Page 20 of A Sense of Misgiving
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.’
