Page 54 of A Sense of Misgiving
‘But have given it considerable thought since then. What conclusions have you reached?’
‘I did wonder if Papa wanted her committed to an asylum, where she couldn’t say anything to harm his ambitions. But he didn’t do it, perhaps because he knew she wouldn’t go willingly and may have made arrangements for whatever she held against him to be made public if he forced the issue. So it was better for Papa to have her where he could keep control of her, after a fashion. Besides, a man of God packing his mother off to one of those terrible places…’ Flora shook her head. ‘How would that have looked?’
‘But something happened—’
Paul tapped at the door, bringing Luke’s speculation to a premature end. ‘Mr Farthingale, Luke,’ he said, ushering the attorney through the door ahead of him.
‘Thank you, Paul. Have someone send in refreshments, if you would.’
Paul nodded and disappeared.
‘Mr Farthingale.’ Luke approached the man who Flora studied with interest. His eyes were kind and twinkled in her direction, causing her to take an immediate liking to him and explaining why her grandmother had trusted him. ‘Thank you for coming. I hope your journey was comfortable.’
‘Thank you yes, my lord, and I am obliged to you for sending someone to collect me from the station.’
‘Think nothing of it.’ The men shook hands and Luke then indicated Flora. ‘You have not recently had the pleasure of making Miss Latimer’s acquaintance.’
‘Not since you were a child, my dear,’ he replied, his eyes twinkling some more. ‘But I can already see why your grandmother was so immensely proud of you.’
‘Thank you. It is a great comfort for me to hear you say so. I assume you knew Grandmamma well.’
‘Better than anyone, at least in her later years. I had the privilege of looking after her affairs, and those of your grandfather. We became firm friends.’ He took the seat beside the fire that Luke offered to him, placing a large package of papers on the table in front of him. Romulus sniffed his boots, decided he passed muster and wagged his tail furiously, pushing his snout beneath the attorney’s hand. ‘What a fine fellow,’ Farthingale observed.
Romulus’s wagging intensified in obvious agreement, making them all laugh. Refreshments were delivered by Woodley in person and the conversation remained general until they had been consumed.
‘Well, my dear,’ Mr Farthingale said, putting aside his empty cup and beaming at Flora. ‘I dare say you are curious about your inheritance.’
Flora was distracted by a gentle whoosh of wind and Remus’s image floating above Mr Farthingale’s head.
What are you doing here?
Just because I’m dead, it doesn’t mean I’m not curious too.
Don’t you already know?
You overestimate my powers. Don’t mind me. No one will know I’m here.
Flora somehow stopped herself from rolling her eyes.
‘Miss Latimer?’ Farthingale and Luke both sent her concerned looks. Damn Remus, distracting her, making her seem like she was staring at shadows.
‘Oh, please excuse me, my mind wandered for a moment.’ She sent Remus a condemning look and caught Luke studying her closely in the periphery of her vision. ‘Of course I am most curious. I had no expectations, you see. Until recently I knew nothing whatsoever about Grandmamma’s estate, or that she had anything of her own to leave to anyone. She lived with us once Grandpapa passed away, and I always assumed she had done so out of financial necessity.’
‘Your father was well aware that she was not destitute and, I happen to know, virtually blackmailed her into living beneath his roof.’
‘Blackmailed? How?’ Flora asked, frowning. ‘He didn’t want her there, so if she had the means to live independently…’
‘She was an embarrassment to him.’ Mr Farthingale pursed his lips. ‘He wanted to control her.’
‘But I still don’t understand. How could he coerce her to do something she would prefer not to?’
‘I rather think that he used her deep affection for you as a bargaining tool, my dear.’
Flora let out a low, angry hiss. ‘How dare he?’
‘Your father knew that his mother had left everything to you.’ Mr Farthingale’s kindly expression evaporated. ‘He insisted upon acting in your interests, but your grandmother had anticipated that move and left specific instructions that he not be allowed anywhere near your inheritance.’ Flora shared a bewildered glance with Luke. ‘I wrote to you in Cathedral Close when you turned eighteen, hoping rather than assuming my letter would reach your hands. Clearly it did not.’ Flora shook her head in agreement. ‘I had planned to call on you there just before your one-and-twentieth birthday and insist upon seeing you alone so that I could explain the terms of the bequest. I was not aware that you had left, you see. But then the earl came to see me and saved me the trouble by telling me that you were here. I am very glad that you found the strength of will to leave your father’s house.’ Mr Farthingale cleared his throat. ‘Excuse me, but he is very dogmatic and not at all easy to defy, I should imagine.’
‘You imagine correctly, Mr Farthingale.’
