A Sense of Injustice (Perceptions Book 4) Page 14

  ‘When are you seeing Miss Pearson again?’ Luke asked, resuming his own seat.

  ‘I said I would ride with her tomorrow. Why do you ask?’

  She frowned when Luke explained the squire’s connection to Cleethorp’s intended.

  ‘It cannot be a coincidence that Mrs Brigstock’s sister is already here,’ Flora said, having taken a moment to reflect. ‘You want me to warn Louise that Cleethorp is likely to be here, I would imagine.’

  ‘That is indeed what we wanted to discuss with you,’ Paul said.

  ‘She needs to be made aware,’ Flora agreed, nodding decisively. ‘I am so angry with Cleethorp for putting her in this position. She’s damned if she accepts his proposal, which she will not. I refuse to allow it.’ The light of battle glistened in Flora’s violet eyes, turning them a darker shade of velvety mauve. ‘But when she refuses him, Cleethorp will use her weak link, which is her sister’s reputation. I believe I have convinced Louise that her fortune gives her the freedom to ride out any unpleasant rumours spread about her by Cleethorp. And her grandmother, I am absolutely sure, will stand firm behind Louise. It’s just Marianne who is the sticking point.’ She turned a beseeching look upon Luke. ‘There must be some way for you to help her through the use your authority.’

  ‘I could confront Cleethorp, make it clear that the Pearson family enjoys my complete support and that I will not take kindly to rumours besmirching their good name.’

  ‘You will have to find him first. He won’t be staying with the squire,’ Flora said. ‘Mrs Brigstock can hardly introduce him to her uncle. I think she is dependent upon him as things stand, and wants him to see her in a good light.’

  ‘I agree,’ Paul said. ‘Exton has standards, boundaries which he refuses to cross, which is why he felt it necessary to come here today and apologise for Miss Gregory’s behaviour. Mrs Brigstock will be aware of that and won’t risk shocking him by turning up with her lover in tow.’

  ‘You assume she will come with him?’ Luke asked.

  ‘I do.’ It was Flora who answered him. ‘I get the impression from what Louise told me that she dominates their relationship. I also think that she is very much in love with Cleethorp. She was the one who suggested that he pursue Louise for her fortune, but I think she has subsequently come to see her as a rival for Cleethorp’s questionable affections. She may want Cleethorp to marry her for her money but she doesn’t want him to develop feelings for her.’ She nodded. ‘I understand the workings of the minds of such ambitious and self-centred women and I am convinced that she won’t allow Cleethorp to come to Wiltshire without her. I also think that she anticipated the possibility of Louise leaving London and coming to stay with her grandmother.’

  Luke flexed a brow. ‘You think her that calculating?’

  ‘Actually, I do. She would have found out all there was to know about Louise before she suggested her as a suitable wife for Cleethorp. The aunt is in cahoots with Cleethorp, there is no father or male figure of authority to stand in Cleethorp’s way and the only place she could come to escape Cleethorp’s attentions is to her grandmother.’

  ‘Put like that, it must have seemed as though Louise had been delivered up to them by the hand of fate, what with the woman’s uncle living so close to Louise’s grandmother,’ Paul said, nodding his agreement. ‘So she sent her sister to visit her uncle in anticipation of Louise coming here, creating a justifiable reason to come down herself.’

  ‘If you are right then she is one of the most calculating females I have ever come across, which is saying a lot,’ Luke said, scowling as his thoughts briefly dwelt upon Magda Simpson and Lily Carlton.

  ‘She is accustomed to getting what she wants,’ Flora replied, ‘and what she wants is Cleethorp, no matter the cost. Personally, she sounds to me as though she is a little deranged, which again is not that unusual when it comes to attractive women who have been indulged during their formative years and never had to deal with rejection of any type.’

  ‘In that case, Cleethorp will accompany her but will be left with no choice other than to take lodgings in the White Hart,’ Luke said.

  ‘Your earlier idea is not without merit,’ Paul responded thoughtfully. ‘If you call on him once we know he’s arrived and make it clear to him that Louise Pearson and her family are off limits it’s bound to make him reassess his options. He’ll know that it would be sheer folly to cross you and that if he does, news of his exploits will reach his brother’s ears.’

