Chapter 6:

Sighing deeply Walter Corey stared into the depths of his tea cup, sloshing the muddy liquid around he glimpsed the tea leaves lurking in the bottom of the porcelain cup and for a moment he wondered if he stared long and hard enough whether he could be able to discern his future from the prophetic leaves. It was certainly more entertaining than the conversation going on around the tea table.

"Walter how about a Spring wedding?"

"What?" Walter asked in confusion as finally a question was addressed to him. It was clearly the wrong response as not only Cecilia but her rather superior mother glared at him in annoyance.

"It is your wedding as well Walter you could at least pay the slightest attention to the plans!" Cecilia snapped her normally pale face now puce contrasting vividly with the baby blue dress she was wearing.

"He's a man my dear." Mrs Ferguson replied simply as though that was the answer to every problem in the universe. "His interests are very simple."

Biting his lip Walter held down a retort, sometimes his future mother-in-law was a little too big for her boots, true she had breeding but little beauty even in her youth and Walter was of the opinion the woman was a shrew. It was common gossip that her poor husband had died to escape her and her constant nagging, he could only hope and pray that it was not a characteristic Cecilia had inherited.

"The beginning of May then." Mrs Ferguson announced grandly setting her tea down and fussing with her shawl as she prepared to leave the happy couple to talk. "Do have a nice afternoon Mr Corey...I am sure you have some cattle to herd or something..." She added snorting down her pointy nose in perverse amusement.

"Aye and sheep to dip and manure to shovel up as well." Walter retorted quickly watching as Mrs Ferguson's face creased up in disgust; it had to be killing her, her little princess engaged to a glorified farmer, true he was rich enough even for the Ferguson's but when it came to breeding he was little better than the animals he reared at least in Mrs Ferguson's eyes.

"What exalted company you choose to keep Mr Corey, I do hope my daughter will not be forced to join in with such activities she is a lady otherwise you'd be better off choosing a certain coarse broodmare!" Mrs Ferguson added shooting her a daughter a conspiratorial gaze that had Cecilia in titters over some private joke.

Waiting until she had left Walter turned suddenly to face a smirking Cecilia. "What did she mean by that?" Feigning innocence Cecilia reached for a cucumber sandwich and bit into it delicately. "Or should I say who did she mean by that?" Swallowing Cecilia raised a questioning eyebrow and for a moment Walter was almost convinced she was as in the dark as he was but then he caught the look in her eyes, she was mocking him. "Cecilia if you do not tell me immediately then you can forget a May wedding or any sort of wedding whatsoever. Perhaps I have not made myself clear before but I intend to be the man in this relationship and as my wife you will obey my will in everything!"

"I beg your pardon?" Cecilia practically choked on her tea. "How dare you talk to me like this?"

"Oh I dare madam and if you are going to continue to behave in such a manner you will be frequently! Your mother may have endorsed such behavior but I will not allow it from my wife so the sooner you accept that the better it will be for both of us!"

"Well I won't!" Cecilia retorted slamming her plate down on the table as she jumped to her feet. "Who are you to order me around? You are a nobody sir and yet I have not only considered but accepted your proposal, you should be grateful!"

"Grateful!" Walter spat as if the words were bitter on his tongue. "Why you jumped up little madam. Do you think me ignorant of the family I am marrying into, you may have lineage but you have precious little else; your wealth is squandered, your business in debt and your fine houses mortgaged up the hilt. It is you madam who should be grateful, grateful that you have managed to find a man willing to take on your families debt, to not only take on you but your mother and your brother as dependants."

"Get out!" Cecilia spat.

Putting down his cup Walter pulled on his coat. "If I go madam I will not be back! So I ask you once more what have you and your mother been discussing behind my back?"

"I told you to get out! I don't know what I was thinking, marry you..." Cecilia added her voice raising hysterically. "Do I have to call a footman and have you removed?"

"No." Walter muttered. "No I have nothing to come back for!" He added heading for the door and pulling it practically off its hinges startling the servants who were trying to eavesdrop in the hallway.

"Fine run back to her, I am sure she will be able to produce an entire litter, if she isn't already expecting it!"

For a moment Walter paused as he realized just who Cecilia and her mother had been alluding to, just how many other people had they slandered Flora to because of him? Glancing back at Cecilia he caught sight of her beautiful face twisted and contorted with jealousy and malice and for a moment he wondered how could ever have loved this woman; perhaps it was her mother's influence and once away from her she would have changed but now he would never know. Then determined he stormed out of the house, not waiting to hear if Cecilia would change her mind and call him back, he was too confused for the first time in his life he wasn't sure what he wanted or where he was going, he needed some time alone to think and he couldn't go home for fear of his mother's incessant questioning. So instead he headed for the station, he would go to London get riotously drunk find a comely wench and then when he was calm decide just what he was going to do.

