*
When she returned to the Court, Flora went directly to the countess’s rooms. She found her charge dozing in front of the fire, Zeus on her lap. Sandwell was seated a little away from her, sewing. She smiled at Flora and put her needlework aside.
‘You are back. I will go and fetch her ladyship’s lunch.’
‘Ah, so you have remembered I am alive, have you?’ The countess opened an eye and peered up at Flora.
‘I have indeed, and I am very cross with your ladyship.’
The other eye opened in innocent surprise. ‘What in God’s name have I done now?’ the countess huffed.
‘You know very well. I specifically told you that I had neither the need for nor the wherewithal to pay for another evening gown.’
‘It’s all well and good to stand on principles, young lady, but I shall have to look at you all the evening tomorrow, since you will insist upon hovering over me like a mother hen.’
‘It is my job to concern myself with your wellbeing. It is not yours to constantly clothe me. I am sorry if my attire offends your ladyship, but since no one takes any interest in me, I fail to see why it should bother you so much.’ Flora plonked herself down on her regular footstool and regarded the countess with open curiosity. ‘I already have four perfectly acceptable evening gowns. I don’t require another.’
‘They finished this latest one, I suppose, using those new-fangled sewing machines. I have no time for them myself, but at least they speed up the process.’
‘I defy your ladyship to tell the difference.’
‘I would know. There is no substitute for quality.’
‘And, without wishing to repeat myself, there is also absolutely no need for me to have a new gown. You really must stop doing it, my lady. I know you mean well, but it makes me uncomfortable to be beholden to you.’
‘Ha! But you like the gown?’ The countess waved a gnarled finger at Flora. ‘You like the confidence it gives you when you wear it.’
‘How could I not like it? It is truly lovely and makes me feel most elegant.’ She leaned up and impulsively kissed the old lady’s cheek. ‘Thank you, but do not do it again!’
The countess closed her eyes, and didn’t say another word until Sandwell returned with her luncheon on a tray. Flora excused herself and went in search of Mary, with whom she had promised to enjoy the midday meal in her rooms.
‘Paul came to join me whilst I was sketching outside,’ Mary remarked. ‘I had no idea he was such a talented artist. He quite puts me to shame.’
‘That I very much doubt. Did you enjoy his company?’
‘Yes, actually.’
Flora didn’t say anything more and changed the subject, aware that Mary was astute and would not take kindly to Flora’s interference if she realised that she was attempting to push her and Paul together.
‘Your grandmother has bought me another gown,’ Flora remarked. ‘I wish she would not do such things.’
Mary laughed. ‘No one can stop Grandmamma doing anything she sets her mind to, so you might as well stop objecting and enjoy your gown.’
‘That’s exactly what she said.’
‘Well then.’
Flora left Mary to her own devices when they had finished their meal and went back to her own room. She opened the door and was assailed by a familiar masculine aroma. Her heart quailed. Luke!
‘What the devil are you doing in my room?’ she asked, taking in the sight of him in shirt sleeves, leaning against the window ledge, arms folded across his broad chest. He did not look happy and she wondered what she had done to offend him. ‘If you needed to see me, you should have sent for me.’
‘When did you plan to tell me that you were accosted by Bolton?’
‘Oh that.’ She waved his concerns aside. ‘It only happened this morning, and I have not long been back. I cannot run to you with every little problem I encounter.’
‘Sam tells me you were engaged in deep conversation with the cove. It’s none of my business, but—’
‘But you think he upset me. Thank you for your concern. It did worry me when he first accosted me but…well—’
Luke listened without interrupting as Flora launched into an explanation.
‘At least now I know why Papa was so keen to marry me off to the man,’ she finished by saying, a bitter edge to her voice. ‘He was attempting to buy his loyalty. It seems I misjudged Mr Bolton.’
‘You are considering his proposal?’ Luke scowled as he posed the question.
‘Heavens, no! It seems he was as much a victim of Papa’s ambitions as me, but he has the strength of character to do something about it.’
‘I have had rumours about a movement for modernisation within the church. It doesn’t surprise me that your father is of the old school.’
