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“Good afternoon, Gerald. I’m glad you are able to join us, finally. The children have been eager to enjoy your company,” she said, not bothering to offer anything but a thin veil over her words.

“And I am eager to enjoy theirs.”

As soon as he said this, Emily and Teddy both rushed up to him, trying to get him to play with them both. Gerald put his hands together and then negotiated a compromise with them. He would play with Emily first, since he’d spent a lot of time on the boat the previous day. Then, he would go out and play with the boys before he left. It seemed good enough for all of them, although Clara was a little annoyed that the children weren’t holding him to account for his tardiness.

Sophia didn’t seem to be bothered at all. She continued sketching, bringing the scene before her to life. While Gerald was spending time with the children, Clara took the opportunity to clean.

While she cleaned, Clara heard the children’s laughter bursting out of the playroom. Gerald’s deeper laughter joined. It pained her heart, because the more they got used to him being around, the more it would hurt when he stopped.

While she appreciated the fact that he had come eventually, she knew it wouldn’t last forever. This was a temporary project for him, and soon enough his attention would turn to more important matters. It was she who would end up having to console the children.

Eventually Gerald found Clara.

“Clara is still sailing well. The boys are trying to enlist some of Emily’s dolls into their navy. I’m not sure Emily is too happy, but she’ll probably push for a role in the admiralty,” he said, grinning.

“I see. It sounds like you’re having lots of fun,” she replied, not turning her head towards him as she reached to pick up stray toys from a corner.

“We are. It’s a shame you’ve been so busy. It would have been nice for you to join us.”

“This house doesn’t clean itself.”

“No, I suppose it doesn’t,” he said. Clara flicked away a spider web. “I wanted to apologize again, properly. Sometimes matters arise that I must attend to immediately.”

“I’m sure there are many things that are more important than a promise to children.”

“That’s not what I meant,” he said.

“But it’s what happened. I warned you about making promises you cannot keep.”

“I did keep it. I’m here, aren’t I?”

“It is easier to keep half a promise than to keep someone waiting without word, I imagine. The children were upset all day. They started to wonder if you were going to arrive at all. It’s unfair to dash their hopes,” Clara said. Deep down, she realized that she was speaking about herself as well, although she didn’t admit this to Gerald, and she prayed he did not glean the undercurrent of truth that lay beneath her words.

Gerald took a step towards her.

“I am sorry, Clara, truly.” He sounded more earnest this time, his voice richer with emotion. “I could make excuses, but you’re right. It was wrong of me, and I didn’t fully take into account the children’s sensitivity. It shall not happen again, I swear it. If there is any danger, I will make sure that a message is sent.”

“Let’s hope you can keep this promise better than the last one.” Clara swiped the duster around and then climbed down from the chair. Gerald held out a hand to offer assistance, but she did not take it.

“There is another matter I would like to discuss. The wildflowers at Clemont Hall; would you be available to sketch them tomorrow? The children would be most welcome to come as well. It might do them some good to be away from all of this noise,” he gestured airily with his hands at the cacophony surrounding them.

“I… are you sure you wish me to sketch them?” Clara asked, fearing that he wasn’t doing this due to the merit of her art, but because he wanted to make up for his slight.

“I have never been surer of anything in my life,” he replied. “You deserve to have your name displayed next to your art. It will bring joy to many, not least of all myself, and they should all know the name of the artist who has conjured such beauty.”

Clara’s jaw clenched. For so long she had convinced herself that she was fulfilled by the commissions she received. However, there was a deep void left within her; part of the reason she wanted to share her drawings with the world was to know how people reacted to them. It seemed as though she was only performing half the work of an artist when there was no connection with an audience.

Although she was still vexed by Gerald, the opportunity was too good to pass up. And he was right; the children would be thrilled to have a change of scenery.

“We shall come by tomorrow. I promise we will arrive early.”

Chapter Eleven

“It’s so big!” Oliver gasped.

A carriage ride through London was a novelty for the children. Clara had to watch Teddy and Oliver because they tried to lean over the door, and were in danger of toppling out. Emily scowled at them, but Clara noticed how she twitched and sensed that she would have liked to have behaved similarly. Sophia kept her hands tucked close to her body, watching everything with wide eyes.

“Of course it’s big. It’s London. What did you expect?” Emily said.