Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
“Amoment, if you please,” Alfred said.
Gerald would have loved to stand beside Clara and bask in the glow of her glory. She was radiant. He’d been stealing glances at her all dinner and she seemed to be getting more beautiful with every passing moment. When she curtsied, Gerald’s heart leaped, and his was the loudest applause of all.
Gerald led Alfred to another sitting room. He retrieved an expensive bottle of brandy from the liquor cabinet and poured out two glasses, handing one of them to Alfred. Alfred nodded in thanks.
“It has been a most enjoyable evening. I’m grateful that you and your family were able to attend,” Gerald said.
“I would not have missed it for the world,” Alfred replied. He took a sip and smiled. “Nathaniel would love to have this in his collection. Gerald, I want you to know that I do notice the efforts you have made to smooth away the tension you created.”
“I do consider myself to be a man of my word,” Gerald inclined his head.
“Indeed, and you made good on your promise to propose to Clara, even if you did not fully intend to do such a thing at the time.”
“Life has a way of leading us to where we are meant to be.”
“Indeed it does. I must confess that sometimes I lament the fact that Mary and I did not know each other sooner, for then we could have enjoyed more years together. However, if that were the case then she would never have had Clara, and the world would be poorer for it.”
“Indeed it would. The love and pride you have for her is admirable,” Gerald said.
“I have never thought of her as anything other than my daughter. I can tell you are of a similar nature, given how you went to such lengths to serve your sister. I trust that you shall protect Clara with the same vigor.”
Gerald straightened his back as though he was standing to attention. He wore a solemn look on his face, not wanting Alfred to think he was taking this matter lightly.
“Of course, Alfred. I will give her everything I have. There is nothing I would not do for her. She is everything to me,” he admitted. He almost choked on the words, for being so open with his emotions did not come easily to him.
A quiet moment passed between the two men.
“Mary says that I should not be so hard on you, but she has always been quicker to forgive than I. However, if you keep moving in the right direction, then I’m sure that we should not have any reason to quarrel. In fact, we shall be family.”
As Alfred said this, he shifted his glass from one hand to the other, then thrust out his right hand.
Gerald stared at it, the importance of the gesture not escaping him.
He took Alfred’s hand gladly, feeling relieved that Alfred was not going to put him through years of tests.
He would have endured them all, of course, but this acceptance would make life far more palatable for both him and Clara.
He and Alfred spoke about more formal matters for a short while before returning to the others.
Beatrice and Eleanor were sitting at a small table, deep in conversation.
The children were playing with some cards, observed by Theodore.
Agatha, Clara, and Mary were sitting at a table, enjoying some tea.
Gerald had become used to his house being quiet.
Over the years, he believed he liked it this way, although now that things were different, he realized that it had simply become a habit.
He engaged the others in conversation. Everyone was in a good mood.
Theodore gently reminded Teddy that he should play fairly, while Alfred went towards Mary.
He put his hand on the small of her back and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
It was an innocuous touch, one that was forged by years of intimacy. It was something that would come to him and Clara soon enough, he thought.
A smile spread upon his face.
Clara excused herself from present company and approached him.
“Tonight has been wonderful, Gerald, absolutely delightful,” she said.
“Yes, it has, and it seems as though everyone else feels the same way.”
“What did you and father speak about?”
“We were just clearing the air. I think he realizes that deceit is not a part of my usual character, and while he has not fully forgiven me, it is only a matter of time before he does so. I don’t think we shall have to worry about any tensions between myself and your parents.”
“That is a relief,” Clara exhaled deeply.
“Indeed, there is nothing more we need to worry about.”
Clara’s face fell, and her eyes shifted away. “Gerald, there is something we must speak about, in private.”
What could she mean? Was this something about him, or the orphanage?
They left the room, while a maid followed them.
They entered another room. The maid stood in the corner, silent and unobtrusive.
In these quick moments, Gerald wracked his brain, but he could only think of one thing that would cause her to be so troubled.
The wedding.
