Page 12 of A Sense of Injustice
‘Happily, I am in a position to rectify that situation. I want you to have this chap. In fact, I purchased him with you in mind. Don’t put him out of a home.’
Flora looked conflicted. Luke knew she hated accepting gifts. She was unaccustomed to receiving them and didn’t think she deserved any special treatment. Unfortunately for her, he enjoyed spoiling her.
‘This is why you went to Tattersall’s last week.’
Luke nodded. ‘One of the reasons.’ Flora patted the horse’s neck and her eyes sparkled when she received a responding whinny as the animal nudged her shoulder. Romulus put his front paws on the door to the stall and horse and dog sniffed at one another, making Flora smile. ‘You see. He has bonded with Rom already.’
‘I don’t know what to say.’ She looked up at him, her eyes liquid with emotion. ‘Why are you being so generous?’
‘You still don’t seem to understand what you have done for Grandmamma. For all of us. We would be lost without you, and this small token of my appreciation is my way of showing my gratitude.’
‘And one that I cannot accept.’ She bit her lower lip, looking conflicted. ‘How would it look? What conclusions would people draw?’
Not the right one, unfortunately.‘You are worried about your reputation.’
‘I am more concerned about yours. If you purchased Miss Gregory a horse, it would be akin to a declaration.’
‘Which is why I never would.’
‘Even so.’ He could see her cheeks bloom when she realised what interpretation could be placed upon her statement. ‘I have no expectations of that type?’
‘You already turned down a future marquess, so you are clearly a hard lady to please.’
Flora smiled and the awkwardness between them dissipated. ‘He was playing with me. Your friend enjoys flirting and I am no longer the gauche, inexperienced child who came here six months ago, desperate for employment and far too worried about saying the wrong thing.’
Luke laughed. ‘You have never been gauche. And certainly never at a loss for words.’
‘Well anyway, I shall not allow Lord Hardwick to intimidate me. He has taken it upon himself to play games and I am learning to give as good as I get.’ She grinned. ‘Your grandmother is an excellent example to follow.’
Luke didn’t want to discuss Archie’s intentions, so he returned the conversation to the horse. ‘Amethyst is waiting for your response.’
‘I can’t, Luke.’ But he could see that she was sorely tempted.
‘You most assuredly can,’ he responded, in a softly persuasive tone.
‘If it is an innocent gesture on your part, a way to show your appreciation for the services you pay me well to provide, then why the need for all this secrecy? Why did you not show Amethyst to me in daylight and invite everyone else to meet him at the same time?’
‘Infuriating woman! Why must you question everything I do for you?’ Luke threw back his head and sighed. ‘His arrival was delayed until late this afternoon. Yes, I could have left it until tomorrow,’ he added, holding up a hand to cut off the protest he sensed her formulating, ‘but today is your birthday. Well, technically it’s yesterday now, but my desire was to present you with your gift as close to the correct day as possible. You will never come of age again. It seemed important, especially since everyone else in my family had given you something. You must have wondered why I had not.’
‘The thought didn’t cross my mind.’ She continued to stroke the horse’s neck and wouldn’t look at him. ‘You have done more than enough for me.’
‘If you feel awkward about owning him, pretend he is on loan.’ Some of the anxiety left her expression at that suggestion. ‘I’ll tell you what,’ Luke said, pressing home his advantage, thinking she was one of the few women in the entire country who would have to be talked into accepting a gift from him, ‘ride with me first thing before anyone else is up. See what you make of him, then decide.’
‘Yes.’ Her expression cleared. ‘Yes, that I will gladly do.’ She stood on her toes and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. ‘Thank you so very much.’ Tears sprang to her eyes. ‘I am unaccustomed to being spoiled, and unsure how to respond to gestures of generosity. Be careful, Luke. I might get used to it.’
The desire to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she forgot all about being sensible and responsible was painfully difficult to resist. But he could not, would not, permit himself that luxury. He had kissed her once before when she saved him from being trapped by an ambitious female, and had still not forgotten the taste and smooth contour of her lips. Besides, the night groom was awake in the tackroom and was probably listening to their muted conversation.
‘Come on.’
He took her hand to lead her away. She patted Amethyst’s neck one last time and left the stables at his side. Luke let them back into the house, locked the door behind them and wished her goodnight.
‘Six o’clock,’ he said. ‘Will that be too early for you?’
She smiled. ‘I am a clergyman’s daughter, Luke. Lying about in bed is self-indulgent, in case you were not aware.’
He squeezed her fingers when they reached the bottom of the stairs, released her hand and stood with Romulus at his side watching as she climbed the stairs. She didn’t turn back when she reached the landing. Luke swore softly beneath his breath as the gentle rustle of her skirts slowly faded, thinking he could have handled the situation better. Showing the gelding to Flora could have waited for daylight—she was right about that—but he couldn’t admit to her that he hadn’t wanted to share the moment with anyone else.
Much as he delighted in Flora’s company and the improvements she had brought to his grandmother’s condition, part of him wished he had never met her. Then perhaps he would be able to look upon the Miss Gregorys of this world with a more indulgent eye. He would have to marry someone like her sooner rather than later, and he held Flora entirely responsible for the fact that he had put off making his selection for so long. Before meeting her, it wouldn’t have occurred to him that he required his future wife to be intelligent, not to say irreverent and opinionated. Flora was not averse to teasing Luke; a novel concept which he had come to enjoy. He’d never thought beyond a tolerably pretty face and, crucially, impeccable breeding. His father would turn in his grave if he lowered that particular standard.
