‘What are you thinking?’ Sally asked when they were alone again.
‘Several things.’ Flora played for time as she tried to reach a decision about what she should do next. ‘What did you think about Molly’s story?’
‘Well.’ Sally eased backward to make room for the waitress who had come to remove their empty plates, waiting until she was out of earshot before answering. ‘Somehow, Evangeline found out about Cecily and Molly and she threatened to expose Victor, which is why he killed her.’
‘That sounds a little extreme. After all, approaching women is hardly a crime.’ Flora recalled she had heard something similar quite recently. But where?
‘Maybe he’s married and didn’t want his wife knowing that he was loitering outside houses waiting for pretty lady’s maids to appear.’
‘That theory works where Cecily is concerned, but Victor wanted information from Molly.’ Information she didn’t seem reluctant to give.
‘Yes, all that talk of Balkans did seem odd.’
‘He said I would have to sign the Official Secrets Act,’ Flora murmured as something William said came back to her. She cradled her teacup in both hands, staring thoughtfully into the inch of muddy liquid at the bottom as a conviction formed, making her head spin, though this time not with nausea. She replaced her cup without finishing it.
What William had told her about Serbians came back to her in a rush. Both Cecily and Molly believed Victor was foreign, so either he was Serbian too or sympathized with them. Was he involved in these riots which William said had taken place recently? If so, he was either a supporter of the deposed pro-Austrian Obrenović dynasty, or the faction who put King Peter on the throne?
He had befriended Cecily to gain access to her employer’s study, and Molly so he could find out where the Serbians in London were. Whether to recruit them or intimidate them, either way that still made him a spy. No wonder William reacted the way he did when he saw the advertisement.
She would have to tell the police about Evangeline’s advertisement, though how Inspector Maddox would react to that sent a shiver through her. Didn’t female prisoners at Newgate in previous centuries plead their bellies to avoid hanging? Flora snorted at the thought.
‘What are you thinking, Miss Flora?’
‘Whatever it was, I have changed my mind after this morning.’ She nodded at Sally to indicate it was time to leave. Until that morning, she had fully intended to show the letters to John, but now it made more sense to give them to William. Something told her he already had a head start on finding Victor.
Chapter 23
It was already eleven thirty by the time Flora and Sally left the tea shop, giving scant time to return to the apartment and change her clothes before Bunny’s expected arrival at noon. Not that he would care what she wore, but she wanted to show off a new dress she had bought during her visit to Harvey Nichols.
She stood with Sally at the kerb opposite Prince Albert Mansions, shifting her cold feet as she waited for a break in the traffic when a motor taxi slowed to a stop outside the apartment building. The door to the lobby swung open and Dunne hurried forward to a tall woman in purple, wearing an enormous matching hat. She gave the porter a cursory glance followed by a regal bow of her head before she swept into the building, her chin in the air.
‘Lawks, it’s the old Missus,’ Sally gasped, voicing Flora’s own panicked thought. ‘What’s she doing here?’
‘Sally!’ Flora feigned shock as she asked herself the same question. ‘Don’t call her that. One day it will slip out in her hearing and she’ll dismiss you on the spot.’
But what was her mother-in-law doing here? Bunny didn’t mention he was bringing her on his visit. Then the thought struck her that something might be wrong. She silently railed at the stream of traffic between her and the taxi, until Bunny emerged from the cab.
Flora’s heart quickened with pride at the sight of her husband’s tall, athletic figure and fair hair in need of a cut. Bunny wore his favourite wire-rimmed spectacles, which on some men might detract from their looks, but made his blue eyes sparkle.
He paused to exchange a greeting with Dunne before disappearing inside the building in his mother’s wake.
Finally, a break came in the traffic and, with Sally at her heels, Flora darted across the road. She shouldered through the main door, only for Sally to collide with her, so together they exploded into the lobby.
Her husband and mother-in-law swivelled slowly towards them; one with disdain and the other barely concealed amusement. William broke off from shaking hands with Bunny to regard her with wide smile.
