‘Something your grandmother told you, perhaps. You have said they were at odds and that your father discouraged your closeness.’
‘Yes, but I always thought that was because…’
‘You can say it to me,’ Archie said softly. ‘We have spoken of your inherited abilities before.’ He sent her a softly intimate smile and squeezed her gloved hand. ‘Be assured that I am not a doubter.’
She smiled at him in an unaffected manner. ‘I am glad that you are enlightened enough to accept there is more to this universe than we are ever likely to comprehend, and I am certainly not referring to heaven and hell.’
‘I didn’t suppose that you were. Luke is very short-sighted in that respect.’
‘Luke has his reasons. I respect his opinions and beliefs, even if he cannot say the same about mine.’
‘Your grandmother left you papers?’ Archie reminded her.
‘Yes, but mostly just notes on her herbal remedies, the maladies she tried to cure and how successful she was. Ideas that she hadn’t put into practice. That sort of thing.’ She looked up at him. ‘You have my grandmother’s wisdom to thank for your improved mobility.’
‘In her absence, I shall have to make do with thanking you.’
‘There were diaries, which is how I discovered that Papa had killed his own father, supposedly accidently during the course of a violent disagreement.’ Archie raised a brow but refrained from comment. ‘He knows that I am aware of that fact and that I haven’t revealed it to anyone…well, other than you. I could destroy his career, or at the very least his reputation, if I chose to tell the bishop and allowed him to exact revenge. Fortunately, I am not the vindictive type—and anyway, Papa knows I wouldn’t deliberately make things difficult for my sisters by tainting the family’s reputation, so that can’t be what’s worrying him.’
‘Look at her diaries again when you feel so inclined,’ Archie advised. ‘Something might jump out at you on a second reading.’
‘I shall.’ She smiled at him. ‘What would I do without you to advise me?’
‘I hope you never have to find out.’
Presumably the intensity in his gaze unsettled her. Her cheeks warmed and she turned her head abruptly to stare out of the window. Archie cursed his occasional inability to keep his feelings under better check. The last thing he wanted to do was to frighten her away.
‘Ah, we are almost home,’ she said in an over-bright voice. ‘Will was going to collect me at the station but we are far ahead of the train I would have caught so we have saved him a trip. Shall you come in for tea, Archie?’
‘Thank you, if it is no trouble.’
Flora smiled. ‘You know how much Beatrice enjoys spoiling you with her cakes and generally making a fuss.’
The carriage rattled to a halt in front of Flora’s cottage. Pawson let the steps down and helped Archie to alight before providing the same service for Flora.
‘Do go through to the kitchen, Mr Pawson. I dare say Beatrice will have baked a cake this afternoon, and I expect Polly will be pleased to see you as well,’ she added with a capricious smile. ‘And bring your driver into the warm too. The poor man will freeze to death out here.’
Polly, Flora’s young and very pretty maid, opened the door to the cottage on cue, and blushed scarlet when Pawson winked at her.
‘Do tell Will that Lord Felsham gave me a lift, Polly, so that he doesn’t set out to fetch me.’
‘Very good, miss.’
Flora took off her hat, stripped off her gloves and handed them to Polly. She waited for Archie to divest himself of his outdoor garments and pass them to Pawson before leading the way into the drawing room.
‘Come in and get warm, Archie. I declare, the cold gets into one’s bones at this time of year and I expect your poor leg suffers the consequences.’ Archie raised a brow, still sometimes startled by her bold references to his disability. ‘Polly, please ask Beatrice to serve us tea.’
The fire danced up the chimney, warming the pleasant room into which Archie followed Flora. Zeus, the countess’s cat whom Flora had taken on after the old lady’s death, lay stretched out full length in front of the blaze. He opened one imperious green eye, swished his tail as though blaming them for disturbing his dreams and returned to his slumbers.
‘Good afternoon to you too, Zeus,’ Flora said, smiling at the cat and running a hand down his sleek back.
