Into the Night - Lord Craven's Desire

October: Maine - 1899…

Clara Stewart wanted to be a free woman her whole life. To live each day as an adventure. To chase the sun into the night and never stop running.

Clara and Mary gaped over the banister at the hopping form of their Aunt Margaret. For their ages, 18 and 20, neither of them had ever seen her act so ridiculously. They would have been properly thumped on their backsides with her discipline stick if she had ever encountered such peacock nonsense from either of them.

They watched her for only a moment longer before slipping back down the dark hallways to their study room, their bare feet making no noise at all. Anna, the youngest Stewart daughter, who had just turned 13, giggled but hadn’t dared to follow her older sisters to the pantry for a snack. The young girl’s spectacles slid off her nose and sat lopsided upon her rosy, freckled, cheeks. Anna was just about to readjust them when their Aunt flung herself into the room. Of course, the woman’s sudden appearance caused all three to pause, Anna with her hands frozen just mere inches from her face.

Margaret scowled at her youngest niece, her plump face sagging ever so lightly as she shuffled up to the child and yanked the spectacles back into their place. “Honestly, I cannot part from your side for even a few moments or you come undone, child.”

Clara frowned at her mother’s sister, the dreaded woman who had made the youngest Stewart cry late into the night. She loved Anna with all her heart, but could not say the same for the large woman who had, for the past year, made herself at home within unwelcome halls. Clara would have bit back at the odious woman had Mary not given her a warning look. She knew her sister was right to stop her, any words that Clara said would result in more horrible behavior toward Anna.

Margaret continued to frown as she fluttered her way to the front of the room, “Though my hopes of finding young Anna a husband continue to dwindle every day, I feel optimistic for the two of you.” Her eyes finally drifted away from the child, “Due to recent news I have reason to believe that your marriage prospects have finally risen to a more acceptable measure.”

Clara couldn’t help the grimace that settled on her face - Her mother had passed when Anna was only a year old. For twelve long years, their father had never even mentioned marriage. Upon the sudden (and unplanned) arrival of Aunt Margaret, the topic constantly loomed over their supper table. The sisters were not stupid enough not to guess why - Their Aunt had been made a widow recently and was now living on minimal funds. It was her hope to attach herself to one of her sister’s children and proceed to live under their ‘good graces’.

If only the older woman knew how much they had grown to hate her company.

Sitting upward in her seat, Clara folded her hands over her desk, “Aunt?”

Margaret beamed, a hand settling over her extremely large belly, “My darling Clara…”

Within her ‘visit,’ Margaret had never referred to Clara as ‘Darling’... Devil - Yes. Impossible - Most Certainly. Trouble - Every day. Clara’s green eyes flashed with further detest. For her sister’s sake, she had to bite down on her tongue rather roughly, an action that became extraordinarily painful as her Aunt moved closer, even running a hand through her auburn locks.

“Honestly, my dear, I do wish you would take the time to brush through your hair… No matter - I am sure there will be a suitable gentleman for you as well… Now Mary…” Margaret turned toward the eldest sister.

Clara took no offense, she knew her sister’s beauty would always outmatch her own. Mary was blonde with the most beautiful ocean-blue eyes. Her smile was always soft, as was her voice, and all her actions. Clara was her opposite - Fire hair, wild eyes, and unable to keep her temper down for long. Anna looked a lot like her, but with the sweetest of freckles, the brightest of eyes, and the merriest of laughter.

Mary perked up, “Please Aunt Margaret, would you tell us what happened?”

Margaret could contain her secret no longer, “My darling girls! I have just received a letter from our dear neighbor, Mrs. Bloom. Due to Mayor Bloom wonderful hospitality toward foreign visitors, their family has been sought after to house two wealthy brothers by the name Craven. They will be bringing a small party with them, I do believe one member will be their mother, but the others could be potential suitors.”

