Chapter 7 - "Picnic..."

Clara's PoV

'Did not expect you to show up Miss Oswald' John smirked.

'No. I'm sure you didn't. Judging me are you?' I chucked, stepping down off the gate and get back into the mud. 'Anyway. I can get up early' I said offended.

'I'm sure you can'

'What's in the basket?'

'Breakfast. I told Rose that you were coming to the farm again and she was worried about you not having breakfast so she packed you a basket'

'Oh. That was really nice' I smiled going to take it from him.

'In the server. I'm the footman. I'll carry the basket, you just concentrate on your feet' he smiled.

The walk was really nice and a lot better than last time. I had less to moan about and we managed to have actual civilised conversation.

'I want to learn to look after the pigs this time. I don't want to be stuck in the chicken coop' I muttered so he handed me the bucket.

'Put it in the trough. It will smell' he warned.

'Good. I like adventure'

He wasn't wrong when he said that it smelled. It stank of pigs dun, but I wanted to be here. It was better than picking table cloth patterns for the upcoming wedding, and I'd be forced into a pair of heels as soon as I get home anyway.

'How's this?'

'Absolutely perfect. Keep, throwing the food in as they eat it. I'll go let the chickens out'

'Hey be careful of Chinny' I chuckled as he pushed past a pig.

'Chinny? Are you naming the pigs now?'

'Yeah. It reminded me of you, with its massive shout and I thought of your massive chin. It's either Chinny or John? So you pick'

'Mm. Yeah Chinny sounds better' he agreed, grabbing a shovel and started shovelling poo, so I did the same thing. 'It's not really very dignified to be shovelling poop Miss Clara'

'Oh well. When have I ever been conventional?' I shrugged.

It took us an hour to sort and organise the farm again for the day ahead, but it was well rewarded at the end, when all the animals were fed and ready.

'So how about we have that breakfast?' I asked, collapsing on the ground.

'There is a table for you inside the shed. Have some dignity' he grinned .

I huffed standing up and following into shed and sat at the table, while he plated up some food and handed it to me, sitting opposite.

'Where's yours?'

'It's inappropriate to eat in front of a Lady. I can't'

'Well I'm telling you that I don't want you to starve... And I'm the boss so eat' I demanded.

'It's no wonder your father doesn't want you to own the land alone' he said grabbing a fork.

'What does that mean?'

'Your too nice. Your friends with all the staff. You pay for things for your staff. It's really nice but too nice. We're here to work for you. Not to be friends with you'

'Why? Why does everything have to be conventional? Why does everything have to played by the rules? Why can't I be myself? And as a matter of fact I have loads of plans for this place - my Dad just won't listen to me'

'Such as?'

'Well if extend the farm for a start. It's the most important part and we could earn money from trade. Then there's the kitchen. I would make it so that people from the village could come and bake or Cook. We might not be the royals but at the end of the day were the richest and most looked up to people in England except the Queen, it should be all about the people'

'See too nice. But your ideas do sound good. It would certainly get the locals on board' he agreed.

'As for the horses. I'd make it so that anyone could come and rice the horses. It would be a cheap fee for people who don't have a lot of money and want to have fun, and socialise. Why have 3 horses and never use them?'

He stayed silent.

'What? What did I say?'

'Your the kind of person Clara that everyone should be... But if we all thought like you there wouldn't be any rules. You was born into a high class family and you treat it like you hate it. Some people are born into absolute shit and wouldn't change it for the world'

'It's not my fault. I didn't want to be born into this pandemonium. To live your life for a day would be amazing' I said.

I noted how much he had moved closer to me in this moment.

How we were practically touching, even though he was giving me a lecture about how completely inappropriate this all was.

'Miss Clara. I think I need to leave'

'What? Why? If you want more money I can arrange that' I said.

'Not everything is about money Clara. You've been so terribly kind to me - more than I deserve - but I can't stay. We can't be friends like this' he said and I took a bold step.

'Okay. So let's be more' I shrugged.

'You what?' He spluttered. 'I need to leave because as embarrassing as it sounds I have unacceptable feelings for you that I cant act on, and I know that it's going to get more complicated in the future--' he said all this as I cut him off.

I pulled on the lapels of his shirt and pressed my mouth to his.

I kissed him like we were equals. Like we were both farmers having a picnic in the shed.

'Unacceptable or not. I have the same feelings' I breathed letting go of his mouth and looking at his stunned face.

'But--'

'Yeah I know' I whispered kissing him again, but this time he kissed back. Not hesitating to kiss at all.

'Clara this isn't right' he muttered.

'I know. But I think I could love you. I'm not sure yet but I think I could be in love you'