Eleven

Clara wanted to go to the dinner regardless. By the end of the week she could do everything required of her and more. Her thoughts about her father have seemed to change as she was rather excited to get to know him. Plus, she never had a sibling before so getting to know Mr. Marlcaster sounded like so much fun to her.

"You know we don't have to go," said Ernest as he put on his cravat. "I still can't believe the dowager countess insisted on dinner. You don't suppose that she's going to tell everyone do you?" Clara came over and sat next to him already dressed as he gently took her hands as he rubbed his thumb on the back of her hand. "We could stay here, spend all day in bed, together…"

"As tempting as that is," said Clara with a giggle and a sigh. "I should get to know him. My mother had wanted me to get to know him. I don't want him to think that I'm angry when I'm not, at least anymore. I understand what he did and how he handled it as best as he could. And I have a step-brother, a grandmother, and a step-mother to get to know."

"None of which are very appealing," noted Ernest almost teasingly as she gently swatted his shoulder.

"What are they like?" asked Clara as she swung her legs on top of him as she kissed his cheek. She knew the ladies briefly, still barely knew her father, and nothing about her step-brother. Well, other the fact that he was engaged to Miss Sutton.

"Well your grandmother is very forward," said Ernest, "I heard her once moan about not having a granddaughter to marry off to me." He gave her a loving look as he kissed her lips gently. "Which I may not have minded now." He went to kiss her jawline as his hands went to the top hem of her dress as she giggled.

"And what of my step-brother?"

Ernest pouted as he pulled away from her as he brushed some hair away from her face. "He's quiet, seems to be under his mother's thumb, but sensible."

"And my step-mother?" she asked as she heard the comment about her.

"From my understanding she's controlling of her son. Henrietta can be nice though, she's said nice things about me at least."

Clara nodded as Ernest leaned forward and pressed his lips against her again as he snaked an arm around her waist. His other hand getting lost in her hair as pins started to fall out. She kissed back as there was a knock on the door. They parted as Clara found herself panting some as she had to get Briar to redo her hair.

"I'll hold the carriage," said Ernest as he watched Briar come in to fix her hair. Not wanting to part for very long he kissed her cheek as he whispered in her ear. "Perhaps we should continue what we were doing later."

She giggled as he left to go check on his driver as Briar was looking at her wide eyed as he curtsied to his leave. He left as she turned to look at Clara.

"You are surely going to be with child soon," said Briar as Clara glanced down at her stomach. She very well could be sooner or later.

"I'm hoping Briar," she said as Ernest smiled to himself. In a way he was hoping too.

The carriage ride wasn't very long they passed the rolling country side pass them. Ernest had filled her in on Harry who would have been her half-brother. She nodded finding it hard to believe that she could have had a brother all this time. His arm slung around her waist as she rested her head on his shoulder.

She nodded as a young man took their carriage to be parked. "Thank you," she said as he seemed to be surprised to be acknowledged before nodding back.

If that was one thing that Ernest loved about his wife was that she was nice to everyone. Together the two of them were invited in as they were guided to the living room. Clara kept her eyes peeled as she saw Henrietta, Dominique, Miss Sutton curtsy to them. Then her father and Mr. Marlcaster bowed to them. Respectfully they had done the same as they were escorted to the sitting room as dinner was being prepared.

"I wish I had done this sooner," said Dominique as she came and sat next to her. "We should have had you over for dinner before having you at the sewing circle." She leaned in and smiled at her. "My granddaughter."

Clara paused as she smiled back at her as Ernest took her hand. Their hands intertwined as Clara nodded.

"Of course," she said, "I am glad to get to know all of you."

"It's nice to meet you," said Mr. Marlcaster as he sat across from her.

"This is my son from my first marriage Edmund Marlcaster," said Henrietta as she proudly put a hand on his shoulder. "He's been raised here since he was a babe. This is the only home and family he's ever known through my marriage."

"Yes, but sometimes marriage connections can be so fragile," said Dominique who had heard them talking with a small frown on her face.

Edmund frowned as that seemed to be a small jab at his mother as he wasn't sure what to say to that. The two women shared a long look with each other as Clara cleared her throat.

"Mr. Marlcaster, I'm sure you have many wonderful memories here. You are very lucky to call Edgewater home." Clara could empathize with that as she gently touched Mr. Marlcaster's hand as he gave her a small smile. She had ever truly known her home in Grover until her marriage. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to grow up here.

"Thank you Mrs. Sinclaire," he said with a small smile on his face.

Before anymore small talk could be uttered Mr. Woods came into the room to announce dinner. They filed in together to claim their seats. Clara had Ernest on her right and Edmund on her left. Across from her sat her grandmother and so forth around the table. Her father sitting at the head of the table.

