Aunt Clarissa was seated by a large window overlooking the park at the back of the estate. There were two comfortable chairs and a small table, obviously in use often for tea.
“Come, my dear, sit with me. My arthritis prevents me from rising to greet you.”
Susan went over and took both of Aunt’s offered hands and then sat down opposite.
“Did you have a pleasant drive over? I assume you didn’t walk.”
“Autumn is coming on and the air was fresh and the declining light gave everything a rich, warm glow.”
“I must convince John to take me for a drive at the height of the leaves changing.”
“Was your trip to Bath as restorative as you’d hoped?” Susan asked.
Aunt slightly waggled her head. “My dear, at my age, almost any treatment is temporary. But I did enjoy being away. My husband and I loved to travel, and I miss that. So, yes, it was nice to be away from home, if only for a few days.”
Mary brought in the tea tray and set in on the table.
“Thank you, Mary,” Aunt said. “I’ll pour.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
“Milk and sugar?”
“Yes, please,” Susan responded.
After serving the tea Aunt Clarissa sat back in her chair and regarded Susan.
“I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your attention to me at your sister’s wedding when I was feeling poorly.”
“That was entirely my pleasure, I assure you. Anyone would have done the same.”
“No. I felt a genuine caring that went beyond just the physical attention you gave me.”
“Thank you for noticing.”
“And that is why I’ve asked you to come and see me. I want to share something with you that I would not ordinarily discuss with a stranger. However, you were almost family, with your engagement to Simon, and after seeing your gentle care with me, I should like to elicit your help.”
“Oh? I would be honored if it is within my power to assist you.”
“It would not be for me particularly, but more for John and his daughter, Elizabeth.”
This surprised Susan. What could she possibly have in mind?
“Please explain.”
“It’s not generally known by those in the county, but John’s wife, Annabel, died giving birth to Elizabeth. It totally devastated John and, despite his claims, he has never completely recovered from his loss.”
“I didn’t know.”
Aunt nodded. “Most folks don’t.”
“And how could I possibly help?”
“I’m sad to say that as a result of Annabel’s death, John has nearly abandoned any care for Elizabeth. He ignores her, feeling that Elizabeth was responsible for her mother’s death. That is complete nonsense, of course, but he totally ignores the facts and feels that the child somehow betrayed him.”
“That’s truly tragic. The child’s not responsible.”
“I, the doctor, and even his closest friends have all tried to dissuade him from his erroneous thinking, but he persists.”
“Then how could I possibly persuade him?” Susan asked.
“I’m not thinking that you could. What I need from you is to care for Elizabeth.”
Susan was startled. “What? I don’t understand.”
“At my advanced age, I just don’t have the stamina to attend to the child as she needs. I cannot give her the love, attention, and personal care she requires.”
“Then what you are looking for is a nanny, no? Or a governess?”
“I think she needs one person who is both. And it seems to me you are the perfect person to help her.”
“But, Mrs. Darlington, I have a job. I teach school, and I love it very much. Teaching is my passion. I’ve never considered working with only one child. I don’t believe I’m qualified for that.”
“Oh, but I believe you would be. Would you like to meet Elizabeth?”
Susan was certainly conflicted. She had never thought for one moment to take another job. But she was also taken with the young child’s story.
“Yes, I’d like that. And how old is she now?”
“She’s five.”
“Where is she?”
“In the nursery. We have a maid who stays with her most of the time. She needs expert care, but Charlotte does a fairly good job looking after her. But the child needs more attention and she needs to start being educated.”
“Then let’s go take a look.”
Aunt stood and led the way down the hallway to a room at the far end.
“Does His Grace know you’re speaking to me about your plan?”
Aunt shot her a quick glance. “No. He doesn’t. And if he did, I’m sure he would disapprove. But… something needs to be done for the child’s sake. If you were to agree to take this challenge on then I would need to convince him.” She paused for a moment. “And another reason I’m approaching you is that I know he admires and respects you greatly. He was most impressed at how boldly and courageously you handled being abandoned by Simon—a most shameful occurrence.”
They paused outside the nursery door. “I must tell you, Elizabeth doesn’t speak very much, and she’s exceedingly shy with strangers, so don’t expect her to respond to you very much.”
“I understand. I have to deal with shy new students all the time.”
“I’m glad you understand. Let’s go in, shall we?”