‘Luke tells me that Violet and Mary are planning to visit you,’ Archie told her, waiting for her to seat herself before taking the chair across from her and stretching his stiff leg out in front of him. Flora had made this room, the entire cottage, warm and inviting and Archie relished his visits. Visits that he forced himself to limit.
‘I look forward to it. I dare say they will be full of wedding plans. Not that I can offer much in the way of suggestions in that regard, although I did live through Emma’s and Mary’s preparations and can recall some of the ideas that we discounted as being impractical. Anyway, I shall certainly find Luke’s wedding far more agreeable than today’s strained affair.’ She sighed. ‘Poor Pamela. I cannot imagine a more disinterested bridegroom than Mr Janson. Nor can I help thinking that married life will prove to be a disappointment for my sister.’
‘Here we are, my loves.’ Beatrice, Flora’s cook and never one to stand on ceremony, bustled into the room with a loaded tray which she placed on the low table in front of Flora. ‘I expect you could do with warming up after travelling all over the place on such a cold day.’
‘Needs must, Beatrice. Anyway, thank you. We’ll serve ourselves.’
‘Will his lordship be remaining to dine?’
‘Will he?’ Flora elevated a questioning brow.
‘It’s braised pheasant,’ Beatrice told him.
‘If that is an invitation, then I accept with pleasure.’
‘You don’t need to wait for an invitation, Archie. You are always welcome. Thank you, Beatrice, Lord Felsham will remain to dine, and I dare say that Mr Pawson will find a way to entertain himself,’ she added, grinning.
‘Did I mention that Sam plans to return from America for Luke’s wedding?’ Archie asked, stirring the tea that Flora had handed to him once Beatrice left the room.
‘No, you did not.’ She smiled. ‘I am so glad. I don’t suppose Luke would feel properly married without all his brothers here to witness the event.’
‘Very likely not.’
‘You look distracted, Archie,’ Flora said after a short pause. ‘Bored with my company and regretting your decision to remain for dinner? If that is the case, you can be sure that I will excuse you.’
‘Quite the opposite, I do assure you.’ He smiled at her. ‘I was simply wondering if Magda could somehow be behind Conrad’s interest in you.’
‘I don’t see how. I fully appreciate that your former mistress is out for revenge, considering you gave her no hope of rekindling your affair. Why she should suppose that you would be willing, given that it was her window that you fell from, is beyond me, and also beside the point. I have never understood the self-entitled attitude of beautiful women.’
‘Don’t underestimate your charms, little one.’
‘Oh, Archie, you are a loyal friend, but you are also biased. I am well aware of my own shortcomings. I am far too opinionated, too willing to speak my mind at inopportune moments and decidedly average in appearance.’
‘Then we shall agree to differ.’ He grinned across at her. ‘At least insofar as the third shortcoming is concerned.’
‘But you have no difficulty agreeing with the first two assertions, you beast! Anyway, as to Magda,’ Flora said, her expression sobering, ‘I am aware that she doesn’t like me, but even she couldn’t forge an alliance between my father and Mr Conrad. From what you tell me about that gentleman, he and Papa have absolutely nothing in common.’
‘I shall make enquiries and see if I can discover what he’s been up to of late. But if he calls upon you, I would advise against receiving him.’
‘I expect I shall be at home if he calls,’ Flora replied with a casually dismissive wave. ‘Although if he works in London, I don’t suppose he has much time to travel the country making social calls on people with whom he is barely acquainted. But if he does find his way to my door then I need to discover what Papa hopes to achieve by pushing him in my direction.’ She grinned. ‘He wasn’t particularly subtle.’
‘He is hardly likely to tell you,’ Archie pointed out.
‘Oh, don’t be so sure.’ She flashed another of the playfully enticing smiles that so comprehensively captivated Archie. ‘One of the benefits of being a woman is having an inferior brain, since naturally we ladies are not the intellectual equals of you men…’
‘Of course you are not,’ Archie replied, enjoying himself enormously.
