Page 20 of A Sense of Injustice
‘I gave Flora the horse as a birthday gift, since you insist upon knowing.’
‘Ah, that would explain it.’ Archie’s grin widened.
‘Sometimes I preferred it when you were dead.’
‘Death is overrated, my friend. Take it from one who knows.’ Archie’s expression sobered. ‘Have a care about the Gregory girl,’ he said. ‘Can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s something not quite right about her. Something other than her less than subtle attempts to attract your interest, that is.’
‘Thanks for your concern, but I don’t have the slightest intention of being in the same room as her ever again, if it can possibly be avoided.’
The old, scurrilous Archie re-emerged through a devilish grin. ‘No solitary morning rides with her in the planning?’
Luke shuddered. ‘God forbid!’
Paul joined them at that point and shook Archie’s hand too. ‘We’re getting rid of you, I take it.’
‘Luke, don’t you think there’s something positively offensive about the smug look on the faces of men who are about to marry for love?’
Luke nodded. ‘I have to agree with you. Should be a law against it.’
‘What can I say.’ Paul spread his hands and his smile widened. ‘When you know, you know. Hopefully you will both find out for yourselves in due time.’
‘Perhaps I already have.’
Archie muttered the words so quietly to himself that Luke barely caught them. He wanted to press his friend for particulars. If Archie had met a suitable woman—a woman whom he could actually introduce to his father without fear of condemnation—then Luke would very much like to know her name. The marquess was an even greater stickler about maintaining standards than Luke’s own father had been, and only a female from the top echelons of society would match up to his exacting requirements.
But something held Luke back and he asked no questions. Archie had been a complex, highly intelligent, fun-loving character even before his accident. Now his life was even more complicated, despite the fact that his options were severely restricted by his incapacity. If Archie had found a suitable woman willing to take him on, then he would tell them about her when he was good and ready.
And not a moment before.
‘Come along then,’ Luke said, glancing out the window and seeing Archie’s carriage at the front steps. ‘You’re keeping your horses standing about.’
Luke and Paul walked out with Archie, with Romulus keeping pace alongside. They shook hands again and watched as Archie’s man helped him into the conveyance.
‘Tell her thank you,’ Archie shouted, lowering the window and waving a bottle in the air as the carriage moved off.
‘What the devil did he mean by that?’ Paul asked, sharing a mystified look with Luke.
‘I don’t have the first idea,’ Luke replied. ‘But knowing Archie, he’s up to something.’
Chapter Five
‘Thank you.’
Flora smiled at the countess’s maid as she laid out a light luncheon for herself and her charge to enjoy. Flora helped the old lady to move to the table beneath the window and served her with cold cuts and fresh bread with the crusts carefully removed. A pot of the hot chocolate that the countess favoured had also been supplied and Flora poured a cup for each of them.
‘You have a good appetite,’ the countess said, watching Flora help herself to a slice of veal pie.
Flora wiped her lips on her napkin and grinned. ‘I went riding instead of taking breakfast,’ she admitted.
‘Well, if you young gels will go gallivanting around at ungodly hours.’ She flapped a hand, sending crumbs flying over the floor. Zeus, the countess’s unsociable white cat, stirred himself from in front of the fire to inspect the spill. Finding it beneath his notice, he mewed indignantly, swished his tail and returned to his slumbers. ‘In my day it was considered unfashion for a young woman to leave her bed before midday.’
‘Then it’s just as well that the women in question were not required to work for a living. I wouldn’t be much use to you if I idled my mornings away in my bed, and would soon find myself unemployed. Besides,’ Flora added, stirring her chocolate, ‘I like the quiet of the early mornings. Watching the sun rise is a spiritual experience.’
The countess grunted. ‘I expect you became accustomed to rising before dawn in order to pray for redemption, or some such nonsense.’
Flora bit back a mischievous smile. ‘One can lead a horse to water, your ladyship…’
The countess toyed with her food, finding fault in every line of conversation that Flora attempted. It was clear that she was very tired and as soon as she pushed her plate aside, Flora summoned Sandwell. It took little persuading to convince the old lady that she needed more rest.
