A Knightsbridge Scandal
Page 36
‘I know you better than that, Flora.’ He slanted a downwards look at her. ‘Admit it, you were proud of the part you played and wanted the Lange’s to know how clever you had been.’
‘Maybe.’ She cuddled closer, inhaling the familiar, spicy scent of his cologne, her head ducked away to hide her blush. ‘Did I mention how glad I am to see you?’
‘You did,’ he drawled. ‘Twice.’
‘I wasn’t clever enough, though, was I?’ Flora chewed the inside of her bottom lip. ‘I knew something wasn’t right about Victor being the killer, but everything pointed to him until today. I’ll pay more attention to my own instincts in future.’
‘There won’t be any more sleuthing for you, my love. Those days are over.’ When she didn’t respond, his eyes narrowed behind his spectacles. ‘William doesn’t know yet does he? About the baby, or he would have caught on about the skating thing?’
‘Well, er, everything became so busy I didn’t have the chance. What with him rushing off after his Serbian spies at every opportunity. Then there was—’ she caught his hard look and sighed. ‘Um, sorry, no, I haven’t.’
‘Hmm,’ he said. ‘We’ll address that later. However, I have some news of my own.’
‘Really?’ Flora shifted backward on the seat, a hand braced on his upper chest so she could look into his face.
‘My firm of solicitors intend to open an office in Lincolns Inn and have asked me to head their team there.’
‘Oh, Bunny that’s wonderful.’ She was about to throw her arms around him but hesitated. ‘What about your dreams of opening a motor car factory?’
He shrugged. ‘I’m going to be a family man now, so perhaps I should rethink that ambition. There are too many risks in such ventures which don’t exist in the world of criminal law.’
‘It’s wonderful news, but the factory was your dream. I don’t want you to abandon it for me.’
‘Not for you, for us. Anyway, ambitions change. I’m happy with the decision, so don’t spoil my surprise. I haven’t finished telling you yet. When the news office opens we’ll be moving here, to London.’
Flora sat bolt upright. ‘Really?’ A thought struck her and her shoulders slumped. ‘What about your mother?’
‘She wants to come too, of course.’
‘Well naturally, I just thought-’ Her stomach dropped to her boots, but she tried not to let it spoil her excitement. It seemed her hopes to have Bunny to herself for a while were as far off as ever.
‘She’s been talking to Arabella Greene,’ he went on, oblivious to her disappointment. ‘She has these supposedly private conversations on the telephone but forgets she shouts into the receiver so the entire house hears every word.’
‘Who is Arabella Green? I don’t think I know her.’
‘Mother’s cousin, who was widowed about ten years ago and lives with her daughter in Kingston. However, since their fourth child was born, their house is too noisy for a lady who likes order and naps in the afternoons, retires at nine thirty and likes to hold marathon bridge parties.’
Flora snorted. ‘She sounds just like your mother.’
‘She is. Now don’t look so disapproving, Mrs Green is about to do us an enormous favour.’ He pulled her closer. ‘Mother and I have decided to sell the Richmond house. With the proceeds we’ll buy a cottage in Chiswick village for herself and Arabella and a house for us.’
‘A house?’ A rush of excitement flooded through her, leaving her literally open-mouthed.
‘I thought you’d like that.’ He winked.
‘Oh, I do. But—’ she floundered, suddenly guilty at her display of such obvious pleasure. ‘Only if it’s right for Beatrice. I wouldn’t want her to feel we don’t want to live with her, especially now, what with the baby, I—’
‘Stop talking.’ He silenced her with a finger pressed to her lips. ‘Or I’ll tell her you won’t hear of her going off to live in Chiswick and want her to stay with us forever.’
‘You wouldn’t!’
Chuckling, Bunny bent his head and pressed his lips firmly to hers.
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Acknowledgements
With grateful thanks to the dedicated team at Aria for all their efforts in making this series possible. To Caroline Ridding for her vision in bringing Flora to life, Sarah Ritherdon for her enthusiasm for my characters and Jade Craddock for her sharp eye in straightening out my clumsy narrative.
Thanks too, to my agent Kate Nash who always had faith in me even when I did not, and whose encouragement and hard work is what has got me this far.
A special mention also to the Historical Novel Critique Group, great writers all of whom never fail to keep me on track.
About Anita Davison
Born in London, Anita has always had a penchant for all things historical. She now lives in the beautiful Cotswolds, the backdrop for her Flora Maguire mysteries.
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Addictive Fiction
First published in the UK in 2017 by Aria, an imprint of Head of Zeus Ltd
Copyright © Anita Davison, 2017
The moral right of Anita Davison to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
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ISBN (E) 9781786690838
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