‘So a cold heart and velvet glove turned in retaliation to Christina.’ Charlie paused when the sound of a crash from outside the window, closely followed by colourful language, interrupted his flow. ‘He saw an opportunity and took it.’
‘That is certainly my opinion. But the question remains, why marry Christina when he discovered that she wouldn’t inherit?’
‘If they did collude in Defoe’s death, a scorned woman might hold sufficient evidence to see Cooper hang, even if she were to join him on the gallows herself. Anyway, regarding Miranda, she is better protected than the Coopers anticipated would be the case. They can’t control her in this country the way they could abroad and will think twice before attempting to have her meet with an accident. In the meantime, I would like to find a way to prove what actually happened to Defoe.’
Charlie related their suspicions regarding arsenic poisoning.
‘How could it have been administered?’ Fenchurch asked.
‘Gradually, by someone who had easy access to him. Perhaps he really did catch a light dose of influenza, which provided an opportunity too good to pass up. I would like to have Defoe’s body exhumed so that it can be checked for traces.’
‘Would there still be evidence after all this time?’ Fenchurch asked dubiously.
‘That I cannot say. Advances are being made in forensic science all the time. However, it’s a moot point. Defoe is buried in Swindon and my brother, the earl, wields considerable influence in that district. But even he couldn’t get authority to exhume the body without just cause, which we simply don’t have.’ He paused, his expression grimly determined. ‘Yet.’
Fenchurch asked his clerk to cancel his next appointment and bring refreshments. The two men continued to talk for several hours. Charlie had learned everything of significance in the first half-hour of their meeting, but he sensed the solicitor’s need to explore every avenue, relieving his own conscience to a small degree.
Eventually, Charlie stood, ready to take his leave.
‘I can assure you, Mr Fenchurch,’ he said, shaking the older man’s hand, ‘that my brother and I will find a way to keep Miranda safe and rid her life of the Coopers once and for all.’
‘I wish you good fortune, sir. As you say, Christina has a right to remain at Ashton Lodge until Miranda reaches her majority. A lot can happen in three years.’
‘I fully intend to get this matter settled within three days,’ Charlie replied, wondering as he made his way back to Paddington Station why he had offered an assurance that he didn’t have the first idea how to deliver upon.
Chapter Twelve
Flora rose early to check upon the countess. She was awake, her colour had improved and, upon touching her forehead, Flora could detect no traces of the fever that had laid her low. Zeus was occupying a comfortable position in the exact centre of his mistress’s bed. He turned his imperious green gaze upon Flora, yawned and then jumped down, disappearing through the open window in the sitting room. He used the vine growing up the outside of the building as a convenient means of reaching the gardens below.
‘You have a strong constitution, ma’am,’ Flora said, smiling with a combination of satisfaction and relief. ‘Your powers of recovery are remarkable. You had us quite worried for a while.’
‘You worry too much. I am indestructible.’
‘How reassuring.’ Flora smoothed the cat-sized indentation from the covers. ‘It would inconvenience me if you were to die.’
‘Impertinent hussy!’ The countess tried to look indignant but didn’t quite carry it off. ‘Anyway, there was nothing wrong with me. You made an almighty fuss about nothing.’
‘In that case, you will be able to eat your breakfast when Sandwell brings it up.’
‘I will do as I please.’ Flora was pleased that her charge’s fighting spirit had returned. If her appetite had too then there would be no further cause for concern. ‘What was my grandson doing in here last night, disturbing me?’
‘So you were awake. I thought as much. You might have said something and eased his concerns.’
‘He seemed more interested in what you had to say to him.’
Flora’s cheeks warmed. ‘We were discussing Miranda’s situation.’
She knew the subject would interest the countess and so told her the basic particulars. Sandwell appeared with a breakfast tray and then went off again, leaving Flora and the countess alone. Flora helped her charge to sit up and chided her into eating, withholding all the interesting aspects of Miranda’s situation until she had done so.
‘You are the bossiest creature on God’s earth,’ the countess complained.
