Page 7 of A Sense of Misgiving
A puff of smoke not produced from the fire billowed into the room and the shape of Remus, resplendent in a bright blue toga, emerged from it. Alarming cuts and bruises were evident on his bare skin.
I can’t always be pandering to you, my dear. I’ve been involved in the annual chariot races.
‘And came to grief, by the looks of things.’ Flora wrinkled her brow. ‘You’re a ghost. Ghosts don’t bruise, do they?’
Remus pulled himself up to his full height, looking offended.I am not a ghost. Ghosts don’t exist. I thought you more enlightened than that. I am a spirit guide. Got it? A guide. Unpaid and unappreciated, I might add.
‘Don’t pout. It doesn’t become you.’ Flora took a moment to study him more closely. ‘I can see you more clearly than I did the last time you appeared to me.’
Your mind is opening up and your powers are increasing because of it. I told you it would happen.His image flopped down onto the window seat, as though settling in for a long stay.
‘Was there something in particular that you wanted?’ she asked. ‘I have to change for dinner.’
He sent her a mischievous look.Don’t let me deter you.
‘Remus!’
Well, excuse me. I take the trouble to appear, which is exhausting enough, and all I get in return is petulance.
‘Your timing could have been better.’ Flora perched on the edge of her bed. ‘What is it that you need to warn me about?’
Any inklings yourself?
‘What is this? Some sort of guessing game.’
I’m simply curious to know what your senses tell you.
Flora took a moment to consider her response. It seemed odd that her thoughts had dwelt upon Remus during her earlier conversation with the countess, and now here he was. She considered the nature of their discourse at the time and made the connection at once.
‘My father,’ she hissed.
Remus nodded his approval.Go on.
‘He wants me back for some reason, so he will have to act before I reach my majority next month.’
Precisely.
‘But why?’ Flora felt her frustration mount. ‘What do I have that’s so important to him? Oh, I know I defied him by taking this position and that his pride was injured, but I dare say he has got over that by now. What else is there? There is nothing special about me.’
That is not what your handsome earl just told you.
Flora huffed. ‘Eavesdropping? How very discourteous.’
Remus chuckled.Those rules don’t apply to me. One of the advantages of not being mortal. Besides, I get some of my best information from eavesdropping. I wouldn’t be much use to you if I didn’t.
‘And there I was, thinking your information came from some sort of higher deity.’
I’ll take that as a compliment.
‘Of course you will.’ Flora rolled her eyes. ‘Why didn’t I sense your presence, if you were listening to my conversation, myprivateconversation, with the earl?’
Because I didn’t need you to know I was there. You probably wouldn’t have sensed my presence anyway, given how taken you are with his lordship.
Flora felt her cheeks flame. ‘Don’t be ridiculous! Anyway, about my father. Why is he being so stubborn?’
Why ask me?Remus spread his hands.I can only point you in the right direction. I’m not a mind reader.
‘Can’t you eavesdrop onhisconversations?’
