Wednesday 23 January 2013

Clara of Windlocke Part 2


“Good day Miss Bambury. Perhaps we shall meet again.”
 

“Perhaps,” Clara said dryly. “Well good bye.” She turned and immediately began to walk towards the house in a rush to escape his company.

 

“Good bye then and try and stay out of trouble young lady, else you never know what the consequences may be.” he called as she presented her back to him.

Clara looked back and scowled at him at his reminder of her recent chastisement before resuming her walk, head held high. Lucien laughed lightly and prepared to leave himself. He took one last look at the beautiful brat before stepping inside his carriage, musing to himself that it had been quite an interesting journey thus far indeed.

 

…..

 

After changing her slightly dampened dress for a new one, Clara sat stretched out on the settee attempting to get into the novel she was reading. Just as she was about to give up and go in search of company, Bessie appeared carrying with her a sliver tea tray.

 

“There you are miss! Your father wishes to see you in his study right away. He didn’t say why mind, but come, best not keep him waiting.” Bessie added the last part on seeing Clara’s questioning stare, her father never asked to see her.

 

Clara put down the book and followed Bessie out of the parlour and into the hall where Bessie left her to return to the kitchens.  Clara waited a moment before knocking and then twisted the brass door knob to enter her fathers study. She pushed open the door to see her father sat at his desk appearing to be sealing an envelope of some sort.

 

“You wished to see me father?” She remained stood by the door.

 

“Yes. I wanted to inform you that you must pack your belongings tonight as tomorrow you shall leave for London.” He said as if it were a matter of no importance.

 

“London? But whatever for?!” Clara inquired, surprised at what he was saying. Why would he be sending her to London?

 

“Yes London and do not question me child!” he scolded as he finally looked up from his desk to acknowledge her. “I have decided you are to stay with your uncle and aunt in London and have your season in society. I have sent your uncle a sum of money to make sure you have all the new dresses and anything else you require. You would do best to use this opportunity to your advantage.”

 

Clara knew what he meant. His intentions were that she find a husband. He obviously did not know that she had little interest in getting married or attending balls and all that was associated with such. She dared say she was surprised, her father did not know her at all.

 

“Please father, must I go? I would rather stay here than go to London.” she pleaded sincerely.

 

“Yes you must go, how dare you be so ungrateful!” Merrill’s eyes narrowed at her in annoyance.

“Now I do not wish to hear another word from you on the matter, go prepare to leave at once.”

 

“Yes father.” She said meekly and then hurried out the door before the tears that threatened to flow, did so. Once in the hall she could not hold them back any longer and she practically ran up the stairs nearly bumping into one of the house maids along the way as she sought the comfort of her room.

 

On entering, Clara threw herself down on the bed and started to sob into her pillow, her mind  not able to think of anything other than the distressing thought of having to leave the home and people she had known for all her eighteen years.

 

So consumed in her misery was she that she did not hear Bessie enter her room.

“Oh miss, whatever is the matter? What has you so upset?” Bessie sat down next to the crying younger woman. Clara turned her face from the covering of the pillow and quickly wiped the moist tears from her cheeks.

“Oh Bessie I am to be sent away. Tomorrow in fact!”

“Yes your father has just informed me. But why the tears? You shall have a marvellous time in London, why all the balls and admirers…” Bessie smiled.

“But I shall miss you terribly and Sam and..”   her voice trailed off as she broke into fresh sobs.


“Well she shan’t miss me as I'll be coming with you. My sister Esther works in a flower shop and master's given me permission to visit her , so i'll be accompanying you on your journey.

“You are?!” Clara asked hopefully.

“Yes miss so do not worry as I shall not be far from you, though I’m sure you'll forget all about me soon enough!”

Clara managed a watery smile, Bessie’s news had relieved her somewhat. With a gentle pat on the back, Bessie rose and began to prepare for the trip, packing Clara’s belongings into the leather cases while Clara soon succumbed to sleep.

................................................

The journey to London was uneventful, though the noise and  of the city was a relatively new experience for Clara and she spent the latter part of staring out the window absorbing the new surroundings. Soon enough they arrived at the front of her Uncle and Aunts townhouse and Clara was
invited inside by the family butler after saying a hearty goodbye to Bessie.

She had only taken a few steps inside when she saw a red headed girl race down the stairs and towards her, embracing her enthusiastically

“Oh Clara! It has been so long since I’ve seen you, I'm so glad you are here!”

“Yes me too!” She said half truthfully, it was certainly good to see her cousin again.

