Chapter 12:
Walter Corey was a man on a mission, a mission to get completely and utterly drunk, enough to forget he had ever heard the name Forester and then after finding a nice comely looking lass head back to hers for some very timely and much needed relief. Well that was the plan things just weren't progressing the way he had expected. His letters had been returned to him, the flowers he sent were never accepted, it seemed as though he were suddenly a leaper as far as Flora Forester was concerned. He had even subjected himself to the humiliation of waiting for her after church, hopeful of catching a brief moment alone, but she had avoided his gaze and before he could even speak had vanished with that damn Captain.
So he had done what any self respecting man would do, he had vowed to forget her and had found the nearest inn and settled down in a quite corner with a steady stream of ale. The innkeeper realising here was a man with a definite thirst and deep pockets had been happy to keep him supplied and before long Walter had found himself with friends he never knew he had, or more to the point friends he didn't even know but that didn't matter as long as the drinks kept coming and the conversation avoided mention of a particular family. That was hardly a problem as the people with whom he were drinking were hardly in the same social group as the Foresters yet conversation had turned to someone he knew. Dragging his gaze away from the bottom of his tankard he tried to focus on the young man who had just spoken, Martin somebody or other or was it somebody Martins?
"I told you what Dora said, if they aren't engaged well then I'll eat my hat!"
"If you had one!" One of the regulars retorted causing the group to burst out laughing. "Besides who bugger cares what gentleman is wooing what lady it's naught to do with us!"
"Forester? Flora Forester?" Walter suddenly demanded causing the group to turn to him surprise as it was the first time their silent benefactor had chosen to speak.
"Aye...Her and that War hero."
"Captain Forester?" Walter demanded his throat suddenly constricting at the thought. It wasn't possible surely Flora would have confided in him if Edward had proposed, she had seemed so insistent she didn't hold those feelings for Edward.
"Aye, our Dora is friends with Mrs Forester and she swears she's saw the pair this very afternoon going into the jewelers, very cozy they were too!" Philip Martin added leaning forward conspiratorially surprised when his rapt audience of one suddenly got to his feet and dragged him up by his collar.
"It's a damn lie!" Walter spat in the younger man's face shaking the poor lad by the collar until the older fellows managed to pry him loose.
"Alright she must have been mistaken." Philip gasped quickly retaking his seat and rethinking his gossiping tendencies for the first time. "I'm sorry."
Snorting Walter quickly finished his pint before reaching into his pocket and removing a rather heavy purse, which he tossed clumsily in the barman's direction before staggering towards the exit not waiting for his change so intent was he on finding out the truth for himself. It simply couldn't be true and if he had to confirm it by going to the source then that was just what he would do, he didn't care what the time was or what state he was in, he just had to find Flora and there was nothing Evelyn Forester could say that would change his mind.
- - -
"Hmmm Very nice." Evelyn nodded in approval as she finally finished her examination of the engagement ring. "Not too flashy, but a nice cut and quality stone. I congratulate you Edward."
"Well Flora selected it, I would have bought the entire shop if it would have made her happy, but she insisted something simple." Edward expounded proudly, turning to gaze lovingly at his bride to be who sat beside him and returned his smile with a small one of her own. Accepting the ring back from Evelyn Edward eagerly returned it to Flora's finger placing a chaste kiss on her knuckles before taking her hand in between his own.
"Did you see the Vicar?"
"No…" Flora replied hesitantly watching as Evelyn's eyes narrowed disapprovingly. "We spent too long in the jewelers."
"I see well no matter I will simply have to invite him over here for tea, that way you can talk at leisure." Evelyn suggested sweetly smiling as Edward agreed wholeheartedly and Flora quietly muttered her thanks. "After all there is no need for an extended engagement."
"That suits me, I would gladly marry my darling Flora tomorrow if it could be arranged!" Edward declared proudly so content in his own happiness that he missed the fleeting look of panic that crossed his fiancée's face.
"Yes well it was a busy day, I really should be turning in." Flora added before Evelyn could suggest such a proposition. Smiling as Edward the consummate gentleman struggled to his feet despite the ache all the days walking had no doubt caused in his leg.
"Good night my darling." He whispered catching her hand and bringing it to his lips.
