Chapter 15:

It was the night before her wedding and any normal bride would have been looking forward in eager anticipation to her happy day but as she stared in her vanity mirror that had been a gift from her fiancé, Flora had to admit she was as far from a typical bride as it was possible to be. Glancing across the room at where her wedding dress stood she had to squash the feelings of nausea just looking at it provoked. Evelyn had put it there deliberately of that she had no doubt, it was just the sort of malicious action her mother-in-law would do, to rub in her victory and crush any remaining hopes Flora might have of a reprieve.

Setting down her brush she stared at her reflection, but she couldn't linger long, she didn't recognise the woman staring back at her anymore, she was the fiancé of Captain Edward Forester not simple Flora Forester nee Ryan. Fighting back the tears Flora grasped the brush and taking one last look at her reflection took all her anger and threw the brush at the glass, smiling in satisfaction as the hard backed brush shattered the mirror. She'd already had her seven years bad luck, ever since Stephen's death her life had been under a cloud, she might as well have the satisfaction of breaking a damn mirror.

"Mrs Flora are you alright?"

"I'm fine." The lies slid automatically from her lips. "I slipped; I think I'll take a walk."

"Better take your wrap it looks like rain." The maid advised but Flora shook it off.

"I won't go far." She muttered heading down the stairs and into the garden yet after a few moments of unsatisfactory pacing back and forth she still wasn't able to shift the knot of tension that was gnawing at her belly. The heavily charged atmosphere made the air feel cloying and the scent of the roses sickened her. Turning on her heel Flora strode out of the garden, and on to the lane, not caring about the rain that threatened or even where she was going, she kept walking, half running as if the very denizens of hell were at her heels.

Perhaps it was fate or perhaps it was her own will that carried her towards the Corey farm. It had been hard enough to stay away since she had learnt of Walter's return, yet he had made no efforts to seek out, instead he seemed to split his time between his farm and London so that anyone had scarce caught more than a glimpse of him. She had only caught sight of him once, when she was coming out the dressmaker her final fitting for her wedding dress complete. She had been so engrossed in her own thoughts she barely noticed when he crossed her path, but something had caught her eye and she looked up only to meet his fuming gaze. The look of disgust on his face had been almost palpable and before she had opened her mouth to speak he was gone. He had returned to London not due to return for some time, she would not see him again till after she was married.

Instead she had to content herself with standing on the hill overlooking his home. This was as close as they could be. Tomorrow she would marry Edward and put all further thought of Walter out of her mind, tonight was about saying good bye. Putting away those girlish romantic notions once and for all so she could be the sort of wife Edward needed and deserved. She didn't even notice when it first started to rain, nor when the light drizzle turned into a downpour. Only when the lights in the Corey farmhouse went out one by one did she stir herself and realize just how late it had become. Gathering her skirts she half ran half slipped down the slope heading for the lane. Blinking against the rain she struggled against the weather realizing quickly she would have to find some sort of shelter.

After a few minutes struggling she spotted something that might do. Pushing past the open gate she stumbled into yet another field, grimacing when she sank up to her ankles in mud and slush as she struggled to the cowshed. Freezing suddenly when she realized she was no longer alone.

- - -

The sudden gasp jarred Walter Corey out of his melancholy; staring out the glassless window at the torrential rain he wondered just what fool had decided to go walking in such weather. Not in the mood for company he ignored and hoped whoever it was would get the message and go away but instead of leaving the intruder waited expectantly in the rain. Whatever or whomever he had been expecting it certainly wasn't a drenched Flora Forester, standing on his land in nothing but a simple day dress which was by now soaked to the skin.

"Can I come in?" She muttered shivering as she continued to wait in the rain.

Unable to speak Walter simply stood aside and allowed her to brush past him, his heart clenching painfully at the brief contact it had been so long and yet he still felt his pulse quicken at the very sight of her. "What do you want Mrs Forester?"

