Page 38 of A Sense of Turmoil
Flora allowed her surprise to show. ‘You are acquainted with him?’
‘Our paths have crossed. He has an estate not far from mine on the outskirts of Felsham and a terrible reputation to go with it. That’s how I became acquainted with the bishop. He is inordinately fond of the lad, for reasons that escape me, and has bailed him out of trouble on more than one occasion. He became his guardian when Yardley’s father died and tried hard to get him to take holy orders.’
‘I have never met a man who is fonder of himself than Mr Yardley, or less suited to a career in the church. He would have made a terrible vicar.’
‘I agree. He’s wild and irresponsible—which coming from me must give you some idea of his character.’
‘Then I am very glad that I took him in instant dislike.’ She chuckled. ‘No wonder he appeared so put out when you showed up.’
‘We do not like one another. I won’t deny it.’
Flora shook her head, still seething with anger. ‘And my father would see me married to such a man, simply to raise his own profile with the bishop and further his ambitions. Arghhh!’ She threw back her head and let out a series of most unladylike imprecations that made Archie smile. ‘Mr Yardley appeared willing to go along with his uncle’s scheme. Goodness only knows why, if he is his own man.’
Archie shook his head. ‘You really do have a very low opinion of your personal charms.’
‘Nonsense. I know exactly what I am but clearly my father has yet to learn that I will not be manipulated. Not by him nor anyone else.’
‘Remind me never to upset you,’ Archie said, reaching across to squeeze her hand.
She smiled at him. ‘I doubt that you ever could. You always find a way to make me laugh at myself. It was kind of you to come to my rescue. Goodness only knows what my father must have been thinking, but I simply don’t care. He brought this on himself.’
‘It’s behind you now.’
‘Is it? He seems to know that my services will not be required for much longer at Beranger Court and obviously thinks that my living alone will reflect badly upon him. What he imagines I will get up to is anyone’s guess. Perhaps he should not judge everyone else by his own questionable standards.’
‘Miss Latimer, I am shocked.’ Archie adopted a scandalised expression that made her smile. ‘You dare to question the morality of the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral.’
‘I dare to question just about everything my father attempts to do. I always have, which is why we have never got along.’
‘You’re safe now,’ Archie said in a reassuring tone as the cab pulled up outside the railway station. Pawson jumped down from the box seat he had shared with the cabbie, paid their fare and then opened the door to help first Flora and then, more slowly, Archie from the conveyance. ‘You need have nothing more to do with your family, if you would prefer not to.’
‘I would infinitely prefer not to, but I know my father too well to assume he will give up on me that easily.’
‘Come along, we are just in time for the three-thirty train.’ Archie conducted her to a first-class compartment.
‘Goodness, are we to travel in style?’
‘Of course we are. You shouldn’t ever travel any other way.’
Chapter Eleven
‘Where is Archie today?’ Luke leaned back in his chair and arched his back after hours of ploughing through the estate accounts with Paul. It was a laborious task that he had disciplined himself to attend to in person, much as his father had before him, telling Luke that it was the only way to ensure that he wasn’t robbed blind. ‘I haven’t seen hide nor hair of him. Is he unwell?’
‘He said something about going to church,’ Paul replied, scratching figures on a sheet of paper.
Luke scowled. ‘Flora has gone to her father’s inauguration today. Don’t tell me that he’s undergone some sort of epiphany and felt an overbearing need for divine guidance.’ He grunted. ‘There is only one sort of overbearing need that Archie ever feels, and it has absolutely nothing to do with religion.’
‘Don’t ask me.’ Paul put his pen aside and shrugged. ‘Anyway, what’s it to you if he has gone with her. It’s an act of kindness, if you ask me.’
Luke harrumphed. ‘No one did.’
‘Why are you looking so murderous? She was nervous about going and probably appreciated a little moral support.’ Paul chuckled. ‘Although moral is probably the wrong word for Archie.’
Paul’s smile died on his lips as Luke’s scowl intensified.
‘I offered to go with her, but she turned me down.’
‘And that surprises you?’ Paul sighed. ‘What’s your game, Luke?’
