‘Quite.’
‘What did you do?’
‘I was angry, upset, furious with myself for being taken in by him, as you can probably imagine.’
‘Easily.’
‘I returned home and had a footman deliver Antonia’s purse back to her.’
‘Was she a-party to her brother’s plans for you?’
‘I’m not sure.’ Louise canted her head as she considered the question, staring at the rippling surface of the lake, probably without seeing it. ‘But she is very fond of her rogue of a brother.’
‘And since you came out together and she was aware of your circumstances, it’s not unreasonable to suppose that she suggested you as a prospective bride.’
‘Yes, but I decided to cut the connection after what I had overheard. I stopped riding and refused to receive either Antonia or Darius when they called at the house. But I didn’t give Darius’s desperation, to say nothing of his cunning, sufficient credit. My aunt received him one day, despite the fact that I had given instructions for him not to be admitted to the house. Aunt Bess thought I was out but I returned home unexpectedly, realised whom she was with and put my newfound eavesdropping skills to renewed use. I heard Darius demanding to know why I had gone cold on him and what my aunt planned to do to rectify that situation.’
Flora covered a gasp with the back of her hand. ‘She had actually colluded with Cleethorp? She would have seen you wed to such a man when she knew what he actually was? Now you have finally shocked me, Louise, but not because of anything you have done.’
‘Yes, my aunt was in league with Darius. There’s no question of it. I have since discovered that he had offered her a substantial sum to encourage the match. A sum, I might add, that he planned to provide her with from my fortune.’ She folded her arms and scowled at the nearest tree. ‘Odious man!’
‘Odious aunt, more to the point.’ Flora shuddered. ‘He would not have made nearly so much progress with you if she had not supported his endeavours. You do not have the experience to recognise a fortune-hunter when you see one. As your guardian, she had a duty to point them out so that you could avoid them.’
‘As you can imagine, I had no idea what to do after that. I could have confronted my aunt, but she would have denied it, or told me I was imagining things. I couldn’t throw her out of the house, my house, because she is named in my father’s will as my legal guardian. Besides, you can be sure that she wouldn’t have gone even if I had confronted her and insisted upon it. She is far too comfortably ensconced and would have expected a handsome pay off before even considering the idea of departing. However, in the light of my discoveries, I have already decided that she won’t get a penny out of me. Not now. I cannot abide the thought of her benefiting from her betrayal of my trust.’
‘No more could I.’
‘I decided I needed to get away and think, but my options were limited, given that I was still in half-mourning. I ought to have come to Grandmamma then, of course, but I wasn’t thinking rationally.’ She gave a wistful sigh. ‘Would that I had been. Another girl whom I came out with had a residence in Highbury, so I went to stay with her for a few days on some pretext. I did not, of course, tell her the truth about Darius. I was too embarrassed. If I had, perhaps things would have turned out differently. Anyway, Belinda’s mama held a small soiree one evening. Good manners dictated that I attend given that I was a guest in the house.’ She ran a hand repeatedly up and down her thigh, disconcerted, her vision blurred by fresh tears. ‘If I had known that Darius was on the guest list, nothing on this earth would have persuaded me to go down.’
‘You were not aware that your friend was acquainted with him?’
‘No, I was not. It seems her papa and Darius were vague acquaintances and Darius, having learned from my aunt where I had gone, wangled an invitation.’ The tears trickled down her cheeks. ‘I did my very best to avoid him, but the party was crowded. He eventually tracked me down to the morning room, where I had hidden myself away, and demanded to know why I was avoiding him. I told him that I had decided against marrying him and didn’t want to see him again.’ She puffed out her chest, highly incensed. ‘He had the temerity to laugh at me. Actually laugh. He didn’t believe me and said he thought my efforts to increase his feelings by keeping him in suspense were charming.’
‘Temerity is not the word I would use for such outrageously arrogant behaviour,’ Flora said hotly. ‘Since entering the countess’s service, I have learned far more expressive terms.’
Both ladies smiled.
