Page 28 of The Governess Who Stole My Heart

Chapter 6

John lookedup as Susan and Jessica approached theirtable.

“Miss Susan?” He exclaimed, a fleeting range of emotions flashing across hisface.

“Your Grace… John. What a surprise to see you inBath.”

“And I could say the same,” he saidstanding.

Susan made all theintroductions.

“Come, sit with us,” Johnsaid.

“Yes, please do,” Aunt Clarissaadded.

They sat at the table and a waiter came over. “May I get you anything?” heasked.

John turned to the ladies. “Tea? Sherry?Champagne?

Jessica turned her chair so that she could be seen sitting with a Duke by the circling crowd on the floor. “I think a sherry soundslovely.”

“Miss Susan?” the Dukeasked.

“Tea for me, if youplease.”

“Thank you,” John said and the waiterleft.

“What brings you to Bath,” Susanasked.

“After the incident at your sister’s wedding, Aunt Clarissa did not recover as quickly as we would have liked, so I suggested we come for the healingwaters.”

“Most sensible.” Susan turned to Aunt. “And are theyhelping?”

“I believe they are, although I think a change of scenery is helping as much as thewaters.”

“And you, Miss Susan, are you skipping school?” he asked smilingslightly.

“Not yet. We don’t start up for several weeksyet.”

Susan studied John. She was puzzled, remembering his abrupt departure from the wedding dance. He seemed to give no indication that he was still angry, but he still looked a little troubled. However, he gave no indication of what it had been to so anger him that he had to leave thewedding.

Jessica spoke up. “If the two of you are free this evening, I would like to invite you to dinner at my apartment. We have the most amazing cook and I promise it will be atreat.”

John turned to his aunt. “How do you feel aboutthat?”

“Only if it’s an early evening. I can’t be out late like I usedto.”

“Dinner at six and you shall be home by eight if that suits you,” Jessicasaid.

Auntnodded.

“Then six o’clock it shallbe.”

Susan remained mostly silent while Jessica and Aunt Clarissa carried on a conversation about the restaurants in Bath. Susan caught John glancing over at her on several different occasions. And when he noticed her catching his glance, he quickly lookedaway.

Jessica and Susan drank their tea and sherry and chatted for a short while longer and then excusedthemselves.

As they were heading for the exit, Jessica said. “What a handsome man. Much more interesting than the shallow lads traipsing around in circles in thisroom.”