Page 43 of A Sense of Misgiving
‘Your brother seems to think that Eve and I have a lot in common,’ Flora said, with a capricious smile. ‘I can’t decide whether I should feel flattered or insulted, although I do enjoy the taste of a ripe apple.’
‘Oh, it was definitely meant as a compliment,’ Sam replied, grinning as Luke laughed openly at Flora’s comment. ‘Why aren’t you dancing?’ he added, turning to Luke. ‘You’re supposed to set an example.’
‘Perhaps the earl thinks he can do as he pleases in his own house. Besides, at least he hasn’t followed Lord Hardwick’s example and sat down to cards with your grandmother.’
‘Credit me with a little sense,’ Luke replied, smiling.
A loud guffaw of laughter had them all looking towards the card table, where the countess appeared to be counting her winnings.
‘Oh dear,’ Sam said, failing to smother a smile. ‘Grandmamma has yet to master the art of winning graciously.’
‘Did my clumsy brother trample on your toes?’ Luke asked Flora.
‘Not a bit of it. He’s very light on his feet.’
Luke snorted, grinning at Sam’s back as he excused himself and sauntered away.
‘I should return to her ladyship.’
‘There’s no need. As you have seen for yourself, she and Archie are fleecing their opponents and having a high old time of it.’
Flora grinned. ‘I suspect that’s one of the reasons why she pretends to be a bird brain. Everyone is duped into supposing she will be easy to outwit.’ The old lady gave another cackle as she trumped a trick. ‘Seriously though, Sam is right. You should be dancing.’
‘With her?’ He glanced at Lucy Arnold, who loitered close by like a predatory spider. ‘I’d prefer to sprain an ankle.’ He offered Flora his arm. ‘Come on. It’s hot in here. Let’s stroll outside. Grandmamma isn’t going anywhere, and anyway I need to talk to you.’
Flora could think of a dozen good reasons why she should decline, but she placed her arm on his sleeve and allowed herself to be led past Lucy Arnold and out onto the terrace. A shiver trickled down her spine when she sensed the woman’s vindictive gaze boring into her back. A prelude to the coming winter in the form of a cool breeze touched her cheek and rustled the shrubs immediately below the terrace. Flora leaned on the balustrade and gazed up at a clear sky in which the stars and a moon that was almost full put on a magnificent show. She breathed deeply of the fresh country air, wanting to bottle the moment. Being here in this elegant house, surrounded by sophisticated people who for the most part both accepted and embraced her, was like nothing she had ever expected to experience.
Being alone with her handsome employer at his invitation only increased her sense of wellbeing.
‘What did you want to talk to me about?’ she asked, still staring up at the sky.
‘Your father’s threat. I’m sorry. I know this is neither the time nor the place, but there hasn’t been another opportunity for me to share my thoughts with you.’
Luke was now assured of her full attention, and she met his gaze with equanimity, all foolish romantic notions pushed from her head by the reality of the situation. Of course Luke had not brought her out here with seduction in mind.
‘Have you discovered anything new?’
‘No—at least not precisely—but I am highly suspicious of Lucy Arnold and her brother intruding upon our lives again at a time when a serious threat to my reputation has materialised. A buried secret that centres around their family and mine suddenly coming to light cannot be a coincidence.’
‘I would agree with you, but for the fact that Captain Redfern seems very interested in Mary…’
Luke snorted. ‘The man’s a fortune hunter, I’m absolutely sure of it, which makes this threat harder to fathom—always assuming your father gained his intelligence from Redfern.’
‘I have thought about that too, but don’t see how their paths could have crossed,’ Flora said, lifting one shoulder. ‘And even if they had, Redfern wouldn’t have known about my situation here. I did not meet him until after you received the threat. Besides, if he has aspirations regarding Mary, why threaten the respectability of her family?’
‘I don’t know.’ Luke threw back his head and sighed. ‘I keep trying to think…’
‘This is really worrying you, isn’t it?’ She impulsively touched his hand. ‘Well, of course it is. I wish I could help. I feel it’s all my fault. I am such a trial to you.’
He grasped the hand still resting on his forearm and gave her fingers a squeeze. ‘You are never that.’
Flora fell into momentary contemplation, trying to ignore the distracting pleasure of Luke’s touch. ‘I could write to Mr Bolton, I suppose.’
‘Out of the question! I don’t want you encouraging the rogue.’
Flora was a little taken aback by the strength of Luke’s objection. ‘Mr Bolton is aware that I will never agree to marry him, and I honestly believe that he will help me if he can.’
‘Even so, if he and your father are now part of rival factions within the church, Bolton won’t know if Redfern and your father have been in contact.’ Luke released her fingers and braced his arms against the balustrade as he gazed out at his dark gardens. ‘It simply occurred to me that you might know of a way in which they could have come into contact with one another. Your father and Redfern, that is, but it’s of no consequence.’
