“Perhaps tomorrow morning you could acquaint me with my duties and Elizabeth’s schedule. I don’t want to disrupt her routine too much at first. Later, if there are changes to be made I can incorporate them little by little. It’s very difficult for a child to absorb too much change too fast.”
Aunt put her hand on Susan’s arm. “I completely trust your skills and instinct. And if you ever need my assistance with anything please come to me.”
They arrived at Elizabeth’s door and went inside. The child looked up, and seeing Susan, rushed over to her and threw her arms around Susan’s legs.
“You’re back,” she exclaimed.
“Just like I said I would. Are you happy to see me?” Susan asked as she kneeled down and took Elizabeth by the shoulders. “Now then, it’s going to be your dinner time very soon, and then bath and bed. Does that sound about right?”
“Yes, Miss Wilton,” Elizabeth said.
“Oh, please call me Miss Susan. I’d prefer that.”
“But Aunt Clarissa said I must call you Miss Wilton.”
Susan looked up at Aunt to see how firm she was on that. Aunt nodded that it was fine.
“Miss Susan will be just fine, Elizabeth. Now, why don’t you show me what you were playing with?”
* * *
Susan was settling in very well at Haverford. She loved her quarters and was establishing a fine relationship with Elizabeth who was already opening up more and more under Susan’s supervision.
Susan was an early riser and she began taking walks in the mornings before breakfast. She started by exploring the paths and trails closest to the house but was soon venturing farther afield, finding little used paths and quiet glades in the surrounding woods. It delighted her no end and now that autumn was more fully advanced, she delighted in tramping through the fields and forest admiring the autumn colors and falling leaves.
One early October morning, soon after the first frost, Susan was traveling back toward the house when she was surprised to see John up ahead with his two dogs. He was stopped just off the path where the dogs appeared to have discovered something. Susan came to where he was standing, but he had not caught sight of her yet.
“Your Grace, out early?”
John turned to her. “Oh, Miss Susan, I didn’t see you. Are you enjoying a stroll?”
“I am.” She pointed to the dogs. “What did they find?”
“I have no idea. They’ve caught some sort of scent, but there appears to be nothing there.”
“Our dogs would often roll in a pile of leaves for no apparent reason. We never understood that either.”
The dogs began to rub their necks and heads in one spot.
“There… they’ve caught a scent and are trying to cover themselves in it.”
“Why would they do that?”
“They probably want to track it and it helps them do that. But not today.” He slapped his hand on his leg. “Come. Let’s go. Come on,” he shouted and the dogs came over.
They started walking back toward the house. Susan looked over at the Duke, and he turned and caught her staring at him.
“How are things with Elizabeth? Is she responding to your instruction?” he asked.
“My, what a bright child. I’m so happy to report she’s doing very well. You must stop by some morning and see how much she’s opened up and learned already. She’s quite taken with learning her letters and I expect she’ll be able to start basic writing very soon.”
“Splendid. I’ll try and come by sometime.”
They walked on in silence. Susan could feel the warmth emanating from his body. She was surprised that it made her feel so comfortable and safe. She was tempted to put her arm through his, but it was totally inappropriate and she refrained.
As they approached the house the Duke turned to her.
“Miss Susan, I often find it pleasant to walk in the mornings as you seem to do. Perhaps we could walk together. Just let me know at dinner when you’ll be walking and we can arrange to meet the next morning. If that pleases you, of course.”
“That would be most agreeable, Your Grace.”
He paused for a moment then said, “You only need call me Your Grace in front of others. When we are alone, you may still call me John.”
* * *
John was visiting the cottages in the small village where his workers lived. He was looking for his chief shepherd, Robert Arnold.
John rode up to the cottage and dismounted. Robert came to the door before he knocked.
“Sir, out for a ride?” Robert asked.
“Came to see you. I know it’s your day off, but I need a word.”
“Come in, Misses will make a cup of tea.”
“Not necessary. And do you think we could take a walk?”
“Certainly. One moment for me coat and I’ll be right with’e.”
John stood in the street and looked at the children playing games. It reminded him of his promise for the school. Now he was more determined than ever to save Hollyoak.
Robert came outside, wrapping a scarf around his neck and putting on his cap. He was a worn looking man in his fifties.
“Ready, sir,” he said.
“Come, walk with me to the pens,” John said.
They walked to the end of the village where the sheep were kept when they weren’t grazing. They went inside the first building and leaned against the railing of the first sheepfold.
“Robert, you know how I’ve kept promising to set up a school for the children.”
