Page 73

“And what about you, Sophia, can you curtsey?” Mary asked. Sophia’s wide eyes flashed down.

“I’ve seen you curtsey before, Sophia. It’s a beautiful thing. I’m sure everyone would like to see it,” Clara said. She wouldn’t push Sophia too hard, but she believed that Sophia should try to overcome her shyness, and this was a safe occasion. The only people around were family, after all.

Sophia put her hand on Clara’s leg and leaned into her.

“Will you help me?” she whispered.

“Of course.”

Clara took Sophia’s hand and helped her down from the chair. They moved away from the table, giving themselves room to curtsey. Still holding hands, Clara and Sophia lowered themselves slowly, the younger girl perfectly mimicking Clara. Upon receiving a round of applause, Sophia blushed and rushed back to her chair.

“You have always been such an elegant young woman, Clara,” Agatha said, raising her glass. Clara looked across the table and noticed that Gerald was looking at her. His eyes were shining, and he seemed happy. When she looked at him now, she did not see uncertainty. Rather, she saw the future, and it was a wonderful thing.

Dinner continued with fine conversation and amusing anecdotes. Everyone was in a good mood. Clara was glad to see that Gerald and Alfred were getting on well. It seemed as though everything was going to be resolved and she would have nothing to fear with regard to her family. Basking in the warm glow of the evening, Clara relaxed and smiled.

When dessert arrived, the children whooped in delight. Clara gently reminded them that they should not react like that when at a dinner party, although nobody was offended. Afterwards, they retired to a sitting room. The women and the children adjourned all together, while Gerald and Alfred walked off in another direction, presumably to clear the air once and for all.

Clara only hoped that her father and her beloved would not come to blows.

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.