‘No, nor me.’ She paused. ‘I wanted to ask Mr Bolton if he knew how Papa had come by the information regarding your father’s dealings with Redfern, but in the end I decided against it. I don’t trust him quite that much.’
‘I am glad you exercised caution. There is every possibility that Bolton knows nothing of the rumour, and I would prefer for it to remain that way. Rumour has a way of becoming truth if it is repeated often enough.’
‘Which is one of your main concerns. I quite understand.’
‘I spent a few minutes up at the reservoir today,’ Luke said into the ensuing silence, ‘but my solitude was imposed upon by Mrs Arnold and her brother.’
‘Good heavens! Whatever were they doing so far from home?’
‘That is what I have been wondering. Anyway, I was not impressed with Redfern, but perhaps that’s because you warned me against him.’
‘You could do worse than delve into his background. I’m told his injuries were incurred months ago, yet he has not returned to his duties.’
‘If Mary shows a serious interest in him then you can be sure I will do precisely that. An enquiry to Horse Guards should clear up any confusion.’ Luke sighed. ‘At least they didn’t try to call here on the pretence of seeing Mary.’
Flora grinned. ‘Whereas Mrs Arnold’s true purpose is to make an impression upon you.’
‘Ha!’
‘Even if the lady doesn’t wish to remind you just how pretty she is, Luke, I imagine they were still in the district for reasons that have to do with your family. I have a bad feeling about them both.’
He sent her a softly teasing smile. ‘Your senses are working well, it seems.’
‘Don’t mock or I won’t warn you of danger the next time it comes calling.’
‘Yes you will.’ He chuckled, disgustingly sure of himself. ‘If only to prove me wrong about your gift.’
Flora felt flustered by his ability to…well, fluster her. ‘They couldn’t possibly have known that you would be at the reservoir,’ she said, in a brisk tone designed to disguise her confusion. ‘That must have been a coincidence.’
He lifted one impossibly broad shoulder. ‘I thought you didn’t believe in coincidence.’
‘I need to talk to you about your grandmother.’
Luke’s teasing expression immediately gave way to one of concern. ‘She has had a setback of some sort? Has a doctor been summoned? What precisely ails her?’
‘Calm yourself.’ She placed a reassuring hand on his arm, but quickly removed it again as the awareness of his imposing presence streaked through her. ‘She is as well as ever, but totally impossible. She sent me into the village to collect a garment from the dressmaker. But it turned out not to be for her. She had ordered yet another evening gown for me, when I specifically told her that I didn’t need one.’
‘Oh, is that all?’ The worry left Luke’s expression. ‘You always manage her so well, and I feared something beyond your capabilities had occurred.’
‘It has! You think her extravagance nothing, but I consider it a very great deal.’ Flora wanted to stamp her foot in frustration when Luke laughed at her, refusing to take her concerns seriously. ‘I cannot afford to re
pay you for all the clothing she has already insisted upon buying me, and which I don’t need. I thought I had made her understand, and yet she blithely ignores my objections and continues to order more.’
‘Tell me you don’t enjoy wearing it.’
‘That is beside the point. I am a servant, not a member of the family with ideas above her station, which is what it must seem like to your guests when I appear in such finery.’
Luke waved her objections aside. ‘My guests can mind their own damned business.’ He fixed her with a dark, intense gaze that made her blush. ‘Besides, this is my house and I enjoy seeing you being spoiled for the first time in your life. You deserve it.’
Flora shook her head. ‘You are as stubborn as the countess. She won’t listen to a word I say on the subject. You will have to get through to her and make her see that she embarrasses me with her generosity.’
‘Let her enjoy herself, Flora. She deserves to have some pleasure to cheer her advancing years.’
‘I agree, but you don’t pay me enough to enable me to reimburse you.’
‘Then perhaps I don’t pay you enough,’ he said in a considering tone.
‘Luke!’
‘Your difficulty, if you don’t mind my pointing it out to you—’
‘Would it make any difference if I did?’ she asked, folding her arms and giving an elaborate sigh.