Clara dropped her gaze down to her book of poetry, her interest in this conversation had shifted and she was no longer listening. She could tell that her Aunt was still rattling on, but she let her concentration fall on the words before her. Clara had no intention of leaving home any time soon and her father was in no rush to see them away. There would be plenty of time for marriage later.

“We must have your Father send for new dresses,” Aunt Margaret loudly declared, giving her hands a small clap as she stormed out of the room.

Clara looked up once more, her gaze shifting to little Anna, “She had better have plans for us all to have new dresses.” Her younger sister turned to her with a hopeful look in her soft green eyes. Their Aunt Margaret had made it clear that she had no intention of ever giving Anna a second thought. She often described the young girl as plain, not something a husband would look for, better to be a spinster. Clara rose from her seat and went to stand behind Anna, quickly working to twine her younger sister’s hair into a perfect braid. “I wonder,” she said quietly as she worked, “What would our Aunt think if we simply went to Mrs. Bloom and gave a small greeting to her guest, ourselves? Why wait for dresses?”

Mary shook her head, looking painfully every bit like the mother they had lost. “Aunt Margaret would never let us hear the end of it. We would have more of a chance of gaining her approval if we threw out our bodices and stood on the terrace.”

“Don’t tempt me,” Clara remarked back with a grin, already giving Anna a small tug up, “How about you, my little love, want to come have some fun with your elder sister?” Anna’s eyes grew with excitement as she gave a quick nod. This was all the encouragement that Clara sought.

“Clara, no,” Mary pleaded, standing so that she was at eye level, “Aunt Margaret…”

Clara’s hands flew to either side of Anna’s head, covering her ears so that she could cut into her sister’s words with, “Aunt Margaret is an egregious bitch.” Those words silenced Mary for good as she stood silently waiting for Clara to lead the way. Clara hated speaking harshly to her sisters but she felt it was time someone put an end to Aunt Margaret’s business.

The girls moved silently through the halls, quietly rushing down the stairs as they slipped out the door through the kitchen. At first, Mary had tried to stop them for shoes, but Clara knew Mrs. Bloom would be in her garden at that moment and that shoes would not be necessary.

The cool, crisp, grass rushed the sisters along to the white gate that separated their yard from the Bloom’s property. Just as she had hoped, Clara could see Mrs. Bloom speaking with one of their servants by her prized rose bushes; she gave a small wave as they approached.

“Darling girls,” Mrs. Bloom swept up to the gate to greet them, “I am so very happy to see you on this fine afternoon. I trust your Father is well?”

“Very well,” Clara replied kindly. She loved the Bloom family very much. Mrs. Bloom was the most cheerful woman she had ever had the pleasure of meeting. Though she was slightly aged, her neighbor moved about as if she were in her prime. The Stewart sisters all enjoyed how she smelled of flowers every day and wore the brightest floral-colored gowns. “We heard that you have interesting new house guests.”

Mrs. Bloom nodded, “They have just arrived this morning, I had meant to give word to your Aunt sooner but I am very busy preparing for our Fall festivities. I do believe that is them I hear in the yard, let me investigate…”

Clara gave Mary a sideways grin as this was going incredibly. Wiggling her toes into the grass, she stopped to accept the beautiful daisy that Mrs. Bloom’s gardener, Elaine, offered to her. She slipped it into her hair and give little Anna a wink. Her smile grew as Mrs. Bloom returned with three young men flocked around her.

“And here are the young ladies now,” Mrs. Bloom chuckled, “Are they not simply the most beautiful young women you have ever laid your eyes on? No flower in my garden can compete.”

Mary ducked her head quickly, her eyes drifting to the back of the gate. “You are too kind, Mrs. Bloom.”

The older woman laughed, “Sweetest Mary - This is the eldest Ms. Stewart and you cannot leave the country without hearing her sing. Next, we have the darling Ms. Clara, the sharpest mind I’ve ever met. Lastly, that little love over there is Ms. Anna - I’ve grown a belly from her pies.”

