Flora frowned. ‘That does not explain why he was at Pamela’s wedding. Is he a personal friend of yours? I think it unlikely. You do not forge friendships. Melanie said you held her hand in that flame when she overheard a part of his conversation with you.’
‘She should not have eavesdropped,’ he said, not an ounce of contrition in his tone or expression. Flora would have been surprised if there had been. She had never known her father to doubt himself.
‘He is not a man of the cloth, and I find him rather arrogant.’
He paused for a protracted moment. ‘I will tell you—but if I do so, I must ask for your secrecy.’
She sat forward, intrigued. ‘You are assured of it.’
‘Very well. Mr Conrad is a member of a small, select circle of intellectual gentlemen from a variety of walks of life. The church, the law, science, exploration, medicine, politics. We meet regularly and in secret to enjoy informed debate about world situations, and to decide upon philanthropic donations. We have set up bursaries in certain subjects to encourage the finest minds to excel in their chosen fields and also to offer anonymous donations to worthy causes.’
‘Highly commendable, but why the secrecy?’
‘Some of the gentlemen are exceedingly wealthy and demand anonymity, a situation that we all respect and which is a requirement of membership. If our purpose became public knowledge, we would be swamped with pleas for admirable causes, which would leave us no time to improve our minds. Mr Conrad invests our funds and ensures that they are distributed in accordance with our decisions.’ He paused. ‘He is a good and honourable man, as you would know for yourself if only you would give him an opportunity. He was up at Oxford with Felsham and has a very poor opinion of his moral conduct, which is partly why I am so concerned about his influence upon you.’
‘I see.’
But she didn’t, not really, and she was highly suspicious about everything he had just told her. The explanation of his philanthropic society sounded contrived; rehearsed almost. As though he had expected the question and had prepared a plausible response. One that it would be impossible for her to verify. Her father was not the type to hide the occasional good deed and ensured that he took full credit on those few occasions when he felt generously inclined.
‘Well anyway,’ Flora added, ‘despite Mr Conrad’s unsullied reputation in your eyes, he is wasting his time with me. I have no interest in him, or indeed in acquiring a husband at all, and have made my feelings very plain.’ She stood to indicate that the interview had reached an end. ‘I will not receive him if he calls again. Try not to listen to rumours, Father. They are not true. My friendship with Lord Felsham is platonic; on that you have my word. You may not think a great deal of me and you may disapprove of the way I live, but you must concede that I have never lied to you, which is one of the reasons why we constantly clash.’
He bowed his head, presumably because he knew it was true. ‘Melanie can remain here for an extended stay,’ he said magnanimously, making it sound as though he was being gracious rather than having his hand forced. ‘We will discuss the matter again in a few weeks.’
Flora wanted to tell him there would be nothing to discuss, but allowed him to have the final word. She rang the bell and Polly answered it so rapidly that Flora suspected she had been sitting on the stairs, listening and ready to come to Flora’s aid if necessary.
‘Goodbye, Father,’ Flora said, watching as Polly handed him his hat and gloves. ‘My respects to my mother.’
He inclined his head and left without uttering another word.
‘He’s gone! You did it!’ Melanie flew down the stairs and launched herself into Flora’s arms, almost knocking her from her feet. ‘How? What did you say?’
Flora smiled and draped an arm around her sister’s shoulders. ‘Come and sit down and I will tell you. Ask Beatrice if we could have some tea please, Polly.’
Polly grinned broadly and took herself off to the kitchen.
For her part, Flora admired Melanie’s resilience. She knew from personal experience that the welts to her legs and backside must still sting, making it uncomfortable to sit down. She didn’t even want to think about the pain that her burned hand continued to cause. But Melanie, relieved not to be returning to Salisbury, seemed oblivious to the discomfort as she bounced up and down on her chair and leaned forward, her eyes sparkling, anxious not to miss a word of Flora’s explanation.
