Page 51 of A Sense of Misgiving
It hurt Luke’s face to smile, so he made do with slapping Paul’s shoulder. ‘You look a damned sight better than I feel, if it’s any consolation.’
Paul shook his head. ‘Not much.’
When they caught up with their friend, Luke had the satisfaction of seeing that Archie also looked a little green around the gills. ‘Send my regards to your father,’ Luke said, shaking Archie’s hand.
‘I will,’ Archie replied, now taking Paul’s outstretched hand. ‘He’s not doing well. His health is failing, so it’s just a matter of time.’ Archie rubbed his chin. ‘My main regret is the loss of the last ten years here in England. It’s been lonely for the old man, but he’s never once told me that I behaved like an irresponsible idiot. Decent of him.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Luke replied, risking a grin and the resulting pain that shot through his temple. ‘You’ve got us to remind you of that at regular intervals.’
Archie glowered at Luke.
‘The marquess has the questionable comfort of your presence now,’ Paul said, ‘which is at least something.’
‘There is that.’ Archie sent Luke a curious look, clearly as confused by Paul’s contrary mood as Luke was. Luke responded with a shrug. ‘So, I’ll leave you two to further the Swindon estate’s interests and make more filthy lucre. I shall be in touch soon.’
Luke slapped Archie’s shoulder but knew better than to help him into his father’s comfortable carriage. Archie had been lucky to survive his fall, but he’d been told he would never walk again. Whichever surgeon had imparted that wisdom could have had no prior knowledge of Archie’s stubbornness. As his broken body slowly healed, he had confounded medical minds as, step by agonising step, he learned to walk with the aid of sticks. Luke knew that every step was still an effort of will and that he accepted help only when there was absolutely no alternative. His valet was the only person he tolerated helping him in and out of the carriage, and he did so now, unobtrusively, turning a deaf ear to Archie’s language.
Luke and Paul stood side by side, Romulus at Luke’s heals with tail wagging, watching the conveyance make its way down the drive and disappear from view.
‘Let’s get back inside.’ Luke turned to lead the way. ‘Flora’s solicitor will be arriving on the late morning train. Make sure someone’s at the station to meet him, will you?’
‘Naturally.’
‘What’s the matter, Paul?’ Luke asked as they returned to his library, his concern for his friend’s continuing dark mood transcending his desire to respect his privacy. ‘You don’t seem like yourself this morning.’
‘I’m getting too old for all this carousing.’
‘Aren’t we all, other than Archie?’
Luke sensed there was more to Paul’s foul mood than an aching head, but when he chose not to confide in him, Luke didn’t press him. They dealt with the most urgent of the morning’s affairs with as much efficiency as their combined debilitation could manage. The rest, Luke decided, could wait.
‘Right, that’s it.’ Luke leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers behind his head. ‘Mary’s going on an excursion with Redfern and his sister this afternoon.’
Paul’s scowl returned with intensity, causing the pieces to fall into place in Luke’s sluggish mind. Flora had made a casual remark about Paul’s interest in Mary only the other day, but Luke had not taken it seriously. It should not have surprised him that Flora’s instincts were so astute, although no doubt she would claim that it was her trusty sixth-sense at play. Luke shook his head, unable to believe in the gift that she insisted seldom failed her.
‘If I say no, it will only increase her interest in the rogue.’
Paul nodded. ‘Even so, I wish we’d heard back from Horse Guards. There’s something about him that’s not quite right. And I’m not saying that just because I don’t like him.’
‘I tend to agree, but Mary is taking her maid with her so she’ll be safe enough.’
‘Ah.’ Paul relaxed visibly. ‘I didn’t know that.’
‘It was Flora’s suggestion.’
‘That woman is a godsend.’ The both laughed at the unintentional reference to her upbringing and the tension in the room eased. Romulus, as though sensing it, stretched in front of the fire and yawned. ‘She has a wealth of sound common sense far beyond her years.’
‘By the time Mary returns from her excursion, we will hopefully have a better idea of what Flora stands to inherit and why her father is so damned worried about it that he’s willing to resort to blackmail.’
‘I’d be more interested to—’ Luke looked up when someone tapped at the door. ‘Come in.’
Both men stood when Flora entered. ‘Please excuse the interruption.’
‘You are not interrupting anything. In fact, we were just talking about you,’ Luke replied.
‘Oh dear.’ She shared a smile with Paul as she bent to greet Romulus, who turned in delirious circles at the sight of her. ‘What have I done now?’
‘I had best get on with this lot,’ Paul said, indicating the pile of papers that Luke had left him to deal with. ‘Excuse me, Flora.’
