Four

Ernest had his carriage prepared and the footman driving slowly as he spotted Clara's home from the road. Today was inevitable day that he would be bringing her over for dinner at Ledford Park. With her he could be less formal as he had decided to pick her up after his meeting with the earl. That was when he sat her walking there on the side of the road in her black dress.

"Clara," he said surprised as he saw her. "I was coming by to pick you up."

"Oh Ernest," she said as she smiled at him. "I was just walking and coming back from the village, I needed supplies to finish my sewing. I wanted to wear my best gown."

That was when he noticed the shopping bag as he told the driver to circle back. "I think you have something pretty on already," he said as she looked at him skeptical. She was still in her mourning clothes as she opened the door for him.

"I'll be back in a minute," she said as he sighed taking in the smell of oatmeal for some reason. He supposed that was breakfast as she came back down in a simple spring green dress with a split skirt that was white underneath. She had tied her hair up in braids and pulled back in a bun. Together the two of them went off to the carriage as Ernest told her about this woman at the shelter he helped find a job.

"Why won't you ever tell someone about your kindness?" she asked as they were nearing the manor.

"Well I do believe that it should be done without the recognition of others," he said as he raised a brow. How did she know that he never told anyone?

"Well that is a noble thing sir," she said as they pulled in front of the manor.

The door opened as he helped Clara out from the step. Her jaw dropped amazed as she could see that the home was rather magnificent, made with stone as she saw beautiful landscapes as she took in the scent of the flowers. She honestly didn't know where to look first. Ernest only watched as she was curious and asked question after question as he answered the best he could. He could not take credit for his home but he did take great pride in it.

Together they stepped into the foyer as the butler ushered them to the dining room. None of his staff seemed to question where he had picked up the girl that was on his arm. That didn't seem to matter as they were seated quickly for dinner. Ahh, right he had told them to be prepared for two meals by the time he had come home. That meant that he had to worry about dinner being over too quickly.

"Your home is quite amazing Mr. Sinclaire," she said glanced around noticing the wallpapered walls, fine decorations, and nice dishes. Part of him was worried that she would be doing nothing but staring but after she seemed satisfied she turned back to him. "So, what are we having? Or should be instructing the cook on how to make my favorite soup?"

He stifled a laugh as he shook his head. "No, tonight is pork with potatoes and mixed vegetables," he said as she giggled. "Although we are starting with a soup."

"Perhaps I should make that next time myself," she said. "I have this pig with no idea of what to do with it. I couldn't just kill it but now I'd have a reason."

The butler only raised his brow but said nothing as their food was being served in front of them. Gently, Ernest told her which fork and spoon to use in what order. They were starting out with a soup as they ate unhurried as they talked. His smile wide as she told him about other random gifts from people. One women even offered to live with her as Ernest just chuckled.

Once dinner and dessert were served and eaten were the dishes long taken away did Ernest lead her out to the garden.

He watched as she was delighted as he explained that it was his grandmother and mother that kept the gardens nice and organized. "This is my favorite place my mother used to take me here when I had a bad day or in a mood," he said as he showed her a well that was a little off to the side. "Make a wish and toss a coin in the fountain."

"And what will you wish for? Me to stay here tonight?" she teased as Ernest looked shocked as he felt his body warm up. While that might not have been the initial one on his mind, the thought nagged the back of his mind.

"Are you always this forward?" he asked before pulling out a coin and handing one to her.

"But I bet you're thinking it now," she teased as she smiled at him "Never mind that, why don't you show me what to do?"

Ernest demonstrated as she followed in his instructions clearly as she had thrown the coin into the water. He only curiously studied her as he was hoping that she would say her wish aloud. When she didn't he only looked amused as he could only try to guess himself. Together they just took a turn around the gardens as he noticed how late it was getting, perhaps she would have to stay the night.

EdgewaterEdgewaterEdgewater

To his delight, Clara did stay the night as he had declared it too late after dinner for her to be going out alone. Especially since they had let the time slip away from them. A bit in a hurry he had James prepare rooms not too far from his own. Perhaps… He couldn't let his thoughts get too eager.

The thought of having her around was a nice change that he though. Ernest thought it was even nicer to know that she was just for himself, sort to speak. She didn't know anyone in society and she wasn't influenced by them. She was just herself as Ernest was thrilled to not have a fake person around him.

"I guess you got your wish," teased Clara as he lead her up to her room.

He had a blush on his cheeks as Clara smiled cheekily back at him. Then he rolled his eyes as Ernest stood in front of her door as he opened it for her.

"Good night Clara," he said as he felt the urge to kiss her goodnight but couldn't do it.

"Good night Ernest," she said and boldly tip-toed up to him and kissed his cheek. He felt the heat rise throughout his body. Ernest kissed her cheek back as he liked the contact of her body next to his own. They haven't been this close since he had told her about Roselyn as their eyes met.