Flora tempered the words in question, aware that her father had not given up on Melanie—on either of them—despite what he had said. She was also preoccupied by and very concerned about her father’s assertion that she lived beneath Archie’s protection, and the entire village supposedly knew it. Could it be true or another clumsy attempt by her father to make her obey his call to return to her family? She had felt uncomfortable once or twice recently at direct remarks people had made about her friendship with Archie, but she hadn’t stopped to think why they had been made. Archie owned this cottage and gave her a discounted rent, that much was true, but no one else could possibly be aware of that arrangement. Archie’s generosity had not been extended in the expectation of a reward; he had made that perfectly clear. Flora would not have accepted his terms if there had been any dispute about that fact.
Whenever he visited her, he came in an unmarked carriage which was taken directly to the back of the dwelling. Likewise, when she visited him, the conveyance he sent to collect her didn’t bear the marquess’s crest on the doors and it wasn’t necessary for her to be driven in it through the village to get to Felsham Hall anyway. Her cottage was on the outskirts of the village and there was little passing traffic and no immediate neighbours to report on her activities.
Papa, she concluded, was simply being his usual boorish self, attempting to invoke her guilt because she continued to defy his wishes.
‘Papa decided to let you stay for the time being.’
Melanie’s face fell. ‘Only for the time being?’
‘You will never return to Salisbury unless you want to,’ Flora assured her sister. ‘Now, shall we have some tea and tomorrow morning you can come with me if you like and visit some of the ladies whom I care for.’
‘Oh yes,’ Melanie replied earnestly. ‘I want to repay you in whatever way I can. You are the best sister in the entire world!’
The tea was delivered along with generous slices of Beatrice’s delicious cake. Melanie did it justice, but the confrontation with her father and concerns about the myth of her living beneath Archie’s protection took Flora’s appetite away. The coyness of the expression was a euphemism that could only be interpreted one way. Entering into such a daring liaison was a possibility that hadn’t seriously crossed Flora’s mind.
Until her father planted it there.
Well, that wasn’t strictly true, she conceded, attempting to be fair. She had considered exactly such an arrangement only a day or so before. She sipped at her tea whilst Melanie remained distracted by the cake. She had occasionally wondered, when alone in her bed at night and gripped by pleasantly alien longings as she contemplated her latest exchange with Archie, how it would be to…well, to take things further. She was a little hazy when it came to the mechanics but was perfectly sure that Archie would be well versed in the art of seduction and would prove to be an excellent teacher.
Her cheeks warmed at such outré reflections—but one might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb, she supposed. Besides, one couldn’t be held to account for one’s private thoughts. She and Archie had become more intimate, albeit not physically, since her removal to Lyneham. She sometimes thought he was biding his time; waiting for her to come to some kind of realisation for herself. Perhaps he did have her in mind as mistress material. How delicious! The possibility didn’t appal her as it would once have done. The countess’s influence had clearly rubbed off on her.
‘How do I do it?’
‘Sorry, darling.’ Melanie’s voice recalled Flora’s attention. ‘I was thinking about something else
.’
Melanie frowned. ‘Are you all right, Flora? Did Papa upset you? What did he say precisely? You have turned quite pink and breathless.’
You have absolutely no idea! Flora made a massive effort to displace her salacious thoughts and concentrate upon Melanie’s questions. ‘I am very well, and not at all upset by Papa. I was prepared for him. He is so predictable that I was able to anticipate all the arguments he put up, so please don’t spare him another thought.’ Flora leaned forward and offered her sister a reassuring smile. ‘Now, what was it that you asked me?’
‘It’s about Remus. How do I know when he’s around and more to the point, how can I summon him when I have need of him?’
‘Remus is a bit of a law unto himself, in case you hadn’t already realised it. He comes and goes as he pleases. I have absolutely no idea what else he gets up to.’
‘He warned us that Papa’s visit was imminent.’
‘Yes, he did, and I am impressed that you sensed it. I couldn’t have done so at your age. As to summoning him when you need him, in theory he should be ahead of you, warning you of danger much as he warned us about the dubious pleasure of Papa’s visit.’ She smiled. ‘But with Remus it doesn’t do to make assumptions. All I can tell you is that if you really need him, you should close your eyes, empty your mind of everything else and concentrate upon him alone. That has always worked for me. It will be easier when you have seen his image.’