‘Oh, you do not know the half of his arrogance yet. He told me I was fortunate to have been noticed by him and should show my gratitude. I’m afraid I lost my temper and told him to save himself for someone who would appreciate him more.’
‘You made it clear you knew there was someone he preferred.’
‘I suppose I did. Either that or I damaged his pride by rejecting him. Either way, I could see at once that I had made a huge error of judgement. He went chalk white, then began trembling with rage. I was frankly terrified and tried to leave the room. But he blocked the door and I couldn’t get past him. He caught hold of my shoulders and pinned me to the wall. I cried out but there was so much noise coming from the party that no one heard me. I tell you true, Flora, the change in him was highly disturbing. He was like a wild animal, raving on about how no one rejected him. I tried to gouge his eyes. I even tried to bring my knee up and crush his…well, you know, but his anger gave him superhuman strength. He knocked me down and I must have lost consciousness. When I regained my wits, he was on top of me. My skirts were up around my waist and…’
‘Oh, my dear, I am so very sorry. What a wicked beast!’
Louise gulped back wretched sobs. Flora cried with her as she held her in her arms, waiting for the worst of the flood to subside.
‘I am so ashamed,’ Louise hiccupped.
Chapter Six
‘You have nothing to be ashamed about,’ Flora insisted. ‘Your aunt, and more particularly Darius Cleethorp are jointly responsible for your difficulties. What a monster Cleethorp must be! I could strangle him myself with my bare hands for what he put you through. And your aunt is no better. In fact, she is worse. She was supposed to protect you from men like him, not encourage them to take such shocking liberties.’
‘It was vile, what little I can recall of the ordeal, which is fortunately not too much.’ Louise looked mortified, ashamed and repulsed. ‘I shall never marry if that is what one has to look forward to night after interminable night, so I suppose he has done me a favour in that regard.’
‘Don’t you dare make excuses for his conduct!’
‘Oh, I am not, believe me. He told me calmly when he had finished that I would have to marry him now because I might be carrying his child. And if I still did not then he would tell everyone how free I had been with my favours. He even had the audacity to remind me that I had a sister’s reputation to consider.’
‘How long ago was this?’ Flora asked briskly.
‘A week.’
‘And when are your courses due?’
‘Another week.’
‘Well then, we shall soon know. Naturally, you will not marry the monster, no matter what scurrilous rumours he spreads abroad. In fact, I very much doubt if he will say anything. He can hardly do so without showing himself to be the villain of the piece.’
‘It doesn’t work that way. Excuses are made for men, who are expected to sow their wild oats—’
‘Not with innocents.’
‘Well anyway, your money allows you the luxury to please yourself. You can live as you please. The gossip will die down soon enough, and if you have no further interest in tonnish society—’
‘I do not.’ Louise shuddered. ‘Believe me.’
Flora smiled and patted her hand. ‘Well then, you can purchase yourself a home in the country and live quietly, pursuing your own interests without having to answer to anyone. But if you married that man you would never k
now a moment’s peace.’
‘But he will ruin my reputation! I deserve to have it ruined, I suppose…’
‘Don’t you dare feel guilty! He forced himself upon you. It’s outrageous!’ Flora adjured herself to calm down. ‘What of your aunt? Does she know about any of this?’
‘Not from me. I told her I was coming to visit Grandmamma. I couldn’t think what else to do. She fought me vigorously on that decision. For some reason she is fiercely determined that I not form a close bond with Grandmamma, but I held firm.’
‘Your aunt is still in your house?’
‘For now, but don’t worry. She doesn’t realise that I know she colluded with Darius, and I doubt whether he will tell her what he did to me. The servants don’t much care for her, since she bosses them around and criticises everything they do. My butler is loyal to me and will make sure that she doesn’t exploit her position during my absence.’
‘What will you do now?’
