Page 5 of A Sense of Fate
‘I believe we have an acquaintance in common, Miss Latimer.’
‘We do?’ Flora arched a brow. ‘Forgive me, but you have the advantage of me once again.’
‘Lord Felsham and I were once on friendly terms.’
‘Indeed?’ Flora affected disinterest. ‘I have not heard him mention your name.’
‘We knew one another at university in Oxford. We all thought Felsham was dead.’
‘I am happy to assure you that is not the case.’ She allowed herself the suggestion of a smile. Her parents wanted Flora to take a liking to this gentleman, but had yet to learn that coercion was the surest way to invoke her dislike. ‘The marquess is very much alive.’
‘His friend, Luke Beranger, is on the verge of matrimony, I understand.’
‘He is indeed, and those of us privileged to call him a friend are delighted with his choice. Miss Baxter is beyond compare and will make an exemplary countess.’
Flora was able to speak of her former employer’s grandson and his forthcoming nuptials with only the smallest pang of regret. They had once been close but he couldn’t accept her powers of second sight and deplored any mention of the supernatural—the inexplicable—despite the fact that she had used her abilities to save him from unsuitable marriages on two separate occasions. Similar considerations had driven a wedge between her own grandmother and her father, and had been responsible in part for her father taking holy orders.
Flora had struck out for freedom, partly so that she could use her inherited talent for the greater good. She could not—would not—consider tying herself to a disbeliever, no matter how attracted to one another they happened to be.
‘Come along, my dear,’ Mama said, tugging at her father’s arm. ‘We are ready to sit down and everyone is waiting for you.’
‘Of course.’
‘I hope we will be able to converse later, Miss Latimer,’ Mr Conrad said.
‘Unfortunately that will be unlikely, sir. I shall be leaving directly after the wedding breakfast.’
Flora took her place at the end of the top table, worried about her father’s latest machinations, uncomfortably aware that she could in all probability anticipate a visit from Mr Conrad in the not too distant future. She resolved to discuss him with Archie as soon as an opportunity arose.
‘I wish I could come with you.’ Melanie jumped up and down on her toes as she caught Flora alone moments before she departed to catch her train. ‘But I don’t suppose I shall be allowed to.’
‘I fail to see why you shouldn’t pay me a prolonged visit,’ Flora said, although she could think of a dozen reasons why her father would refuse to allow it. Even so, parental disapproval wouldn’t prevent Flora from attempting to make the arrangements. She and Melanie were more alike than Flora had previously realised, and she would do what she could to encourage her sister to break free from Cathedral Close and spread her wings. ‘I will write to you and we will plot our strategy.’
‘Oh yes, please!’ She hugged Flora in excitement. ‘It will be dull once you leave.’
‘Well, Pamela will be gone as well, so you will have…’
‘I will have to endure slightly less criticism,’ Melanie said, nodding glumly.
‘Be yourself, my love. Although I probably shouldn’t encourage you. I know how severe Papa’s punishments can be.’
‘I shall be on my best behaviour and try very hard not to speak out of turn. Then they will have to reward me with a visit to you.’
Flora tugged at one of her sister’s curls and took her leave of her family, mulling over the events of the day on the train journey back to Swindon.
Chapter Two
‘I wish you joy, my friend.’ Archie Felsham raised his glass to Luke Beranger, relaxing in the familiar surroundings of the library at Beranger Court on the final day of his visit. ‘It’s the end of an era and our priorities have changed. I suppose we’ve all had to grow up and assume our responsibilities.’
‘Are you planning to follow suit?’
‘I am not thinking along those lines.’ Archie offered up a self-deprecating shrug. ‘Who’d have this old decrepit?’
Luke laughed. ‘Just about any female in the country, I imagine. They’d be happy to put up with your bad temper and reclusive proclivities in return for becoming a marchioness.’
‘Ha!’ All but one, Archie thought but did not say, aware of Flora’s aura looming large between them. Equally aware that if he’d followed his instincts when first meeting the alluring minx, it would have driven a permanent wedge between himself and Luke. Archie hadn’t been prepared to risk their friendship for a second time, not even for Flora’s sake. ‘Anyway, regardless of my own matrimonial ambitions or lack thereof, I shall be happy to stand as your best man. Thank you for the honour.’
‘Who else would I ask? Despite your death your position as my best friend was never usurped.’ Luke shrugged. ‘Perhaps I sensed you were still alive, lurking across the Channel and pretending to be someone else.’
