Page 2 of A Sense of Injustice
‘Someone needs to mark the occasion,’ the countess said, flapping a hand. ‘Now find me a chair in the drawing room. And a glass of sherry. One could die of thirst while you gawp at the arrangements like the gauche child that you are.’
‘No one is down yet,’ Flora said, conducting the countess to a comfortable chair beside the fire. She smiled her thanks at the footman who had anticipated the countess’s dry throat and stood ready with the required sherry.
‘This party is being held in your honour, so you have to be here to greet the guests.’ The countess took a sip of her drink, clearly determined to be argumentative. ‘Don’t you know anything?’
‘We are only expecting the family, Lord Hardwick and a few neighbours. No need for ceremony.’
‘Have something yourself, child.’ The countess tutted when Flora declined to join her in a glass of sherry. ‘Today of all days, let your hair down from its tight bun.’
Flora, whose hair, thanks to the skilled fingers of the countess’s personal maid, was arranged in a becoming style with long spiral curls falling from a central parting around her face, merely smiled. ‘I shall wait a while. Intoxicating liquor goes straight to my head, as well you know.’
‘That’s because you’re unaccustomed to it. I don’t suppose there was anything interesting to drink in that ghastly place you came from. Not even the vinegar that passes for altar wine.’
‘Perish the thought,’ Flora said, grinning.
Filled with an overwhelming sense of anticipation, Flora strolled the width of the room, enjoying the feel of the silk train that whispered in her wake. She, a relative nobody, wearing an expensive gown with a silk train! If her father could see her now, he would have an attack of apoplexy. Sometimes she felt the need to pinch herself, terrified that she would wake up to discover that all this had been a massive figment of her overactive imagination. That she was still in the restrictive confines of Cathedral Close, every moment accounted for by the strictest parents imaginable.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Lady Mary, the countess’s granddaughter, bustled into the room wearing a becoming blue gown that enhanced the colour of her eyes.
‘Grandmamma, Flora. I am sorry to have kept you waiting. I had a small disaster with my gown.’ She kissed her grandmother’s cheek. ‘I put my foot through the train, clumsy oaf that I am.’
‘You are not remotely late, Mary,’ Flora assured her. ‘As you can see, no one else is down yet.’
‘Happy birthday, dearest Flora.’ Mary gave Flora an affectionate squeeze, careful not to crush their gowns.
‘Thank you so much for the charming drawing that you did for me. I am delighted with it,’ Flora replied. ‘Really, you are all too generous. Just look at what the countess gave me.’
Flora indicated her brooch and Mary duly admired it.
‘I suppose you’ve been finding excuses to dally with the fiancé of yours,’ the countess complained. ‘I don’t believe your pathetic excuses about a torn hem for one moment.’
‘Oh yes, I was with Paul earlier,’ Mary responded, smiling angelically. ‘It is very convenient being engaged to be married to my brother’s secretary and best friend. Since he lives here, he cannot avoid seeing me.’
‘As if he would want to!’ Flora cried. ‘The man has the good sense to adore you.’
Mary shook her head when she was offered sherry. ‘We’ll wait for the champagne, I think. Anyway, Grandmamma, if I was dallying, as you so charmingly suggest, I should have thought you would approve, given how often you have told us about your various liaisons.’ Mary and Flora shared a smile. ‘I could claim to be following a family tradition.’
The countess’s chin jutted pugnaciously. ‘Wait until you have Dalton’s ring on your finger before you start playing the field,’ she said, clearly put out because she’d failed to shock anyone. ‘Once you have, then I shall tell you how to keep him dancing attendance upon you.’
Mary grinned mischievously. ‘I look forward to it, Grandmamma.’
‘Have you and Paul decided where you intend to live?’ Flora asked.
‘Yes, we shall remain here.’
‘Good. I hoped you would.’
‘Paul doesn’t have the least intention of giving up his position, although Luke says he no longer has to be his valet as well as his secretary, which is generous of him. We are taking over the suite of rooms that Emma and I shared. Now that Emma is married and moved away, they are far too big for me on my own. So none of us will be inconvenienced and I shall not have to move away from you, Grandmamma.’
‘I suppose you expect me to tell you that I’m glad,’ the countess complained. ‘But since I hardly see you from one day to the next, where you choose to live is of little consequence to me.’
‘Her ladyship is feeling especially provocative today,’ Flora said, smiling.
‘I am not provocative. I never provoke.’
‘Have it your way,’ Flora replied, sharing an amused look with Mary.
‘We have decided not to marry until the spring,’ Mary told them. ‘The weather is so unpredictable at this time of year. Besides, Emma’s confinement will be in January, and I would like my sister to recover from that ordeal so that she can enjoy the occasion.’
