Ten

Needless to say, by the time she was in their room sitting on their bed, she was exhausted as she tried to put the letters of her mother's in order. In a way she was excited to see the earl of Edgewater had gifted her. Clara barely looked up as she heard the door open and her husband standing at the edge of their bed.

"Are you okay?" asked Ernest as he looked over the letters that were spread out on her bed. "How was your day with Nancy?"

"It was brilliant," she said flashing him a smile. "I think I'm getting a handle on what I'm supposed to be doing every day. Now I'm trying to put my mother's letters in order. The earl said that his present had something to do with it so I'm going to read these in order."

"Do you think the earl knew your mother?" asked Ernest as he climbed on the bed next to her as he found the first one. "Why don't we read these together?"

"He did suggest that. It will be our first activity as a married woman," said Clara teasingly as she snuggled up next to him. "I guess we shall see what the earl has gifted me." Surprised Ernest put his arm around her as they read the first letter together.

My dearest Mary…

It wasn't until they were through the pile did Clara find herself breaking down crying as Ernest was soaking this in. He put down the letter that he was reading as he wrapped his arms around her as he stopped to comfort her. This was crazy, thought Ernest, as he gently stroked Clara's hair as he held her close. That was the last letter as he read the follow up letter.

I hope that this letter finds you in good health. It seems that my wife, Henrietta, has caught the letter before it had gotten to me. I am deeply sorry for not getting this on time to you. I'm sure that you have many questions and I believe that I might hold some of your answers. If it is possible I would love to come and meet you.

Henrietta does not know who you really are but just to be safe I'd suggest meeting at Ledford Park. My mother will probably know soon enough.

"I don't want to meet him," said Clara as Ernest looked at her surprised. "I mean I do, but I can't see him as my father right now. I just lost my mother not too long ago. And… I still have to wrap my head around that he's my natural father."

Ernest hugged her as he nodded understanding that. "Should I write to him to not come tomorrow? We're supposed to discuss business, but I can cancel…"

"No, no do your business. I'll just be with Nancy going over the account books," said Clara as she found her mind whirling. "If he asks just tell him it will be awhile before I can talk about it. Maybe next week at the very earliest."

"Of course," he said kissing her head. Gently she moved her head up to kiss him softly on his lips as she put her arms around his neck. He smiled into the kiss as his hands went around her waist. After a few minutes he paused as he stroked her cheek. "Perhaps we should get these letters off the bed and go to bed together?"

"I'd be delighted Ernest," she said her eyes sparkling as they did just that.

That night after their love making did Clara find her mind wandering. Sleep didn't seem to come as easy to her tonight as she worried about how the earl, no, her father would react. She did want to see him and get to know him. Her father could easily be everything she ever pictured as an earl. She knew he wasn't lying to her. Who would want to claim a bastard daughter after all?

Clara faced Ernest as his arm draped around her bare waist as she leaned in and brushed a piece of hair out of his sleeping face. He adjusted in his sleep as he pulled her closer. She leaned in and kissed him on his cheek. Thankfully, she had Ernest to help her through it all and he said that he would protect her at all costs. "Good night my darling," she said in a whisper before snuggling in closer to him.

EdgewaterEdgewaterEdgewater

Vincent was going to be here after noon, so he and Clara had a light breakfast together. Like the doting husband he was; Ernest kissed her as they sat down together. It was nice to see that some of Clara's meals she made before marrying him were getting used, as they had something he never tried before.

"So, are you expecting a long day?" asked Ernest as he finished his first meal. "I figured we could take a turn around the garden just before dinner."

"That would be great," said Clara as she kissed his temple. "I should be done around five. Is that okay?"

"Of course," he said as his butler only watched them a bit amused. "I have my meeting with Vincent and I'll finish my duties and come and find you."

She smiled as Ernest kissed her again as he could tell that she was still a little upset about the earl. Clara had every right of course to not see him, she was still getting used to the idea. They had just married, she was still getting used to her role here, and she was still picking up some skills herself. He had heard Nancy teaching her how to play the pianoforte down the hall several times.

"Just tell the earl that I'd be happy to get to know him once I am situated here. Although that might not take very long," she said brightly as Ernest pulled her close to him as she squealed delighted.

Ernest's fingers traced along her jaw line and lower lip before titling her head up. "Whenever you're ready my sweet dove," he said gently kissing her on the lips. She kissed back before going to find Nancy showing him a bit of ankle before heading out.

He sighed as he went up to his study to get the paperwork ready they were supposed to go through. She was adjusting well, he thought, a bit amused. Ernest found himself angry as he didn't want to upset Clara anymore then she already was. While flirty, he could tell that she wasn't exactly sure how to handle the earl. She was still in her own way grieving her mother as the letters came into light.

Then Vincent had to reveal that he was her father. In a way that made him upset. Vincent was a good friend, but he didn't seem to be thinking. He let out another sigh as Vincent arrived in his carriage to Ledford Park as Ernest watched from the window. James would lead him up to his study and…

Honestly, he wasn't sure what he would say to him. Much less what Vincent would talk about.

"Sinclaire," said Vincent as he entered the study. The earl looking around the room probably hoping to see Clara in the room. "It's good to see you, I trust that you and your wife are well?"

"Very," he said clearing his voice as he took a seat behind his desk.

"That's wonderful to hear, I was very much hoping to see her today," said Vincent as she was probably around here somewhere. He didn't take a seat as he watched the young man before him.

Ernest looked up at his friend wondering how to approach the topic wondering if he should just change it to business. Then decided that it would work better that way. "Yes, well we should probably talk about those tenants."

"Surely you don't want to tell me about your first weeks as a couple together," interjected Vincent as he was hoping to hear more about her. The tenants could wait as he wanted to know more. Did she and Ernest…? He didn't want to think about his daughter and Ernest in the same bed together, doing that specific act. Maybe he didn't read the letters with her like he hoped. "Have you read the letters?"

"You have the audacity to drop this on her?" said Ernest if a bit harsh toward the earl. He steepled his hands as he let out a deep sigh clearly upset with how the earl handled this. "She was upset reading those the first time."

"I didn't mean to make her cry," said Vincent as he watched Ernest as he leaned forward. Clara wasn't exactly crying for very long. "If it's possible that I could see her or speak to her…"

"I don't believe that it would be a good idea," said Ernest his voice steady as Vincent looked surprised.

Before Ernest could complete his sentence Vincent frustratingly stood up straighter. "She is my daughter, you can't just keep me from her."

"She was my wife before she knew that she was your daughter. It had always been my intention and in my vows to keep her safe. Even if it means keeping her from her real father. Clara should have time to think about this and get used to her duties here. Perhaps next week?"

He felt his gut wrench some as he could only respect Ernest's wishes. As much as he wanted to fight it, it was probably best that he didn't see her right away as he nodded.

"I understand," said Vincent as he tried not to sound too disappointed and hurt.

"I think it's best if you leave."

"You know Ernest, I'm glad that she has chosen you," said Vincent as he headed toward the door. "Thank you for making her happy and keeping her safe." He stopped at the door as he wondered how he would have to tell him about the dinner his mother was preparing.

He nodded as Vincent exited the room as his footsteps echoed away from the study doors. Ernest put his hands on his head just processing what he had just said. Whilst Vincent heard giggling from down the hall as his could recognize it as his daughters. He kept his head down before he stood at the front doors of Ledford Park as he sunk down back against the doors. That did not go as either had planned.