“Clara, I do apologize if I made arrangements without your knowledge. I’m sure your family has their own traditions, and if you really do not wish to get married in the church, then perhaps other arrangements could be made, although I will be the first in seven generations not to be married there,” he said, trailing away as he suddenly became unsure if he could live up to this offer.
Clara stared at him strangely.
“Gerald, what on earth are you speaking about?”
“I thought that’s what you wanted to talk about?”
“Why would I want to talk about that? Never mind, it’s beside the point,” she said, waving her hand in the air and shaking her head. “It’s about the children.”
“The children? Are they unhappy? I hope Sophia is not too upset that she was asked to curtsey. I know that she dislikes being the center of attention.”
“No, it’s not about that, although I am glad that you know the children so well.”
Gerald chuckled and nodded. “It’s hard not to know them; they are all such vibrant characters.” He ran his hand along his chin and thought about his experiences with them, and how they had become such a large part of his life.
“Indeed they are. And we are not the only ones who think so.”
“What do you mean?”
“Interest has been registered from people who wish to take the children. Their appearance at the fundraiser caught the attention of those who wish to be parents. I thought you should know that Emily, Teddy, Sophia, and Oliver may not be at the orphanage for much longer.”
“Oh,” Gerald stared at her blankly. “I suppose that was always going to be the case. After all, it wouldn’t do them much good to stay in the orphanage all their lives. They deserve to have parents.”
“Indeed, and all those who have registered interest are families of means with fine pedigrees. I could not ask for better for them.”
“Have you told them yet?”
“No. I’m not quite sure how to broach the subject. It does mean that they will all be separated.”
“They will not take that easily. They are like siblings,” Gerald said. A shadow fell over his heart at the thought of seeing the children going their separate ways.
“They are, but it would be a lot to ask anyone to take four children into their home.”
“Plus a dog,” Gerald said.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do about Duke. I suppose he belongs to the orphanage.”
“He belongs to you,” Gerald said, noticing how Clara was getting more and more downcast. He stepped towards her and lightly touched her arm. “You are upset.”
“I don’t want to say goodbye,” Clara said.
Emotion trembled under her words and made them unsteady.
It got the better of her and the tears started flowing down her cheeks, while her shoulders shuddered.
Gerald immediately put his hands on her shoulders and drew her close.
She leaned into his chest. Her trembling body shook against him.
Gerald made a comforting noise.
“I know it is for the best. I know they will be better off for it. I know they are in need of a home and loving parents. But saying goodbye will be the hardest thing I have ever had to do.”
“I know, but think of it this way: they have this opportunity because of you. If it weren’t for you, they would be, well…
goodness knows. It doesn’t bear thinking about.
We will be able to handle it in the end.
We must just be strong, together, and know that we have made the most of our time with the children. ”
“I wanted to tell you. I wasn’t sure you realized…” she trailed off. Gerald squeezed her.
“It was in the back of my mind, although I did not like to face the prospect. It’s not easy to suddenly lose the presence of those who mean so much to you. And I think we know that better than most,” he said.
Clara looked up. In her liquid eyes, he saw his own feelings reflected towards him.
They both knew the pain of separation, and neither were keen to endure it again.
He gently wiped the tears away from her cheeks.
They were warm against his thumbs. As he stroked her cheeks, a soft smile was elicited.
“They are going to have good lives,” she said.
“And it’s all because of you.”
“Not only me. You have had a good influence on them as well. Teddy has been practicing his bowing ever since you met because he believes that Dukes should know how to bow.”
Gerald chuckled.
“He isn’t wrong. Would you like me to be present when you tell them?”
“That would be agreeable,” Clara replied.
They stayed together for a moment longer, giving each other a chance to calm their emotions.
Then, they returned to the others. Gerald stared at the children and suppressed his feelings.
It was strange to think that soon enough they would no longer be in his life, but he had to remind himself that it was for their own good.
They would each find new homes, new people to love them, and they would go from strength to strength.
Nothing could stay the same forever. Sometimes this was a good thing, and sometimes it wasn’t.