Page 13 of A Sense of Turmoil
Flora slumped in the window seat, thinking through what Remus had just told her.Thinking too about her exchange with Luke. She had been dreading the announcement of his engagement, mainly because she feared that whomever he decided to marry would disapprove of her husband’s friendship with a glorified servant. Not that it really mattered since their intimacy, such as it was, could never continue once he took a wife. Their walks, the rides they enjoyed together, the lively exchanges regarding the welfare of the family would all come to an end. She would miss him, but nothing lasts forever.
The countess’s remaining time could be counted in weeks, months at the most, and when she was gone, Flora would leave here too. It seemed providential that Luke had apparently found a female whom he considered suitable countess material at a time when she would not have to witness their felicity at first hand.
But now Remus had warned her that the Flemings had something to hide, and that Miss Fleming’s motives could be open to question. Most women keen to have Luke’s ring on their finger could be similarly accused, of course. He was rich, handsome and titled. It stood to reason that the competition to secure his affections would be brutal and often underhand.
Flora sighed, glanced at the clock and, conscious of the fact that it was time to resume her duties, she tided her hair and made her way to the countess’s rooms. She expected to find her charge in bed, but was encouraged to discover her still sitting in her favourite chair, dozing. Her eyes opened when Flora quietly let herself into the room and she struggled to sit upright.
‘I have her now, Sandwell,’ she told the countess’s maid.
‘I am not an inconvenient parcel,’ the countess complained.
‘But you are in a grouchy mood,’ Flora replied, taking her regular stool and fussing over Zeus when he stalked up to her, demanding attention. ‘I thought you would be pleased to see the earl back safe and sound, although he seems a little distracted.’
‘That boy worries too much.’
‘Which stands to reason. He takes his responsibilities seriously.’
‘He should also take some time to enjoy himself,’ the countess grumbled. ‘No one stays young forever.’
‘Tell me about the Flemings.’
‘Not much to tell. Their grandfather was the Marquess of Devonshire’s second or third son. I can’t recall which. It’s so easy to lose count. But anyway, the family is top drawer.’
Flora smiled. ‘You make them sound like a piece of furniture.’
The countess harrumphed. ‘Do you want to hear this or not?’
‘Certainly I do.’ Flora leaned her elbow on a side table and rested the side of her face in her splayed hand. ‘I am all ears.’
‘Nosy, more like.’
Flora smiled. ‘I prefer to think that I have an enquiring mind.’
‘Fleming took on our estates in Boston at a time of flux and when a steady hand was needed at the helm. My husband purchased that estate originally.’
‘I didn’t know that. You’ve been there?’
‘Several times. Of course, it took a lot longer to cross in those days, before these modern steam ships that travel at breakneck speed, but we weren’t in a hurry like everyone seems to be nowadays.’
‘You purchased the estate not that long after the civil war, I suppose.’
‘Precisely, and my husband saw opportunities for those willing to take risks. Boston was transformed from a relatively small town to a bustling cosmopolitan seaport almost overnight. It became one of the world’s wealthiest international trading ports, exporting all sorts of things.’ The old lady closed her eyes, lost in the past. ‘Rum, fish, salt and tobacco, to name but a few of the commodities that passed through the docks.’
‘Exciting times.’
‘That estate has always been good to us. I am glad Luke decided against selling.’
‘Did you tell him that you felt that way?’
‘Heavens no! He’s his own man, and there’s no place for sentimentality in his plans.’
‘Perhaps, but you must be aware that he wouldn’t knowingly do anything to upset you.’
‘Ha! We shall see. Anyway, you asked about the Flemings.’ The old lady let out a rattling sigh. ‘There really isn’t that much to tell you. Fleming was devastated by his wife’s death and wanted a chance to make a new start away from all the memories. We needed a dependable manager, and that’s really all there was to it. This all happened after my husband’s time, of course, and it was my son who appointed Fleming to the post.’ A momentary flash of sadness filled her expression, as it always did whenever she mentioned her dead child. ‘But now Luke seems to have an eye for Ottilie Fleming. I hope she doesn’t disappoint me. That is something that I wouldn’t be able to remain silent about.’
‘I noticed that he spoke about her affectionately, and the fact that he has invited them to stay speaks volumes.’
Flora blushed when she felt the countess scrutinising her. She had guessed how Flora felt about him, she realised with a jolt. She knew and was gently trying to prepare her for disappointment. ‘It’s time he settled down and he knows what his father expected of him.’