Flora smiled. ‘No, ma’am, I believe you have earned that accolade. I simply have a duty of care. As I already mentioned, it would inconvenience me to have to find another position so soon after being engaged here. Future employers will not look kindly upon my credentials if I fail to keep you alive.’
The dowager harrumphed. ‘Stop talking about death. I have no intention of going anywhere. As for being dictatorial, I am a countess. It’s expected of me.’ She spooned a little porridge into her mouth. ‘Tell me more about Miranda. What is to be done about those bothersome Coopers?’
‘Charlie has gone to London today to speak with Miranda’s solicitor, who also happens to be her godfather. It will be interesting to learn what he has to say on the matter.’ Flora, satisfied that the countess had eaten a reasonable amount, removed the tray. ‘Do you feel like getting out of bed?’ she asked.
‘I will sit in my chair for a while. Ring for Sandwell to bring hot water.’ Flora duly obliged. ‘You can go once Sandwell drags her lazy bones up here. I’ve had quite enough of your chatter. It exhausts me. And don’t expect me to drink any more of those vile potions you’re trying to finish me off with.’ She shook a finger beneath Flora’s nose. ‘Go and join my granddaughters and make sure they don’t get carried away with outlandish plans for the wedding that has turned this household on its ears.’
Flora raised a quizzical brow. ‘You have the monopoly on outlandishness, my lady.’
‘Nonsense! I have exquisite taste. I cannot be held to blame if everyone else in this drab world eschews colour.’
‘Given my background,’ Flora said, shuddering as she thought of the endless grey she’d been obliged to wear as a child, ‘I cannot find fault with your reasoning.’
The countess sniffed. ‘Yes well, you are not entirely without your uses.’
‘High praise indeed.‘ Flora grinned at her contrary charge. ‘I shall come back and check on your later,’ she said when Sandwell arrived. ‘I can read aloud, if you like.’
‘None of your religious mumbo-jumbo.’
‘Perish the thought!’
Aware that the countess was interested in Miranda’s welfare and depended upon Flora to tell her how things played out, she left her in her maid’s capable hands and went to join the girls.
‘How is Grandmamma?’ they asked in unison the moment Flora walked into their sitting room.
‘Complaining about everything,’ Flora replied with a smile.
‘Excellent!’ Mary grinned. ‘She is clearly recovering.’
‘Crisis averted this time,’ Flora agreed. ‘But she is no longer as strong as she thinks she is, and tires easily. Anyway, she sent me along to ensure that your preparations don’t become too flamboyant.’
Both girls laughed.
‘She is excited about the wedding, but pretends to find it tedious,’ Emma remarked.
‘What can I do to help?’ Flora asked. ‘The countess is with Sandwell for now, so I am yours to command.’
‘The dressmaker will be here soon. So too will Miranda and the Stantons, I hope.’ Emma hugged herself. ‘I cannot wait for the first fitting of my gown. It will make it all seem so real. I do hope that I’ve got it exactly right. I want Alvin to be proud of me and not regret his decision.’
Flora tugged on one of her curls. ‘You could marry in a sack and your Alvin woul
d still think you the most beautiful bride on earth. Anyone with eyes in their head can see that he adores you.’
The Stanton girls arrived at that point, with Miranda close on their heels. The next hour was taken up with gasps of delight and a great deal of laughter as the gowns were produced, adjustments made and admiring comments delivered. Even with her wedding gown half-completed, it was obvious to Flora that Emma would make a sensational bride.
When the dressmaker and her assistants departed, Emma ordered refreshments for them all. With Emma and the others deep in conversation, Flora took the opportunity to have a private word with Miranda.
‘You look preoccupied,’ she said. ‘I hope you are feeling well.’
‘Oh yes, don’t worry about me. It’s just that Matthew…’ She glanced at the others, heads together as they laughed about something. Emma kept sending quizzical glances their way, clearly wondering why they were conducting a private conversation, and looked to be on the point of joining them. If she did so, Flora’s opportunity to quiz Miranda would be lost.
