Page 16 of A Sense of Misgiving
‘Don’t worry about her. She is still her usual argumentative self.’
‘That’s a relief.’ Mary gave Flora a considering look, curious to know what possible reason she could have had to spend so long alone with Luke if there was nothing wrong with Grandmamma. But Flora offered no explanation, and Mary didn’t know how to ask without seeming intrusive.
‘What are you doing?’ Flora sat beside Mary and peered over her shoulder.
‘Wondering who to invite to my party. I want it to remain intimate, without offending any of our close acquaintances.’ She put her pen aside. ‘I would like your advice, which is why I came looking for you.’
‘Then by all means let me help. Besides, I am keen to hear all the particulars of the gentleman who has captured your interest.’
Mary blushed, her attention focused on the view beyond her window as a tree directly in her line of vision shed leaves that had turned a glorious shade of russet gold. She watched as they tumbled to the ground and were bowled along by the wind.
‘I am equally impatient to tell you all about Captain Redfern.’
‘Redfern?’ Flora’s body jerked upright.
‘Yes. Are you acquainted with the captain?’ Mary wrinkled her brow. ‘You appeared concerned by the mention of his name. Do you know something to his detriment?’
‘No to both questions. It is just that I have heard his family mentioned somewhere, and quite recently. It seemed coincidental, that’s all.’
‘This family and the Redferns have always been close. You may have heard me refer to Lucy, my particular friend, although she is Mrs Arnold now. There was talk some years ago of her and Luke…anyway, I think Lucy had hopes in that regard. Not that she ever mentioned anything to me, but there is just something even now about the regret I see in her eyes whenever Luke’s name crops up in conversation. I’m not sure what happened between them back then, since I was still in the schoolroom.’ Mary put her pen down and gave Flora her full attention. ‘If there was a mutual interest it never came to anything, since Luke had not long finished at Oxford and was not ready to settle down, I would imagine. Besides, his best friend, Archie Hardwick, died in an accident at about that time and Luke was beside himself with grief. Then Mama and Papa died too, so naturally there was no question of Luke pursuing any romantic interest, even if one had existed.’
‘If I had been in love and was reasonably assured that my affections were returned, then I would have waited out his period of mourning,’ Flora replied reflectively. ‘I do not mean to criticise your friend, since I know neither her nor the exact circumstances, but it seems to me as though she showed a certain lack of constancy.’ Flora shrugged. ‘Or then again, perhaps Mr Arnold swept Lucy off her feet. I am told that such things happen, although I do not speak from experience.’
‘Perhaps Lucyhadwaited for Luke. She is only a few months younger than him. I imagine she assumed he would propose the moment he completed his studies, but I am equally sure that Luke would have given her no such undertaking.’
‘As am I. Your brother has his faults, like the rest of us, but he is a gentleman to his fingertips, and if he gave his word—especially about something so important—then he would not have broken it.’
Mary’s soft heart quailed. She tended to agree that Luke would not renege on a promise freely given, but if Lucy had misunderstood him, or assumed too much, it stood to reason that she would feel disappointed. ‘Poor Lucy. She is remarkably pretty and was besieged with attention when she came out, but if Luke disappointed her, she was likely concerned about becoming an ape leader. We shall never know, and I couldn’t possibly ask. But I do know that Lucy claims to be perfectly content in her marriage. She already has two children, so I expect it’s true.’
Flora smiled at Mary’s naivety. ‘Anyway, enough of your friend’s disappointments. Let us talk of pleasanter matters. You met your Lucy’s brother, this Captain Redfern, during your stay with Emma and took your own turn to be swept off your feet, I suspect. In which case, I am delighted for you, although confess to being surprised that you were not already acquainted with the captain, given that the families are so intimate. But then again, I don’t recall them dining here during my time. Were the Arnolds at Emma’s wedding, or at Charlie’s? I don’t recall seeing their names on the guest lists.’
‘No, they travel a lot while Mr Arnold establishes his business interests in France. They have only recently settled back in England. Well, Lucy has. Mr Arnold is still away much of the time.’
‘Ah, that would account for it.’ Flora leaned her folded arms on the table and sent Mary an encouraging look. ‘Now, I want to hear all about Captain Redfern.’
‘And you shall. I have been itching to talk to you about him.’ Mary offered Flora a conspiratorial grin. ‘Fergus Redfern is the youngest of four brothers. He is only just twenty-two. He was away at school, then instead of university he purchased a commission, keen to fight for Queen and country, like so many foolish young men who dream of covering themselves with glory.’
‘It is not uncommon for younger sons to take the King’s shilling,’ Flora remarked, smiling as she watched Zeus through the window, attempting to catch the falling leaves as the wind sent them swirling back up into the air again.
‘He has just returned from Afghanistan; Captain Redfern, that is. He was wounded and is furious not to have played his part in the British victory at Kandahar as a consequence.’
‘Whereas you are secretly pleased that he was not exposed to the brutality of that conflict. The British forces may have won, but at what cost to their troops? We females have enough common sense to be aware that there is nothing glorious about war.’
‘Quite. He was wounded quite badly and has been left with a scar on his face and a permanent limp. The scar makes him look like a tragic hero.’ Mary sighed dramatically. ‘He will have to resign his commission, I expect. Lame soldiers are no good to anyone.’
‘You are quite romantically inclined towards your captain. I can see that. What will he do with himself now? Does he have independent means?’
‘I’m not sure. He hasn’t said what his plans are.’ Mary bit her lip. ‘You imagine, I suppose, that if he likes me he does so only for my money.’
‘Not if he has the sense to see you for who you are.’ Flora squeezed Mary’s hand. ‘However, I look forward to meeting him and seeing you together so that I can make my own decision.’
‘I thought I would recognise fortune hunters after what happened in the spring.’
‘Ah yes. Peter Carlton. He was a soldier too. I had forgotten that. He pursued you for your fortune, and me because he thought he could get away with compromising a penniless companion. Odious man!’ Flora shuddered. ‘But take heart, Mary, just because you are attracted to men in red coats, it does not necessarily follow that they are all bounders.’
‘Perhaps the attachment is all in my head, rather as Lucy’s must have been when she harboured expectations of Luke.’ Mary’s brisk tone was supposed to hide her uncertainty, but she suspected that Flora was not deceived by it. Mary felt deeply attracted to the captain, yet wary about his motives for singling her out. Hopefully, if he did like her for all the wrong reasons, Flora would sense it at once. She was such a good, sensible judge of character, and since her thinking would not be muddled by emotional involvement it would be easier for her to be pragmatic. ‘Anyway, the Redferns are a large family. Lucy has three sisters, all married now, and four brothers. Fergus is, as I say, the youngest. So if there is any family money, I doubt that much of it will have filtered down to him, and he will have to make his own way.’
‘Accounting for his decision to serve in the army.’