“Ruby, no running in the house!” came a deep voice from nearby. Clara looked towards the direction it came from where she saw a tall man a few years older than her, stood by the door, his face featuring a broad grin.

“William!” Clara cried as she was greeted by her other cousin as soon as Ruby released her.

“My haven’t you grown. Still look like the little imp I remember mind!” William teased after kissing her on the cheek.

 

“Please Will you only saw me but a year ago, I do not look much different.”

 

“Perhaps not.” he chuckled just as her Aunt and Uncle appeared at the stairs.

 

 

Clara was instantly made to feel welcome and at home, she had forgotten what it felt like to be part of a loving family and her earlier fears for coming were soon forgotten.

 

“Oh we will have so much fun together!” Ruby proclaimed as they sat in the parlour after dinner. Clara smiled at Ruby’s excitement, her sense of adventure almost matched her own. It was some hours before they both retired to bed, after discussing the ball that was to be held the very next evening.

 

……………….

 

Will you be attending the Hardwick’s ball then Lucien?” His mother inquired over dinner at Luciens London house. His parents, the Duke and Duchess of Windlocke had decided to pay visit.

 

“No I think not mother, you know I don’t usually care to attend such parties. I have more pressing matters to attend to besides.”

 

“Oh come now, you must attend or at least make an appearance. There will be plenty of fine young ladies there, it is really time you gave up your bachelorhood. I would like to become a grandmother before I pass.”

 

“Leave the boy alone Elise, what he chooses to do is his own business.” her husband scolded gently before swiftly changing the subject.

 

“So tell me, did you have a pleasant journey here?”

 

Lucien tried not smile at the memory of the spirited girl he had encountered on his travels and what had occurred between them. If truth be told the young miscreant had occupied his thoughts for the remainder of his journey and beyond, and he had been unable to erase the delicious image of her draped over his lap from his mind. It was a spanking that was truly deserved in his opinion but he could not deny that he enjoyed imparting the lesson.

 

“It was fine. No troubles to speak of and we arrived in good time.” he answered.

 

The mention of the previous days events caused Lucien’s thoughts to linger a little more on the mysterious female. Realising he was doing so he chided himself for thinking about a girl he would most likely, never meet again. Lucien couldn’t quite understand why though, that thought, left him feeling rather disappointed.

 

………………..

 

So far the evening had been a success. That was if you would call receiving five gentleman’s cards a success, though Ruby believed it was. Clara was thankful that Ruby had given her a long lesson in all the best known dances as she had spent most the evening on her feet moving to the harmony of the small orchestra. Ruby had also given Clara an essential teaching in all the correct social topics and etiquette, as Claras knowledge of which was severely lacking.

 

Due to the declining health of Ruby and Williams grandmother, Claras aunt and uncle had been called to pay an unforeseen visit to the dying woman’s home, leaving William to escort both Clara and Ruby to the ball. With her feet starting to ache, Clara had remained standing at the edge of the ballroom for the past two dances choosing to converse with William instead.

 

“Oh please excuse me Clara I see a friend of mine has arrived. I must go greet him but I shall not be long.”  William informed her and then left to meet the small party that had just arrived. Clara decided to attach herself to a nearby group of  girls around her age where she spent the next twenty minutes or so trying, with little success, to join in their conversation of the latest Parisian fashions.

 

As she took another sip of champagne, she recognised William had returned and he stood behind the circle of ladies who then stepped aside to allow him to join them. It took only a little longer for Clara to recognise the man beside him and when she did she almost let out a gasp in shock.

 

“Ladies, allow me to introduce Lord Lucien Windlocke..”

 

Even as William gave the necessary introductions, Luciens eyes were already on Clara and he only looked away to nod briefly at the other women as William stated their names. Clara tried to control the feelings of surprise and she suddenly felt desperate to escape any attention from him.

 

“And this is my cousin Clara Bambury.” It was finally Clara’s turn to be introduced and she felt as if Lucien’s eyes were boring into her as he imparted her with a slight smile.

 

“How do you do Miss Bambury. Please would you do me the honour of joining me for the next dance.”

 

Clara could not think of a way to refuse especially as she was in the midst of company. She cleared her throat and feigned a delighted expression as she uttered, “Yes of course, I would like that very much.”

 

Lucien presented his hand which Clara reluctantly took and he led her away from their fellow guests and towards the centre of the room, where, satisfied they were out of earshot he began to speak.