- - -

The first few weeks of 1859 had passed relatively peacefully if ever the term could be applied to life with Evelyn Forester; however it seemed to Flora at least that she was at last coming to some sort of understanding with Evelyn. Her icy mother-in-law had started to thaw somewhat and Flora guiltily couldn't help but trace it back to New Year's Day when she had returned after being missing for hours a muddy and tearstained wreck. At the time she had been too unsettled by her encounter with Walter to care what her mother-in-law would think but it seemed now that Evelyn had drawn very different conclusions. It was obvious Evelyn thought her tears were for her dearly departed Stephan and so could not help but warm to the woman who even after six years clearly felt his loss as deeply as his mother did. So it was with a guilty conscience that Flora returned the rare smiles and pleasantries, enjoying the relative truce that this misunderstanding created.

It was only through their newfound understanding that Flora had been allowed to accept the invitation to join St Mary's ladies flower group. Evelyn had once upon a time been a member but due to her arthritis and other reasons that she chose not to confide in Flora, she had given up her position as chair several years ago, however she had reassured Flora it was quite the honour to be invited to join as there were always more interested parties than places and so someone most influential must have anonymously supported her membership. Evelyn clearly was under the delusion that the influential person was Mrs Ferguson and although Flora had her own doubts about this she thought it best to keep them to herself. So it was with some trepidation and not an ignominious amount of intrigue that she arrived at the church sporting a basket of Evelyn's prized hothouse flowers, that her mother-in-law had insisted she take even going so far as to handpick the blooms herself so that Flora would make the right impression. Taking a deep breath she pushed open the small door set into the large Oak double doors and stepped into the church unsure what to expect but picturing a virtual firing squad of society ladies all with their own factions and agendas.

"Oh Mrs Forester I am so glad you could make it!"

Blinking as she adjusted to the dim light she caught sight of Helen Corey who was clearly waiting in the narthex for her to arrive.

"Mrs Corey it's a pleasure to see you again." Flora replied sincerely relieved that there would be one friendly face she knew. "I am just happy to have been asked…A little surprised I am relatively new."

At that Helen Corey smiled knowingly before winking cheekily tapping her nose as she offered a stunned Flora her arm. "I knew you would fit right in my dear from the moment I laid eyes on you and ever since the Christmas ball you're all the ladies will talk about, you really are quite the mystery and people are intrigued!"

"I see…" Flora began hesitantly realising she had been chosen for her novelty value alone and wondering what would happen when she had been thoroughly dissected to their satisfaction.

"Don't worry my dear if you stick close to me I should be able to point out the dragons before they pounce!"

Laughing softly at Helen's rather apt description of the ladies who were scattered about the church busy with their arrangements Flora allowed herself to relax for the first time that morning and yet as she assisted Helen with the alter flowers she had to force herself to concentrate to the work and the conversation and resist asking the only question on her mind; when was Walter coming home?

- - -

It was later that same afternoon that Flora wandered around the churchyard with Helen Corey, after a few hours in such an open and gregarious woman's company she almost felt like her old self and because of that she found herself dreaded going home and enduring an evening of Evelyn's dull companionship.

"Why so sad my dear, you did enjoy yourself didn't you?" Helen asked suddenly.

"Oh Yes...Yes it was a lovely morning, so nice to be out the house and doing something productive for a change."

"You aren't settling in at the Forester house are you?" Helen asked suddenly putting a surprised Flora on the defence.

"I've been very well treated it's just..."

"Just?"

"I was so used to running my own house, doing my own chores." Flora replied diplomatically. "I guess I was never made to be a lady of leisure, I am at a loss what to do with my days."

"Ah." Helen replied cryptically a knowing smile playing around her lips before she took Flora's elbow and escorted her towards the waiting trap. "Well may I make a suggestion, as far as I have observed Ladies manage to fill their time by calling on other ladies, drinking tea and gossiping scandalously!"

"I have had far too little practice at that and besides I don't know any gossip." Flora muttered. "So I hardly think I would be a welcome visitor."

"Well then you must practice!" Helen suddenly insisted. "And there is no time like the present my dear!"

"Oh But I..." Flora began to protest but a determined Helen literally dragged her into the trap and gave her driver instructions to drive on. "I am afraid I will be decidedly dull company!"

"Not at all my dear we can start now with some simple pleasantries...How is your family...your son is he well?"

