Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
“It all began a long time ago with Gerald’s-I mean, the Duke of Clemont’s grandmother. She wished to establish a legacy, one that would help people in need. Over the years, many children have been sheltered under its roof. Tonight you can meet the current residents,” Clara said.
“It is a noble cause. What will you use the funds for?” Lady Johnson asked. She, along with a number of other people, was clustered around Clara, who had been fielding such questions the entire evening.
It was a little frustrating having to answer the same questions over and over again, but she supposed it was only fair that these people understand what their donations were going to be used for. If she were giving this much money to a cause, then she would probably like to know as well.
Of course, frustration was already racing through her mind because of Gerald. They hadn’t seen each other much this evening because they had been busy welcoming the guests, although the night was not in full swing yet.
“All we really seek is to improve things for the children. The building has undergone repairs recently, thanks to the generosity of His Grace. However, we would like to improve the interior of the house, especially the children’s rooms to keep out the winter cold.
We’d also like to buy new toys and books, for some of them have been at St. Margaret’s since the founder’s days.
We’d also like to invest in more learning materials, and perhaps even a tutor to give the children all the tools they need to reach their potential.
I have been educating them as best I can, but I have not had any formal training,” Clara said.
The others murmured and nodded, seeming to find Clara’s plans admirable.
Clara smiled, feeling the sharpness of the anxiety lessen the more conversations she had.
Gerald had been right to tell her not to worry.
The people in attendance were merely looking for an excuse to donate money.
They didn’t come to the gala to be persuaded, and it was a great relief to know that St. Margaret’s would be receiving something at the end of the night.
In the coming days she would be able to talk with Lord Ashcombe about how best to invest the money.
She already knew what the priorities should be, and hoped that Lord Ashcombe would accept her judgments.
It helped to plan something for the future; else she would have been left adrift, wondering what she would do without Gerald.
For a moment she gazed across the ballroom at him, and her heart skipped a beat. Thankfully, there were plenty of people to distract her, and she was able to put thoughts of him aside, although they were always near the surface of her mind, like some great beast waiting to burst out.
Agatha and the children were the last to arrive, as the children were in many ways the guests of honor.
Everyone turned as they walked through the flowery archway.
They looked adorable, dressed more smartly than ever before.
Duke was with them as well, warily looking for threats.
Emily beamed, while Sophia stood a little behind her.
Teddy and Oliver had their arms linked together and were looking at everything with wide eyes.
When a round of applause started to ripple across the room and swiftly grew into a thunderous wave, the children flinched. Clara skipped over to them, reaching them at the same time as Gerald, who clearly had the same idea.
“It’s quite alright, children. There’s no need to be scared. Everyone is just happy to see you,” Clara said.
“You should enjoy these moments. It will all be over more quickly than you could believe. Oh, but it does remind me of old times,” Agatha said, waving to the crowd, as though the applause was for her.
“Grandmother, do the children have their surprise ready?” Clara asked.
“Let’s ask them. Children, are you ready?” Agatha said, turning to the children.
“I thought you might like to go first,” Clara said. “After that you can have whatever you like to eat.” She punctuated her words with a smile, which helped to relax the children.
“We’ve prepared a play,” Agatha said.
“I wish you would have told me. I could have helped,” Clara said with a strained smile, hoping that the children wouldn’t notice her frustration. Agatha dismissed the words with a wave of the hand.
“You’ve been far too busy with other things, like arranging tonight, which looks absolutely incredible, by the way.
You have done well, Clara, you should be proud.
And thank you for hosting us, Gerald. This is more than we ever could have hoped for when we came to entreat you.
Anyway, I used to arrange plays all the time with the children.
It will be splendid. Come, children, places!
” Agatha clapped her hands sternly and the children fell in line.
Gerald cleared his throat and then gathered everyone’s attention.
“Ladies and gentleman, thank you for joining us this evening. We have a great deal planned for tonight, so I hope you enjoy yourselves. If not, make sure to donate generously so we can have a bigger budget for the next gala,” he said, and his joke was received well.
