Friendly Chats | Henry & Flora
Everyone had been invited to the Royal Residence in the country for the day. Most of the men had gone out early to hunt, but Henry (who never cared much for the activity) had spent the night before drinking and wasn’t interested in arriving much before noon. When he did arrive, he found that the company was still mostly ladies, as they were waiting for the men to return.
He had been trying to coax Charles away from his reading, but it was soon clear that he only had interest in his books and nothing Henry could say would change his mind.
Henry was on a solitary walk in the upper yard, when he saw Flora Lowry approach, “Miss Lowry!” He smiled and bowed his head, “You look lovely as ever. I’m so happy to see that you are one of our party. I’ve been trying to find a willing croquet partner, but no one seems to want to take me up on the offer. Would you care to join me for a game?” Henry asked. “That is - at least until your brother discovers us and gives me one of his withering stares and I decide that I’m finished for the day and leave you alone.” He teased.
Henry and Edward had never been fond of each other. He did believe that Edward, for all of his faults, did genuinely care for his sister, but beyond that, Henry did not trust him. He certainly could not trust that he seemed to have a good relationship with both of Henry’s siblings (any friend of Edith’s was like to have something wrong with them and when someone like Edward took a liking to John, Henry was always suspicious of their true motives).
And while something about Edward put Henry made even Henry feel cautious around him, he was never afraid to stand up to him, either, which had done nothing to help the relationship. And neither did, Henry knew, his continuous (although harmless) flirting with his most beloved sister.
