The following afternoon found George wandering through the small village that lay just outside the Northfell estate, worrying over the situation with Lady Jessica. The truth was, he was more than a little aware that he had made a mess of it all by doing such a foolish thing as kissing her, but he was determined to try and make a fervent apology in the hope that she might find it in her heart to forgive him.

However, he did not feel able to simply walk up the Northfell estate and demand an audience with the lady, for he could not be certain that she had kept the affair to herself. He did not know Lord Northfell particularly well, which meant that he might easily have him thrown out of his estate, should he attempt to visit.

And so, George had found himself wandering the streets of the small village, looking into all the shop windows and trying his best to think of a way out of his current, rather sticky, situation.

“Oh, goodness, Jacintha! That is surely the prettiest bit of lace I have ever seen!”

Startled to hear none other than Lady Jessica’s voice, George caught the door of the shop as another lady exited from it and, peering around the doorframe, saw none other than Lady Jessica, Lady Jacintha and Lady Harmonia standing together, evidently shopping for new bits of lace.

“Good day, my ladies,” he said, stepping into the shop and bowing before he could even think about what it was he was going to say to Lady Jessica. “How wonderful to find you all here this afternoon.”

“Lord Warwick!” Lady Harmonia exclaimed, after a quick curtsy. “How good to see you. Yes, we are all out shopping for some lace and other such trinkets whilst Amelia rests.”

“She is not unwell, I hope?” he asked, a little concerned.

“Oh, no, not in the least!” Jacintha exclaimed, a wide smile on her face. “She is just a little tired from last evening’s entertainment.”

George smiled, keeping his attention on Lady Harmonia and Lady Jacintha whilst, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lady Jessica begin to move away from them. “I do hope that you enjoyed last evening?”

“Very much,” they said together.

“Thank you for your kindness in inviting us,” Jacintha continued, glancing over at Jessica who, by now, had turned her back to him completely. “Might I inquire as to why you are in the village today?”

His mind suddenly went blank and, as he began to stammer, he saw Lady Harmonia share a knowing smile with her sister.

“You are welcome to come back to the house with us and call upon Lord Northfell, if you wish,” Lady Harmonia said, as he continued to try and think of some excuse as to why he was in the vicinity. “And, if you have time, then I am sure Amelia will insist that you dine with us. There is always more than enough food.”

George bowed, thinking quickly. If Lady Jessica was as upset with him as she seemed, then there appeared to be very little reason to return to the estate to dine. It might only strengthen the gulf between them, whereas, if he left her alone, then she might find herself a little more willing to talk with him in the days that followed.

“Do not have any concern in that regard, Lord Warwick.”

Glancing towards Lady Harmonia, George realized – much to his embarrassment that, not only had he not answered, he had also allowed his gaze to fix on Lady Jessica instead of focusing on Jacintha and Harmonia.

“I do not mean to pry but I am quite sure that a conversation between you both will do the world of good,” Harmonia continued, softly. “She has been quite out of sorts all morning.”

“Well, if you are quite sure that it would not be an inconvenience, then I would be happy to accompany you back to the Northfell estate,” George replied, still feeling a little uneasy. “Did you take the carriage?”

“Oh no,” Jacintha laughed. “We walked for it is such a beautiful day.”

“Wonderful,” George replied, with an easy smile. “Then I shall direct my coachman to take my carriage directly to Northfell and I shall walk with you the moment you are ready.”

Striding from the shop, George managed to find his coachman without too much trouble, who took his leave towards Northfell almost at once. George, not wanting to hasten the ladies, waited outside until they emerged, although Lady Jessica was the last to appear and, even then, she did not look at him.

George’s stomach began to churn as they walked together, although he kept his composure and ensured his features held none of the anxiety he felt. Lady Harmonia and Jacintha were both talkative enough, but Lady Jessica stayed behind them all, not saying a single word.

Presently, however, Harmonia and Jacintha engaged in a conversation he could not be a part of and, as they quickened their steps so as to walk together, George had no choice but to fall back and, therefore, into step with Lady Jessica.

