Chapter 21 - "A Lesson in Etiquette..."

September 2nd 1920

Clara's PoV

It was no surprise that he didn't come to me the following morning. I had to go and send for him.

To be caught sneaking around the house probably wouldn't help and would just add to his disgrace.

'Good morning Lady Clara. Lord Oswald wants to see you as soon as. He said he'll be waiting at breakfast' Amy said.

'Could you do me some favours?' I asked.

'Of course my Lady'

'Could you make sure a place is made up for John at the table for breakfast? Just make sure someone makes a place for him. On my orders. Then could you go to the spare room and send him here? You won't get in trouble. I've asked you to do it' I smiled.

'Of course My lady' she nodded leaving the room.

It was a relief when he stepped in the door but he looked un-rested like he hadn't slept all night.

'How did you sleep? Well I hope?'

'Actually I didn't sleep at all' he muttered.

'Tell me you won't change your mind? I love you and only want to spend my life with you. If he wants to kick us out then let him' I grumbled. 'Anything else my lady?' Amy asked.

'No. That'll be all. Tell Lord Oswald I'll be down in a moment and I'll be accompanied' I sighed. 'You ready for this?' I asked.

'This is not going to be easy is it?' John said.

'No but once it's over we can run away together and live together and make a life together' I smiled.

- - -

'Just smile and use the utensils as are appropriate. If you get stuck I'll show you' I told him outside the lunch room.

'Oh god. Am I going to get a lesson in etiquette now? It's all very well serving but having to use three different forks it's just something else' he gasped.

'Don't worry. We only use two different forks at breakfast' I smirked.

'That makes me feel loads better thanks' he said sarcastically as Rory opened the door giving John an evil eye the entire time.

I do understand it's hard. But if we do marry here then he'll have to get used to it.

'Morning Father' I smiled and walked into the breakfast room with John hair behind me.

'What is he doing here? He has no right to be present for this' Dad snapped standing up and I could see by Rory's face that he was going to have no trouble at all kicking Mr Smith out.

'John is with me' I snapped looking at Lilly and Richard who had actually come down for breakfast this morning. It's allowed for a woman once married to have her breakfast in bed. But Lilly was just like I was. So against the times we live in.

'Just let him stay Uncle Dave. It will make this whole conversation so much easier if you just let him stay' Lilly said trying to come to my defence. That was probably the most likely reason that she was down here.

'I need to speak to you about all this. Without his presence' Dad said annoyed about it but knew he had to get John out somehow. So he turned to Mr Williams and took a deep breath, and washed away most of his dignity whilst doing it. 'Mr Williams'

'Yes sir?' Rory said looking excited about the prospect of throwing John out on his ear.

'Could you take Mr Smith to the library? Have him a tray made up and serve it to him there. I'm sure he'll prefer to eat with the dinner on his lap anyway'

'Dad' I warned.

'Please Clara we need to chat' he begged.

I looked at him and then at John. 'Go' I assured him and Rory looked positively astounded about having to wait on John. A man who until 24 hours ago was his friend and respected.

'Know this Dad. If you forbid it we will just walk away' I grumbled.

'You say you love him? How do you know? How do you know it won't all go down hill? You barely know the man'

'We spend a lot of time together down on the farm. If you saw just how well he looks after the farm you would approve that he is indeed a noble and good man'

'Good maybe. Noble he is not. He is not noble born. He is not an heir. He is useless to you in any kind of way'

'Whys that? Because all you want is an heir. A grandson who can take over this house and run it properly. I dare say it won't be impossible for that to happen. He is 22. Young and fought in the war for his country at only 16' I pointed out which I knew would change his perspective slightly.

'Of course I respect the man for fighting for his country but it doesn't dispute the fact that he will bring your status down'

'Why will he? If we can have your blessing... Your word. We can do this properly. We announce it to the village. We get married with your support in front of everyone. We marry in December. We go away for a few months on honeymoon away from the media and the limelight. We come back sometime around April and get to know the estate. The people. We train him up. Help him to understand and then he can take over until our son is old enough to take over'

'All that is very well Clara but what happens if that doesn't happen? What if you have four daughters before the end of your time? What if you die - heaven forbid it - Young having only had a daughter? You really expect me to give up my entire estate to him. A servant?'

'You can learn to trust him. There must be someone out there... Some relative that can help to make sure that he lives to that, to that side of the bargain. Because the decision lies in your hands'

'You bet it does' he snapped. I noted that Lilly and Richard were just listening in and not really saying much - bit Richard owns some of this land too, to be fair. He will have a say in all of this as well.

'Because the alternative is a lot worse do you not agree? The alternative you don't really get a say? We flee the the county tomorrow and move to a town. We find a farm and live there until we marry. We marry in December and a few years down the line we have a child. A son perhaps? You get sick or old and need someone to take over so you call me back. You beg us to take over the estate but we will have no clue about it. Even if we had only four daughters you would still want me to come back' I grumbled and by the look on his face he knew I was right.