“Aye, sir. But it’s been a promise a long time a-coming.”
“I know, Robert. I’m truly sorry, and that’s why I wanted to talk to you today.”
John looked into the pen and studied the sheep. “Here’s my problem. When we had that outbreak of blackleg a few years back I needed to take out a loan with my father-in-law. Now the note is due and I can’t pay it.”
John turned to Robert. “I’m telling you this in the strictest of confidences, you understand.”
Robert nodded. “It’s close with me, sir. Nary a word shall I say—not even to the Misses.
“I used Hollyoak as collateral for the loan, and if I can’t pay up I’ll lose the house and you all will lose the school.”
“Then what’s to be done, sir?”
“So my question for you, Robert, is—when is the earliest we can sheer and get the maximum at market for the wool?
Robert scratched the side of his bristly face. “I reckon it’d be at least mid-October. Before that, it’ll all be scratch and worth naught.”
John grimaced. That’s what I was afraid of. I’ve got to pay the loan by the end of October. And you’re certain we couldn’t start sheering now?”
“But it’s not just about sheering. You’ve got to bundle and transport the wool ta market. Then there’s the auction and how long is it before you usually get paid after that?” Robert asked.
John nodded. “A good two weeks later, if we’re lucky.”
“Aye. My point exactly.”
John just looked at the sheep and nodded. He turned and clapped Robert on the shoulder. “Keep up the good work, my man. I’ll just have to find another way, I guess.”
He turned to go.
“Good luck with ye, Your Grace. You’re a clever man. You’ll find your way.”
As John walked back through the village to his horse, he looked at the simple cottages. What kind of lives did these people live he wondered? Growing up in wealth and privilege he had given little thought to the day to day lives of his workers until they pleaded with him for a school. Now, whenever he came through the village he became increasingly aware of the plight of his workers. The cottages were shabby and drear and the children playing in the street were poorly dressed and certainly in need of an education.
It made him more determined than ever to find a solution to his problem, and it opened the door for thought about other aspects of his worker’s lives.
He mounted his horse and rode out of the village. But he
couldn’t face going home. Instead, he directed his horse toward the open fields where he could let his horse loose and ride the rolling hills at full speed. He needed to feel the exertion of the steed under him—the wind blowing through his hair, scouring his face and stinging his eyes. He rode until both he and the horse were exhausted and he stopped at the top of a hill and dismounted. He stood looking back. In the far distance, he could see Haverford House. It looked small and insignificant. That was how he felt. He sat on the grass and let the horse graze as he struggled to understand.
What would his father make of all of this if he were alive? Never in his family’s history was there every any diminishing of Haverford. It had always been a strong bulwark in all of southeast Britain. He should never have built that house for Annabel. But how could he not? She was his life. She was his love. He felt at the time that he should spare nothing to please her. But then came the blackleg and there was nothing to be done but take the loan from his father-in-law.
Of course, in hindsight, everything always looked different. Could he have done other than he did? Would he? And in all honesty, he would not. He had made his best judgement and even though the outcome was not to be desired, he would have done none other than what he did.
Chapter 12
Finally, feeling somewhat rested and a little more at peace, John remounted his horse and started toward home.
He had no solution, but he was not about to give up.
As he neared the stable, he saw Susan outside in the kitchen garden with Elizabeth. She appeared to be showing Elizabeth about gardening, and it gladdened his heart.
After handing his horse to the groom he wandered over to where Susan was kneeling beside Elizabeth in the cucumber section.
“Planning supper?” John asked with a chuckle.
Susan and Elizabeth looked up. Susan was happy to see John, but Elizabeth looked a little uncertain and she shrank back behind Susan.
John knelt down and reached out his hand to his daughter, but she didn’t respond.
Susan turned around and took Elizabeth in her arms and brought her forward to face her father.
“Elizabeth why don’t you show your father what we just found? I think he’d like to see.”
The child leaned down and lifted a leaf and picked up a green caterpillar and held it out to John.
“It’s a squishy bug,” she said proudly displaying her prize.
“Is that my dinner?” he joked.
Elizabeth squealed. “No-o-o. You don’t eat bugs.” She jumped up and down.
“Then it must be your dinner,” he continued.
“No, I don’t eat them either. You’re just being silly.”
“I know. I am silly aren’t I?” John said, standing.
Elizabeth went back to searching for more caterpillars.
“How’s she doing? She certainly seems more outgoing that she was.”