"Good night…Edward…Mother…" Flora replied unable to meet and hold his eye, only too relieved when she could turn and flee to her room, yet even there she no longer felt safe. The walls seemed to be closing in on her, leaving her little room to breath let alone move. Sitting down at her vanity she glanced down at the lovely solitaire that sparkled innocently on her ring finger. It should have been a source of joy and delight but instead whenever she glanced at it all she felt was an inevitable dread. Wrenching it off her finger Flora threw it into her jewelry bow closing the lid with a definite slam before storming over to her bed, but as she lay staring up and the ceiling she realized the knowledge of her commitment would be far harder to shift than the symbol had been. She doubted she would get much sleep that night.
- - -
It was only as it started to rain that Walter began to seriously reconsider the soundness of his plan. It had seemed such a good idea when in the warm alcoholic haze of the inn but wandering through the streets of Eastbourne when the weather was foul had soon lost its appeal. Yet he was determined and now a touch soberer especially after a quick tussle with a passing tramp who until Walter's right hook deterred him had been intent of relieving him of his remaining pocket change.
Shivering in the icy temperatures he practically ran up the long drive to the Forester house, trembling as the rain soaked through the silk shirt he was wearing and for the first time he questioned his decision of going to the pub straight from church it would have been an odious chore at least he might have been warmer. His sour mood was not improved when he arrived at the house, as every window was dark, all the lights had been extinguished as the inhabitants had wisely made the decision to retire.
Cursing his own stupidity at not realising the lateness of the hour Walter turned, intending to trudge down through the gardens and make the arduous journey back to his own cottage, but the flicker of moving candlelight in the darkened house caught his attention. Realising the bearer had disappeared round to the back of the house and presuming it was some servant or other Walter supposed that he could at least beg a towel or a coat of some sort off the wandering servant so he darted round the side of the house hopeful the maid would listen to him and not scream the bloody house down.
Squinting against the rain as he tried to peer in through the Scullery window Walter cupped his hands against the glass before settling for pounding on the Scullery door. For a moment the light in the kitchen didn't move but then it slowly moved towards his window.
"Who's there?" A timid and clearly female voice inquired.
Sighing in relief Walter answered with his name and a garbled story about being mugged, hoping that his plight would appeal to her sense of compassion, which it clearly did as a moment later the door was unbarred and opened wide enough for him to enter.
"I'll get you a towel." His mysterious benefactor muttered turning and scampering off in the darkness leaving him her candle. Standing on the flagstone floor as he dripped everywhere Walter continued to shiver uncontrollably surprised when the kitchen lamps suddenly flared to life and he caught sight of her for the first time.
"Flora!"
Smiling politely as she pulled her shawl closer to her she wordlessly handed him a large towel and waved him towards a nearby bench before moving to put a kettle on the stove. It was only as he tried to towel dry his hair and wrung the remaining water from his shirt that Walter noticed her attire and the used tea cup that lay waiting on the table.
"Couldn't sleep?" He asked hesitantly, his awkwardness only increasing as the reality of his foolishness really sank in.
"Something like that." Flora replied softly turning round and fixing him with an appraising gaze her eyes widening suddenly. "You're bleeding!"
"I am?" Walter retorted in surprise his hands flying to his face surprised when they came back stained red. "It's nothing…"
"It's not nothing Walter!" Flora scolded returning to the Scullery where she picked up a spare cloth and a bowel, which she filled with a little warm water from the kettle. "Now hold still."
That was not a hard command to follow as the moment Flora's gentle fingers touched the side of his face and she began to methodically clean his graze, picking what seemed like grit from the cut before bathing it with the warm water, Walter wanted to be nowhere else. Holding himself still as a statue it became harder and harder to breath he didn't want to destroy such a moment, staring up at the look of single minded determination on Flora's face. He had never had a better opportunity of observing her up close, and if it were possible she seemed even more beautiful wrapped in a simple shawl with her long curls down about her shoulders than she was dressed up in silks and satins. It took a moment for Flora to become aware of this close scrutiny but the sudden blush on her cheeks and the way her normally steady hand trembled as she finished tending to his wound, all indicated she was as affected by this sudden intimacy as he was.
