Page 2 of The Duke’s Impossible Match

“Solicitor,” Oliver corrected.

“He came yesterday. Joanne said we’re all going to have to leave. She says she doesn’t want to go back living with her mother and Ruth said that maybe she could go and work in a bawdy-house, and Joanne…” Emily said.

Clara’s cheeks colored at this. Thankfully, the children didn’t know the meaning of the word. Did they? As well as having words with Agatha, she would have to speak to the maids about being more cautious with their language, for the children were usually hovering close by. Clara brought her hands together in a sharp clap, interrupting Emily’s words.

“Right, I don’t know what this is about, but I’m sure you’ve misunderstood. I don’t know anything about a solicitor’s visit.”

“He spoke with Aunt Agatha,” Emily said.

“That would explain why I haven’t heard anything about it,” Clara muttered under her breath. She placed her hands on Emily’s back and ushered her towards the other children. Then, Clara gathered up the belongings and carried them, using the material as a rudimentary sack.

“Let us go back to the house. You can tidy up the toys and books while I clear up this matter. Nobody is going to make you leave this house. St. Margaret’s is your home,” Clara said with tenacity, although in the back of her mind there was a niggling feeling that something was incredibly wrong.

Clara and the children returned to the house. Just as the children were about to scamper to the front room, Agatha emerged. Her hair was bound back in a neat, silvery bun and the wrinkles on her face were becoming more prominent with every passing year. She had also developed a stoop, but her eyes twinkled as brightly as ever.

“Oh, good morning, children, Clara. I was looking for all of you. Teddy, I have a story I think you might enjoy. It happened in my youth. I was out with my family in the New Forest. We always used to take trips there in the summer. They were some of the happiest times of my life, and I really should go there again. I must mention that to Theodore. Anyway, I was walking along by myself as I liked to do in those days, because sometimes the best company you can be in is your own. I want you to remember that, children,” her wizened eyes passed across each child in turn, “I was walking past a stream when I saw this majestic horse. So beautiful she was, with a golden mane and bronze hide, and I know you like horses. She was drinking from the stream. I walked up to her and… and oh… what happened then?”

Clara waited a moment as Agatha’s brow furrowed. Agatha raised her hand to her mouth and gnawed on her knuckle, deep in thought.

“Grandmother,” Clara said, smiling gently, “as fascinating as this story is, we need to talk.” In all accuracy, Agatha was her great-grandmother, but she claimed she wanted no reminders of her advancing age.

“Hmm? Very well, Charlotte, what would you like to talk about?”

“I’m Clara, Grandmother.”

Agatha blinked, and a blank look came over her face. “Yes, that’s what I said. Clara.”

“Let us go and sit down. Children, run along and tidy up,” Clara said. They did so, although Sophie remained behind and stared up at Clara, then tugged at the sack. Clara had almost forgotten she was holding it.

“Oh yes, you must want your drawing. Here you go,” Clara handed Sophie the sack. She gathered it in her arms and trundled after the other children, while Clara and Agatha ducked into the nearest room. Agatha settled in her usual seat, which had been used so often that there was a groove that had been formed by her body. She picked up her cup of tea and sipped it, but made a disgusted face.

“It’s cold. Why are they serving me cold tea?”

“I’ll have a word with them,” Clara said, even though she assumed that Agatha had simply forgotten it was there. Such occurrences were becoming more common. One more worry she would have to deal with.

“They are dears, aren’t they? They remind me of Charlotte, Edmund, and Lydia. Oh, I’m sure they’ll have such fun together,” Agatha smiled and seemed a little happier now that she was sitting down.

“I hope so, although they seem troubled this morning. Did you get a visit from a solicitor?” Clara asked.

“A solicitor? No, I don’t believe so. I’m sure I would remember something like that. Have you been seeing a solicitor?”

“I haven’t been seeing anyone.”

“I know,” Agatha harrumphed. “But it’s high time you do! You are not going to stay young forever. You’re eighteen now, and it’s time you set the ton ablaze.”

“I am one and twenty, Grandmother.”

“Exactly! My point exactly, my dear. You must start thinking about the future. Happiness awaits. I have never been happier than when I was married.”

“I should think you would counsel patience, given that you and Grandfather Theodore married later in life.”

Agatha shook her head and waved a hand through the air. “No, no, not at all. We managed to make the most of it, but think of all those lost years! Clara, please, you must think of yourself, and your dear mother.”

“Mother?”

“Yes… it does worry her so.”

“She has not mentioned such a thing to me,” Clara said in bewilderment. Was everyone keeping secrets from her?