Page 22 of A Sense of Turmoil
‘I hope so too. She is not an agreeable person.’
Archie smiled, and the gesture lit up his entire face, his rugged features etched by the pain he lived with making him seem dangerously alluring.
‘Do you ever swim?’ she asked, glancing out across the reservoir. ‘It would be good for your joints.’
‘I swam all the time in France when I was recovering and the weather was warm enough. I haven’t had the opportunity since coming home.’
‘You’re tempted, looking at this body of water now. I can sense it about you.’
‘I am, but it would be perishing cold. Besides, I’ll spare your blushes.’
Flora laughed. ‘You forget that I have worked for the countess these past eighteen months, and I am beyond embarrassment.’
‘Well, there is that. But theory and the practicalities are very different beasts.’
‘You should make the time to swim. Your bones have not knitted together properly and your muscles are not working in harmony with them, which is why you live with constant pain. Those muscles are like disruptive children and need to be guided and disciplined into obedience. With a little effort you could build them up and train them to make allowances for your disjointed bones. A bit like training a plant up a wall, if you like—it will try to find its own way, but you know what will work best and have the power to guide it.’
‘How can you be so sure? I admire your skills, but you have no medical training to the best of my knowledge.’
‘And those who do have the requisite training have told you there’s no hope for you, I would imagine. How you are now is as good as it will ever get.’
He looked away from her. ‘Something of that nature.’
‘And yet my tinctures have already made a difference?’
‘They have.’
‘Well, there you are then. Accept that I know my subject well, despite my lack of book learning. I, Lord Felsham, have worked with the poor and disadvantaged in Salisbury since I was ten years old. My grandmother had healing hands and I have inherited her abilities. Besides, men in your position, with wealth and an army of servants to run around after them, can make do. Those who must work for a living or starve don’t enjoy that luxury.’
‘Well said,’ Archie replied softly. ‘You make me ashamed for ever complaining.’
She smiled. ‘That was not my intention. You asked me how I could be so sure there’s more that can be done for you, and I am simply being honest. I have worked with members of both sexes who have been disabled through falls and other accidents.’ She flashed an impish smile. ‘Although in most cases their accidents were not caused by climbing from a lady’s boudoir. Anyway, I have helped them to regain some mobility through sheer persistence, and I can help you as well if you will allow me to.’
‘I think, sweet Flora, that I would allow you to do anything for me that you consider judicial.’
‘Walking and swimming would be the best way to go about it.’ Flora felt a pleasant warmth sweep through her body as he bestowed the full force of his sensual gaze upon her. ‘And you should also make a hothouse; a room with a stove and hot coals to create steam, since that would aid your recovery too. Don’t listen to the doctors’ gloomy predictions, Archie. Iknowthere is more that can be done to ease your discomfort if you’re willing to make the effort. I can sense it and I will not charge you the exorbitant rate that the best doctors get away with for my assistance. In fact, I will not charge you at all.’
‘How can you be so sure I will improve?’
She held up a hand to ward off the question. ‘I’m not answering that since I would prefer not to have you scorn me abilities in the way Luke does. Just trust me. Some things are beyond explanation. Simply accept that I have an informed opinion, that I know what I am doing, and be guided by me.’
‘It would be the greatest of pleasures,’ he assured her, sounding as though he was being more than polite. He lifted her gloved hand, turned it over and gently kissed the inside of her wrist. She blushed as his lips made contact with her skin and snatched her hand back.
‘Shall you purchase yourself a gig and your own Mabel?’ she asked playfully, looking away from him. ‘That way, I am sure you would be able to inspect more of your estate personally and keep your workforce on their toes.’
‘I shall most definitely do so. In fact, I shall purchase Mabel herself if Luke will sell her to me.’
‘Oh no! Mabel and I are the best of friends, and you can’t have her. Although,’ she added, her smile fading, ‘once I am gone from here, which I expect will be quite soon now, Luke may decide that he has no further use for her and you will get your wish. I should hate for her to go to anyone who does not appreciate her finer points.’
‘She doesn’t look too discomposed by the prospect,’ Archie said, glancing at the placidly grazing cob.
‘Oh, Mabel doesn’t let anything concern her, just so long as she has a warm stable and plenty to eat. I wish we humans could be so easily contented.’
‘You are thinking about the visitors arriving later today?’
‘Not especially, but I do wonder at their arriving so soon. If they have not been in England for ten years, one supposes they would have many of their own affairs to resolve. Besides, it’s my understanding that Mr Fleming wanted his sister to be admired by society’s elite. Then again, if she has her sights set on Luke, it makes sense for them to come down here as quickly as possible.’
‘We shall decide together whether she is worthy of Luke’s affections.’
