‘Yet you found Mr Arnold and seem very contented,’ Mary said, seemingly oblivious to her friend’s disappointment.
Flora wondered about Mary’s blinkered state. She knew about Lucy’s ambitions regarding Luke, but clearly thought that the affections of the frequently absent Mr Arnold had eradicated them. Somehow Flora doubted it. The lady thought well of herself, she sensed. Too well to admit that she had been disappointed and married in haste as a consequence. She must have held out until the last minute in the hope of receiving Luke’s proposal, no doubt rejecting other eligible offers because she’d set her heart upon becoming Luke’s countess. When his offer did not materialise, she was obliged to marry the first suitable man to ask her in order to avoid being left on the shelf. Bitterness in such a proud and beautiful creature seemed like an inevitable consequence.
As Mary and her friend chattered, Flora considered the disparity in their ages and wondered how the friendship had come about. Had Lucy befriended Mary in a deliberate attempt to remain close to Luke after her marriage? Why would she do that? What could she possibly hope to gain from the constant company of a man who had disappointed her? If she had made Mary her friend for that purpose, her tactic had backfired since Mr Arnold had dragged her around the continent with him, it seemed, for several years.
Her mental perambulations came to an abrupt halt when the door opened and a young man as dashingly handsome as his sister was pretty walked through it, his good looks married only by a scar running down one cheek that looked as though it had been inflicted with a rapier. He walked with a limp, but seemed otherwise perfectly healthy. His smile illuminated his entire face when his gaze fell upon Mary. For her part, Mary respond with a demure blush—a sun responding to the inevitable pull of gravity. For all her claims that she was unsure about her feelings for this compelling gentleman, first impressions convinced Flora that she was already a fair way to falling in love with him. All that remained was for Flora to determine whether Captain Redfern’s feelings were similarly engaged.
‘I did not believe my good fortune when I was told you were here again so soon, Lady Mary.’
Mary took the captain’s outstretched hand and dipped a curtsey. ‘And yet here you find me, inflicting myself upon your sister yet again.’
‘Hardly an imposition,’ Lucy muttered, but to Flora’s admittedly biased ears her tone lacked conviction.
‘Where are my manners?’ Mary smiled as Flora stood beside her. ‘Captain Redfern, may I present my grandmother’s companion and my very good friend, Miss Flora Latimer.’
The captain displayed none of his sister’s disdain when Flora’s connection to the family was explained to him.
‘Any friend of Lady Mary’s is more than welcome,’ he said, with a charming smile as he extended his hand to Flora. He studied her appearance in a manner that made Flora shudder, his gaze raking her body and coming to rest on her bosom. She took his hand and felt a tidal wave of concern flow through her bloodstream. She had not expected such an unequivocal reaction. A reaction that left absolutely no doubt in her mind that the man was a charlatan, out solely for Mary’s fortune.
She reclaimed her hand and dipped a curtsey of her own. ‘Captain Redfern, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,’ she lied before resuming her seat.
‘Are you quite well, Flora?’ Mary asked, concerned. ‘You have gone quite pale.’
‘I am perfectly well, thank you, Mary.’
The invitation was extended to Captain Redfern, who readily accepted. He then engaged Mary in conversation that almost excluded his sister and Flora. Left to their own devices, the two ladies struggled to find anything to talk about, and Flora felt relieved when it was time for her and Mary to take their leave.
‘I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, Miss Latimer,’ Redfern said to her in a quiet aside. ‘I trust you dine with the family.’
‘I even know which knife and fork to use,’ she replied, leaving him with his mouth hanging open.
Flora entered the carriage feeling deeply concerned. She would have to tell Luke about Mary’s attraction to Redfern and her concerns about that gentleman’s intentions.
‘What did you make of the captain?’ Mary asked the moment the conveyance moved off.
‘I think him very dashing, and I can quite see why you are attracted to him,’ she forced herself to say, because that much at least was true.
‘Oh, I knew you would like him.’ Mary clutched Flora’s arm. ‘You are so good.’