‘If you have had enough tea, shall we take a stroll to the stables and visit Evita? We can talk without fear of being overheard that way. If, indeed, you would like to talk to me about anything.’ Flora gave an encouraging smile. ‘I can see that you are worn down with concern, and it is my experience that problems shared never seem quite so dire. Despite my background, or perhaps because of it, I am an excellent listener and impossible to shock.’
Miranda’s despondency gave way to a relieved smile. ‘I would like that very much.’
Emma waved them off when Flora explained where they were going and returned to her conversation with the other girls.
‘You are aware, I think,’ Flora said as she and Miranda wandered outside, ‘that Charlie has gone to London today to speak with Mr Fenchurch.’
‘Yes, I did know. He told me yesterday that he intended to. It is very kind of him to take such a neighbourly interest in my affairs.’
Flora was convinced, by did not say, that Charlie’s interest in Miranda went beyond the neighbourly. She was unsure if Charlie himself yet fully realised it and didn’t want to raise Miranda’s hopes only to have them dashed.
‘Did Matthew attempt to propose?’ Miranda shot Flora an astounded look. ‘Please don’t think that I am interfering in your affairs. If you like Matthew and welcome his advances then I shall be the first to wish you joy.’
‘Not in the least.’ Miranda shuddered. ‘I have never thought of him in that way at all, and hope that I haven’t given him reason to believe otherwise. If so, my manners must have been at fault.’
‘Then I commend your good judgement.’
‘Excuse me, but how can you think so poorly of him when you have only met him once?’
Flora thought of Remus and smiled. ‘I cannot explain how, but I am never wrong about people. I don’t mean to give offence, but Matthew Cooper is not interested in you as a person. It is your fortune that attracts him, which proves my point. He has been in your constant company these past several years, and cannot see what a good, kind and generous person you actually are.’ Flora grinned. ‘That vindicates my opinion of him, and you can congratulate yourself upon a lucky escape.’
‘You are certainly right about my fortune, and it is what most men who show an interest in me will be thinking about,’ she replied with a wry smile. ‘I am well aware of that. But still, I suppose I should count my blessings. I dare say dozens of girls would be willing to change places with me. And at least my fortune provides me with the freedom to please myself. I could choose not marry at all, and become an eccentric old lady with dozens of cats and more money than sense.’
Flora laughed. ‘That would be a dreadful shame. You will meet your heart’s desire, and when you do you will instinctively know it.’ She sent Miranda an assessing look. ‘If you have not met him already. You could also marry for the sake of respectability and choose to keep control of your own fortune. It won’t automatically pass into the hands of your husband now that the law has been changed. But Matthew clearly imagines that you would cede control of it to him, which only further demonstrates the level of his arrogance.’
Flora thought, but did not add, that if Miranda was foolish enough to marry Matthew and not give him access to her money then she would probably meet a similar fate to her father sooner rather than later.
‘I think Matthew was on the point of proposing last night,’ Miranda said after a reflective pause. ‘Christina made a clumsy excuse to leave us alone, so I knew what to expect. Charlie warned me it would likely happen, so I was ready for him and left the room before it became too embarrassing.’
‘Oh dear, I don’t suppose he reacted too well to being snubbed,’ Flora said, not attempting to suppress a smile. ‘I doubt whether he is accustomed to it.’
‘As do I. Matthew breezes through life, being charming to everyone, and always seems to get what he wants.’
‘Well then, he has learned a salutary lesson, one that was long overdue.’
Their conversation took them to the stables. Flora purloined a windfall apple from a basket in the tack room and handed it to Miranda so that she could feed it to her mare. The pretty little Arabian whinnied a greeting and scooped up her treat from Miranda’s hand, whilst Flora patted her neck.
‘You see, she knows you already,’ Flora remarked.
‘I adore her!’ Miranda’s eyes shone with delight as she fussed over the mare.
They left the stables after ten minutes and wandered around an unkempt area of garden behind the house that was bursting with wild flowers. It was a favourite haunt of Flora’s.
