Page 62 of A Sense of Fate
All of Archie’s friends nodded their agreement.
‘It gets better,’ Archie warned.
He told them about Conrad’s visit to Flora, undertaken in the expectation that his advances would be welcomed.
‘Needless to say,’ Archie added with the suggestion of a smile, ‘she left him in no doubt whatsoever that they were not. Next thing you know, Conrad’s knocking at my door, warning me off her.’
‘The devil he did!’ Alvin cried. ‘What a nerve.’
‘Told me not to stand whilst Pawson threw him out. Then reminded me with a pointedly suggestive smile that I probably couldn’t.’
‘You displaced him in Magda Simpson’s affections—against my advice if I recall,’ Luke said. ‘I knew she was a bad ’un too, but you were blinded by her beauty and your own lust.’
‘We were young and reckless. Luke. We had a duty to be lustful.’
Archie’s protest was greeted with guffaws of laughter.
‘Anyway, I paid a heavy price for it,’ Archie added, his expression sobering.
‘Quite.’ Luke paused. ‘You don’t think Conrad had anything to do with your fall, do you?’
‘He hinted at the fact. Not sure if it was bravado or if there was an element of truth in it. I wouldn’t put it past him. Simpson was a gentleman and I have often wondered why he didn’t behave like one and call me out rather than trying to undermine me by devious methods. But I have no difficulty in imagining Conrad alerting Simpson to my interest in his wife and then sabotaging my escape route.’ Archie took a swallow of his drink and shifted his position. ‘Either way, that’s all in the past. I’m more concerned with Latimer’s involvement with Conrad.’
He went on to explain about Melanie’s brutal treatment at her father’s hands and his subsequent visit to Flora when he realised where Melanie must have run to.
‘My God, the poor child,’ Paul said, shaking his head. ‘But still, the resilience of youth is working in her favour. She seems to be recovering remarkably quickly and has given Flora a purpose.’
‘Quite.’ Archie inclined his head. ‘There’s more.’
‘Good lord!’ Luke stood and walked to the window, his back to his friends. ‘Does she believe her father’s explanation for his friendship with Conrad?’
‘Not a word of it, no more do I,’ Archie replied with asperity. ‘She claims that her father is no intellectual and we all know that the same can be said for Conrad. Which is why I went up to London and met with Conrad’s brother.’
‘The member of parliament?’ Paul asked. ‘He’s attempting to do some good, from what I read.’
‘He is, and responded very candidly when I asked him about Elroy.’
Luke in particular looked astounded by Archie’s revelations. ‘Dear God!’ he said, running his hands through his hair. ‘No wonder Latimer wants his daughters back if he thinks there’s even an outside possibility that they are aware of his behaviour. What are you going to do about it, Archie? What does Flora want to do?’
‘She doesn’t know yet. I only got back from London yesterday and I haven’t had an opportunity to tell her. Pawson thinks I shouldn’t, at least not until we’re sure of our facts. She doesn’t like her father much, but she does still hold an element of respect for him because…well, he’s her father.’
‘Even unfounded rumours would destroy Latimer’s career and the entire family’s reputation,’ Alvin said. ‘I think you’re right to keep it from her until you know more.’
‘How can we help?’ Luke asked.
‘Conrad has a position in a small private bank in Salisbury. We need to catch him and his cohorts in the act, so to speak, just so that there can be no doubt.’
‘Give me the name of the bank,’ Luke replied without hesitation. ‘I will have people ask discreet questions about his habits and let you know where he goes and what I find out.’
‘Thank you,’ Archie replied, inclining his head.
A tap at the door preceded Flora and her sister entering the room.
‘Sorry to interrupt, gentlemen. No, don’t get up.’ Flora stayed them with a hand gesture. ‘We have had a quite delightful time discussing silks and lace and endless alterations, but we have no further suggestions to offer. Melanie is keen to walk around the lake, if there is time before we leave.’ She looked to Archie for clarification.
‘Plenty of time, but it’s freezing out there,’ Archie pointed out.
‘We don’t mind a little cold. Anyway, we wondered if Rom would like to join us.’
