Although Susan’s thoughts were with Simon and John, she felt it might be a good idea to go visit her parents while John was in London. There would be nothing more the two of them could do on the school planning until he returned, and there was nothing Susan or Clarissa could do to help John or Simon from Haverford.

“Can I go with you?” Elizabeth asked after Susan told her she was leaving.

Susan had never considered that but thought it might be a good idea. It was time for Elizabeth to begin going out in the world. She needed to widen her horizons and discover what lay outside of Haverford Estate.

“Let me speak to Aunt Clarissa about that. And if she agrees, then I agree.”

Elizabeth clapped. “Yes. Yes. I want to go. And will we see Miss Katherine as well?”

“I expect so. She lives nearby.”

After it was decided she could go, it was impossible to get Elizabeth to attend to her studies. All she could concentrate on was the adventure. Finally, Susan gave up and suggested they go for a walk by the lake.

It was a blustery early November day. Newly fallen leaves were scudding along the path and, even though it was cloudy, the sun would break through occasionally and send beams of light to enliven the landscape.

They came to the edge of the lake and started walking around the perimeter. The margin of the lake was frozen but there was still open water in the middle where a spring fed the lake.

“Can I learn to swim?” Elizabeth asked.

“Of course, you can. But it would be a bit chilly at the moment.”

“I know that. I’m not silly.”

“Next summer. Maybe you could have lessons with Sara and Patrick. Would you like that?”

“Oh yes.”

Sara skipped on ahead and picked up a stick to poke at the ice. Susan caught up with her and they continued walking. A breeze was picking up and it was starting to get colder. Susan suggested they head back to the warm fire in the school room.

Elizabeth looked up at Susan and took her hand. “Did you know my mommy?” she asked.

Susan looked down at her.

“No. I never met her.”

“I think about what she must have been like.”

“You should talk to Aunt Clarissa about that. She knew her very well.”

“You know; I miss her even though I never knew her. Is that strange?”

“Not at all.”

“I think about you as my mommy sometimes.”

“Yes, dear. I know you do. And you know I love you. But your mommy should have a very special place in your heart just for her.”

“Cook said we’d have scones for tea today. Isn’t that nice?” And Elizabeth skipped on ahead.

* * *

Susan arranged for the carriage to take her and Elizabeth to her home and return to pick them up in three days. That seemed to be quite enough time to visit with her family and to have a good gossip with Katherine.

Susan had sent a note ahead announcing her visit, and she was surprised to find not only her mother and father but also her sister and brother’s families waiting for her as well.

“O-o-o, isn’t she adorable!” Mamma gushed, when she beheld Elizabeth, squeezing her little head between her hands and giving her face numerous kisses until Elizabeth wiggled free.

“Daughter, how be it wid ya?” Papa asked.

“Fine, Papa. And it’s so good to see all of you,” she said in greeting to her family.

First, all the news had to be shared. Louisa was expecting her first child and Jacob and his wife were expecting their second. Mamma presented Susan with a crocheted bed jacket she’d made. And Papa emptied his pipe, refilled it, and lit it up again. It was good to be home.

Louisa found a moment to take Susan aside from all the activity and asked, “I’ve heard some rumors about you and Katherine’s brother. Are they true?” she asked with a big grin.

“Depends on what you heard. Daniel and I have been seeing each other. And there is a mutual interest, but nothing is concluded.”

“Why not?” Louisa pushed.

“I don’t want to rush things. I’m very committed to being with Elizabeth for several years at least, and Daniel is constantly at sea. It’s difficult to see how things can develop much beyond us being friends at this stage.”

“Oh, Susan, but he’s so-o-o handsome and manly.”

“That’s true. But it doesn’t count for much when he’s never around.”

“Oh, but a beautiful sea captain…”

“Louisa, you have a fine husband. Now let go of your little fantasy.”

Louisa laughed. “I know.”

“And speaking of which, where is your husband? I want to find out what’s going on at my old school.”

“He’s talking to Papa.”

“I’ll let him be for now then. But I’ll corner him later,” Susan said.

Mamma clapped her hands and announced, “Lunch is ready. Everybody come and enjoy.

The rowdy group was soon surrounding the kitchen table where the food was laid out buffet style.

