Chapter 14:
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Trudging through the grime of London Walter Corey pulled his coat further about his body. The wind was biting despite it being spring and the dull and steady rain did little to lighten his spirits. Following in the footsteps of his guide he wondered just how it would take to get there, how long before he knew if this was another false lead? Perhaps coming to London at all had been a mistake; his luck certainly hadn't changed for the better. Yet it had seemed like a good idea at the time when still furious at his Mothers' revelations he had set about finding his sister or least to discover what had happened to her. It wasn't an easy task by anyone's reckoning, all he had to go on was a rough idea of when his sister had been born and of course his mother's maiden name which knowing the scandal she wouldn't have used. The lawyer he had engaged on the task seemed to think it a hopeless cause, yet whilst his pockets were being lined he was happy to indulge his client's foolishness.
Of course he could have asked his mother for more details, yet he was reluctant to even entertain that suggestion. Already he had turned away three telegrams and two letters, still not ready to hear her explanations. However although his mother seemed to have no difficulty expressing herself, he was not similarly blessed. Countless unfinished letters had been crumpled and thrown into the waste paper bin. He could only imagine what Flora must be thinking, his leaving without a word, and not a note since to explain himself. Did she think he had abandoned her? That he no longer cared? He had tried to commit his feelings to paper and yet each effort failed miserably. How could he tell her about this? It would shock her to learn the unpleasant truth not to mention that he was in fact her son's cousin by blood.
Gritting his teeth as he shivered from cold, Walter stamped his feet on the stone pavement to try and drum some heat into them.
"Not much further now sir." His guide insisted as he turned into a set of iron gateways and rang the bell for the attendant.
Blowing on his frozen hands Walter glanced up and paled at the dark imposing pile that stood before them. Despite all her lies he could only hope his mother hadn't spent her convalescence in this awful place, for a place of God it struck him as a place no god-fearing man would wish to tread. However he had little choice in the matter and when the porter came grousing and cursing to let them in he instinctively crossed himself before stepping over the threshold.
- - -
Sitting morosely in the drawing room Flora tried to concentrate on the delicate stitches of her needlework, yet try as she might she couldn't keep her mind from wandering and more often than not they wandered to Walter. Shaking her head as if to try and force such thoughts from her mind she berated herself silently. She shouldn't want to know where he was, what he was doing or why he had to leave so suddenly. Helen had made it perfectly clear she wasn't wanted by anyone named Corey and clearly that also included her son as she had heard neither hide nor hare from him in weeks.
Perhaps it had been cowardice or even dented pride that had stopped her from calling off her engagement to Edward until she heard from Walter. At first it had seemed like a wise precaution as there was no need to provoke Evelyn's ire before it was absolutely necessary. Yet now as weeks passed with not one word and all around her wedding plans were being made she was starting to realize the time to back out had long since passed her by.
"There you are!" Edward's loud cheerful voice jolted her from her daydream. "I've been looking all over the house for you."
"And now you've found me." Flora replied pleasantly setting down her sewing and forcing a small smile as her fiancé took the seat across from her.
"How do you fancy taking the trap out for a drive, it's a lovely day, perhaps we stop off in that village you like for dinner, make a proper day out of it?"
"Well…" Flora flustered searching for answer, her own feeling of wretchedness increasing when Edward's cheerfulness evaporated at her hesitation. "It's just that I had planned to go into town today, I have some preparations…"
"Do them tomorrow." Edward insisted reaching forward to catch her hand and hold it, yet instead of reassuring her Flora found the gesture only increased her determination to flee.
"I was going to take some flowers to Steven's grave…" There she'd said it and it couldn't be taken back. Flora watched as Edward quite properly reined in his disappointment and almost guilty released her hand to fumble awkwardly with his collar.
"Yes of course, I'm sorry I…"
"No it was a lovely idea." Flora insisted, inwardly reproaching herself for making such a good man feel wretched and for using her own dead husband as an excuse. "Perhaps later in the week?"
"Perhaps." Edward replied with a shy smile as he got his feet and hovered awkwardly for a few moments before backing out the door leaving her once more to her sewing and her dark thoughts.
- - -
"I'm truly sorry Mr Corey but Oak House is unable to aid you in this matter."
Biting his lip in order to quell a rude retort Walter watched as the pencil thin man who had introduced himself as Mr Trounce the Curator at Oak Tree steepled his long white fingers and glared down at his visitor over his wire rimmed spectacles.
"Unable or unwilling?" Walter asked despite his best intentions to stay civil.
Drawing a deep sneering breath through his nose Trounce pursed his mouth in irritation before replying blandly. "In such cases one is the other. Such matters are confidential after all."
"Birth certificates are a matter of public record." Walter retorted pithily but he could tell his arguments held little water with the man before him; he was an autocrat of the worse order relishing the limited power he could exercise.
