Twelve

CLARA

The next morning finally arrives and I get dressed in the proper attire. It takes me about an hour to get ready so I make sure to get up early. Today is going to be full of teas and rituals that I would have to learn. But most of all we are going out to a public place to see if we have improved.

I am excited to see the outside world again as we have been in these four walls of the estate for a long time. Just as I am finished, I meet the rest of the group outside. Then our teacher meets us and lets us know that we are going to an art museum.

I love art and I love the way that it presents itself. As we drive through the city, I make sure to taking every last moment in because I know soon I will be back home. It is a beautiful city and the people in it just make me feel like I want to be a lady forever. They drop us off in front of the museum and then we follow our teacher.

There is a certain protocol of how a lady should walk. You can not walk too slow and not too fast. If you walk too slow it looks like you do not know where you are going and if you walk too fast you will look like a madwoman.

I try to walk at the right pace as we walk through the museum and look at the beautiful paintings. Soon, I am accompanied by Elizabeth and the trip just got even better. We spent most of the day in the city and the teachers make sure to look at us the entire time.

Finally, we get to go back to our rooms and they let us know that we are off for the rest of the day. Apparently, they will let us know about our results. I feel exhausted as I sit on my bed but then suddenly my heart goes back home.

I am really starting to wonder if I will ever get to see Xavier again. Then there is a knock on my door. This time it is not a faint knock like Elizabeth's knock. This time it is a firm knock and my heart starts to race. I think I know who is on the other side of the door.

I quickly stand up and open the door.

"Milady"

Just as I suspected it. It is Sir Robertson. He is right on time because he has not knocked on my door this week.

"Sir Robertson. What do I owe the honor to?"

"I would like to start with what a beautiful woman you are. If I may be so forward"

I can not help as a blush appears on my face because no man has ever told me that straight to my face. This can only mean one thing. He wants more than strolls and tea.

"Thank you, Sir Robertson. It is so nice of you to say"

He takes my hand and then he kisses it. He then looks deep into my eyes when he says.

"I know that your training in becoming a lady is coming to an end and there is something that I would like to ask you. If you will let me?"

My heart is beating even louder in my chest and I am afraid that he might see how nervous I am. So, I take a deep breath and then I say.

"You may ask, Sir Robertson"

I see him smile and then he says.

"May I accompany you back to your hometown?"