Page 17 of A Sense of Fate
‘Well, I think.’ Violet paused and Flora sensed that she had something delicate to say to her. ‘You don’t mind, do you?’ she asked in a rush.
‘Mind?’ Flora blinked, genuinely confused. ‘Mind what precisely?’
‘My marrying Luke. I do love him very much and will dedicate myself to making him happy. After Anthony, when you and Luke saved me from his machinations, I never expected to find true happiness because I doubted my own judgement. It made me realise that what I felt for Anthony was gratitude, which is no basis for a marriage. Even so, I was determined not to marry for love…until I fell in love, that is. Now I understand that it’s worth taking the risk.’
Flora reached across and squeezed Violet’s hand. ‘I don’t mind in the least. Whatever made you imagine that I would? And more to the point, what right do I have to interfere?’
‘It’s just that…well, I’ve always sensed a connection between you and Luke. He looks at you in a certain way that implies…’
‘It implies nothing,’ Flora insisted briskly. ‘Luke and I are good friends and sparring partners, nothing more. I have never harboured ambitions to be anything more to him and I cannot begin to think why you should imagine otherwise. If I have left you with that impression, then my manners must be at fault.’
‘No!’ Violet shook her head. ‘Ignore me. It’s pre-wedding jitters, I suppose. I am about to become a countess and the thought of all that responsibility terrifies me. Also, my godmother, when I was still engaged to be married to Anthony, often spoke of you and Luke in the same breath. The countess was her good friend and had put the idea into her head, I think.’
Flora smiled. ‘The countess enjoyed creating mischief. She found it hugely entertaining.’
‘But perhaps it was what she wanted…you and Luke, I mean...’
‘The countess would have approved of you, never doubt it—and as to your responsibilities, Mary has been keeping house for Luke for several years. Before the countess left us, in fact, because she wasn’t well enough to discharge her duties. You could do worse than allow yourself to be guided by Mary and Mrs Kemp. Don’t pull rank with Mrs Kemp—which I am sure you will not—just make it clear that you require her help and you will not go far wrong. As far as your wider responsibilities with the local populace are concerned, they are loyal to Luke and so will love you simply because he does. How can they not, when you are so lovely and charming and quite without airs?’ Flora grinned mischievously. ‘The same cannot be said for some of the previous aspirants for Luke’s hand, and I confess that I did warn him away from them.’
Violet blinked. ‘You did?’
‘Interfering minx, aren’t I?’ She flapped a hand. ‘My willingness to poke my nose into the affairs of others will be the death of me yet, but I cannot stand by and watch people I care about making terrible mistakes that they will regret for the rest of their lives.’ She reached across to squeeze Violet’s hand. ‘And I do care about Luke, but rest assured that I do not see you as a mistake or a rival. You will enhance Luke’s standing in the locality as well as making him happy.’
‘Thank you for the reassurance, but does he love me? I think he is very fond of me, but love…well, he has never said.’
Flora waved her concerns aside. ‘Men don’t express themselves well, but take it from me that if he was not devoted to you, he would not have proposed. From a personal perspective, you have my assurance that I wish you both nothing but the very best of good fortune. Not that you will need it. I can see that you are ideally suited.’ Flora smiled at Violet. ‘I am never wrong about these things.’
‘Thank you.’ Violet let out a long sigh. ‘That is a great comfort. Excuse me if I am being foolish. It’s just that I so want everything to be perfect and I also want you to be my friend, Flora. You have already done so much for me and I feel we are similar in many respects.’
‘I will always be your friend.’ Flora leaned forward. ‘Now, tell me in detail how the preparations are coming along.’
‘Actually, I came with the specific intention of asking you to be my chief bridesmaid.’
‘Me?’ Astounded, Flora pointed at her own chest, thinking there must be some mistake.
‘Yes, of course you. As I say, I hold you partially responsible for bringing the match about.’
Flora smiled. ‘Oh, I think Luke being attracted to you might have had something to do with the matter.’
‘Even so, I have few friends in this country. Mary will be too pregnant to attend me. Emma is to be maid of honour, as is Louise. Marianne is excited to be a bridesmaid.’ Flora nodded, aware that she referred to Luke’s brother’s Henry’s wife and her sister. ‘There are two small girls, acquaintances of my godmother’s, who will be flower girls, and then there is you.’ Violet clapped her hands. ‘Please say you will do it.’
‘I will do so with the greatest pleasure, if you are quite sure.’
‘I am so glad. I was thinking of bronze figured silk with cream Flemish lace.’
Violet produced a sketch of the gown she had in mind for her attendants. Thoughts of her sister’s frothy confection still fresh in her mind, Flora was relieved to see that Violet’s ideas tended towards simple, elegant lines. She exclaimed over the swatches of sample materials as decisions were considered and made.
‘That’s settled then,’ Violet said, sitting back and marking several ticks against a long list that she had produced from her reticule. ‘I am using Mrs Keller to make the gowns.’
‘That is a good idea. Having the local dressmaker to cater for the earl’s wedding party will earn you a lot of goodwill.’
‘It was Mary’s suggestion. I believe she did the same thing.’
‘She did.’
‘Mrs Keller has your measurements, I think.’
‘She does indeed. The countess was always having gowns made for me. She was very generously inclined.’
