Page 64 of A Sense of Injustice
‘My aunt was totally shocked when I told her I expected her to leave my property immediately.’ Louise’s smile was satisfied rather than vindictive. Given the problems that Louise’s aunt had caused for her, Flora was unsure whether she would have been so restrained. ‘I have never seen the colour literally drain from a person’s face before. She claimed not to have colluded with Cleethorp and once upon a time I would have believed her.’
‘Of course you would,’ Flora replied briskly. ‘She had convinced you that she cared about you, but it seems to me the only person she cared about was herself. She was perfectly willing to throw you to the wolves in order to secure her own future. I am glad that you don’t feel any lingering loyalty towards her.’
‘Absolutely none.’ Firm resolve underlined Louise’s words. She had matured during these past few weeks, Flora realised. Hardly surprising, given what she had been forced to endure. All the worry, the threat of disgrace. Flora couldn’t begin to imagine how tormented, how helpless, how ashamed she must have felt. ‘When tears failed to move me, my aunt predictably tried to make me feel guilty. She claimed she had given up her life in order to look after me and that she had received no thanks for her sacrifice. I told her she was now free to continue with the life that was so important to her and need have no further concerns for my welfare.’
Flora grinned. ‘I wish I could have been there to witness her reaction.’
‘She called me ungrateful, undutiful and lots of other unpleasant names that I won’t offend your ears by repeating. But I expected something of that nature. I have observed her reaction before when someone has said or done something to upset her. She has a sharp edge to her tongue. Anyway, in the end I told her that if she was not prepared to pack her things I would have someone do it for her and then physically evict her. She claimed she had nowhere to go, of course. No money of her own to set up her own establishment and she deserved help from me, but I refused to listen. I know very well that my father paid her handsomely whilst he was still alive and that she made economies in the housekeeping budget, pocketing the difference herself.’
‘So she will not starve.’
‘No, she will not. But neither will she be able to live in the style to which she became accustomed.’
‘No more should she.’ Flora’s tone turned speculative. ‘It must have given you a great deal of satisfaction to have stood your ground.’
Louise’s smile was imbued with a new-found self-confidence and the worry lines had left her eyes. ‘You have no idea.’
‘Oh, I think I have. I stood up to my own father recently and had the pleasure of seeing him back down. After all the sadness he caused me during my childhood, I won’t pretend that I didn’t enjoy exacting a little revenge.’
‘Well, we are both free of our pasts now, and I can start again.’
Zeus appeared from nowhere and wrapped himself around Flora’s legs.
‘Hello, you.’ Flora dropped a hand and ran her fingers along the cat’s sleek back. ‘What mischief have you been causing? He looks upon the lake as his private domain and spends hours stalking the fish. Not that he ever catches any. They are far too wily to be taken in but that doesn’t seem to put Zeus off.’
‘Instinct, I suppose,’ Louise replied, smiling at the cat as he stalked off with his tail swishing before settling down in a patch of reeds that he must have assumed would hide him from approaching fish.
‘What shall you do with yourself now?’ Flora asked.
‘I intend to remain with Grandmamma. She has asked me to stay and I look forward to getting to know her and Marianne far better. I should not have allowed myself to be influenced into neglecting them. I was concerned that Marianne would hanker after life in London. She deserves to enjoy parties and balls, but I am worried about mixing in society and running into Cleethorp. Besides, not being married myself I can hardly chaperone Marianne, and Grandmamma has no taste for what she describes as London’s absurdities.’
‘There is plenty of society to be had in Wiltshire, and the rules are not so stringent.’
‘That is what Marianne said when I discussed the matter with her. I told her I was thinking of purchasing a house in the area large enough for her, Grandmamma and me to live in comfort and she is keen to help me search for the right place. I have already asked my lawyers to set in motion the sale of the London house.’ She shuddered. ‘I want nothing more to do with the capital. I have been given the opportunity to get to know my sister and I fully intend to guide her into the best possible marriage.’
‘What about you?’
‘Me?’ Louise shook her head emphatically. ‘After what happened to me, I cannot ask any gentleman worthy of the name to overlook my shame.’
Flora squeezed Louise’s hand. ‘It is not your fault. You were raped.’
‘Well, of course that is what I would say if I wanted to gloss over an indiscretion. Who would believe me without asking for the name of the man responsible? I mean, any gentleman who supposed himself to love me would seek to exact revenge on my behalf. Call Cleethorp out or something equally ridiculous. You know how men can be about these things, and I cannot have bloodshed on my conscience.’
‘Not all men are the same. Henry seems very enthusiastic to embrace your company. Every time you come here he makes an excuse to see you.’
‘Not the last few times,’ Louise said, so quickly that Flora realised her friend had noticed the omission and had been disappointed by it.
‘He has taken over responsibility for one of the earl’s estates. A manor house a few miles from here. The house has been vacant for too long and the tenant farmers have been allowed to take liberties. I think the earl realises that Henryneeds more responsibility, so he has given his brother the opportunity to prove his abilities. That is where he is today, I think.’ Flora grinned. ‘Otherwise, I am sure he would have found an excuse to join us.’
‘And you would suddenly remember an urgent errand that the countess required you to undertake on her behalf.’ Louise smiled as she shook a finger beneath Flora’s nose. ‘You are really not very subtle.’
‘Some situations require transparency, especially when one party is being particularly pig-headed.’ The girls stood and made their way back towards the house, the cold wind encouraging them to walk briskly. ‘Don’t judge all men by Cleethorp’s standards.’
They embraced at the front portico, where Louise’s carriage awaited her. ‘I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening,’ Flora said. ‘You are all engaged to dine here.’
‘We are looking forward to it.’
Flora waved the carriage off and then quickly returned to the house, stamping her feet to ward off the cold.