  ‘That would be true if we were dealing with a rational person. But if he has already burned his bridges with his brother, then confronting him might play into his hands,’ Luke replied. ‘The Cleethorp I recall would look upon defying me as a blood sport.’

  ‘Regardless of what you decide, I need to warn Louise,’ Flora said, looking anxious. ‘She might feel the need to confide in her grandmother. I shall try and persuade her to. I don’t believe Mrs Pearson will be anything other than supportive, although I suppose I can understand why Louise might think otherwise. After all, it’s thanks to her aunt, the woman who was supposed to protect her interests, that she finds herself in this situation. I am sure her grandmother will be sympathetic, but I expect Louise is worried about disappointing her. They have been more or less estranged all these years, again thanks to the aunt, and…’

  ‘If anyone can make her see that most people will not condemn her, then it’s you.’ Luke smiled at Flora. ‘But I think you and I, Paul, would be best advised to find a more effective way to stop Cleethorp from destroying the lady’s reputation. Do we know anything about Brigstock? The name is vaguely familiar but I can’t recall ever meeting the man.’

  ‘I’ve been thinking about it since I first heard him mentioned. I seem to recall he took advantage of the repeal of the corn laws and made a fortune out of imported grain,’ Paul said.

  ‘Of course!’ Luke snapped his fingers. ‘It made him unpopular with English farmers who couldn’t compete. He was a Wiltshire man with an estate in Warminster, I think, but our paths never crossed. Send someone down there tomorrow, Paul. Someone you trust to ask a few discreet questions about Brigstock’s death.’

  ‘You think it was more than an accident?’ Flora asked, blinking up at Luke.

  ‘It seems a little too convenient for my comfort. Mrs Brigstock decided that she was in love with another man and wasn’t willing to wait for old age to claim her husband, not if it meant losing Cleethorp to another woman.’

  ‘Yes,’ Paul replied, ‘but Exton suggested that his niece had been left with a raft of debts to pay, so presumably the estate was sold and there will be no one there now who recalls Brigstock.’

  ‘Perhaps the estate was leased, rather than owned outright by Brigstock,’ Flora suggested. ‘Which implies that the servants would belong to its owner, not Brigstock, and likely still be in employment. And even if they are not, locals are bound to recall the death of such a prominent figure. There will have been talk, rumour, speculation.’ She flashed a mischievous smile. ‘When isn’t there?’

  Luke tapped the side of his index finger against his teeth. ‘I tend to agree with Flora in that the woman genuinely fell for Cleethorp. Brigstock showed no immediate signs of succumbing to old age, so he conveniently fell from a horse. An elderly man, not in the best of health…’ He spread his hands. ‘No one would question his loss of balance.’

  ‘Impossible to prove that he was pushed from the saddle, if that’s what you’re thinking,’ Paul said.

  ‘We shan’t know for sure unless we ask,’ Luke replied briskly.

  Flora chuckled. ‘It must have come as a terrible shock to Mrs Brigstock when she discovered that she’d been left destitute.’

  ‘Interesting point,’ Luke said. ‘Ask around, Paul. See if you can find out which solicitors handled Brigstock’s legal affairs. I’d be very interested to learn what happened to his fortune.’

  ‘You think he knew his wife was being unfaithful?’ Flora scowled. ‘Perhaps she was less discreet tha
n she imagined. Maybe he disliked being made a laughing stock and so got his revenge by ensuring that she wasn’t provided for after his death. He just didn’t anticipate dying quite as soon as he did.’

  ‘I do think he was one step ahead of her.’ Luke smiled at Flora. ‘But if I do decide to confront Cleethorp I want to be in possession of a few facts to throw at him that will hopefully frighten him off. The best way to fight fire, I have always found, is with an inferno.’

  ‘Right,’ Paul said, standing. ‘If you will excuse me, I’ll start putting arrangements in hand.’

  ‘Paul seems to be taking this very personally,’ Flora remarked, watching him go. ‘He is usually so even-tempered, but he never stopped scowling the entire time we were talking about Cleethorp.’

  ‘When we were up at Oxford, Paul was very interested in a young woman. The daughter of one of our professors, but—’

  ‘Let me guess. Cleethorp took her from him.’