Flora felt wretched, wondering if Mary would still think so if she learned that Flora had been instrumental in separating her from the fortune-hunter she had so foolishly fallen in love with.
Chapter Five
By the time they had collected the dowager countess from Emma’s house and the three of them had returned to Beranger Court, it was almost time for dinner. The countess, fatigued after the excursion, decided to dine in her room. Flora remained with her, which afforded her no opportunity to share her concerns about Mary’s interest in Redfern with Luke.
The countess retired as soon as she had finished eating, and Flora’s time was then her own. She made her way downstairs, only to be told by Paul that Luke had not dined at home.
‘Did you need to see him about anything vital?’ Paul asked, leading her through to the morning room, where they could talk without interruption. ‘I know he intends to leave early in the morning to visit your grandmother’s attorney.’
‘He did say that he would go at once, but I wasn’t sure I believed he would really drop everything.’
‘You know Luke. The moment an idea takes root in his head he feels a restless need to act. I know he’s worried about your father’s crude attempts to blackmail him.’
Flora lowered her head. ‘I am sure he must be. I am aware how important his family’s reputation is to him. I offered to leave immediately but he refuses to consider that solution.’
‘He won’t be manipulated into doing anything that doesn’t suit his purposes. Your father has no proof to substantiate his claims because there is none to be had, so don’t worry yourself on that score.’
‘Perhaps not, but my father is not one to make idle threats. Proof or not, he can cast doubt upon Luke’s father’s integrity, which I’m sure will be enough.’
‘Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.’
‘Let us indeed.’ Flora sat a little straighter and smiled at Luke’s confidante and friend. ‘Actually, I needed to see him about something else entirely.’ She paused. ‘To wit, Captain Redfern.’
Paul scowled, more aggressively than Flora considered the mention of the captain’s name warranted. ‘You refer to the cove sniffing around Mary for her fortune.’
‘Yes. I met him this afternoon when we delivered their invitation to Mary’s party.’ Flora paused. ‘I find it odd that I hadn’t heard a single mention of the family’s name before today, and now I have heard of them from different sources—Luke and Mary—as well as meeting Mrs Arnold and her brother.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘I regret to say that I was not impressed with either of them.’
‘Then we are in agreement. Lucy Redfern threw herself at Luke when they were both much younger, using their families’ intimacy to try and further her own cause, which of course was to get Luke’s ring on her finger. Luke, at the time, hadn’t learned caution and probably gave her the impression that he was interested in her.’
‘Well, she is very pretty.’
Paul smiled. ‘And young men who have not reached the age of discretion are always influenced by a pretty face?’
‘Of course they are. Absolutely all of them,’ Flora laughed. ‘I would imagine that if a gentleman is required to marry for reasons other than love and has sufficient wealth to afford him the luxury of choice, he would prefer to see a pretty face across the breakfast table for the next thirty years. Handsome members of both sexes have an advantage over those of us not similarly blessed, and often—as I suspect is the case with Lucy Arnold—assume that t
heir looks will afford them preferential treatment. When that fails…well, Magna Simpson was a case in point,’ she said, referring to the woman indirectly responsible for Archie’s disability and who had recently attempted to manipulate Luke into an unsuitable marriage from which Flora had saved him.
Paul laughed. ‘You are asking the wrong person, but I take your point.’
‘Modesty doesn’t become you, Paul. You, I have noticed, attract more than your share of attention from ladies visiting this house.’
Paul waved the suggestion aside. ‘I mentioned to Luke at the time that Lucy had probably misinterpreted his intentions, which is one of the reasons why he didn’t attend that damned house party. Archie had his accident just before it, which would have prevented him anyway. We were none of us in the mood for socialising. But even if Archie hadn’t been such an idiot Luke had decided to send his regrets, hoping Lucy would get the message.’
‘A fairly public declaration of his lack of intent.’ Flora paused to consider the matter. ‘I gather Lucy is one of eight children. Are they all handsome?’
