Page 43 of A Sense of Injustice
‘I will know if he’s anywhere near.’
‘Ah, your sixth sense.’ He spoke scathingly and the awareness that sprang up between them at such moments was effectively broken.
She lifted her chin in a defiant gesture. ‘Yes, my sixth sense. Why are you so reluctant to accept that I have a gift?’
He looked away from her. ‘At least take Romulus with you.’ The dog had accompanied them on their meander through the meadow and barked in support, making them both smile.
‘That,’ Flora replied, stroking the dog’s big head, ‘I will happily do.’
They reached the side door to the house. Luke opened it and stepped back so that she could pass through it ahead of him.
‘Good night,’ she said, wishing that he could be broad-minded enough to have a little more faith in her psychic abilities. She failed to understand his stark determination to deny its existence and knew it was a subject that would always come between them. For such an intelligent, open-minded person, he seemed to have a blind spot when it came to the supernatural, ignoring all the compelling evidence that supported it. She couldn’t help wondering why but sensed that he had very personal reasons and wouldn’t open up to her in that regard.
With a sigh, she returned to her room aware that sleep would be a long time coming.
?????
Louise was on the point of leaving to keep her engagement to ride with Flora when she was delayed by the arrival of an unexpected visitor.
‘Miss Gregory,’ she said, attempting to hide her surprise when the only male servant that her grandmother employed—an elderly footman—announced the young woman. ‘What an unexpected pleasure.’
‘I hope I am not detaining you. You are obviously just going out.’
‘Not at all. Can I offer you tea?’
‘Thank you, no.’ Louise waved the footman away.
‘My grandmother is resting and my sister is having an art lesson. Was it her you came to see?’
‘Actually, I was hoping to get to know you both a little better.’ Miss Gregory stumbled over the words, sounding awkward and insincere. Louise had not liked her much when meeting her for the first time. She suspected her motives now and her dislike failed to dissipate. ‘I am to remain in Wiltshire for a few months and don’t know anyone my own age in the district. I thought we might…’
Then why, Louise wondered, had she not made more of an effort to converse with her and Marianne the other evening? ‘That’s a pity, but the squire is acquainted with all the leading families and so I am sure you will soon make friends.’
‘Yes, perhaps.’ Miss Gregory glanced around the room, apparently searching for a suitable subject. ‘You look as though you are going riding.’
Since she was dressed in a habit, it was hardly the deduction of the century. ‘Yes, Miss Latimer and I are going out. She wants to show me the reservoir. Apparently it’s a favourite bathing spot in the summer, and at this time of year the trees are quite spectacular.’
‘In that case I shall not detain you. Please send my regards to your grandmother and sister. I hope I shall see you all again very soon.’
Louise rang the bell and the footman reappeared to show the girl out. Louise watched her guest climb into the squire’s waiting carriage, which was immediately driven away, and wondered what the real purpose of her visit could have been. Glad to be rid of the girl, she shrugged a shoulder, put her from her mind and prepared to leave for Beranger Court.
‘I hope I have not kept you waiting,’ she said as soon as she was admitted to the house and greeted by Flora.
‘Not at all, you are precisely on time. The countess is sleeping and I have the rest of the afternoon to do with as I please. Really, sometimes I feel guilty to be paid for doing so little. Henry was planning to join us but has been called away on business for the earl.’
Louise attempted to disguise her disappointment by telling herself that it was just as well. She has been thinking about Henry Beranger a little too much since first making his acquaintance, which simply wouldn’t serve. She had been compromised and had no hope of forming an alliance with a respectable gentleman. Indeed, no respectable gentleman would want to know her, regardless of Flora’s opinion on the subject. It would be better if she forgot all about Henry’s engaging character and concentrated upon finding ways to save her sister from sharing in her disgrace.
‘That’s a shame, but I dare say we shall do well enough alone,’ she said, her voice sounding artificially bright.
‘We shall have to make do with this chap’s company.’
Louise exclaimed with delight when a huge, non-descript dog in a variety of interesting colours trotted up to them and pushed his head beneath Louise’s hand. ‘He’s delightful, if a little…well—’
‘Unconventional?’ Flora smiled. ‘The earl and I rescued Romulus. He was in a bad way when we found him, but as you can see, he is now completely recovered and devoted to Luke.’
‘And you, it seems.’
‘Well yes, he is a man, so it follows that he can be fickle.’
