‘Undoubtedly,’ Luke replied without much enthusiasm.
A burst of laughter had both men looking over their shoulders to where Luke’s sisters stood with a small party of younger guests. At least they appeared to be enjoying this torture, Luke thought.
‘And your intended is making an effort to ingratiate herself with your grandmother. That is not for the fainthearted, so it must count for something.’
‘You marry her if you’re that smitten.’
Alvin chuckled, undeterred by Luke’s bad humour. ‘If you have decided against her then you owe it to her to make your intentions, or lack of them, clear. She knows why she was invited and is probably already inventorying the family silver.’
Luke rolled his eyes. ‘I suppose it has to be done,’ he said, sounding like a man who felt honour-bound to keep an appointment with the hangman.
‘Not if you ain’t sure.’ Alvin took a sip of his tea and replaced the cup in its saucer. ‘But still, if the fragrant Lily doesn’t measure up to your exacting standards, I wonder if anyone ever will. You could be destined for the solitary life of a curmudgeonly old bachelor.’
‘I would be tempted, but for the fact that they deserve an opportunity to shine,’ he said, glancing at his sisters’ group.
‘By which you mean seasons, I suppose. But perhaps Emma, at any rate, would prefer to avoid having one. Have you discussed it with her?’
Luke fixed his friend with a look of mild surprise. ‘You’re not the first person to make that suggestion to me. Has she said anything to you?’
‘She mentioned in passing that she doesn’t care for crowds.’
Startled, Luke blinked at his friend. ‘I wasn’t aware of that.’
‘The days of communicating by carrier pigeon are long gone, my friend.’
‘Well, she seems comfortable enough in this crowd,’ Luke replied, watching as Emma laughed at something one of the young men had just said to her. ‘Perhaps she will find her heart’s desire at this gathering. That will resolve half my problems.’
‘Unworthy of you.’ There was a sharp edge to Alvin’s voice that caused Luke to glance up at him. ‘Emma deserves better than that.’
‘Perhaps Carlton,’ Luke suggested, nodding towards the gallant captain, still in conversation with Miss Latimer. ‘He seems to have set a few hearts aflutter.’
‘Hasn’t got a pot to piss in, from what I’ve heard.’
Luke flexed a brow. ‘Really? That’s why he’s obliged to make a career in the army, I dare say, so he will have to marry for money.’ Which would preclude him from settling his interest upon Miss Latimer, but there was every chance that he would transfer it to either Emma or Mary, both of whom were known to have substantial dowries.
‘It’s the only flaw that the otherwise faultless Miss Carlton possesses, as far as I can see,’ Alvin said. ‘She comes from a good family but her dowry won’t fill any empty spaces in your coffers. Fortunately, they’re brimming over, so you don’t have to worry about that.’
‘Kind of you to remind me,’ Luke said with a droll smile.
‘Happy to oblige.’ Alvin put his empty cup aside and glanced idly around the room. ‘Your grandmother’s companion looks pretty. Has she done something to herself?’
Luke shrugged. ‘You’re asking the wrong person,’ he said, affecting disinterest.
‘All quiet now on the Simpson front,’ Alvin remarked. ‘That’s something to be relieved about.’
‘Paul made enquiries. She was in London after Simpson’s death. Once she came out of mourning it was pretty much as we supposed. The invitations she’d probably hoped for were not forthcoming, making it clear to her that she’s out of favour, her conduct not approved of by society’s elite. What’s more, Simpson left her with just enough to live modestly on. The rest of his fortune went to his son from his first marriage.’
‘So Paul mentioned to me. Simpson probably knew he’d been cuckolded and took the ultimate revenge from beyond the grave.’
‘Leaving her with no choice but to try and find herself another rich victim.’ Luke shuddered. ‘She’s wasting her time with me, but I’m told she’s still in the district, which makes me uneasy.’ He gave a weary sigh. ‘Anyway,’ he added without much enthusiasm, ‘I suppose we had better circulate for half an hour, then we can justifiably escape until dinner time.’
