Page 19 of A Sense of Fate
‘It might be nothing to do with Latimer—his interest in Flora, I mean.’ Pawson threw a log on the fire and kicked it into place with the heel of his boot, standing back when sparks shot up the chimney and cascaded onto the stone hearth. ‘Has it occurred to you that your nemesis thought you were dead? Now you’re risen up like a phoenix from the ashes of your previous life—a marquess, no less.’
‘Conrad aspired to a title. I recall him being in his cups once and talking about how his father would likely purchase him a peerage by making himself and his money indispensable to the government of the day. Doesn’t seem to have happened. He hasn’t gone into his father’s business either and is beavering away at Coutts instead.’
‘Maybe he thinks there are greater possibilities for a man with ambitions, holding down a position in a gentleman’s bank.’
‘A bank that’s in London, in the heart of things, rather than being stuck in the wilds of Yorkshire.’
‘If he aspires to a gentlemanly existence, and if his father has deep pockets, I’m surprised he hasn’t married into an impoverished aristocratic family. There are enough of them around with daughters who need to be married off to save the day.’
Archie nodded. ‘That thought had occurred to me as well, which makes his willingness to serve at Coutts that much harder to fathom. The man I recall was never that keen on getting his hands dirty. But then again, perhaps his father purchased him a position that will further his ambitions. Get him on first name terms with directors and influential clients; something of that nature. It wouldn’t surprise me. One thing’s for sure, he wouldn’t have gone to work there without a good reason.’
Pawson lifted a beefy shoulder. ‘Perhaps the father disowned him when he showed a disinclination for the steel industry.’
‘Possibly. I have no idea about his family’s circumstances. I never took any interest, but I can’t recall him speaking of siblings in my hearing. Perhaps there are brothers. Find out for me.’ Archie glanced at Pawson. ‘Do we know if his father is still alive?
‘We don’t, but I’ll find that out as well.’
‘Please do. Anyway, you were pontificating about my rebirth. Feel free to carry on, I could do with some entertainment.’
‘Happy to oblige,’ Pawson replied cheerfully. ‘As I was saying, Conrad is a man who knows how to bear a grudge, so maybe he’s seeking revenge for Magda’s betrayal by attempting to take Flora from you.’
‘Flora isn’t mine,’ Archie said with exaggerated patience.
‘Perhaps not, but he only has to ask around in Lyneham and it won’t take him long to discover that you are protecting her, albeit from a distance. That sort of protection could easily be misconstrued, which might account for her father’s determination to remove her from your seductive clutches.’
‘Damn it to hell and back, you could just be right!’ Archie snapped.
‘Don’t shoot the messenger, guv’nor.’ Pawson shrugged at Archie, his palms out in a placating gesture. ‘I know your intentions are honourable for once, but this Conrad character knew you in your wilder days. And, if you don’t mind my saying so…’
Archie grunted. ‘Would it matter if I did?’
‘What use would I be to you if I only told you what you want to hear?’
Archie shifted his position and stretched his injured leg out straight in front of him with a sigh, flexing the withered muscles and easing the aches that had accumulated. Despite the improvements in his mobility, his leg still played up in cold, damp weather. ‘Spit it out then,’ he snapped.
‘My point is that Conrad might not only be on the prowl for revenge. Your interest in Flora might be a happy coincidence from his perspective. He’s involved with Latimer in ways that have nothing to do with religion. Given what you’ve told me about Conrad’s character, he doesn’t seem the devout type.’
‘Agreed,’ Archie replied, uncomfortable with Pawson’s innuendos. It was the first time his man had openly referred to Archie’s preference for Flora, and Archie knew it would be pointless to deny his growing attraction—especially if she was under threat from Conrad and her father. Archie needed Pawson to be his eyes and legs and knew he could depend upon him in ways that he would trust with few others. ‘Perhaps Conrad and Latimer are engaged in some sort of investment scheme, but if they are I fail to see why Latimer would think Flora knows anything about it, and why it would matter even if she did.’
‘Well they’re up to something, that much we do know. Can’t imagine the two of them having anything much in common otherwise. We know Latimer wants to keep Flora in line, preferably back in the family fold, and when Conrad caught a glimpse of her at her sister’s wedding, he no doubt decided that he’d be the man to bring her to heel. A man who attracted a younger Magda Simpson’s interest probably thought that Flora would be child’s play.’ Pawson paused. ‘Whatever you see in her, guv’nor, Lord Swindon saw it too. And now Conrad does as well.’
‘Damn his impertinence!’ Archie thumped the arm of his chair. ‘I shall have to go and see her and ask her about the visit.’
‘I would advise against it. She’s due to take luncheon with you here in a few days. Leave it until then and let me carry on making enquiries in the meantime.’
‘She could be in danger, and you expect me to leave her alone?’ Archie threw up his hands. ‘What sort of protector would that make me?’
‘You’d be revealing your hand for no good reason. Flora would want to know how you were aware of Conrad’s visit. If she discovers that you have half the village keeping a careful watch over her, to say nothing of Polly reporting regularly to you through me, she will…’
‘Right. Point taken.’ Archie gave a mirthless chuckle. ‘The chit is too independent for her own good. She would be furious and probably up sticks and leave. She wants—needs—to prove something to herself. That’s why I haven’t… Anyway, I suppose I can wait a few days. Hopefully, she will tell me about Conrad’s visit without my having to mention it.’
‘Possibly.’
‘Besides, if she left, Polly would go with her,’ Archie said, grinning as he exacted a modicum of revenge. ‘And you would lose your main source of information, to say nothing of having to forego stepping out with Flora’s maid.’
‘You want to know what she gets up to,’ Pawson replied, grinning broadly. ‘Slave to your duty, so I am. Polly’s that grateful to be employed and she’s dedicated to her mistress, so…’
Archie laughed as he levered himself to his feet. ‘Put your enquiries in hand and let me know as soon as you learn anything worthwhile. I’m going to spend an hour in the steam bath. My leg is giving me merry hell.’
