Chapter 7:

Sometimes Flora was convinced she had been born an utter fool. What had she been thinking kissing Walter Corey? The poor man had been clearly struck dumb and had beat a hasty retreat the moment he had been able too, if only she had been so lucky, instead she had been forced to endure a hour or two of Helen Corey's amused and knowing smirks. To be caught by his mother of all people! If only the ground had opened up and swallowed her. Caught kissing an engaged man it wasn't behaviour that a civilised society could accept; it wasn't behaviour that she would herself condone so why on earth had she done it?

"Mother I'm getting cold!"

"Hmmm….Oh Sorry William." Flora muttered finally returning to the job in hand, ensuring that William was pristine for meeting their new houseguest and so she found the large towel warming by the fire and returned to wrap it round her goose pimpled son. "There now that's better."

"Why do I have to have stay in…It's not like Mr Forester will want to play…"

"Your grandmother insists on it William." Flora replied cutting over her son's whining. "Besides don't you want to meet your cousin?"

"He's not my cousin he was Father's cousin!" William replied sullenly as his mother reached for a comb and tried to sleek back her son's hair into some sort of order.

"That makes him your cousin as well!"

"But he's too old to be a cousin…He's even older than you!" William countered petulantly as he stared stubbornly at the floor. "And Mr Corey promised to show me how they kill the chickens!"

Swallowing for a moment as the mention of Walter's name brought a lump to her throat and her hands to shake however imperceptibly. "You bother that poor man too much William, and he is too polite to tell you so."

"I don't!" William retorted sharply, his bottom lip pouting as a tantrum threatened. "He likes me visiting, he said so…Besides you visited the other day so…"

"That is hardly the same thing William!" Flora snapped her voice laced with panic at the thought her little visit was becoming common knowledge. "I visited old Mrs Corey once not everyday as you seem to bother Mr Corey. He is a busy man he has lots to do he cannot possibly have time for you little visits."

However her words fell on deaf ears as William crossed his arms stubbornly and returned to glaring at the floor muttering under his breath. "S'not true."

"Pardon?"

"Nothin." William retorted sitting in silence until his hair was combed before heading over to the pile of best clothes that Flora had laid out and eyeing the garments with distaste. He hated the stiff collared wool suit with a vengeance and had on consecutive Sundays tried his best to loose it after church, so it was becoming a regular occurrence that Flora had to return to retrieve either his cap or jacket or once even his boots!

"It is only for tea." Flora began placatingly sensing the argument that was brewing. "Your grandmother told you the poor man is staying with us while he convalesces. He was injured fighting for his country William and the least you can do is put on your good suit and be polite for half an hour!"

Grumbling the boy finally capitulated taking the clothes to change behind the screen whilst Flora tutted and picked up the dirty linen that were scattered over the floor, the discarded toys and half finished pictures. However there was one sketch that caught her attention and she was so surprised that she was still staring at it when William reappeared all buttoned up in his itchy suit.

"Do you like it?"

"Wha…Yes it's very good….Who's this?"

"Oh that's You and me and Mr Corey…Oh and this is Bessie Mr Corey's shire horse….Mother….Mother are you all right?"

"Yes." Flora replied setting the drawing back down on the table, the shock at seeing her own private dreams put down on paper in a child's scrawl had unsettled her and she sat down heavily on the bed.

"You can have it…I've done another one for Mr Corey."

"What?"

However William ignored her question and began rummaging around for another picture, and when it was produced Flora was relieved to find she was absent and her place had been taken by a rather large chicken.

"Do you think he would like this one better?"

Nodding as she admired her son's drawing Flora let out a sigh of relief, and so her son's next comment took her completely by surprise.

"I think Mr Corey would be a good father…Why isn't he married?"

"That really is none of our business William!" Flora insisted waspishly shooing her son towards the door as bell rang for tea.

"But mother he really should and perhaps you…" William began as they descended to the hall.

"Not now William." Flora snapped as Evelyn suddenly appeared out of nowhere, her steely grey eyebrow raised in interest at their conversation.

"Not interrupting am I?"

"No not of course come along William, I made lemon cake." Flora replied successfully changing the subject as her son immediately forgot his matchmaking and charged towards the morning room suddenly eager to meet his new cousin or at least secure a slice of lemon cake.

- - -

There were times Helen Corey despaired of her eldest son. First he wasted years of his life chasing after impossible dreams, he wanted it all the business, the perfect wife and social acceptance never accepting that it might not be possible to achieve everything and letting the chance at something wonderful slip through his fingers. They were perfect for each other, she had known that the first time she had seen them together and the pathetic attachment of her son to Cecilia Ferguson paled starkly by comparison. It had been obvious to everyone but that stubborn pair, even Cecilia clearly wasn't as dim as Helen had first supposed as she tried every whim at her disposal to drag Walter away from Flora Forester.

