Chapter Five
Abigail knew she wasthe biggest dunderhead to ever walk the earth. She didn’t dare think what Mr. Townsbridge’s opinion was of her at this moment. But she appreciated his willingness to comply with what must seem like a very strange wish indeed. Out of sight and completely silent, he gave the impression of not being there at all, which bolstered her courage.
“When I told you that you are to blame for my feeling unwell, I neglected to let you know why.” Her stomach did a quick flutter that always preceded a nervous panic, so she took a moment to tamp down the crippling sensation and then said, “The truth of the matter is I have admired you for some time. At least three years, if you really must know. And while I will confess to being disappointed when I finally met you, all of that changed after you told me about your headache.
“And now that I’ve gotten to know you better, I find that I really like you. A lot. So much, in fact, my heart starts pounding harder than ever before when I see you, my legs begin to tremble, and my stomach rolls over.” She paused in case he wished to respond, but when he didn’t, she continued, pretending only the garden was listening. “Every time I try to speak to you, my throat closes up and the words jam together. But the biggest problem of all is the nausea, for it makes me feel horribly unwell, not because you repel me but rather because of how handsome you are. I just...” She breathed a heavy sigh. “I’ve never felt like this with anyone else, so it caught me rather by surprise. But the fact of the matter is I think you’re wonderful. It’s just that my nerves, you see... They make it quite impossible for me to be around you without turning into an anxious ninny.”
There. She’d said more to him than she’d meant to and there was no going back. He’d either roll his eyes and call her a blockhead or make an attempt at helping her find a way through this. When she reckoned five minutes had passed without him saying a word, she started to wonder if he might have walked away during her speech.
She was about to call his name and ask him to share his opinion (if he was still there), when he said, “I’m just a man, Abby.”
Abby.
Only her family and closest friends had ever called her that. She liked hearing Mr. Townsbridge do so, for it conveyed a degree of intimacy between them that made her feel more at ease.
Although...
“That’s the thing,” she said in answer to his comment. “You’re not just a man. You’re...You’re the most attractive man I’ve ever known and... Oh blast!” She heard a distinct snort from behind the hedge and rushed to offer an apology.
“No need,” he hastened to say. “In fact, I find this side of you quite refreshing.”
That made her smile. “You like women who curse and have morbid senses of humor?”
“I like you,” he said, “when you’re being yourself.”
“A pity it’s only possible for me to do so with you via writing or with a hedge placed between us.”
There was a pause, and then, “Close your eyes, Abby.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to try something.”
“Mr. Townsbridge, I—”
“You really should call me James.”