Aunt opened the door. The nursery was bright, with sunlight streaming in the window. Charlotte, the attendant, was seated in a chair by the window, knitting. Elizabeth was seated near her on the floor drawing with a pencil in a copy book. She looked up when they entered the room. Seeing Susan, the child gasped and crawled to hide behind Charlotte’s chair.
“Hello, Elizabeth. Won’t you come out to say hello to our guest, Miss Susan?” Aunt asked.
The child peeked from behind the chair but retreated back again after she took a good look at Susan.
“Elizabeth, Miss Susan teaches school and would love to meet you. Won’t you please come out?”
But the child would not respond. Charlotte got up and looked as though she wanted to drag Elizabeth out from behind the chair.
“No, please, leave her be. I don’t want to force her to see me. There are better ways to coax her out.”
Charlotte stopped and sat back down.
“You see the situation,” Aunt said.
“I do. And what an adorable child. It pains me to see her so withdrawn. She should be inquisitive and lively and explore everything at that age.”
“Now you see my concern.”
Susan was thoughtful. “I do.”
“And will you help her?”
Susan was certainly torn. She was immediately taken with the little girl with dark hair, big brown eyes, and a wistful expression. How could she not but be taken with her? But still… she was in no position to consider such an offer and did not answer Aunt.
Aunt Clarissa took Susan by the arm and led her out of the nursery. They walked back in silence to Aunt’s room.
“Would you like another cup of tea? The pot’s still hot.”
“Yes, please.”
Aunt poured a fresh cup for both of them. Then they sat back in their chairs, each lost in their own thoughts.
“What do you think of her?” Aunt finally asked.
Susan waggled her head. “Beautiful child. Hurt child. But I don’t think I’m the one to help her.”
Aunt bit her lip. “I know that’s not true. You’re the perfect person. What would it take to convince you?”
Susan shook her head.
“But I couldn’t teach at the school and come here as well to teach Elizabeth part time.”
“That’s not what I’m asking for. I want you to work full time, as a live-in nanny, governess. This is a position like no other. It requires your special skills and personality.”
“But what about my other kids—my students? I feel a responsibility to them as well.”
“What if I offered you double the salary you are getting paid at the school?”
Susan started. She was astonished at the idea. It would take her years to work up to such a salary where she was now. And even though her family did well, they were not in a position to offer much of a dowry to a prospective suitor. This would allow her to greatly augment what was offered now. She immediately thought of how that might affect her relationship with Daniel.
“I don’t know…”
“And what if I also offered you the opportunity to pursue your passion for education by organizing a school on the estate for all the children of the workers? Would that interest you?”
That took Susan’s breath away. The opportunity to start her own school—design her own curriculum—motivate and mold any number of young minds. It was astounding.
“I’ll need to think about it. I’d want to speak to my family. And I’m not sure I’d want to live here.”
“You would need to. Elizabeth needs to feel your constant presence.”
“And you’d need to speak to the Duke about this? This is not something you can approve by yourself, is it?”
“No. That’s correct. But, if you’ll seriously consider this, I’ll take this proposal to him this very evening.”
Susan stood and looked out the window at the lovely view of Haverford Park. Stretching out behind the house was a large expanse of open, rolling lawn with a fountain shooting skyward in the middle of a formal pond. Woods bordered either side of the lawn, and at the far end was a classically inspired pavilion at the tip of a rise. There were also paved, intersecting walkways that Susan believed would entice her to take leisurely walks.
Susan took a deep breath and tried to settle in with all this proposed opportunity and possible change. She turned back to Aunt.
“Yes. I will consider this. That sweet child has touched my heart and I understand and share your concern for her. But how do you honestly believe the Duke with react to this proposal? It seems uncertain, doesn’t it?”
Aunt Clarissa considered the question.
“I have to admit, it does. And in thinking about it, I believe it might be better for us to approach him together. If he knew you were sincerely interested, he might be more inclined to accept the proposal. And it would also help if you were to prepare a presentation for him about your ideas for the estate school. Let him see the value of what you have to offer and he might just accept it.”
“Then I’d have to agree to do this before you spoke to him?
“Yes. But you wouldn’t need to make any changes in your situation until he agreed.”
Susan came back to her chair and sat. “How much time do I have to consider this?”
“As long as you need. But obviously, the sooner you make a decision the sooner we can get started on both the school and your care for Elizabeth. It seems to me, she is in desperate need of the attention you could give her.”
“Yes, I understand.” Susan clasped her hands in her lap. “And how likely is it the Duke will agree to this, do you think?”
