Page 52 of An Engagement with the Enemy

Jessica managed a tremulous smile. “Thank you, James. I don’t deserve such kindness, but I’m grateful for it. And for you.”

“You are more deserving than most, I think.” James shook his head, eyes tender. “It is I who am grateful, for your friendship and your trust.” He offered his arm. “Shall we?”

Bolstered by his steadfast support, Jessica nodded and took his arm. Together, they stepped back into the bustle of the fair. Jessica kept her focus on James’s solid presence beside her as they slowly walked the perimeter.

* * *

The moment James had laid eyes on Jessica that morning, when she appeared at the top of the stairs with a smile and hope shining in her eyes, he knew he was utterly lost. She was a vision, her coppery-colored waves peeking out from under her bonnet, gray eyes alight with excitement.

He was completely, hopelessly in love.

Walking along the edges of the fair, her trusting touch on his arm, he couldn’t deny his good luck to have her as his friend at last. How had his life turned upside-down with such speed? After years of bickering and competitive banter, his feelings for Jessica had deepened into adoration and care over the course of a few weeks.

Or so it seemed. When he thought on the past months, there were signs of his changing perspective. The relief he felt when he saw her for the first time, after his family returned from London, and she appeared as beautiful and happy as ever. He’d immediately accosted her, verbally throwing down the gauntlet in regard to the book she held in her hand that day. They had debated the weaknesses of French novelists for nearly a week.

And he had found her beautiful for ages. But when had her nearness started making his breath catch, his heart race?

“James, look. Candied fruit. We must try some.” She gave a gentle tug of his arm and he followed, the realization that he would go wherever she led making him laugh at himself.

Being trusted with her vulnerabilities and her joys felt like the highest honor. To simply be by her side, tending to her needs, made him feel more the gentleman than he ever had in the past.

“You’ve had nothing but sweets since we arrived,” he said, sounding entirely too much like his mother when she took him to task for similar things in his childhood. “Perhaps we should find a game for you to play. There, that one. Tossing rings over glass bottles.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “I haven’t the least interest in that. Unless you mean to challenge me. Then I will have to accept, if only to prove my hand steadier than yours. I still wish for the candied fruit, too.”

He laughed and obligingly purchased a small pouch of the sweets. Then he led her to the open grass where a farmer’s wife collected a penny per couple. She had a basket of flowers for prizes, and Jessica won her own with ease. She twirled a nosegay with sweet peas and daisies, winning the tiny bouquet making her eyes dance with glee.

He didn’t mind her winning in the least.

Though crowds and noise didn’t bother him, his awareness of how they pressed around them was awakened. He stayed focused on Jessica, alert for any signs of distress. And every time she smiled up at him, displaying a bauble from a vendor or pointing to a juggler or puppet show, the concern he felt turned tender.

When had their endless squabbling turned to real friendship, then buds of romance? Looking back, James regretted not realizing sooner how perfectly matched they were. How had he wasted so much time challenging Jessica when he could have been loving her?

No more. Things had to change. He’d already begun the work of it, too. Savoring each moment they spent together. She was intelligent, spirited, and kind. His ideal partner in every way. He only hoped Jessica might feel a fraction for him of what he felt for her.

James stood at Jessica’s side, watching a Punch and Judy show at the outskirts of the crowd, relishing the way Jessica laughed at the puppets’ antics. Until he spotted her cousins Lady Mary and Lady Jane approaching. With sinking spirits, he recalled how the vain, gossiping cousins had fawned over him in London, though neither would ever set their sights so low as a baron’s heir.

“Mr. Aldwick,” Lady Mary called in pretended delight, and several children watching the show looked over their shoulders with frowns for the loud disturbance. “We are enjoying your family’s quaint country affair. Though it is a far cry from London’s amusements, is it not?”

Jessica gave him a worried glance, then looked to the puppet stage. The Judy puppet had her hands on her hips, but at Jessica’s glance the little wood and fabric figure raised one hand and a harsh voice cackled, “Have you no manners? Shush. We are trying to have an argument!”

Punch shook his wooden fist at them. “Be gone, loud folk. There’s a tale we’re tryin’ to tell!”

Her expression one of absolute mortification, she tugged at James’s arm and he took her away from the audience of children and toward her tittering cousins.

Lady Jane latched onto his other arm uninvited. “Mr. Aldwick, we’ve missed your company. Why did you not call on us in London, during the Season?” She effected a pretty pout and looked over at Jessica. “He usually does, you know. And we nearly always dance together. You know what an excellent dancer Mr. Aldwick is, do you not, cousin?”

“Jessica doesn’t care for Mr. Aldwick’s company. Or do you not remember?” Lady Mary smiled at her cousin. “Though perhaps that is past, given the two of you are wandering around arm-in-arm at present. But why didn’t we see you more, Mr. Aldwick? Or your charming cousin, Mr. Harrington?” Lady Mary asked, crowding in on Jessica’s side as they walked up the middle of a row of tables and tents full of fine wares.

James extracted himself from Lady Jane’s grip with a tight smile. “I am certain I saw the both of you at a few events, though it seemed too much trouble to make myself known when you were quite busy with others.” In truth, he had actively avoided speaking with any of them. “Perhaps for the best, as I was preoccupied with family matters.”

The cousins tittered obliviously at the subtle barb. “And what of Mr. Harrington?” Lady Jane asked again. “Is he here today?”

Unwilling to throw Leo to the wolves, James gave a shrug of his shoulders. “I haven’t yet seen him. Though I believe he expressed an interest in spending the majority of his visit with the rector. Something about a new interest in his faith.”

“Perhaps we ought to check the church then,” Lady Mary said teasingly to her sister. “Mr. Harrington is always so affable.”

They had come to the end of the row, and across from them was the paved village square. An old set of stocks were at the center, but otherwise the area was quite empty. For the fair, it had been turned into an outdoor ballroom. Musicians from York, specially hired by his family, played on a temporary stage at one end. Couples filled the area in rows, farmers and gentry alike, laughing as they wove in and out in a reel.