Page 29 of A Sense of Turmoil
‘Come and sit with me, child,’ the countess instructed, and Ottilie dutifully took the chair beside her. ‘Tell me all about yourself.’
Flora walked away, having no desire to hear what was said. Even if Ottilie’s revelations leant some clues as to the reason for Remus’s objections, Flora could never warn Luke without appearing resentful. She had saved him from an unsuitable marriage once. This time he would have to fend for himself.
She found herself beside Archie and waved him back into his chair when it seemed as though he might attempt to stand. Instead, she perched on the chair beside his, waving Woodley away when he offered her a glass of champagne from his tray. The countess, she noticed, had declined as well, which was unusual enough to increase Flora’s concerns about her state of health.
‘How are you?’ Archie asked. ‘I haven’t seen you since our excursion to the reservoir.’
‘I have been here, but it seems you have been carousing with your friends and forgot all about the rest of us.’ Flora placed the tips of her fingers against her lips. ‘Oh dear, that sounded as though I was complaining, which I have no right to do. Sometimes I forget that I don’t really belong here and certainly have no cause to feel resentful.’
Archie chuckled. ‘I should be delighted if I could make you admit that you have missed my society, even a little.’
‘Then I regret to say that you are destined for a long wait. I know my place and certainly know better than to pine for the company of a marquess.’
‘Not when you have the eye of an earl, Miss Latimer?’ Archie fixed her with a probing look. ‘Sometimes I find it hard to know if you are teasing.’
‘That goes for both of us then, Lord Felsham.’ Flora’s smile was warm and genuine. ‘But even if the weather had been kinder, I would still not have been around very much.’ She glanced across at her charge, who for once was not pontificating but instead sat listening to whatever Ottilie had to say for herself. Flora was too far away to hear what it was. ‘I have been obliged to neglect Amethyst.’
‘The countess is failing,’ Archie said, with a sad nod. ‘Luke said as much.’
‘She wanted to meet Miss Fleming and make up her mind about her, which is why she insisted upon coming down tonight, but she is far from robust.’ The countess proved Flora’s point, taken suddenly by a coughing fit. Flora made to stand and go and help her, but the countess recovered and waved her back to her seat.
‘The day after tomorrow is your father’s investiture,’ Archie said, when she returned her attention to him.
Flora blinked at him. ‘Fancy you remembering that.’
‘There is little you say to me that I do not recall.’
‘Careful, Archie. My head might swell.’
He smiled at her. ‘Unlikely because you never believe that any compliments directed your way are genuine.’ He took a sip of his whisky. ‘Do you still intend to go?’
Flora glanced at the countess, still in avid conversation with Ottilie Fleming. She became conscious of Luke watching not them but her and Archie. ‘If her ladyship is not in imminent danger, I don’t suppose my being away for a few hours will make a great deal of difference. Her maid is capable of looking after her. Besides, the countess knows of the investiture and will probably insist that I go. She won’t forget, either. Her body is failing but her mind is still as sharp as a tack, much as she sometimes enjoys pretending otherwise.’
‘The weather is supposed to improve tomorrow, according to those in the know, although how they can be so sure is a mystery to me.’ Archie smiled. ‘I have learned not to question the wisdom of those versed in country ways. If we do have a fine morning, I’ve a mind to put Mabel through her paces again.’
Flora laughed. ‘You would be better advised to say pace. She only has one.’
‘True. Will you join me?’
‘If the countess is well enough. As I say, she doesn’t usually need me until late morning. I will look in on her to satisfy myself that she is comfortable and then join you with pleasure.’
‘I look forward to it.’
‘Keeping the delightful Miss Latimer to yourself, Felsham,’ George Fleming remarked, walking up to join them and fixing Flora with an inappropriately intimate smile. ‘Bad form, that.’
‘Flora and I are old friends,’ Archie replied negligently, sending Flora a questioning look at Fleming’s propriety tone. She simply raised a shoulder, implying that his guess was as good as hers.
‘All the more reason to allow others to get to know her.’
Archie glanced at Flora, then fixed George with a quelling look. ‘Don’t let me stop you,’ he said, making it clear that he had no intention of moving away. Flora remained seated too, obliging George to peer down at her. Dinner was announced at that moment, saving the situation from becoming embarrassing.
‘May I have the pleasure, Miss Latimer?’ George asked, proffering his arm.
‘Sorry, but I must attend to the countess,’ Flora replied, standing and bobbing the suggestion of a curtsey. ‘Excuse me please, gentlemen.’
Flora reached the countess’s chair at the same moment as Luke. Their gazes clashed for a prolonged moment before Luke turned away from her and offered Ottilie his arm. She excused herself from the countess, stood to dip a curtsey and then placed her gloved hand on Luke’s sleeve.
‘Come along, ma’am,’ Flora said, feeling empty inside as she watched them go. ‘Let me help you up.’