"I….I…was walking…" Flora began but she couldn't continue the chattering of her teeth and the very real sobs that wracked her frame made it impossible.

"You'd better dry off before you catch your death, stupid woman what possessed you to wander this far from home, surely you must have realised there would be a storm tonight?" Walter spat angry at what he assumed was a foolish coincidence that landed Flora Forester practically on his doorstep the night before her wedding.

"No…I was promised a lesson on English weather once but that promise was never fulfilled." Flora muttered bitterly keeping as far away this new disdainful Walter as possible.

"The Pewitts are only a step or two further up the lane…They will have towels and tea, and could see about getting you home, your fiancé is no doubt distraught over your disappearance." He added sullenly unable even to look at her, instead turning to sooth his tethered horse. Patting his flank in reassurance and hoping that by the time he turned round the dratted woman would have left. How dare she come here now and stir up things that were better left dead and buried. So engrossed in his task and muttering about bloody woman under his breath he didn't notice the figure standing just behind him until he turned and came with a few inches of her. She looked frozen, her normally luminous skin was unnaturally pale and her dark hair was plastered down against it. Forcing down the instinctive concern for her health Walter grudgingly shook of his jacket, it was almost dry but it was warm, yet he couldn't bring himself to place about her shoulders himself so instead he held it at arms length for her to take. "Take it and go, we wouldn't want your fiancé to worry about your honour now would we?""

Meeting his gaze determinedly Flora stepped forward closing the distance between them, Walter's large coat hanging loosely off of her slender frame.

Scowling at her continued stubbornness Walter snapped testily. "Are you incapable of doing as you are asked…."

However his tirade was suddenly cut short when Flora suddenly held up a hand and silenced him, her fingers resting gently on his lips, which she traced slowly with her fingertips. No word, that was what she meant, no talk just action. For a moment they both stood barely inches apart neither moving each waiting for the other to make the first move. Uncertain just what she was offering after all the games Walter waited, his body was screaming at him to act but still he waited. "Please." Flora whispered and the need in her voice was apparent.

That was all the encouragement Walter required stepping forward he let his hands drop, rounding the gentle dip of her waist, which he gripped firmly pulling her body roughly against his for the first time in months. Leaning down he captured her lips, one hand moving under his coat to explore her breast whilst kept a tight hold on her waist lest she should change her mind. Yet she showed no sign of doing that, instead she returned his kiss with an equally passionate one of her own, her fingers threading into his hair. But it wasn't enough and clearly Flora agreed with him as a moment later he found himself being pulled to the nearest hay bail and on top of her. For a moment his sense of honour protested but then he felt the heat of her skin against his and in that moment he knew he was lost.

"I love you."

The words were whispered so softly that for a moment Walter wasn't sure if they were real or simply the fevered imaginings of his own addled mind. Glancing up he caught sight of Flora's face, her eyes bright with tears which ran freely down her cheeks. "I love you Walter." She whispered reverently and he knew she meant every word. Reaching up he brushed the tears from her cheeks kissing them softly before claiming her lips.

"Stay?" Walter pleaded, his smile brightening when she nodded he didn't know how long she would stay, whether it would be the night or forever but one thing was certain he was going to cherish each moment for who knew when it would their last.

- - -

Lying on her side Flora watched as Walter slept, she watched every tiny detail every breath, every twitch, every little idiosyncrasy that was only Walter. She had to remember everything because this would be the first and last time she could. Smiling sadly as he turned and mumbled her name in his sleep Flora wondered if he was dreaming happy dreams for them both, of a world where she didn't have to leave when the sun rose but could stay in his arms and live the life they both wanted. But the sun did rise and instead of waking him Flora slipped quietly from his bed gathering her now dry clothes and dressing quickly, she knew she should have woken him, that it was cruel to let him wake and for a moment hope and wonder where she was before the truth shattered him. It was cowardly to slip out but Flora had so little bravery left, and what reserves she had she needed for later that day, so brushing a soft kiss against his temper and stifling her sobs she left her love sleeping.