"Oh yes very well thank you. He seems to have settled in nicely, although he does continue to question why he can't have a monkey." It was only when she had finished and Helen looked at her pointedly that she realised her companion had boxed her cleverly into a corner. She had studiously avoided mentioning Walter throughout the entire afternoon, not once had she enquired after him and that would have be strange enough in itself if she was not acquainted with him but considering their peculiar friendship the fact that she hadn't once asked after him must had seemed extremely usual and intriguing for Helen. So now in the simplest of manoeuvres Helen had forced her hand and so she had no choice but to ask. "And Walter is he well?"

Smiling smugly Helen patted Flora's hand content at the slight flush that had graced the younger woman's cheeks at the mere mention of Walter. "Honestly my dear I could not say one way or the other...He just stormed off to London without barely a word said, in a foul mood."

"Oh no!"

"Indeed." Helen retorted her handsome face contorted for a moment as she added. "He'd been with Cecilia, they'd obviously had another fight, perhaps this time we will be lucky and the poor boy will have come to his senses?"

For a moment Flora fought down the flicker of hope that flared up inside her it was truly sinful of her to take pleasure in another's misery, even of she did think Cecilia was a right little madam who didn't deserve one tenth of Walter's worth, it was only then that Flora realised Helen had used the term 'we'. Glancing up she realised her conflicted emotions must have been shown all over her face as Helen was both pleased and yet clearly concerned for her. "It distresses me to hear that he is unhappy." She added softly.

"I can see that my dear." Helen added and for a moment Flora was certain she was going to say something else, probably something they would both regret but fortunately the trap pulled into the farmyard and Flora got her first glimpse of Walter's home.

"It's beautiful." Flora murmured taking in the soundly built red-bricked farmhouse, which had tendrils of ivy studiously climbing up the eastern wall. The yard was a hive of activity as the farm hands were just loading a wagon full of hay to take out to the cows.

"Why thank you my dear...The main house is still mine, I keep telling Walter it is far too big and I often feel as though I am just rattling around the old place, it so does need children."

"Walter doesn't live there with you?" Flora asked surprised.

"Oh no he prefers his privacy, so when he was a lad he moved into a small cottage just down the lane. After his father died I tried in vain to get him to move back but he insisted he would wait until he married, then the house would be his wife's domain and I can finally retire to the relative simplicity of his cottage."

Getting out if the trap Helen proceeded to proudly give Flora a brief tour which was only cut short by one of the hands coming up cap in hand to ask for Mrs Corey's advice. Sighing Helen patted Flora's hand and waved her towards the kitchen door. "Just sit yourself down my dear I shouldn't be too long."

"I could put the kettle on." Flora began as Helen strode away waving her inside encouragingly. So alone and unable to quell her curiosity Flora pushed open the kitchen door and stepped into the large farmhouse kitchen. Skimming her hands over the polished surfaces she admired the blackened tiles and the solid oak table that dominated the room. Spotting the kettle in what must have been its customary place on top of the stove Flora picked it up and headed out the back towards the scullery where just as she had expected stood a large hand pump. Filling the kettle she quickly returned it to the stove, prodding the coals and adding a few new ones to build the heat she searched the shelves for the tea caddy and added several heaped teaspoons to the pot, which she placed near the fire to warm.

However it seemed a shame to simply stand by the fire waiting for the water to boil and so more than a little intrigued Flora decided to explore the nearby rooms. Stepping through a new door she headed into the house admiring the wide hallway and polished flagstones she took her time to examine the few family portraits that adorned the wall of the large oak Staircase, which dominated the grand hallway. Stepping into the nearest room she found herself in a large formal dining room where a lovely long mahogany table seating a dozen comfortably stretched out in front of her. The next was clearly Helen's sitting room, her half finished sewing sat by the side of a worn fireside chair and on the mantelpiece were a few photographs; studying them closely Flora smiled at the lovely young lady with the long fair hair who must have been Helen at one time, the next photograph was a family portrait and older Helen sat in front of her husband a baby in her arms and another boy standing by her side, smiling Flora wondered just which of the little lads was Walter. Then there was a young man posing in military uniform, he had to have been Walter's brother who had died in service. Glancing at the clock she realised she couldn't let Helen catch her snooping so she darted back towards the kitchen.