‘My point is that I am sure Mr Conrad will assume that I am a dimwit, unable to harbour two successive sensible thoughts, and will likely give himself away in an effort to impress. He certainly will not assume that he is the one being interrogated.’
Archie shook his head. ‘I almost feel sorry for the man.’
‘Excuse me please, Archie,’ Flora said, placing her empty cup aside. ‘No! Do not stand up. You know I don’t expect you to. I shall be just a few minutes. I need to wash the dirt of the journey away and get out of these outdoor clothes.’
‘Take all the time you need. Zeus will keep me company.’
Archie relaxed in his chair, thinking there was nowhere else he would rather be. He was amused when Zeus, as though understanding Archie’s remark, roused himself, indulged in an expansive feline stretch and then jumped onto Archie’s lap.
‘You are in danger of becoming sociable, much like me,’ Archie remarked, stroking the cat’s back as he settled down, kneading at Archie’s knees and purring. ‘She has that effect upon us both, it seems.’
Archie closed his eyes, absorbing the ambience of the room as he awaited Flora’s return. He felt the responsibilities he bore for the marquisate fall from his shoulders as he sat in a drawing room that was modest by his standards, a drowsy cat on his lap, waiting for the return of the challenging female who stirred his passions and pervaded his dreams.
Simple pleasures.
She didn’t keep him waiting for long, and walked back into the room dressed in a cream muslin gown that he had admired on her several times before, her hair falling in gentle curls from a simple arrangement to dance across her shoulders and tumble down her back.
‘Perfection,’ he said softly.
‘Hardly, but an improvement upon all that railway soot, I hope. You might have mentioned that I had a smudge on my nose.’
Archie laughed. ‘It suited you.’
Beatrice excelled herself with the dinner that she provided. Archie bestowed his praise upon Flora’s cook when he was replete and then enjoyed the pleasure of hearing Flora playing the piano, her touch light, her choice of music lively and thought-provoking.
This is what I want.
‘I am keeping you,’ Archie said, when the performance came to an end and Flora struggled to suppress a yawn. ‘You have had a long and emotional day and I should let you get to your bed.’
‘The day has certainly been an interesting one,’ Flora agreed, smiling at him.
‘Just remember what I said about Conrad.’ Archie leaned heavily on the silver handle of his stick as he hauled himself to his feet and endured the familiar pain as he waited for his injured leg to straighten as much as it ever would. ‘Don’t let your stubborn determination to live your life on your own terms overcome common sense.’ He touched her face. ‘I cannot do without you.’
Flora met his gaze and swallowed. ‘I will not take any risks. Not that I think he intends to harm me in any way, but you cannot blame me for being curious about him. I sense that you are too.’
‘Suspicious is a better word. I doubt he has outgrown his disreputable ways.’
‘Speaking from experience, Lord Felsham?’ she asked with a provocative smile.
‘Minx!’
‘Don’t harbour any concerns on my account. I am well protected. If he oversteps the bounds when he calls here then you can be sure that Beatrice will be at him with her rolling pin.’
Archie smiled. ‘I am glad that someone has your best interests at heart.’ He paused. ‘Will you have luncheon with me at Felsham Hall again soon?’
She paused. ‘Not straight away. Give me time to read through Grandmamma’s diaries again, then perhaps we will have a better idea about Papa’s intentions. Besides, I have neglected my work at the school and have calls to make on the old ladies I take care of. Their joints ache more in the cold weather, as you yourself must be aware.’
‘Very well. I can be patient when required. Just tell me when would be convenient and I will send Pawson to collect you.’
They agreed upon a date two weeks’ hence. Archie lifted her hand to his lips, smiling into her eyes and turning it over so that he could kiss the inside of her wrist, watching as her cheeks coloured and she became a little breathless.
‘Behave yourself if you can possibly manage it, and send word if you need me for any reason at all.’
‘When do I ever cause the least trouble?’ she asked with a capricious smile.
