Chapter Seven - Nora - Not An Average Walk in the Park

"So how is the soon-to-be clergyman?" I asked, as I moved towards our favorite berch tree, the one place that had always been our designated meeting place. We picked it, not only because of the convinence of it being exactly between our two properties, but because the view after climbing it was remarkable- unlike anything I'd ever experienced.

"Fairing well, but not as well as the fair Miss Bertram, if I do say so myself." Hodges grinned from his post leaning against the tree, as he tipped his hat in my direction.

"Such a flirt, as usual. That won't do at all in your profession, Mr. Hodges." I grinned back, and Hodges pulled away from the tree, coming to meet me.

"Would a walk into town suit you? I have a few matters of business I have to deal with." Hodges pulled out a letter and tapped the front, matter of factly.

"I think it would suit me fine indeed." Hodges moved to me and the both of us began to walk the pathway into town, taking it slow and easy and enjoying the time we had together.

"I'm to be ordained a month from tomorrow." Hodges reminded me, a hint of anxiousness in his voice.

"Oh? We'll all be blessed to be hearing sermons you in no time then." I grinned at him, and he gave a curt smile back.

"Perhaps, but still, this is no profession that will be giving me anything to be impressible about. Comfortable, yes. Someone to catch the eye of a Miss Muirray, definately not." Hodges sighed. "I'm to get an income of 700 pounds a year, and mind you, that's generous coming from this parson."

"Well perhaps, if you would just talk to Abigale, she'd be impressed all the same. Any girl would be lucky to have you pick them as a wife." I argued, and Hodges shook his head.

"If only Mr. Murray felt the same." We were well into town now, and just the girl we both had been speaking of stood across the street, making her way to what I assumed was the clothing shop. Hodges hadn't noticed, his eyes strictly straight ahead of him, his mind lost in his own world.

"Here's your chance Hodges. Take it or leave it." I pointed her out, and Hodges' cheeks turned a ruddy shade of red.

"I couldn't. I shouldn't-" He looked at her and looked away shyly.

"But you will." I nodded, and he stared at me in wide eyed confusion. "Abigale?" I shouted throwing a friendly wave into the air.

Abigale swiftly jerked her head in our direction and an instant smile was pressed upon her face. "Nora?"

"Oh what have you done!" Hodges cringed and turned away, trying to hide himself behind me but I continued to smile.

"Be sure to thank me for this later." I whispered to him as I said aloud to Abigale, who was steadily making her way towards us; "How nice a concidence to meet you here."

"Yes, quite." She paused a second, realizing I wasn't alone. "Mr. Hodges, I didn't see you there." She gave a short curtsy, and Hodges bowed, not making eye contact.

"Nice to see you Miss Murray."

"You also." I saw a faint hint of a blush on Abigale's face, and it made me grin.

"What brings you to town?" I asked, already scheming.

"Oh, I needed a new bonnet. This one is almost completely worn. And I would have sent a servant, but it was such a lovely day, that I thought it would be pleasant to spend it walking through town." Abigale touched the bonnet she wore almost self-concious of it. She gave a half-hearted smile, clearly uncomfortable with revealling so much to us. "Father says I could have all the bonnets I want, but I feel one is more than enough."

"What a lovely concidence! Hodges was on his way to the tailor's too." I nodded, knowing Hodges wouldn't be speaking up anytime soon.

"I was?" Hodges frowned, throwing a look to me.

"Yes, you were. You had business there, remember?" I nodded, hoping he would catch on. He couldn't be so crazy as to turn down an oppurtunity to spend some time with the girl who had his heart.

He seemed to be thinking a moment before he replied. "Why yes, I did."

"Why don't you accompany Miss Murray? I think I am well enough off to fend for myself for a couple of minutes." I nodded, and Abigale's eyes grew wide.

"I think that's a wonderful idea. That is of course, you want to, Mr. Hodges." Abigale's eyes finally met Hodges, who seemed dumbstruck.

"He thinks it's a lovely idea." I pushed Hodges closer. "Take your time, I'll be fine without you."

"Good day, Nora." Abigale curtised towards me and I did the same, and Hodges nodded a goodbye to me, and the two were off down the street, just like that.

I smiled to myself as I walked along, proud of the scheme that had all worked out. The two deserved each other, really, if only for a short while.

"You sure you want to do this? I mean, the spare bedroom is always opened for you." I looked up from my musings and realized I wasn't alone on the street anymore.

There, stood the two men from the ball, Mr. Lettington and Mr. Samuelson. My mind flipped upside down at the deja vu. I shook my head and backed away. No. I wasn't going to eavesdrop again. I couldn't afford it, nor had no interest in being any more mixed up in whatever scheme was going on between them. Mr. Lettington was a respectable man, I knew from his associations with my father, and I would like to keep my mind thinking that way, even if it weren't true.

Mr. Samuelson, on the otherhand, I had no loyalty for nor any sources to his trustworthiness, and I would only trust him as far as I could throw him. No, it was better to steer clear from the likes of him.

I spun around fast enough that my skirts whirrled around me. I floundered around a few seconds, unsure where to go. I could head back to the clothing shop, where Hodges would definately know something was wrong, and I didn't want to worry him. But every moment spent on the open street was sure to give me away to the two gentlemen conducting business.

I decided just to slip into another shop, and feign busyness for a few seconds.

"Miss Ainsworth?" I stopped at my name, for a few seconds, afraid that Mr. Samuelson and Mr. Lettington had spotted me. I turned my head ever so slightly, trying hard not to show my fear.

To my surprise, it wasn't either of the gentleman, but Mr. Nathaniel Scott, someone I thought I'd never see again.

"Mr. Scott? Back in town so soon?" He was a very handsome gentleman, his hair black as the night and slicked back underneath his hat. His eyes, were a very stunning blue, and I looked away under his intense gaze.

"Well, I got your letter, and that of your sister,  begging me to visit again. And I hoped to come here again, maybe not this soon, but some troubling news about the business I was here with, with your father has reached me and I must sort it out." He peered at me more closely, and I suddenly felt as if I were ten again, and my clothes seemed inadequate and old, and I cursed myself for not giving my face a better scrubbing this morning. This man just had that affect on you. Just being in his presence made me feel less of myself, and inferior. "You appear in good health Miss Ainsworth, and look quite well."

"Thank you." I somehow managed, pulling my shawl closer around me. I lifted my chin, hoping to feel more of an equal to him. "I'm sorry to hear you have trouble with your business. No doubt father will be more than overjoyed to hear you're in town. He took quite a liking to you, I suppose."

"Yes. I'll be soon by to visit your estate. In the meantime, make sure to tell your sisters that I've asked after them." Mr. Scott turned to go, and I secretly felt relief that I was to be dismissed so soon. Not that I didn't enjoy his company, but that I wouldn't have to worry about what I was to say so as not to make myself look stupid. "Miss Ainsworth." He bowed, and I curtsied.

I turned away from him and hurried my walk a bit, hoping to escape to safety, and consequently, smacked right into someone else. A very tall someone else, who smirked at me as I tried to stumble out an apology. I actually gasped as I recognized the smoldering face. A one Mr. Samuelson, who looked all to pleased with himself.

Now I wished I had never let Hodges out of my sight.