Page 56 of A Sense of Paradise
‘I am sure you don’t mean to. It’s simply the way you have been taught to behave since the cradle. You cannot help being authoritative, and I shall do my very best never to disobey you.’ She paused, a teasing smile flirting with her lips. ‘Unless I am absolutely sure that you are in the wrong.’
Archie threw back his head and roared with laughter. ‘Marriage to you will be a daily battle of wills, and one that I shall enjoy enormously. I can see that you intend to keep me on my toes.’
‘Certainly I do. I would not have agreed to marry you if I thought my opinions were unworthy of your consideration.’
‘I shall always be guided by your good sense, my love.’
‘You say that now…’
Flora sipped her tea and nibbled at a biscuit, thinking it wasn’t as good as those made by Beatrice. But then again, perhaps she was biased.
‘I have a suggestion,’ she said, conscious that Archie’s attention was focused almost exclusively upon her as they drank their tea in companionable silence. ‘Well, a favour to ask really.’
‘Name it. You know very well that I can’t deny you anything.’
‘You have heard me talk of Mrs Finch.’
Archie nodded. ‘I know you are very fond of the old lady.’
‘I am, and the events of yesterday got me thinking. Well, actually, no they didn’t. I’d already been thinking along the lines of requiring a chaperone here to stop tongues wagging. Announcing our engagement doesn’t give us completely free licence.’
‘Go on,’ Archie said, leaning one elbow on the arm of his chair and brushing his lips with the side of his forefinger, watching her intently.
‘Well, Mrs Finch’s cottage is run down and very damp, and I am sure the conditions aggravate her arthritis. But, of course, she will not hear it since she can’t afford anything better and is too proud to make the admission. But…’ She smiled at Archie. ‘The vacant cottage you have here would be ideal for her. She will not accept charity, of course, but if she can be persuaded to think that she is making herself useful to us it would salve her pride. She is very educated and knows how to behave in good company and…well, what do you think?’
‘How soon can she move in?’
‘Oh, thank you!’ Flora put her cup aside, jumped up and then leaned over Archie’s chair in order to hug him.
‘Well, if I had known that would be your reaction.’ He winked at her. ‘How many old ladies would I need to rehome to—?’
‘Archie Felsham!’
You have told her of our intention to marry, I assume.’
‘I hope that’s all right.’
‘Tell the world as far as I am concerned. It is you who are concerned for Luke’s finer feelings.’
‘I confided in Melanie last night, as well. She came to me, worried about Eloise’s intrusive questions. She had worked out for herself the nature of your former relationship with Eloise.’ Flora smiled. ‘She tells me that she is old enough to understand the seductive allure of reciprocal desire.’
Archie chuckled. ‘I sincerely hope that none of our guests try to interest her in that subject when she lives beneath this roof.’
‘I can see that you intend to take your dutiesin loco parentisvery seriously.’
Archie smiled at her. ‘You may depend upon it. Melanie is developing into an equally independent image of yourself.’ He gave a theatrical sigh and wiped imaginary perspiration from his brow. ‘It will not be long before I am fending off young blaggards eager to make her acquaintance. No doubt she’ll want a season too. What the devil have I taken on?’
‘It isn’t too late to change your mind,’ she replied mischievously. ‘I shall not hold you to our engagement if you think yourself incapable of controlling a perfectly harmless young woman.’
‘Harmless? If you do not turn my hair white than I am sure Melanie will manage it.’ His expression became unnaturally serious. ‘She will want for nothing here, my love, and I will of course settle a generous dowry on her.’
‘Oh, Archie!’ Flora felt her eyes fill with tears. ‘I don’t deserve you.’
‘There we must agree to differ. Just bear in mind that Melanie’s new found status as a modest heiress will attract even more fortune-hunters, whom I will beat from the door with my stick.’
‘I don’t doubt it. But rest assured that we are good judges of character. We have Remus to keep us focused on that score.’
‘Hmm. I am not sure how I feel about this spirit guide of yours spying on us in our bedchamber.’
