However, he did seem to be smitten by her, and London society would not be surprised if an engagement was announced . . .
Entering the Great Hall a few minutes later, she saw the tables had been removed and the chairs pushed back to allow room for dancing.
‘Pray silence for the bride and groom! Lord and Lady Vaughan.’
Flora watched Archie lead Aurelia onto the dance floor to a round of applause. He wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist for the traditional first dance as the orchestra struck up. The floor began to fill with other couples and the room, heady with the scent of rich perfumes, became a swirling rainbow of beautiful gowns.
‘May I have the honour of the first dance?’
Flora jumped as she felt a heavy arm on her shoulder. She looked up into the glazed eyes of Freddie Soames.
‘Good evening, Lord Soames.’
‘S’pose you’re feeling your lot is always to be the bridesmaid and never the bride, eh, Miss MacNichol?’ He pulled her up and led her unsteadily onto the dance floor. ‘Must say, rather like that dress of yours,’ he whispered into her ear.
‘Thank you.’ Flora turned her head aside, the stench of alcohol on his breath making her queasy.
‘You haven’t been avoiding me, have you? Every time I’ve come to search you out, you seem to have vanished.’
‘I’m chief bridesmaid, I’ve been attending to my sister.’
‘Of course you have. So it wasn’t you I saw in the garden with the groom when I came looking for you earlier on?’
‘No . . .’ Flora gulped in shock and fought to keep her composure. ‘I was upstairs with Aurelia helping her change.’
‘Really? Well, well, could have sworn it was you, but whoever the lady in question was, it doesn’t bode well for your sister’s marriage.’
‘Don’t say such things! Archie and Aurelia are devoted to each other! You must be mistaken.’
‘There was no mistake, but you can trust that the secret is safe with me,’ he added as the dance came to an end. ‘No wonder you have been so elusive in the past few weeks, Miss MacNichol.’
‘You couldn’t be more wrong.’
‘Then prove it by saying you’ll marry me.’ Freddie nuzzled his face into her hair as the orchestra began to play another waltz. ‘Otherwise, I may not believe you.’
Flora swallowed hard, glancing at Archie and Aurelia, and then at Freddie’s smug, self-satisfied expression. He had seen her, and they both knew it. Her heart was racing, and if she’d had doubts up to now about her course of action, she had to let them go. This was her just punishment and she had to accept it.
‘Yes, I will.’
‘What?! You’ll marry me?’ Freddie stumbled briefly, before righting himself.
‘Yes.’
‘Well, well, I have to admit, I didn’t expect that.’
‘Really, if you were teasing me, please say so and—’
‘No, I wasn’t,’ he said quickly. ‘I presumed I would have to continue to be patient with you.’ Freddie abruptly stopped dancing then, causing a pile-up around them. He lifted a finger to her cheek and stroked it as Flora did her best not to shudder. ‘You really are a most enigmatic young lady, Miss MacNichol. I never quite know what you’re thinking. You are sure you are serious about accepting my proposal?’
‘Yes. Utterly.’
‘And dare I ask if this decision is purely because you have feelings for me?’
‘What other reason could there be?’
‘None, of course,’ he laughed. ‘Well. I haven’t got a ring here to give you.’ Freddie suddenly appeared nervous and uncertain.
‘Will we dance or will we move to the side?’ Flora felt conspicuous standing in the middle of the floor.
‘We will dance. I relish the fact that we are discussing our union as we glide around to the music of Strauss. You must, of course, meet my parents; they already know of my intentions towards you.’
‘And are they happy?’
‘They are intrigued, as the whole of London has been since you arrived here. I hope very much that you will approve of what will be your new home. It is a vast estate.’
‘I have heard.’
‘And does that frighten you?’
‘I am not frightened of much, my lord.’
‘I can see that. And that is what excites me. The question is, will you ever be tamed?’
‘I wouldn’t have thought a “tame” woman would excite you.’
Freddie threw back his head and laughed. ‘My God, you will present me with a challenge. But one that I long to overcome.’
Flora felt his fingers tighten on her waist, squeezing her flesh.
‘We shall announce our engagement as soon as we can. We could almost announce it now, given that most of London is here in this room.’
‘Yes, we should.’ Flora wanted no means of possible escape after tonight.
Freddie stared at her. ‘Are you serious, Miss MacNichol? You would be comfortable with me announcing our betrothal now?’
‘Of course. Whether it is now or tomorrow or next week, it makes no difference. You have asked me to be your wife, and I have accepted.’
‘Then so be it.’
In perfect accord, the orchestra came to the end of the waltz. Freddie led her through the crowd and spoke to the conductor. Pulling her next to him, he called for attention. ‘My lords, ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make. On the occasion of her sister’s marriage to Lord Vaughan, Miss Flora MacNichol has agreed to be my wife.’
There was a palpable intake of breath from the onlookers as Freddie kissed her hand, then a round of applause. Immediately, Aurelia walked towards them. ‘I knew it!’ she said delightedly.
‘So, we will look forward to seeing you at Selbourne Park to plan for a spring wedding,’ said Freddie, having beckoned a servant to bring him a glass of champagne. ‘To my betrothed!’ Freddie lifted his glass in a toast as the assembled company scurried to search for a glass they could raise too.
Archie, dragged forward by Aurelia, appeared in front of them. Flora caught the look in his eye, before he turned to his own wedding guests. ‘This has been a wonderful evening, only enhanced by my dear sister-in-law’s news. To Freddie and Flora!’
‘To Freddie and Flora!’ chorused the guests.
As Archie signalled for the orchestra to continue, Flora was surrounded by well-wishers, which included her mother and father.
‘Goodness,’ said Rose as she kissed Flora. ‘This was something I never expected. Mrs Keppel was right: it was an excellent idea to send you to her in London. Now you are to be a viscountess. My dear Flora, it is no less than you deserve.’
They embraced and when Rose pulled away, Flora saw her eyes were full of tears.
‘Please don’t cry, Mama.’
‘Forgive me, I underestimated you. I hope that one day you’ll forgive me.’
‘Forgive you for what, Mama?’
‘Nothing,’ Rose replied quickly. ‘Just know that tonight, I am as proud of you as any mother could be.’