‘Yes, although much of the blame rests firmly on my shoulders. I was blinded by my love for you.’
‘How could she find it in her heart to be so forgiving? I doubt I could find it in my own if I were in her shoes. And,’ she said, pausing to steady herself, ‘I can never tell her now that it wasn’t just your marriage that forced me to run away and live here alone.’
‘Really?’
Flora hesitated, and then, deciding there should be no further secrets, went to her writing bureau. She retrieved the letter from the silk pocket of the journal of 1910 and handed it to Archie. ‘It was this too.’
She watched him as he read it, occasionally raising an eyebrow in surprise. ‘Well,’ he said, as he handed it back to her. ‘Well, well.’
‘Did you know? I believe the whole of London was aware at the time.’
‘To be truthful, I had heard rumblings of your . . . connection with a certain family, but I had never given them much credence. Besides, when the old king died, and George V took the throne, any gossip about the old court disappeared into his coffin with him, as the courtiers scrambled for prominence in the new regime. So . . .’ a glimmer of a smile appeared on his face for the first time. ‘Should I now call you “Princess Flora”? Good God, I hardly know what to say, although it explains many things.’
‘There is nothing to say, but now you can understand why I left London immediately. The world was weeping for the Queen, and just like Mrs Keppel, I was an unwanted reminder of her husband’s misdemeanours.’
‘But unlike Mrs Keppel, you were to blame for none of them,’ Archie countered. ‘And whereas you have had the dignity to stay removed from society, she has returned to London and continues to thrive. As for her daughter, she is currently in the limelight of notoriety. Violet and Vita ran away to France together after the armistice, Vita leaving her husband and two children behind. The gossip is all over London; they even say Violet encouraged her to do so. The Keppel family has no shame, whereas you have behaved with dignity and grace, like the princess you are.’
‘Hardly.’ She managed a smile then too, as she looked down at her attire.
‘Those qualities come from inside, Flora. Now, I must ask how you feel about Aurelia’s last wishes?’
‘Archie, I cannot begin to process what I feel. And besides—’
As if on cue, a loud wail emanated from upstairs.
‘What is that noise?’ Archie frowned.
‘Excuse me,’ she said as she rose. ‘Teddy needs feeding.’
As Flora walked upstairs to collect what she knew would be a sweaty, smelly and endlessly noisy bundle, she allowed herself a chuckle. Even though it was true that her life over the past nine years had been stagnant, it would now be her turn to give Archie Vaughan a surprise. And what a surprise it is, she thought, as she walked back downstairs with Teddy in her arms, heading for the kitchen and his bottle of milk.
Archie followed her in a few minutes later, his curiosity getting the better of him. ‘You have a child,’ he said as she concentrated on holding the bottle at Teddy’s preferred angle.
‘Yes.’
‘I see.’
She heard a long sigh escape Archie’s lips.
‘Does the father live here with you?’ he asked eventually.
‘No, he died.’
‘He was your husband?’
‘No.’
‘Then . . .’
She left enough time for Archie’s imagination to take over, although she had not uttered one word of a lie. And only then did she speak.
‘He is a foundling. He has lived with me for just under a month. I am hoping to adopt him.’
She looked up then, only just managing to stifle a chuckle at the relief on Archie’s face. ‘His name is Teddy,’ she added for good measure.
‘Of course . . . for Edward,’ he said, understanding the link to her real father’s name immediately. ‘I admit, I am dumbfounded.’
‘So was I at my initial decision to take him in. But now . . .’ She glanced down at a sated Teddy, his eyes rolling with the pleasure of a full stomach, and kissed him fondly on the head. ‘I wouldn’t be without him.’
‘So, Teddy is how old?’
‘Almost six weeks. He was born in the last week of May.’
‘Then only a few days before Louise arrived, at the beginning of June. They could be twins.’
‘But they come from rather different worlds. This little one’s father was a shepherd who died in the Great War.’
‘I can tell you, Flora, that whether you are a lord or a beggar, death does not observe social barriers. Whatever class Teddy’s father was, if he fought and died for his country, he was a hero. You must tell his son that one day,’ Archie said vehemently.
‘I haven’t yet decided what to tell him.’
‘So now you are well versed in childcare and . . .’
Archie’s words hung in the air and Flora was aware where they were heading.
‘Where is Louise currently?’ she asked.
‘Sarah is taking care of her at High Weald. And if you feel unable because of your . . . altered circumstances to consider moving to take care of Louise, then I will do my best, with Sarah’s help, to be mother and father to my daughter.’
‘But even if I agree to the proposition, what about Teddy? Would you accept him into the High Weald nursery? For, if you feel you could not welcome my child, then I must tell you that I could not under any circumstances agree to come.’
‘Flora, don’t you see? It could not be more perfect! Louise would have a playmate – a brother, no less – for company. They would grow up together . . .’
It was then she saw the desperation in Archie’s eyes. Whether it was for his daughter, his dead wife, or himself, she couldn’t say.
‘Can I hold him?’ he asked suddenly.
‘Of course.’ Flora lifted Teddy and placed him in Archie’s open arms.
‘What a handsome chap he is, with those big blue eyes and blond hair. Ironically, Louise takes after my side of the family and is dark. Teddy looks more like Aurelia. Hello, old chap,’ he murmured as he put a finger towards him and Teddy grasped it firmly in his tiny fist. ‘I think we would rub along well together, you and I.’
Flora stood up, feeling as though she was being railroaded into a decision she had not yet had time to make. ‘I’m afraid I wish you to leave now,’ she said, taking Teddy back into her arms. ‘I am unable to give you an answer immediately. However empty an existence you presume I have here, there is much I would have to sacrifice. I run a farm; many animals are dependent upon me. And despite moments of solitude, I love my home and much of my life, especially as I now have such a wonderful companion. You are asking me to give it all up without a second glance.’
‘Forgive me, Flora, for my selfishness. You know that I always did wear my heart on my sleeve, and just because there seems to be an ideal solution I accept that it may not be so for you.’
‘Thank you for coming to see me. I shall write to you with my decision.’