Page 29 of A Kiss to Stop a Wedding
‘The Viscount will not give up his property without a fight,’ she warned, when he fell into step beside her.
‘You consider yourself his property, then?’
‘Of course not!’ She blushed, angry at herself for being caught out by his teasing. ‘I was referring to the statue.’
‘Now that is most definitelynothis property.’
‘But can you really prove it?’
‘I can, if I need to do so. I have given the Viscount until the end of June to decide. Sell the Rysbrack to me for what he paid for it, or we go to court and let the lawyers settle the matter.’
He reached across and took her hand, obliging her to stop.
‘I should go now. Unless you are going to invite me to come in?’ Even as she opened her mouth to refuse, he laughed. ‘No, you are very wise not to do so. Goodbye, Miss Flora Warenne.’ He kissed her fingers. ‘I wish you joy with your Viscount.’
Flora watched him stride away, telling herself the man was a rogue, she was glad they would not meet again. But if that was the case, why was she fighting down a strong impulse to run after him?
Squaring her shoulders she turned resolutely away and hurried back to the house.
* * *
Matt left the path and made his way back to the beech tree that marked the spot where he had entered the garden. He scrambled up through its branches until he was level with the top of the wall before looking back. Flora had reached the terrace and he paused to watch her run up the steps and through the open door before he jumped down into the lane.
Magpie was waiting patiently where he had left her and he quickly untied the reins.
‘It’s a good thing we won’t be seeing the lady again, old girl,’ he murmured, rubbing the mare’s bony nose. ‘She’s far too fascinating and that can only mean trouble.’
CHAPTER NINE
Flora busied herself with arrangements for the wedding, but by the end of a week all the immediate work was complete. She had helped her aunt to write the invitations and ordered several new gowns, which now had to wait for the seamstress to obtain the fabrics from the London warehouse.
Flora had also called at Whilton Hall, but her attempts to plan any changes were thwarted by the housekeeper, who insisted that everything had already been done in accordance with the Viscount’s wishes. Flora curbed her annoyance at Mrs Goole’s insolent tone, but she resolved to speak to Quentin about the woman as soon as he returned.
With little else to do, Flora found other thoughts were creeping back into her mind. The Viscount had assured her the statue of Ares in his garden was rightfully his and Matt Talacre was a fraudster. She should believe that. Quentin was, after all, her fiancé and she had known him far longer than Mr Talacre. But thatwas the problem: from what she knew of Quentin, she did not doubt that he might have suspected that the Rysbrack was illegally obtained, but it would not stop him keeping it.
* * *
For a week Flora tried to ignore the niggling doubts. It was not her concern. Then, when she and her aunt and uncle were dining with the Albrights, a chance remark sparked an idea.
‘I am in such a quandary,’ announced Mrs Albright, just before they went in to dinner. ‘My poor sister has written to me. She is in a very bad way. Her heart, you know,’ she informed her visitors. ‘She is not expected to last much longer.’
‘Oh, my dear ma’am, how dreadful,’ said Mr Farnleigh. ‘Is Mrs Boscombe living very far from here?’
‘Sadly, yes. Near Bristol.’ Mrs Albright sighed. ‘Elvira has rooms at Hotwell House and has written asking if we might visit. She is Jenny’s godmother, you see, and would very much like to see her one last time.’
‘And I should dearly like to see Aunt Elvira,’ put in Jenny. ‘Do you remember her, Flora? She was so kind to us when we were younger.’
‘Yes, I remember. She visited Whilton frequently when we were children. She was very kind to me, always ready to include me in her treats and outings.’
‘But alas, we cannot go!’ exclaimed Mrs Albright,pressing a hand to her chest. ‘My doctor has told me that I must rest. Such a long coach journey is out of the question and Mr Albright has sworn he will not go away and leave me while my health is so precarious.’
‘I am quite happy to go on my own, Mama,’ said Jenny. ‘I can take Maria with me.’
‘Do you think I would have a minute’s peace if I allowed a slip of a girl like yourself to travel with only a maid for company?’ cried her mother. ‘It is unthinkable.’
‘Mama! I am five-and-twenty,’ Jenny protested, casting an amused glance across at Flora. ‘Besides, I would be travelling in our own carriage—we would be perfectly safe.’
‘But it would take youdaysto get to Bristol! No, no, it is out of the question.’
