‘Yes, yes! But Flora, how can we possibly choose whom we love when society dictates it?’
‘Well, even though outwardly we must do as society dictates, the feelings we hold inside us may contradict that completely.’
Violet was silent for a moment, but then she smiled and for the first time since Flora had set eyes on her, she looked happy.
‘You understand!’ Violet closed her book, stood up and walked towards Flora. ‘I wasn’t sure exactly what it was Mama saw in you at first, but now I know and I am glad you’re here. You’ve been in love too. Goodnight, Flora.’
As Violet left, Barny appeared at the door. ‘Excuse me, Miss Flora, Mrs Keppel wonders if you would care to join her in her boudoir before she goes out to dinner.’
Flora rose, and followed Barny to the other end of the corridor, where Mr and Mrs Keppel had their private suite of rooms.
‘Flora, do come in and take a seat by me.’ Mrs Keppel sat at her dressing table like an empress.
‘Thank you,’ Flora said, sitting down on the edge of a velvet-covered chair and admiring Mrs Keppel’s loose auburn hair, which cascaded down past her creamy shoulders in natural curls. Dressed in a Chantilly lace dressing gown and corset beneath, her bosom spilt ebulliently over the top of it. Flora thought she had never seen Mrs Keppel looking more beautiful.
‘I want to tell you that Bertie was very taken with you today.’
‘And I with him,’ Flora answered carefully.
‘Well, he is not what he once was,’ Mrs Keppel said, noting her tone. ‘He is ill and yet will do nothing to remedy his situation. Nevertheless, he is a kind and wise man and extremely dear to me.’
‘Yes, Mrs Keppel.’
‘Barny, would you kindly leave us for a few minutes?’
‘Yes, ma’am.’ Barny, who had been hovering behind her mistress waiting for the signal to start dressing her hair, departed and Mrs Keppel turned to face Flora.
‘My dear.’ She reached for Flora’s hands and squeezed them tight. ‘I wasn’t sure whether introducing you to Bertie was wise, but you simply could not have acquitted yourself any better.’
‘Couldn’t I? I was awfully nervous.’
‘You were simply yourself and, as the King commented to me when he left, as natural as a wild Scottish flower that grows amongst the gorse.’
‘I am . . . glad I won his approval.’
‘Oh Flora,’ Mrs Keppel sighed deeply. ‘You cannot know how much. And how grateful I am to you for being . . . just who you are. He warned me not to spoil you, to turn you into another society lady, to make sure your pure nature isn’t ruined by being here in the city. He’s very much hoping to spend time with you again. However, as you have not been officially presented, I’d prefer – and so would he – that we keep today’s meeting and any future interaction between the two of you a secret.’
‘Yes, although both Sonia and Violet know I saw him.’
‘Why, of course they do!’ Mrs Keppel chuckled. ‘I do not speak of those within these walls. One of the reasons Bertie loves to pay calls here to Portman Square is the complete discretion and privacy he finds, which is so lacking in the rest of his life. Do you see, Flora?’
‘I do, Mrs Keppel.’
‘Good. Then I am sure that you and Bertie can look forward to getting to know each other better in the future.’
‘Yes, I would like that. I . . .’
‘What is it, my dear?’
‘I was just wondering whether Mr George was . . . included in the secret of the King’s visits here.’ Flora felt her face flushing red at her insinuation.
‘Why, of course he is! Bertie and he are great friends and they shoot together often when the King comes to stay at Duntreath in the autumn.’
Feeling like an imbecile for asking, Flora blushed even redder.
‘Within this house, we keep no secrets from each other. Now, I must call Barny in as we are to leave for dinner at Marlborough House in thirty minutes.’ Mrs Keppel rang the bell on her dressing table. ‘The Prime Minister is joining us tonight, which means we will spend the evening discussing Kaiser Wilhelm’s latest antics.’
Flora wondered at this woman who dropped famous names as if they were stones from cherries. ‘I hope you enjoy it.’
‘Thank you, I am sure I won’t. I have just remembered that tomorrow you are to visit your sister Aurelia and your aunt at her house in Grosvenor Square. I am otherwise engaged, but Freed will drive you there and back.’
‘Thank you.’
‘And now, my dear, my congratulations once more on your conduct at tea this afternoon. I am certain it will not be your last meeting with Bertie.’
‘Sister, dear!’
Flora was greeted with an enormous hug at the door of Aunt Charlotte’s drawing room. As they walked inside, Aurelia closed it behind them. ‘I’ve asked Aunt Charlotte if we can have some privacy, as I’m in urgent need of your advice.’ She ushered Flora to the sofa and sat down next to her. Flora thought how different her sister looked from the last time she’d seen her. Her lovely eyes were sparkling with life and her complexion was glowing. And Flora knew exactly what the reason must be.
Please God, don’t let me show my pain . . .
‘I asked you here because since we last met, I have had a visitor.’
‘Really? And who might that have been?’
‘Archie Vaughan!’ she exclaimed. ‘He called on me two days ago, just as I was putting the finishing touches to my packing. I am due to leave for Scotland the day after tomorrow, you see. You can imagine how surprised I was to see him.’
‘Goodness!’ Flora feigned shock. ‘I can.’
‘Of course, I’d presumed that he had simply come to say goodbye to me out of politeness. He came in here, closing the door behind him, then immediately took my hands in his and told me he’d made a terrible mistake! You could have knocked me over with a feather.’
‘Indeed, I am sure I could have.’
‘I asked him what kind of “mistake” he meant, and he explained how the responsibility of marriage had suddenly frightened him, that perhaps he simply wasn’t the marrying kind – just as you said! – and that he feared he would let me down as a husband, which was why he did not propose to me when I was at High Weald.’
‘I see.’
‘He told me it was only after I left High Weald that he’d realised how much he’d missed me.’ At this, Aurelia’s gaze drifted off as she relived the moment.
‘Oh my, how . . . romantic.’
‘And when his mother informed him I was ready to leave London to journey up to Scotland any day soon, he said he knew he must come after me and stop me. And that is exactly what he did.’
‘So he has proposed?’
‘Yes! Oh Flora, he asked if I could ever forgive him for making such a terrible error of judgement, and immediately went down on one knee and offered me the most dazzling emerald engagement ring.’