Nine

The Monday after her wedding Clara finally sat down to handle her duties as mistress of the estate. She had met the head housekeeper as they sat down and talked about what she had to do. As mistress Clara was to: oversee the finances, food service, hiring and training of the staff, procurement, charitable contributions, supplying the home, and any decorating changes. Honestly it was kind of overwhelming as she just smiled at the housekeeper. She never even had time to sit down and look at the gift the earl had given her.

"Now, I don't expect you to get it all in a day," said the head housekeeper, Miss Nancy Wright. "I think we'll start with something small like a grocery list."

"Of course," said Clara as she had started out her day unable to even see Ernest. That didn't seem to matter as they would see each other at night behind closed doors. Together she and Nancy were able to accomplish everything they needed for the day including a break in her day for a small tea as they had gotten to know each other.

Not too long after Clara was ready to meet the other ladies, as Ernest wasn't surprised, she got along with everyone. She was also a quick study as her duties started to become second nature more and more during the week. At least according to Nancy as Ernest had wrote to the earl about getting together for dinner with their families.

"Don't forget I'm going to the sewing circle today," said Clara at breakfast as they sat at the end of the table. "So, dinner should be tomorrow and then we go to mass the next day."

"And if you don't like it, you can spend the afternoon with me," said Ernest as she only smiled at him before gently grazing her foot underneath the table against his as he flushed.

"I should at least see what they do," said Clara as she grinned at him. "I shall bring the tapestry that I'm working on. I'm not sure what else I could bring besides my basket materials. I don't paint, and my pianoforte isn't quite up to par yet."

"I hear you practicing with Nancy," said Ernest. "I think you'll be just as good as anyone there or better. I think you could possibly bring a book. Of course, you're good at cards since I showed you. Some games that are simple enough like old maid. You can sing."

Clara only raised a brow as she flushed with a small smile on her face. "It sounds like you want me to go," she teased.

"Maybe I just want you to prove how accomplished you really are," he said. "Especially since you insist on going." Before Clara could make a retort to that he had leaned in over his empty plate and pressed his lips against hers. She kissed back as her hand glided along the slope of his neck.

Behind them the butler cleared his throat as Clara and Ernest broke apart from one another. "The carriage is ready for you Mistress," he said with a smile on his face.

She squeezed his hand before putting on her bonnet and shawl as she exited the manor. Her bag already in the carriage as it didn't take long to get there. She watched as the country side glided on by her as she kept an eye out for the earl's estate.

Then finally another home appeared before her as she held her breath. His home was just a beautiful as hers as the driver stopped and opened the door for her. It looked like she was the first one here as the door as already opened with an older woman in the frame.

"Mrs. Sinclaire, a pleasure to meet you," she said smiling as she dipped into a curtsey. "I am countess Henrietta."

"A pleasure," she said as she was lead inside to a grand living room. Oh, the earl had an even more beautiful living room. She could only smile to herself, not as grand as my home, she thought thinking of Ledford Park.

Then finally did others start to arrive as well. Instead of being introduced individually they were going to wait until everyone was there. Although she had a sneaky suspicion of who was who. The woman in yellow that gossiped too much had to be Miss Sutton. Then her friend had to be Miss Bowman.

It was the last girl that puzzled her as she wasn't sure who that was.

Once they all were set up and settled introductions would happen. Now they were just waiting for the Dowager Countess Dominique. Clara could hear what the other girls were saying but not too much. She looked at the other unknown girl as she giggled softly.

"What do you suppose their talking about?" asked Clara to the girl as she was tempted to introduce herself but that was rather rude if she was to be eventually.

"Oh another Mr. Sinclaire visit," said Annabelle as Clara looked quizzically at her. "I can already tell how this is going to go." Clara's eyes shot up as she had to hear this. Her new friends voice going to a high falsetto, "I wonder why he is here on business so much. I heard he has a wife, I can only wonder what she is like."

Before Clara could say something to that, the door opened again as this time the dowager countess stood in the doorway. "Wonderful to see you all here," said Dominique as she searched the room for Clara as she spotted her. "As you can tell we have a new guest to our circle. Ladies this is Lady Clara Sinclaire, she is Mr. Sinclaire's wife. Lady Clara this is Donna Bowman, Theresa Sutton, and Annabelle Parsons."

With that she gestured to each person around the room as they curtsied to her.

