The first half of their journey was over. Having stayed the night at a carriage inn the horses were now refreshed. They moved on to the second leg of their journey. With luck, they will be home by nightfall.

Juliana talked with Clara with an ease that Richard envied. They had spent most of their youth together, so for Juliana, it was like falling back on old habits. She always felt like an older sister to both Annabelle and Clara.

"I missed you since you were sent to your Aunt," Juliana began.

Clara smiled. "It is nice to be missed."

Richard had taken note that Clara has said many statements alluding to the fact that she was alone and no one seemed to care. Where the hell was that husband of hers?

"So how did you and Benjamin meet?" Juliana asked.

Clara frowned she really did not care to speak of her absentee husband. What must they be thinking of him leaving her all alone? No trace of him to be seen.

"At a dinner party," she told Juliana, choosing not elaborate.

"I wish I could have seen you and Annabelle get married," Juliana said wistfully. She knew of the events of course. Lady Catherine was in attendance but purposely took another maid to attend her leaving Juliana behind.

"I can't speak for Annabelle but as for my own wedding I do not think you missed much."

Richard could not take it anymore.

"Clara, I know nothing of Benjamin, his character, what make of a man he may be but I know you are unhappy and I must confess, that does not bode well for him."

Clara laughed for the first time ever since being in their presence.

"Thank you, big brother, but I am quite capable of taking care of myself and my marriage may be a mess but it is mine and of my own making. I cannot hold Benjamin solely responsible no matter how much I may wish to."

Juliana reached out and took the young woman's hand in hers. "We can respect that so long as you know you are never alone. We are family and are always here for you."

Clara squeezed Juliana's hand. "Thank you."

Richard still felt like pummeling this man he has never met.

"Why does he leave you alone so often?"

Juliana gave him a look, which he ignored. He knew he should not pry. That Clara was obviously embarrassed by her circumstances, but it was gnawing at him that she was being mistreated in some way.

Truthfully he was angry with himself for leaving the family so long without someone to look after them all. His family suffered for it, his father's lands and tenants suffered as well. Everything fell apart after his Father's death but he was still away fighting.

Lady Catherine was useless. Caring only for her own agenda of finding a new husband to support her lavish ways of living. She abandoned her daughters. Foisting them upon their Aunt. Thankfully Annabelle had made an excellent match but it would seem Clara was not so lucky.

"Richard, I appreciate your concern. Truly it warms my heart but I must ask you respect me in this and ask no further questions about him."

Richard did not like it, not one bit, but agreed.

"Then tell us more about yourself. Do you still love to read as much as I remember?" Juliana asked.

And Clara lit up from within. "Yes, in fact, I am hoping to have a novel published soon."

"Really?" Juliana said sitting up and taking a serious interest.

"Yes," Clara said, "I just need to negotiate a contract with the publisher. Women are starting to gain ground but I most likely will be published under a pen name or perhaps just my initials I'm not sure. That Austin woman really shook things up publishing under her own steam. I am not that brave."

"Oh, Clara I think it is simply marvelous. You must let me read it," Juliana exclaimed and Clara laughed for the second time.

"I would love that. Perhaps I may even enlist your help in editing the latest version before I go to print," Clara stated.

It was the first time Richard could actually say Clara appeared her age. She seemed years older than all of them when in truth she was the youngest of the lot but when she spoke of her writing and her book she suddenly came alive and youthful.

"May I offer then, to negotiate the contract for you? When you are ready of course. As a business manager?" Richard offered.

"That would be wonderful," Clara clasped her hands together. "It would be a huge weight off my mind. I refuse to be cheated just because I am a woman."

"Done then," Richard said feeling some satisfaction to be able to bring a little light to his sister's life.

Juliana told Clara of her time at the Manor. Clara was horrified to know the abuse she suffered at her Mother's hands.

"I so wished we knew or thought it possible that mother kept you on," Clara informed her. "After I had left for my Aunt's I had written to Annabelle my concerns for you. We tried to find out what had happened but were told by Mother you had moved on. Had we only visited or spoke with Albert we could have discerned the truth of the matter so much sooner.

Neither Annabelle nor I ever felt welcome there. So we did not press when Mother showed no interest in having us stay at the Manor. I am so happy we are all together again. It feels like a fairytale come true."

Juliana liked the idea of a fairytale life, and as in most fairytales their story had a rough beginning but it would seem that maybe just maybe they are heading to their happily ever after.

They spent the rest of their journey catching up on each other's lives. Stopping briefly to rest the horses and grab some supper and now the sun had begun to set. Juliana knew they were close to home. She recognized this part of the wooded path they now traveled.

Soon they would pass by the ruin that was her family's home. She always wondered what happened that fateful night. So many questions left unanswered. She hoped that it would not be the same for their new dilemma. To truly move on, they all needed closure on this point, it was what they all agreed upon.

It was hard not to let the worry seep in to steal a bit of the happiness she should be experiencing at the thought of marrying Richard. She pushed it all aside. There was no sense in dwelling upon things that may never come to be.

They passed by her home and traveled up the road to Bentley Manor. So much had occurred since she left here. It was almost too much to fathom. Cecilia gone, Marcus too, her and Richard finding one another again, Lady Catherine...so many losses she prayed this time they'd win.

"We have arrived," Richard said gently waking his little sister who slept part of the way on his shoulder.

"Sorry Richard, the lull of the road, must have overtaken me," Clara said sleepily.

"Apology not needed," Richard said. "We are home."

Two footmen reached the carriage the instant it pulled up to the front doors. Albert was there as well, doling out orders, which were being executed promptly.

Albert opened the carriage door. Clara stepped out, then Juliana and finally Richard. Richard was happy to be home again. Not that this place ever brought him much joy but it was something he planned to change.

"Welcome home, sir," Albert said. "Your party seems to be missing one."

Richard looked at the cart and said, "No, we are all present, but there is something you and I need to discuss."

It was then that Albert noticed the coffin in the cart. He, of course, knew who was contained within. "Of course, sir."

Juliana looked at the somber serious expressions on their faces and then quite unceremoniously threw her arms around Albert. "I have missed you, old friend."

He stood stiff as a board not knowing what was the appropriate course of action to take. He coughed slightly and took a step back.

"And I you, Madame."

Juliana frowned at his response. No longer were they equal, she was the new head of the house and he the head of her servants. She did not like this new position if it meant distancing herself from those that were once family.

She had a bit of sad expression. Juliana nodded and followed Clara into the house.

Albert felt crushed that he had hurt her in some way. He always thought of Juliana as a daughter since Lord Bentley brought her into his home and made her one of them. He couldn't be prouder of the woman she became. It will be difficult to transition them both into their new roles, but it must be done.

"I will speak to her," Richard said not liking the crestfallen look on Albert's face as he watched Juliana walk away.

"It will be hard for her. I have spoken to the staff. They all wish to stay on. I promised them all recommendations if they wished to leave. To take instructions from someone who walked among them will be a challenge for all of us," Albert confessed sadly.

"The staff loves her, and so refused. I just hope she will adjust well. They have been instructed she is the new mistress of the house and therefore must be treated as such."

Richard looked on. He had not really considered this might not be easy on Juliana. Most women revel in the idea of running their own home but to run a home filled with the people you use to serve with. How will she handle such a task?