‘Ah, here’s Flora now. I was just saying I expected you at any moment, Flora. Your guests have arrived.’ Did she imagine it or was there special emphasis on the plural?
‘Good morning, mother-in-law, and to you, dearest.’ Flora tucked a wayward strand of hair that sat against her cheek back beneath its pins. ‘You’re early.’
‘We caught the earlier train,’ Beatrice gave Flora a slow, top to toe glance, her dismay almost palpable. Flora’s one saving grace was Sally’s presence, which Beatrice ignored, but at least she couldn’t criticize Flora for gallivanting all over London alone. Fortunately she could have no idea what she had been doing and if Flora had anything to do with it, neither would she.
Bunny extended his arms in welcome and all thoughts of decorum faded as Flora launched herself into her husband’s arms. He smelled of laundry starch and the citrus cologne which always conjured memories of dark, warm nights alone. She blinked tears away and snuggled into his shoulder, not caring what her audience thought.
‘Flora, dear,’ Beatrice drew out the word like an insult, her head dwarfed beneath the oversized hat. ‘Why weren’t you here to greet us? Instead, you left your poor father to introduce himself to perfect strangers.’
Flora returned her stare. ‘William is well acquainted with Bunny, as I am sure you are aware.’
‘Hmm.’ Beatrice scrutinized Flora’s dress with a raised eyebrow that made her think her skirt must be stained, or she had smuts on her face.
‘Sorry,’ Bunny whispered beside her ear, folding her into a hug. ‘I had no choice, Mother insisted. But I’ll make it up to you, I promise.’
‘Yes, you will.’ She planted a firm kiss on his mouth and stepped back in time to see Bunny’s eyes widen and hear Beatrice issue a sharp gasp.
‘Let’s not hover here on the doorstep.’ William clapped his hands together. ‘Please, do go inside.’ He led the way into the apartment where Randall stood guard at the door; another witness to Flora’s embarrassment.
The butler’s lips moved as he did a rapid headcount, and she imagined he made plans to rush away at the first opportunity to set a fourth place at the table. As they passed him at the door, he clamped his lips in a firm line, his back stiff, which told Flora she might have gained an ally in her feud with Beatrice.
‘I’ve wanted to meet you for such an age, Mr Osborne.’ Beatrice leaned against William’s arm, simpering like a girl. ‘Had I waited for an invitation from Flora, I would still be at home. Whenever I asked, she always had some excuse.’ Her blue eyes beneath beetling fair brows narrowed into icy slits levelled on Flora as if daring contradiction. Bunny possessed those same eyes, but on him, they were heavily fringed and sensual, whereas his mother used them as weapons to convey disapproval or anger, both to startling effect.
Flora gripped her bottom lip with her teeth, hard enough to cause pain. Beatrice was right in that Flora had deliberately kept the two spheres of her life separate while she came to terms with her new relationship with William.
‘Well, you are here now, Mother-in-law.’ Flora followed her into the apartment on Bunny’s arm past the ornate gilt mirror, resisting the urge to make adjustments to her hair, keenly aware of the knot of curls that sat heavily on her collar.
She still missed Riordan Maguire and still found herself seeking him in crowds, though he had been dead over a year. A grief that if ever
expressed, was greeted with the reminder from her mother-in-law that her father was still alive, so her continued mourning was inappropriate. William’s new status was one thing, feeling a daughter’s respect for him, even love, was another.
Bunny’s arms encircled Flora’s waist, his fingers laced behind her back. ‘These last few days have dragged interminably. Remind me not to let you go away on your own again.’
The sight of Flora in her son’s arms was apparently too much for her mother-in-law, who turned away with an impatient tut. ‘Really, dear. Married couples don’t parade their affection in such a way.’
‘On the contrary, Mama,’ Bunny said, his words clipped. ‘My wife’s affectionate nature is a delight to me. Much better than carping about every person one sees, don’t you agree, William?’
‘I-er, I trust you had a comfortable journey from Richmond?’ William offered her his arm, on which Beatrice delicately balanced the splayed fingers of her hand. ‘And please, do call me William. After all, we are family now.’