Chapter Eleven
Even by the third day of the party, Flora still found everything interesting. A great student of human nature, she sensed Miss Carlton’s growing frustration when the earl failed to single her out. She had seemed triumphant when he escorted her into dinner on the first night, but since then he hadn’t exchanged a dozen words with her in Flora’s hearing. Each night a different lady entered the dining parlour on his arm, giving Miss Carlton’s competitors hope. Flora sensed that Miss Carlton had been spoiled and indulged her entire life. She was accustomed to getting what she wanted, and unless the earl started to show serious interest in her, it could only be a matter of time before she had a temper tantrum.
‘I find my grandson’s behaviour amusing,’ the countess remarked, as Flora forced the day’s tincture upon her and the old lady swallowed it grudgingly. ‘The Carlton girl is a silly and ambitious goose and Luke’s lack of attention has already shown us glimpses of her true character.’
‘I was just now thinking the same thing. She snapped her fingers at me yesterday when her cousin engaged me in conversation and told me to fetch her shawl.’
‘I hope you did not oblige her.’
‘Oh, rest assured that I did not.’ Flora smiled and shook her head. ‘I simply told her that if she didn’t have a maid of her own, one of his lordship’s would be happy to oblige her.’
The old lady laughed as she put her empty cup aside. ‘I should like to have heard that exchange.’
‘It would not have taken place if you had been there. She’s careful to show a sunny disposition to members of your family. But she enjoys being the centre of attention, like most beautiful people do. They grow accustomed to it, I suppose, and look upon it as their due. She dislikes her cousin showing too much interest in anyone else though.’
‘Like you?’
Flora coloured. ‘I think he feels safe talking to me. All the other single ladies have an eye for him. Well, for all the available gentleman, come to that. In other words, they are here in the hope of attracting husbands. The earl would be their first choice, but his brothers, Mr Watson and the captain are all fair game, too. I am a glorified servant, so the captain is aware that he has nothing to fear from me.’
‘That’s as may be.’ The countess smiled knowingly. ‘But have a care. You might well have a great deal to fear from him.’
‘Nonsense, ma’am! He’s a gentleman. He would not presume to…well, to behave inappropriately.’
‘Much you know about these things.’ The old lady chuckled. ‘I could enlighten you, but I have no desire to shock you into giving notice. I cannot abide the thought of breaking in yet another companion. Not that I need one, but Luke will insist, and you are just about tolerable, I suppose. Anyway, best just ensure that you never find yourself alone with Captain Latimer.’
Flora, who was convinced the countess had misread the captain’s intentions—she would have sensed anything untoward about his motives if they were dishonourable—merely smiled and assured her that she would take care. She stroked Zeus’s sleek back when he stalked into the room and settled on her lap.
‘In my opinion, the earl is playing a dangerous game,’ she remarked after a short pause. ‘If he doesn’t make himself clear soon then Miss Carlton’s connections have every right to demand to know his intentions. I heard her aunt, who is here as her chaperone since her mama is indisposed, sounding quite put out by his incivilities.’
‘Luke is never uncivil.’
‘I am sure he is not, but disgruntled chaperones might take a different view.’
‘If Miss Carlton came here with expectations then they are entir
ely of her making. Luke has been careful not to encourage her misconception. Hopefully he has come to the same conclusion as me and realises that he and Miss Carlton would not suit. Besides, the only connections here with Miss Carlton are the aunt you just referred to, who doesn’t have the courage to make a stand, and your captain.’
‘How many more times?’ Flora asked, flustered. ‘I enjoy the captain’s conversation but I don’t look upon him in that way, which is why he feels safe with me.’
‘Safe? Ha! Don’t be taken in by all that gentlemanly behaviour, girl. Men are basically beasts with one thing only on their minds. Take it from one who knows. Your dashing captain probably wants a dalliance and you are the only female under this roof—other than the servants—with whom he would dare to try and instigate one.’
‘A dalliance, you say.’ She turned laughing eyes upon the countess. ‘How exciting.’
