Warmth and hope bloom where they have no business growing. Relax, he’s just being friendly, because we’refriends.
“All right, let’s meet the rest of the crew, shall we?”
I gesture for Jack to step out in front of me as we traverse up the hill, but instead of walking, he offers his elbow. “After you, Ms. Bennet,” he says.
The hint of a smile dances on my lips as I wrap my hand around his bicep. “What a gentleman.”
“We try,” he says softly, almost like I wasn’t supposed to hear it.
* * *
This may have been a mistake.Twelve pairs of eyes stare unblinkingly at Jack. I don’t know what Emy told them or if they thought she was joking, but the minute Jack and I appear over the rolling hill and meet the group in the Wentworth Mansion’s foyer, the group falls into an odd silence.
“I’m sorry.He’sgoing to be one of the actors… for the fair?” Henry, a cherub-faced twenty-something who plays Mr. Bingley, rubs the back of his head. “No offense, but do you think that’s a good idea?”
“I mean, we don’t have a choice.” I shrug. “Emma and Callen left us pretty high and dry when they eloped. But I’m confident that Jack can fill the role perfectly.” I put my hand on his shoulder for extraI support youemphasis.
“What about his accent? Does he do a British accent?” Lucas asks, arms crossed. He’s our Mr. Darcy and usually the most charming individual you will ever meet, but he’s also a method actor who’s getting his undergrad at the college a few towns over and takes his job at the fair very seriously.
“He’sright here,” Jack says, staring at Lucas down the slope of his nose. “And, uhm, no, I didn’t know that was part of the deal.” He frowns. “But I’ll work on it.”
I smile at him. Jack’s stepping out of his comfort zone for us, and I’m so incredibly grateful and frankly surprised by it. “There you go! And if Emy hasn’t gotten to the other news yet, I’ll be filling in as Lydia—”
“Wonder why,” snorts Sabrina, our resident mightier-than-thou Caroline Bingley who is definitely not type-cast because that would be awfully rude of me.
“So,” I continue, ignoring her jab. “If Jack gets in a pickle, I’m confident either I or Chloe, as Elizabeth, can help him.”
Lucas nods, not fully satisfied with the answer, but again, we don’t have much of a choice, so everyone has to accept the situation.
Jack Parker, infamous hockey player and hometown hero, will be a member of our troupe for the next few days. Nothing weird about that at all.
“So, that’s all the casting news I have,” I say, grabbing a stack of papers containing a rundown of the fair, expectations, schedule, and a map. After giving the players their directives, they disperse and I ready to trudge down the hill again to set up the snack station in the tent.
After a few years of participating, the crew doesn’t need a checklist to know what to do. While the Estate hires professionals to set up the stages and the booths, a lot still needs to be done. The piano must be tuned so that Alyssa, as Georgiana, can play a multitude of reels and other classical songs. In an hour, the fairgrounds open for vendors, and they need to be checked in and assigned their areas. Not all of them will start setting up today, but I like to give them a few days in advance in case they want it.
Tables and chairs need to be moved inside to make room for the ball and dancing lessons which start tomorrow.
Hopefully Lucas and Chloe take that on, since they do it the way I like.
But it’s okay if they don’t. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
Right?
I don’t buy my own reassurances. I’d rather everything be just so, and take on most of the jobs myself, but…I can’t. Not this year, and I don’t know if that’s bothering me more than letting go.
I wish I was good at delegation instead of being forced to delegate because I’m exhausted and keep having these random flares of pain.
There’s a tiny carnival portion of the fair—with only a few rides and a petting zoo, but Bridget will be there so I can set up the tent.
I usually handle the tent the week before, but I let it slip and didn’t order the darn thing until last week, when the guy called me to see if I’d need one this year because it surprised him he hadn’t heard from me.
As the rest of the crew disperses, Jack stands with his head on a swivel, eyes large taking in the chaos around him.
Sabrina’s direction? Jack.
Big surprise.
She takes two steps forward, extending her hand. “I’m Sabrina, by the way. I think it’s so nice that you’re here helping our little Aulie out. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need someone to show you around. It can be overwhelming, and Aulie is a busy beaver.” She glances over her shoulder, flashing a less-than-genuine smile in my direction, and I bite down the nauseating feelings bubbling in my chest.