“I’d first like to introduce the current residents of St. Margaret’s, who have been working on a play for us.
Emily, Teddy, Sophia, Oliver, and Duke the Dog. ”
There was another ripple of applause as Gerald gestured to the children. Clara folded her arms across her chest and gnawed on her lower lip, wondering what her grandmother had concocted. She and Gerald were separated at either side of the stage.
Sophia walked forward and held up a sign that read ‘THEN’.
“I must say, Agatha, as the most beautiful diamond of the season there has ever been, I hope that you can add a little sparkle to a project of mine. Do you know that there are many children who find themselves in need of shelter? I would like to build a refuge so that any child in need can find a warm bed, a plate of food, and a caring arm around their shoulder. I don’t believe that any child should go without these things,” Emily said, clearly playing the part of Rose.
She lifted her head in the air and adopted a haughty tone, which she probably thought was what an adult sounded like.
Teddy then flicked his hand back and spoke in the same manner, bringing giggles to the audience as it became clear that he was playing Agatha, rather than Sophia.
“Thank you for the compliment, Rose; you do flatter me, and of course, as the brightest diamond, I would be happy to help. No child should suffer. I will help out in any way I can.”
“Then let us make a promise now, that for as long as we shall live we shall take care of children, and we shall pass this legacy onto our own families. It is my intention that as long as there are children suffering, St. Margaret’s will stand tall, like a beacon in the night.”
Sophia then walked onto the stage again, holding a sign that read, ‘NOW’.
“Oh, Your Grace, it’s so woeful. The lease on the building is going to expire.
Whatever are we to do?” Emily said, now taking on the role of Clara.
She put her arm across her forehead and looked as though she was going to collapse.
Now Oliver entered the scene, with Duke right by his side.
He puffed out his chest and held his chin high into the air.
When he spoke, he made his voice boom. Clara stifled a giggle.
“Never fear, for the Duke of Clemont is here. My grandmother built St. Margaret’s to last, and I shall make sure to keep her promise.
I will see to the…” Oliver paused, his head falling for a moment as he tried to remember the words.
Emily leaned in and whispered them into his ear, after which Oliver adopted the confident posture again, “…extension of the lease and make repairs. I won’t let you down. ”
“Oh, Your Grace, your grandmother would be proud,” Teddy said, this time hunching his shoulders and straining his voice, making himself sound older.
“We are all so grateful, Your Grace. You’ve really saved us. If there’s anything we can do to repay you, please let us know,” Emily, as Clara, said.
“You don’t have to do anything, Miss Sterling.
The only thing I’m missing is a duchess,” Oliver, as Gerald said.
The smile fell from Clara’s face, and her eyes widened.
She looked across the room at Gerald. Around her, she heard tittered whispers.
Oliver, undeterred, continued with the play.
He turned towards the audience and raised his hand, pointing his finger.
Duke turned with him, panting at his feet.
“Thankfully I have plenty of generous friends who are all willing to help St. Margaret’s. I shall host a gala and we shall raise more money than has ever been raised before! I know my friends won’t let me down,” he boomed.
It was hardly a subtle message, but then Agatha had never been known for that.
Because the message was delivered via the mouths of charming children, nobody in the crowd seemed to take it in the wrong spirit.
They laughed with delight and clapped. Agatha walked onto the stage and encouraged the children to bow.
Clara went to meet them as they exited the stage.
“Well children, that was a surprise. I had no idea you were rehearsing such a thing.”
“We rehearsed it when you were here,” Emily said, beaming. “Do you think I did well?”
“I think you all did excellently. For a moment it was as though I was watching myself.”
“I felt the same way,” Gerald said, emerging from the crowd. He had an easy smile on his face and nodded towards Oliver. “I think you made a fine Duke.”
Oliver beamed.
“Now, would you like to have something to eat, or would you like to meet some of the nice people who are going to help make St. Margaret’s even better than it is already?” Gerald asked.