Highgate Rise - Anne Perry [146]
“Thank you.” He stood in the middle of the carpet, twisting his helmet in his hands, and waited while she went. For a wild moment he thought of simply leaving, but his feet stayed leadenly on the floor and while his mind took flight and was halfway back to the station, his body remained, one moment hot, the next cold, in the Lutterworths’ elegant morning room.
Flora came in looking flushed and devastatingly pretty, her eyes shining. She was dressed in a deep rose-pink which was quite the most distinguished and becoming gown he had ever seen. His heart beat so hard he felt sure the shaking of his body must be visible to her, and his mouth was completely dry.
“Good morning, Constable Murdo,” she said sweetly.
“G—good morning, ma’am.” His voice croaked and squeaked alternatively. She must think him a complete fool. He drew in a deep breath, and then let it out without speaking.
“What can I do for you, Constable?” She sat down in the largest chair and her skirts billowed around her. She gazed at him most disconcertingly.
“Ah—” He found it easier to look away. “Er, ma’am—” He fixed his eyes on the carpet and the prepared words carne out in a rush. “Is it possible, ma’am, that some young gentleman, who admired you very much, might have misunderstood your visits to Dr. Shaw, and become very jealous—ma’am?” He dared not look up at her. She must see through this ruse, which had sounded so plausible alone in his room. Now it was horribly transparent.
“I don’t think so, Constable Murdo,” she said after considering it for a moment. “I really don’t know of any young gentlemen who have such powerful feelings about me that they would entertain such … jealousy. It doesn’t seem likely.”
Without thinking he looked up at her and spoke. “Oh yes, ma’am—if a gentleman had kept your company, socially of course, and met you a number of times, he might well be moved to—to such passions—that—” He felt himself blushing furiously, but unable to move his eyes from hers.
“Do you think so?” she said innocently. She lowered her eyes demurely. “That would suppose him to be in love with me, Constable—to quite an intense degree. Surely you don’t believe that is so?”
He plunged in—he would never in his wildest dreams have a better opportunity. “I don’t know whether it is, ma’am—but it would be very easy to believe. If it is not so now, it will be—There are bound to be many gentlemen who would give everything they possessed to have the chance to earn your affections. I mean—er—” She was looking at him with a most curious smile, half interested and half amused. He knew he had betrayed himself and felt as if there were nothing in the world he wanted so much as to run away, and yet his feet were rooted to the floor.
Her smiled widened. “How very charming of you, Constable,” she said softly. “You say it as if you really believed I were quite beautiful and exciting. It is certainly the nicest thing anyone has told me for as long as I can remember.”
He had no idea what to say, no idea at all. He simply smiled back at her and felt happy and ridiculous.
“I cannot think of anyone who might entertain such emotions that they could have harmed Dr. Shaw on my account,”she went on, sitting up very straight. “I am sure I have not encouraged anyone. But of course the matter is very serious, I know. I promise you I shall think about it hard, and then I shall tell you.”
“May I call in a few days’ time to learn what you have to say?” he asked.
The corners of her mouth curled up in a tiny smile.
“I think, if you don’t mind, Constable, I would rather discuss it somewhere where Papa will not overhear us. He does tend to misunderstand me at times—only in my best interest, of course. Perhaps you would be good enough to take a short walk with me along Bromwich Walk? The weather is still most pleasant and it would not be disagreeable. If you would meet me at the parsonage end, the day after tomorrow, we might walk up to Highgate, and perhaps find a lemonade stall to refresh ourselves?