"Then I suggest you go look them up in the town hall Mr Corey, now if that will be all?"
"Look here all I need to know was if you ever had a 'guest' by the name Helen Young then I will be on my way with no further questions." Walter demanded meeting and holding Trounce's eye watching as the mans' eyes widened almost imperceptibly at the name before the usual superior look replaced it.
"And I have told you I cannot help you Mr Corey. Good Day to you sir!" Trounce muttered before turning back to his paperwork ignoring Walter's continued presence in his office.
Resisting the urge to unleash his foul mood on the man Walter turned and stormed out of the asylum. His mother had been here, the way Trounce reacted and his own gut instinct told him he was right. Yet it would take a long time to search through all the local birth certificates. Perhaps it would be best if he left that particular task in the hands of his solicitor, leaving him free to return and deal with the two other women in his life.
- - -
"You stupid girl!" Evelyn spat turning on her heel as she paced up and down the study after dinner. "Edward was sullen all through dinner and it was all your fault. He may be rather simple but he is not a complete idiot and the way you have been moping, talking about going to Stephan's grave of all places, its no wonder he thinks he is rushing you…"
"I will talk to him tomorrow."
"No…no you will just mess things up. As if that wasn't your intention all along!"
"I cannot help it if he is getting cold feet!"
"Yes you can, it is your job to help it." Evelyn retorted. "You were to do everything in your power to keep that man happy and clearly you haven't been doing that, you assured me you could convince him to shorten your engagement, married within the month you guaranteed it, well there is nothing else for it we must force his hand."
"Force?" Flora asked confusion creasing her beautiful face.
"You must go to him tonight…Make up some reason, you're afraid his affection for you is waning that he doesn't care for you as much as he did, that you've done something to upset or offend him. Be distraught then make sure you spend the night, Edward is a chivalrous fool he will not prevaricate after that and if he does you can tell him you think you might be pregnant."
"No!" Flora insisted shaking her head.
Whirling around in annoyance Evelyn fixed Flora with a skin crawling glare. "What does it matter, you'll have to sleep with him after the wedding, what does a few weeks matter to a woman of your caliber?"
"What you are suggesting is monstrous!"
Snorting in derision at Flora's protests Evelyn fixed her in her gimlet gaze. "I doubt very much you would protest so much if it were a certain Mr Corey upstairs? Oh don't play the innocent I've seen the way you still look at him when you think no one is looking and in church of all places, I've seen that look on other lascivious wenches and I know perfectly well what it means. My own sister was one and you are little better but then what should I expect when you consort with such people?"
"Sister?" Flora gasped in confusion. "Stephan never mentioned an Aunt!"
"Didn't she tell you herself?" Evelyn asked innocently but her eyes narrowed slyly. "No I'm not surprised she didn't mention it, mention it and along come all those inconvenient little questions and about when and why…When people start digging its only a matter of time before they learn the truth."
"What truth?"
"About Helen's other life, her life before she married that jumped up excuse for a farmer, and her wanton behavior that brought shame on her family. The wantonness that resulted in a child, a bastard that I had to deal with or risk the ruin of my own good name!"
Sinking down into her seat Flora stared into the fire unable to reconcile this new information with the lady she had come to befriend. "So this isn't common knowledge then?"
"No of course it isn't what do you take me for a simpleton?" Evelyn demanded drawing herself up to her full height and glaring down at her daughter-in-law. "It was hushed up at the time, she was sent away and when she returned and married that peasant I was able to distance myself from her completely, few save some old friends even know of the connection."
"Does Walter?"
"Why the hell should I care what that man does or doesn't know." Evelyn spat venomously. "You however clearly do despite my warnings. Well how is this for additional motivation, if you don't somehow manage to connivance Edward of your affection then who knows what interesting little secrets I might find myself divulging? These society ladies are such gossips and despite its age well a scandal this shocking combined with his break from the Ferguson's will probably be enough to turn the entire Corey family into social pariahs."
"You wouldn't!" Flora gasped falling back against the arm of her chair as she gazed up in horror at Evelyn.
"Wouldn't I?" Evelyn replied enigmatically before turning on her heel and marching primly from the room leaving Flora to mull uncomfortably over her words.
- - -
Flora waited until the valet had taken away the bathwater, knocking gently on the door she heard Edward mutedly call out.
"Was there something you forgot Simpkins?" He asked from his place at the window bathed in the dull lamplight which was the only light in the room.
"No." Came Flora's soft reply and Edward whirled around in surprise.
"Flora what…You shouldn't…if someone saw." Edward gabbled clearly floored by the appearance of his fiancé in his bedchamber especially as he was clothed in nothing more than his dressing gown. "You should leave."