“We’re doing just fine. And I can’t tell you how happy I am to be here with her. It’s been a real joy. But when you have a chance I would love to get together with you so we can discuss your school project. It would help me greatly if I could get some idea about what you want to accomplish with the school, and what the number and age range of the students will be.”
John’s face clouded. “That will have to wait for the time being. I’m still uncertain as to if or when we might be able to plan that.”
“Oh,” Susan said, somewhat surprised.
“I must go. It was lovely to see you both. I guess I’ll be seeing you at supper?”
Susan nodded, and John disappeared into the house.
* * *
When John got back to the library there was a letter waiting for him on his desk. He looked at the return address. It was from Sir Bentley Cavendish—and old university chum. He opened the envelope.
2 October, 1830
My Dear Friend John,
What are you up to, you old scoundrel?
The good wife and I are taking the Dover packet boat to Calais for a week in Paris. And we were thinking to stop by for a few days’ visit on our way home. Would that be agreeable to you, old man? Would love to catch up and drink a toast or two to old times.
“Oh, and we’ll be accompanied by my wife’s brother, Sir Andrew Cull and his (ah hum) companion, Miss Fiona Fitzwilliam (but everyone calls her Fitz).
We should be your way about mid-October. Do let us know if that is not convenient.
We’ll bring a couple cases of champers from gay old Paree. Let’s make a grand old time of it shall we?
Ever your devoted friend,
Bentley Cavendish
John put down the letter and scowled. How awkward, he thought. Couldn’t be worst timing. He would be right in the midst of sheering and marketing the wool. And he might also be in the process of losing Hollyoak.
But Bentley was an old friend whom he’d not seen in a long time. And, with all his troubles, it might be nice to have a diverting break and enjoy himself a little. However, he knew nothing about Sir Andrew Cull and his companion. But if they were Bentley’s traveling companions they must be all right, as he didn’t think Bentley would have invited them to travel to Paris with them if they weren’t.
John stood from his desk and went to the library window that overlooked the kitchen garden where Susan was still instructing Elizabeth. He couldn’t help but study her. What a fine woman she was he thought. The more he observed her, the more he began to appreciate her many fine qualities. She was gracious, intelligent, and certainly caring, as evidenced by the wonderful changes he was seeing in his daughter.
He was reminded of Susan and his Aunt’s suggestions that he take a more active role in his daughter’s upbringing. And that set him thinking… if he were to spend more time with Elizabeth he would also be spending more time with Miss Susan. And how could that be bad?
* * *
When Susan took a break while Elizabeth was having her lunch, she went to her suite to pick up a book. As she entered she was surprised to find a letter on her desk. It must have come by post when she was out in the garden.
She opened it. It was from Katherine and was short and sweet. It simply asked Susan to come to their house for a visit as soon as urgently possible.
Urgently, Susan contemplated. What could that mean? It slightly worried her, as she was afraid that Katherine might have become ill.
She went directly to Aunt Clarissa’s room and knocked.
“Yes?”
Susan went inside, still holding the letter.
“Aunt Clarissa, I’ve had a note from a dear friend who requests my urgent attendance.”
“Oh, my. Is there a problem?” Aunt asked.
“I have no idea. The note is vague, but I know my friend, Katherine would not summon me like this unless it was urgent.”
“Then you must go see her this very afternoon.”
“Would that be all right? Could you or Charlotte care for Elizabeth in my absence?”
“Of course, my dear. And you will need transportation. Just tell groom I approve your use of the trap for the afternoon and he will prepare it for you.”
“Oh, thank you, dear Aunt Clarissa.”
Susan took a quick bite of lunch in the kitchen and then availed herself of the trap and headed for Ash. When she arrived at the cobbler’s shop she knocked at the family’s door and anxiously waited for someone to answer. When the door finally opened Susan was shocked. There stood Daniel, smiling like a clown.
“Daniel, what are you doing here? I thought you were to be gone for many months yet.”
“What? No hello, dear Daniel? No, how glad I am to see you? Just a gruff what are you doing here?”
Susan laughed. “Yes, I’m sorry. It just took me so much by surprise. Katherine made no mention in her note that you were back. And I was worried she might be ill.”
“I asked her not to tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Daniel was still dressed in his uniform. He looked wonderful and her heart
filled with joy in seeing him.
“Come in, then. No point in standing in the doorway.”
She followed him down the hall and to the sitting room, where Katherine and their mother were also seated.
Katherine stood up and went over to give Susan a hug.
“You rascal, surprising me like this,” Susan said, pinching Katherine’s cheek.
Diaries of a Heartbroken Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Collection Page 12
