Scandal

Chapter 2

Clara walked down the stairs, heading towards the entrance where her carriage awaited on the other side. As she was walking she spotted her father in his study reading the paper.

"Hello father" Clara said.

"Good morning, you're going today Clara" Arthur replied already knowing she was going to plead her case about not going.

"But father must I. It will be dreadfully awful." Clara pleaded already knowing he wouldn't budge on letting her stay home.

"There will be many suitors Clara, and you must make a good impression, and Mrs Baker will be most upset if one of her highest guests didn't attend."

Clara's family came from old money. Her father was also a general in the British army so that raised their ranks higher. The pressure on her to marry was high as she was an only child so there was no son to inherit the fortune.

"Fine I'll behave but I won't enjoy myself" she replied with attitude.

"Thankyou Clara I know that you won't let me down"

With that Clara walked out the front where her carriage was awaiting. She climbed in with the help of the driver. She looked out the window as they passed through the town. Clara looked out with jealousy, she wished she could just roam the streets and do whatever pleased her.

Clara got out of the carriage with the help of the driver. She walked up to the grand doors that were opened already. She walked through the grand entrance. All the walls were a deep mahogany, when you looked up you could see the ceiling though the square opening in the middle of the second floor. The ceiling had a beautiful painting of lords and ladies having a picnic.

"Right this way my lady" a butler told Clara.

Clara followed begrudgingly. He lead her through Miss Baker's house. There were beautiful vases and galant pictures everywhere. Everything was perfect and had it's rightful place. The large doors that lead to the backyard were also open. The sunlight was pouring in as if inviting you outside. She stepped outside and there waiting was the garden party.

There were tables full of cakes, deserts and sandwiches. They were all made to perfection. There was vases of flowers on all the tables. People littered the yard. All of them of from different statuses. Clara spotted her dearest friend, Amelia, talking to a group of people. Amelia looked up and saw Clara standing on the steps leading to the garden.

"Clara darling" Amelia squawked as she saw her.

Amelia and Clara walked to each other. The hugged and kissed each others cheek.

"Amelia how are you? You look stunning" Clara asked Amelia.

"I'm very well thankyou, but darling you look ravishing. All the gentlemen will be wanting you. Who designed your dress? It looks stunning." Amelia replied.

"Oh thankyou but I doubt it. Although mother and father would be happy. Harold Farlin made my dress and most of my others." Clara informed Amelia.

"Well I'll have to go and see him. But first I have news." Amelia said

"What is it?" Clara replied

Amelia always knew all the latest gossip that was circling around the upperclass.

"Well rumour has it that Katherine Swire and Jonathan Tyler were caught entering a hotel room, Monday night" Amelia whispered. "People are questioning her virtue. If it is true she will never find a husband, no one will want her"

Clara was shocked, she looked over to were Katherine was standing. She was with her mother and her mother looked very cross. No gentlemen approached her neither did any ladies, if they did there reputation would be tainted.

"Oh lord, do you think it is true? I mean would Katherine do something like that?" Clara asked in a fluster she felt bad for the poor girl. Suddenly Lillian joined the two girls.

"Clara, Amelia, how are you today?" She asked courteously.

"Very well Lillian, how are you?" Clara returned.

"I am well Clara, but I have news." Lillian whispered the last part.

"Well spill then" Amelia demanded. She was curious as to what the news was.

"Well Jonathan Tyler is saying that he did take Katherine's virtue. She's ruined now. He's telling all his friends, I knew he was never trustworthy" Katherine exclaimed.

"How could he do this, he knows how this will affect her" Clara was shocked once again she didn't think Katherine would be so stupid.

"But you know Jonathan, of course he would do something like that. He always wants to ruin people" Amelia told Clara.

They kept talking for a while when Clara spotted someone approaching from afar.

"Who is that man coming towards us?" Clara asked the two girls.

He was very handsome. He was tall and held himself with importance and loyalty.

"That is Edwin Graw. He is a walking scandal. He didn't inherit money, he made his own by starting his own company and that money he has isn't much. I don't know why he was invited. Katherine and him would be a perfect match, they are both full of scandal" Amelia told Clara with a laugh.

Edwin continued walking towards the three girls.

"How are you ladies" Edwin asked when he arrived.

"We are well" Amelia stated, her voice full of poison. She clearly didn't want him to be there.

"Well isn't that good" he said back with the same tone. "Clara would you want to take a walk in the garden with me"

Clara froze, if she went with him she would be gossiped about, but she hated when people judged others without knowing them first.

Amelia gave Clara a look as if to say don't go with him. But Clara felt drawn to him as if she should get to know him.

"Yes, that would be lovely" Clara told Edwin.
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Hi, sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've been really busy lately. I'm going to try update at least once a week. I promise the book will get better, it's just the start so I am trying to figure stuff out and how I want characters to be portrayed.

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Thanks so much for reading and comment what you think so far.