Free The Flood-Tide by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

the boy too much. One would not like to make him soft, through over-indulgence.'
    ‘But I have heard how the boys live at public schools. William would not survive a week there. Besides, how could we part him from Charlotte? He would grieve terribly.’
    Allen nodded. 'Well, on the whole, I think you are right. My notion was to suggest that Edward takes William's place in the scheme. He was to go to school in any case, and Eton will be so much more of an advantage to the boy than St Edward's. It doesn't matter so much what he learns, it's who he will meet. Your brother has remained friends all his life with the boys he knew at St George's.'
    ‘Yes, Edward would take it in his stride. I don't think that boy ever notices anything. Do you think Charles would agree?'
    ‘I think so, if I speak while the plan is still hot in his mind. I'll do it after this dance.'
    ‘We are only half-way up the set. Do it now, if you like. I will sit down again,' Jemima said, and then saw the couple at the top turning to dance down. 'I must say, I am surprised to see Flora dance a third time with Lord Meldon. I sometimes think Thomas takes good nature a little too far. But they look happy enough. Lord Meldon has quite lost his sulky look.'
    ‘I should think he would,' Allen said. 'He is dancing with the second prettiest woman in the room. And since I am dancing with the prettiest of all, the scheme must wait. I would not have you sit down for the world.’
    *
    Flora's wedding took place on 3o December, in the chapel at Morland Place. The Chelmsford family came to the service, and the Fussells to the wedding breakfast, which was held at Morland Place, Jemima refusing the more elegant surroundings of Shawes on the grounds that it would break Abram's heart, but really because she wanted it to be a simple family wedding, as her own to Allen had been.
    There had not been time for a grand wedding dress, but Jemima and Alison and the two sewing maids had got together over Jemima's best blue silk, and Jemima had lent the wonderful Brussels lace from her first wedding, and the pearl half-hoop headdress which was one of the family heirlooms, and everyone agreed that Flora could not have looked lovelier if there had been six months and twelve London dressmakers to prepare for it.
    The young couple set off for London in the Chelmsford coach, accompanied by Lord Meldon and Lord Chelmsford, who left Ann and the children to finish their holiday at Shawes and who, Jemima thought, looked secretly pleased to be going back to civilization. The families parted on the best of terms, with the promise of a great deal more intercourse in the future.
    ‘I feel as though nothing exciting will ever happen again,' Charlotte said mournfully when the coach had gone. Jemima put an arm round her shoulder.
    ‘Here's something exciting already for you - I have decided that you and William are to have proper horses. So you can help me choose, and school them. It was time you were properly mounted - I thought so even before the accident.’
    It was successful in cheering Charlotte, though William took it as quietly as if it was nothing to him. Jemima noticed from time to time that he was out of sorts, but between all her usual tasks, and trying to guide Charlotte away from unsuitable horses, and trying to find out what Edward would need for Eton, she had little enough time for observing children's moods. She did, however, witness the goodbye between William and Edward when the coach was ready to take the latter away to the south.
    ‘I'm sorry it's me instead of you,' Edward said gravely as the brothers shook hands.
    ‘Yes, I am too,' William said. 'But - well, you know.' ‘Yes, I know. I'm sorry.’
    Jemima went indoors thoughtfully as the coach passed out of sight, wondering why William should be sorry not to be going. She would have liked to ask Allen about it, but he had gone with Edward, to take him on the first part of his journey, and by the time he came back, she had