‘Wait, I suppose, to see if…well, if I am increasing. If I am not, I shall begin to make plans for my future, perhaps along the lines you just suggested. If I am, I shall hide away until after my confinement. Either way, my future will have no place in it for a scheming husband who is interested only in my wealth.’ She sighed. ‘Or any husband at all for that matter. I shall not willingly put myself through such an ordeal again.’
‘You seemed to make an impression on Henry last night,’ Flora said with the suggestion of a smile.
‘Mr Beranger was very civil and courteous, but I am not prepared to take chances. I don’t for one moment mean to suggest that any of the gentlemen in this household are anything other than…well, gentlemen, but that is how Darius seemed upon first making his acquaintance. As I say, I have no interest in men now and even if I had, what decent man would want me after what I have done?’
‘Stop talking like that at once! If you do ever meet a gentleman who likes you for who you are then you will be able to tell him the truth and he won’t blame you, because you are entirely blameless.’ She smiled. ‘And if you find the right one for you, you might even revise your opinion about the pleasures of the marriage bed.’
Louise shuddered. ‘I cannot imagine that situation ever arising, but I do feel better for having told you the truth. Thank you for not turning your back on me in disgust.’ Louise touched Flora’s hand. ‘That is very kind and generous of you.’
‘As the countess would say, kindness has nothing to do with the matter. I speak as I find. You have been shamelessly exploited, most especially by the woman who was supposed to protect you. In your situation, I would be furious and out for revenge.’ Flora allowed herself the suggestion of a smile. ‘Perhaps now that you understand my character a little better you will see why my father and I were so often at loggerheads. The Bible teaches one to turn the other cheek, you know, but I’m afraid that I have never subscribed to that view.’
‘Then we have something in common.’
‘Let us hope that there will be no consequences, and that you are not increasing. Once we have established that, what then?’
‘I shall stay in Swindon for a while, get to know my sister and take time to contemplate my future.’
‘When do you come of age?’
‘Another six months.’
‘Well then, you have time to put your affairs in order, reclaim your house and evict your aunt from it the moment you can legally do so.’
Louise straightened her spine. ‘That I can safely promise you I will do. The desire to settle in the country grows on me. I would like to help Grandmamma look after Marianne, if my sister will accept my guidance. I am certainly in a position to point out all the pitfalls she will encounter as she reaches maturity.’
‘I am perfectly sure she will welcome your advice.’
Louise frowned. ‘My worry is that Darius will follow me to Swindon and make trouble for me.’
Flora gaped at her. ‘You really think he will go that far?’
‘I am sure of it. He is both desperate and vindictive. And he badly wants to marry Felicity Brigstock.’
‘After treating you so appallingly, he can no longer hope to charm you into accepting his proposal.’ Flora tapped the fingers of one hand against her knee. ‘Does he imagine that shame will make you give in to him? If so, he isn’t nearly as well acquainted with your character as he supposes. I have only known you for one day, but I can already attest to the fact that you have considerable strength of will. Besides, this is the earl’s territory. If a man of that ilk comes to the district attempting to stir up problems for a friend of his grandmother, you can be sure that he will take swift and decisive action to put a stop to his wickedness.’
‘You cannot tell the earl!’ Louise cried, looking appalled.
‘Of course I will not tell him the full story, but if you want to be sure that Cleethorp doesn’t sully your name then Luke needs to be forewarned.’ Flora turned towards her new friend. ‘Will you allow me to tell his lordship a sanitised version of the truth? That Cleethorp proposed and you declined, but that he is desperate to get his hands on your fortune and is pursuing you, threatening to spread scurrilous gossip and ruin your reputation? It’s the only way I can think of to stop him,’ Flora added, when Louise hesitated. ‘The decision is yours. If you would prefer for me to say nothing at all, then you can depend upon my discretion. Perhaps you would like to wait to see if…’ She waved a hand in the direction of Louise’s stomach and allowed her words to trail off.
‘No.’ Louise folded her hands in her lap, took a moment to reflect and then fixed Flora with a look of stark resolution. ‘I think I decided to tell you the shocking truth because I knew you would think of a way to fight back against the odious man. I can see how much influence you wield over the earl, and he in turn is head of the leading family in the district.’
