Page 11 of A Sense of Injustice
Luke said nothing at all. He watched as Flora ascended the stairs with his grandmother leaning heavily on her arm. Charlie and Miranda had taken themselves off. The others were all remaining for the night.
‘Nightcap?’ Luke suggested.
‘Thanks, but no.’ Archie surprised him by saying, yawning behind his hand. ‘Must be getting old. Can’t put it away like I once did. You’ll have to excuse me, old chap. I’m for my bed.’
‘Sorry about Miss Gregory,’ Sam said once Archie had left them. ‘If I’d known…’
‘You had no choice but to include her in the invitation,’ Luke said, slapping his brother’s shoulder. ‘Don’t worry. I survived.’
‘Well, just so long as you’re not angry with me. Good night.’
‘Night,’ Luke replied absently.
Left alone, Luke knew it would be at least half an hour before Flora came down again—ifshe elected to. She had seemed surprised by his unorthodox suggestion and not especially enthusiastic about complying with it. God forbid that she had arranged an assignation with Archie, accounting for his turning down his customary brandy! Jealousy streaked through Luke, only dissipating when he reminded himself that not all females were as ambitious as Miss Gregory and that Flora would never agree to put herself in a compromising position. But wouldn’t it seem as though Luke asked her to do precisely that? His intentions were honourable, but she didn’t know that. They had been alone before and he’d behaved himself—most of the time.
But not always.
He took himself off to his library to wait for her. He would give her an hour and if she hadn’t come down by then he would have to accept that she never would. He received a rapturous welcome from Romulus, his large, non-descript hound who’d spent the evening slumbering in front of the fire. Romulus was not a dog who could be trusted to behave himself in the dining room when they had guests.
‘Did you miss me, boy?’ He ruffled the dog’s ears and received a thorough face-licking for his trouble. ‘We’ll go outside in a moment.’
Luke threw himself into a chair with Romulus at his feet, thinking about the events of the evening. He wondered if Archie’s proposal had been intended to test the waters and gauge Flora’s reaction to it. How would Luke feel about it if he renewed it in private, and if she agreed? Why would she not? She enjoyed Archie’s society. Luke couldn’t think of a single person who did not. The man possessed a magnetic personality and captivating charm. The loss of the use of his legs to all intents and purpose had not changed his character. Even Luke’s grandmother was not immune to Archie’s mischievous ways.
Luke poured himself a brandy that he didn’t really want and knocked it back in one swallow, feeling unsettled.
His introspective thoughts were interrupted when the door opened and Flora walked through it, still wearing her lovely gown. Her cheeks were pink and she seemed breathless, but she had come. Before Luke could stand to greet her, Romulus bounded across the room, wagging his entire ungainly body as he attempted to place his huge front paws on her bare shoulders. She laughed and tickled his stomach, not seeming to mind that his claws might scratch her delicate skin or pull threads from her gown.
‘Your grandmother is tired and crotchety. I left her in Sandwell’s capable hands and was able to get away quicker than I imagined.’ She smiled at up at Luke once Romulus finally finished greeting her, an elusive warmth glowing from her violet eyes, as though someone had said something to her that stirred her passions. Damn Archie! ‘Why did you want to see me? Couldn’t it have waited?’
He returned her smile, admiring the manner in which the glow from the dying fire cast her creamy skin in light and shadow, making her seem mysterious, desirable and unattainable. ‘Your gift. Aren’t your curious?’
‘I’m curious to know why everyone couldn’t have seen it. Why the need for secrecy?’
He took her arm and propelled her towards the door. ‘Come.’
‘Where are we going?’
‘Your gift is outside.’
‘Outside?’ Flora shook her head, setting curls dancing around her face. ‘It’s the middle of the night. I believe the attentions of the fragrant Miss Gregory have deprived you of the ability to think rationally.’ A taunting smile touched her lips. Was she jealous? The possibility ought to have annoyed Luke. Instead it gave him immense satisfaction. ‘I think you have acquired another admirer.’
Luke rolled his eyes. ‘It must be my lucky day.’
‘Are we really going outside?’ she asked, when he led her in the direction of the side door which he’d had Woodley leave unlocked. Romulus trotted along at Luke’s heels.
‘Stop being difficult and disputing everything I ask you to do.’
‘Luke, really! Since when did I ever give you the slightest trouble?’
But there was laughter in her voice as she followed him towards the stable yard. He liked to hear his name slip past her lips. She only ever used it when they were alone but didn’t hesitate to address the rest of his family informally.
‘Here.’ He stopped outside a stall that was dimly lit by the light that had been left burning at the end of the row. The beautiful head of a magnificent grey gelding with a thick mane that reached his shoulders peered out at them. ‘This is Amethyst. He’s an Irish draft, sturdy and dependable, but with a good turn of speed. He’s yours. Happy birthday, sweet Flora.’
‘He’s absolutely beautiful,’ Flora replied with wide-eyed breathlessness. ‘But I couldn’t possibly accept such an extravagant gift.’
The horse nuzzled her shoulder. ‘Amethyst and I disagree with you. I didn’t know you were a skilled pianist. You kept that from me. But you have told me more than once that you enjoy riding. I have seen you in the saddle for myself and I know you are proficient, even if your father never allowed you to have a horse lively enough to match your ability.’
‘True.’ She gave a wry smile. ‘It was only ever plodding cobs for me.’
