Page 24 of A Sense of Misgiving
Farthingale gave a grim nod. ‘It would seem like the most likely explanation.’
‘Flora believes her grandmother had little to leave, but Latimer’s interest in the matter suggests that is not the case. You said just now that he reminded you to send all correspondence to his address.’
‘The will was most specific. Mrs Latimer was adamant that her son should not benefit in any way whatsoever from her estate. She was happy for me to inform Flora that there was a legacy, but ordered me to refrain from divulging its exact nature so that Latimer couldn’t bully her into giving it up. She is to hear the precise details on her twenty-first birthday. In the interim, I remain the sole executor of that estate and have been instructed to enlighten Miss Latimer in person on or immediately after she comes of age.’ He gave a wry smile. ‘Latimer does not know of that last instruction, and given his bullish behaviour, I didn’t see any need to enlighten him.’ Farthingale sighed. ‘I am very glad that you are here, Lord Swindon, because at least now I know where to find Miss Flora.’
‘I assume that the bequest has value, which is why Latimer is so anxious to get his hands on it.’
Farthingale gave a half-smile. ‘Valuable yes, but not necessarily in monetary terms.’
‘I see,’ Luke said. Although he didn’t, not really. ‘Latimer tried to force Flora into a marriage with his curate, which is what made her decide to look for a position away from Salisbury. Do you know why he would do that? Flora herself has absolutely no idea.’
‘None whatsoever, but it doesn’t surprise me. He will lose all authority over his daughter once she reaches her majority, and her outspokenness could hold him back.’ Farthingale pursed his lips as he articulated his thoughts. ‘Marriage to a man below Latimer in the ranks of the clergy would have neatly resolved the problem and ensured that control over Miss Flora’s inheritance passed into her husband’s hands. Or so Latimer probably thought.’ Farthingale chuckled. ‘But Mrs Latimer saw her son for the conniving individual that he is and made her bequest Miss Flora’s in perpetuity.’
Luke laughed too, thinking he would have enjoyed the old lady’s company, recognising the source of Flora’s independent spirit. ‘In other words, any husband foisted upon her would never have been able to get his hands on it.’
‘Precisely.’
‘Certain pressure is being brought upon me to release Flora from her position.’
Farthingale scowled. ‘From Latimer?’
‘Indeed. I don’t have the least intention of giving in to blackmail. That is not my style. Besides, my grandmother enjoys Flora’s society. We went through half a dozen companions, all of whom she frightened away, until Flora came along and stood up to her.’
‘You think the pressure is a direct result of Flora’s impending inheritance?’
‘Without knowing its nature, which I realise you cannot tell me, I don’t know what else to think. Latimer tried to get Flora back shortly after she joined us. When Flora declined, we thought he had given up. Disowned her, if you like. But I underestimated him. He has resorted to very underhand tactics indeed, but I am determined to hold onto Flora’s services and protect my family’s reputation.’
‘I did wonder why a gentleman of your stature would put himself out by coming here for the sake of a paid companion. But if your family is under threat…’ Farthingale cleared his throat, obviously curious about the nature of the threat in question. Luke thought him trustworthy and discreet, but decided against enlightening him. He had his own lawyers to handle the matter if necessary, and the less people who knew the sensitive details the better. ‘Is there any way I can help? As you will have surmised, I don’t feel any great loyalty towards Latimer.’
‘No, thank you. I will deal with that aspect of this sorry affair myself. Somehow.’ Luke took a moment to consider. ‘Is there any way you can tell Flora what she can expect to inherit without breaking the terms of the will? If we know what is so important to Latimer, it might help us to fight back.’
Farthingale took his turn to contemplate. ‘I don’t see why not,’ he said slowly. ‘Mrs Latimer did offer me certain latitude, aware as she was of her son’s manipulative nature, and this is a situation in which I feel it would be prudent to exercise discretion. Besides, it is less than four weeks until the birthday.’ He beamed at Luke. ‘Tell Miss Latimer to expect a visit from me at Beranger Court on Monday.’
‘Thank you. If you send a cable letting me know when to expect you, I shall send someone to collect you at the station.’
Farthingale stood and gave a formal little bow. ‘That is very kind of you, Lord Swindon.’
Having achieved as much as he could have hoped to, and feeling greatly encouraged by Farthingale’s protectiveness of Flora’s interests, Luke stood, shook the man’s hand and took his leave.
He arrived back at Beranger Court late in the afternoon and explained all that he had learned to Paul. Aware that Flora usually had a few hours off at this time of day whilst his grandmother rested, he had Paul send for her. When she arrived, Paul smiled and left the two of them alone.
‘How did your enquiries go?’ she asked anxiously.
That was Flora all over, Luke thought, smiling at her forthright manner. No social niceties. No flummery. She went straight to the heart of the matter.
‘Very informative,’ he responded with equal candour.
Flora looked astonished when he explained the nature of his discoveries.
‘I cannot make it out at all,’ she said, shaking her head and dislodging a few rebellious curls in the process. ‘Grandmamma had nothing of value to leave. I am absolutely sure of it. Certainly nothing that would get my father into such a flummox. If whatever it is will embarrass him though, or cast doubts over his character, I suppose it explains why he is determined to have me where he can control my behaviour.’
‘Ha! If that’s what he thinks then he doesn’t know you at all.’
‘Thank you, Luke. That is the nicest compliment that anyone has ever paid me.’
He smiled, thinking he would like to do a great deal better than that. Knowing he never could. ‘You will have to wait until Monday, I’m afraid, for your curiosity to be satisfied.’ Luke grinned at her. ‘Perhaps she had a secret fortune and has left it all to you. You will now be an heiress. A lady of idleness and dissipation.’
‘How does one behave dissipitiously?’ she asked with a mischievous smile that lit up her eyes and enhanced her smooth complexion. ‘Is that even a word? I think it would be rather fun to be labelled dissipitous.’
