Page 48 of A Sense of Paradise
‘You’ve already given me unimaginable help in that regard,’ Mrs Finch said, drinking down the mixture with nothing more than a grimace by way of complaint.
‘Good. Now I shall make us some tea and then tell you a story.’
‘Where is Melanie today? I suppose she doesn’t want to waste such a sunny day in the company of an old lady.’
‘On the contrary. I left her sketching, but if she had known I was coming here she would have insisted upon joining me.’ Flora busied herself in the scullery with the kettle. ‘You know very well that she adores you.’
Flora carried a tray containing the tea things into the sitting room. She had added a selection of Beatrice’s freshly baked biscuits from her basket, having made a habit of never visiting her favourite lady without taking a treat of some sort. Mrs Finch never mentioned the appearance of the treats in question, held back by pride in that respect.
‘Now, what is it that you think I can help you with?’ Mrs Finch asked as she sipped at her tea and nibbled on a biscuit.
‘I need hardly ask for your discretion.’
‘Don’t insult me, child. I know how to keep a secret.’
‘Good, because this is a massive one. Be prepared for a shock.’ Flora paused and swallowed once. ‘Lord Felsham has asked me to marry him.’
‘Oh, is that all?’ Mrs Finch flapped a gnarled hand. ‘We spoke of the possibility the other day and you pretended to think I had lost my mind.’ The old lady chuckled. ‘You are really quite poor at deception.’
Flora widened her eyes. ‘You may not be astonished but I am still flabbergasted.’
‘I haven’t laid eyes on the scoundrel for years, but just by the way that you speak about him with such familiarity and the manner in which he is always inventing reasons to invite you to Felsham Hall, I guessed the truth. I hope you have had the good sense to accept his proposal.’
‘Who would pass up the chance to be a marchioness?’ she asked playfully.
‘You would, Miss Latimer, which is probably one of the reasons why he’s so attracted to you. He must get mighty tired of being pursued for his title and fortune, but he knows such considerations will not influenceyou.’
‘True enough, and I have accepted him finally, because he has managed to convince me that he genuinely loves me.’
Mrs Finch sighed with exasperation. ‘Why else would be propose? The man would have to be senile not to realise what he has in you. From what I hear he’s many things, but dicked in the nob is not one of them. When is the happy day to be and why aren’t you wearing his ring?’
‘The autumn. We haven’t made the announcement yet and won’t until after Lord Swindon returns from his wedding journey. He needs to be told first. I don’t want to come between Archie and his closest friend.’
Mrs Finch harrumphed. ‘His closest friend had his chance with you, from what you’ve told me, and didn’t take advantage of it. He only has himself to blame if he now harbours regrets.’
‘Is there anything you don’t see?’ Flora demanded to know.
‘Not much. What else is there for an old lady with time on her hands to do?’
‘Even Melanie doesn’t know, although she too might have her suspicions. There is a good reason why I haven’t told anyone else yet.’
‘And that is what you need my help with. Pour me another cup, lass, and tell me all about it.’
‘I will, but first there is a huge favour I want to ask you.’
‘Ask away. There is little I would deny you, if it’s within my power to bestow it.’
‘I want to observe the proprieties,’ Flora said, struggling to articulate a need that had been growing in her mind these past weeks. ‘I feel like a thief in the night, slinking up to Felsham Hall and hoping I won’t be seen, or the reason for my visit misinterpreted.’
‘Ah, I see.’ Mrs Finch nodded. ‘You’re in need of a chaperone.’
‘And you are in need of better living quarters. I am absolutely sure that the dampness in this cottage is responsible for your arthritis. Archie has a lovely cottage vacant on his estate. I looked at it just the other day. It would be perfect for you.’
‘Why would he give it to me?’
‘Because I shall ask him to.’ Flora grinned. ‘He can deny me nothing and it would be a perfect resolution to our difficulty. I know Archie wants to invite his friends to celebrate our news. They will not mind if I am unchaperoned but…well, I would like to do things properly.’
‘Talk to your marquess then, lamb. If he’s agreeable then there’s nothing keeping me here. The thought of having free access to his lordship’s library would be enough in itself to tempt me.’
