Page 57 of A Sense of Fate
‘A relative of yours?’
Archie waved one hand from side to side. ‘Not precisely.’
‘Ah.’ Marcus’s expression turned disapproving.
‘Not what you are thinking,’ Archie assured him. ‘Those days are behind me. Let’s just say that the lady does no end of good in the district but chooses to live alone, even though she is unmarried.’ Marcus raised one brow but knew when to remain silent. ‘She is reasonably comfortably situated, so naturally her wealth makes her a target for the unscrupulously inclined. We are friends, and I want her to be able to live in the unconventional manner she has chosen without having to fight off unwanted attentions. Attentions that I cannot help feeling partially responsible for, since your brother bears me a grudge and is aware of my friendship with the lady in question.’
‘Presumably she has told my brother that his feelings for her are not reciprocated.’
The suggestion of a smile played about Archie’s lips. ‘Most directly. You may depend upon it.’
‘Then why does he persist?’ Marcus frowned. ‘My brother enjoys more than his share of luck with the fairer sex. There is something about him that they find appealing. Damned if I can see what it is, but there you have it. Anyway, I can level many accusations at Elroy’s door, most unpalatable accusations based upon his past conduct, but pushing his attentions where they are unwelcome is not one of them.’
Archie cleared his throat. ‘I believe the lady’s father has encouraged him.’
‘Her father?’ He frowned. ‘I say, what a cad! Why would he do such a thing?’
‘There you have hit upon the heart of my problem.’
‘Do I know this sorry excuse for a father?’
‘He is the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral.’
Marcus sucked in a sharp breath. ‘Latimer!’
‘Precisely so. Your scowl leads me to suppose that you are acquainted with the man.’
‘Not personally, thank God.’ Marcus smiled without humour at the unintended pun, topped off their glasses and downed half the contents of his in one long swallow, clearly very distressed. ‘I had best explain the precise nature of my brother’s last argument with my father, given the circumstances.’
Flora’s determination to entertain Melanie, to distract her as she recovered from the ordeal that she had suffered at their father’s hands, helped keep her mind off her recent exchange with Archie. She had more important priorities, but even so, she couldn’t ignore the fact that something fundamental had changed during the course of Archie’s visit. They had both let their guard down to a degree, but the situation had left Flora frustrated and confused.
Now that she had let the scandalous possibility of agreeing to become his mistress into her head, she had trouble thinking about anything else, and was grateful to have Melanie to keep her from dwelling upon it. Her sister’s injuries were slowly healing and she was proving an attentive student. She absorbed everything that Flora taught her about her herbal cures and asked clever questions about their uses.
‘This hemlock mixture sounds very Shakespearian,’ Melanie said, giggling. ‘Are we two of the three witches chanting around our cauldron, plotting the rise and fall of kings?’
Flora laughed. ‘You have a vivid imagination.’
‘I have grown up depending upon my imagination. Escaping into it made my life more interesting than it actually was, and a good deal more bearable,’ she replied in a matter of fact voice. ‘Do you use this to help Lord Felsham with his sore muscles?’
‘How do you know that his muscles are sore?’
‘When I was in the kitchen Mr Pawson said that you’d made a world of difference to his mobility. Polly agreed with everything he said, even though I can’t be sure how she could possibly know. But then she is besotted with Mr Pawson. I think she’s in love with him.’
‘I am sure she is, but that is her business. And yes, in answer to your question, it is something I have recommended for Lord Felsham. But remember that hemlock is dangerous, otherwise it wouldn’t have attracted the attention of Shakespeare’s unscrupulous witches. Its root, when roasted and applied to the hands of a person suffering from gout, has proven beneficial.’
‘Gosh, you are clever.’ Melanie looked up at Flora with admiration in her eyes. ‘How do you know all these things? I like to educate myself through reading but your abundance of knowledge makes me feel quite dense by comparison.’
Flora smiled. ‘Our grandmother gave me a lot of instruction. She was much better with herbs than I will ever be. I have a feeling that you will take after her. You seem to have a natural affinity.’
‘I do hope so.’
‘We will go into the village tomorrow morning and purchase something for you to wear at Beranger Court.’
‘I don’t need anything. I have the lovely skirts you already bought me.’
‘Yes you do.’ Flora pinched her sister’s cheek. ‘But you will be the guest of an earl. Certain standards are expected.’
‘You’re just saying that because you want to spoil me.’ Melanie grinned. ‘And I fully intend to let you.’
