Clara Spencer

Chapter 5

2017 -Althrop Manor

It took everything in Clara to resist the urge to flee, as she sat watching them read Diana's letter. It felt like she was intruding on such an intimate moment, despite the fact that she already knew what was in the letter.

Clara was just about ready to excuse herself and join Kitty and Mia for a little while, who had stepped into the adjacent room to give them more privacy, when the two princes finally set the pieces of paper down. Looking into their eyes, she could tell they were having a hard time keeping it together.

Even though the letter wasn't intended for them, it was still their mother's words. They probably were hearing Diana's voice in their heads as they read. When she read her Mama's words, it gave her a sense of solace after all the dark times. She could only assume it brought them comfort to read their mother's letter.

Harry was shedding a few tears, now staring absent-mindedly at the library window. His mood has dropped significantly as his thoughts strayed to memories of his mum. Some were sad and others happy, but he knew looking at Clara would only cause him more pain in the moment. Looking at her would remind him of what he lost all those years ago.

It was William that chose to wipe away his tears, set the papers down, and clear his throat. "Well, that was uh..."

"A lot?" Clara supplemented with an understanding look.

William nodded his head. "Yeah. Mum really did know how to choose her words." His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "I'm sorry you never got to know her."

"It's okay. I've made my peace with it." Clara gave him a small smile. She didn't want their pity. In reality, she was still struggling with everything that Diana had said in her letter and the fact that she could never ask her for clarification.

"If you found this letter a year ago, why didn't you come to us sooner?" William paused and looked down at his hands. There was a bit of insecurity in his voice as he softly said, "Did you not want to meet us?

Clara's eyes went wide. "Oh no! Please don't think that! I have nothing but admiration for you two, it was all just me needing time." William was still unsure not directly looking her in the eye. Clara took a deep breath before continuing. "Ever since I read both letters, I've had this deep feeling that I was always going to get here somehow.

"Family is very important to me, having been raised in such a close knit one. After the death of my parents though, I only had my best friend, June, and while she was great, I also felt completely alone." Her last words perked Harry's interest as he slowly started to tune back into the conversation.

"Reading those letters gave me hope. Hope that I could regain some of the love that I lost in my life. I don't mean to sound desperate or anything. You could tell me to leave and I'd never bother you again. But I'd figure I'd have to try, because you're the only family I have now."

Clara was now the one looking down, fidgeting with her hands. She refused to cry though. She could save that for when she's back in the privacy of her room. She'd bared her truth and now could only wait to hear what they would say.

Harry and William pondered in the silence. Harry was now facing his brother, hunched over and leaning his arms on his knees. William was sitting in his chair, still with a somewhat serious expression. They both exchanged a look. They were already requesting another blood test, but after the letters, the first blood test, and the remarkable resemblance, they were more and more convinced that she really was their sister. With a nod of his head, William gave Harry the go-ahead.

Not quite looking directly at Clara's eyes and clasping his hands he said, "Thank you. For being so open with us. I think I can speak for both of us" –he glanced at William– "and say that we've come to believe that you really are our sister. The first blood test showed that."