Page 75 of The Governess Who Stole My Heart

“I’m afraid not, Miss Fitz. We in the country are more prone to quiet evenings of reading, conversation, and then early tobed.”

“Early to bed sounds nice,” she said, letting the implication linger in theair.

John couldn’t help but notice what a handsome woman she was. That reminded him of the fair Miss Susan. But she had her Captain, as he had learned recently, and was unavailable. And that led him to think about how difficult it was to meet fine women, stuck out here on his vast estate far from the social whirl ofLondon.

John turned to address the group. “You must excuse me. I must do a bit of work before play. Standish will show you to your rooms and we shall meet up again at teatime. Please enjoy yourselves and I shall see you all later.” Then he turned andleft.

* * *

It was mid-afternoon,just before Elizabeth’s nap when the schoolroom door opened and an unknown man and womanappeared.

“Hello,” the woman said leaning into the room. “Maywe?”

Susan had no idea who she was but guessed she was one of John’sguests.

“Please do. We are doingsums.”

“I am Miss Fitzwilliam and this is Sir Andrew,” she said as she ushered herself into the room, followed byAndrew.

Elizabeth was not quite sure about this and she withdrew into herself and turned away. Susan, of course, saw that and she placed her hand on Elizabeth’sback.

“Oh look,” Fitz exclaimed as she rushed over to the window overlooking the park. “They have a lake. We must take a paddle, what do you say?” she addressedAndrew.

He went over, totally disregarding Susan and Elizabeth and gazed out thewindow.

“My dear, you have the most arcane notions. Why ever would I want to paddle? I’m no longer six-years-old.”

“It would be fun. We are in the country. We should do country type things, don’t youthink?”

“Excuse me,” Susan said. “I’m giving a lesson right now. If you’d like to sit and observe, that would befine.”

Fitz turned and looked at Susan and Elizabeth like they were an exhibit in a zoo. “What are youteaching?”

“Sums. It’s almost nap time, and we need to finish up,” Susan saidfirmly.

Fitz turned to Andrew. “Nap time, good heavens. Nanny is going to scold us and not give us our hot milk and biscuits if we are not good littlegirls.”

“Speak for yourself,” Andrew squeaked as he flipped his hand at Fitz’sshoulder.

“I think we’d better go,” she said in a mock whisper. “I can see the help isuppity.”

Susan was shocked at their rudeness as they flounced out of theroom.

She turned to Elizabeth who was now crying. She would need to have a word with John about his guests and theirmanners.

* * *

Susan was so relievedto await Katherine’s arrival the next morning. Even though she had been expected to attend dinner the evening before with the guests, Susan excused herself. She was still burning with anger at that Fitzwilliam woman and Sir Andrew. She knew she could not be polite and told Clarissa she was not feeling well and asked to be excused. Susan had thought it best not to give Clarissa an accurate account of her encounter with John’s guests. As she reminded herself, she was, after all… just thehelp.

Susan had her coat wrapped tightly around her as she waited outside Haverford House, and was overjoyed when she finally spotted Katherine riding up the driveway in hertrap.

Susan had alerted a groom to take the horse and trap when Katherine arrived and he stoodby.

“Oh, Susan, it’s so good to see you again,” Katherine said as she jumped down and went over to give Susan ahug.

“You look marvelous,” Susan said. “Have you lost someweight?”

“I’m trying to. I tried on Grand mamma’s wedding gown and if I want to wear it Imustdosomething.”