 

“It seems we meet again then Clara although I must say I did not expect it to be so soon.” he said as he took in her appearance. He had to admit she presented an even more pleasing sight than when he had seen her before, with her chestnut hair pinned at the back of her head with a few loose curls cascading past her nape and the daring cut of the pale green silk dress she was wearing. Lucien found he was starting to respond to her.

 

Clara suddenly felt her temper start to rise at the way he spoke to her and the fact that he was here when she would have liked nothing more than to forget about their previous meeting. Of course standing in his presence again brought back the recollections of the spanking she had received and she felt herself blush at the very thought.

 

“What are you doing here sir?” she asked, trying to sound polite but with her current temperament still evident.

 

“Why I was invited here. Were you hoping I would not be? I do hope our first meeting hasn’t prejudged your opinion of me.”

 

“Please sir, you are no gentlemen to talk of such an event. I cannot say I am endeared towards you after your high handed treatment of me.”

 

Lucien had to admire her boldness and felt a slight guilt at her obvious embarrassment although he was a man of honesty.

 

“Forgive me my dear but I must say your chastisement was well deserved and I hope it has curtailed your unlady like behaviour. Tell me have you been behaving yourself?”

 

Clara’s face grew dark but just as she was about to speak the music in the room changed signalling the start of the next dance.

 

“Let us forget our discussion for now.” Lucien said as he placed a hand on her shoulder blade and escorted her to the position for the start of the dance.

 

The music played and much to Clara’s relief the dance required little closeness between them and neither did they talk but merely stared at one another whenever they were facing. Fortunately it was over rather quickly and as the dance ended Lucien began to take the few steps to reach Clara when a voice stopped him.

 

“Lucien there you are! You promised  you would dance with me, don’t tell me you have forgotten!” A dark haired girl appeared at Lucien’s side.

 

“No Miss Rotherham I have not forgotten.” Lucien told her resigned to the fact that he must now leave Clara and dance with the young lady not quite wanting to offend her.

 

“Excuse us please Miss Bambury. Thank you for the dance. I would like to speak to you later if you will permit.”

 

Clara nodded as she had a feeling that he would anyway with or without her permission.

 

She made her way to the edge of the room once again and after failing to see William she began to talk to a girl named Charlotte whom she had met earlier. Every now and again Clara would find her eyes wandering to glimpse at Lucien and Miss Rotherham as they danced and she wasn’t so foolish as to realise that his partner was interested in him. She knew what flirting looked like.

 

As she continued to watch them between snippets of conversation, she began to feel strange as if an unfamiliar feeling had developed inside of her. Not caring to watch them any longer and suddenly experiencing an overwhelming desire to leave, Clara said her goodbyes to Charlotte and went off in search of Ruby. She found Ruby near to the entrance of the grand house appearing to be talking to a gentleman.

 

“Oh Ruby I’m afraid I’m not feeling well and I shall be leaving.” Clara told her. Ruby quickly excused herself to the gentleman before replying.

 

“Leave? Well we must go inform William so he can take you home.”

 

“No there’s no need to tell William, I shall be fine by myself and I can take our carriage and send it back here for you.”

 

“But Will-” Ruby began but was cut off.

 

“Honestly Ruby I am leaving and please do not tell William I have gone.” Clara said firmly.

 

“Very well then but I will come with you as I do not wish you to ride alone.” Ruby conceded.

 

They fetched their cloaks and then made there way outside into the night, neither realising that travelling home would present such a problem.

 


 

“Lucien have you seen my sister or cousin? I’m afraid I can’t seem to find them.”

 

“No not at all. Have you checked with one of the maids to see  if they are upstairs?” Lucien suggested. He too had been searching for Clara since he managed to depart the company of Miss Rotherham but he had not had any luck in finding her, it was if she had disappeared.

 

“Are you looking for Ruby?” a female voice inquired.

 

“Yes Lady Talbot, have you seen her?” William asked the elderly woman who was slumped in her chair and who also happened to be a family aquaintence.

 

“Yes I saw her go through the front door with another young lady, it looked as if they were returning home but why are they not with you?”

 

Not bothering to give the lady a full response, Lucien and William strode towards the main entrance and out onto the driveway but saw no sign of the two girls only a trio of footmen engaged in friendly banter.

 

“Where do you suppose they have gone?” William asked his friend with concern.

 

“I do not know Will but if they have left and gone home alone without telling a single person than I shall-” Lucien stopped himself.

 

William knew what he was about to say and agreed wholeheartedly. Now if only they could find the two wayward ladies, they would give them a lesson they would not forget, and with that in mind the two men set off in their search.