- - -

It didn't take long for the sun's early morning rays to wake Walter, being a farmer his body was attuned to early rising no matter what the exertions of the day or even night before. Sitting up it took him a moment to notice his unusual surroundings, but more importantly the lady in question was missing. Placing his hand on the space beside him Walter buried his head into the dented hay breathing in her scent surprised when he found lingering warmth still clinging to the coat, she couldn't have left long before.

For a moment he lay still before jumping up, he couldn't allow this; she'd slipped out without facing him for one reason and one reason only that she didn't dare face him and instead of discouraging him it quite the opposite effect. If she were afraid to face him it wouldn't be because she feared his anger, no Flora had never feared courting that but because she was afraid of something else, possibly that her reasons for going through with this charade might not survive his scrutiny. Pulling on his boots and trousers, he didn't even bother to button his shirt Walter rushed to un-tethered his horse.

Being on horseback had a distinct advantage over being on foot and geeing up the gelding Walter sped off along the lane to town as of all four horsemen of the apocalypse were behind him. It didn't take long to catch up with her, as Flora didn't seem to be in any particular hurry to get home she was so lost in her thoughts even Walter's arrival didn't jar her from them. However his sudden presence in front of her grabbing at her arms and shaking her out of her stupor was enough even to rouse Flora.

"Thought you'd just slip away did you?"

"Walter please…." Flora began softly her voice tinged with weary exhaustion and resignation. "Just let me go."

"No you cannot go through with this I won't allow it."

"You don't have any choice this is my decision."

"You don't love him why are you doing this, because he's a good man, because he was injured fighting for his country, because you feel guilty…Tell me I have to understand, you owe me that at least!" He added his grip on her shoulders increasing and for the first time Flora glanced up, wincing as she caught sight of the agony on his face.

"I never wanted to hurt you."

"Too late you already have, now stop changing the subject. Why do you have to marry him…Are they making you do this?" Walter demanded surprised when Flora flinched at his words. "So I am right this wasn't your decision."

Staring at him in disbelief Flora suddenly found her own anger. "Well of course it isn't my choice Walter! Do you really think I would choose this…Any of this?"

"No." Walter replied softly brushing her cheek his fingertips gently wiping away the tears that began to slide down her face.

"Evelyn…Evelyn told me if I didn't marry Edward and secure the rest of the Forester money then she would disinherit William, she can you know because the Forester money it isn't Forester money, well at least not on this side of the family. Stephan's father was the second son and as such the family money went to his elder brother Edward's father. So he married into money, Evelyn's money and it's hers to do with as she pleases and it pleases her to use it to torture me."

"Is that what this is all about money…you'd give up everything we have to be secure?"

"No!" Flora spat back angrily. "Do you really think I am that low, if I didn't go through with the wedding I would be thrown out, William would be disinherited and…" She broke off sudden realising what she was saying and who she was saying it too.

"And?" Walter prompted surprised when Flora remained adamantly silent. "And, come on you've told me this much what more is there?"

"I can't tell you this Walter, believe me it's not in your interest to know." Flora replied softly pulling herself loose from his grasp and turning to continue her journey.

Something about her words suggested more than she was saying and so striding along to keep pace Walter suddenly exclaimed. "That's it it's about me isn't it…Evelyn threatened me and you're going through with this to protect me, what did she tell you?"

"Please just leave it."

Sighing Walter realised there was one particular secret Evelyn could have told Flora, something that the old woman had successfully used over him to keep him away from her until it was too late. Yet if it wasn't then he risked telling the whole sordid story for nothing, to risk exposing his family's honour and yet if he was right... "Is it about my sister?"

Freezing suddenly in her steps Flora turned sharply her face pale. "How did…"

"Evelyn." Was the simple answer. "She told me to stay away from you if I didn't she would tell everyone about her."