- - -

Breathing deeply Walter ran his hands through his sweaty hair, he had ridden hard from the station and it had taken all of his strength to chide the innkeeper's reluctant mare into something approaching a canter, a gallop had been more than he had hoped for. He must have looked quite the sight storming through Eastbourne as if the very devil was riding on his heels, that would get back to Cecilia just like he planned as he had no doubt his continued absence had by now achieved what all the words in the world could not. She would come to see him penitent, pleading for him to forgive her and he being a kindly soul would accept her apology and all would be well with the world again. He had made his decision, Cecilia would be his wife and Flora….Well he still wasn't sure just what Flora Forester would be to him, acquaintance…friend…confidant…lover? Shaking his head Walter pushed that thought away, he was a respectable gentleman and she a woman of status and he was sure irreproachable morals. Even if there was an undeniable physical attraction between them, they were virtually strangers and he doubted she would ever consider a less than a proper relationship between them.

Turning the poor panting beast into the farmyard he scowled, as there seemed to be no one around to witness his return, so most put out he jumped down from the horse leading it into the nearest stable to drink from the trough. Glancing at the cold water he quickly had a similar idea and so scouting the edge of the house he headed round to the scullery yard and the hand pump. Stripping off his jacket and waistcoat till he was dressed only in his shirts sleeves, which clung cloyingly due to his exertions, he placed his head under the tap and pumped the cool water over his head sighing when it immediately cooled him down. Half closing his eyes as he rubbed the water through his hair and across his neck he heard the swish of skirts against flagstones and caught sight of a shadow against the wall. For a moment he waited expecting an ear bashing, the questions over where had he been and why had he disappeared without telling her but then before his mother could clear her throat Walter decided to distract her.

"Ale...Get me a tankard I'm parched!"

At his request his mother wordlessly vanished inside before reappearing a moment later handing him both a towel and the tankard. Grasping the towel Walter stood up and placed it over his refreshed face, leaning back he then rubbed it over his wet hair before reaching out to take the proffered tankard. It was only as their hands touched that something clicked in his mind, sliding the towel from his head he turned to face a very amused Flora Forester who was leaning back against the door jamb obviously waiting for the penny to drop. For a moment Walter stood dumb-founded. Her here it was impossible, wasn't it? What was she doing here? Where was his mother…No really what was SHE doing here?

Then he suddenly realised just how he must look, his hair sopping wet falling all over his face his shirt either soaked with water or sweat clung to his frame, he was hardly the picture of a gentleman and yet glancing across at Flora expecting a horrified expression he was startled by the look in her eyes. She was staring at him, it was as if she couldn't draw away her eyes away and for a moment Walter wasn't sure whether he should try and cover his modesty with a towel or better yet take his shirt off completely so she could have a better view. A loaded moment later and Flora quickly realised she had been caught staring, blushing furiously she tried to cover up her faux pas by muttering something about kettles and tea and his mother.

"You're here to visit mother then?" Walter suddenly asked before she could leave, surprising himself at the petulance of his tone. However it was clearly the right thing to say as Flora hesitated, tilting her head back so she could glance enigmatically back over her shoulder.

"Who else is there?"

"Well me." Walter retorted petulantly wincing at the childish affront he was unable to hide, yet it clearly didn't offend Flora as instead a slight smile tugged at her lips and she returned to leaning against the doorjamb, her eyes locking with his as she retorted.

"I understood you were away. I have many talents Walter but psychic powers are not amongst them!"

Biting his lip as he swallowed the query 'what talents does she have' Walter forced himself to nod and break the contact with those hypnotic eyes lest Flora truly have powers to read the rather lascivious images that flickered behind his eyes.

"Did you have a nice trip?" Flora asked suddenly dragging Walter from his daydream but it took him a moment or two to even register the question, she was just so distracting leaning against his scullery door as though she belonged there. Here in his home amongst his things she just seemed to fit, a vision of both loveliness and practicality. It took all the control Walter had not to step forward touch her, brush his fingers down her cheek and tame the little wisps of hair that danced in the breeze.

"Walter are you alright?"

"Err yes...well urgh no…That is I mean to say…"

"Yes?" Flora chuckled.

"I am fine…Quite fine…How are you?"

"I am fine as well."

"Good we're fine…Everyone is fine…" Walter mumbled grasping for conversation as all reasonable Smalltalk escaped him.

"And your trip did you accomplish what you wanted?"

For a moment Walter frowned, for the first time questioning the decision he had reached. What was it about this woman that made him second-guess his own better judgement? "I think so." He muttered softly glancing up at an amused Flora who seemed to be taking his continued indecision in good humour.

"You think so?" Flora replied shaking her head as she smothered a laugh at his expense.

"Peace woman I am too tired to think!" Walter replied feigning exasperation. "The horse I borrowed was a bloody nag I practically had to drag its sorry hide all the way from town and still you want answers!" He added dramatically pleased when Flora laughed at his pitiful enactment of said feat.

