Page 44 of A Sense of Misgiving
‘Rather than looking at Redfern as the villain, I would suggest concentrating on his sister.’
‘Lucy?’ Luke’s brows shot up. ‘Good heavens. Why?’
‘Oh, you men don’t always see what’s in front of your noses,’ Flora replied, losing patience. ‘Lucy is unhappy in her marriage, blames you because she waited so long for your declaration that she became desperate and accepted the first eligible offer that came her way. She now expects you to compensate her.’
‘Financially?’
‘No, Luke.’ Flora rolled her eyes. ‘She wants you. Surely you have observed how she has spent the evening devouring you with her eyes.’
Luke looked startled. ‘No. I can honestly say that I have not. Perhaps because I have gone out of my way not to look at her at all. I have no interest in Lucy, but anyway, the same situation applies. If she wants me, why try to exact revenge before she has failed to attract me?’ Luke shook his head. ‘It makes no sense.’
‘An act of not-so-subtle coercion, perhaps. Mrs Arnold is not confident of her success, which must rankle, since I suspect she generally gets what she wants. However, if she gets close enough to you to have a private conversation, she will find a way to suggest that the threat might go away, should you see your way to…well, you know.’
Luke chuckled, although there was little humour in the situation. ‘You are charming when you try to pretend you are a woman of the world.’
‘Instead of an ignorant spinster, I suppose you mean. Well that’s as maybe, but I have worked for your grandmother for long enough to have had my eyes opened.’
Luke smiled at her. ‘I don’t mean to embarrass you.’
Flora felt breathless when he concentrated the full weight of his gaze upon her face. ‘You are not.’
‘Well anyway, your theory might be right but for the fact that if Lucy entrusted the family scandal to your father, she cannot then control what he does with that intelligence. That makes me suppose that she isn’t the guilty party since the Lucy I remember always wanted to be in control. It was a trait I didn’t admire and one of the reasons why I never thought of her as a suitable wife.’
‘Hmm.’ Flora thought he underestimated the determination of a vengeful female. ‘Then the brother and sister are innocent of anything more sinister than wanting to get their hooks into you and Mary. My father’s duties bring all sorts of people to his attention, and he wields a fair amount of power within ecclesiastical circles, so he could have gained his intelligence from any number of sources.’
They fell into momentary silence, with only the sounds of music and laughter drifting through the open French doors intruding upon their privacy. An owl hooted somewhere in the distance, marking its territory with a haunting sound.
‘Mary tells me that Redfern is unlikely to return to his regiment. His injuries preclude it, and he plans a career in the law instead.’
‘Ha!’ Luke’s expression turned fierce. ‘Now I know he’s a fortune hunter.’
‘Because he went straight from school into the military so does not have a degree and therefore isn’t qualified to take that step?’
An approving smile touched Luke’s lips. ‘The same thought immediately occurred to us both, but clearly not to Mary.’ He abstractedly ran a hand through his hair. ‘Is Mary very smitten?’
Flora considered the question. ‘I think she likes him and enjoys his attentions. She’s flattered by them. But if you are asking me to tell you whether she will be heartbroken if you separate them, I honestly cannot say.’ Flora lifted both shoulders. ‘A young girl in the throes of her first love affair is likely to have her head turned. Even one as sensible as Mary. But she is also aware that she is likely to be targeted for her fortune, especially after what happened in the spring.’
Luke gave a grim nod. ‘When Peter Carlton tried to win her affections for the sake of her fortune. He was a soldier, too. I hope Mary hasn’t taken it into her silly head to fall only for men in red coats.’
Flora playfully tapped his arm. ‘Now who is being silly?’
‘Well, I’ve instigated enquiries at Horse Guards. If Redfern has something to hide, we shall soon know.’
‘As for the other business, don’t forget that my grandmother’s lawyer is coming to see me on Monday. Once I know what I stand to inherit, we might get a clearer picture of why my father is so keen to have me back.’
‘Yes, I had not forgotten.’
‘Talking of Monday, Redfern has invited Mary to join him and his sister for an excursion to Swallow Hill.’
Luke’s body jerked upright. ‘I hope she did not accept.’
‘Not immediately. She told him she would have to seek your permission, but I cannot see any real harm in it. Lucy will be there, but could easily accidently lose herself and leave the two would-be lovers alone. Even so, if Mary’s determined to go I think you should allow it, otherwise it will create difficulties between the two of you. She will think you are curtailing her pleasures and feel hard done by. But if you give your permission providing she takes her maid with her, then the proprieties will have to be observed and neither party can object.’
Luke smiled and gently touched her cheek. ‘What would I do without your sound common sense to guide me?’
‘Oh, I dare say you would manage perfectly well.’ She shivered as a gust of cool air touched her bare shoulders.
‘You’re cold. What am I thinking, keeping you out here in this chill wind?’