It was odd, Clara only ever had one person to dine with her entire life, and that was her mama. Unless of course she and ate at Briars once or twice. It was different to sit around a tabled just filled with people. Maybe one day she and Ernest would have this with their children. Clara wasn't stupid, she knew besides running Ledford, her duty was to produce an heir. Perhaps even multiple heirs.

"Before we start dinner I have an announcement to make," said Vincent as Clara and Ernest shared a look with each other. He wouldn't really tell his family today at dinner, would he? "I have made an astounding discovery."

He would. Then he proceeded to tell Henrietta, Dominique, Mr. Marlcaster, and his fiancé exactly who she was in not a lot of detail but enough.

Silence filled the dining room as Clara and Ernest shared a long look with each other as he took her hand. Now they could not really leave as Clara was a little worried about what they had to say. This was hardly appropriate dinner conversation.

In his mind Ernest was just imagining what he was going to say to Vincent alone. This wasn't fair to Clara who wanted to be judged by them on her own merit. Not that she was the earl's natural daughter and deserved praise for it.

The silence was finally broken as Edmund cleared his throat. "Mrs. Sinclaire," said Edmund next to her attempting to make conversation. "What do you think of Edgewater so far?"

"I think it's beautiful," said Clara as she smiled at him. He smiled back as he looked proud of his home that he helped take care of. He should be proud of that as she already liked her step-brother. "You will be inheriting a beautiful home one day."

"Ah yes," said Dominique. "It would deeply pain us to see Edgewater pass out of our direct bloodline."

Clara looked slightly alarmed at how her grandmother had said that. Was that a subtle hint at her grandmother wanting her to inherit? It was tense as Henrietta and Dominique seemed to be staring at each other.

"Blood isn't the only way a family is made," said Clara as she squeezed Ernest's hand as he tried hard not to flush. "I believe a family is those who make it together with love through all trials and tribulations. I think it is a wonderful idea if you are adopted into the family."

"That is an excellent way to see it," said Edmund as he blinked grinning at her.

The two elder women glanced at Clara long and hard.

Oh, Henrietta liked this girl as she was on her side in this matter, even if she was the bastard. Edmund should inherit as she proudly nudged her son. Part of her was wary with Clara though as she had married a very respectable gentleman.

The reason why she kept the letters was so that Henrietta could write to Vincent herself, as Mary. A final letter that said that she could no longer write, she wanted nothing to do with him anymore. Just something where he would stop pining over that wretched singer. Otherwise she would have tossed the letters in the fire. Instead the girl now sat across from them.

Dominique stiffened as that was her way of telling Clara that she'd rather be the one to inherit. Not only that but she was taking Edmunds side in the matter as she just forced a smile. Maybe she should talk to Vincent sometime soon. She was not going to let Edmund gain control of everything and risk Edgewater lost out of the family.

"Thank you, Mrs. Sinclaire," said Edmund softly so only she could hear him. In a way she had stood up for him as he glanced at his father. Vincent hadn't heard anything as he was talking to Mr. Sinclaire.

"I think it will be fun to get to know you," said Clara as she smiled at Edmund. "What's your favorite spot here? Like to read or just sit and think? I rather enjoy being out in the gardens at Ledford. It's my favorite part of my home, I can't imagine leaving it."

"The gardens must be beautiful," said Edmund as he thought about it himself. "I rather enjoy being with the horses. I'm no accomplished rider by any means but they are good listeners. I don't do it much anymore though."

"Maybe you could show me your horse," she said, "I'd love to see the stables."

"With pleasure," said Edmund as Theresa cut in.

"So, you're the Earl's natural daughter," she said. "I suppose that doesn't matter much since you are married though. What's it like to be married?"

She was happy to share with them some none embarrassing stories as the dinner had turned pleasant. At least they hoped as Ernest saw the countess glancing at Clara every so often. He even caught Dominique watching him once or twice. Something was going on between them but he didn't know what.

Finally did the night come to an end as they parted ways with each other. Vincent was to come over in two days to deal with business again. Clara to come to the sewing circle within the next couple of days as well.

Once they were in the carriage together did Ernest turn to his wife.

"I'm sorry, Vincent shouldn't have done that. I can talk to him the next time I see him about what happened…"

"No," she said shaking her head. "He did what he thought was best. They deserve to know exactly what happened and he described it as best as he could." She paused as she thought about something at dinner. "Why does it feel like I did something wrong? I mean my grandmother and step-mother…"

"Are handling the news the best way that they can," said Ernest. "You did everything right as someone could in your position. Perhaps a change of subject?"

She gave him a sly look as she kissed him gently. "We can finish what we started earlier," she whispered.

"With pleasure.".