Sighing as she scrubbed her kitchen table Helen had to suppress a small giggle as she remembered the look on their faces when she walked in on them. At least her son wasn't so deluded that he couldn't recognise passionate attraction when it quite clearly had walked over and slapped him round the face. But he had been so embarressed he couldn't meet her eye and Flora well she had never seen a young lady go quite that colour before.

"Hey you there can you fetch Mr Corey!"

Putting down her scrubbing brush at the sound of that posh and abnoxious voice Helen turned round to face a surprised Cecilia Ferguson.

"Mrs Corey….Oh…I am sorry I thought…"

"That I was a maid of some sort I have no doubt." Helen cut in enjoying the embarressed flush on the younger woman's cheeks. "Walter isn't here he is out in the field…He should be back soon it's almost his dinner time."

"I see." Cecilia replied shifting awkwardly on the threshold as she waited for the invitation to enter. "May I?"

"If you like…I have work to do, you can wait here or in the sitting room."

Screwing up her petite nose for a moment Cecilia eventually reluctantly decided to remain in the kitchen and perched herself delicately on the edge of one of the wooden chairs placing the wicker basket she had brought with her on the floor. Shaking her head Helen returned to her cleaning, despairing once more of her son's choice of bride. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence Cecilia cleared her throat.

"Unseasonable warm don't you think?"

"Aye." Helen replied succintly not even glancing up from her work as she moved to start on the brasses.

"The drive was quite lovely…You have some lovely roses along the lane."

"Aye we do."

"Although I must admit it has left me somewhat dry…"

"Well the kettle is on the side feel free to help yourself." Helen retorted as she never even glanced up from her work, even though she was sorely tempted to catch the look of outrage that must have passed across Cecilia's features.

"But I wouldn't know where anything is and…"

"You're an intellgent girl I am sure you can work it out, kettle's on the stove, tea in the caddy, tea cups in that cupboard."

For a moment there was a pause and a struggle of wills before eventually Cecilia rose from her chair and began to rummage around for the necessary things. Determined not to miss this spectacle Helen eased off on her polishing glancing up surrupticiously from under her lashes and it was all she could do not to burst out laughing as Cecilia had clearly never made a cup of tea in her life. It was then that a rather mean idea sprung to mind and she couldn't resist needling her guest further.

"I hope there is enough tea left. You're the second caller I have had in so many days."

"Oh really." Cecilia replied and from her tone Helen could tell she wasn't interested , her focus was bent on trying to work out how many spoonfuls went into the pot or was it the cup?

"Yes Mrs Forester…You know the lovely brunette Walter introduced us too at your party."

The clang of the teaspoon as Cecilia dropped it onto the side clearly indicated she did indeed remember who Helen was talking about.

"Although poor thing I had to abandon her too but Walter kept her company whilst I was gone. God knows what they found to talk about but they were thick as theives when I returned and well it was almost a shame to interupt."

"Why was she visiting?" Cecilia asked tersely her polite veneer slipping slightly as Helen clearly was hinting at more than she had said.

"Oh well she was invited…Her son…Oh you probably haven't met him well he is a charming little man, well he idolises Walter, follows him everywhere and Walter has grown quite attached to him, but then he has always liked children; he will be a wonderful father someday. " Helen added watching as the polite smile on Cecilia's face grew tighter and more forced.

"I am sure he will adore our children." Cecilia countered smirking as that knocked the wind out of Helen's sails.

"Aye if your lucky enough to have any." Helen countered all pretense of civility now abandoned. "We are none of us getting any younger my dear!"

However whatever retort a flushed Cecilia was about to spit out was cut off when the kitcehn door opened and in marched a muddy Walter.

"Cecilia…Mother." He greeted warily, taking in the loaded atmosphere and deciding that it was best to separate them before blood was spilt. "Cecilia what brings you here?"

"I heard you had returned and I thought a picnic lunch might give us a chance to talk…Please Walter it's important." She added crossing over and laying one of her delicate white hands on his broad tanned arm.

"Alright. Give me a moment to change and we can find somewhere quiet to talk….Mother." He added nodding a warning at Helen as he passed, so huffing in annoyance she returned to scrubbing her brasses wishing she could use the same cloth to wipe that smirk off of Cecilia Ferguson's face.

- - -

"This cake is delicious Mrs Forester."

