Twelve

The social season was officially upon them as Ernest had volunteered to host the first get together before his marriage. Now it seemed useless as he was married but it was something that he couldn't get out of. At least she would be able to get to know some of his other colleagues and the last social obligation that he would have to host for now. It would be done and over as he saw that Clara was excited.

This was the first time that she would be able to participate and as a married woman no less. She had been arranging the food, table arrangements, music, and a seating chart. She was happy to have his input on where to sit people as he was thankful not to be involved with much else.

Even married he wasn't very thrilled to be hosting one at all, but it made that smile grace Clara's face. If she was happy, he was too. He was even happier to introduce his wife to some of the other gentlemen with many woman, such as Miss Holloway, to not be as flirtatious as she was.

The day finally came as people were milling around the living room as the dining room was being prepared.

"It's wonderful to see you again Ernest," said Mr. Chambers as he turned to Clara. "And it's an honor to see you again Mrs. Sinclaire." He smiled warmly at her as she curtsied to him.

"It's very nice to meet you Mrs. Sinclaire," said Viscount Westonly once they were able to get their proper introduction in the way.

"Why I didn't realize that you had remarried Mr. Sinclaire," said Felicity Holloway surprised as Clara had squeezed Ernest's hand. He tried his hardest not to break out into a smile and dote on his wife in front of everyone. He did have a reputation to maintain after all.

Felicity had looked up and down Clara as she scoped her out. His wife didn't seem to be that much younger than her. Her hair swept up in a bun with braids crisscrossing along the front and silver decorations. Then a beautiful deep rose-pink gown with white embroidery that showed off a modest amount of cleavage.

"Yes, it was a small intimate wedding. May I introduce to you my wife, Lady Clara Sinclaire?"

"It's grand to meet you Miss Holloway," said Clara warmly as he watched Clara with a small smile on his face, his adoring eyes never leaving her.

"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance Mrs. Sinclaire," said Felicity, disappointment written on her face as she smiled once more. She had seen the way that he looked at her as her face twisted to hide her scowl. "Congratulations on your nuptials." There went trying to court him, she thought bitterly, as she wondered where this girl even came from.

"Thank you, it's nice to see you here and enjoy your evening."

Clara smiled as she looked around as she kept the guests happy. Annabelle had waved as she was talking to Mr. Marlcaster. She blinked as that was technically her step-brother. Hopefully, without his mother here, she could get to know him better.

"Annabelle," said Clara as she kissed her cheeks. "Edmund." She didn't know how to really greet him now. A curtsy seemed to be the best as she lowered down and then back up again. "It's great to see you both. Are you enjoying yourselves?"

"Um, yes," said Edmund a bit warm and bewildered to be addressed so informally. "Thank you for asking."

"If you need anything feel free to just ask," she said to both before turning to her brother. "I'm really glad that you can make it Mr. Marlcaster."

"I am too," he said with a smile as everyone was beginning to sit down for dinner. On her left sat Ernest and, on her right,, sat Mr. Marlcaster.

What was even better as he seemed pleased to be sitting so close to her. That was when the door opened again and in strolled an elderly man, probably in his early fifties. Clara looked over at him unsure who he was as she saw Ernest's body straighten and his face scowl before turning neutral. So was this the man who Roselyn had cheated on Ernest for. She had a plan up her sleeve as her foot twitched.

She straightened up hers as she felt a wave of nausea sweep through her. Clara brushed that feeling off as she watched Ernest go over and handle him. Perhaps she could time that feeling? Finally, she decided to go and see for herself. Clearing her throat, she strode over to them as she smiled at both men. The elderly man just looked over at her with a longing gaze that was almost wolfish as she spared him no mind.

"Ernest, our guests are taking their seats. We should go over and join them, so the food can be brought out," she said taking his hands lovingly. His eyes swept over her as he gently took her arm and held her close. "If you excuse us sir."

"Why who is this pretty young lady Mr. Sinclaire?" asked the man as he didn't seem to be leaving.

Ernest struggled to not just kick him out right then and there. "Duke Richards, this is my wife Mrs. Ernest Sinclaire," he said finally as Clara raised an eyebrow. That was the first time she had been addressed as such. The duke looked surprised to see her there was well before straightening up. "Clara, this is Duke Richards of Karlington."

"Enchanted," he said as he took her hand as he kissed it as Clara let it limply fall to the side as pulled her hand away. "Now where's my seat?"

"I'm sorry sir, but it appears you are not on our list. I'm afraid that we do not have the room to accommodate you," said Clara firmly as Ernest nodded.

"Oh, surely you could spare a seat next to you Mrs. Sinclaire," said the duke as he was watching her like a hungry animal about to jump on its prey. Clara squeezed Ernest's hand as if saying that she had this. "I'm most eager to get to know you."

"I'm sure you do, and I believe that I have a special place in mind if you wish to stay," said Clara. The duke just smiled at her as they all turned to head into the dining room. They went in as pairs as she told the maid exactly where she wanted the duke to sit.

