2nd April 1910
Aurelia knows of your visit to the Lakes. Sarah, our old maid, who has come to High Weald to take care of her, told her of it. Please do your utmost to reassure her that nothing inappropriate took place. I am frightened for my sister’s state of mind and do not wish to compromise her health. She has never been strong. You are to be a father and the safe delivery of your child is of the greatest importance.
F.
29
‘At last!’ Freddie said as he greeted her in the hall of Selbourne Park and kissed her hand. ‘I was beginning to wonder if you had deserted me and England’s shores for good. How was Biarritz? And the King? The gossip in London goes that his condition has been far more serious than his subjects have been told.’
‘Oh, he was quite well when I left,’ Flora was able to answer almost truthfully. ‘He had a cold, that was all.’
‘Good, good. Mama is hoping he might attend our nuptials. He’s been sent an invitation. Did he mention it when you saw him?’ Freddie offered her his elbow and they walked through to the vast drawing room.
‘No, his private secretary organises his diary, so even if he was attending, he may not know. Is your mother here?’
‘Not at present, no. She is out visiting one of her charities in Winchester. And Papa is up in London. So, my dearest Flora, we are quite alone.’ Freddie’s hands snaked around her waist and pulled her closer. His lips came down onto hers and his tongue forced her mouth open.
‘Please, Freddie!’ Flora struggled to free herself. ‘The servants might appear at any moment.’
‘So what if they do? Doubtless they have seen much worse,’ he chuckled as he tried to kiss her again.
‘No! I can’t. We are not yet married.’
‘As you wish.’ Freddie relaxed his grip on her, his mouth forming into a pout. ‘I cannot see what difference a ring and an entry in a church register makes. I hope you will not withhold your passion from me after that.’
‘Of course not. We will be joined in the eyes of God.’ She lowered her eyes chastely.
‘Well, damn it,’ he said. ‘I am eager for that moment. Now, seeing as you will allow me no closer than a leper until we are wed, I shall ring for some tea and you will tell me in full of your adventures in France.’
Flora was relieved when the Countess appeared an hour later. Trying to keep Freddie’s hands off her was akin to being constantly pawed by a ravenous tiger. After luncheon, Freddie departed to – as he put it – blow off some energy on his horse, while she and Daphne settled down to the details of the wedding.
Taking her glasses off her nose, Daphne smiled at her. ‘I suppose you are thinking how ridiculous this all is, my dear. And if you aren’t, I certainly am. But, of course, one must do the conventional thing. How is young Violet Keppel?’ she asked, changing the subject.
‘She is well, and both of the girls are very much looking forward to being bridesmaids.’
‘Such an odd girl, I’ve always thought . . . Lady Sackville, a dear friend of mine, was telling me only last week that Violet seems to have a strange fixation on her daughter Vita. What do you think?’
‘I only know they are friends.’
‘Whatever the case, Victoria has refused to entertain Mrs Keppel at Knole. Which rather surprises me, given her own mother’s scandalous past. But then it’s often those who have been cast out of their own glass house who seem the most eager to cast the first stone at others. Victoria certainly doesn’t approve of the Keppel girls being part of your train. I had a deal of a job to convince Algernon it was the right thing to do. He doesn’t like going with the times – rather an old fuddy-duddy, bless his heart. Well now,’ the Countess said, patting Flora’s hand. ‘I think it’s time for a sherry, don’t you?’
Later, Flora stood at one of the floor-to-ceiling bedroom windows, surveying the enormous gardens in front of her. Beyond the yew hedge was a deer park and she could see the animals moving like shadows against the twilight. The outsized proportions of everything in the house made her feel like a tiny doll taken out of her toy house and transplanted into a human one.
She then thought of High Weald, which, though large, had a cosy and warm atmosphere. She hoped Archie would receive her letter before he left London.
If he didn’t, and Aurelia confronted him and he confessed, everything she had done to separate her life from him and her sister would be in vain.
After three days with Freddie – the most time she had ever spent with him – Flora had learnt his concentration was nonexistent: he would often ask her a question, and by the time she had begun her answer, his gaze had wandered off and he had lost interest entirely. One day, just to test him, Flora had started to tell him of her childhood, and when she saw his mind wandering, had recited a nursery rhyme instead. He hadn’t even noticed.
Flora had decided she should not waste her energy in conversation with him. His favourite pastime beyond all others was drinking. When he was drunk, she knew she could stand on her head on the dining table with her bloomers showing and he wouldn’t notice. On the last night of her stay, he had invited his group of louche friends to join them for dinner. Flora became the butt of many lewd jokes as they sat at table, all of them already half-cut.
Daphne caught her on the stairs as Flora was retiring from the raucous drinking games, boorish laughter drifting up from the drawing room.
‘My dear, I confess that my son’s behaviour tonight has not been what either of us would wish for. But believe me when I tell you that this is his last gasp. He understands his future responsibilities to both you and Selbourne, and will adhere to them.’
‘Of course.’ Flora lowered her eyes in deference. The Countess’s hand reached for hers.
‘Just remember, marriage is not the end of a woman’s life. In a way, it is the beginning. And as long as one provides an heir and is discreet, it can become more than enjoyable. Just look to your patron and learn. Goodnight, my dear.’ Daphne squeezed Flora’s hand and wandered off to her own suite of rooms.
It was with relief and trepidation that Flora returned to High Weald.
‘Aurelia is currently sleeping. She has not been at all well since you left,’ Arabella, returned from London, informed her as they met in the entrance hall. ‘That new maid of hers insists on feeding her all kinds of nefarious concoctions, which I am sure can’t be helping her.’
‘I have taken Sarah’s remedies since I was a baby, and I have always found them to be helpful,’ Flora replied defensively.
‘I’m sure. Now, Cissons will see you up to your room.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I don’t think Cook has prepared anything for you, Miss MacNichol, but I am sure she can rustle up some soup if necessary,’ said the housekeeper as she escorted Flora to her room.