Archie refrained from pointing out the numerous occasions on which she had done exactly that, and had no further excuse to linger. Pawson helped him into his greatcoat and his driver brought the carriage round. Flora stood in the doorway, seemingly mindless of the cold in her flimsy muslin gown, and waved him away.
Archie wondered if the day would ever come when they would not be required to part from one another.
Chapter Three
Flora was too busy over the next few days to dwell upon Archie’s unexpected appearance at the railway station. She was absolutely sure that he must have deliberately timed his departure from Beranger Court to coincide with her return from Salisbury—but why go to so much trouble? More baffling still was the alteration in his attitude. It had turned from friendly and mildly flirtatious, as was his way with all females, to possessive.
Preoccupied, she put Archie’s odd behaviour to the back of her mind and caught up with her outstanding duties, hampered by some of the bitterest February weather she could remember. The villagers complained about the biting wind and the relentless cold; conditions that made it more important for her not to neglect the old ladies who had come to depend upon her in the short amount of time she had lived in Lyneham.
With her duty done for the day, she settled down in front of a roaring fire with Zeus for company, secure in the knowledge that no one was likely to be making social calls in such appalling conditions and that her time would be her own. She held the first of her grandmother’s diaries open on her lap and steeled herself for an emotional reaction as she read the familiar neat hand detailing the minutiae of her daily life before Grandpapa’s death and Flora’s birth. There was unlikely to be anything helpful hidden amongst those early recollections, but Flora had decided to be thorough and start from the very beginning.
She had not read very far when the sound of the door knocker being wielded echoed through the cottage. Remus appeared, looking windswept, if it was possible for a spirit guide to be affected by the elements. Irritated by the interruption, she didn’t have time to ask her protector what form of trouble had come to her door before Polly came through to tell her that a gentleman had called. Flora took the card from Polly’s tray, unsurprised to see Mr Conrad’s name engraved upon it in a neat script. It gave no indication of his profession, implying that he was a gentleman who didn’t need to work. Flora knew better.
Are you going to receive him?
Flora couldn’t answer Remus aloud, since Polly remained in the room, waiting for instructions. Of course, she replied, reaching out to Remus with her mind, finding it a little easier to communicate telepathically each time she attempted it. How else will we discover what it is that he wants from me?
Remus gave an
other-worldly chortle. You are still so innocent.
I assume you will stay yourself.
Naturally. This ought to be interesting.
It would help if I had known what he wanted before he called. I assume you have some idea.
Me? Sorry, I don’t have the foggiest.
Flora didn’t believe a word of it and made a face at him. She felt anxious, but it didn’t occur to her to turn Conrad away. He was here at her father’s behest; she was certain of that much, and it would be better to discover why.
‘Show him in please, Polly, and remain in the room.’
‘Very good, miss.’ Polly left and returned almost immediately with her unwelcome visitor. ‘Mr Conrad, miss.’
‘Mr Conrad.’ Flora’s voice recalled her guest’s attention from the thorough appraisal he had bestowed upon Flora’s very pretty maid. ‘This is an unexpected pleasure,’ she said, her distracted tone implying that it was anything but.
‘Miss Latimer. I hope you will pardon the intrusion.’
‘I assumed the weather would keep all but the hardiest indoors.’
‘I was in the area,’ he replied weakly. He glanced down at the open diary on the seat beside Flora. She hastily closed it and covered it with a cushion, indicating the chair across from her own in front of the fire. Zeus looked up and hissed at Mr Conrad, who hastily withdrew the hand he’d held out. He didn’t strike Flora as a cat lover. Presumably the gesture had been an attempt to win favour. Instead, it had almost ended with blood being drawn.
‘I was unaware that you knew my address,’ Flora said with scant politeness once he had seated himself across from her. She didn’t even consider apologising for Zeus. As far as she was concerned, the cat was an excellent judge of character. There was something about Mr Conrad, who was outwardly handsome and charming; a darkness that made her shudder. Zeus clearly sensed it as well. ‘I cannot think what brought you to the district.’
A Sense of Fate (Perceptions Book 7) Page 4