Her lips parted as Ernest tried to keep it together. It wasn't like he didn't think of kissing her but here didn't seem to be the right time. He gulped as she seemed to be closing the gap between them and he didn't move away. Her feet arched up again as he leaned in to meet her halfway as their lips met.

And it felt amazing as Clara's lips were warm and smooth against his own. It was wet and yet warm as he felt a tingle run down his spine. She smelt like spring and honey as he melted into the kiss. Her smaller frame melted into his own like a puzzle piece that was missing.

They had parted again as he was sure that his face was aflame now. The dazed look on her face was replaced with an ear to ear grin. Her hands held his as her green eyes were sparkling.

"Thank you,That was my first kiss," she said. "Good night Ernest."

"Sweet dreams," he said as she had a musical laugh escape her lips.

Her first kiss? That was something as Ernest mentally scolded himself. Her kiss was perfect he thought as he couldn't help but want to do it again and again. Not just kiss her lips either, but her cheek. Her forehead, the top of her head, all over and he wanted her to do the same. They could kiss seriously, gently, senselessly, sensually, and all the time.

She walked in as he made sure it was gently shut behind her before heading off to his own room. Which was thankfully a door away from her. Which was a bad thing as he couldn't help but let his thoughts wander to kissing her in his bed.

Stop it, he thought, before stripping and getting into bed for the night.

The next morning Ernest woke up remembering that Clara was in the next room as he felt his heart race. She was still here, she had to be, as he wondered how he could face her again after last night. That was her first kiss and it was here in the middle of the night outside bedroom doors.

"Good morning," said a voice as he saw her standing in his doorway. Clara was here? In his bedroom?! Ernest sat up in his bed as he saw that she had a tray in her hands. "I found your kitchen and asked the cooks if I could bring breakfast up to you. I know it's still early but it seemed like a good idea."

With that she walked in and sat at the edge of his bed and placed the tray between them. Rolls with jam, eggs, and ham for them both sat there as she sat at the foot of his bed.

"Thank you," he said surprised. "You didn't have to do this."

"I wanted to especially since you let me stay and that kiss last night…" She let her voice trail off as she had that sparkle in her eye. He took a biscuit as he was glad he still had his long shirt on. Still she wasn't supposed to see in him like this but then again, this situation was entirely different and new.

Together the two of them finished the food off as she left to drop the dishes off leaving him to change. This was quite a weekend as he felt that flutter in his stomach. This could be more often than once, he thought, if he could only admit his feelings. He shook his head as he headed down the steps.

Clara was already there talking with Nancy as she was smiling about something. His former governess and current head of the house were sipping tea together. Not even worrying about what they were saying Ernest joined them.

"I was thinking before I dropped you off that we could take another turn of the gardens," said Ernest. "Perhaps I could teach you archery or show you some other places on the estate."

Nancy raised her eyebrows as a ghost of a smile formed on her lips. He didn't say anything as he was watching Clara who looked curious at the options presented to her.

"Let's do both," she said as Ernest offered her his arm.

Together they wandered around outside as he showed her his favorite spots. His grandmother's favorite spots. The stables as he noticed that Clara had a way with animals as they let her pet them as a stable hand gave her carrots to feed. They rounded off into a pond as they sat there quietly as he enjoyed the silence with her.

It was so peaceful in fact, that Clara laid her head on his arm, as he smiled fondly at her. For the briefest of seconds he could see them doing this often. Eventually they would have children playing around at their feet or splashing each other or… Ernest felt his cheeks burn as he didn't need to have that image in his head. Couldn't they just be a man and a woman in love?

Love, he thought, that had to be the feeling. He truly cared about her and her happiness and would give her anything.

"Alright let's try the archery next," said Clara after ten minutes. "I think I could beat you."

"It's not about beating each other," he said with a wry smile. "However, I wish you lots of luck."

They had found the equipment as he showed her the position with the bow in front of her. His hands touching her skin softy as he positioned her arms properly her body close to his. Then he watched as her arrow sailed to the outer edges of the target. Ernest showed off a little as he hit the middle with precision as they practiced together for an hour until he looked at the sky as the sun dial reached its peak.

"Perhaps I think it's time for you to leave," said Ernest a bit sadly as he remembered his business with the earl. "Briar will be looking for you and I have a meeting. I do hope that you enjoyed your time at Ledford. My home is here whenever you should want to come."

He hoped that he didn't upset her as Clara gently took his hand.

"I think it is too. Your home is very lovely Ernest as I have enjoyed my time here immensely. I believe that I will be taking up on your offer one day."

He smiled as they walked back to the carriage as he got it prepared for her as they took one last turn around the garden. She looked like she belonged here as they held hands. The carriage was ready to go as he dropped her off at her small cottage first as he made sure she got in okay. After all it was the gentlemanly thing to do.

Once they were inside the cottage did Clara kiss him as he felt her warm lips on his once more. "I wanted to do that again," she said. "As a thank you for, well, everything."

He kissed her again glad that they weren't seen. "Until next time."

Clara giggled as he left out her door feeling like a man ready to take on the world.