‘You are,’ he said, with a sideways smile as he encouraged his team forward. ‘But we have become accustomed to you.’
‘Well, thank you for that.’
‘I’m glad it’s resolved and that you no longer have anything to fear from your father.’
‘As am I. It felt wonderful, standing up to him from a position of strength. Thank you for helping to bring that about.’
‘Me? I didn’t do a thing.’
‘We must agree to differ on that point.’ She sighed and turned her face up to the sky. Swifts soared and the night birds were waking from their slumbers to contribute to the evening chorus. ‘Anyway, perhaps now we shall have a period without any upheaval at Beranger Court.’
‘Don’t count on it.’ Luke grinned. ‘I believe Paul and Mary have come to an agreement.’
‘Really!’ Flora beamed. ‘You encouraged him to speak with her, as I recommended?’
‘I did. The only thing holding him back had been the thought of my disapproval. Only imagine.’
‘I barely can,’ Flora replied, smiling.
‘Paul is everything to me. I cannot think of a better husband for my sister.’
‘He will leave your employ?’
Luke shrugged as he steered his team around a rut in the road. ‘Only if he wants to. We haven’t discussed his future yet. If he would prefer to remain at Beranger Court, and I hope he will, then he and Mary can have the entire suite of rooms that the girls occupied on the main floor. However, I doubt if they will take my convenience into account.’
They returned to the house and Flora went straight up to see the countess.
‘I believe Mary has something to tell us, ma’am,’ she said, removing her hat as she walked through the door.
The End