“I believe the idea of the school will greatly appeal to him. He’s talked about this idea for several years now. He cares a great deal about his workers, and one of their great concerns has always been securing a good education for their children, as they’re so isolated on the estate with no easy access to the local schools. However, John’s pain goes so very deep at the loss of his wife that he’s created a blind spot when it comes to his daughter. I don’t know how or when that pain can be healed, but his daughter must not be the price of that pain.”
Susan was greatly affected by Aunt’s words and she rose from her chair and went over and kneeled down beside Aunt, and took her hands in hers.
“Aunt Clarissa, how caring you are. I’m not insensitive to your concerns and Elizabeth’s plight. I promise to give your proposal my deepest and most sincere consideration. But I’ll need to fully think this and share the proposal with my parents and a few trusted friends. I hope you don’t mind me doing that?”
Aunt smiled and shook Susan’s hands. “Not at all, my dear. But keep it as confidential as possible, please.”
Susan leaned in and gave Aunt Clarissa a hug.
“I promise to have a decision for you as soon as I can.”
“Thank you.”
Chapter 8
“Miss Susan, is that you?”
Susan was startled by the voice calling to her as she was leaving Haverford House—she was so deeply in thought about Aunt Clarissa’s proposal. She swirled around to see John at the library door.
“Oh, John…”
“I’m sorry if I surprised you,” he said, stepping forward to greet her. “I didn’t know you were calling here today. Was it to see me?”
“No. Your aunt invited me to visit with her. I had no intention of disturbing you, as I’m sure you must be very busy.”
“Not right now. There’s always a lot to do in running an estate of this size, but I’m having a quiet moment right now.”
Susan didn’t know how to respond. Did he want something from her? Then she realized she needed to establish an important fact, even though she had no idea how he’d take it.
“John, during the course of the afternoon with your aunt, I had the occasion to meet your sweet daughter, Elizabeth.”
John didn’t respond immediately. “Did you?” he said coolly.
Susan could tell this displeased him, but she also knew that if she and Aunt Clarissa were to put forward their proposal to him, she would need to be strong, resolute, and clear in her own thinking.
“You must be very proud of her. She’s very beautiful.”
Again, John hesitated but said finally. “She takes after her mother.”
That gave Susan an insight into John’s feelings. If Elizabeth resembled his lost wife, then it made it clearer why he was pushing her aside.
“She must have been a very beautiful woman.”
“Yes, she was.” John lowered his head.
It pained Susan to see this man suffering the loss of his wife so deeply—still after all these years. He must have loved her very much. She didn’t want to prolong his pain and thought it best if she left.
“Sir, I should go. It was nice seeing you again. Good afternoon.”
“Must you rush off? I’d like to show you something.”
This surprised her. “I’m not in a great hurry.”
“Come.” He took a step backward and invited her into the library.
Susan stepped inside. She had not been in this room before. It was most impressive—with grand views of the park from large windows. It was also filled with rows and rows of book shelves. And over the fireplace was a portrait of a woman.
Susan was drawn to it and studied her beautiful face.
“That is my wife,” John said in a tone of reverence.
Susan noticed he said “is” my wife, not “was” my wife. It was clear he had not yet let her go.
“Stunning. Absolutely stunning. Was she a local woman?”
“No. And strangely enough it was a marriage arranged by my family. She was the daughter of the Earl of Pembrook. I resisted such a marriage, but in the end, I didn’t regret it.”
Looking over at the Duke, Susan could see the adoration in his eyes. And it made her feel even sadder that it was so difficult for him to come to terms with her death. She turned away from the portrait and examined the library.
“What a lovely room. Haverford House is really a lovely place to live. And I so much admire the beautiful park. It must give you a great deal of pleasure.”
This seemed to distract the Duke from his wife for the moment.
“It was my great grandfather who built the house and my grandfather who designed and constructed the park. I’m proud of both.”
Susan felt it was time to leave.
“Sir, I must get home. Now that my sister is no longer living at home it’s just my mother and me who keep the household running, and I’ll need to assist her i
n preparing supper for this evening.”
“Then I shan’t keep you. Good day, Miss Susan.”
* * *
It was the first day at the beginning of the school year. Susan had a class of girls in the morning and a class of boys in the afternoon. Each class consisted of children of all ages. It was not that easy designing a curriculum to serve the range of ages, without shortchanging one age group or another. Susan had struggled with this fact her entire teaching career, and she had ideas about how to solve this problem, but the school officials were deaf to her suggestions and didn’t allow her to make any changes to the established ways of teaching.
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