‘You would be ruined.’
She flashed a mischievous smile. ‘Perhaps it would be worth it. The captain is, as you say, very dashing.’
The countess looked peeved. ‘I thought you did not look upon him in that light.’
‘I don’t, but you provoke me into…well, provoking you in return.’
The countess bridled but found it difficult to carry off an affronted look. ‘What would your father say if he heard you speak that way?’
‘He never would, which is why I enjoy the freedom of being able to joke about such matters. Besides, you have hardly led a blameless life by your own admission, so I thought you would approve.’
‘My dalliances only occurred after I had a wedding ring on my finger and had produced the requisite legitimate heir.’
Which caused Flora to wonder if she had also produced any illegitimate children. She and the countess had settled into a combative relationship, and Flora never hesitated to give as good as she got. Her ladyship enjoyed the challenge, Flora sensed, since her predecessors had apparently treated her with obsequious deference and were terrified of her, accounting for their short stays. But despite having established herself, there were some questions that even Flora would not presume to ask.
‘I sit duly reprimanded.’ Flora bit her lip in a futile attempt to appear sincere, then stood, tipping the cat from her lap. He mewled his displeasure and stalked off, rigid tail aloft. ‘Now then, are you ready for our morning perambulation?’
‘Not today, I am tired. You go ahead and take the air alone. All this unaccustomed activity has worn me down. I shall rest for a few hours. Come back after luncheon. Sandwell will care for me until then.’
‘Very well, if you are sure.’ Flora wrinkled her brow. ‘You do look a little run down. Is there anything I can get for you before I go?’
‘No, child. Just keep out of mischief, if you possibly can.’
Flora smiled. ‘Well, I can at least promise you that I will try but mischief seems to have an uncanny knack of finding me.’
With unexpected time on her hands, Flora decided to ignore all the activity taking place on and around the lake. Lady Emma, encouraged by the fine weather, had decided upon an al fresco luncheon beside the water, which would be served well into the afternoon, after some of the gentlemen had displayed their prowess with the punts. The guests were already emerging and drifting in that direction. Flora heard laughter and a worrying amount of splashing. She feared for the safely of her family of ducks, but the lake was large and they would doubtless find cover in the thick reeds until the activity subsided.
Hatless, Flora took herself off into the wilderness beyond the kitchen garden. It had become a favourite haunt of hers and she was almost guaranteed seclusion there. She followed a path with no particular destination in mind, mulling over all that had happened during the course of the party thus far. No disasters had occurred to disrupt Lady Emma’s meticulous planning, but Flora could sense a growing undercurrent of tension, presumably brought about by the earl’s disinclination to show favour to any of the single ladies.
She plucked idly at stalks of grass as she wandered along, enjoying the feel of sunshine on her bare head. She smiled as she thought how scandalised Miss Carlton would be if she could see her risking her complexion for no good reason. One of the benefits of not being a beauty, Flora decided, was that one didn’t feel the need to concern oneself with such nugatory concerns.
Bees buzzed among the wild flowers, varieties of nest-building birds set up competing choruses and a gentle rustle of fresh leaves carried the suggestion of a breeze. She could hear the trickle of water from the stream that ran through the estate, feeding the river Ray. The bustle of Salisbury, the constant demands and expectations placed upon her shoulders, felt a million miles away—not just forty. Flora couldn’t recall a period in her life when she had ever felt so content, so in command of her own destiny, so free from parental disapproval.
She had not spoken in private to the earl, or indeed spoken to him at all for that matter, since before the party began, so she had no idea if or how he had dealt with the problems created by Mrs Simpson’s presence in the district. Presumably, if he thought she needed to be made aware he would tell her. But he had not and the early afternoon was simply too idyllic for her to worry about it.
She turned a corner and realised she had ventured further than she realised. She had not been in this part of the grounds before. There was a small pavilion a little way ahead of her. She wondered what purpose it served, then realised that it would afford a perfect place for walkers to rest and enjoy the view over the stream. Hot and tired, Flora decided to do just that, but as she drew closer she heard raised voices coming from within. Disappointed that other members of the party had left the main group, her first thought was to make her presence known, but gripped by one of her more persistent premonitions, she held back.