‘Hardly.’ Flora deflected the suggestion with an airy wave of one hand. ‘My influencing the earl, I mean.’
‘Flora, he threw a party in your honour,’ Louise pointed out. ‘He certainly looks upon you as more than a servant. That much was immediately apparent to me.’
‘He’s just grateful that I am able to keep his grandmother’s more outrageous behaviour in check.’ Flora smiled. ‘Most of the time. Her conduct was rather erratic before I took up my position. However, we digress. If Cleethorp comes to the district and Luke cuts him while showing support for you, that in itself will be enough to keep your reputation intact.’
‘Thank you,’ Louise said with heartfelt sincerity. ‘Please tell the earl as much as you think he should know. Keep the intimate particulars to yourself if you possibly can.’
‘Luke is a man of the world. I won’t have to spell it out, I’m sure, but I also know that he won’t think badly of you.’
‘Luke?’ Louise grinned. ‘Are you absolutely sure you’re just a servant?’
Flora laughed as she pushed herself to her feet. ‘It is not what you’re thinking. One day, when all this is over, I will explain why my relationship with my employer is…well, unorthodox. Come along, we should get back to the house. The countess will be awake soon and will be asking for me. Oh, here’s Henry.’
Flora was amused to see Louise’s cheeks bloom when she looked up and saw Luke’s brother approaching along the narrow pathway that skirted the lake. She suspected that he had seen them together, or noticed Mrs Pearson’s carriage and guessed who must be here. She thought it an excellent sign that Louise blushed at the sight of him, implying that she wasn’t nearly so impervious to his attentions as she had earlier pretended to be.
‘Miss Pearson.’ Henry smiled at her as he offered her his hand. ‘You did not tell me you were expecting a visit from our new neighbour, Flora,’ he added with an easy smile.
‘That’s because it was none of your business, Henry Beranger,’ Flora said, smiling. ‘But since you are here you can make yourself useful. Louise and I have been talking one another’s ears off. I quite lost track of time and your grandmother will
wonder what has become of me. Besides, this path is only wide enough to accommodate two people walking side by side. Be so good as to escort Louise back to her carriage for me.’
‘Flora!’
‘Pray excuse me, Louise.’ Flora gave her hand a squeeze. ‘I shall not forget what we discussed. Call again tomorrow if you like and I will tell you what I have been able to arrange.’
‘Thank you so very much.’ Louise kissed Flora’s cheek. ‘You cannot begin to know how relieved I am that we had this conversation.’
Leaving a somewhat flummoxed Louise in Henry’s care, Flora scampered off ahead of them. She glanced over her shoulder as she reached a turn in the path, satisfied to see Henry and Louise strolling along together at a leisurely pace. She had her hand on his arm and they were in animated conversation.
She returned to the house but didn’t go immediately to the countess’s rooms. She would not, as Flora had implied, have need of her services quite yet. Instead, she made her way to Luke’s library and tapped at the door.
⸎⸎⸎⸎⸎
Luke stood at his library window, looking out over the lake. He had seen Flora and Miss Pearson take a turn around it a good half-hour previously, and they had not yet returned. He wondered what they found to talk about, given that they were barely acquainted. None of his business really, and yet knowing she was out there chatting to another young woman filled Luke with a curiosity that made it hard for him to concentrate on the reports his steward had left for him to read. He wished suddenly that he had the freedom to wander about the estate whenever the fancy took him.
He turned away from the window, at a loss to know why he felt so disgruntled. Could it be something that Archie had said or done? Proposing to Flora over the dinner table indeed! He’d pretended to be joking and she had taken it as such, but there was something in the intense way he had looked at her that had stuck in Luke’s memory. He was accustomed to the spectrum of expressions that Archie employed when a female attracted his interest but there was nothing familiar about the manner in which he had looked at Flora.
A Sense of Injustice (Perceptions Book 4) Page 9