Page 28 of A Sense of Fate
Archie lifted one shoulder. ‘Perhaps your father has engaged his services in some capacity or other.’
‘That I very much doubt.’ She drummed the fingers of one hand against her knee. ‘Papa does not approve of disobedient children, and you are looking at someone who is in a position to know.’
‘I shall never tire of that particular view,’ he assured her in a softly flirtatious tone.
‘Then you are easily pleased, Lord Felsham. And don’t flirt with me. It isn’t helpful and I have no idea how to respond. They don’t teach the art of flirting in Sunday school and I certainly didn’t learn it at home, where such behaviour is frowned upon.’
‘Of course it is, since it is harmless and pleasurable.’ He chuckled. ‘Anyway, you hold your own well enough against me without the benefit of instruction.’
‘Gosh, it’s warm in here.’ Her cheeks turned even redder and she flapped a hand in front of her face, using it as a fan. ‘We urgently need to know what connection Conrad has to Papa. There must be something.’
‘Pawson is making further enquiries.’ Archie smiled at her. ‘Be patient. We will get answers soon enough.’
‘In that case, we shall not spoil our pleasure by speaking of the horrible man again today. Tell me instead what mischief you have been getting yourself into.’
‘Merlin and I have behaved with absolute decorum.’
She narrowed her eyes at him. ‘I believe it of Merlin. If he is half as contented as Mabel, then he requires nothing more than a warm stable and a manger full of hay. But you, Lord Felsham, I feel are on intimate terms with mischief.’
Archie clutched a hand dramatically to his heart. ‘You wound me, Miss Latimer.’
She laughed. ‘That I very much doubt. And furthermore, I doubt whether your reclusive proclivities have prevented the local matrons from calling and forcing their dreary daughters upon you. Mrs Finch mentioned that something similar happened to your father not long after…’ She clapped a hand over her mouth. ‘I’m sorry, Archie. That was insensitive. I know how much you admired your mama.’
‘No offence taken. Besides, your Mrs Finch is in the right of it. The pater found the machinations of the local witches, as he referred to them, diverting. I have learned from him, and I don’t receive anyone other than by prior appointment.’
‘Then I must ensure that I don’t make an impulse call and risk being turned away.’
He winked at her. ‘For you, I will always make an exception.’
‘Because you have nothing to fear from me.’ She nodded and quickly turned away, but not so quickly that Archie didn’t see a flash of insecurity work its way through her expression. Her lack of confidence in her ability to compel him gave Archie another reason to hope. ‘Well, that’s true enough, I suppose, otherwise we would not be sitting here together, quite so shockingly alone.’
‘I shall do my very best to behave myself, but I cannot make any promises.’
‘You don’t need to. I can run faster than you.’ She gulped. ‘Sorry again. I seem to be behaving rather insensitively today, which is not my intention.’
‘Perhaps you wouldn’t want to run away.’ He chuckled when her blush deepened. ‘Anyway, no apology is necessary. I dislike it when people feel obliged to temper their words around me. I have no one to blame but myself for my situation and have come to terms with it, after a fashion.’
Draper appeared to inform them that luncheon was served. Archie levered himself from his chair as elegantly as his impediment permitted. He took a second to allow his leg to adjust, took up his stick and offered his opposite arm to Flora.
‘Are we to take luncheon in the conservatory? I do like the room but won’t it be cold in this weather. I don’t mind for myself, but your joints…’
‘Wait and see.’
They made their way to the conservatory where a coal stove had been installed. It heated the space very efficiently, and if anything it was too warm. The plants flourished and something Archie couldn’t put a name to gave off a pungent aroma.
‘This is delightful,’ she said, glancing out at the grounds before taking the chair that Draper held out for her. Archie waited for her to settle herself and then took his own seat, placing his stick against the wall. ‘I don’t suppose you stir from your library when you are alone, so at least my presence makes you use more of your home. Speaking of your library, may I borrow some books for Mrs Finch?’
‘Take as many as you like.’
‘Thank you. She will appreciate the loan of some of your weightier tomes. I have nothing nearly serious enough to satisfy her hungry mind. She pretends not to enjoy the novels I take her, although I know that she does. Anyway, I have brought the books that I borrowed before back, and I enjoyed them,’ she said, taking up her soup spoon. ‘Thank you. They are in the carriage.’
‘Pawson will deal with them.’
Draper poured a little wine for them both and discreetly withdrew.
‘Your very good health, Flora,’ Archie said, raising his glass and smiling. ‘And thank you for your challenging company.’ He paused. ‘I think.’
‘To your health too,’ she responded. ‘I don’t mean to be challenging, if that’s what I am. It’s just that…well, I like to express my opinions. I was never able to do so as a child, so I won’t apologise for being myself now that I can. It isn’t as though I have any need to be on my best behaviour in order to impress anyone.’
