Page 16 of A Sense of Fate
Flora retired on the evening of Mr Conrad’s visit with more questions than answers rattling around inside her head. She was unable to understand why she was so worried. There was nothing that her father could do to harm her now. But she had learned to trust her perceptions, especially when Remus backed up her concerns, and slept fitfully as a consequence.
She woke with a slight headache, but the weather had improved and she was able to make her rounds, calling upon the ladies she helped with their maladies and welcoming two little girls to the cottage to practise their scales on her piano. They showed some ability and she wanted to encourage their talent.
They had only just left when the sound of an arrival put her on her guard. If it was Mr Conrad again, Polly had been given instructions not to allow him over the threshold.
To her delight, it was not the odious Mr Conrad but Violet Baxter, Luke’s future wife, who walked into Flora’s sitting room wearing a becoming walking gown and a wide smile. The ladies embraced.
‘I am delighted to see you, Violet. Please sit down near the fire. Polly, some tea, if you please.’
‘I have been meaning to call for several days but the weather deterred me.’
‘It has been awful,’ Flora agreed. ‘Some of the older residents in the village suffer appallingly with their joints. Cold weather always exacerbates their problems, but I do what I can to help.’
‘I am perfectly sure that you do, and I am quite cross with you because of it.’ Violet’s smile belied the scolding. ‘Your reputation for similar care in Ashton Keynes is talked about every time I enter the village and I shall never be able to live up to your standards.’
‘Of course you will. I shall give you some tips about herbs and their usage if you like. Mrs Kemp will guide you. As well as being Luke’s housekeeper, she is also very good at helping the villagers.’
‘Thank you on both counts.’ Violet settled herself in her chair. ‘Mary sends her apologies. She intended to come with me. She was looking forward to the excursion but she has been feeling fatigued—’
‘I hope the baby isn’t giving her any trouble,’ Flora replied, instantly concerned.
‘She assures me that is not the case. Paul has called the doctor to her and he has recommended a few days’ bed rest. He assures us that nothing is wrong, but Paul is not convinced.’
Flora smiled. ‘I am perfectly sure he is not, which is just how it should be. First time fathers have a duty to be anxious.’
Violet smiled. ‘Mary has several months to go yet and has made it very plain that she doesn’t intend to become an invalid.’
Flora chuckled. ‘Tell her that if she needs any of my remedies to help her along, she has but to send word. In fact, I will make up something to help her before you leave.’
‘That’s kind of you.’ Violet looked around the room with interest. ‘This is quite delightful. I can see that you are comfortable here and enjoying your independence. I admire your courage.’
‘Because unmarried ladies are not supposed to live alone?’ Flora lifted one shoulder. ‘I am not important enough for those rules to apply in my case.’
‘Are you not afraid?’
‘Of what? This isn’t a lawless village. I make myself useful and I believe I have earned the villagers’ respect. I don’t think anyone will attempt to rob me—or worse.’
Polly returned with the tea things and quietly left the room again. Flora poured and distributed cake.
‘Thank you.’ Violet sat back and stirred her tea, smiling at Zeus when he peered up at her through piercing green eyes from his place in front of the fire, as though trying to decide if she was worth knowing. In the end, he turned in a circle and settled back down again with his back to her. ‘Oh dear.’ Violet smiled. ‘Your cat doesn’t seem to like me very much.’
‘That’s Zeus. He was the countess’s companion, much the same as me. We both loved her and miss her very much.’
‘I have heard this handsome feline spoken about in revered terms.’
‘Don’t mention his name in front of Luke’s dog. He’s terrified of Zeus; Romulus that is, not Luke.’
Violet laughed. ‘Oh, I think Luke would sometimes like to be as reclusive as your cat.’
‘I am sure that he will put his reclusive traits behind him now that he is about to marry you.’
‘We shall see.’
‘You have likely been told that Zeus is unsociable, which is true. I think he took his example from the countess, who enjoyed being contrary.’ Flora leaned down to stroke Zeus’s back. He let out an indignant mewl but didn’t open his eyes. ‘Zeus can be affectionate, but only when he feels so inclined, which is obviously not now. We are disturbing his slumbers and he ought to take himself off somewhere quieter, but clearly he cannot be bothered to make the effort.’
‘He seems very at home with you.’
‘We understand one another very well. Anyway, how are the plans for the wedding coming along?’ Flora asked.
