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“Gladly,” Eleanor said, linking arms with Clara. She smiled widely. Clara felt grateful that Eleanor had such a forgiving nature, as things could have been so different. “I have had a brother all my life and in truth I must confess that I tire of it. It shall be wonderful to have a sister.”

Clara and Eleanor giggled as they walked to the sitting room. A servant poured them all some drinks.

“Well, isn’t this wonderful,” Mary said with a warm smile.

“It is. Before the others arrive, I want to humbly apologize for the deception. It was never my intent to wound or dishonor anyone and I am ashamed by how it has affected the people in this room. However, I hope that we can move forward and put the past behind us. To the future,” Gerald said, holding up his glass. Eleanor, Beatrice, and Mary held up their glasses. All eyes turned to Alfred. His was the last to rise, but rise it did, and the mood in the air turned calmer.

Conversation turned to more general matters, like the recently completed repairs to the orphanage. The building was looking better than ever, but Clara still had plenty of ideas for where improvements could be made. However, when she thought of the future, she thought of the children. Glancing at Gerald, she intended to speak to him later on in the evening.

It wasn’t long before Agatha, Theodore, and the children arrived, along with Duke, of course. The sound of their laughter and Duke’s barking greeted the party inside the house before the servants announced the visitors. There were warm greetings all around, and Clara was pleased that the mood was convivial.

They moved into the dining room where they took their seats. The children clambered into the high-backed chairs and adopted proud expressions. Their eyes widened when the food was brought out. None of them had ever eaten pheasant before.

“I must say, Gerald, you know how to put on a good spread,” Alfred said.

“Only the best for esteemed company,” Gerald replied, inclining his head.

Duke ran around the table, getting a little bit of food from everyone, except Beatrice, who reacted to the dog with some mistrust.

“He won’t bite,” Clara reassured Beatrice.

“I’m not sure I trust anything that can’t speak,” Beatrice said.

“Why, what about babies?” Clara asked, stifling a laugh as she did so.

“I don’t trust babies either,” Beatrice replied.

Mary chuckled. “That will all change in the future.” Beatrice shuddered, unwilling to accept her mother’s judgment. Clara looked down at her plate. She and Gerald hadn’t spoken about the subject of children. Presumably he would want her to provide him with at least one heir, but then again many misunderstandings had arisen from mistaken presumptions.

“Have you plans for the wedding?” Agatha asked.

“There is a church in a small village just outside of London that is dear to my family. My parents, grandparents, and so on all got married there, and I feel it is my duty,” Gerald corrected himself here, “my pleasure to continue that tradition. Unfortunately, because it is small, we will have to wait some months before the church is free. However, I believe it will be worth the wait.”

“And I am quite happy to be patient,” Clara added.

“That sounds wonderful! It’s so nice to keep traditions. That’s the problem with the world today; too many people are forgetting traditions. Do you know that some children are being raised without being taught how to curtsey or bow?” Agatha sounded shocked and shook her head. Clara glanced across the table towards Beatrice, who rolled her eyes.

Theodore gently placed his arm on Agatha’s shoulder.

“I’m sure things aren’t as bad as all that. Cynthia was just complaining. You know how she gets,” he said.

Agatha huffed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some truth to it all. We have to be diligent, otherwise everything we’re proud of will slip away.”

“Yes, Grandmother,” a chorus of words echoed around the room, and everyone chuckled afterwards. Agatha arched her eyebrows and leaned back in her chair.

“There’s no need to make fun of me like that. It’s quite unbecoming,” she said, but there was a hint of a smile on her face, showing that she did not take this to heart.

“We can bow!” Teddy said.

“And curtsey,” Emily added.

“Why don’t you show everyone, children?” Clara suggested. Emily, Teddy, and Oliver jumped down from their chairs. Duke became excited and came to stand with them. Emily gave a perfect curtsey, pinching the hem of her dress and lowering herself down, bending her knees elegantly. Her back remained straight, but her head dipped. Everyone applauded.

Teddy did a quick, straight bow. His right arm spread tightly across his torso and his body folded over it. He held the position for a few moments, and then rose again, a solemn look on his face. Oliver tried to mimic this, but he didn’t quite possess the same balance and stumbled forward. He also did not put his arm across his body. Instead, his arms remained by his side, stretching out as he tried to maintain his balance.

However, he still received applause.

Duke lowered himself to a sitting position and looked up at everyone, tongue lolling out, waiting for praise, which he received in abundance.