Page 67 of A Sense of Injustice
Luke, who happened to be standing close by, overheard the comment. He glanced at Louise, then back at Flora. His irises darkened as his smile lingered for a little too long and he briefly placed one hand on her bare shoulder. His warm gaze was fuelled, she was absolutely sure, with frustrated passion as he moved away to speak with Paul.
What is your game, Luke Beranger? Talk to me.
‘Oh, Flora, I am so deliriously happy!’ Louise, seemingly impervious to the moment that Luke and Flora had shared, beamed with joy. ‘I never in my wildest dreams assumed that any gentleman worth having would be able to overlook my sullied past.’
Flora summoned up a smile, aware of Luke still watching her from the other side of the room. She slipped her arm through Louise’s and patted her hand as she glanced at a beaming Henry. ‘And I shall demonstrate my maturity by refraining from pointing out that I told you so.’
Louise laughed aloud. ‘You may say anything you wish. I shall not be offended. I owe everything I now am to you, dearest Flora, and shall never be able to repay that debt.’
‘Oh, I think seeing you and Henry happy together will be enough to satisfy me. Now, when shall you tell the countess?’
Louise laughed as she looked towards her own grandmother, seated beside Flora’s charge. ‘Let’s tell them together.’
‘Oh no, absolutely not!’ Flora disengaged her arm and ceded her place at Louise’s side to Henry, whom she spontaneously kissed on the cheek. ‘I wouldn’t dream of usurping the rightful place of your future husband.’
The End