‘I wasn’t carping, Ptolemy,’ Beatrice’s habit of using Bunny’s given name made him wince. ‘That guard was impudent, and the hansom driver no less so. Naturally, I had to reprimand them for disrespect. I might even write a letter of complaint to the railway company.’
‘Was your journey not comfortable, Mother-in-law?’ Flora asked, not much caring one way or the other.
‘Adequate I would say rather than comfortable.’ The look she gave her son indicated she would not forget his disloyalty. ‘I’ll never get used to those motor taxis. They travel much too fast and the way they swerve and dive through the traffic disrupts my nerves.’
At one time, Flora would have a sharp rejoinder for her mother-in-law’s sarcasm, but these days she largely ignored it. Not because she had stopped noticing, but because it was simply too much effort to no effect.
Seeing William’s reaction to Beatrice’s acid tongue brought back Flora’s own feelings of shocked inadequacy she had experienced during the early days of her marriage. When had she become so passive? For Bunny’s sake, or because she felt she deserved the woman’s criticism?
Beatrice disappeared into the sitting room, her cries of delight at the stylish furnishings echoing back into the hall. William’s low, cultured voice drifted along in response to something Beatrice said, making Flora proud of the effort he was making and resolved to make a point of thanking him later.
Bunny was about to follow them in, but at the last second, Flora tugged him back to her side. ‘What possessed you to agree to bring her?’ she demanded under her breath. ‘I had hoped we would have some time alone this afternoon.’ She batted a stray curl away that had fallen over her eyes.
‘I am so-oo sorry, my love.’ Bunny grimaced. ‘I tried to dissuade her, but you know what she’s like.’ He fiddled with one arm of his spectacles, which he always did when embarrassed. ‘I must say William didn’t bat an eyelid when he saw her. The man’s solid as a rock.’
‘Now she’ll monopolize William and tell him about all the women you should have married instead of me.’
‘If she does, I’ll insult every single one of them to show her I am happy with my choice.’ He pulled her back into his arms, his chin tucked in as he looked down at her. ‘And I doubt you need to worry about William, he’s encountered far worse in Africa. They have lions there you know. Besides, you know very well why Mother behaves like this. She still hasn’t made the adjustment to having to share me with you.’
‘That’s what you always say.’ Flora adjusted his tie, though the knot was immaculate. ‘I know you do your best to stand up for me, but I suspect that deep down you love having two women competing for your affections.’
‘Mother’s sharp tongue is a part of her character, not an impediment to domestic bliss between us.’ Flora narrowed her eyes at him and he winced. ‘I know, it’s not charming at all and I too wish she would stop. But she’s jealous, Flora, surely you know that?’ He twisted a finger into a curl and tucked it behind her ear. ‘You occupy all of my heart now and she knows that’s the way it will be. I firmly believe she’s hurt.’
‘It doesn’t make things easier.’ She snuggled closer. ‘Besides, I shouldn’t be upset now. Not in my condition.’
His face blanched and he swallowed. ‘I didn’t think of that. I’m so sorry, my love. I’ll have another word with her.’
‘Not yet. Wait until we have told her our news – together.’ Perhaps it was her own fault for not making more of a fuss, but as a former governess, confrontation had never been her strong suit. ‘I’m sorry I was late, but I didn’t expect you so soon. I bought a new dress just for you, but didn’t have time to change into it.’
‘I’ll look forward to seeing it when you get home.’ He planted a kiss on her forehead.
‘Hmm, if I can still get into it by then. I think I’m getting bigger by the day. Incidentally,’ Flora asked, as they lingered the hall, in no hurry to reach the sitting room, ‘what was your father like? You never talk about him.’
‘He was quiet, reserved, but had a wicked sense of humour. If I told you Mother always called him Dr Harrington, even in private, would that explain her attitude more clearly?’
‘To some extent, yes it does. Was that at his insistence, or hers?’
‘I have no idea, but I never saw them so much as touch each other either. Not once.’