The gentlemen nodded their heads, Clara found this amusing. They dressed as she had expected Englishmen to, with frills and frocks, and many dark colors. They wore golden buttons that would get them teased in the company she kept. Finally, the most exquisitely dressed, one with hair the color of hay that swept down to his shoulders, and eyes like warm oak, took a step in their direction. “Good evening ladies, my name is Gabriel Craven. Mrs. Bloom did not exaggerate in her description of the Stewart sisters - You are all extremely lovely.”

Now it was Anna’s turn to look down with a blush. The little one had spent many hours hearing from her Aunt Margaret about how frail she looked, this was unexpected.

A taller man, one in black from his hair to his boots, cleared his throat. Gabriel made a teasing grin that only Clara could see, “This fine fellow is my dearest older brother, Alexander.” The last man remained silent, he looked nervously about, his spectacles very similar to Anna’s. Unlike the others, his attire was a little softer, as was his brown hair and wide eyes. “And this is my oldest friend, Edgar, a fantastic Doctor.”

Clara wanted to say something to the last man, anything to help put him at ease, but before a single word could escape her lips the kitchen door flew open with a loud bang. She quickly turned to face it, even though she knew who she would find there.

Aunt Margaret looked furiously from one girl to another. She stormed out into the yard like an angry cloud across a clear sky. “My dear girls,” the woman exclaimed, attempting to smooth out her voice like it were a nasty wrinkle on satin. “I had no idea you chose to begin your outdoor time early today. Good evening, Mrs. Bloom.” Aunt Margaret’s eyes shifted to the men, clearly trying to determine which were the Lord Cravens.

“Evening to you as well, Margaret,” Mrs. Bloom responded cheerfully, “Did you receive my invitation to tomorrow’s supper? I hope the young ladies are prepared for dancing.”

“Yes,” Lord Craven agreed, “I imagine it shall be a wonderful gathering.”

Aunt Margaret’s eyes swept to the young man’s face, “Would his Lordship be so kind as to save a dance for Mary and Clara?”

Clara placed a hand on Anna’s shoulder, biting down on her bottom lip to avoid calling her Aunt a horrible word in front of Mrs. Bloom. She could feel her younger sister’s shoulder give a few shakes, a small indication that she had been hurt.

Lord Craven frowned, “I would care for a dance from all your lovely nieces… So long as Ms. Anna does not object?”

Clara’s heart gave a small jump in her chest as Anna looked up with excitement and gave a quick nod. It no longer mattered to Clara who this gentleman was, or where he came from, he would be someone she had nothing but warm feelings toward. She wrapped her arm around Anna, “Our youngest sister is a most excellent dancer, sir. I look forward to tomorrow's gathering. Thank you, Mrs. Bloom.”

The kind lady gave a little twinkling of fingers by way of saying ‘goodnight’ and the sisters turned back toward their kitchen entrance.

That evening the family dined around the supper table, Mr. Stewart entertaining everyone with stories about his day, first at the gentleman’s club, and then with his time in the office. Coffee Beans were what helped Mr. Stewart to add to his family’s wealth. Clara smiled across the table at her Father, waiting for the precious moment that Aunt Margaret would attempt to bring marriage into the conversation.

The week before last their Aunt had enraged their Father so much that he had slammed a fist onto the table. Of course, their Father apologized to them later that evening, even cradling little Anna on his lap as he whispered his regrets over losing his temper in front of her. Anna had never seen her father that angry before.

Tonight Clara felt excitement over the prospects of how her Aunt would manage to slip in the details that the very gentlemen she wanted her nieces to marry were currently in the house next to theirs, dining with the Mayor and his wife.

The hour ticked away and it was finally time for some of Anna’s delicious cherry pie. Clara watched as her Aunt accepted her piece, but did not quickly take a bite as she usually did when it came to sweets. Clara was certain the time had finally come and she was very correct…

“Anthony,” Margaret began, “I have such wonderful news that has escaped my mind until now.”