Realising that this was just the opening he was looking for to make his own real intentions known Walter reached up and caught her hand before she could pull away, watching as Flora's dark eyes widened suddenly in surprise but she did not try to flee from his grasp. "Thank you, you have a very gentle touch." That compliment deepened the blush and broke the tense silence that had descended and Walter sighed as Flora pulled her hand away covering her embarrassment as she fussed with the tea things.
Deciding to ease them into the conversation Walter settled on what he thought was a safe topic. "I haven't seen young William about these last few days I hope the boy is well, I was starting to worry it's not like him too be missing." However clearly that was the wrong thing to say as it affected Flora's grip on the teaspoon and half the caddy ended up in the pot.
Cursing under her breath as she tried to retrieve the leaves Flora muttered. "No he's fine."
Realising that clearly more was going on in the Forester family than he was aware of and evidently somehow he was involved, Walter decided to push the topic. "Well has he said anything to you?"
"Oh no well you know boys he's probably found something else to occupy him…" Flora replied vaguely but he could tell from her voice she knew more much more than she was saying.
"Have I done anything to upset the lad I know I can be a bit gruff sometimes perhaps if I apologized?"
"No." Flora retorted suddenly her entire body rigid. "You haven't done anything wrong."
"Perhaps it is not William that I owe the apology too?" Walter muttered standing up slowly from the chair and walking over to where Flora was working, but from the confused look on her face and the distracted way she fussed with the crockery Walter was sure he was right. "Well it is obvious now I have upset you, did you tell William not to visit is that it? Perhaps if you told me what was wrong then I could apologize and we could get back to…?"
"Back to what being friends?" Was Flora's only icy reply. "I don't think that ever described us Mr Corey."
"Very good friends." Walter replied sincerely. "Or at least I thought we were, why have you been avoiding me Flora?"
"Mrs Forester." She corrected before adding. "And I haven't been avoiding you Mr Corey I have been very busy." Flora retorted her cheeks now flushing with embarrassment as she avoided even glancing at him.
Feeling his own temper flare at her blatant double standards Walter spoke before he thought. "Yes I suppose becoming engaged to a certain house guest would keep you very busy!" That certainly got her attention as she whirled round in shock her mouth dropping open. "Far too busy for your friends."
"How did you…"
"So it is true and I thought, no I hoped the only reason you had been avoiding me was because of my behaviour the other day at the church…well when I left in rather a hurry. I thought it for the best what with Evelyn turning up, that an apology would be enough but it seems you already made you decision."
"What decision…What choice?" Flora spat back angrily. "How dare you come here and lecture me, you who….who…"
"Who what?"
"Saw fit to for a better word lead me on when you were already engaged to another woman, then when you finally deigned to show an interest in me it was all in a riddle, telling me you'd wait for me, then vanishing at the first sign of difficulty, just what exactly was I supposed to be waiting for Mr Corey? A lot of hot air and no promises!" Flora retorted sharply but her words had quite the opposite effect to the one she was expecting as instead of growing even angrier Walter smiled smugly.
"So you do have deeper feelings for me. Admit it Flora you don't give a jot for that fiancé of yours!"
"You…You impossible man!" Flora exclaimed moving over to the stove to pick up the now steaming kettle so distracted by her rant that she forgot to pick up the cloth from the side. "It is of no consequence now…You never gave me a choice, you never gave me any indication that you desired a more permanent attachment and I have more than myself to consider …."
"Marry me then!" Walter snapped surprising himself by the offer.
"What?" Flora turned round in wonder kettle in hand before suddenly dropping it with a yelp back onto the stove, cradling her scalded hand.
"Let me see." Walter insisted pushing all thoughts of her reaction from his mind, concerned that she might have done herself some damage. "I'll get you a wet cloth that should ease it."
A moment later and he was back by her side and after giving the small scald his full scrutiny he slowly wrapped it with the cloth ensuring the makeshift bandage was secure. "There that should do." He muttered more to himself as he suddenly became aware how very close they were standing; glancing up for the first time he caught Flora gazing at him in wonder. He should have stepped back, he should have explained how he felt and his true motives for being at her house in the middle of the night but he didn't. Instead he slid his arm round her waist savoring the sudden warmth of her body as it pressed against his still damp frame, his other hand moving to caress her cheek before running into her hair as he lent down and kissed her.
