Page 21 of A Sense of Misgiving
‘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 their 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.’