Everyone gathered in the room as they found their seats. Duke Richards added to the mix as he found his seat on the opposite side of the table from them. Squeezed between Felicity Holloway and Mr. Chambers. The duke didn't look very happy, but Ernest was pleased to see that he didn't seem to be fighting the arrangement. There had to be a reason though as a shadow of doubt clouded his mind.

"You're handling the duke very well," said Ernest. "I am keeping an eye on him of course."

"I'm sure you are," said Clara with a smile as she felt her stomach churn. "I may or may not have even more ways to handle him if he tries to persist his affection toward me. I am not Roselyn Ernest and I hope that you know that and trust me."

"Of course, I do my dear. I'm just worried that he'll try something, and you may not be able to get away," he said keeping his voice low. Her eyes flickered to the duke as she nodded toward her husband.

"Then try not to stray too far from me my husband," she said. "I believe that will be for both of our benefits."

The food was starting to be served as everyone around them started to eat and enjoy each other's company as Clara turned to Mr. Marlcaster. They had started a small conversation about themselves as they were still getting to know each other. As the four-course meal started to break did everyone join in the living room.

"Oh I do believe that I've left my sheet music in the other room," said Clara as she was talking to Annabelle. "You should hear this lovely piece that I've been working on."

Before Annabelle could respond the duke seemed to have over heard. "Why Mrs. Sinclaire, I'd be honored to help you with the entertainment. I can go with you to the next room to find it," said Duke Richards as Clara didn't even bat an eyelash as she nodded.

"Of course, this is the least I could do since you came so late." Ernest only frowned as he excused himself from his conversation with Mr. Chambers as he watched them. The duke's hand grazed her skirt as Clara stepped away from him but not too far.

She was up to something and he didn't know what as he didn't trust the duke alone with her. The Duke seemed to sense him watching as he stood much closer to his wife as he thought comfortable. Ernest stepped after them but neither seemed to go very far as Clara stopped in the doorway. They were out of the way but people could still easily watch them.

"Oh, Duke Richards, I feel a little faint," she said as she put a hand on her head as Ernest started toward them. Her ailment was coming in handy after all. "I do believe that you should step back."

"I couldn't do that my dear, someone should catch you if you so shall fall," he said with a wicked grin as Ernest kept his eyes trained on them as he got closer.

"You shoul…" started Clara as she swayed on her feet before she opened her mouth. That was when he could smell the food she had ate escape her lips. Ernest could only watch as her vomit splattered across the duke's clothes and shoes as he did not step away from her. He gasped as Clara began to sway as Ernest caught up to the scene as he caught her.

Around them guests flocked to them to check on their hostess, the butler ran to his mistress. Miss Sutton already gossiping and theorizing on why she had puked. Duke Richards looked mortified as he looked down at his outfit to see the stains from dinner down his front. Embarrassed he glared at her before turning toward the door to get his coach.

From her spot on the ground Clara only smiled up at Ernest as she was in his lap. On her right sat Annabelle and on her left Mr. Chambers. "Clara are you alright?" asked Ernest as she blinked.

"I believe I'm okay," she said.

"We should get her to a bed," said Annabelle as she turned to him as he nodded. "I'll get her there myself if you want to dismiss the guests."

"I'll call on the doctor," said Mr. Chambers as Ernest nodded as he helped Clara stand up. Annabelle gently took her arm guiding her up the steps to her room.

He only watched as Ernest went to dismiss the guests as best as he could. Then promising a few people that he would let them know when Clara was well including her step-brother and Miss Sutton. Finally, as the last person had left did he race up to their room. Annabelle had helped her out of her dress and into her chemise as she lay underneath the covers.

Annabelle nodded at him as she saw him as Ernest's eyes were trained on his wife. "Oh Clara, my Clara," he said as he swept her into his arms as he kissed her head. "How are you feeling?"

"A little better," she said as he put a hand on her head. "Although I am glad that I got sick on the duke. My timing was just right."

"You're not warm," he said frowning as he tried to hide his smile. Had she known that she was going to get sick on him, he thought, with a small chuckle. Then sobered up as he heard the heavy footsteps outside the door.

Ernest was holding her hand as there was a knock on the door. Annabelle went up to get it as Mr. Chambers had entered with the doctor. They had shared a look as the doctor had gestured for Ernest to leave as he sighed before kissing her head. Clara held his hand close before letting go. Annabelle was going to be in the room as Ernest just watched the door with Mr. Chambers comforting him as best as he could.

Then finally the door opened as he and Mr. Chambers entered the master room. Annabelle had her best poker face on and Clara was anxiously shaking the bed a little.

"Ernest," she said as he stepped into her room as she had a wide grin on her face as her eyes were bright.

"What did the doctor say?" asked Ernest confused at her reaction.

"I'm with child Ernest," she said as she threw her arms around him. "You're going to be a father, we're going to have a baby."

He felt the amount of pressure he had practically lift off him, so much so that he felt weightless. Clara is going to be having a baby, his baby. A smile stretched across his face as he couldn't stop himself from getting excited. They were blessed with a child as they had both parties present congratulating them. Ernest began to feel as if he was on top of the world. He was going to be a father.