Most people treated her with polite indifference. Others, such as Miss Carlton looked down upon her. And it was Miss Carlton’s high-pitched voice that Flora could hear now. She walked to the back of the pavilion, where she was sure she would not be seen, and didn’t hesitate to eavesdrop.
‘You have to make more of an effort,’ she heard Miss Carlton complain, her voice rising indignantly another octave—a feat Flora would have thought impossible. ‘There is not much time left.’
‘I know what I am doing.’
Dear God, that was Captain Carlton’s voice! Why on earth were the cousins hiding away out here and arguing. Flora had thought at first that she had stumbled upon lovers involved in a spat, but surely the cousins were not romantically involved. They could talk alone in the house and no one would think anything of it. Why the need for secrecy?
‘What you are doing is hankering after the countess’s limp little companion,’ Miss Carlton said, disbelief in her voice.
Me? They are squabbling about me? Flora shook her head, wondering if she’d been exposed to too much sun. Either that or her imagination, hampered for so long by her stringent upbringing, but finally given free rein had run riot and she was hearing things.
‘A man has to have some sport, Lily,’ the captain said in a languid tone, ‘and I have a feeling that the limp little companion in question might surprise.’
‘She’s the daughter of some high-up clergyman, someone told me. You will be biting off more than you can chew.’
The captain chuckled. ‘What a delightful thought.’
‘Don’t be such a blind fool,’ Miss Carlton cried impatiently. ‘If you overstep the bounds and she tells the countess, you will ruin all our plans, to say nothing of our being evicted from the estate. I couldn’t bear the shame, or Miss Glover’s gloating countenance if that were to happen. I am convinced she thinks the earl intends to offer for her, rather than me. Her arrogance is beyond endurance.’
‘Miss Latimer is very receptive to my advances.’ I am? Colour flooded Flora’s cheeks at the possibility. She had thought the countess’s warning unnecessary. Now she knew better. She had created expectations that she didn’t have the least intention of fulfilling. ‘E
veryone has seen us in prolonged conversation. If anything does occur between us and she makes a fuss, I shall point out to her that everyone will believe she led me on.’ He paused. ‘You would like to see her get her comeuppance, would you not? I know you resent her.’
‘I don’t think about her at all.’
‘You see her as competition for the earl’s affections. Why not admit it?’
What?
‘Oh please!’ Miss Carlton’s voice oozed contempt. ‘Credit Swindon with more taste than that. He looks her way now and again, I’ll grant you, but probably only to ensure that his wretched grandmother is comfortable and not about to embarrass him. If he has any purpose in mind for Miss Latimer, it will be the same as your own plans for the silly girl.’
‘Then I shall have to beat him to the spoils.’ He chuckled. ‘Let the sport commence. God alone knows, we need to do something to liven up this dreary party.’
‘Put that thought aside before you ruin everything and concentrate upon the earl’s sisters, just as we agreed.’
Flora was so shocked that she was convinced her enraged inhalation must have been audible inside the pavilion. Fortunately, the conversation continued.
‘I tried with the elder one but she appears to be immune to my charms.’
Miss Carlton’s chuckle sounded spiteful. ‘A saltatory lesson in humility.’
‘Well, you would know all about that. The earl isn’t falling over himself to single you out, darling. Yet you assured me that matters were all but settled between you.’
Flora heard Miss Carlton’s angry hiss. ‘So I was led to believe by my spies who know how he thinks.’ Spies? What spies? ‘I cannot make him out. Unlike you, I have gone out of my way to befriend his sisters, to say nothing of his batty grandmother, whom he seems to adore, all to no avail. My only consolation is that he doesn’t appear to favour anyone else. Anyway, I haven’t given up by any means and will snare him one way or another, even if I have to resort to underhand tactics.’
A Sense of Belonging Page 14
