Page 50 of The Burning Passion of a Fiery Lady
David shrugged. “I had not given it much thought. I had never left Shrewsbury in my life and had not much reason to do so.” He paused. “If Mr Stone had not stopped by that day, I am quite convinced I would have spent the rest of my life there.”
Susannah took a sip of her wine. “But Mr Stone managed to convince you that there was something more?”
He nodded. “He did. He said that he was looking for an apprentice and needed someone sharp as a tack, and not scared to travel because he wasn’t going to be staying in the area.” He paused. “Someone who knew horses, and who he could trust. By the time the farrier returned, I had already packed my knapsack and was heading off with him. He was that convincing that it would be a grand adventure.”
Susannah smiled. She could almost picture it in her mind. She could see Jasper talking earnestly to the young man, gaining his trust, weaving stories of how good life would be on the road, just the two of them.
“He has a way about him,” continued David, smiling broadly. “He can convince the birds to come down from the trees if he has a mind to.” He hesitated. “But for most of the time I have been with him, he has been sad. I have sensed it, although he does not talk much about why he decided to leave his home and take jobs at places all over the county and beyond.”
Susannah took another sip of her wine, feeling suddenly pensive. She knew why Jasper had been sad. He had told her about how he had been jilted the night before his wedding day. About how his fiancée had taken off with another man, leaving him heartbroken and betrayed.
But she had sensed his pain, long before he had told her. She had just known, instinctively, that he had suffered, and that somehow they shared that bond of pain. That he would understand what she had gone through and wouldn’t judge her for it, in a way that people who had never experienced heartache were oblivious to.
“But he has changed since we have come to The Willows,” continued David, thoughtfully. “There is a light in his eyes that I have never seen before. A spring in his step, that just wasn’t there before.” He gazed at Susannah. “I can only imagine why he has been so transformed.”
Susannah blushed, not knowing what to say. She knew that David, along with Amy, was very well aware of what was happening between them. They had tried to hide it, but she knew that even a blind man must be aware of the connection between them. The spark between them was so bright it probably could be seen from the sky.
But it wasn’t something that she could talk about freely … not yet, anyway. It was different when she was alone with Amy – she had confided in her housekeeper for a long time now. In company, though, she was still the respectable and grieving Widow Drake, even if shehadburnt all her widow’s weeds spectacularly.
“Perhaps he is enjoying the challenge at The Willows,” she replied, staring down at the table.
Amy coughed delicately. “Yes, I am sure that is it!”
David turned to her. “I have spoken too much about myself. Perhaps you would share some of your own background, Mrs Lambert … I mean, Amy.”
Susannah watched Amy blush. Her housekeeper didn’t like talking about herself; she was a very private person. Even though she had been confiding in her friend for months, since Gilbert’s death, she still didn’t know much about Amy. The housekeeper was a very good listener, and gave wonderful advice, but was rather tight-lipped about her own affairs.
“There is not much to tell,” said Amy slowly. “I was born in a village, not far from The Willows. My family works a farm in the district.” She hesitated. “I worked on it, alongside my parents and brother, for most of my life … but my mother always wanted something better for me. She sought positions in the grand homes of the district. I worked my way up, from scullery maid to the position I hold now.”
David smiled. “I could see straight away what a determined person you are. And what a hard worker.”
“Yes, well.” Amy looked embarrassed. “Hard work never hurt anybody, in my opinion!” She gazed at Susannah. “But my position at The Willows has been a dream come true for me. The last place that I worked, before I came here, was for a family who hardly even glanced at me. My mistress here has always treated me with such great respect. I am truly blessed.”
Susannah’s eyes filled with tears. “It is I who is blessed to have you in my life, my dear friend. I simply do not know how I would have survived the last few months without you.”
There was a tense silence for a moment. Susannah picked up her glass of wine, taking a deep sip. The conversation had veered into intimate territory, but she had no desire to talk about her past or what she had endured. That was not what this dinner was about, after all. It was about fresh beginnings.
She frowned, glancing at the door. Jasper was late. She had already almost finished her first glass of wine, and there was still no sign of him.
“I think you are both fortunate,” said David. “Mrs Drake, you are a rare mistress, even I can see that. There are not many ladies who would host such a dinner for their staff, nor many who would even talk to them in such a friendly way. The fact that we are even sitting here with you, sharing your good wine, is amazing.”
Susannah laughed softly. “Perhaps you are right, David. My own parents would be horrified to see me so intimate with my servants. At my childhood home, I was never encouraged to talk in a friendly manner with any of them.” She paused. “But I believe that people are just people, and I judge on character, not social standing. Besides, it has been a lonely life for me here …”
“Too lonely,” said Amy, frowning slightly. “You have borne the brunt of it all, my dear! But it is all about to change, in the best possible way. I know it.”
Everyone had finished their wine. The door opened. Susannah turned around eagerly, her heart beating fast, her smile wide. It must be Jasper, at long last.
Her smile faded, though, as Kathy, one of the maids, walked in, curtseying quickly.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” she said. “But Cook wants to know if you would like to start the first course. She says it is already plated and growing cold.”
Susannah bit her lip. How could they start without Jasper?
She turned to David. “Have you seen Mr Stone? Do you have any idea why he is late?”
David shook his head slowly. “He was in his room for most of the afternoon, sleeping. I did drop in to show him what I was wearing, but that was over an hour ago, now …”
Susannah sighed. “Could I ask you a favour?”