She gasped. ‘You can see him?’
Flora chuckled. ‘It is not always a prepossessing sight. Remus has a flamboyant style. But yes, I can.’
‘Oh, that will be lovely!’
‘Beware of what you wish for.’ Flora’s expression sobered. ‘Needless to say, Remus is our secret. If Papa knew he would not only consider our beliefs blasphemous but also use them as an excuse to have us locked away.’ Flora waggled her fingers, making Melanie giggle. ‘His daughters hearing the voice of the Devil himself. Only imagine.’
‘I can, all too clearly.’ Melanie grimaced. ‘Don’t worry. I have no intention of telling Papa anything.’ She put her empty cup aside. ‘Is it all right if I go and play with Alice? She is so adorable.’
‘You can do whatever you like, darling. You don’t need my permission, but you should ask Polly. It wouldn’t do to upset her routine.’
Flora smiled as she waved her sister away, proud of her casual acceptance of Remus as part of her life, and resumed a very pleasant daydream that featured Archie and a total disregard for the rules of conduct.
Chapter Eleven
‘Her father put in an appearance yesterday afternoon but left after less than an hour, empty-handed.’
Archie scowled at Pawson. ‘Why am I only just hearing about this now, after the event?’
Pawson shrugged a meaty shoulder, unmoved by Archie’s bad temper. ‘Only just heard the news myself. Don’t know any particulars, but we must assume Flora got her way and her sister remained with her.’
Archie grunted.
‘I have also been told that Conrad went to the Stag to drown his sorrows after leaving here, and Latimer joined him once he had left Fox Hollow.’
Archie jerked upright. ‘Conrad didn’t try to see Flora?’
‘Take it easy.’ Pawson waved a placating hand. ‘Apparently not. The two men presumably caught the train back to Salisbury together. They have left the district in any event.’
‘Right.’ Archie breathed a little more easily. ‘Walker, the investment director at Coutts, should be arriving on the midday train. Send someone to the railway station to collect him, Pawson. I shall be very interested to hear what he has to say about Conrad.’
Half an hour later, Archie welcomed Walker into his library, assessing the man whose reputation preceded him. Short and well-dressed, he didn’t seem overawed by his surroundings and greeted Archie with polite deference that didn’t run to flummery.
‘I was surprised to hear from you, Lord Felsham,’ Walker admitted once he was seated and had been supplied with refreshments. ‘Surprised and honoured. Coutts made attempts over the years to persuade the old marquess to trust us with his investments, but alas to no avail.’ He peered at Archie through a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles, his gaze astute. ‘I trust we will have more luck now that you are responsible for the Felsham fortune.’
‘My father was a little stuck in his ways, but I am more liberally minded. I am aware that times have changed and have brought new investment opportunities with them. I have heard good reports about some of your funds, and nothing but praise for your personal supervision of them, which is why I asked for you by name. I like to make up my mind about a man face to face.’
Walker inclined his head in acknowledgement of the compliment. ‘I pride myself upon my dedication and flatter myself that our investors have no cause for complaint. However, let me tell you something about the opportunities we have that are available to men of vision.’
‘Such as?’
‘That rather depends upon the level of return you require. Needless to say, the greater the risk, the higher the reward. ’Twas ever thus, and very probably always shall be.’ Walker offered a thin smile as he settled into his chair and launched into an explanation that failed to tell Archie anything that he didn’t already know. ‘For low to moderate returns, I would recommend investment in national debt shares, which are a variety of bond and stock issues that support specific government projects. You could expect a regular three percent.’
Archie flexed a brow. ‘And if I am feeling more ambitious?’
