From the Ashes

Chapter Forty

Richard walked down the hall and knocked on the door to Clara's room.

"Enter."

Richard pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"Just wanted to see how you were getting on?" Richard asked.

"It is a little strange being home," Clara admitted.

"It was for me also," Richard confessed. "Clara, I need you to know, whatever happens, I am grateful that you are here. You ever need me, you need only to ask."

Clara smiled at him. Richard was always looking after them. He is a brilliant older sibling, but they have all grown up now and there was something she needed him to understand.

"I appreciate the sentiment, Richard. Really I do, but I am fine. I have been on my own long before marriage. Mother could never be bothered with Annabelle and I. You were sent away. When Father died, things had gone from bad to worse. For all the attention we received, Annabelle and I were nearly on par with the servants here.

Mother could not wait to be rid of us. Then Annabelle left. To be honest, if it was not for Juliana I do believe I would have gone mad in this house alone. When Mother sent me away I feared what would become of her. Turns out, she is stronger than us all.

I had hoped that marriage would change my predicament and put an end to my isolation but as life would have it, I guess I am the unlucky one. Both you and Annabelle settled well. I was impulsive in my choice of a husband and as such have to pay the price.

Do not mistake me. Benjamin is a very good man. I need you to take my word on this and not harbor ill will towards him. He never wanted marriage, it did not fit into his way of life, but he fell in love and so did I and our fates were sealed. We can not live without one another yet unfortunately, we cannot seem to live with one another either."

Richard gave what she said some thoughtful consideration before saying, "Clara, your words are rather cryptic in nature, and I can see you are limited by what you feel you can discuss. However, it is my knowledge that no man enters into marriage lightly. Forever, is a very long time and although I know not how it is you came to this arrangement, the man must be deranged not to see what a treasure he has in you."

Tears sprung to Clara's eyes, and she reached out and embraced her brother. "I have missed you!"

Richard kissed the top of her head. "I have missed you as well. You and Annabelle, I did not know how much until I had the chance for us to meet again, but now I should let you get some rest."

He stepped back, and she smiled before saying, "Yes, it is a big day tomorrow."

Richard chuckled, that was quite an understatement. "Yes, it is. Goodnight, Clara."

"Good night, Richard."

Richard walked out and Albert was standing in the hall. "You wished to speak with me, Sir?"

"Yes, Albert. We have much to discuss. Walk with me," Richard and Albert walked together to the library.

"Are all the preparations for the wedding complete?"

"Yes, Sir. The guests have all responded and the food is all prepared. Everything is in place."

Richard sighed. "I am sorry to put so much on you, Albert."

"Sir, it is my honor and my duty."

"I need to apologize about not telling you about Lady Catherine as well. I am certain it came as quite a shock but I have my reasons," Richard said leading him over to the chairs by the fireplace.

"Of that, I had no doubt, Sir." Albert took a seat in the proffered chair. Richard sat across from him.

"Our family has been compromised, and if I cannot discover the culprit I fear our family will be forever shadowed. I need to drive this person out into the open. I despise the fact that I must use my wedding as the event to do so but I cannot expect to have a better opportunity and must, therefore, take advantage of it."

"I will protect this family with my life," Albert said and Richard smiled gratefully.

"I appreciate your loyalty and I need to ask that you keep the servants silent about Lady Catherine's death. I need also, that you keep yourself and a handful of trusted men on hand during the wedding to report to me anything even the slightest bit suspicious."

"What am I to instruct they look for, Sir?" Albert asked.

"Guests who may wander off and are not where they belong. Conversations that may pertain to the family they overhear. I need you and the rest, to be my ears and eyes as I will be undoubtedly distracted.

I plan to make an announcement that Mother is not feeling well and has retired to her room and therefore unable to attend the ceremony. Keep someone close to her quarters but out of sight to see if anyone tries to reach that room. Do not intervene. Whomever, this person is I am not sure if they will be dangerous, just report back to me who it is."

Albert nodded he understood. "What are you hoping for, Sir?"

"Lady Catherine died because of an overdose in treating her nerves. She believed someone was out to kill her. She knew something that could get someone in some serious trouble.

I am still unconvinced that Cecilia's death was an accident or a deliberate attempt at taking her own life. Marcus it was discovered was not behind her death. We have lost all three of them. There are only a few that could be involved but I find the reasons why flimsy at best. I need evidence. I need a way to discover who this person is, so they may be properly dealt with, to be certain they never trifle with our family again.

If we are lucky the culprit will believe Lady Catherine has returned when she obviously was threatened not to. Hopefully, this will force this person's hand, and they will try to make good on their threat, revealing themselves to us. Giving us the opportunity to deal with them directly. 

It is not the greatest of battle plans but it all I have to work with," Richard concluded.

"I will make certain the servants understand and the men will be in place as instructed," Albert said.

"Thank you, Albert."

Albert rose to leave knowing their meeting had finished. As he reached the door, Richard called his name again.

"Yes, sir?"

"I almost forgot. Juliana had a message for you. She wanted to you to know she could never be upset with you as you mean a great deal to her."

"Thank you, Lord Bentley. You have no idea what those words mean to this old man's heart."

"Good night, Albert."

"Good night, Sir."

Richard stared momentarily into the fire. His thoughts of the next day brought feelings of great joy and trepidation at the same time. To finally say his vows to Juliana, to marry the girl he knew since his childhood, brought such satisfaction. Yet, there was an underlying sadness that it could not be the jubilant event he would have wished because of all that still needed to be discovered.

He prayed tomorrow would bring an end to their troubles. That he and Juliana could start their life together as it should it be, in love and in light, without the shadows and darkness that would threaten their very existence. He wanted this so badly for her and his entire family.

Now he needed to be off to bed, for tomorrow he was to wed. One way or another, their lives will be forever changed.