  ‘He did. Not because he wanted her, but simply because he could. Cleethorp and Archie had already locked horns over a particular female who chose Archie.’

  ‘So Cleethorp took it out on Paul, aware that he was a close friend of Archie’s.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘How very distasteful. Poor Paul. I don’t think Lord Hardwick appreciates quite how many sacrifices Paul has made on his behalf. But still, it’s all ended well. He is to marry Mary and I don’t think I have ever known two people more comprehensively in love. It’s a joy to see them together.’

  ‘Paul has given up a lot. He is a true and loyal friend. I agree that Archie isn’t nearly grateful enough, but that’s Archie for you. We’ve always made excuses for him and I guess we always will.’

  ‘He’s paid a heavy price for his wild ways, but he is still irrepressible.’

  ‘Unquestionably.’ Luke didn’t want to talk about Archie. ‘I’m sorry you’ve been dragged into the unsavoury business with Cleethorp.’

  ‘It isn’t your fault. I like Louise and will do anything I can to help her.’ Flora smiled. ‘So too, I suspect, will Henry.’

  ‘My brother is restless. I’ve sensed it for a while now. I think he’s ready to make a bid for independence.’

  ‘Do you mind?’

  ‘No. He’s aware that he could stay here for the rest of his life if that’s what he wants. There’s plenty for him to do, and plenty of room for a future wife and family. Much as Paul and Mary intend to make their home here. But I can also understand Henry’s need to have his own property and be his own master.’

  Flora nodded. ‘He will always be in your shadow here. Perhaps Louise will turn out to be his wife. She claims that she will never…Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.’ Flora clasped a hand over her mouth. ‘You are far too easy to talk to. It’s one thing suspecting the complete truth about Louise’s wretched circumstances but entirely another if I confirm those suspicions and betray her trust.’

  Luke’s expression darkened. ‘I know Cleethorp of old. He has the morals of an alley cat. No gentleman worthy of the name would hold your friend responsible for anything he forced her into.’

  ‘That is what I tried to make her understand. Needless to say, she doesn’t believe it.’ Flora got to her feet. ‘If there is nothing else, I ought to return to your grandmother.’

  ‘Yes, by all means,’ Luke said, wishing that she didn’t have to go. Thinking it just as well that she did. ‘I shall see you at dinner.’

  ‘If the countess decides to come down. She is very tired and so I suspect that she may not.’

  ‘In which case, I shall call in to see her later.’

  ‘Do that. She will appreciate it.’

  Flora ruffled Romulus’s ears and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

  ⸎⸎⸎⸎⸎

  ‘It has been too long, uncle.’ Felicity embraced the old man, thinking that he didn’t seem especially pleased to see her. ‘I trust I find you well.’

  ‘Tolerably so, my dear. I did not expect the pleasure of a visit from you until I received your letter yesterday. It seems very sudden.’

  ‘I wanted to surprise you both,’ she said, turning to embrace her sister. ‘I hope I am not inconveniencing you.’

  ‘Not in the least.’ But he didn’t sound convincing. ‘I have had your things taken up to your usual room. Dinner is at six. But now, if you will excuse me, I have matters to attend to.’

  ‘What was that all about?’ Felicity asked, watching him go.

  ‘I am so glad you are here, Fel,’ Lydia clutched her sister’s arm. ‘He has been terribly mean and doesn’t let me have any fun at all. But it will be different now you are here, I am absolutely sure of it. You can always cajole him into a better frame of mind. Besides, he can absolve himself of responsibility for me and you and I will have a delightful time doing precisely as we please.’

  Felicity linked her arm through her sister’s and they wandered out into the garden, where they could talk without fear of her uncle’s servants overhearing their conversation and reporting its contents back to their master.

  ‘Why is Uncle being so curmudgeonly?’ Felicity asked. ‘Is there a particular reason for it, or is his gout playing him up again?’

  ‘Oh, he is impossible! As to the gout, I have no idea. He hasn’t said anything and I didn’t think to ask.’

  ‘You should have,’ Felicity said on a note of mild censure. ‘Old people like nothing more than to run on about their ailments. And by asking, you are demonstrating concern that will show you in good light. Always remember that. It doesn’t take much effort.’

