Page 11 of A Sense of Paradise
‘She is out making deliveries for me. I treat some of the villagers with my herbal cures. Papa would be appalled, of course, but thankfully I no longer have to live by his rules. Instead, I do as much good as I can without making a song and dance about it. Anyway, Melanie will be back soon and I’m sure she will be pleased to see you.’
‘Will she?’ Pamela gave a sad little half-smile that was so unlike her that Flora began to worry for her sister’s sanity. ‘She never stopped idolising you. Papa knew at once where she must have gone when she ran away.’
‘Do you know why she left?’
Flora expected a litany of complaints about disobedient daughters who disregarded the sixth commandment. To her astonishment, Pamela gave a dull nod. ‘Papa treated her cruelly. I heard him chastising her sometimes and I heard her weeping, and to my discredit I never tried to help her. I convinced myself that she deserved it, you see, and I knew that Papa was desperate not to have another daughter disgrace him with her independent ways. It was easier to blame your example, which was wrong of me.’
‘Pamela, what is the reason for all this soul-baring? We have never been close and I don’t suppose we ever shall be. We don’t have anything in common, other than the accident of birth.’
Pamela took a deep breath. ‘I need your help.’
Flora wondered what strength of will it must have taken her sister to make such an admission but didn’t hesitate to nod. ‘If it is within my power to help you, then you may depend upon me,’ she replied without hesitation.
‘It is Mr Janson.’ She paused, leading Flora to wonder whether she always referred to her husband in such a formal manner. She had suspected on their wedding day that there was little love on his side, merely ambition, and could see that Pamela’s eyes had already been opened to the harsh realities of married life. ‘He was Papa’s curate but he had absolutely no idea what Papa got up to with his exorcisms.’ Pamela fixed Flora with an intense look. ‘You have my word on the matter.’
‘I believe you. Papa would not have put himself at risk by revealing the darker side of his nature to his underlings, leaving himself open to manipulation. He is a master manipulator himself and would not have made such a basic error.’
‘Thank you for believing me. Our problem is that a lot of the clergy don’t share that view. You know how much political manoeuvring goes on behind closed doors at Cathedral Close, and the knives are out for my husband.’ She spread her hands. ‘He is tainted by association, even though he has done nothing wrong.’
‘His career has stalled, in other words.’
‘Yes.’
‘I see.’
And Flora did see, all too clearly. She had always supposed that Janson had married Pamela in order to ally himself with their powerful father, who could do a great deal to aid Janson’s career. Now he was being ostracised and had sent Pamela here with the begging bowl. But what he thought Flora could do to help him, she had yet to decide. She had absolutely no influence in ecclesiastical circles, and nor did she particularly wish to have.
‘The thing is, Mr Janson has decided that he wants to quit Salisbury and take over as vicar of a thriving parish.’
‘I think that is a very wise decision. If he does well then his efforts will not go unnoticed by the bishop, and he will be able to return to the hub of things should he so wish in a few years’ time and in a much stronger position.’
‘Precisely.’ Pamela leaned forward. ‘A vacancy is about to occur in Bradenstoke, not far from here. The incumbent is due to retire and Mr Janson would very much like to take his place, but there is fierce competition for such a rich living.’
‘I am sure there is, but how can I help?’ Flora asked, wondering how she would feel about having her sister and her overbearing husband so close at hand.
‘Lord Felsham.’
‘What about him?’ Flora asked, blinking.
‘You are his friend. Everyone says so. It infuriates Papa to know that you have such influential allies. Lord Swindon was married this week. You were a bridesmaid and Lord Felsham was best man.’ A note of envy entered Pamela’s voice. ‘There were reports in all the newspapers.’
‘Papa was there, outside. I saw him.’
Pamela shuddered. ‘What did he want?’
Flora lifted one shoulder. ‘I have absolutely no idea, I did not speak to him. To intimidate me, one supposes.’
‘Well anyway, as to Lord Felsham, he has influence with the bishop. If he were to put in a word for Mr Janson…’
‘Ah, I see. Very well. I am due to see him later this week and I will ask him.’
‘Thank you. I know we have not always seen eye to eye and I take my share of the blame for the rift, but now that we are adults, I hope we can put the past behind us and be better friends.’
‘I would like that,’ Flora replied, surprised to find that she meant it.
‘Well then, I had best…’
‘Don’t go yet unless there is somewhere you need to be. Melanie will be back any time now and I am sure she would like to see you.’