"Personally it is the poor horse I feel sorry for."

"You would say that!" Walter retorted moving to lean against the side of the door. "I could be burning up and you'd be more concerned for that nag than me. What does a man have to do I ask you?"

However the moment the words were out of his mouth Walter regretted them, it seemed as though he had taken their playful banter too far as Flora fell silent at his words, her mouth now pressed into a thin line where only a moment before there had been a bright smile.

"I…" Walter began but words suddenly failed him as Flora suddenly closed the space between them and for a moment he was unsure whether she would slap him or kiss him, the intense look in her eyes could have meant anything. Whatever he had been expecting it hadn't been that she would suddenly raise her palm to his forehead and with the most serious expression assess whether he had a temperature or not.

"Walter I think perhaps you had better stick your head back under that tap it seems the unseasonably warm weather has addled your brain!" Flora finally pronounced her serious expression sliding into giggles.

"Why you…"

"I assure you it will do you good…" Flora added as Walter feigned outrage at her suggestion. "Why don't you let me help?" She added stepping away to the pump which she used the once to fill her cupped hand.

"You wouldn't…" Walter began stopping as the handful of water caught him plum in the face. "Why you little minx…"

"I was only trying to help." Flora replied innocently backing up as Walter stalked towards her.

"Indeed and as you are looking a little flushed why don't I return the compliment?"

"You wouldn't dare?" Flora expounded confidently, but her certainty began to fade when Walter retrieved his empty tankard and edged towards the pump. "Walter no…I'm sorry."

"It's a little late for apologies my dear…." Walter muttered pouncing on the pump watching as his pray made a desperate bid for the Scullery. "Being in the house won't save you, a bit of water never hurt anything!" Walter called out following the fleeing Flora into the kitchen. Holding his tankard he faced off with her across the kitchen table. Stalking along the side Walter watched as an animated Flora mirrored his steps, realising that stealth would accomplish nothing Walter suddenly darted the other way round the table catching a startled Flora completely by surprise. Reaching out he managed to grasp one of her flailing arms and using this he used his superior strength to reel her in as he would a troublesome carp. Screeching like a child Flora struggled against him as he pulled her back against his chest, lifting the tankard deliberately slowly he held it overhead like an executioner would an axe.

"Don't don't…." Flora giggled flinching as Walter let a droplet of water fall on to her exposed neck. "Walter please I'll do anything just stop…"

"Anything hmmmm?" Walter began teasingly letting another trickle fall from the tankard. "I am open to negotiations! A lifetime of compliments…No taking the Mickey out of me…So many possibilities."

However even he was surprised when Flora turned in his arms, the playful excitement quickly turning to another very different kind as he caught her gaze yet even he didn't expect it when she suddenly rose on to tip toe and pressed her lips briefly to his. It was over in a matter of seconds and was chaste in the extreme but her touch set a fire in his blood and his grip on her tightened almost painfully as he crushed small frame against his body the childish game with the tankard now lying forgotten as it dropped and overturned on the table. Leaning down he rested his forehead gently against hers staring into her dark eyes which seemed slightly unfocused even as she tilted her jaw up anticipating his next move.

"I am so sorry my dear…I quite forgot about you…" Helen's voice called out as she pushed open the kitchen door freezing on the threshold as the entangled pair jumped apart. "Walter…When did you get back?"

"Mother." Walter greeted gruffly glancing between Helen and Flora who was by now staring at the floor her cheeks flushed bright red with embarrassment. "Just a moment ago…I…I should be…I will see you at dinner. Good day Mrs Forester."

If Flora managed a reply Walter didn't hear it. Instead he headed for the kitchen door, catching his mother's eye and it was clear Helen was struggling to contain her amusement at both the compromising situation she had walked in on and his rather dishevelled appearance. However she gamely stepped aside without a word letting her red-faced son storm passed heading for the relative sanctuary of his own cottage cursing his own stupidity every step of the way. His carefully laid plans were in ruins about him, his mother was laughing at his expense and god knows what Flora Forester thought of him now. He had acted like a lust driven youth, what had he been thinking, had he truly thought Flora would allow him to simply ravage her across the kitchen table? And yet she had kissed him, whether it had been playfully meant it had been her who had made the first move and she certainly hadn't resisted him quite the opposite in fact her entire demeanour had been encouraging. Would she have pushed him away had he tried to kiss her? He couldn't be sure and that was the problem, how could he decide what was best thing to do if he wasn't even sure of the lady's affection for him?