Page 30 of A Sense of Paradise
Melanie grinned. ‘I think you ought to live at Felsham Hall.’
‘Melanie!’
‘Well, you spend an awful lot of time with the dashing marquess, so it would make perfect sense.’
Flora resisted the urge to share her news with her sister, whom she knew would be delighted, and whose own prospects would take an upward turn when she became related by marriage to a marquess. ‘I am trying to help him discover the whereabouts of Miss Garnier’s brother, so we need to put our heads together.’
Melanie beamed. ‘Naturally you do.’
‘You could make yourself useful by ensuring that Polly prepares the spare room for our guest.’
‘Of course I will, although Polly doesn’t need my help.’ Melanie sent Flora a pensive look. ‘I will pretend not to know that’s simply an excuse to spend more time with Lord Felsham and ask you instead how you could be expected to know where Mr Garnier is hiding himself.’
Flora let out a long breath. ‘It’s to do with Papa.’
‘Oh.’ Melanie’s playful expression evaporated. ‘In what way?’
‘We are not entirely sure, but we do know that someone is attempting to discredit Archie. I told you about Mr Yardley’s murder.’ Melanie nodded, biting her lower lip anxiously. ‘Now that cannot have been a coincidence, especially since it brought a senior Scotland Yard detective tomydoor. I did not want to burden you with any of this, but you need to be aware that Papa hasn’t given up on us, or at least upon attempting to destroy those he believes are our friends as a malicious means of undermining our confidence.’ She hugged her sister. ‘However, Papa has met his match in Lord Felsham, and will not succeed.’
‘You are the strongest person I know, Flora, and I have absolute faith in your abilities.’ Melanie’s smile faltered. ‘As to Papa, surely there is nothing that he can do to harm a gentleman of Lord Felsham’s stature, is there? Especially now that he himself is in disgrace and no one wants to associate with him.’
‘You would think not, but Papa is a wounded animal, cornered and hurting badly, which makes him dangerous and unpredictable. Anyway, I would not put anything past such a determined and calculating person. He does not have a high opinion of females in general, and daughters who do not know their place are bound to infuriate him.’
‘We are supposed to be obedient, seen and not heard?’
‘Precisely. He holds me partially responsible for his travails and is making a grand gesture by attempting to unsettle Archie, thinking it will bring me to heel. It’s a risky strategy, especially since he is aware that I now have sufficient funds to do as I please. He must be aware by now that living beneath his iron control most certainly does not please me.’
‘Nor me. I have never been happier than since you took me in, dearest Flora. It is as though my life started on the day I was carried through this door.’ Melanie canted her head in a considering manner. ‘Does that sound silly?’
‘Not in the least.’ Flora pinched her sister’s cheek. ‘I felt the exact same way when I took up my position at Beranger Court. It was as though a massive weight that had held me down my entire life had been lifted from my shoulders and a whole new and exciting world beckoned.’
‘Your courage was my salvation. If you had not…’
‘Hush now. Things happen for a reason, I am absolutely convinced of it.’ Flora straightened her shoulders. ‘Anyway, as far as Papa is concerned, he has yet to accept that he has grossly miscalculated in underestimating me. I will not allow him to destroy Archie, or us.’
‘I know you will not, and I am glad you have told me…at least some of it. I am perfectly sure there is more. I am not a child anymore, Flora, and I want to help you, to repay you in some small way for being so very kind to me. You do not have to bear all these responsibilities alone.’
‘I know, darling, and I am inordinately proud of you.’ Flora kissed her sister’s cheek. ‘I promise I will tell you more as soon as I can, but today please oblige me by remaining at home. I am sure there is no danger, but it’s best not to invite problems until we have got to the bottom of things. I would not put anything past Papa. He knows there is nothing he can do to get me back but you…’
Melanie swallowed. ‘All right.’ Flora could see that Melanie had a dozen questions percolating inside her sharp mind, but she didn’t voice any of them. ‘Anyway, I am sure Remus will warn us if we are in danger.’
‘If he can drag himself away from his hedonistic pleasures.’ Both girls laughed. ‘Anyway, I must be off. I shall not be late back. It’s such a lovely day that I am going to ride over. I expect Polly will be disappointed not to catch a glimpse of Mr Pawson, who would ordinarily have come to collect me. She can console herself with the thought that the separation will only increase his interest in her.’
Melanie chuckled. ‘I have never seen two people more attuned to one another.’ Melanie allowed a reflective pause and fixed Flora with a speculative look. ‘Or then again, perhaps I have.’
‘I really must be going.’ Flora brushed down the lines of her habit and turned towards the door. ‘I shall see you a little later.’
‘Have a lovely time.’
Will had Amethyst saddled and waiting for her. He had been groomed until the sun highlighted a dozen different shades of grey in his dappled coat, and his thick mane was a silky sheen that reached down to his shoulder.
‘He looks magnificent, Will. Thank you.’
‘I didn’t have to do much. He’s a handsome beast and he knows it.’ They laughed as the gelding swung on his quarters and tossed his head, showing off because he knew he was being admired and talked about.
‘He’s a bit like handsome people, one supposes. Being admired gives them confidence. Personally, I wouldn’t know.’
‘Beauty’s only skin deep and it fades with the passage of time. People truly worth knowing possess qualities that endure, if one takes the trouble to look. Kindness, empathy and the willingness to give without expectation of reward spring immediately to mind.’
