Chapter 31 - "Leeds..."

Clara's PoV

'Leeds? You can't be serious. Who would you stay with in Leeds?'

'A hotel obviously. I'm a married lady now. It's quite allowed' I scoffed at him, for being such a nuisance.

'And who will come with you? Your not going on your own and the ghastly husband of yours isn't around so you'd better think again young lady' dad snapped.

I was going either way but it would be good if I had someone with me. At least that way Dad wouldn't get overly suspicious.

'I was actually planning on visiting a village in Leeds next month' Richard suddenly piped up.

'Really cousin Richard?'

'Yes. I was going to visit my Mother before the arrival of little Madden. I can bring that forward and go tomorrow I suppose' he said browsing some paperwork. 'We can stay there at the house and dine with them. I can't see a problem'

'Tell her to set up a cot' I said great fully.

'What? You are not taking George'

'I am and I must. Would your mother be able to watch him?'

'Clara I have to agree with your father. It's probably not the best idea to travel to such parts with your son. Maybe next time. What business have you there anyway?'

'I'm seeing a friend. And old friend of mine. I can't wait' I lied, sliding away back to my room, and looked for some things.

- - -

'My lady. I was surprised of your phone call. It seemed so strange and sudden' a woman of about 40 said, inviting me in.

'Please. I apologise for my visit. But I had to come' I said, looking out on the farm, and decided that I would love a little farm like this.

'My husband will be in, in a moment. He's having quite the pig crisis. I apologies for that. Would you like some tea?'

'Tea would be lovely' I said looking out the window, it the cottage and noticed how far away the hose line was from the pigs. 'Sorry, I don't mean to intrude... But you should probably just move the trough closer to you. They would be less likely to knock it over if it leant against a wall, and you'd be closer to it' I said.

'My my, a noble born lady of London in my house and telling me how to farm my pigs. Things couldn't be better' Tim concluded. 'I'm Tim, you've met my wife Susan I presume?'

'I have. So lovely if you to have me visit on such short notice' I said.

'How do you know so much about the pigs might I ask' he said washing his hands as I took a seat on the chair.

'My husband... Well he was the family farmer before I married. He taught me a bit about the farms'

'Ay. Ay. I read about that in the papers. What a lucky chap he must be. How can we help my lady?'

'It's rather a horrible business. But I'm here to discuss your daughter? Rather your adopted daughter?'

'Ay'

'Isabella Smith? I believe her to be 5. Born September the 21st 1917?'

'Yes. We thought we might get questions asked'

'Do you have any other children?'

'We do my lady. 3 other girls and one boy'

'Gosh. And I thought one son was hard work'

'Not when you don't look after them yourself' Susan scoffed.

'Susan. I apologise for her manners'

'It's fine: don't worry' I assured.

'I won't let you take her away from us. Well expose your name to scandal. His and yours. Your son will never inherit. Your not having her'

'You don't have any claims over her. Not legally I know that' I pointed out.

'Where's your proof. Where's your proof that she's got anything to do with you'

'I found her birth certificate. And my marriage certificate'

'Does the Lord Smith want anything to do with her?'

'Lord smith? If anyone called him that he's punch then in the face. To be honest I don't know. And I'm not here to take her away. I just wanted to know if he could see her? Now you know?'

'No. No. That won't be possible'

'Why not?'

'She doesn't mean to be rude my lady - but she doesn't know that she is adopted into this family. If she or anyone found out who her father was now we would be ones for scandal'

'I see. I hadn't thought of that'

'Too right you hadn't. You barge into my home and demand to see a daughter that isn't even yours'

'Susan. You could get arrested for such rudeness towards a lady. She doesn't mean to be impertinent I assure you' Tim said.

'I completely understand. If I was to give you some money?'

'Buy her off us?'

'Of course not. Why would I do that? If I were to give you some money would you keep the secret to yourself?'

'We've been doing that for years my lady. 5 to be exact'

'Of course. And what about raising her. She's as much my responsibility as she is John's, and she does have a brother. I would like to contribute. Education, clothes, books, that kind of thing'

'I don't know what to say' Tim said.

'There's nothing to say. All our kids will be in school until their 14. How do we explain to the other 4 that only Isabella gets to stay in school until 16?'

'Times are changing. I believe that they are. My marriage to John says that. I just want to provide for her, and hear about her I won't get involved'

'Of course'

'I don't want to bribe you... But should this get out... The scandal or shame. Then I will take her from you. Everyone would know anyway, so o would take her from you and have her in the Oswald nursery'

'We understand my lady. Thank you for your visit'

'I'll write to you' I promised, as Richards car pulled up.