Page 9 of A Sense of Misgiving
‘Same crowd as always. I got bored, but Archie…’ He shrugged. ‘Well, you know how Archie can be, and I couldn’t find it in myself to curtail his pleasures. He gets precious few of them nowadays, the way he is.’
Paul chuckled as he poured whisky for them both and handed a glass to Luke. ‘Don’t let Archie hear you pitying him. He’d hate it.’
‘What have I missed?’
‘Nothing of consequence. It’s all been peace and harmony here. We barely noticed you were gone.’
Luke grunted. ‘Nice to feel wanted.’
‘You deserved a break. You work too hard.’
‘I brought Mary back with me. I think she’s taken a fancy to one of Alvin’s friends.’
Paul scowled. ‘Who? I doubt he’s good enough for her.’
Luke sent Paul a probing look, wondering if there was a prior attraction on Paul’s part. He decided not to ask. Flora would know. He’d check with her when he got a moment. Or maybe he wouldn’t; he was beginning to depend on her too much, which was unfair on her. Archie had noticed that dependency and commented upon it. Wouldn’t do to give the chit the wrong idea.
‘I don’t know. I may be imagining things.’ Luke leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms above his head. ‘Perhaps she’s just growing up and I hadn’t noticed. She is seventeen, after all.’
‘Eighteen,’ Paul said quietly.
‘Good lord, is she really? Of course. Her birthday would have been while I was in Scotland. I had best arrange a belated gift.’
‘I took the liberty.’
Paul reached into a drawer and produced a jewel case. Luke opened the lid and extracted a pretty bracelet set with small sapphires.
‘Perfect! What would I do without you?’
‘You pay me to take care of these details.’
‘Anyway, Mary’s blossoming and I dare say I shall be beating off suitors with a big stick soon enough.’
‘Mary’s a sensible girl. She won’t allow her heart to rule her head.’
‘All girls do that when they think themselves in love,’ Luke replied, rolling his eyes.
‘There is one thing you should be aware of.’ Paul hesitated. He looked uncertain, which worried Luke because there wasn’t normally any awkwardness between them. ‘A letter came by express a few days ago.’ He paused again. ‘From Flora’s father.’
‘Good heavens, what does he want now?’
‘His daughter back.’
‘Well, she doesn’t want to go, so he’s out of luck.’ Luke realised he’d spoken too loudly and moderated his tone. ‘Grandmamma likes her. Besides, I’d rather not go through the rigmarole of finding a suitable replacement.’
‘You’d best read his letter before you decide.’
Luke took it from Paul’s outstretched hand with a strong sense of misgiving. He scanned its contents and then threw it aside, his temper in danger of erupting.
‘What the devil…How did he…? I mean, this is tantamount to blackmail.’ Luke stood and paced the length of the room. ‘He can’t possibly know. Not for sure.’
‘Well, he seems to think he has proof, and if he makes what he knows public, your family will suffer the consequences.’
Luke tapped his forefinger against his teeth. ‘To say nothing of what it will do to Grandmamma.’
‘It might be easier just to let the chit go.’
‘The devil I will!’ He glowered at Paul. ‘You’d have me give in to blackmail? I thought you knew me better than that.’
