Page 54 of A Sense of Injustice
‘You think Archie is waiting for his father to turn up his toes?’
‘There won’t be anything to stop him from pleasing himself once he does, and I’m told it won’t be long. It will be a brilliant match for Flora.’
‘It would, but she wouldn’t have him. She isn’t impressed by wealth and titles.’
‘Perhaps not, but she does like Archie. He makes her laugh and I think she feels sorry for him. You know how soft-hearted she is.’
‘Ha! She’s too good for him. Archie isn’t the constant type, and Flora would never countenance a husband who strayed.’
‘Just thought you should be aware of the way the wind blows,’ Paul said calmly as he stood. ‘But now, I’d best get on.’
Left alone, Luke stared moodily at the fire, thinking about what Paul had just told him. He then swore profusely, pushed himself to his feet and with Romulus at his heels, decided he might as well ride into the village and confront Cleethorp right away.
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Flora spent an hour with the countess. Her charge was in much better spirits, as evidenced by her desire to regale Flora with exaggerated tales of her younger days, to which Flora listened with half an ear. Her mind kept returning to Luke and Paul’s discoveries. She found it hard to imagine such wickedness on the part of a cold, calculating woman and felt a burning sense of injustice for all that Louise had been compelled to suffer as a consequence.
Even though it looked as though her new friend would soon be free of Cleethorp for ever, recovering from her ordeal would take a great deal longer. If she ever fully did. She had been robbed of something precious through no fault of her own, and would never reclaim her lost innocence. Louise was right to suggest that most men would not be willing to overlook the situation and would likely only pursue her for her fortune.
‘You’re preoccupied, miss,’ the countess said, breaking off in the middle of a long story about a marquess who had supposedly fought a duel over her. ‘Have I managed to shock you at last.’
‘Not nearly, ma’am. You must excuse me. I was thinking about Louise. The earl has found a way to dissuade the man who has been pursuing her.’
‘My grandson is nothing if not inventive.’ Thankfully, the countess didn’t ask for particulars. ‘You want to be the one to tell her the good news, I suppose.’
‘I shall ride over and see her this afternoon while you are resting, if you have no objection.’
‘You might as well go now, for all the company you are.’
‘Sorry.’ Flora smiled ruefully. ‘I feel so very sorry for Louise. She has been treated abominably just because she is an heiress.’
‘Ah well, there will always be sharp young men with an eye for a fortune. That’s why gels should be properly chaperoned, which Louise very obviously was not.’ The countess shook her head, looking highly affronted. ‘Take the rest of the afternoon off, love, go and see the girl and set her mind at rest. Sandwell will take care of my needs.’
‘Are you quite sure? I will not have you thinking that I’m neglecting you.’
‘It was me who asked you to try and help Louise in the first place. Can’t have fortune hunters cluttering up the countryside.’
‘Heaven forbid!’
Flora rang the bell for Sandwell and when she responded to it, Flora kissed the countess’s brow. ‘I shall call back later and let you know how it went,’ she promised. ‘Shall we go down to dinner this evening?’
‘I think we shall,’ the countess replied, waving Flora away. ‘It’s about time I knew what escapades my grandchildren have involved themselves in, and since they never bother to visit me here…’
Flora scampered off to change into her riding habit. She dressed quickly, made her way to the stables and was soon cantering across the countryside, perched on Amethyst’s back and enjoying the feel of the powerful horse responding to her commands.
Louise opened the door to her herself when she reached her destination and greeted her with great affection.
‘Grandmamma and Marianne are out for the afternoon visiting friends, so we have the place to ourselves. Shall we walk in the gardens?’
‘By all means. How are you?’
‘Exceedingly well, I thank you. I am so glad you persuaded me to confide in Grandmamma,’ Louise said, linking her arm through Flora’s as they strolled between the neatly tended flower beds. ‘I was petrified about disappointing her, but she gave me her full support and didn’t blame me for anything that happened, even though I shall always blame myself for being so gullible.’
‘Why would your grandmother accuse you of impropriety when what occurred was not your fault? That horrible man forced himself upon you and ought to be publicly disgraced for his behaviour. And as for your aunt…’
‘Quite.’ The girls sat on a bench in the lee of a crisp wind. ‘I am just relieved that Grandmamma knows everything and there are no more guilty secrets between us. All we must do now if find a way to protect Marianne.’
‘Well, I think I can help you there.’
