Page 55 of A Sense of Injustice
Louise listened as Flora explained what Luke and Paul had discovered. ‘The earl is on his way to confront Cleethorp as we speak,’ she finished by saying, talking over Louise’s excited exclamations. ‘I think it safe to assume that you have seen the last of him.’
‘Oh, Flora, thank you!’ Louise threw her arms around Flora’s neck. ‘You are the best friend in the world.’
‘Think nothing of it. I cannot abide injustice and must always try and redress the balance whenever I come across it. Now, we just need to be sure that you are not increasing and then you can put the whole affair behind you and look to the future.’ She covered Louise’s hand with one of her own. ‘I know that will not happen overnight but time is a great healer. You must believe that.’
‘Oh, I am a survivor. I have grown up these past weeks, and I am no longer nearly so trusting as I once was. I find myself questioning everything that is said to me and shall not be taken in again.’
‘Not everyone has evil intentions,’ Flora replied. ‘But there again, I am not an heiress so I can’t pretend to understand all of your problems.’
Flora wanted to tell Louise that Henry had asked about her several times, but knew her friend wasn’t yet ready to think about any fresh romantic entanglements. Perhaps she never would be after what had happened to her, which was a very great pity. Henry was everything that Cleethorp was not, and in Flora’s admittedly biased opinion his company would be the very best way for Louise to recover from the doldrums.
‘I have decided, no matter what…’ Louise glanced down at her stomach. ‘No matter the outcome of…you know, that I am going to sell the London house and purchase somewhere to live in the country. Somewhere large enough for Grandmamma and Marianne to share comfortably with me. I want us all to live together. I can tell that Grandmamma must have had to scrimp and save to run this establishment, and I can at least relieve her of all her financial burdens. It is the very least that I can do for her. I still feel dreadful for not having visited more frequently.’
It was Flora’s turn for her mouth to fall open when Louise told her what she had learned about her mother and aunt.
‘I now feel completely vindicated in deciding to turn my aunt out without offering her anything to live on, and I don’t intend to wait until I come of age to do so.’ Louise straightened her spine. ‘She must have known what Cleethorp’s intentions were, and did nothing to prevent him from forcing himself upon me, and all because of some long-held grudge against my mother. It defies belief, and I shall be glad to see the back of her.’ She offered up a rueful grin. ‘Does that sound very wicked?’
‘Not in the least. My own family didn’t even acknowledge my coming of age and so, as far as I am concerned, I no longer have a family. One can choose one’s friends, my dear, but not one’s family. One can however disown them if one so wishes.’
They both smiled.
‘I consider myself fortunate to call you my friend, dearest Flora.’
‘And so you shall, especially if you settle in this district.’
‘That is my intention.’
Their conversation turned more general at that point. Flora rode away from the Pearson residence half an hour later, feeling a great deal of satisfaction at a resolution neatly achieved. Absorbed in thought, she sensed an urgent rush of wind past her ear. Remus! She glanced around, wondering what possible danger she could be in. She hadn’t sensed anything, and had been too absorbed by her thoughts to pay much heed of the road ahead. Would that she had done so! She glanced up and noticed a man astride a horse, blocking her path. Her heart quailed when his severe expression gave way to one of wicked and calculating speculation.
‘You!’ She glowered at the man and lifted her chin, attempting not to show how worried by his appearance in this isolated spot she actually was. ‘What are you doing here?’
?????
Darius slept late but forced himself from a drink-induced slumber as the church clock struck noon, a headache pounding against his temples. Too much brandy the night before, he recalled. But damn it, what else was there for him to do once Felicity had scampered off to smile at her uncle. He swore volubly as he recalled the task that he had agreed to undertake at Felicity’s behest. She absolutely insisted that Darius should confront Louise’s sister. Darius knew it was a serious error of judgement, but when Felicity set her mind upon a particular course there was no changing it.
And so here he was, watching the road that lead to the Pearson residence from the shelter of a disused barn, wondering how best to create an accidental meeting with Marianne Pearson. It wasn’t as though he could call at the house. There was no guarantee that she would be at home, or that she would receive a stranger even if she was. Darius had tried to point out all the potential obstacles to Felicity, but she was having none of it and repeatedly told Darius to be inventive.
It was deadly quiet, not especially warm and Darius’s hired horse was becoming restless. He had almost decided to give up and return to the cosy taproom when a lone figure appeared in the distance, riding a grey gelding that he immediately recognised. His spirits lifted at this unexpected gift from the gods. Perhaps this wouldn’t be such a massive waste of time after all. His desire for revenge against the earl’s servant who most definitely had ideas above her station had not abated and now it seemed he would have his opportunity.
Any lingering doubts evaporated when she addressed him in a haughty manner, demanding to know what he was doing on that road. As if it was any of the hussy’s business how he occupied his time! Darius dismounted, giving her no opportunity to gather her wits, aroused by the sight of her in her tight-fitting habit. Those curves were so damned enticing. The earl had obviously enjoyed the feel of them beneath his hands. Now it was Darius’s turn. He grasped her horse’s reins close to the bit, keeping well clear of the crop that the stupid girl tried to hit him with. He snatched it from her hand and threw it aside.
‘Let go of my horse!’
She spurred the animal forward, causing it to rear, but Darius kept a firm hold of its reins. It became more agitated, swinging its quarters from side to side, confused, unsure what was wanted of it.
‘Come with me.’
He let go for the bridle, then reached up before she had time to react and pulled her from the saddle, straight into his arms. Her hat fell off, her hair escaped its pins and tumbled around her shoulders and the horse galloped off, still spooked.
‘I am not going anywhere with you.’
She struggled against him like a wildcat. Darius was obliged to deal a hefty blow to the side of her face that temporarily subdued her. She cried out and then spat at him.
‘Fight all you like,’ he said, dragging her towards the abandoned barn in which he had been sheltering. ‘I prefer the ones who struggle. Makes it more rewarding. Don’t know why you’re making such an almighty fuss anyway. It’s obvious that you’ve given yourself to the earl more times than enough. You know what to expect and I don’t intend to be gentle, not after the trouble you’ve caused me.’
The girl let out a soft little yelp and fell limp in his arms. His knees buckled as her weight shifted and he almost dropped her. Staggering to regain his balance, Darius wondered with detached interest whether the silly chit had actually died of fright.
Chapter Fourteen
