Page 74 of A Sense of Fate
‘What’s in it for me?’
‘You ain’t in no position to bargain,’ Pawson growled.
Conrad grunted and complained but came out with a list of names. A list that was so long it made it hard for Archie to hide his surprise.
‘Just goes to show,’ Pawson said, once Conrad had been returned to the comfort of a gaol cell, ‘that you never can tell.’
‘Some of those names are leading lights in the district,’ Archie said, scratching his head. ‘Respectable family men with sons of their own. One’s a well-known politician. Another a scientific professor of national renown. What in heaven’s name reduces them to such acts of depravity?’
Flora watched from the window of her bedchamber as Archie and Pawson left Fox Hollow. She was too astounded by Archie’s declaration to be able to face him; still unsure how to respond to it. She knew what she wanted, but was she selfish enough to denigrate his proud family name by agreeing to become his wife?
She pushed the problem to the back of her mind, more concerned about Melanie’s delayed reaction to her ordeal. But it transpired that she need not have been. Melanie seemed none the worse for wear and wanted to talk about it.
‘Lord Felsham was very heroic,’ she said, grinning. Flora was grateful that Melanie had not witnessed the devastating blow Archie had struck with his sword. ‘But then I knew he would come to your rescue. He clearly adores you.’
‘Hardly,’ Flora replied, wondering if she was the only person who hadn’t thought of his interest in her as anything more than a passing fancy. The daughters of disgraced clergymen did not marry marquesses. The fact that Pawson had left her alone with Archie for a considerable amount of time and had been the one who’d roused her from his bed just before dawn broke, saving her from being discovered there by someone else, had not escaped her notice.
‘Remus was very receptive.’
‘He actually earned his keep for once,’ Flora agreed, ‘by acting as a communicator when we were separated.’
Precious little thanks I got for it.
‘You’ve upset him,’ Melanie said, grinning.
‘He’ll get over it. Remus is always upset about something.’
Careful, or I might spill a few of your secrets.
Flora laughed. ‘I don’t have any secrets. Besides, I’m sure that must be against the rules.’
Spoilsport!
‘What will happen to Papa?’ Melanie asked, frowning. ‘What did Lord Felsham mean about exorcisms?’
‘I’m not sure yet. He’s speaking to Conrad about it today and will probably get some answers. I will go and see Lord Felsham tomorrow and make him tell me.’
‘Of course you will,’ Melanie replied, beaming.
The following morning was cold yet mercifully dry, and Flora set off alone on Amethyst to make her call at Felsham Hall.
And to give Archie an answer to his proposal. An answer that would break her heart, but when you loved someone as passionately as Flora loved Archie then you put that person’s interests first. He would come to see that she was in the right of it given time, and would eventually thank her.
Archie stood upright on the front steps as she rode up to the Hall. Pawson smiled at her, helped her to dismount and handed Amethyst to the groom who came to take him.
‘How is your leg?’ she asked, smiling at Archie.
‘Don’t ask about his language.’ It was Pawson who replied. ‘He’s been turning the air blue. You’d be shocked.’
Flora laughed. ‘He only has himself to blame. Your days of saving the world are over, Archie. Leave it to someone else.’
‘That’s what I keep trying to tell him,’ Pawson complained, leaving them at the door to Archie’s library.
‘The pain isn’t nearly as bad as it was yesterday, when I was first recovering.’
‘It will improve further,’ Flora replied, removing her jacket and gloves and taking a seat beside the fire. ‘Your muscles are much stronger now.’
‘Would you like coffee?’
