Page 68 of The Duke’s Impossible Match

“I understand,” he said. He’d been spending far too much time saving St. Margaret’s house and too little time fighting for Clara. This was about her. Not the orphanage, not his duty, not the benefit.

Her.

“Where is she?” Gerald asked. His words sounded like he was begging.

“The greenhouse, with the children,” Agatha said, smiling. Her eyes gave him silent permission and encouragement.

“Godspeed,” Theodore said quietly. As Gerald moved away, he noticed that Theodore took Agatha’s hand, perhaps feeling glad that they had moved past the difficulties of romance and could enjoy the glow of pure love instead.

Gerald wondered if he would get to enjoy such a fate, or if that lay beyond him.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Clara was sitting in the greenhouse, helping the children press flowers for the scrapbook. They were walking around, each of them trying to pick out the perfect flower. Duke bounced up and down, yapping excitedly.

“No, you can’t press any flowers. You don’t have thumbs,” Emily said.

“He could use his paws,” Teddy replied.

“He’d only end up tearing them apart,” Emily replied.

Clara smiled. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same.

She basked in this moment, thinking to herself that one day all of this would pass. The children would grow and move on, and she hoped they would think fondly of their time spent at St. Margaret’s. Despite Emily and Teddy’s bickering, she knew they loved each other, and it would be difficult for the children to separate. There had already been enquiries made about them from people who attended the benefit. The play they performed endeared them to many, and it was only right that they should find homes.

Clara hadn’t told them yet, however. She couldn’t bring herself to do so because it was far too difficult. At least she would be a constant, she supposed. She would be as stalwart as the walls.

Hopefully the children would come and visit one day, perhaps with children of their own. Clara would never have a family herself, but at least she could help others attain such happiness.

She would grow old with every passing season and be comforted by the knowledge that she helped children find new homes, new lives, and new happiness.

And as the years passed, she might think about all she had lost less and less. The vibrant kiss was still burning in her mind, but she was certain the memory would fade in time.

It had to, surely.

She had her back to the door. The children turned, and they almost dropped their flowers. Teddy and Emily ran towards the door, colliding with each other. Oliver and Sophia weren’t far behind.

“Gerald!” they cried out. Even Duke was excited, leaping high into the air and barking. He wagged his tail, and Gerald was accosted by all of them.

“Greetings, children. It’s good to see you again Duke,” Gerald said. He bent down, hugging the children in turn and petting Duke’s head. He chuckled and there was nothing false about his smile. Clara clenched her jaw. Emotions churned within her and she felt as though she had to stiffen every part of her body, else she would crumble.

Clara had resigned herself to the fact that she would never see him again and that their story had come to an end, but clearly he was unable to stop himself.

He looked up. Their eyes met. Her breath was stolen.

Gerald returned to his feet.

“I would love to play with you all, but I wondered if perhaps I might borrow Miss Sterling,” he said.

“Do you promise you’ll play with us?” Teddy asked.

Gerald bent down to meet Teddy’s gaze. “I promise,” he said.

Teddy nodded. Gerald approached Clara. She pushed herself up, ignoring her wobbling knees and hazy mind.

“I would like to speak with you alone,” he said, and proceeded to lead her to the corner of the greenhouse.

“I remember you sitting here comforting Sophia, not caring at all that your dress was getting dirty.”