‘I find that quite sad, though I refuse to accept it as an excuse. I did not have a mother, and yet affection is not alien to me. Even my father was—’ she broke off as she realized what she had said. ‘Sorry, I forgot for a moment.’
‘I know.’ Bunny tightened his arm in acknowledgement of her slip. ‘How are things going between you and William?’
‘We’re attempting to transform a polite, respectful acquaintance into a parent and child relationship, each in our own way.’ She halted just short of the sitting room door, keeping her voice down. ‘It isn’t easy. He’s in the Foreign Office now, and since the May Coup, there’s been some major crisis on which takes up his time.’
‘Something to do with Serbian nationalists causing riots in the city isn’t it? Sounds like serious stuff.’
‘I believe so, though I don’t know the details. He’s being very secretive and hasn’t been here much since I arrived. When he is, we get to a certain point, then he shuts down and will go no further.’
‘I suspect he’s trying to protect you. Especially if your inquisitive nature encroaches on his work.’
‘What makes you think I’m interfering in William’s work? Has he said anything to you?’
Bunny’s eyes darted to the sitting room door and away again, his arm tightening around her waist. ‘What opportunity has he had to do that? Come on, let’s join them. I could do with a sherry. Mother turned a relatively short journey from Surrey into a major expedition. I doubt the train guard will ever be the same again.’
‘Serves you right,’ Flora teased.
*
Luncheon was every bit as awkward as Flora imagined, the atmosphere lifted only by the excellence of Randall’s cooking. Beatrice made a valiant attempt not to enjoy it by questioning every ingredient and where it was purchased; then supplemented every answer with how superior foodstuffs could be found in Surrey, despite which, she managed to clear her plate at every course.
Having subjected William to a long interrogation of his colourful life spent in America, Australia, and South Africa, she proceeded to make shuddering insults at those who chose to subject themselves to such primitive environments.
‘America is every bit as civilized as England, Mother-in-law, and most of the houses in New York have both electric light and indoor plumbing,’ Flora reminded her, forgetting her resolve to stick to non-contentious answers.
‘Ah yes, I had forgotten you travelled to the colonies in your post as governess for the Vaughns,’ Beatrice said.
‘They haven’t been colonies for some time, Mother,’ Bunny reminded her but was waved away with
an impatient tut.
Randall stepped forward to remove Flora’s plate, and as she turned her head to thank him, the sympathy in his eyes warmed her.
‘Ptolemy, did I mention Jessica Weatherby, who is Jessica Ashton now, of course, has just had her third child? They even sent me an announcement, which was extremely thoughtful.’
‘I believe you did mention it, Mama, twice on the train in fact.’ He turned to Flora. ‘The Wetherbys were friends of Mother’s when I was at school.’
‘I had such hopes for you and Jessica. Such a truly lovely girl.’ Beatrice sighed.
‘With a beauty undimmed by a wall-eye and freckles certainly,’ Bunny said, making Flora almost choke on her dessert.
Beatrice sniffed, her eyes narrowed. ‘Physical perfection isn’t important. Jessica is from an impeccable family line.’
‘She pushed me into our garden pond when I was ten.’ Bunny dabbed his lips with a napkin. ‘I’ve always seen her as more tormentor than prospective wife.’
‘Oh, Ptolemy, don’t be ridiculous,’ Beatrice snapped. ‘I do believe you’re mocking me.’
Flora couldn’t contain her laughter, which proved so infectious William joined in. He caught Beatrice’s pursed lips and broke off, noisily clearing his throat as a prelude to rising.
‘Might I suggest we take a postprandial walk in Hyde Park?’ he crumpled his napkin onto the table. ‘The fog isn’t so intrusive there. Instead of coffee, I know of an excellent little kiosk beside the Serpentine where they serve the most delicious hot chocolate. What do you say?’
‘What an excellent idea,’ Beatrice said with enthusiasm, the seduction of hot, sweet beverages overruling her aversion to the weather, despite it being less than half an hour since she had devoured a winter fruit compote. ‘Flora, make sure you’re well wrapped up. You’re looking decidedly peaky at the moment.’
A Knightsbridge Scandal Page 25