Page 35 of A Sense of Turmoil
‘Excuse me for being blunt, but one imagines your father is aware of the situation. Frankly, I am surprised to see you here. I thought you had severed all ties.’
‘I am equally surprised that I agreed to come. I’m not sure why I did. Perhaps, I suppose, to prove that I cannot be intimidated. I dare say my father has plans for me.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘When does he not? But he needs to be made aware that I won’t be forced into doing anything I would prefer not to.’
‘I am aware of that,’ he said, regret momentarily flashing through his eyes. ‘But take comfort from the fact that you don’t intend to weaken, unless of course you have changed your mind about me.’
She laughed because his tone was light-hearted, and pretended not to realise that he was speaking in all seriousness. ‘Actually, I did not expect to see you today,’ she said. ‘I am aware that you and my father are no longer the best of friends.’
Mr Bolton grinned, a boyish gesture that lit up his face and made him seem much younger than his thirty years. ‘You of all people should be aware that if the clergy only mixed with those of whom they approved, there would have been a lot of empty pews today.’
Flora laughed too. ‘There is that, and I am well aware that my father has collected his share of enemies along the way.’
‘I hope we can still be friends, no matter what your future holds.’ He lowered his voice. ‘You know where to find me. If you have need of my help or advice, send word and I will come at once. I do not expect anything in return, other than to be of service to you.’
Flora felt tears spring to her eyes at this unexpected kindness. ‘Thank you, Mr Bolton. I shall remember your words and certainly look upon you as a friend. It is comforting during this time of turmoil to know that help is at hand should I ever have need of it.’
‘Excuse me,’ he said, when he noticed someone who looked important beckoning to him.
Having made her point—a point that she knew had not been lost on her father because he had been watching her from across the room—she joined her mother and sisters.
‘Mr Bolton won’t marry you now,’ Pamela said spitefully. ‘You broke his heart and you have lost your chance.’
‘I dare say I shall recover from the disappointment,’ Flora replied negligently.
‘Your gown is lovely,’ Melanie, her youngest sister said enviously. ‘I wish I was permitted to wear brighter colours. One grows weary of the constant grey.’
Flora nodded in sympathy, having felt the same way herself less than two years previously. ‘When you are a little older, I shall arrange for you to have a gown just like this one,’ Flora replied, tweaking the twelve-year-old’s nose.
‘We are old enough now for fine clothes,’ Nora and Judith said together.
Flora smiled. ‘So you are. I shall see what I can do.’
‘Don’t spoil them,’ her mother snapped. ‘You don’t want anything to do with us, so you cannot have it both ways.’
‘In that case, Mama, I shall take my leave. If I hurry, I shall be able to catch the early train and return to my duties.’
‘You cannot leave yet. Your father wants to speak with you.’
‘And yet you and Pamela have made it clear that my presence is unwelcome.Youcannot have it both ways either, Mama.’
‘I don’t know much about the manners of the grand people who employ your services, but if what I am seeing now is anything to judge by, I am not impressed. Kindly remember the duty that you owe to me, your mother.’
‘I knew this was a bad idea,’ Flora said, putting aside her empty cup and preparing to take her leave. Enough was enough.
‘Here is Mr Cox,’ Pamela said, her plain face coming alight with pride. ‘Mr Cox, this is my sister, Flora,’ she said, clutching the man’s arm in a predatory manner. ‘She is not staying for long.’
‘How do you do,’ Flora said politely, less than enamoured of Pamela’s intended. He was tall, rake thin and sallow of complexion. She could see at once that the affection was entirely one-sided and suspected that the young cleric had entered into an engagement with Pamela solely to benefit his career.
‘A very great pleasure, Miss Latimer,’ Mr Cox replied, offering her a limp hand and smiling at her, baring a row of uneven yellow teeth. ‘I have heard a great deal about you.’
‘Then you have the advantage, Mr Cox. I knew nothing of your existence until a few days ago.’
‘We are to be married in a month,’ Pamela said, reclaiming Mr Cox’s arm and making it abundantly clear that she had no intention of letting it go again. Flora suppressed a smile, resisting the urge to assure Pamela that she had nothing to fear from her. The very thought of even the most fleeting physical contact with Mr Cox made her shudder. ‘I expect you will be too busy to attend.’
‘I expect I shall.’
‘Surely not,’ Mr Cox said at the same time.
They were saved from further embarrassment by the arrival of Flora’s father. Mr Cox’s attitude became deferential, his attentions towards Pamela instantly more marked. Flora disliked the man intently, and although she had little sympathy for her sister, she abhorred the thought of her being stuck with such a pompous prig for the rest of her natural days. But then again, Pamela seemed oblivious to her intended’s connivances and ambitions, and equally determined to be the first of the five of them to marry. She would, Flora knew, be escaping one type of servitude for another, but she had always been the most devout of her sisters. Flora hoped that the situation would suit her character and that she would find some joy in her altered circumstances.