Smiling politely Flora nodded her thanks to Captain Edward Forester who was propped up with pillows on the chaise his teacup resting precariously on his knee as he held the slice of cake in his remaining hand and for a moment she misceviously wondered just how long it would be before their new guest managed to smash one of Evelyn's precious porcelain teacups. It was clearly a thought shared by her son who hadn't taken his eyes off Captain Edward since he had arrived, his young eyes fixed on the empty sleeve that was stitched neatly into the jacket pocket. Embarressed by her son's lack of manners and tact Flora made a point of distracting him with another slice of cake ignoring Evelyn's muttered comments about making him fat.

However Flora had been mistaken if she thought another slice of cake would distract her son for long.

"What happened to your arm?"

"William!" Evelyn snapped shaking her head in shock and horror over her grandson's lack of restraint.

"No it's alright Aunt Evelyn he was bound to be curious." Edward cut in before Evelyn could order William from the room, earning him a grateful smile from Flora. "It was at the Taku Forts near Tientsin, that's in China, we'd successfully captured them last May and were holding our position." Edward explained putting down his teacup on the nearby table and circling it with the cream jug and sugar pot.

"Now we were far from our strongholds and our supplies were limited so we had ration what we had carefully and each months supplies boat was a lifeline. However one month our boat never arrived and then the next it was missing as well so our garrison commander decided to send out scouting parties into the valley, I led a platoon along the gorge. It was there we encountered the On Leong, a ruthless gang of mercenaries who claimed that stretch of the river as their own, they ambushed our group during the night and in the fighting I was wounded. Our doctor did his best and I was lucky to survive with only an amputation, I was shipped back to Guangzhou and then made the long passage back to England."

It was clear from the rapt expression on William's face that he was impressed and eager for a more bloodthirsty account but Edward very wisely brushed aside the young boy's pleading requests for more insisting that he was too tired and if possible would care to retire to his room, the long journey had worn him out.

"Flora can show you to your room." Evelyn suddenly insisted and so smiling politely Flora stood and led the way out of the morning room, pausing by the stairs to wait for her guest, who limped slightly due to other undisclosed injuries. It seemed such a shame for if it were not for his missing arm which meant he tended to stoop slightly and the long jagged scar that warped his right cheek all the way from his eyelid to jaw he could have been called handsome. A tall broad shouldered man it was easy to see why all Forester men seemed designed for combat and with his easy going nature Flora suddenly found the sombre mood that seemed to cling to the Forester house like a wet blanket begin to lift.

"Your son is delightful."

"Thank you, he can be a little tactless at times."

"He's a Forester alright then." Edward joked, guffawing at his own joke until it triggered a spat of coughing and he had to pause until he had recovered.

"Are you alright?" Flora asked suddenly concerned that the gentle giant in front of her might actually be in need of more convalescence than he had let others to believe.

"I'm fine…Just irritates my lungs."

"I have a tonic that might help…An old family remedy, it packs quite a punch but it works."

"At this point I would try anything." Edward replied good naturedly as they paused before a large Oak door.

"This is your room." Flora explained pushing the door open and stepping inside of the large and somewhat grandly oppressive guestroom that she personally loathed.

"My my very grand." Edward muttered wryly winking jokily at Flora when she had to suppress a giggle.

"I hope you like the roses…I thought they might brighten the room."

"They do." Edward replied crossing the room to admire the pink blooms before removing one and presenting it to a surprised Flora with a flourish. "Just as you manage to do whenever you walk into a room."

Accepting the rose Flora could feel the blush beginning on her cheeks. "Thank you….Well I had better leave you to your rest."

"Yes and Thank you Flora…I may call you Flora, Mrs Forester well it could get a little confusing for us all since you're neither my mother or my wife….yes well…" Edward paused in embarrassment. "Not that…oh hell…."

"It's alright I know what you mean, and I would be honoured if you would call me Flora."

"Then I'm Edward."

"Good day then Edward." Flora replied, twirling the rose between her fingers as she closed the door behind her so lost in thought that she didn't realise their little exchange had been overheard, or that as she left a pair of blue eyes followed her narrowing in displeasure.

- - -

"Well?"

Smiling politely Walter managed to swallow down the last bite of the quiche. "Very nice!"

"Really?" Cecilia asked practically bouncing with excitement on the picnic blanket next to him. "I am so pleased, I don't cook often but I so wanted this to be special and to prove how sorry I was for all those awful things I said."

"It was very kind." Walter managed to gasp before reaching slyly for his glass of champagne and taking a deep sip to wash down the dry and rather unappetising quiche and making a mental note that after they were married he would definitely insist on employing some staff, and definitely a cook. It would be an extravagance he would not normally indulge in but considering the contents of the picnic basket it was definitely a necessity.

"And now…" Cecilia began dramatically reaching into the basket, and Walter felt his poor stomach give a panicked lurch before settling in relief when she produced a punnit of strawberries.

