Chapter 17 - "Sneaking Around Part II..."

Clara's PoV

The rest of the evening was spent with me and my head in the clouds.

I was planning the wedding in my head mentally, but I couldn't get the image of Desmond out of my mind... Especially when he was in the same room as me.

When he was dancing with my father pretending that he hadn't just beat me. Because if my Dad knew then he would be out on his ear and prisoned the next morning.

'Lovely man. Definitely a contender'

'No. No way. He wasn't who you think he was. Please whatever you do don't make me go out with him again. Please. If rather go out with one of the other three boring people than him' I begged as we headed up to bed.

'Clara please. I'll make the decisions around here... But if your so insistent on it not being him again then so be it I suppose' he said shutting his door making me sigh in some relief. There's no way I could ever see that man again.

I stepped into my room again, and started at myself in the mirror. How did I let myself get in this mess?

I had managed to tell my Father and guests that I had tripped over like an idiot in the bathroom, blaming, and saying that I had, had too many champagnes which everyone believed, but saw Amy here waiting to put down the bed.

'Lady Clara. Can I help?' She asked as I peeled the jacket off and pulled my bed clothes from the wardrobe.

'The first thing you can do is have those clothes burned. I don't care how you do it or who you ask to do it. Just make sure those clothes are burnt and I never have to see them again' I muttered.

'Miss Clara. If you don't mind my asking... Is there anything I can do? Anything you want to talk about?'

'No. But please everything you have seen and heard tonight... Please don't tell anyone downstairs, or anyone at all. Please. That includes my meeting with John, the less you know the less likely you'll be to get sacked. Please?'

'Of course my Lady, but I do believe I can help'

'And I'm sorry about shouting at you earlier, you did the right thing by bringing Cousin Lilly in. Just please don't tell anyone else'

'Of course. Would you like anything else?'

'Not to turn the light out when I go to sleep. Please. Leave it on' I said not sure if I would even manage to get to sleep.

- - -

'So are you going to tell me now why you was so off the other night? I mean obviously it was a shock to even see you but your were late and in such a mess if you don't mind me saying?' John asked as I threw chicken feed at the chickens.

'It was nothing to concern you. I promise'

'If we are going to marry. You know you can be honest with me. If it's because you cut your hair - I won't get mad. If you slept with another man - I won't get mad. I'll still love you either way' he shrugged.

'About that' I said.

'Oh god, your changing your mind aren't you? You've realised that this was all a terrible mistake haven't you?'

'No, don't be silly. I've been thinking over the week since the wedding. And I don't want a summer wedding. How would you like a Christmas wedding? I don't care where it is, as long as it's in December. By then we might be living on the streets anyway'

'Sounds perfect. That's what? Three and a half months from now? When are you going to-- you know tell your father?'

'As soon as Lilly and Richard come back from their honeymoon in two weeks, until then we continue sneaking around' I confirmed.

'If that's what you want. But I'm going to London in two days. I have some shopping I want to do. Please don't come down here without me. I don't want a repeat of last time. I still have a terrible back from carrying you two miles' he joked.

'Why will you be in London?'

'I promised you a ring and ring is what you shall get. If we're going to tell your father... I want to at least prove something'

'Wouldn't it be just so convenient if I also was going to London this weekend' I said raising my eyebrow with a grin. 'Shopping possibly?'

'You only went shopping two weeks ago? How would you go?'

'I'll say I need a haircut, haven't had that done in a while and say I'm making a night of it. He'll approve of that - a chance to meet some right locals. And wouldn't it just be amazing to spend a night together. Call room service and snuggle up in bed? Where no one can tell us what to do?'

'What about Amy?'

'I'll give her the day off. As long as your out by morning this time - unless you want to make a habit of climbing out of trees - then all should be fine' I smirked.