The D-Day had came, and Clara had to leave for Eschial gardens. It was a Friday evening. Bennet had promised to send Alfred, the chauffeur to pick her up by 4pm. The journey from her home at downtown Cherim to Eschial gardens which was situated at the heart of Bramhills would take not less two hours and some minutes. So, she was expected to arrive at the mansion anytime from 6:00pm.
Clara had said her goodbyes to Jane, little Ariella and Ignas in the morning before they left for work. It was obvious they won't meet her at home when they got back in the evening. Ignas had visited the house very early that morning, she met Jane almost ready for work and Ariella, ready for creche. Ignas hugged Clara and reassured her that she did what she had to do. She further told her that she would have done the very same if she found herself in her shoes. This was the only assurance Clara needed and that morning, in Ignas arms, she wept uncontrollably, letting go of all the fear, sadness and hurt she had kept bottled up inside of her.
Jane did give her a hug as well, "please, be fine." She had said, her voice laced with worry.
At 3:52pm, Robin showed up at Clara's residence. With his help, she moved her two boxes into the boot of the car, and they left for Eschial gardens. The journey was quiet all through. Robin made no attempt to start a conversation and Clara on the other part was totally engrossed with thoughts of the life ahead of her.
"Welcome home," Bennet said to her when they arrived the Mansion, after spending more than an hour on their way to the estate. The traffic at the city center was heavy. Most firms in the capital close by 5pm, and so the rush hour within this period was always draining.
On hearing his voice, Clara shivered. She smiled uneasily at him. It felt like he's been waiting for them for a while. His touch was light and impersonal as he helped her out of the car, and even as he spoke, the front door was opened from within.
She followed Bennet up the short flight of steps and stood listening to him greeting the tall, thin older woman who had opened the door.
"Well, here you all are, right on schedule. All well?" He asked his staff that were all lined up in the living room. Clara knew most of them aside the woman that opened the door and the fragile looking man standing beside Beatrice, who was later introduced as the assistant gardener.
"Yes, sir." They all chorused.
The introduction was almost rushed. The evidence of shock was visible on their faces and this time around, Clara didn't feel bad about it. She was already expecting some of those facial expressions and it felt good that they didn't disappoint her.
"Isabella will be down in a moment." Beatrice told them as the other staff-workers left. "I explained the situation to her like you requested sir." She added, earning a nod from Bennet.
"Clara," he called. "Beatrice is the head of domestic staff. She will ensure that your stay in the mansion is a stress-free and beautiful one. Tell her whatever you need and it will be done." Clara nodded.
For the first time, Beatrice looked at Clara thoroughly, observing the calm, yet scared figure. "How do you do?" said Clara, holding out her hand, hoping that this time around, Beatrice would act a bit more kind towards her.
"Forgive me," Beatrice replied, shaking hands after a barely perceptible pause. "I wasn't expecting you to be Mrs. Lewin. I'm happy to welcome you to the mansion, I hope you enjoy your new home."
Her touch was cold, and Clara thought there was hostility in the quiet voice, or was it only polite surprise? She was aware of Adam's frown as he watched them both. He turned to the foot of the staircase and called out to his daughter. "Isabella, come down here, immediately."
There was movement above the visible stairs, and Clara knew that as usual Isabella have been up the stairs listening to them all this while.
Slowly, the little figure began to descend the stairs, and she caught her breath when she saw Clara.
"Come along, you should have been down here with Beatrice to welcome your stepmother, you know." Bennet said.
The child continued her slow descent, and getting to the bottom step she paused, and turned to Clara. "You, my stepmother!" she said, and began to laugh.
"Isabella, remember what we discussed please," Beatrice said, but Isabella shrugged and started heading back up the stairs. "You must be joking." She screamed as she increased her speed and literally ran through the stairs.
Later that night, Clara got ready for bed in a strange bedroom that seemed so uncomfortably large. She turned to the mirror and gazed into her own eyes, which was wide and apprehensive, and it stared right back at her from the mirror.
Her nerve had been shaken by Isabella screaming, 'you must be joking'. Again, there had been something hostile about all three of them at that moment. The child running away, Beatrice faking displeasure, yet looking unsurprised, and Bennet, his dark face cold and taut as his brooding gaze rested critically on Clara's motionless figure.
"Beatrice will show you to your room, I bet you'd like a bath before dinner." He had casually said like Isabella's action was nothing.
She had wondered if Beatrice didn't find it odd that she had to be there during such introduction. Clara felt it would have been better if they made it a family thing. But she won't blame Beatrice, Bennet didn't give her a choice, he asked her to break the news of his marriage to his daughter, but that was meant to be his duty! As she followed Beatrice up the wide, polished staircase, she received the unwelcome impression that Beatrice knew all that went on in the house. She must be more than just a housekeeper.