Brushing his lips gently against hers he coaxed a response, playful and suddenly eager Flora responded quickly threading her own arms round his neck she ran her fingers into his wet hair and pulled him more firmly against her. Growling softly Walter pressed her back against the sideboard his hand now free to explore and it moved eagerly over the soft curves slipping under the confines of her shawl, skimming her sides and eliciting shivers of excitement from Flora and Walter was surprised when she turned into his caress.
Reluctantly pulling away Walter met Flora's delirious gaze. "That was…" He added smiling brightly when Flora beamed back at him.
"I didn't know it could be like that." She replied softly suddenly shy as that knowledge increased his smile ten-fold. "No one ever kissed me like that before?"
"But your husband…."
"It wasn't the same." She replied honestly a blush gracing her features.
"But…"
"Walter I just told you it wasn't." Flora snapped but there was no venom in her words just embarrassment. "Stephan wasn't the most experienced or well enthusiastic husband he never kissed me like that and then when I fell pregnant almost immediately after we were married and he didn't want to risk the baby, he didn't touch me after that."
"He was an utter fool." Walter replied. "How can any man be married to you and not 'kiss' you at every possible occasion."
Batting his arm playfully Flora reached down and tried to restrain Walter's wandering hands. "Perhaps some have more self control than others."
"Perhaps?" Walter retorted leaning down to capture her lips for a brief kiss. "But I pity them for it..." He added deepening the kiss unable to contain his joy as she kissed him back until the sudden shrill whistle of the kettle jolted them back to their senses.
"Walter no….god what were we thinking. Look where we are!" Flora added when Walter continued to stare at her in confusion before realisation settled in and he reluctantly stepped away from her, cursing under his breath as she immediately tightened the grip on her shawl.
Sighing Walter crossed his arms across his chest. "I note you still haven't given me an answer, you don't regret…"
"No I don't… But we have to be careful Walter being caught would be bad enough but perhaps considering the strength of our…well our ability to get a little carried away, what if there were other consequences..."
"A child?" Walter asked softly surprised when Flora blushed at the thought. "That doesn't sound like so terrible a consequence to me…Do you not want more children."
"Yours?" Flora asked smiling softly when Walter nodded suddenly seriously. "How could I not, but now would not be the right time…You were engaged to Cecilia only the other month and I…"
"Have to break off with Edward Forester." Walter insisted tersely. "I mean it Flora I will not share you."
"I will I promise but I have to let him know gently he is a good man Walter and his affection is genuine."
Snorting in amusement Walter kissed her gently before retorting. "I don't doubt his affection is genuine Madam it's his intentions that I worry about."
"He is a good man he wouldn't try to take advantage of our situation." Flora retorted defensively and Walter bristled at her tone.
"He is a man Madam, and a man scorned is likely to do any number of out of character things."
"Like you?" Flora retorted sharply.
"Like me!" Walter conceded.
"Tell me Walter am I one of your out of character actions, is it simply because of Edward, is that why you are here that you cannot bear the idea of another man getting one over on you?"
"No I am here because I know you don't love Edward, I was concerned for you and I came to put a stop to it. I will not allow it!"
"You won't allow, let me tell you now Walter Corey that I have had enough of being ordered around to last me a lifetime and if you think tha…" Flora suddenly stopped as Walter pulled her against him kissing her passionately.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you you're beautiful when you're angry? Are you going to tease me indefinitely woman hang the consequences, I asked you a question you still have not given me an answer!"
"No not indefinitely but not now…not here, I can't answer Walter I am not free to agree to marry you."
"Tomorrow!" Walter replied and it wasn't a question it was a command. "You will break your engagement tomorrow and then come to the farm, we have much to discuss."
However instead of bristling at his tone Flora tried to placate him. "I have the church group tomorrow."
"Come afterwards, come to the farm I have my own cottage we wouldn't be disturbed." Walter muttered gently kissing the tip of her nose.
"I'll try. I can't promise."
Nodding as he realised that was the best answer he was going to get Walter kissed her gently once more before leading them both to the Scullery door. Glancing outside he noted with some satisfaction that at least the rain had stopped but Flora's next action surprised him as she took her shawl and wrapped it round his shoulders.
"It'll keep you warm, I don't want you getting a chill because of me."
"Tomorrow?"
Smiling broadly Flora kissed him gently before playfully shoving him out into the garden, nodding she watched as his smile brightened before shutting the door behind her.
- - -