Page 42 of A Sense of Fate
‘Then you shall not. You can remain with me indefinitely.’
‘I can?’ Her eyes glowed. ‘I will not be in the way?’
‘You will have to work hard,’ Flora replied, smiling. ‘I will teach you all about my herbal cures and introduce you to the old ladies in the village whom I try to help. You will like Mrs Finch. She is a favourite of mine. Since you have inherited the gift of second sight, I expect you have also inherited Grandmamma’s way with herbs.’
‘How did you know that you had…well, the gift?’ Melanie asked, frowning.
‘I had the advantage of knowing Grandmamma. She prepared me in many ways, but I didn’t come into my abilities until I was about your age. And then the voice I heard scared me but also comforted me, if that makes any sense.’
Melanie nodded. ‘It has never frightened me.’
‘Whenever I lacked the courage to confront Papa, Remus’s voice made me aware that I was doing the right thing.’
‘Remus?’
‘You know the story of Remus and Romulus, the twin brothers in Roman mythology whose exploits led to the founding of Rome by Romulus.’
Melanie tilted her head. ‘Yes, I have read about it. I felt drawn to that particular story. Perhaps now I understand why.’
‘Remus was killed by his brother.’
‘What’s that?’ Melanie brushed at her ear when a draught wafted past it.
‘Don’t be afraid. That’s Remus, our spirit guide.’ She made a face when Remus’s image materialised, floating between them. ‘He’s here now and you just sensed his presence. I thought he would show himself. He’s the nosiest spirit guide in the entire universe.’
I am doing my duty, I’ll have you know. Precious little thanks I get for it.
Melanie frowned. ‘Did he just say something about doing his duty?’
You see. She’s much quicker on the uptake than you were.
Flora scowled at Remus’s mischief-making.That’s because I have warned her what to expect. I had to get accustomed to your interfering ways with no one to help me.
Ha!
‘You were talking to him?’ Melanie looked fascinated. ‘How do you do it?’
‘Your mind is already attuned to him because you can hear some of the things he is saying. Probably best that you don’t hear them all. You would be terribly shocked. Remus’s morals are very lax.’
‘Oh good.’ Melanie grinned and bounced on the edge of her chair. ‘I have never met anyone with lax morals. I am sure they must have all the fun.’
Remus flashed a smug, otherworldly smile.She is less strait-laced than you.
‘Remus is supposed to guide me – and you, I imagine – away from danger, or warn us when it’s approaching. Why, I haven’t been able to ascertain, and I don’t think he knows himself.’
I do!
‘You’ve offended him,’ Melanie said, with a worried look.
‘Remus is impossible to offend.’ Flora waved a placating hand. ‘Anyway, all I can fathom is that we are supposed to use our supernatural powers, such as they are, for the greater good. Thanks to Remus, I was able to save Lord Swindon from two unsuitable marriages, as well as do a few other useful things. It’s a much better way to make a difference than getting down on one’s knees and praying all day, whilst disapproving of anyone who dares to question the tenets of one’s religion.’
Melanie looked a little shocked. Flora reminded herself that she was still in the early stages of her rebellion against everything she was brought up to believe in and that it would take time for her to accept that there were alternate views.
‘Who is that crying?’
Flora smiled. ‘Why don’t you go into the kitchen and find out for yourself. There is someone there whom I am sure you will enjoy meeting.’
Flora wasn’t alone for long before Polly came in. ‘Your sister is playing with Alice,’ she said, sounding worried.