‘None whatsoever.’ One side of his mouth curled into an indolent smile. ‘Your difficulty is that you have never been spoiled in your entire life and have been taught to look upon caring about your appearance as vanity.’ He grasped her shoulders, the warmth of his fingers searing through the fabric of her gown, making her feel giddy. ‘There is more of your father’s austerity ingrained into you than you realise, and it manifests itself as guilt. How can I make you understand that you have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about?’
She shuddered, but couldn’t find it in herself to shake off the comfort of his strong and capable hands. ‘Don’t say that.’
‘It’s true, and deep down you know it.’
She looked away from him. ‘Even so.’
‘Enjoy your new clothes, Flora. No one deserves them more. A few yards of silk is a small enough reward for my freedom.’ He lowered his head, sending a shock of hair cascading over his face. ‘Lily Carlton would most certainly have trapped me into marriage, were it not for your quick thinking. And then, the business with Miranda. Charlie has you to thank for his happiness. I won’t pretend to believe in your supernatural abilities, but facts must be faced. You saved the day not once but twice with your quick thinking and courage.’ He finally removed his hands from her shoulders and she immediately felt their loss. ‘You don’t owe me a penny for your new wardrobe. Look upon it as a gift.’
‘But it cost a small fortune! I can’t possibly accept such a generous reward. And what would it make me if I did?’
Luke chuckled. ‘Don’t test my patience, woman, or you might very well find out.’
‘I’m being serious.’
‘You are infuriatingly stubborn. No one need know.’
‘I will think about it,’ she said, aware that she was beaten but unwilling to admit it. ‘But please impress upon her ladyship that I will not accept anything else she deems necessary and will return it if she attempts to order it for me.’ Luke smiled at what they both knew was capitulation, his eyes gleaming with an unfathomable emotion that made her feel warm all over. ‘I am not a charity case.’
‘Indeed you are not.’
The silence that fell between them held the essence of expectancy, increasing Flora’s inappropriate awareness of him. The large room suddenly seemed too small and Flora herself felt breathless. If she did not keep her wits about her, there was every danger that she would make an almighty fool of herself, which simply wouldn’t do. She glanced up at him and he made matters worse by winking at her, appearing to enjoy her discomfort.
‘You ought not to be in here,’ she said crossly.
‘It’s my house.’
‘And my room. The servants will talk.’
‘Not if they value their positions.’
‘Even so.’ She looked away from him and tidied her coverlet, even though it was perfectly aligned. ‘We ought to restrict our interaction to the rooms downstairs.’
The more agitated she became, the more he appeared to enjoy himself at her expense. ‘Where would be the fun in that?’
‘You are impossible!’ She turned away from him, blushing and conflicted. ‘Go away, you devil, and leave me to my leisure time.’
‘If you insist.’
He levered himself elegantly from the window-ledge and paused directly in front of her. Her mouth went dry and her breath hitched in her throat. She felt sure that he would touch her, and equally sure that she wouldn’t prevent him. But he did not. Instead, he simply shook his head and walked towards the door.
‘I hope to see you and Grandmamma at dinner,’ he said.
And then he was gone. Leaving nothing behind him to speak of his presence, other than a lingering aroma of horses and sandalwood soap. Flora blew air through her lips, hoping it would cool her burning cheeks, and then threw herself fully clothed onto her bed, disadvantaged and discomposed.
Far from standing on her principles, she had given in to Luke like one of the pathetic little creatures with no mind of her own that she so despised. She was now the outright owner of a fashionable collection of clothing and had allowed a single gentleman to purchase it for her. There was a name for women who did such things. She had accepted all the benefits that a kept woman looked upon as her right without providing any services in return. She was shocked at just how cheated she felt. Papa would be appalled at the changes in her. Luke’s accusation that she still clung to certain aspects of her strict religious upbringing had, she knew, persuaded her to accept his generous gift without putting up more of a fight. A small part of her scandalously hoped that he would eventually expect something from her in return. Inexperienced though she was, she had recognised temptation and regret conducting full scale warfare in his expression and, incredible though it seemed, she realised that he wanted the same thing too.
‘Not so much like my father after all then,’ she said aloud, smiling up at the ceiling.
