A Sense of Fate (Perceptions Book 7) by Wendy Soliman

Author:Wendy Soliman [Soliman, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-11-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Flora woke early, feeling the warmth of a body spooned against her and hearing the sound of someone else’s rhythmic breathing. Ye gods, surely she hadn’t acted out her growing fantasy with Archie and finished up in his bed? Her eyes flew open and her gaze focused on the familiar surroundings of her own bedchamber before coming to rest upon the face of her sister, who was sleeping peacefully. The drama of the previous day came flooding back and Flora was ashamed of the momentary disappointment she experienced at not finding herself in Archie’s arms.

Shaking her head to dispel that disappointment, fresh anger coursed through her at the sight of Melanie’s bandaged hand. She mumbled in her sleep but her eyes didn’t open, and Flora brushed a strand of hair away from the smooth, creamy skin of Melanie’s face. Like Flora, she had a dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose, but unlike Flora she showed early signs of developing into a rare beauty. At that moment she looked impossibly young and defenceless, but she had found the strength of mind from somewhere to flee from their father’s abuse. Flora would now conduct a battle of wills with him on behalf of both of them, and somehow prevent Melanie from being forced to return.

She eased herself quietly from the bed, careful not to wake her sister. Tying a robe over her night attire, she lifted the doorlatch and slipped onto the landing, where she encountered Polly loading clean sheets into the linen press.

‘My sister is still asleep,’ she said softly. ‘Has the snow stopped?’

‘Yes, miss, and the sun’s come out. The roads are clear.’

‘Right, good. I want you to go into the village, Polly. Call at the modistes. They have some pretty readymade skirts that I noticed the other day. Purchase two for my sister please, along with everything else she is likely to need, and have them put the items on my account. Melanie will be staying indefinitely and we need to get enough things for her to feel comfortable straight away. We can add to them at our leisure.’

‘Leave it to me, miss. I have an idea of her size.’

‘We will allow her to sleep until you return, and then we can surprise her with her new wardrobe. Oh and, Polly, choose bright colours. Anything but grey. She and I have worn enough grey to last us both several lifetimes.’

‘Of course, miss.’

Polly took herself off and Flora attended to her ablutions. Once washed and dressed, the smell of frying bacon lured her downstairs.

‘How is the poor mite?’ Beatrice asked, as Flora seated herself and Beatrice placed a substantial breakfast in front of her.

‘Still asleep.’ Flora glanced at her plate. ‘Are you trying to fatten me up?’

‘Someone needs to. There’s nothing of you.’

‘I suspect this is the best night’s sleep Melanie has had in a long while.’ Flora scowled as she sipped at her scalding coffee. ‘Lying about in bed in my family home was discouraged.’

Beatrice sniffed.

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