Miss Waverley's Secret

6. A Confidante

It takes Clara two days to wake up after the attack. As she opens her eyes, she feels a sharp pain behind her head. She grunts in pain, and almost tears up due to it. Upon opening her eyes a bit more, and eventually having a clearer vision, her surroundings seem a bit too unfamiliar. She is unacquainted with the walls, the paintings, the furniture, but more than all of these, the sounds from the street below are a greater menace. She tries raising herself, but her body does not support her. She thumps back on the bed, her back aching as if an elephant had walked over her. "Anyone there?" she yells, hoping for an answer. She gets none, but feels something odd about herself. She lifts up the blanket covering her, and underneath it, finds herself in a white gown. Her heart races due to the fear building up in her. She looks around her surroundings, now prepared to run away before getting spotted.

Clara hears the doorknob turning and the door opening with a slightly squeaky sound. Enters Wilhelm, looking at her with an expression of immense relief. He approaches her quickly and checks her. He stares into her eyes warmly, which makes Clara less fearful. She manages a thin smile.

"I..." Clara begins.

"Shh." Wilhelm stops her from speaking. "This is not the time for an explanation. I will call the surgeon." He turns to leave, but Clara holds his finger weakly. Wilhelm stops and looks at her. "We can speak about it later."

"How long was I in this state?"

"Two days."

"I must apologize..."

"You must not. At least not now." He slowly lets go of Clara's fingers. "But you must tell me your name."

"Clara. Clara Waverley."

"Miss Clara or Miss Waverley?"

"Miss Waverley."

"Miss Waverley's secret shall remain safe with me."

Clara chuckles. "I appreciate it."

The doctor arrives, checks upon Clara and leaves, having casted some reprimanding looks at her. She appears unsettled and embarrassed, even fearful for her secret being revealed. Wilhelm notices this change in Clara's composition. He gives her a reassuring look before leaving her bedchambers and seeing the surgeon out. He returns shortly after and bolts the door behind him. He pulls a chair close to the bed and settles on it.

"Shall I now explain myself?" Clara asks.

"Please do so."

"Victor Waverley is my older brother. A week before his lectures were supposed to commence, he embarked on a Grand Tour. We were in the dark about his plans. It is only after he had left that we realizes it upon reading his letter. My father would not have it any other way. Everyone in the family line is well-educated. They might have embarked on Grand Tours later, but they completed their university education first. I look extremely similar to him, and thus..."

"Who suggested the idea?"

"My father."

"And you agreed to it?"

"Most willingly. It is my only chance after all."

"Your decision brings along with it extreme risks. For one, you cannot afford to be discovered by anyone. If you do, that shall be the end of you. Let me not mention the disgrace it would bring to your family if your secret were to be uncovered."

"Are you trying to dissuade me from continuing at Oxford?"

"I am not. Only if you might think of your own safety first, it would be a bit easier. And better."

"I should not like it any other way."

"Miss Waverley..." Wilhelm sighs and looks at Clara who bears a placid expression on her face, unfettered by concerns, and assured in her decisions. "I do not possess the ability to argue with you on this matter. I do hope, however, that your decision does not harm you. The path you have chosen is rather turbulent, and would continue being so. You might face unwarranted and unasked for obstacles, those that might prove...that might prove..."