Page 33 of A Sense of Turmoil
They sat for a while longer, Flora content to listen to the two old friends reminiscing about their youth, talking to one another with familiarity and affection. Conscious of the countess having need of her, Flora suggested returning to the house and leaving them to their recollections.
‘Not a bit of it,’ Archie said, pushing himself slowly to his feet. ‘We will escort you.’
She accepted their company and they rode back together in companionable silence. Flora waved goodbye to the gentlemen as soon as she had dismounted, her mind on the countess as she tried to decide if there was anything else she could do to make her days more comfortable. She had scoured her grandmother’s book of remedies the previous night but had not found anything new to try.
She was so deep in thought on the matter that she didn’t notice Ottilie Fleming until she intercepted Flora mid-way across the gallery.
‘Miss Latimer,’ she said, smiling angelically. ‘Did I see you just now riding with the earl and Lord Felsham?’
‘You did.’
‘I admired the horse you were riding,’ she said. ‘He is quite magnificent.’
‘Amethyst. Yes, he is a very handsome beast, and well he knows it. I am very fortunate to have him.’
She raised a brow. ‘He is yours?’
‘A gift from the earl.’
‘Goodness.’ She looked stunned and a little disconcerted by the admission. ‘He is a very generous employer.’
‘Unquestionably.’ Flora smiled politely. ‘Is there something you require of me? I don’t mean to be discourteous, but I am needed by the countess.’
‘Your position in this house is invidious. You are treated as a member of the family, enjoy all their advantages, yet you seem devoted to the countess.’
‘Did you enjoy the services of a governess, Miss Fleming?’
‘I did, and please call me Ottilie. I have noticed that you are on first name terms with the earl’s family. I would enjoy that informality too.’
‘Very well, then you must call me Flora. And my point about your governess is that she probably joined your family at mealtimes.’
‘She did, but…well, I probably should not say this. It will shock you. But I believe she was intimately acquainted with my father.’
Flora bridled. ‘If that is your clumsy way of asking me if I have entered into a similar arrangement with the earl, then I can assure you that I have not, and nor will I. Not ever.’
‘I have offended you, which was not my intention.’ Ottilie bit her lower lip. ‘Papa was devoted to my mother and although he had plenty of opportunities to remarry, he never did. He said that no one could ever replace her in his affections. But now that I am older and understand these things better, I can see that…well, that he still had certain needs.’
‘Then I am glad that he and your governess reached an understanding that benefited them both. But be assured that governesses, or in my case companions, do join their families at table as a matter of course. But I do not come down unless the countess requires my attendance, even though the invitation is constantly being extended. I am employed to care for her and will not shirk my duties in that regard.’
‘I am so glad we understand one another. My brother and I plan to settle in the area, and I don’t know anyone my own age, nor am I versed in the ways of English society. I was still a child when I left these shores, which is why I am grateful for your advice and clarification. I should be delighted to consider you a friend.’
‘And so you shall, if you like, but I shall probably not be here for much longer.’ Her smile faded. ‘The countess is not strong and after she is gone, there will be no further need for my services.’
If she had expected Ottilie to appear relieved, she was to be disappointed. ‘The countess is a forthright lady, and I can quite understand your attachment to her.’ She touched Flora’s gloved hand. ‘I hope she goes on for a lot longer, although I wouldn’t want to think of her suffering.’
Flora sensed that Ottilie’s comments came from the heart. ‘I will ensure that she does not.’
‘My brother…’ Ottilie paused and her cheeks flooded with colour.
‘Yes, what about him?’
‘He is mortified because he thinks he inadvertently offended you last night.’
There was nothing inadvertent about his behaviour, Flora knew. ‘Not at all,’ she hastened to assure. ‘It was a simple misunderstanding.’
‘I shall tell him. He will be so relieved.’
‘It is all quite forgotten.’