Chapter Eight
‘I’m glad you two arrived early,’ Luke said, handing glasses of whisky to Archie and Alvin, as well as to Paul. ‘Congratulations upon your impending fatherhood, Alvin.’
The others echoed Luke’s sentiment and raised their glasses to Alvin.
‘Didn’t waste much time there, old chap,’ Archie remarked, downing a large swallow of his drink. ‘Glad you haven’t lost sight of what’s important.’
‘Not sure about that, but I do know that the thought of all that responsibility scares me rigid.’ Alvin took a healthy swig of whisky. ‘When I think of some of our antics when we were up at Oxford, I start to understand how our own fathers must have felt.’
‘Perhaps it will be a girl,’ Luke suggested.
Alvin screwed up his eyes. ‘That will be even worse.’
‘Speaking of Oxford,’ Paul said, glancing at Archie, ‘I spoke with Mary yesterday, and during the course of our conversation she offhandedly told me that she was glad to see you brought back to life.’
‘The hell she did!’
Luke looked appalled but Archie appeared only mildly concerned.
‘Who told her?’ Archie asked. ‘Miss Latimer, I would imagine.’
‘Not a chance!’ All heads turned in Luke’s direction and he realised he had spoken more assertively than had been his intention. ‘Her absolute discretion can be depended upon,’ he added in a more moderate tone. ‘Don’t look at me in that fashion, you blithering fools,’ he added when Archie and Alvin both treated him to speculative looks. ‘The chit is desperate to avoid returning to her over-zealous father, so it’s within her interests to protect this family’s secrets.’
‘Can’t blame her for having had
enough bible-bashing,’ Archie remarked languidly.
‘For what it’s worth, Archie, Mary told me that she had reached that conclusion without anyone’s help. She nobody’s fool. She knew you had supposedly died from a fall from your horse, which is the story we put about, and reasoned that your injuries are consistent with those of a man who’d survived such a fall. She thought it too much of a coincidence that your father’s French nephew, the man whom you are now supposed to be, would have suffer from a similar disability.’
Luke chuckled. ‘My sister is too clever by half.’ He glanced at Alvin. ‘Has Emma put it together, too?’
Alvin shrugged. ‘If she has, she hasn’t said anything to me. But then again, she’s been distracted ever since she found out about her condition.’
‘And now denying you your rights, old chap?’ Archie asked, with a ribald grin. ‘Well, if you will insist upon entering into a love match, you only have yourself to blame.’
‘Ha! Wait until it happens to you.’ Alvin returned Archie’s smile with a smugly satisfied one of his own. ‘And my personal affairs are none of your damned concern.’
‘I won’t ever marry,’ Archie said, sounding unnaturally serious. ‘Well, not for love anyway. Who’d have an old cripple like me?’
‘Who would have put up with you before you became a cripple?’ Luke countered, lightening the suddenly sombre mood with his irreverence as he idly reached a hand down to scratch Romulus’s ears.
‘Well, there is that,’ Archie agreed, his grin firmly back in place.
‘I asked Mary to keep her suspicions to herself,’ Paul said, ‘and I am sure she will. My concern is that if she’s made the connection, you can be sure that Magda Simpson will.’
Everyone looked at Archie. ‘Don’t worry,’ he said, draining his glass and handing it to Paul for a refill. ‘I am not quite as blind to Magda’s faults as you all imagine. You have good cause to think that way, I suppose,’ he conceded, lifting one shoulder. ‘I know you believe I was obsessed with her, and I can’t deny it, but there’s a few things you don’t know.’ Archie paused, nodding his thanks when Paul handed him his replenished glass. ‘During my long months of recovery, when I had nothing much else to do other than to think too much, miss my old life and feel sorry for myself, I wondered why Simpson had made such stringent demands for satisfaction.’ Archie shrugged. ‘He must have had suspicions about Magda’s constancy early into the marriage. I wasn’t her first, and she wasn’t always discreet. Rumours abounded, as they always do in such situations and would have reached Simpson’s ears.’
A Sense of Misgiving (Perceptions Book 3) Page 11