Page 54 of A Sense of Fate
‘If Conrad is now employed by a provincial bank, perhaps the answers are to be found there.’
Archie shook his head. ‘They are more likely to come from his brother. He will know what Conrad argued so violently with his father about, and which probably led to his being disinherited. The brother happens to be a Member of Parliament and the house is sitting at present, discussing the latest Irish problem. I am going up to London tomorrow. I have made an appointment to see him.’
‘Archie, no!’ She jumped to her feet, overwhelmed by his willingness to put himself out on her behalf. She knew very well that travelling, especially at this time of the year, played havoc with his misaligned limb. ‘I can’t ask such a thing of you.’
‘You have not asked, my sweet,’ He smiled as he fixed her with a probing, deeply intense look. ‘Let me protect you, Flora, in the purest possible manner. It makes me feel like a whole man again, so you would be doing me the greatest possible favour.’
‘You have nothing to prove to me,’ she said, blushing when the words slipped past her lips and their implication belatedly occurred to her.
‘Ah, if only!’
‘Behave!’ She shook a finger at him, smiling. ‘Very well. I can see that you are determined, so thank you.’
‘I need to go up to town anyway. I have business with my legal people and cannot always expect them to come to me. If you want to do something to help in the meantime, I suggest re-reading your grandmother’s diaries, searching for clues.’
‘Yes, I can do that. I have been taken up with Melanie’s arrival but I will get back to it immediately.’
‘I shall be in my London house for two nights and then here the day after that to take you to Beranger Court. Hopefully by then I shall have found something out.’
‘Ah, of course. With all the excitement I had forgotten about my dress fitting. Do you think Violet would mind if we take Melanie with us?’
‘Not in the least.’ He grinned at her. ‘She can beyourchaperone and save you from my evil intentions.’
‘Are they evil, Archie?’
Archie let out a frustrated sigh. ‘Don’t flirt with me, wench, or you might just find out.’
She blushed and looked away from him, wondering what devilment had possessed her to speak so recklessly. Wishing he would be completely frank with her and admit that he wanted her as his mistress. At the same time, she was glad that he had not, since she would be sorely tempted to accept. She sensed the countess applauding her salacious thoughts from the next world, and smiled at the image.
Melanie bounded into the room, her lively presence breaking the tension between them, which Flora considered to be just as well.
‘Beatrice asks if Lord Felsham is remaining for dinner,’ she said.
Flora glanced at Archie.
‘Thank you, but I had best not. I want to make an early start in the morning.’
‘Very well. Melanie, ask Mr Pawson to bring the carriage round, if he can tear himself away from Polly.’
‘I shall see you in a couple of days,’ Archie said, standing in the hallway after donning his hat and coat. He lifted Flora’s hand to his lips, turned it over and kissed the inside of her wrist. Flora noticed Melanie in the periphery of her vision, her eyes as wide as saucers as she observed the gesture. Flora snatched her hand back and glowered at Archie, aware that he was being deliberately provocative. ‘Behave yourself—if you possibly can.’
‘It is notmybehaviour that is at fault,’ she replied with asperity.
‘Sadly not.’
Flora watched as Archie and Pawson made their way to the waiting conveyance, unable to decide if she was still angry with him or grateful for his protection. Archie climbed into the carriage with Pawson’s help, then lowered the window and waved as it moved off.
Flora stood where she was, oblivious to the cold, until it disappeared from view.
Chapter Twelve
Early the following morning, Archie settled into as comfortable a position as he could in a first class carriage on the London train. Pawson sat across from him, but instinctively seemed to know that Archie required peace in which to contemplate recent developments. His man hid his face behind a newspaper and made no sound, other than the occasional rustle when he turned a page, or when he tutted in disgust about something he’d read.
Archie worried about leaving Flora and Melanie comparatively unprotected, even if it was only for a couple of days. He sensed that Melanie’s arrival in Lyneham had somehow increased Latimer’s determination to return both girls to the family fold—by force if necessary, regardless of the fact that Flora was of age and Latimer had no authority over her.
Flora was possibly the most compassionate person he knew; always putting the welfare of others ahead of her own concerns. Why Latimer, as a man of God, found that trait displeasing was beyond Archie’s comprehension. The fact that he was not inordinately proud of his eldest daughter’s achievements reinforced Archie’s private opinion regarding the clergy and their assumptions of superiority.
‘I wish I knew what he’s so frightened about,’ Archie mused aloud, idly staring out at the bustling platform when the train pulled into Reading. Several people left their carriage and more joined it. Two porters lumbered along behind a well-dressed woman, struggling beneath the weight of her luggage, the disposition of which she was most particular about.