‘Lucy is by far the prettiest of the girls, and was her father’s favourite.’
‘Ah.’
‘I suppose you are thinking that the father took his revenge on behalf of a spoiled and indulged daughter who considered herself to have been scorned by inventing the old earl’s debt of honour.’
Flora arched a brow. ‘Aren’t you? I also happen to think that Redfern wasn’t as comfortably situated as his lavish entertainments implied. Bear in mind that he had eight children to support. And Lucy, for all her looks and popularity, made a hasty and not particularly advantageous marriage. She has made careful attempts to cover the signs, but her home is…well, shabby.’
‘You think she regrets marrying Arnold?’
‘I don’t know her well enough to have formed an opinion, but I sense she is a bitter and disappointed woman who likes to have her own way in all things.’
Paul rolled his eyes. ‘Lily Carlton all over again,’ he said, referring to the woman Flora had saved Luke from being trapped into marrying.
‘Perhaps—although Mrs Arnold cannot expect Luke to marry her, given that she’s already married herself, so we must assume that she is simply thirsty for revenge.’
‘Or hopes to have him take her as a mistress.’
Flora shrugged. ‘Or that,’ she replied, feeling an odd sense of betrayal at the thought. She chided herself for her stupidity. Luke was not hers—not in any sense. Even if he offered to make her his mistress, she would haughtily decline. Probably. He had kissed her once, just after she rescued him from Lily, and then only out of a sense of relief and obligation. They enjoyed one another’s company and he treated her more as an equal than as an employee which, Flora knew, was the best she could ever hope for.
‘To be honest, I don’t think either Luke or I have given Lucy more than a passing thought over the last five years.’ Paul shook his head to emphasise his point. Romulus pushed the door open with his nose, whining because he couldn’t find Luke. Flora smiled and rubbed his big head. Romulus rolled on his back and waved his huge paws in the air, making them both smile. ‘Archie’s supposed death, the ugly business of that debt, then the old earl and countess drowning…obviously those events took precedence in our minds.’ Paul sighed. ‘Luke had to grow up in a hurry and assume all sorts of responsibilities he wasn’t ready to take on.’
‘Whereas you have always been sensible and mature.’
Paul shrugged. ‘I’ve always been aware that I would have to make my own way.’
‘Whereas Luke was born into a position of wealth and privilege.’ Flora nodded. ‘Yes, I can quite see why your feet have always been planted more firmly on the ground. But to be fair, Luke seems to discharge his responsibilities with diligence nowadays. I dare say much of the credit for that can be laid at your door.’
‘I do what I can, but Luke is a leader, not a follower. He only takes my advice if he thinks it sound.’ Paul gazed at the opposite wall. ‘And now you are convinced that Redfern has taken an interest in Mary for the sake of her fortune.’
‘That and a desire to exact revenge for a wronged sister. Do you think the children are aware of their father’s accusations against the old earl?’
‘Probably.’ Paul lifted one shoulder. ‘But they would know better than to repeat unsubstantiated allegations, especially now that the old earl is six feet under.’ His sharp gaze focused on Flora. ‘You think one of them might have enlightened your father?’
‘The possibility has occurred to me, but I don’t see how their paths would have crossed, or how the Redferns would have known of my position here and my father’s determination to have me back. Anyway, we have more immediate concerns. We need to separate Mary from the captain.’
‘Are her affections really engaged?’ Paul glanced at his feet, looking miserable, giving Flora the germ of an idea.
‘You care about her?’
‘What? Of course not…I…’ Paul picked up the pencil that lay beside his notepad and absently sketched Romulus’s image. ‘I’m a paid servant. I would be seen as no better than the most common fortune hunter.’
‘You are her brother’s best friend.’
Paul shrugged. ‘I just want to see her happy for all the right reasons.’
‘Mary is sensible,’ Flora replied, putting aside the subject of Paul’s aspirations for later consideration. ‘She asked me if I thought the captain liked her just for her fortune. I thought I would be able to tell her the truth once I had met him, but when I saw them together and realised just how comprehensively she has fallen for him, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.’
