Page 19 of A Sense of Injustice
‘The aunt is still ensconced in the London house and will never he ousted from it unless Louise marries, I suppose, in which case she will expect to be rewarded for all her years of service. Mrs Pearson doesn’t like her, which made things difficult, what with Marianne living here and her sister staying in London under that woman’s care. I think that’s why Louise didn’t come to visit her grandmother very often. Her aunt wanted full control of her and manipulated her into believing she was being disloyal whenever she suggested coming here for a month or two.’
‘Families.’ Flora shook her head. ‘Not that I am in any position to cast aspersions, given how badly my own has behaved towards me, but still…’
‘When Fanny told me that she was finally to enjoy a prolonged visit from Louise, I suspected at once that something must have happened to drive a wedge between her and her aunt. But if Fanny knows what that occurred then she isn’t saying, and I am not crass enough to ask.’
‘Of course you are not,’ Flora said, covering the countess’s hand with her own, well aware that she could be the soul of discretion when the occasion called for it.
‘Anyway, I did suggest that if Louise needed to confide in someone, then you would be the ideal person. You are not quite as silly as most young gels and not easily shocked, so help her if you can, my dear.’
‘You think Louise has done something shocking?’ Flora’s eyes sparkled. ‘How delicious!’
The countess shook her head, setting her jowls wobbling. ‘If she has, it will be beyond your understanding. You are still an innocent for all your forward ways.’
‘I will do my very best for Louise, even if it only amounts to lending a sympathetic ear.’ Flora stood to throw another log on the fire, then resumed her place on her stool. ‘You look a little better now. You have more colour.’
‘There was nothing wrong with me other than old age and aching bones. Don’t fuss so.’
‘I wouldn’t dream of it.’ Flora leaned her chin on her splayed hand. ‘While I was in the stillroom, I made up a poultice mix for Lord Hardwick. I gave it to his man and told him to make his master use it. It might help his aches and pains if he bothers to persevere.’
‘That was thoughtful of you. Have a care though, Flora. Hardwick’s a scallywag and he has an eye for you.’
Flora blushed. ‘Don’t be ridiculous! I might not live up to my father’s exacting standards of conduct but I am no lightskirt either.’
‘Oh, that’s not what he has in mind. He’s on the prowl for a wife.’
Flora threw back her head and laughed. ‘That would be the mésalliance of the decade. Even worse than Miss Gregory’s clumsy attempts to attract the earl.’
‘Ha! She’s wasting her time there. Luke’s had duty and standards drummed into him since he was in short coats. Maintaining the family’s standing mattered more to my son than just about anything, and Miss Gregory’s pedigree would most certainly let the side down. My son might be dead but his legacy lives on and he’d turn in the family crypt if a woman of her lowly standing became mistress of this house.’
‘Naturally.’ Flora swallowed, wondering how the countess would react if she knew that her grandson, with his rigid standards, had purchased an expensive horse for a mere servant and ridden out with her unchaperoned.
‘Besides,’ the countess added, shuffling in her chair and folding the ends of her shawl between her fingers, ‘the girl’s a ninny and Luke would tire of her company the moment he’d bedded her.’
‘Very likely.’ She grinned. ‘But isn’t that why gentlemen of his stature keep mistresses? To ward off the boredom of the marriage bed.’
‘Huh! A good wife makes sure boredom in that area does not become an issue.’
The conversation turned more general after that. The countess dropped off to sleep in her chair mid-sentence and by the time Sandwell returned with her luncheon she was snoring softly.
?????
Luke looked up from his paperwork and grinned at Archie when he hobbled into the library, dressed for the road.
‘You’re leaving us,’ Luke said, putting his pen aside.
‘Best not overstay my welcome.’ He leaned heavily on his stick as he bent to fuss over Romulus, who’d trotted up to him, demanding attention.
‘You know that could never happen, irritating as you often are.’
‘Tempting though it is to trespass on your hospitality, the pater needs me. His health is failing and I need to keep on top of things at Felsham Hall. Not being able to ride the estate and examine progress for myself, I am required to be extra vigilant. Still, it keeps me out of mischief.’ He grinned. ‘Most of the time.’
Luke expressed his sympathy. ‘My regards to your father. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.’
‘Wouldn’t want to interrupt your horseback excursions with a certain spirited female.’
‘What?’
‘I saw you returning earlier. I seldom sleep well. Looking out the window and thinking about all the things I could be doing if I had full use of these damned legs sometimes helps. Often hinders.’ His brief moment of self-pity gave way to a roguish smile. ‘Surprising what one sees.’
