Page 22 of A Sense of Injustice
‘Only a few times.’ She flapped a hand. ‘I felt torn. The situation wasn’t easy. We are like strangers now, but I hope we can get to know one another better whilst I am here. Or there again,’ she added wistfully, ‘perhaps it would be better if Marianne had nothing to do with me.’
‘I know that your father died, and I’m very sorry about that. It’s clear to me that you were close. I am not on good terms with my own father, but I would still be very sad if he passed away. I also have four sisters, none of whom I have much in common with. Even so, I hope that when they are older and have homes of their own, we can reconnect. Families are very important.’
‘Yes, I agree, but not always easy, as you yourself are aware.’ She allowed a significant pause. ‘Papa was a very wealthy man, and he left everything to me.’
‘You are an heiress?’
‘Yes, I suppose I am. I was presented when I turned eighteen, almost two years ago.’
‘How exciting! Did you make your curtsey to the queen? What is she like?’
‘She is small and tragic. She misses her husband very much. I could have deduced that much, even if she did not swathe herself in black the entire time. Her attitude reminded me of the way the life went out of my father when he lost Mama. I remember that much about him, young though I was at the time.’ She took a deep breath and made an effort to shake off her melancholy. ‘Anyway, my aunt saw me through the rigmarole of being a debutante. She was in her element and I confess that I enjoyed all the attention I received; at least to begin with.’
‘And why should you not? You are very pretty, as well as being from a good family and independently wealthy. Any one of those attributes would have made you popular. Bundle them all together and…well, you deserved to enjoy being admired.’
‘I was admired, but I realised soon enough that my fortune was definitely the main attraction.’
‘And I am equally sure that it was not the only reason why you were so popular.’
‘We shall never know. I received several eligible offers during my first season, but none of those aspiring to become my husband stirred my passions, so I turned them down.’ She regarded Flora with a beseeching look in her eyes. ‘Is it so very wrong to want to marry for love, like Papa did?’
‘Not in the least,’ Flora replied briskly. ‘I would not countenance marriage for any other reason. Happily, my grandmother left me a small legacy. Nothing compared to your fortune, but enough for me to live modestly for the rest of my days when my duties here come to an end. I shall not have to depend upon any man unless I choose to do so, and I doubt whether that will happen. I am far too independently-minded to be told how to behave and what to do and say. Oh, hello you.’
‘Who…What is it?’ Louise sounded agitated. Flora sensed that having started to open up, she didn’t want interruptions. Flora didn’t either, since she was consumed with curiosity, but this particular distraction could be discreet.
‘Don’t worry.’ Flora held out a hand to Zeus, who stalked towards them, tail erect and twitching. ‘This is Zeus, the countess’s cat, who is more likely to scratch you then allow himself to be petted.’
‘He’s a handsome fellow. I like felines.’
‘Unfortunately, Zeus doesn’t like people much.’ Flora allowed her astonishment to show when Zeus condescended to rub his head against Louise’s skirts. He even permitted her to stroke his sleek back. ‘Well, you are honoured. Zeus is a very good judge of character. If he has taken a liking to you then I am convinced that whatever it is you think you have done, it cannot possibly be that bad.’
‘I am happy to hear you say so, even though I know you are quite wrong.’ Louise threw back her head and sighed. Zeus lost interest in her and wandered off to hide in the rushes, hopeful of catching a lazy fish unawares. ‘I was devasted when Papa died just before my second season. Naturally, I couldn’t show my face in society after that; nor did I have any desire to.’
‘That was over a year ago. Why are you only here now? I’m sorry if that’s an impertinent question, but it’s clear to me that you are very fond of your grandmother and keen to reacquaint yourself with your sister, so what held you back?’
‘My aunt is very controlling. More so than I had allowed myself to believe during my adolescence. I will not speak ill of her because, in many respects, she helped me though a very difficult period in my life.’
‘It was she who persuaded your father to send Marianne away?’
Louise sent Flora a probing look. ‘How could possibly know that?’
‘I have a sixth sense that seldom fails me.’ She smiled at Louise. ‘I am right, aren’t I?’
‘Yes.’ Louise made the admission reluctantly, as though torn by deep-seated loyalty and an adult’s perception about a situation that she could not possibly have properly comprehended as a child. ‘I was only nine when I overheard her speaking to my father about Marianne. She kept saying that he would know no peace all the time he was obliged to look at the cause of Mama’s demise.’
‘What a wicked thing to say!’
‘Quite, which is why I put it from my mind and pretended not to have overheard.’ She gave a wan smile. ‘You know what they say about eavesdropping.’
‘A nine-year-old wouldn’t have fully comprehended the implications of your aunt’s words, so you did right to not think about it. There was nothing you could have done, and it would have made you feel wretched. Marianne, to the best of my knowledge, has been happy enough here in Swindon and has wanted for nothing.’ Flora wrinkled her brow. ‘Why was your aunt so keen to be rid of an innocent child, though? It sounds to me as though she has had a very comfortable time of it, living in your house with just you to supervise. What possible reason—’
‘As an adult I have noticed aspects of her character that were not evident to me as a child. Aspects that she was careful to keep concealed. At least all the time my father was alive. But now…well, now she wants to control me. Or more to the point, my fortune.’ Large, sombre eyes regarded Flora. ‘If I marry, her future may not be nearly as comfortable as it is now. I will run my own household and…well, I wouldn’t leave her destitute, but I am not sure that I would want her living with me anymore.’ She shook her head. ‘Is that a terribly wicked and ungrateful sentiment?’
‘Not in the least. The moment you told me that your aunt persuaded your father to separate you from your sister, I immediately suspected her of putting her own wellbeing ahead of yours and Marianne’s. Although why she should imagine her own comfort would suffer if she had two girls to supervise I have yet to decide. Anyway, speak as ill of her as you wish,’ Flora added, patting Louise’s hand. ’I shall not think worse of you.’
‘I am glad you are so easy to talk to. It is such a relief to unburden myself.’ Louise smiled at Zeus as he splashed in the shallow water, failing to catch a fish, then mewling indignantly and looking incensed. ‘We have argued a few times since Papa died, my aunt and I, and that didn’t happen when he was still alive. She was always careful to appear meek and obliging, I now realise, implying that she had made great personal sacrifices in order to make his life easier.’
Flora twitched her nose. ‘I am liking her less and less.’