  ‘I will remember, Fel. You are so clever about these things. Anyway, we were invited to dine at the Earl of Swindon’s residence last night.’

  ‘Were you indeed? I hear that the earl is single, wealthy and very handsome. I hope you made a favourable impression upon him. He’s approaching the age when he can no longer delay choosing a wife.’

  ‘That is what I supposed, and so I did all the things you taught me to do. I looked fragile, and a little tragic, I hope,’ she said, giggling, ‘and agreed with every word he spoke. But my uncle scolded me for being too forward.’ Lydia wrinkled her brow. ‘I was not at all, Fel, really. You must believe me. Uncle got it entirely wrong. I just wanted to be sure that the earl would remember me.’ She pouted. ‘Now Uncle tells me we will not be invited to Beranger Court again because I embarrassed him. He accused me of being a flirt. Me!’ She puffed out her cheeks indignantly. ‘It’s ridiculous. And now he’s threatening not to accept any invitations anywhere because he says he cannot depend upon me to behave myself. Honestly, it seems to me that our uncle no longer remembers what it felt like to be young.’

  ‘I am sure he will change his mind now that I’m here.’ They strolled the length of a stone path. ‘Who else was at Beranger Court?’

  ‘Oh, it was the strangest thing. It was a party to celebrate the coming of age of the dowager countess’s companion. Only imagine! The girl is treated like a member of the family and they all made the most ridiculous fuss of her. It’s not as though she is even very pretty but the earl and all his brothers seem to like her. So does Lord Hardwick. He was there too but he’s a cripple.’

  ‘There’s no accounting for the ways of great families,’ Felicity replied.

  ‘A Mrs Pearson was there with her two granddaughters, but I didn’t really speak to her.’

  Lydia was now fully assured of Felicity’s complete attention. ‘What did you make of the granddaughters? Were they of a similar age to you? I should imagine it would be nice to have a friend in the district.’

  ‘Oh, I barely exchanged a dozen words with either of them. The elder girl is quite pretty in a rather obvious sort of way, I suppose. One of the earl’s brothers seemed to like her, but she spent considerably more time talking with Miss Latimer, the companion. Our uncle called at Beranger Court today, as a matter of fact. He had business to discuss with the earl and happened to see Miss Pearson walking in the grounds with Miss Latimer. Really, the gir
l doesn’t seem to have any duties to perform—or if she does then she cannot give them much attention. Last night she was the guest of honour, and today, when it’s reasonable to suppose that she ought to be discharging her obligations towards the countess, she was wandering about the grounds in animated conversation with Miss Pearson.’ Lydia shook her head, setting her curls dancing. ‘I do not understand it at all.’

  Felicity did, and was not too pleased. She had hoped that Louise Pearson would be hiding herself away as she contemplated the only decision she could possibly reach, which was a future as Darius’s wife. The wretched child should think herself honoured instead of putting up silly objections and keeping Darius dangling. How dare she toy with his affections! It made Felicity furious every time she considered the situation. It was damnably inconvenient being so comprehensively in love with Darius herself, but there was absolutely nothing to be done about that. Felicity knew because she had tried to put him from her heart and mind but had failed dismally.

  Unfortunately her husband had known as well, and had been most unreasonable about the matter. She had resolved that problem and even recovered from the shock of being left destitute. But she hadn’t gone to all that trouble in order to have obstacles placed in her path by a green girl who didn’t know when she was well off. It was a very great pity that she did love Darius to the point of distraction, otherwise she might well turn her attentions to the earl herself. Felicity was in no doubt that she would succeed where her inexperienced sister had failed. Or perhaps she would go after Archie Hardwick, if only to show Magda Simpson how it ought to be done.

  Felicity made a determined effort to return her thoughts to the situation with Louise Pearson. If she was becoming intimately acquainted with the earl’s family, Darius would have to act quickly and settle things between them. They couldn’t risk Louise accepting an alternative offer from the duke’s annoying brother, or pouring out her heart to this Miss Latimer person either. It sounded as though she had the earl’s ear and he, in turn, wielded considerable influence in the district.