Page 14 of A Sense of Misgiving
‘Apparently not. Merely a gentleman’s agreement sealed with a handshake.’
‘Other players then, who could attest to the loss?’
‘No. The game was played in a gentleman’s house during the course of a party. The other players had been cleaned out and retired. Only a couple of servants remained, so it was essentially my father’s word against his host’s, since it would be assumed that the servants would say whatever their employer told them to.’
‘Is the gentleman to whom the debt was supposedly owed still alive? If so, we should speak with him.’
Luke ran a hand through his hair. ‘That’s just the problem, my sweet. He died violently shortly after the game took place.’
Flora gasped and felt the blood drain from her face. ‘Murdered?’
‘It was made to look like an accident. A shooting accident. It could very well have been one, since it took place during a shooting party such as the one I have just attended. It happened a month or two after the supposed debt had been incurred.’
‘Your father was a member of the shooting party?’
‘Yes, and it was during the course of it that the subject of the debt first arose. Father swore to me that he’d known nothing about it before then. Anyway, after the accident there were mumblings, and Father decided that it would be as good a time as any to retire to our estate in America until the dust settled. I thought it unwise and tried to talk him out of it.’
‘Because it implied a guilty conscience?’
‘I thought so then, and still do, even though I am convinced of his innocence.’ He sent her a bleak smile. ‘If one believes in retribution, then it was certainly meted out to my father. And my mother, too. They died horrible deaths.’ He closed his eyes. ‘Sometimes I wake at night imagining their terror when the water sucked them down and filled their lungs…’ He shook his head. ‘How very weak you must think me.’
‘I think nothing of the sort. They died five years ago, not long after you graduated, when you were still dealing with the devastating loss of Archie Hardwick. Then this. Poor Luke.’ She sighed. ‘Who else knows the truth about the supposed debt and your father’s possible implications in the man’s death?’
‘Other than the people at that shooting party—most of whom apparently didn’t believe it—only Paul. I haven’t even told Archie and Alvin. It seemed too personal, too shameful, somehow. Paul came here with me as soon as I graduated. He was my valet then, and also one of my best friends. When Father left me in charge, Paul just grew into his position. Now I don’t know how I would manage without him. He is very perceptive, gives me sound advice and a kick up the backside whenever it’s required. He predicted that you would immediately offer to give notice.’
Flora gave a wry smile. ‘And he probably thinks that I should.’
‘Not at all. Besides, I want you here and will not have you chased away through blackmail and intimidation.’
‘My father implies that he knows the truth about a scandal that never was. A scandal he cannot prove. Both parties are dead and there is nothing in writing to support his claims. Even if he has found someone who was at both the original house party and the subsequent shooting party, it’s all no more than speculation. Besides, no one will take Papa’s side against yours. Not if they have the sense they were born with.’
‘Even so, society will enjoy the scandal ifwe allow matters to get that far.’
Flora sat forward. ‘What do you have in mind?’
‘We cannot possibly refute his allegations, as we have no more proof than he does. So we would be better advised to discover why he wants you back so badly.’
Flora took a moment to consider the suggestion. ‘I cannot pretend that my curiosity is not piqued, but how would we go about it?’
‘I have resources that your father can only dream about.’ Luke regarded her with an assessing expression. ‘I cannot help thinking that it has something to do with your reaching your majority and achieving independence from your family. Are you expecting an inheritance of any sort?’
Flora waved the suggestion aside. ‘Nothing that would interest my father, I am absolutely sure of it. My grandmother mentioned something to me when she was dying. Something about understanding her better when I came of age. I took it to mean that she was leaving me her books.’ Flora lifted a shoulder. ‘They would be precious to me, but they are of no monetary value. Grandmamma and I got along very well. We were united in our opposition to my father, I suppose, although I didn’t realise it at the time. Papa made no secret of the fact that his mother embarrassed him, simply because she had the gift of second sight and saw no reason to conceal the fact.’
‘The gift that you have inherited.’
Flora elevated both brows. ‘You believe it now?’
He sent her a teasing smile. ‘I wouldn’t go quite that far, but I knowyoubelieve it, and that it was a cause of friction between your father and yourself, if only because any gateway to the hereafter that bypasses the clergy weakens the church’s control and influence. If, for the sake of argument, your grandmother has left something in writing that will reflect badly upon him and his career ambitions, it stands to reason that he would want to have possession of it.’
‘But he would not, even if I were to return home. I wouldn’t surrender my grandmother’s possessions to him for any consideration; not when I know she went to so much trouble to ensure that they didn’t fall into his hands.’ She furled her brow. ‘I don’t think that can be the reason. And even if it is, it fails to explain his determination to see me married to Mr Bolton, or that gentleman’s desire to have me when he is aware that his feelings are not reciprocated.’
‘It seems to me that your grandmother’s attorney would be the best place to commence our search for answers.’
‘Our search?’
‘Certainly.’ He leaned forward, elbows on his thighs, and their faces almost touched. Flora hardly breathed, certain he was about to kiss her as he had once before. But with a sigh he sat back again, and the moment passed. ‘I have a vested interest in getting to the truth.’
‘Ah, of course.’ Flora hoped her disappointment did not show in her expression. Just for a fleeting moment, she thought he had offered to help her simply because he wanted to. Naturally, his main concern was the reputation of his family. And rightly so. ‘Farthingale in Salisbury dealt with my grandmother’s affairs.’