Clara only sat up straighter as she smiled all the women in the room. "Hello to you to," she said around the room as Annabelle had flushed brightly as she apologized. She had turned to Annabelle with a bright smile. "It's quite alright my husband does do a lot of business. Frankly I can barely keep up with it."

"It sounds like you have quite a lot of free time," said Annabelle as if she was testing the waters.

"I do which is one reason I'm glad to be here," said Clara putting her at ease. "I'm happy to meet some other women. You are very funny Annabelle, I do believe you and I will be great friends."

"I believe so too," said Annabelle a bit delighted as Clara could see that she had a tapestry of her own she was working on. Nancy was very much a help to show her how to embroider and do other crafts as such. It made having something in common with Annabelle much easier, although their sense of humor was very much the same.

"So why don't you tell us about yourself dear," said Dominique as she sat close to her and Annabelle. Something about her felt familiar as she kept a close eye on her. She watched as the newly wedded young woman seemed to enjoy the attention.

The other ladies turned to look at her as Clara was thriving off the attention. Oh, she liked this as she wondered if she should even mention her past. Ernest didn't care that she was from a humble background, but these ladies probably would as she didn't want to embarrass her husband by saying something wrong.

Then thought about it as she entertained the idea of being a mystery to them. It was like she could play a character in one of her mother's operas except she could be more open than an actress. Yet still a mystery to them. Miss Sutton sure saw her as some mystery. Hmm, thought Clara, as she decided on something that she liked in her head.

"Of course, what would you like to know?" asked Clara.

The women all shared a look as they seemed to have several as Clara was careful to reveal more then she should. "What is it you are working on?" asked Miss Sutton as she looked over at the bag next to her.

"Besides the tapestry, baskets," she said. "I insisted on learning on how to make everything in my home in case the situation should arise. Our head housekeeper has been very kind in showing me other skills that I should possess. I even made the one I brought it in." That much was true as Clara was proud of it.

"That is beautiful," said Miss Sutton as both were fawning over her skills tapestry making.

"Yes, yes, a wonderful skill," said Dominique. "You must be quite the craftswoman. I'd love to see your paintings one day."

"Thank you," said Clara to her unsure how to say the next part. "I'm not exactly a painter, it's one skill that I hope to perfect one day."

Hmm, thought Dominique, she wasn't a painter? She thought that was one thing Mr. Sinclaire would want in a wife. She watched as everyone else in the room gravitated toward what they were working on as they kept an eye on Clara. "So, tell me dear what are some of your other skills?" she asked as Clara smiled warmly.

"Well I do play the pianoforte," she said. "I read, dance, sing, and our gardener is glad to pass to me some of his skills. My husband's grandmother designed all our gardens herself. I'm pleased to follow in her footsteps."

"You should see Edgewater's gardens then," said Dominique. "She also helped design ours."

"That would be wonderful," said Clara as she was touched that she would get a tour sooner or later. "And I think I'm rather good at cards."

"Let's test it then," said Annabelle as Miss Sutton gave them a pack of cards as she seemed eager to see as well.

It didn't take long for Clara to beat her at a game of Commerce and Loo as Annabelle seemed really impressed. Miss Sutton was actively engaged in their game that her eyes never leaving the table. From across the room even Henrietta seemed interested.

"Now that's impressive," said Annabelle.

"I also know how to play quadrille," she said if a bit embarrassed wondering if that made her sound like a braggart.

"Oh, I always wanted to know how to play it," she said clapping her hands slightly. "How about you teach me how to play quadrille and I show you how to paint?"

"Alright," said Clara as she was up for that. "You shall be expecting a letter here soon."

"Perfect," said Annabelle.

It seemed as if the other women were impressed by her as Clara tried not to care too much. She didn't want to upstage any of them in their skills. Plus, she wanted to keep them curious about her, it leads to some interesting conversations. At least she hoped it would be. For some odd reason nobody questioned what her station was before her marriage. Although she supposed a married woman was better than not at all. It was different to be with these women although she rather liked talking with Annabelle.

"So, what do you think about being mistress of Ledford?" asked Dominque. "It is a very grand home and I'd imagine that the job would be demanding."

"It's not as difficult as you may think," said Clara as the dowager countess's eyes never left hers. The other girls stopped to listen as well. She supposed that since they weren't married, or their mothers were still alive they were in the process of learning of what kind of job she had. "Many talents that I do possess has come very handy."