‘The longer it’s allowed to go on the harder it will be to put a stop to it.’
Flora gave a wry smile. ‘I am aware of that. Perhaps, given time, Redfern will show himself in his true colours and Mary will come to the right decision on her own.’ Flora spread her hands. ‘The coward’s way out, I know, but we all go through these growing pains to a greater or lesser degree, and she is enjoying being admired so much—’
‘The man is a scoundrel! I have a good mind to…’ Paul shook his head. ‘It’s beyond frustrating.’ He sighed deeply. ‘What do you want me to tell Luke?’
‘Mention my concerns to him by all means. As head of the family he has the right to know about such threats. But I suggest we do nothing for now. Redfern will be here on Saturday and Luke can watch them together and make up his own mind. Mary is ultimately his responsibility.’
Paul smiled, and Flora was reminded of just how handsome and dependable he actually was. Her heart went out to him. He had clearly harboured a secret affection for Mary for a long time, and despite her heightened perceptions Flora had not realised it. He hid it far too well, conflicted between his duty towards Luke and personal aspirations that he thought inappropriate. Flora wondered about that. She knew just how highly Luke valued Paul and she couldn’t see him objecting to the match. The question was, how did Mary feel about Paul? Had she ever looked at him in that light?
‘Very well. I shall do so.’
‘You do realise that every time you are distracted, you fall back on sketching.’ She nodded to the likeness of Romulus. ‘You are very good at it.’
Paul dismissed her compliment with a negligent wave. ‘I find it helps me think.’
‘Mary likes drawing and painting. You could do worse than join her the next time she wanders outside with her sketchpad.’
Paul sent her a sharp look. ‘Luke keeps me fully occupied. My time is not my own.’
‘It sounds to me as though someone is making excuses in order to avoid the possibility of rejection.’
‘I have already told you,’ Paul replied, an edge to his voice. ‘The situation is complicated.’
‘Only if you make it so.’ Flora allowed a speculative smile to flirt with her lips. ‘Mary has been lonely since Emma left, which makes her easy prey for the likes of Redfern. But if she had a friend in whom
she can confide…’
‘She has you.’
‘And no one can have more than one friend?’
Having planted the suggestion, Flora gave Romulus’s ears another scratch, then stood, feeling inexplicably weary. Wondering where Luke was and with whom he was dining. ‘I will say goodnight then, Paul.’
Paul opened the door for her and wished her good night in return.
*
Luke enjoyed the convivial male company in an exclusive gentleman’s club in the heart of Swindon, of which he was a valued member. He found it an effective way to while away an evening and temporarily forget his responsibilities. But tonight he made poor company, his mind fully occupied with the threat posed by Flora’s father. Keen to know what information her grandmother’s attorney would throw up he left the club early, despite the efforts of his friends to have him join them when they went on to a masquerade. Luke wasn’t tempted. He knew what went on at those masked balls and wasn’t in the mood for a tumble with an expensive whore.
‘I told you to take the evening off,’ he said, when he arrived home and found Paul waiting up for him.
‘I thought you would be later than this.’
‘I found the lure of a masquerade at Belsize Park easy to resist,’ he replied.
Paul grinned. ‘Outgrown the pleasures of the flesh at such a young age?’
‘It’s more a case of becoming more selective.’ Luke shrugged his coat off and tossed it towards Paul, who executed his duties as valet as efficiently as he did everything else. ‘You look like you have news to impart that I won’t want to hear.’ Luke quickly divested himself of the rest of his clothes and wandered naked into his bathroom. ‘Come along then. Let’s hear it.’
Luke scowled when Paul reiterated what Flora had told him about Redfern. ‘Damn!’ he muttered. ‘I trust Flora’s instincts, so if she thinks our wounded hero has ulterior motives, I’m inclined to believe her. Mary is still too young to notice the signs.’
A Sense of Misgiving (Perceptions Book 3) Page 7