It didn’t take long after lunch for parlor games to start up. And both her mother and father looked very happy with the house filled with all the noise and laughter. However, Susan could see that Elizabeth was fading fast. Not only had she been subjected to a lot of new stimuli, but it was nearing her nap time as well, so Susan gathered her up into her arms, and took her upstairs to her old room and lay her down on her bed. But Elizabeth was already asleep before Susan could take her shoes off and pull the comforter up over her.

And to be honest, Susan was a bit exhausted as well. She lay down on the bed next to Elizabeth to close her eyes for just a moment before she went back downstairs. But she drifted off to sleep and didn’t awaken until Louisa shook her and whispered, “Here you are. We wondered what happened to you. Come back down, people are starting to leave and want to say good-bye.”

“Oh, my…” Susan said as she sat on the edge of the bed and shook off her sleepiness. “I’ll be right down. I just need to check on Elizabeth first.”

Louisa left and Susan, seeing that Elizabeth was still asleep, gave her a kiss on the cheek and went down to say good-bye.

* * *

Elizabeth slept that night in Susan’s bed and in the morning they awoke to a bright sunny day. The air was crisp and there was not a cloud in the sky. Susan decided she and Elizabeth would walk over to visit Katherine. Susan had dropped her a note from Haverford, saying they would be visiting, but had not mentioned bringing Elizabeth.

“Darling Susan,” Katherine greeted with open arms, after answering the front door. She looked down and saw Elizabeth. “And who do we have here? Miss Elizabeth, do you remember me?” Katherine asked as she knelt down to the girl’s height.

“You played with me at home. I remember. I’m not a dummy, you know.”

Katherine laughed. “You certainly are not.” Katherine stood up. “Come in, come in. O-o-o, there’s a chilly breeze,” she said as she rubbed her arms to warm them up.

Katherine led the way down the hall to the sitting room. “Tea?”

“That sounds lovely,” Susan said. “Would you like some?” she asked Elizabeth who nodded eagerly.

They followed Katherine into the kitchen.

“Any wedding news?” Susan asked.

“I have my dress,” Katherine said, with a twinkle in her eye. “You must see it.”

“Oh, yes.” Susan had been dying to ask the question but had waited as long as she could. “And have you heard from Daniel?” she asked shyly, not wanting to sound too eager.

“We have not. But he’s only been gone a couple of months. We usually don’t expect to hear from him that soon.”

“I see,” Susan said, disappointed.

Katherine cast her a glance. “You’re not used to it yet—the long waiting. But you will in time. I’m sorry. I know it’s difficult,” she said, sympathetically. Then she turned to Elizabeth who was looking bored and asked, “Do you like books with drawings?”

“Oh, yes.”

“We have one I think you’ll like. It’s got all the animals of India. Would you like to see it?”

“Yes, please,” Elizabeth beamed.

Katherine took her to the sitting room, got down the book from the bookshelf, and gave it to her. When she came back to the kitchen, she asked Susan, “How are you holding up over there in the big house?”

“It’s lovely. Aunt Clarissa is wonderful, and I adore teaching Elizabeth. But it gets a bit lonely sometimes. I don’t go out shopping like I used to, and I miss all my children from my old school, but the Duke and I are preparing for his new school and I am so looking forward to getting started with that.”

Katherine laughed. “And the guests from hell, did they finally leave?”

Susan laughed. “They did.” Then she told Katherine about the voracious Miss Fitz and how she tried to wrangle an invitation from the Duke to come back for a visit—alone.

“What a schemer. And is he interested in her? She certainly put everything up front with him—didn’t she?

“I have no idea. He was always very polite. But I couldn’t tell if he was interested or not.” Susan hesitated, but finally said, “But there’s something else...”

“Yes?” Katherine asked with peeked interest.

“It’s about Simon.”

“Simon? I thought he was out of your life for good.”

“It seems not. He’s very ill and John has gone to London to help him.”

“Oh, Susan… Do you know what the illness is? Have you heard anything from London?”

“It’s too recent. John only left the other day. Aunt Clarissa and I have heard nothing further. At least, as of the time of my coming home.”

“Do you think the illness is serious?”

Susan shook her head. “We just don’t know.”

“I thought John didn’t know where Simon was.”

“He didn’t. But, of course, Simon knew where John was when he needed him.”

“How do you feel, about all of this? Does it bring up concerns for you?”