‘The explosion of building projects in our major cities to accommodate the booming population provides a variety of opportunities. Rents and mortgages in the newly built estates are discounted by builders to obtain capital for further speculative constructions.’ The banker leaned forward, warming to his theme. ‘Bills of exchange, on the other hand, are riskier.’ Walker rubbed his chin. ‘But if a man holds his nerve, they are inevitably more rewarding.’
‘How do they work?’ Archie asked, interested to see if Walker would emphasise the pitfalls as well as the benefits.
‘They are sold along with railway and other construction stock issues at variable discount rates, usually for short terms of less than three months. Returns on domestic railway investments vary enormously but average just under eight percent.’
‘Sounds too good to be true,’ Archie said, letting out a low whistle.
Walker smiled. ‘A prudent investor will spread the risk.’
‘Quite.’ Archie allowed a momentary pause. ‘I’ll be frank with you, Walker. I don’t know why my father decided against investing with Coutts. I am impressed by your enthusiasm but hesitate to commit myself because I’ve been hearing distressing reports about one of your employees.’
Walker looked shocked. ‘Are you aware of the person’s name, my lord?’
‘I am. He was up at Oxford at the same time as me.’ Archie spoke casually but watched Walker closely for giveaway nuances. The man, he knew, would put the bank’s reputation first and foremost. But would he lie in order to protect it? Archie couldn’t be sure—yet. ‘His name is Elroy Conrad.’
‘Ah.’ Walker looked momentarily distressed. ‘We had hoped that nothing would get out about that unfortunate business.’
Archie feigned surprise. ‘You covered up his misdemeanours?’
‘I wouldn’t go quite that far.’ Walker waggled a hand from side to side. ‘The directors found themselves in an impossible position. Conrad managed a few small funds and did well at it, at least at first. But then discrepancies arose. They were small at first; nothing to set alarm bells ringing. He explained them all away and we gave him the benefit of the doubt several times. He had given good service and was popular with his clients, but in the end…’
‘Why did you engage his services? It is my understanding that Coutts can afford to be selective and engage the brightest and the best. From my recollection of our college days, Conrad was neither.’
‘His father
had considerable wealth and…’
‘Ah, I see. His investments were made dependent upon your offering his youngest son a position.’ Archie curled his upper lip in disdainful disapproval. ‘Does that sort of thing happen frequently?’
‘To the best of my recollection, my lord, it is the first and only time.’
‘I understand Conrad senior is now six feet under. Does the brother who inherited still invest with Coutts?’
‘I am happy to say that we have retained his custom and, I hope, given him no reason to regret his loyalty.’
‘You dispensed with his brother’s services yet still retained the family’s business?’ Archie frowned. ‘I’m astounded.’
Walker shifted in his seat, looking distinctly uncomfortable. Archie found it easy to imagine the nature of his thoughts. Attracting the Marquess of Felsham’s business would be a feather in his personal cap and a coup for the bank. But Archie was demanding the disclosure of sensitive information before committing himself. In Walker’s situation, he would oblige a man of Archie’s stature by being completely transparent. Archie waited him out in silence, interested to see if he would come to the same decision.
‘Our managing director spoke with Conrad’s brother, I believe, and was given carte blanche to act with the bank’s best interests at heart. It seems the youngest of the three brothers, the man whom we had been cajoled into employing, was something of a black sheep.’ Archie nodded, well able to believe it. ‘He and his father were frequently at odds and had a massive disagreement shortly before the old gentleman’s death that could be heard all over the house, I subsequently discovered.’ Archie raised one brow, not bothering to ask how that intelligence had been brought to his notice. Servants’ gossip, most likely. Even distinguished bankers, he suspected, were not above using underhand means. ‘Shortly thereafter the old gentleman died of a heart attack.’
‘And the eldest son holds his brother responsible.’ Archie rolled his shoulders and rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Any idea what they argued about, the father and son?’ Walker looked a little taken aback by the depth of Archie’s interest, but felt he owed him an explanation, if only to keep him talking. ‘He has been sniffing around me, which is why I ask, and he has informed me that he is still employed by Coutts.’
A Sense of Fate (Perceptions Book 7) Page 16