Henrietta leaned in as she seemed interested. "Running a household is tough work," said Henrietta as she looked her up and down. "To see someone so young handle a large estate is impressive indeed. Should you need any advice I'd gladly offer it."

Clara sat up straight as she smiled at the countess. She wondered if this was some way to get on her good side since their husbands were business partners. Either way the room seemed to be much more relaxed as Clara turned to Annabelle. They were getting along just great.

From the door Vincent had passed by as he had listened to what the ladies were saying. He may not have been able to talk to her much before. Now he could however as he was quite proud to hear how she had been answering some of the questions. Even more so to hear what she was capable of as someone had been teaching her how to play pianoforte. He could only fume as he could hear his mother asking more and more questions as the hour passed.

Then finally they had all dismissed with Henrietta thanking Clara for coming. His mother came to the door as Vincent pulled her aside gently as he watched Clara leave. So much for talking to her today.

Once he and his mother were alone and oh did he make sure of that. Not even thinking Vincent rounded on his mother. "Mother why on earth are you interrogating my daughter that way," said Vincent as he could hear her question.

"You're daughter?" asked Dominque as her mind whirled. Oh, oh, she thought, as she could remember that brief marriage with that singer. That didn't seem to be possible as Lady Sinclaire seemed to be perfectly accomplished as a young lady. And even then, how would Mr. Sinclaire know her unless she had married up again. "With that singer? That young girl, Mrs. Sinclaire, is my granddaughter. She's so sweet and refined…"

He silently swore to himself as he wondered if he could explain it as best as he could. With that Vincent had explained about the letters that had matched up together and how she looked like her. Dominque felt her mind race as she could definitely see her son in the young bride as she thought back to this morning. Her not knowing some of the basics of painting and her basket skills…

"I have a granddaughter and you have no decency to tell me this once you knew? I could have arranged a grand wedding! I could have passed on my wisdom of the wedding night, how to be a proper woman, had her introduction to society. She could have married a duke!"

"Mother, she's married to Mr. Sinclaire," said Vincent shocked at his mother's words.

"I'm just disappointed in you Vincent," said Dominique brazenly continuing. "I understand you claiming her now as she is a married young lady and she will not be branded as a bastard as if she was single…"

"Mother the reason why I claimed her now was because I didn't know at first. I wasn't going to ruin her wedding day by telling her."

"Well then I must certainly get to know her. One day is simply not enough."

"Mother," said Vincent with a sigh. "You can't go in there and just announce who she is in front of everyone. What if she hasn't even read the letters yet?" He paused as he remembered that Ernest said he probably shouldn't be pressuring her. He wanted to keep her from the women's circle but had eventually agreed. "However, what you do learn of her please tell me."

"Whatever do you mean?" asked Dominque, "He cannot stop you from seeing his daughter or me from seeing my granddaughter, can he?"

That was where his mother was so deeply wrong. Ernest could very well keep Clara away from him forever if he wanted. "Actually, as her husband he can. However, mother, I'm respecting his wishes. Clara should want to come and find me, and Ernest is not going to stop that. He's doing his best in protecting her which I greatly admire. Besides I don't even know if she's read the letters yet."

Dominique found her mind whirling as she thought about her granddaughter as she had to do something. The woman's circle was enough as by then Clara could have had painting lessons from Miss Parsons. Perhaps she would want to know how to paint? Or maybe lessons that she could use to get to know each person in high society? Or maybe spoil her with gowns.

"Mother what are you thinking?" asked Vincent as he grew weary about what she would say. He should be getting to know Clara but instead she was in there with the other women. What could he say or do?

"We shall invite her to dinner once they've read the letters," said Dominque. "Both of them. We'll show Mr. Sinclaire what exactly he is dealing with keeping Clara away from her real family."

"Mother, please don't cause any trouble. Mr. Sinclaire is doing everything he can to provide and care for her. I couldn't ask for a better son-in-law."

"What about the duke?" inquired Dominique. "He could have done the job just as well and she would have been a duchess." Vincent restrained himself from rolling his eyes as he should have kept this from his mother as he shook his head. At least Clara was married, and he didn't have to worry about that at all. It was just the matter of talking to her and getting to know her.

"We shall write and dine with them. Until then I will not breath a word of this and neither should you to anyone."