"Where on earth did you get those from it's far to early for them here?"

"Oh I ordered them from London especially." Cecilia replied dipping one in the little pot of clotted cream before holding it out for Walter to bite into. "You have such a sweet tooth."

"I like all my things sweet!" Walter replied playfully biting into the strawberry and kissing her fingers, which caused Cecilia to giggle, and yet he found himself unmoved.

It was as though he was inside watching himself say those things and act the part of a besotted fiancé who was enjoying making up after a little tiff. He couldn't understand it, it had played out exactly as he had planned, Cecilia had been so delightfully apologetic and penitent, promising that from now on she would be subservient to his will in all things. Explaining that it had only been her nerves and continued insecurity that had made her act so out of character. He had accepted her explanation and insisted they put it behind them, wishing that he could do the same with the dreadful picnic she had insisted on feeding him.

"Walter come here." Cecilia insisted patting her lap. "Rest and relax for once my darling you work far too hard!"

Nodding Walter turned and rested his head in her lap enjoying the feel of her fingers through his hair as he sipped on his champagne and nibbled at the occasional strawberry.

"Walter…."

"Yes my love." Walter replied sleepily, his eyes closed as he enjoyed her gentle touch.

"This isn't easy for me to say and I don't want you to become cross with me but…

"But?" Walter asked his eyes now open but he hadn't moved from her lap.

"Mrs Forester, she is only an acquaintance isn't she?"

Flora….The name sent a shock through him and all Cecilia's efforts to get him to relax over lunch were now in vain. Choking slightly he retorted. "Of course, what else could she be?"

"Walter I am no fool….She is a very attractive woman…Who clearly is interested in you, why else would she visit your home and well you did say her name in the churchyard…."

Pushing up from Cecilia's embrace Walter fought to contain his anger, how could she bring that up again, it had been sorted and put to bed. "I am not interested in Flora Forester!" He added angrily. "How could you even suggest such a thing!"

"How can I not?" Cecilia replied innocently. "I love you, I am afraid of loosing you and well a woman like that will have other ways of tying you to her than I can use and you're such a gentleman, I couldn't bear to see you hurt and humiliated."

For a moment Walter frowned trying to work out what she was implying behind all those sugar coated words. "Oh no…Cecilia I assure you our meetings have been completely innocent…"

"They cannot be completely innocent Walter or you wouldn't react like that whenever I say her name!"

"I am not sure what you are impl…."

"Darling I am not cross, do not misunderstand me. I trust you, I know you would do nothing to hurt me but she might. Women have been known to do desperate things to make someone love them and you are such a lamb."

Puffing in annoyance Walter couldn't decide what was making him more furious the accusation that he might be dallying with another woman or that he would gullible enough to allow himself to be trapped into marriage. "Cecilia there has not been nor ever will be any such dalliance and you insult both my integrity and Mrs Forester's honour by implying that there might!"

"Fine then so I am completely wrong….I am always wrong!" Cecilia retorted tearfully pulling out a handkerchief and dabbing at her eyes. "If you think me such a fool Walter Corey I do not know why you want to marry me….Or is that it you haven't made up your mind…After all we haven't set a date, or talked to the vicar. You haven't even bought me an engagement ring!"

Sighing as he tried to wrap a comforting arm around her shoulders Walter reached into his pocket for the little case he had disappeared off to his room to retrieve. "Haven't I?" He muttered placing the little case in her lap and lifting the little lid to reveal an exquisite diamond.

"Oh Walter!" Cecilia gasped; even she was impressed by the size and clarity of the stones. "It's so beautiful."

"Nothing is more beautiful than you, it pales by comparison." He replied smoothly and it clearly was the right thing to say, things were just easier with Cecilia he knew what to say, how to act, with Flora he became a tongue-tied bumpkin. "Here let me." He insisted picking up the delicate ring and slipping it on her waiting finger.

"Thank you….Oh Thank you…." Cecilia gushed turning and kissing him passionately, kisses that Walter returned and yet something was missing. Pushing those thoughts aside he pulled out his pocket watch.

"It's getting late I have work."

Pouting slightly Cecilia ran her hands up around his neck. "Can't you stay and play a little while longer."

Reaching behind his neck he grasped her hands and gently removed them. "I said I have to get back to work Cecilia." And for a moment Walter was certain she would react badly, he could see the anger burning behind her eyes and then suddenly it was gone and she was all smiles again.

"Of course Walter my darling whatever you say." She replied sweetly accepting his hand to rise and his help with the basket as they headed back to the house and yet despite her easy capitulation something seemed to be off, if only he could put his finger on it.

- - -