That evening the whole family gathered in sitting room listening to Clara explained what they would describe as one of the greatest shock of their life.
When she was done, Ignas rolled her head back, until it rested on the arm of the chair she was sitting on.
"You turned him down instantly right?" Priscilla asked her daughter, after listening to the narration, but her question was met with silence and hesitation. Everybody stared unbelievably at Clara, when she didn't respond.
"Clara?" Jane called, adjusting a sleeping Ariella to her chest.
"I didn't turn him down." She replied in a small voice.
Ignas sat up immediately, staring critically at Clara. "Why not? What did he promise you?"
"He didn't promise me anything. We only struck a deal." Clara replied slowly. "I offer him the much needed societal protection in relations to marriage, appearing with him at functions and living up to expectations as his wife. And I'll also try my best to care for his daughter. And in return, he will take care of my mother's health. He will also do all within his power to get my license reinstated. And I'll be allowed a certain sum as allowance every month." She concluded
"What? Clara that's ridiculous. You're going to do this for the rest of your life?" Jane asked. "You'll spend the rest of your life playing wife to a man you don't even love?"
Clara shrugged. "He's not such a bad person." She said.
She recalled earlier when she had the conversation with Bennet Lewin, "first of all, let's get the position quite clear Clara." He started. "You've made your demands and I've accepted to do my part, and in return, I need a mistress for my house and a companion for my child. I also need.... especially now....the social protection of a wife." He had said.
"Some woman is trying to marry you?" Clara had asked, curious. She suspected that the woman she saw earlier might be the cause for Bennet Lewin's decision.
"Something like that. I'd like to say that a situation has arisen that might become awkward. At the same time I'm not in a very good place with my daughter. She seem to like you, so I don't mind trying marriage again for her sake." He had told her. But she shook her head, she knew that Isabella didn't really like her, she was just indifferent about her. More like a situation she had no say over. Even though Bennet had made it seem like her opinion mattered.
"I don't think Isabella like me sir, and I very much doubt that I will make a good mother to her, but I would try my best. I give you my word." She said sedately. That was the least she could do. Be honest, and also convincing.
Bennet had regarded her quizzically for a moment before speaking. "Perhaps not, you are not to first Nurse to work with us. But you're the first to have stayed more than a week. Again, Isabella doesn't need a mother. She needs a companion, someone she can relate to." He had said with conviction, certain that his plan would work. "Aside having to deal with Isabella, you might feel a little lonely. The house can be quite isolated at times."
She nodded, "I've figured that part out. But one would be unreasonable to expect perfection from such an arrangement."
"A very sensible point of view," he continued a little dryly. "Well, we're good, are we?
She watched him closely while weighing within her the result she would get from such an arrangement.
"I just pray that my best would be enough and I would actually suit you as a wife." She said, a bit worried.
For the first time, Bennet laughed. "You don't have to do much. Just go about your day like you own this house and we built it together. Put everyone in their place if they try to trespass. The house becomes yours once we seal this. And please do away with the 'sir' word. You'll have to call me Bennet. Do we have a deal Clara or you would love to think about it?"
Clara shook her head slowly. "There's nothing to think over," she said. "You can have your answer now."
This confused Bennet a bit, "I thought you were headed the same direction, you mean you've decided against the idea?" For a moment he felt an irrational sense of disappointment.
Her mouth curled up in a grin. "You're nice when you laugh," she said, and stretched out a hand to him. "I really have no choice, for such an opportunity would never come my way again. Yes, Mr. Lewin, I will marry you. Let's do this." She had said to him as they shook hands in agreement.
They spent the next few hours in the presence of a legal council who came to the mansion, courtesy of a phone call from Bennet. They presided on the signing of their marriage bond.
Although Bennet wanted the few minutes event taking place after speaking to Mrs. Noman, but Clara had lied to him that the mother was not in a very good state and she wouldn't want her disturbed with the news. In fact, she had encouraged that they got joined legally same day, truth being that she didn't want to change her mind, nor does she want anybody to influence her decision.
Her trip down memory lane was interrupted by her mother banging on the side stool beside her. Priscilla shook her head in disapproval. "No, that's never going to happen! What kind of man is he? Does he think the world revolve around him because he has money? You are not accepting this proposal Lara. He should go to hell with his stupid money. We will be fine. I'm working twice as hard, and in no time we will save enough money to take care of these things."
"I don't see how that will be possible....."
"Shut the fuck up Ignas, this is serious, not some joke!" Priscilla barked at her friend, then turned to her daughter with an enthusiastic gaze.
"Mum, I'm only being realistic," Clara started, looking at everyone almost at once. "We are financially down, we are poor. And we need money to care for you, to help with my career as well. My job do pay me, but the money isn't so much, so does Janes. It will take a while for us to save up to a reasonable amount of cash, and I don't know how much time we have with your health...."
"Don't you dare make this about me Lara. I never asked you to do this, in fact, I'm telling you not to. I'll be fine, we can pull through this." Priscilla cut her off, but Clara shook her head in disagreement.
"I don't want to take chances mum. I can't take chances." She said, pulling out a white sheet out from her pocket. She dropped it on the table and sat back down, at lost on what to actually say at the moment. Janet took the sheet and peered into it. She looked at Clara startled.
"You wedded him already?.
Clara nodded slowly. "I didn't want to change my mind." She replied.