Mr. Stewart had already taken a bite of his dessert and was smiling at Anna as he chewed. “You did something different with this one my dear, I love the change. You must run one to Mrs. Bloom.”

“Yes, Mrs. Bloom,” Margaret tried once more, “She would like for our family to join her tomorrow evening for a small gathering.”

This news interested Mr. Stewart, “That is very kind of her. Our dear neighbors are wonderful people, how have we been so blessed to have them as friends?”

Clara and Mary nodded, though they were both sitting at the very edges of their seats now.

“They have visitors from England,” Margaret continued, “A Lord Cravens, brothers, and their companions…”

With Margaret no longer speaking of his friends, Mr. Stewart went back to enjoying his pie. After a few more hearty bites he looked to Clara, “What did you three do to keep busy today?”

Clara did her best at giving her father a dainty smile, though inside she could feel a burst of laughter attempting to stay hidden. “We did our lessons as instructed by our Aunt… We had a lovely tea time… Of course, we also saw Mrs. Bloom today and were introduced to her guests. They seem to be wonderful gentlemen.”

Mr. Stewart nodded as he listened, “I look forward to getting acquainted with them tomorrow evening.”

Clara hastily took a very large spoon of pie, she needed something to stop more words from escaping her mouth. She often loved how her Father never hid his feelings of displeasure about Aunt Margaret. Were she not the sister to his beloved, late, wife, Clara knew he would have thrown her out after she had outstayed her welcome. Mr. Stewart was a kind man with a youthful face, despite his age, and the same red hair and green eyes, as two of his daughters. He gave charity without a second thought - But even he had his limits when it came to Aunt Margaret.

The large woman would not be ignored, “Did I mention that the Craven brothers were unwed?”

That night a storm had begun, and Clara fell backward on her bed, chuckles still racing from her lips as she reflected on supper.

“It wasn’t that funny,” Mary scolded quietly, “Poor Father looked as if he wanted to toss his plate at Aunt Margaret. I wish she would cease all conversation concerning marriage.”

Clara rolled onto her stomach and faced her sister, Mary was sitting before the mirror running a brush through her golden locks. Watching her for a few moments, Clara lifted her feet behind her and began swaying them back and forth. “I don’t desire marriage soon, but I would not be opposed to passion.”

Mary stopped brushing and turned to face her sister, “That sounds like a sin.”

Clara shrugged, “Call me a sinner then, I simply want kisses with no attachment, hand-holding without the worry of commitment, and soft strokes without consequences.” As she spoke she ran the back of her right hand slowly down her left cheek, pausing it just under her chin. “Marriage is so final, what if the person you have sworn yourself to does not give you the passion you seek? Wouldn’t it be better to practice for a while until you are certain?”

Mary took a deep breath and turned back to her nightly rituals, “Such acts would make one undesirable, you would have no choice but to commit to the partner who had performed them. Why not simply accept the one whom fate has sealed you to and be happy regardless if they know how to stroke one’s cheek properly?”

Clara sighed and rolled onto her back once more, “I think Lord Craven is quite a character, is he not?”

“I agree,” Mary whispered, “I would like to get to know him a little better.”

“A little better?” Clara jested, “Have you set your gaze upon him, Mary? This would please our Aunt tremendously.”

“I do believe I can find feelings for him,” Mary confessed, “But we shall see tomorrow.”

“Goodnight then,” Clara replied, listening as Mary left her room. It was not until her bedroom door had closed that she allowed herself to frown. She did not want Mary to suddenly be swept off by a Lord and taken back to England. Yes, it would relieve her of her Aunt Margaret, but it would also leave her all the same. They had an incredible bond that could never be broken, not even by distance, but she knew that she would miss Mary every day. Attempting to shake away the sadness, Clara listened to the sounds of that night. That was how she was able to pick up on a soft noise that would have been, otherwise, unheard.

A cry from down the hall.

