never said a word to me about that. And when I begged him for help herefused.”

“He told me he wanted it to be a surprise,” Susan said. “He confided that to me the day of our wedding when you ranaway.”

“Oh, Susan, what a fool I’ve been.” Simon ran his hand through his blond curls, and Susan realized once again what a handsome man he was—though he looked decidedly more haggard than when she’d seen him the lasttime.

“And I know I owe you an apology, and I don’t know where tobegin.”