Page 23 of A Sense of Fate
‘Archie, eh?’
‘Times have changed, Mrs Finch, and the formalities aren’t what they once were.’
‘That they have, pet, and I can’t say that I disapprove of today’s more relaxed standards.’
‘Did your path ever cross with Archie’s parents when you were employed by the Devonshires?’
‘From time to time. The Devonshires were invited when they entertained in the summer months and opened their grounds to the local gentry. Of course, all that stopped with her ladyship’s passing.’
‘What was the marchioness like?’
‘She was a vision. Charming and thoughtful, but very delicate. I don’t think she ever recovered from giving birth to her second son. She certainly had no more children after that and passed on when your Archie was just eight. I hear he was devastated.’
‘I think the old marquess was, too. He never remarried and has left his wife’s sitting room just as it was, almost as if he expects her to return to it and sit down to her correspondence at any moment. Mind you, the entire house is in urgent need of modernising and a fresh coat of paint at the very least, so perhaps he just lost interest.’
‘I remember the long line of hopeful young misses who were paraded in front of him before his wife was even cold in her grave. It was sickening to observe such blatant ambition. Anyway, the old man didn’t want to know any of them and turned elsewhere for his pleasures.’
‘I can’t say I blame him for that.’
‘He was very close to your Archie, though. Well, I mean, he must have been since he went to great lengths to get him the best possible care in France for all those years without taking him to task for the manner in which he managed to break his poor body.’
Flora flexed a brow. ‘You know how that came about?’
‘I’ve heard rumours, stories that have probably become taller with every telling, but like most tales—other than the nonsense you encourage me to read—I’m sure they have a basis in fact. Anyway, the old marquess was never a hypocrite, I’ll say that much for him, and he probably accepted that the son followed his own example. He certainly had an eye for a pretty face himself, even before the marchioness met her maker.’
‘I take it you speak from experience,’ Flora replied, fascinated.
‘There was a fair one year and he caught me unawares beneath the kissing bow. He didn’t actually take liberties, other than stealing the requisite kiss, but only because I didn’t give him any encouragement.’ Her faded eyes briefly sparkled with renewed life. ‘Not that I wasn’t tempted, mind.’
‘Mrs F!’
She gave a throaty chuckle. ‘I hear tell he never compromised his servants, which is a point in his favour. A lot of men in his situation regularly take advantage of those in their employ.’
‘I have heard it said that father and son were alike in that they both enjoyed female company. The countess knew him in the biblical sense; or so she would have me believe. I am glad that Archie was able to come home, and that they had some time together before the old gentleman died.’
‘You have a soft heart, Flora love.’
‘Do I? I like Archie and I feel very sorry for him. Not that I would ever tell him so. He despises sympathy, so I constantly remind him that there are those who are a great deal worse off than he is.’
‘Quite right too. But even so, that wounded dignity adds to his appeal. I saw him once in the village not long ago and have to say that he cut quite the figure. I understand why you enjoy his company. Just have a care though, love.’ Mrs Finch fixed Flora with a sapient look. ‘From what you tell me, he’s a fair way to desiring you and I don’t think you can honestly claim that his feelings are not reciprocated.’
‘He always behaves impeccably.’ Flora grinned, thinking of the one occasion upon which he had kissed her. ‘Well, usually. The countess called him a scoundrel and warned me away from him, but…well, perhaps I’m cut from the same cloth as you and am rebelling against my upbringing.’
‘He will have to marry at some point, love. He has a duty to produce an heir. So why should he not marry you?’
‘That would be letting the side down.’ Flora went on to tell her confidante about her sister’s wedding and her father’s clumsy attempt to push Mr Conrad at her. ‘I need to know what they are plotting,’ she said, tapping the fingers of one hand against her knee. ‘Or why my father continues to meddle in my life at all for that matter.’
‘I heard you had a handsome caller the other day.’
Flora jerked upright. ‘How did you hear?’
‘The man asked for your direction at the Stag. The butcher’s boy told me. He had it from Mrs Trench, the landlady.’
‘I didn’t know that my activities were of so much interest to the local populace,’ Flora replied, wondering how she felt about her life being under scrutiny, the subject of local gossip and speculation.
‘You’ve done no end of good and you’ve been accepted. You should feel pride in that achievement. It’s not easily won.’
‘I thought villagers were generally a suspicious bunch who take twenty years to accept outsiders.’