"She told me the same thing." Flora muttered. "I wanted so much to tell you if I had any idea you already knew…"

"We've been such fools, let that woman use our fears, manipulate us, well no longer! This stops now I won't allow her poison to ruin any more lives."

"But Walter…"

"No buts Flora, don't you see you give in now and you will never be free. She will run your life for you, she'll run William's life for him…Do you really want him to be forced into the Forester tradition sent into the army before his brain and backbone have a chance to develop?"

"It won't be like that Edward will take us away he will look after us Walter, he's a good man and he loves me, loves me enough to look after us both…"

"So do I!" Walter retorted indignantly. "Do you not think I would love the boy as my own, raise him as I would our children, care and provide for his future?"

"I couldn't ask that of you."

"Why not you'd expect it of him, marry me…" Walter insisted moving to kneel in front of her stopping her in her tracks. "Marry me?"

"It's too late Walter." Flora replied but he could tell from the way her voice wavered she was trying to convince herself. "I couldn't do that to Edward he doesn't deserve to be used like this."

"What would be worse hurting him now or destroying him later, Evelyn will hold it over you for the rest of your life. If you disagree with her she will threaten to tell him the truth, secrets like this will always come out eventually. How will it be then the wife he thought married him out of choice, the children he thought she gave him out of love were actually born of blackmail that would destroy him!"

For a moment Flora opened her mouth to protest but the words wouldn't come, he was right how could she have been so blind, she knew what Evelyn was capable of and she would be happy to threaten Flora's security if she thought it would gain her an advantage. "But…"

"No buts love, if you care for him at all let him have the chance of a future free of that woman's influence. She is using him too and in truly a worse way than you, she's taken advantage of his feelings to further her own ends and if you have any human compassion Flora you cannot permit it to continue."

Sinking to her knees until she sat next to him in the dust Flora rested her head wearily against his shoulder. "She will tell everyone about your mother, your sister…You'd risk ruin for me?"

Chuckling mirthlessly Walter nodded his hand moving to cup her loose curls, which he teased soothingly between his fingers. "I'd risk my life for you what is a little gossip?"

"But your mother?"

"Mother has made her own bed let her lie in it. I refuse to let her past stand in the way of my future, I was too foolish and stubborn then to listen to turn away from you before, it is a mistake I will not be repeating." He replied resolutely leaning down and kissing her forehead, trailing his lips down her nose until he caught her lips. "It would kill me to lose you now."

Sighing softly Flora nuzzled into his shoulder, for the first time in months she felt happy, the weight of the secrets she had been carrying now shared with Walter seemed infinitely lighter and were it not completely inappropriate she would have laughed with sheer relief. Yet there was still one worrying niggle that soured her joy. "How are we…What are we going to do, how will we tell them. I couldn't bear it Walter, Evelyn will twist everything and Edward will be crushed and just how am I going to explain this to William…."

Sighing in relief at her change of heart Walter held her tight as if he could somehow transfer his strength to her. "Shush let me deal with it, you're coming home with me. Now no arguments." He added when Flora went to contradict him. "You are worn out and need to rest, you can write him a letter explaining everything and I will take it over and deal with the consequences."

Nodding her agreement Flora trailed her fingers down his bare chest relishing the feel of his strong arms around her. "Promise me you'll be careful."

"I'll be careful." Walter replied shuddering at the sensation of her fingertips making a decision to get her home as quickly as possible, although the letter writing might have to be delayed.

"No fighting?" Flora asked smirking against his shoulder as she felt Walter shiver slightly, his entire frame tense, in suspense for her next move.

"I won't start any." Walter replied honestly kissing her softly as his desire for her increased. "But if pushed I will finish it." He added getting to his feet and offering her his hand suddenly anxious to be home.

Tutting Flora allowed him to pull her to her feet before eyeing the horse with concern. Realising her unspoken fear Walter wrapped his arm gently round her waist before gathering the reins leading them both back along the lane, the horse would have been quicker but then anticipation would only add to the experience.

- - -