Page 44 of A Sense of Turmoil
Luke did know and gave a sombre nod. ‘Go up and see Grandmamma before you leave tomorrow,’ he said. ‘She will want to say goodbye to you.’
‘Very well. I shall do that.’ Archie winced as he levered himself to his feet. ‘But now, if you will excuse me, I need to give these aching old bones a respite.’
Luke watched his old friend limp away, and all the animosity he had so churlishly felt towards him because he was jealous of his closeness to Flora evaporated.
‘I wish we could…’
Paul nodded. ‘I know. So do I. But at least Flora’s tinctures have given him some respite.’
*
Still wearing her smart walking gown, Flora stayed in her own room for only as long as it took her to remove her hat and tidy her hair. She rubbed a sooty mark from her chin and then made her way to the countess’s sitting room. She found her charge dozing in her favourite chair. Zeus was stretched out in front of the fire and Sandwell sat quietly, embroidering. She glanced up at Flora’s appearance and placed a finger against her lips, advising against waking the countess.
‘She has been asking for you on and off all day,’ Sandwell whispered, ‘but just dropped off. She has been fractious, but I expect she will calm now that you are back. You have a way with her.’
‘Take a break,’ Flora whispered back. ‘I will sit with her.’
Sandwell nodded, collected up her embroidery and left the room quietly. Flora was content to sit and watch over the woman who had become as dear to her as her own grandmother had once been, wishing there was more she could do to prolong her life. The sound of her erratic breathing and the wheezing in her chest brought reality crashing in and a tear to Flora’s eye. Nothing would prevent nature from taking its course.
‘What are you crying about, miss?’
Flora blinked at the sound of the countess’s voice. Lost in miserable speculation, she hadn’t noticed that she’d opened her eyes and wondered how long the canny old lady had been watching her.
‘I was not crying, ma’am. I was merely reflecting upon the events of the day. My tears were tears of laughter. The clergy really do think frightfully well of themselves, so there is nothing for it other than to laugh at their pomposity. Anyway, how do you feel?’
‘Old and feeble. I suppose your father tried to drag you back into the fold.’
‘Tell me how you feel and if there’s anything I can fetch for you, then I will regale you with the particulars of my day. Sandwell says you kept asking for me, but you knew where I had gone.’
The countess made a grumbling sound. ‘I’m old and I forget things.’
‘Old you might be, but you have a memory that would put an elephant to shame.’ Flora smiled and shook a finger at her charge. ‘I believe you enjoy worrying Sandwell by pretending to be feeble-minded, which is very wicked of you. She is devoted to you, and unlike me she is easily upset by your teasing.’
The countess rippled her shoulder indignantly. ‘What’s the point of carrying on if I can’t indulge in a little harmless amusement.’
‘I can see that you are having a good day. I can always tell because it brings out the devil in you.’ Flora touched the countess’s forehead and was pleased to discover that she was not feverish. With the onset of winter, Flora feared that the slightest sign of a chill would see the old lady off. ‘Would you like some tea?’
‘Ring for refreshments, if you like. I dare say you are parched, which is why you suggested it.’
‘Thank you, I shall.’
Flora checked that the countess had taken all the tinctures she had left for her, banked up the fire and made a fuss of Zeus. By the time she had done all those things the tea had arrived, and Flora poured for them both. Some of the countess’s favourite pastries had been provided too, and both ladies partook.
Flora then described her day to a very interested countess, who cried out in disgust when Flora explained about her father’s machinations.
‘He’s only just been made up to dean, already thinks of higher office and is attempting to use you to make it happen.’ She chuckled. ‘He really doesn’t understand you at all. Nor does he deserve you.’
‘My goodness, ma’am. Was that a compliment you let slip there?’
‘Ha! I suppose you made a scene.’
‘It proved not to be necessary. My mother had tried to persuade me to stay in Salisbury after the ceremony for a few days. I wondered why, and I was immediately on my guard and told her it wouldn’t be possible since I was needed here. She clearly didn’t convey that fact to Papa. He was furious when I said I had to leave, and I know he would have tried emotional blackmail by reminding me of the duty I owe to him.’
‘Ha!’ the countess snapped for a second time.
‘My thoughts precisely. Anyway, I was rescued in the most timely and unusual manner.’
The countess cackled when Flora told her that Archie had been her saviour.
