‘I’m not hungry at present, thank you.’
Flora waited a few minutes, then walked along the corridor to Aurelia’s bedroom. She opened the door, wincing as the heavy wood creaked. The room was dark, but as her eyes adjusted to the dimness, she saw Sarah dozing in a chair by the window. Leaving the room and feeling a sudden need for fresh air, she turned tail and went downstairs.
As she stepped outside, her nose picked up the first scent of spring. Daffodils lined the verges, reminding her of Esthwaite, and as she stepped down into the walled garden, she saw with delight that it was waking up from its long winter sleep.
Thankfully, the garden was deserted, although Flora had given herself a serious talking-to on the way here and felt calm about encountering Archie. Whatever had been could never be referred to again. Not only was Archie now her brother-in-law, but soon to be the father of her niece or nephew. And Flora herself would be married within a few weeks. They were family now and could not avoid spending time together. She was determined for their relationship to be platonic, because that was all it could ever be.
And when I see him, I will say so, she told herself as she walked along the pathways. Flora could see how Archie had planned the walled garden with nectar-heavy flowers to attract as many bees as possible, and they hummed fat and contented above the pink hellebores and white viburnums. The air felt vibrant and alive, as if the garden was as pregnant as her sister. Flora only hoped she would have the chance to see it when it gave birth in the summer, to what she imagined could only be a fragrant profusion of colour.
‘Flora.’ A voice behind her made her jump.
‘Archie,’ she said as she turned to face him. ‘Why do you always seem to creep up on me?’
‘Because your attention is always focused elsewhere. I received your letter in London.’
‘Thank goodness. I was concerned it would fall into the wrong hands. I wanted to warn you in case Aurelia mentioned our . . . meeting at Esthwaite to you.’
‘Thank you. I returned yesterday and she hasn’t said anything about it so far.’
‘Then let us hope it is forgotten. She does not look well.’
‘No, she doesn’t. But you do, Flora. Shall we walk?’
Flora acquiesced and the two of them took off along the paths. As Archie talked of his future plans for the gardens, Flora had to keep reminding herself of her earlier promise, that she could and would be friends with her brother-in-law.
‘So how are you?’ Archie halted suddenly below the magnificent yew tree. Flora could see the tiny light-green stems of rebirth at the tips of the branches, and tried to shake the memory of the last time she had stood beneath it.
‘I am well. I have just been down to Selbourne to see Freddie.’
‘And all goes according to plan?’
There was a moment’s hesitation before Flora nodded, which Archie caught immediately.
‘Of all people, surely you can speak truthfully to me? Despite Freddie being labelled the catch of London, it’s simply a fiscal and physical illusion. As I am sure you will be aware by now, the real Freddie is a barking mad drunk. Personally, I think he may have fallen out of the cradle and banged his head as a baby.’
‘He is certainly . . . different, yes.’ Flora suppressed a smile.
‘What a state we all find ourselves in. Believe me, it is not just my own selfishness that makes me say this, but I wish with all my heart you were not marrying him, for your own sake.’
‘It is what it is. I do like his mother, though.’
‘It is not her you will be sharing a bed with at night. But there we are.’
‘How dare you speak to me that way!’ Flora felt a blush spreading up her neck and into her cheeks.
‘Forgive me. I cannot help myself, just the thought of you with him . . . God, Flora, you must understand how I feel, surely? I have missed you so these past few months.’
‘Do not say another word to me. I mean it.’ She turned and began to walk away, but he caught her hand before she could escape. His touch sent involuntary shivers up Flora’s spine, but she pushed them down. ‘Let me go, Archie,’ she muttered. ‘I really must return to Aurelia. Your wife.’
‘Yes, of course.’ He gave a deep sigh, then a small nod of acceptance and dropped her hand. ‘I will see you at dinner.’
Heading straight upstairs to see if Aurelia had yet woken, Sarah barred her way at the bedroom door, putting a finger to her lips.
‘She is upset today, poor mite, complaining of a bad headache. She has told me to tell you to leave her be, but I’m sure she will want you to look in on her later.’
Flora went to her room to dress for dinner, feeling horribly uncomfortable that Aurelia was denying her access. She mulled over all the times that she had sat by her bedside in the past, whenever Aurelia had been unwell, and felt a knot of worry settle in her stomach. Once she was dressed, she went down to join Arabella and Archie in the drawing room.
‘It seems your wife is indisposed again,’ Arabella murmured over her glass of sherry. ‘I do hope this phase passes soon. When I was having you, dear, I carried on as normal. Modern girls are so different.’
‘Perhaps it’s simply that people are all different, Mama,’ countered Archie. ‘I am sure that Aurelia does not wish to feel so rotten.’
‘It’s almost certainly a girl she’s having. All my contemporaries that had one were as sick as mongrel dogs during their pregnancy.’
‘Well, I for one would love a daughter,’ Archie said. ‘I am sure they are easier than boys.’
‘Easier, perhaps, but not as useful. Shall we go into the dining room?’
As the three of them sat together at the far end of the long table in the oak-panelled dining room, Flora thought how ironic it was to be facing Archie with his mother sitting in between them, conscious that she had taken her sister’s place. Just as the soup was about to be served, the door opened and Aurelia appeared.
‘Forgive me for my late arrival, but the rest has obviously done me good, for I feel much recovered.’
As Aurelia sat next to her husband and the maid hastily laid another place, Flora saw how pale she looked. Yet her blue eyes were shining with a strange intensity.
‘Are you sure you are well enough to sit up at table, my darling?’ Archie asked her, laying a hand on her shoulder.
‘Why, of course. In fact, I feel positively ravenous!’ she giggled, her tone high-pitched and false. Flora was pleased to see that Archie could not have been more attentive, even cutting up the beef for her and, to Arabella’s obvious disapproval, feeding her small morsels.
‘We mustn’t let you fade away, my darling. You really are dreadfully thin.’
‘I shall remind you of that when I am the size of a house in a few months’ time.’