Clasping his sweaty palms behind his back, George cleared his throat and few in a deep breath, closing his eyes briefly and praying that she would, at least, let him speak.

“Lady Jessica,” he began, not able to look at her. “I am not in the least bit surprised that you find me so repulsive. I cannot blame you for it, for this is entirely my own doing. How wrong I was to treat you so. I must ask you, I must beg you to forgive me for my behavior last evening.”

There was a long silence. Lady Jessica walked silently beside him, their feet making very little sound as they made their way through the small country paths back towards the estate.

“In truth, I was overwhelmed by the news that you were not engaged,” he continued, uncertain whether to continue speaking or not. “I do not think that I need to go into the depths of my feelings, Lady Jessica, but I will tell you that I hold you in very high esteem and that my heart quickens the moment I see you.” He shook his head, frustrated that she had not made a single response to his fervent outpourings. “My life since I have taken on the title has been one of disarray and confusion, one where I feel overwhelmed by all that is expected of me and yet, when I see you, all of that disappears. It is as though you calm the stormy seas simply by your presence. I cannot explain it although I am doing my best to share my sentiments with you honestly. I know I should not have pressed my affections on you in such a way. Is there any way you can forgive me? Might we start again?”

Stopping in his tracks, he paused and looked down at her, relieved to see that she too had stopped walking. Her eyes were clear and bright as she looked up at him, although there was no trace of a smile on her face.

“Did you mean all of those things?” she asked, quietly. “Are you being honest with me that I affect you in such a way?”

“Indeed,” he replied, fervently. “When you are by my side, I feel as though I can conquer what the world has laid at my feet. I am quite overwhelmed by what I feel at times, especially when Major Ridding has managed to dance with you on two occasions, and I have not managed even one!”

That, at least, made her laugh. “He was not a particularly gentle dancer if that makes you feel better,” she replied, softly. “And I am surprised to hear you say that you thought I was engaged. That is not the case in the least, I assure you.”

“I cannot tell you just how glad I was to hear it,” he said, as a huge sense of relief filled him. “It was Major Ridding who spoke of it first but where he heard it, I have very little idea.”

She continued to regard him carefully, as though considering her options. “I will not pretend that my heart is not affected by our friendship,” she said, so quietly that he had to strain to hear her. “I do feel something more than simple kinship, but it was much too soon – and much too improper – to behave as you did, Lord Warwick. Marquess or not, I cannot excuse it.”

“And neither should you be expected to,” George replied, fervently, brushing one hand down his cheek as he recalled how she had slapped him. “But the question is, can you forgive me?”

Her eyes narrowed just a touch before she broke into a smile. “I think I can, Lord Warwick. Your apology was done quite prettily, and I appreciate that you spoke so honestly to me.”

George wanted to fall at her feet in gratitude and relief, a burden immediately rolling off his shoulders. “You are very good, Lady Jessica.”

She chuckled and began to walk along the path once more. “Now that the matter is settled, shall we walk together? I do not want my sisters to leave me behind!”

Falling into step with her, George began to talk about his travels in the army and asked her more questions about her life back home. They walked slowly, their conversation flowing beautifully as they made their way back towards the estate.

On the way home that evening, George considered just how much he had discovered about Lady Jessica. She was warm and kind but with a fierce determination to live life in her own way and with her own decisions although she well understood what was expected of her. George found that a rather endearing quality, smiling to himself at what he had learned about her and a little surprised at how open he himself had been with the lady. They had spoken of a great many things, from his choice to go into the army to the death of both his parents and brother – and he had found it easy to talk about his brother when, usually, he found the subject more than a little difficult. When the subject of the future had been brought up, he had spoken about his difficulties with his new responsibilities and she had been more than understanding, her eyes filled with compassion and sympathy. It was little wonder he felt close to her.

“She is quite wonderful,” he said to himself, smiling into the darkness. “Quite wonderful indeed.”