Rising urgently, the sister raced to Anna’s room. As of that last year, upon the arrival of their Aunt, Anna had begun to develop horrible dreams. It was often Clara who heard Anna’s little cries and would come to hold her until she was able to fall back to sleep. Tonight Clara discovered that she was not the only one whom Anna had woken. Mr. Stewart was already at his daughter’s bedside, his soft voice singing a gentle lullaby to his youngest.

Clara relaxed and went to lie next to her sister, wrapping an arm around her little waist. Mr. Stewart tucked them both in and continued with his soft whispered songs, stroking at Anna’s hair until her little cries ceased.

When the youngest was, at last, breathing softly, he took up a seat in the armchair closest to her bed. There was a long moment of silence before Mr. Stewart spoke again, “Strange business, these visitors from England. Your Aunt seems convinced that one of you shall marry at least one of them.”

Clara continued to hold Anna as she whispered back, “Which of us would you prefer the Lords to marry, Father?” She meant her question as a jest but was answered with a serious silence. “Father?”

Mr. Stewart replied back gravely, “If it mattered what I wanted, I would have you all home forever on… But I am a practical man. I know that one day you will find love and be cared for by a gentleman who deserves you. And I shall, likewise, adore him too. Any man who can treat my daughters with love and respect will always find a home here. Just give me that blessing, it is my only true wish as your Father.”

Clara smiled into Anna’s hair, “I promise you, I will give my heart to only the kindest man.”

There was more silence until Mr. Stewart finally rose and stretched, “That is all my old ears needed to hear. Sleep well my Clara.”

“Sleep well, Father.”

Clara stayed with Anna for several more moments before going back to bed. She would have stayed all night and had before, but tonight she wanted some time to daydream about her neighbor’s guests. The halls were dark as Clara attempted to move through them without a sound. A breeze lifted at the hems of her dress as the girl finally stopped just outside of her bedroom door. Her hand reaching for the knob slowly…

Something felt amiss.

On such nights, she knew she needed to tame her imagination, but some feelings felt too real to not be true. At that very moment, Clara was thoroughly convinced that she was being watched and worried that by turning around she would find dark eyes upon her. Her breath caught as she held tight to the cold metal, urging herself not to scream for fear of what would be found just behind her. The beating of the girl’s heart was loud enough to be heard by anyone passing by, it worried her enough that Clara began to hold her breath. The thought of ghosts often excited the girl. She could speak of them for hours… But tonight she feared the undead had come calling and she was ill-prepared. Counting quickly to three, Clara threw open her bedroom door and retreated into the safety of her room. She shut it behind her as hastily, but as quietly as she could, and stood back to breathe.

It wasn’t until she was able to light a candle on her bedside table, that Clara felt a little better. Pulling a comforter over her shaking body, she tried to tell herself once more that it was simply the storm that had spooked her. When, at last, she was at ease again, she savored the feeling of being alone and left to imagine what tomorrow evening would bring. She knew her actions in her mind would not reflect in her true actions. Mary had made it very clear she would be looking for Gabriel Craven’s attention for herself, but in one’s mind, it is a sacred place in which dark thoughts could be buried safely. Clara laid back against her pillow and fell into a deep slumber of secret whispers and forbidden passions.

To Clara’s surprise, her Aunt Margaret did not wake her in the early morning with her usual chiding that too much sleep would idle the mind. She stretched in bed and rose slowly, padding to the door so that she could peer out and seek her Aunt’s plump form. The halls were empty, and even a bit dark. Outside she could hear the tapping of rain and the roaring of thunder, as the storm continued to make its sweet music. Cautiously the girl began her descent down the stairs, lifting the hems of her nightgown so that she would not trip on them. She could hear sounds from the drawing room, which was fairly befuddling as their morning would typically be filled with lessons, and then sewing time.

Attempting to avoid making a single sound, she peeked into the lamp-lit room and spied her sisters standing in the center of it. Her Aunt Margaret fluttered about them like a bird caught in a fast waltz, she was barking orders at two seamstresses who were working with haste.

“What are we