Chapter 4 - "Suitable Matches..."

Clara's PoV

'Dad. I don't want to meet any of them' I whined.

'Clara. We have to accept the fact that you can't take this place over. We have to find you a husband. You have to have kids so that we can find an heir' he snapped.

'I'm not marrying anyone I don't love. And that's the end of that'

'I a your father, and I will tell you what you do. So tough' he snapped again, as Rory opened the door.

'There's 3 men outside' he said.

'Send them in' Dad instructed as I huffed.

- - -

It was suffice to say that they were all tremendously boring. Not one of them interested me at all.

None of them had any sense of adventure. All they wanted was my Fathers money.

Dinner was awful. Because I had to sit and make small talk with all of them against my will. The only thing that was getting me through this horrible meal was the fact that afterwards I was going down to our farm with Mr Smith.

I had cleared it with Dad so it wouldn't be to suspicious, but the agreement for that was that I have dinner with these very boring men.

The first man was almost 35 which is 14 years older than me. Which is just positively disgusting. He was almost closer to Dads age than mine. He just stood around and laughed with my Dad.

It looked like he was the favourite.

The second man was so dull, that I think we at one point ended up having a conversation about how we best enjoy toast.

Man number three I had to admit was the most attractive of the lot. The most interesting being a teacher in the village, but he wasn't my type at all and I just couldn't see there being a future of us at all.

I was so uninterested I didn't even bother learning or want to remember their names.

'Which one did you like? Because I personally think we should go with Mr Raymond, he was positively charming'

'Then you marry him because I'm not marrying someone who is closer to your age than mine'

'But Clara he is a noble man. Has money and has experience in running a state'

'I don't want money. I'm not interested In that' I said pulling my boots up, and forcing myself into some hiking gear.

'Why do you want go learn to farm? That's why we hire farmers'

'Well maybe some day in the future, farmers won't always be available. And id like to be able to raise a chicken to eat when that day comes. You'll thank me one day'

'Will you at least consider a date? Just one date to get to know him properly? If you don't like him... We'll find some other matches' he promised.

'Where would the date be?'

'Just in the village. Miss Pond will accompany you' he said firmly.

'Fine. One date. But I know now how it will end' I said, running outside and waiting by the fence for Mr Smith.

It had been a month since he had started working here and had got the hang of it easily.

He was really progressing with his reading and writing in only 4 short weeks. He said he feels like he hadn't lived up yet to his side of the deal, demanding that I clear it with my father for me to go down to the farm.

We have a farmer but I had practically dismissed him so that John could take over and Dad had agreed that as long as he doesn't mind the extra work then it was okay.

'Miss Oswald. Your wearing appropriate gear? Anyone would think you were looking forward to this?' He asked, unlocking the gate, and helping me down from the fence.

'Oh I am. Especially after having spend the afternoon with my father and possible husbands' I whined.

'It's a short walk. About 20 minutes? I can get the car out if you would prefer-'

'Walking is fine. I'm a woman - not an invalid' I said rolling my eyes.

'Okay, walk it is' he chuckled. 'So... Don't mind my asking what's got you in a bad mood?' He asked as we trudged through the grass.

'My Father. That's what puts me in a bad mood' I moaned.

'Ah. I can agree there' he mumbled.

'I love him. I really do. It's just he's focused all his attention on me lately. Obsessed with finding me a husband'

'Isn't that a good thing?'

'Not when the men that Dad brings home are all prim and proper, and completely dull'

'Not your type then huh?'

'It's not that. It's just any man who's ever going to really want me and get to know me is someone who wants all my Fathers money. Otherwise nobody else is ever going to even get close'

'Your young. You have time' he encouraged.

'That's the thing, I don't. Dad fears after Mums death, that if he doesn't get me married with kids they'll be no I've to take over the house'

'I don't understand' he said, holding out a hand, for me to climb over the last fence.

'I'm an only child. Worse than that I'm his daughter. Every man knows that one day they will need a son to take over. It was never a problem until now. He's willing to throw me at anyone who will sleep with me as many times as it takes to bear a child of whom is a boy. Someone to be his heir'

'So it's all about money then?'

'Pretty much. You catch on quick' I laughed.

'So now your rants over... Want to go and collect some chicken eggs?'

'Yes' I clapped excitedly.