Page 27 of A Sense of Injustice
‘No, nothing of that nature. Last night tired her. Despite my best efforts, she refuses to exercise restraint. Anyway, she’s resting at the moment.’
‘I thought I saw you in the grounds a while ago.’ Luke curbed his curiosity about her visit. She never called upon him without a reason. When she did call, the reasons in question were never contrived as an excuse to get close to him. ‘Was that Miss Pearson with you?’
‘Yes, and it’s her I’ve come to talk to you about.’ Flora contemplated the floor, looking deeply concerned. ‘Henry is showing her back to her carriage.’
Luke chuckled. ‘I’m sure he is. She’s really rather pretty.’ He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. ‘Now, what is it that you think I can help her with?’
Luke listened intently as Flora told him about the unwanted attentions that her new friend was receiving from Darius Cleethorp.
‘I am not surprised to hear it,’ he said, scowling when she ran out of words.
‘You are acquainted with Lord Darius?’
‘We were at school together. He was a hellion then and from what I have heard of his subsequent conduct, little has changed in that regard. His brother, the marquess, has washed his hands of him.’
‘So Louise tells me, which is why he’s on the prowl for a rich wife, and is not too fussy about how he persuades a suitable candidate to accept him.’
‘How far has he gone?’ Luke asked, his expression darkening.
‘Suffice it to say that Louise is very worried about him tracking her down here and forcing her hand. She believes he will spread scurrilous stories that will destroy her own reputation and tarnish her entire family’s if she does not accept him.’
‘I see.’ And Luke did see, all too well. He ground his jaw in disgust.
‘I said I would ask if there was anything you could do to prevent that from happening.’ She lifted her gaze from the now slumbering Romulus, whose rangy body was stretched full-length in front of the fire, his nose on her toes and his tail flapping against Luke’s boots as he chased rabbits in his dreams. ‘I hope you don’t mind.’
‘Of course I don’t mind. I have a great deal of time for Mrs Pearson. Besides, Henry seems to like her granddaughter, as do you, and that is enough for me. Some young women who don’t know better can often be tempted into indiscretion when they think themselves to be in love and are equally convinced that their love is returned. I cannot persuade myself that Louise Pearson is such a woman.’
‘She is not. As I explained, she had already got Cleethorp’s measure. Even before she overheard him colluding with Felicity Brigstock, she had started to harbour doubts about his true intentions.’
‘Darius Cleethorp is the youngest of six, maybe even seven. His brother, the marquess, must be a good fifteen years his senior. There are two more brothers and at least a couple of sisters in between them. Darius was very much the afterthought. He used to refer to himself as the runt of the litter. He was doted on by his mother, if memory serves. She got him out of all sorts of scrapes when he was still a lad, made excuses for him–’
Flora wrinkled her pert nose in an endearing manner. ‘And turned him into what he is today.’
Luke inclined his head. ‘Quite.’
‘How will you know if he sets foot in Swindon?’
Luke sent her a confident smile. ‘No one of consequence passes through the district without my hearing of it.’
‘Unless they don’t want you to hear. I am worried, you see, that Cleethorp will attempt to abduct Louise from the street or something equally devious. From the sound of him he doesn’t take rejection well. And we know that he isdesperate.’
‘He won’t put up at an inn,’ Luke replied thoughtfully. ‘The man has a very high opinion of himself, so he is more likely to inflict himself upon someone he knows.’
‘And you are also acquainted with everyone of consequence in the area.’ Flora nibbled contemplatively at the end of her index finger. ‘Who do you suppose would be most likely to take him in?’
‘Hard to say. I’ve never had much to do with any of the family.’
‘He wouldn’t try Lord Hardwick, would he?’ Flora asked, looking alarmed.
‘Archie?’ Luke lifted a brow. ‘I doubt it. Besides, he doesn’t live on our doorstep.’
‘No, but Mrs Pearson’s house is on the road between here and Felsham Hall.’ She shrugged. ‘I just thought that his father being a marquess, they might know each other.’
Luke chuckled. ‘I am not acquainted with every earl in the country.’
She tossed her head. ‘Earls are more commonplace than marquesses, and are harder to keep track of.’
Luke pretended to take offence and clutched his hands over his heart. ‘You wound me.’