‘How pretty.’ Miranda looked around with pleasure in her expression. ‘I did not know this part of the grounds existed.’
‘You must have been very lonely when your papa died so unexpectedly,’ Flora remarked as they continued to stroll. ‘I have four sisters. I am the rebel and don’t really have much in common with any of them. Even so, they were always there. I was certainly never lonely.’
‘Nor I. I had Miss Daley, my governess. She joined me when I was little. Before Mama died.’
‘Then I am glad.’ Flora frowned. ‘You say had. Is she no longer with you?’
‘No.’ Miranda twisted her lips. ‘She and Christina clashed and Miss Daley left quite suddenly.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Flora touched Miranda’s shoulder. ‘That must have been hard for you. Why did you not object?’
‘I was too young to realise what had happened until…well, it had happened. Miss Daley told me that she had a family emergency and her services were required elsewhere, but when I thought about it afterwards I knew it couldn’t be true. She didn’t have any family, other than an aging mother who was in the best of health at the time.’
‘Christina wanted to weaken you by separating you from the person who wielded the most influence over you.’ Flora screwed up her nose in disgust. ‘What a spiteful witch!’
‘Yes, I think that’s probably the case, looking back. Christina has always been very careful to make it seem as though she cares about my wellbeing. She kept insisting that we were more like sisters and ought to share everything.’
‘Including your fortune, no doubt,’ Flora said wryly.
‘She wasn’t that specific. She sympathised with me over Daley and asked if I would like her to find a replacement. I declined.’ Miranda tossed her head. ‘No one could take Daley’s place.’
‘Christina knew exactly the right note to strike and you trusted her implicitly, just as she intended that you should. You hadn’t suspected her of anything untoward until very recently, and even now you wonder if you are seeing shadows where none exist, which makes you feel guilty.’
‘True. I still sometimes doubt my own judgement. Or I did, until Matthew’s clumsy attempts to show a personal interest in me last night.’ Her shoulders slumped. ‘He didn’t even bother to put any effort into it, which I found highly insulting.’
Flora tutted. ‘As
you should.’
‘I still miss my Daley, even after all this time. I think of something that will amuse her and make a mental note to share it with her. Then I realise that I cannot.’
‘She was with you when your father died?’
‘Oh yes. I couldn’t have got through that terrible time without her.’
‘Perhaps she knows, or suspects something about the sudden nature of his death, accounting for Christina’s desire to be rid of her.’ They stopped walking and perched on the edge of a convenient bench. ‘I don’t mean to distress you by mentioning the subject—’
‘You are not. In all honesty it’s a relief to have someone with whom I can share my concerns. I hope I am not overburdening you, Flora, but I—’
‘Don’t give it another thought. I hate injustice in all its guises and if I can help you in any way, if only by being your friend, then I shall be honoured.’ She paused. ‘Have you thought to visit Miss Daley?’
Miranda grinned. ‘As a matter of fact, I have.’
‘You know where she is?’
‘Yes, I have corresponded with her regularly since she left, but we have only spoken of general things. Nothing specific about the reasons for her sudden departure. Before we went abroad I asked Mr Fenchurch to check into her circumstances. He told me that she had briefly taken another position, but left it because her mother had taken a fall and needed looking after. So I arranged for her to receive a pension, thereby relieving any financial concerns she might otherwise have endured.’
‘That was a thoughtful thing for a fifteen-year-old to consider.’
‘It was the very least I could do, after everything she had been to me. She wrote and thanked me profusely. Her mother passed away a year ago and she spoke of taking another position. I persuaded her not to. She is no longer young, and should enjoy her retirement. I assured her that her pension would be paid for the rest of her life.’ Miranda lifted her chin. ‘And it will be.’
‘Is Christina aware?’
‘About the pension? I doubt it. But she probably knows we correspond. She will have seen my letters addressed to Daley, waiting to be posted. She hasn’t mentioned them though, or seemed unduly concerned by the contact.’
A Sense of Purpose Page 15