"You really want me to leave?" Flora asked feigning tears. "You've be so cross all day I couldn't sleep for worry…"
"Worry?" Edward asked clearly torn between the need to comfort her and very real taboo her presence here was breaking.
"That you didn't love me anymore that you no longer want to marry me."
"Of course I do." Edward exclaimed surprised by the unusual emotional outburst. "I just thought after this morning…You seemed so distant, you have for weeks. I thought you were having doubts that perhaps I was rushing things and now I am sure of it, I think it best if we postpone the wedding."
"Postpone it?" Flora gasped in real horror imaging just what Evelyn would have to say at that.
"I think it is for the best you need more time."
Panicking Flora began to pace. She was quickly beginning to realize that not only had she lost Walter but she was in danger of loosing Edward as well. He was a kind and generous man, William adored him and who knew what other suitor Evelyn would force on her if she turned him away. "I don't, I know what I want." Flora insisted, her voice firm and steady as she made up her mind, this time for good. "I want to be your wife!"
"Trust me Flora." Edward replied kindly trying to keep his eyes locked on her face no where else. "Given time and space you will come to see I am right, all this pressure is stifling you."
"It isn't…I've just been feeling a little unwell these past few weeks and I've pushed you away. I wouldn't be surprised if you no longer wish to marry me."
"I do, most certainly." Edward replied softly. "Never doubt my affection you my dear."
"How can I you seem so distant all of a sudden, you never touch me anymore, you haven't kissed me properly in weeks, a kiss on the hand or the cheek is not the same Edward, how can I trust you if I am uncertain of your affection for me?"
Smiling at so petulant a complaint Edward reached and cupped her cheek. "Is that all it is?"
"All? How can you call it all like it is nothing?"
"Alright you're right it is nothing I promise from now on I will pay such matters more attention, starting first thing in the morning…"
"Why the morning, what exactly is wrong with now?" Flora retorted but this time her tone was far petulant as she closed the distance between them backing a startled Edward up against the nearest bedpost.
"NO!" The vehemence of tone surprised more than Flora as for a moment Edward seemed startled as well before immediately collecting his composure. "I can't…I mean we shouldn't…We should wait until after the wedding…but perhaps you are right…perhaps we should talk to the vicar and move the date forward if you are certain it is what you want?"
Taking a deep breath Flora was for a moment glad of the shadows that hid the fleeting look of panic that crossed her face and forced herself to smile. "Yes it is." She replied relieved that she had won this battle so easily and yet there was something about Edward's reaction that continued to confuse her. Turning as he bid her good night Flora continued to ponder his slip as she made her way back to her room; surely he hadn't meant to say 'couldn't'?
- - -
Leaning back in his compartment Walter's gaze was locked on the passing countryside, the familiar scenery that told him far more accurately than the conductor just how close they were to Eastbourne. It was ironic to think that a few weeks ago he wait to be gone from the place and now he was almost impatient to be back. There was only one reason, Flora.
Reaching into his jacket pocket he fingered the package he found there. It was insane, he had been far too impulsive and yet try as he might he could not convince himself of any other course of action. After his behavior only a grand gesture of affection would do, no doubt at first she would refuse to see him but he would think of some way of convincing her to listen. Refusing to give in to his nagging doubts Walter girded himself to action, it would work; it had to work. She would be shocked but with any luck delighted and agree to his proposition that was if he could at least decide on an opening sentence.
It wasn't long until the train pulled into the station and relieved to be able to stretch his legs Walter made his way out the front to hail a cab.
"What ho Corey!" The sudden greeting jarred him from his mental musings and turning around he was most surprised to find a beaming Edward Forester bearing down on him.
"Captain Forester what a pleasant surprise a lovely day isn't it."
"Indeed truly grand. Just got in from Town?"
"Yes." Walter replied succinctly. "I had business." He added turning away from the good Captain and nodding towards a cabby, hoping that the dratted man would finally get the hint and let him be off about his business; what Edward Forester thought they had to talk about he could hardly guess.
Coughing slightly as though he got the hint Edward backed away slightly, his bonhomie fading for a moment. "Ah well you're a busy man, I hope you don't have to rush off again too soon. It can't be good for your constitution all this tooing and froing."
"Alas my time is not my own, I will probably have to return in a weeks time." Walter replied already bored with the conversation and relieved when a cab pulled up in front of him.
"But you will back in a fortnight?"
Frowning as he stepped up into the cab, Walter turned back to face the Captain. "Why a fornight?"
"Oh but of course you wouldn't have heard…." Edward expounded his mood suddenly picking up until Walter was afraid he would explode from excitement. "The wedding my good man, the wedding!"
"What wedding?"
"Why mine of course…" Edward replied even as the cab began to move and so he missed the look of horror that distorted Walter Corey's face.
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