Thirteen

The letter arrived in the mail addressed to Vincent as he recognized his daughters handwriting. Ah, he was hoping to hear from Clara, he wanted to hear what her first time in London was like. Perhaps she had even gone to the same theatre that he had seen Mary in for the first time so long ago. Smiling at the thought, he opened the sealed wax as he read the letter.

Dearest Father,

I hope that this letter reaches you soon. London so far has been breathtaking as Ernest has been showing me around town. I had seen parliament's doors to Westminster Bridge. It has been very busy and there's so much to do. I'm very sorry to say that after a week here I must leave it all behind. You see Ernest and I hosted our first dinner party. While there had taken ill and had gotten sick all over poor Duke Richard's clothing. We will be returning to Ledford Park in a week hoping that the fresh air would subside my ailment.

I hope we will see each other soon.

Love,

Lady Clara of Ledford

The door opened as his mother had stepped into the room. "Ah I was hoping that you had heard from Clara. How is she faring in London? I have yet to hear anything. Maybe she had met the Duke Richards' already," said Dominique as she read the letter over his shoulder.

"She's sick?" said Vincent as he felt his heart sink. Clara couldn't be, perhaps it was just nerves or something, that must be it.

"She vomited on the duke?!" practically screeched Dominique as she read that line several times. "I hope she wrote to apologize. We must get to Ledford at once to see her."

"I'll have the carriage prepared," said Vincent as he stood up as he coughed. He had to see Clara and see if she was alright. He abandoned his other mail as he grabbed his jacket. His mother following behind. At least Henrietta was calling on someone to not worry about leaving her behind.

It didn't take them long to get there and for that he was thankful. He was lucky that Ernest's home was not far from his own. Since they had not written they would have to wait patiently at the door hoping that someone could hear them. He and his mother shared a look as he could see the concern in her eyes.

Finally did someone answer the door as the butler looked surprised to see them there. "I'd like to see the mistress of the estate at once," said Dominique as politely as she could muster.

"I'm afraid that she is busy now," said the butler as Vincent strained to look inside. "I can go see if she is willing to see guests."

They could hear a small feminine scream from inside as it alerted all of them at the door. "Clara," called Vincent as he pushed the butler out of the way.

Dominique followed behind him quickly as they looked for the source of the sudden noise. That had to be her, but she was nowhere to be seen in the main part of the house. They had followed what sounded like laughter coming from the back doors leading out to the gardens in the back.

Her eyes grew huge as her jaw dropped open a little. Clara seemed to be unharmed and not very sickly at all as she was currently sitting under a tree with Ernest. A picnic spread laid out before them with most of their food gone.

What shocked her a little was that her head was in Ernest's lap. Her stays on the ground next to them with the top layer of her gown gathered at her waist. Her thin white chemise very much transparent as Ernest was rubbing her shoulders. She seemed to be moaning in pleasure.

"Clara," said Dominique astonished at what she was witnessing.

"Lady Grandmother?" she said bolting up as Ernest flushed as he saw them. Vincent had turned his head unable to see this. "Why are you here?" She had slipped the dress over her shoulders as Ernest did his best to button it up for her. Her stays discarded to the side.

"We had to see that you were okay. We had received your letter that you had taken ill while in London. And that you had gotten sick on Duke Richard's clothing. You don't appear to be ill at all Clara. Outside, half dressed, and eating."

Clara blushed herself as Ernest put a hand on her shoulder as he smiled assuring at her. Dominique only raised her eyebrows. She had rarely seen that man smile as he was very sweet on her only granddaughter. Vincent turned as he saw that she was dressed also wanting an answer. She and Ernest shared a look as they seemed to be communicating without talking to each other.

Until finally she was holding Ernest's hands as a giant smile was plastered on her face.

"Father, Lady Grandmother, I'm expecting," she said excited. "I am with child and I'm going to be having a baby."

You could hear a pin drop as Vincent was the first to process this news. In two strides he had reached her before hugging her. "My dear girl, I'm so happy for you," he whispered in her ear as he swung her around. He was going to be a grandfather and there was going to be a baby. This couldn't be more exciting as he kissed her head.

"I'm going to be a great grandmother?" asked Dominique as she fanned herself. "Oh goodness gracious. Congratulations, I couldn't be more thrilled." With that she went over and kissed her granddaughter's cheeks as she found her hands going to her stomach. There was a baby in here as she felt something hit against her hand.

"And he's active," she said as she saw the look of surprise on her face.

"Why are you here and not in London? Surely the best doctors would be there and able to help you. I hear Sir Robert Craft is a miracle worker. You could have many visitors during your confinement. Oh dear did you apologize to Duke Richards' about getting sick on his clothes?"

"I have," said Clara as Ernest did his best to hide his smile. She really had not done so. "I decided to stay here since I could be more active. London is busy, crowded, and the smell was starting to affect me."

"I will have to start writing," declared Dominique. "Everyone must know. If you could please show me to somewhere where I can write."

Clara only shook her head as she let her inside to someplace well lite. Ernest had turned to Vincent as he had picked up her stays that she had left behind. The two men watched as the girls had walked into the manor as they faced one another.

"Congratulations Ernest," said Vincent. "You will be a wonderful father I'm sure."

"Thank you," he said as his thoughts never strayed far from her. Their baby was going to be the light of his life. Perhaps they'll even have another or five as he always thought Ledford was far too big for three people. An arm load that he could hug and kiss all at once. "I can't wait to be a father. I'm hoping that it's a girl."

Vincent looked surprised at that as Clara seemed to think it was a boy. Instead he let his mind wander as if the baby was a boy. He would naturally inherit Ledford Park. And then, he could, if it was possible, inherit Edgewater. Oh, oh, oh he thought. He could rewrite his will and her baby or even Clara could inherit until the baby was born. It would be some news.