“Of course, I’m concerned for Simon’s health, but not about seeing him. I already did that on my trip to London. After the initial shock of seeing him again, I realized I’d completely erased any romantic attachment to him from my life.”

“But it must be worrying for the Duke.”

Susan nodded. “Yes, I know it pained him that they were not in touch.”

“Well, tea’s up,” Katherine announced, as she carried the tray to the sitting room.

Elizabeth was seated on the sofa, book in her lap, her small legs dangling over the edge.

“I like the tigers. Do they eat people?” she asked.

“Probably. But not too often,” Katherine said with a twinkle in her eye.

Elizabeth looked up at her, somewhat surprised. “You’re joking with me, aren’t you?”

“Just a little bit. How do you like your tea, sweetie?” she asked.

“Cream and honey please?”

“Honey? Hmm? I’ll need to check.”

“Sugar’s fine,” Elizabeth said, stopping her. “Miss Susan always tells me to be polite and not cause an inconvenience.”

“What a big word. You are learning fast.”

“She’s very bright,” Susan spoke up. “I have to keep expanding the lesson plan because she learns so fast. She’s already writing out her letters and soon she’ll begin to master cursive.”

“Want to see the dress?” Katherine asked after they’d drunk the first cup of tea.

“Oh, yes. Are you going to model it for us?”

“If you like. But is it bad luck?” she asked, as she stood.

“Not unless the groom sees it, I believe.”

“I’ll be right back.”

“Miss Susan, why is it bad luck for the groom to see a wedding dress?” Elizabeth asked.

Susan thought about that. “I have no idea. But you’ll find there are many things in life that are considered to be self-evident truths that have no basis in fact at all.”

Katherine returned shortly in her dress. It had a foundation of layered silk with gold trim.

“Oh, Katherine, it’s lovely. Did you make that?”

She laughed. “Oh, no. I couldn’t do anything as intricate as this. It’s far outside my abilities.”

“I like it too,” Elizabeth said. “It makes you look like an angel.”

Katherine smiled. “Now what could be better than that?”

* * *

John sat with Simon for two days, ministering to him constantly, except for brief naps. Doctor Bartholomew came once a day to evaluate Simon’s progress and let more blood.

On the second day, the doctor said, “I don’t know, Your Grace… Unless the fever breaks soon, I don’t think your brother will be able to survive. The stress on his system is becoming critical.”

“Is there anything more that you or I could do?” John asked.

The doctor shook his head. “It’s in the hands of the Lord. Pray if that helps you. Watch him. Continue with your ministrations. That’s all that can be done for now. And by all means, let me know if his fever breaks.”

“I will. Thank you, Doctor.”

As John continued to sit with Simon, he had a lot of time to think about their relationship. It had pained him so greatly when Simon had stolen from him and headed off before the wedding. It hurt him, but he knew it had also hurt Susan.

Sweet Susan. He realized how dependent he was becoming on her stable influence. He admired how good she was for Elizabeth. How supportive she was of his various projects. And how unassuming, but calming she was on him.

And it had pained him when he had heard from Susan that she had seen Simon in London but that he’d not let Susan know where he lived or how he could be contacted. It was clear he wanted nothing further to do with the family.

John got up to take the towel from Simon’s brow and soak it in fresh water, but as he picked up the towel, Simon opened his eyes and looked around.

“Simon, how are you feeling? It’s been days.”

Simon took a deep breath. “Have I been asleep?”

“Unconscious. You have scarlet fever.” John reached over and put his hand on Simon’s forehead. He was hugely relieved. It seemed the fever had broken. “Oh, Simon, you seem better. What do you need? What can I get you?”

“Water. I need water. I’m so thirsty.”

“Of course.” John dashed to the dresser where there was a pitcher of water, poured a glass and took it to Simon. “There you go, little brother. Drink up.”

Simon took the glass and gulped it down as fast as he could. “More please.”

John poured another glass.

“I must fetch the doctor. He wanted to know when the fever broke.”

“Don’t be gone long. Please.”

When John returned with the doctor, Simon has scooted into a sitting position, and the color was returning to his face.

“Well, well, look who’s sitting. Here, let me take a look at you.” The Doctor examined Simon. “Better. Better. Much better. I think the worst has passed. But you’re going to need some significant time to recuperate, young man.”

“I’ll take care of that,” John said, almost giddy with relief, and said to Simon, “I’m going to take you home.”