Sweet! Managed to upload this before October! Enjoy! :)

One Month Earlier

David Oswald would usually have an early breakfast, preferring to take his time enjoying the food served rather than eating in a rush before leaving for work. He would usually dine with his daughter but he had been waiting for her to appear for more than half an hour now.

Feeling concerned, he instructed Donna to check-up on his daughter.

"Donna, would be so kind as to see if Clara is up?" David said, finishing his tea. "I have to leave work soon and it's a bit odd she isn't up yet."

"Of course, sir."

She had a suspicion Clara was coming down with a fever when she said she felt dizzy and unwell. Who could blame the poor girl? Her father was pressuring her to get married and it was bound to have taken a toll on her.

And she was right when she entered her room after receiving no answer from her when she called from outside.

Clara looked pale, the duvet pulled up to her chin. "I am not sick," she insisted, sniffing. "Just need to sleep for a few more minutes."

Donna rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "And I'm the Queen of England."

She marched downstairs and informed Dave of Clara's condition. The next sensible thing to do was to clearly call a doctor.

Back upstairs, Clara felt miserable. It was bad enough she had to leave Blackpool just a month ago and her friends and now here she was, bedridden like some dying old woman.

She heard a knock on the door before it slowly swung open, as her father entered.

"I've fetched for a doctor so he should be here soon but I will have to leave for work now," he said, caressing her head.

"It's only a cold, father," she pointed out. "I'm not dying."

David Oswald chuckled. "Get well soon, Clara."

"I will!"

An hour had passed and Clara was beginning to wonder if a doctor was indeed on his way. Her doubts were put to rest when she heard mumbled voices from outside her room.

She mentally prepared herself as she wasn't a fan of doctors. The ones she met throughout her life were cold and patronising. The odds of the doctor she was about to meet were very likely too. If anything, he was going to make her feel worse.

The door slowly swung opened and a man stepped in. What caught her attention was that he was wearing a coat with blue lining, waistcoat and cravat. All black complemented with black trousers.

Clara wasn't sure if her father had called a doctor or magician. One complaint she didn't have, however, was that despite the man being older than her, he was rather good looking. Handsome would be the proper term.

She got up into a sitting position and rested her back against the soft pillows.

"I'll be waiting outside if you need me," she heard Donna utter before closing the door.

"Miss Oswald?" he said when he realised Clara had been staring at him.

She cleared her throat and straightened her back. "Sorry… you can blame the headache," she said nervously.

"I'm Dr John Smith," he introduced himself, setting his bag on the nightstand.

John couldn't understand why he suddenly felt uncomfortable. Just minutes ago, he was fine, thinking it was just like any other day – a sick patient who just needed some medicine and plenty of rest and he suspects that it would probably be the case for Miss Oswald. The problem is, there was something else he couldn't quite place his finger on.

Taking off his gloves, he stuffed them in the pocket of his coat before speaking, "You mentioned having a headache?"

"Yes, and also unwell."

"Have you been under a lot of stress lately?"

His question had caused her to chuckle. John arched a brow. "Did I say something you find humorous?"

Clara merely smiled at him, confusing him even more.

"You've been under a tremendous amount of stress then, I assume, given your response."

They locked eyes. It was all the confirmation he needed.

"Trying being in my shoes where your father is constantly trying to match make you with someone," she sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to burden you with my problems."

John understood how she felt he was in the same position as her back when he was a young man. "If anything, I can actually relate," he began, sitting in an empty chair next to the bed.

This time, it was Clara who gave him a skeptical look.

"My parents and sister tried to do the exact same thing to me but," he continued.

"You found your true love and lived happily ever after?"

John grinned. "Not quite. No. I've met a few women but well, I think it speaks for itself."

"Are you suggesting I will grow old alone?" Clara asked.

The smile on the Doctor's face dropped immediately. "No, no. That's not what I'm suggesting at all… I'm sure you'll find someone," he stammered.

He calmed down a bit when his patient began giggling.

"I see you're feeling better already," John said.

Clara eyed him. "Maybe it's because I have a fantastic doctor."

"I doubt that," he murmured before he rose from his seat. "Anyway, my advice to you would be to get plenty of rest, not think about the ridiculous plans your parents have planned for you and drink plenty of fluids."

She definitely felt a lot better than she did an hour ago. Sure, her body still felt weak but definitely an improvement.

John grabbed his bag and walked straight to the door.

"Doctor."

He paused just as he was about to twist the knob and turned around, glancing at the beautiful woman sitting in bed.

"Thank you," she said.

John granted her a smile. "You're welcome, Miss Oswald."

Present Time

"… and they should arrive sometime around noon, I believe," David Oswald said before realising his daughter had drifted off in her thoughts. "Clara? Clara, did you hear what I just said?"

She snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at her father. "I'm sorry, father, if you don't mind, I would like to excuse myself."

"They're coming for dinner tomorrow!" her father yelled from the dining room.

Clara tried her best to refrain from rolling her eyes or sigh as she paced up the stairs to her room. If it were up to her, she would cancel the whole thing. It was pointless. It wasn't as if she would immediately fall for whoever it was she was going to meet.

She could tell her father what was on her mind and about how she kept in contact with Dr John Smith on a regular basis by writing letters to him but that would only make things worse.

One thing she was certain of is that she needed to see him again. He seemed to understand her better than anyone else. She could sneak off without her father's knowledge but that was too risky.

It was then an idea hit her. Walking back downstairs, she entered the dining room and said, "I think I am in need of some fresh air. I think a ride around town would be a good idea."

David stared at his daughter, just as he was about to take a bite of his meal. "Alright," he answered in defeat. "You can ask Henry to drive you around."

Her face instantly lit up and she went off in search of the driver and found him in the gardens. "Mr Rentford!"

"Clara," he said and got up.

"I need you to take me to see the Doctor."

His eyes widened in surprise. "You mean…"

"Yes, but don't tell father, obviously. If he asks, just tell him you drove me to the market."

He put on his hat before leading the way to the carriage. "Are you certain this is a good idea?"

"No," she retorted. "But what is like without taking risks?"

"I hope you know what you are doing, Clara."