Hopeless Heart

“Hello, my dear,” Mr Parker said jovially.

Georgiana jerked when he appeared beside her. She looked at him apologetically and willed herself to calm down.

“I am sorry, I didn’t see you,” she whispered hollowly.

Mr Parker frowned when he looked into her face. “What on earth is wrong?” he asked, glancing around them for the cause of her distress. The only person out on this fine morning was a young man st

alking toward them with an equally dark scowl on his face.

Mr Parker glanced at Georgiana warily.

“It’s Will, Mr Parker,” Georgiana whispered when she read the question in Mr Parker’s eyes.

“Call me Henry,” he suggested kindly.

“Henry,” she repeated after a moment’s hesitation.

Henry nodded to the man behind them. “The Will?”

Georgiana nodded. “There is only one.”

Henry studied Will and held his elbow out. “Let me escort you home so you don’t get bothered again. Is Ruth at home?”

“She should be back by now, yes,” Georgiana replied gratefully as she took his elbow. At least she hoped Ruth was back at the house.

“Then let us get you back there,” Henry suggested. “I didn’t realise he had arrived.”

Georgiana nodded. “Just this morning, I suspect. He must have spoken to my friend in Cranbury, Theresa. I told her of my plans the afternoon before I left.”

“Well, it was going to happen,” he sighed.

“I suppose.”

“Calm down,” Henry advised as he patted the back of her hand where it rested on his arm. “He is keeping his distance behind us but not attempting to catch up.”

“Good. I hope he goes to Hades,” she whispered tearfully.

“I am sure you don’t mean that,” Mr Parker replied.

“I do. I really, really do.” But she didn’t. Of course, she didn’t.

“Good morning,” a deep voice suddenly boomed at them.

“Good morning, my Lord. How are you today?” Henry called to a tall, resplendent gentleman seated high atop a very modern, and extremely expensive, curricle.

“I am enjoying this sunshine, Mr Parker. I see your day is bright and beautiful,” he declared with a nod toward Georgiana.

Before Henry could reply, the man on the curricle jumped down and joined them on the pavement. He bowed politely at Georgiana who bobbed a curtsey.

“Good morning,” the stranger murmured softly, his eyes locked with hers. “I have to say that I wasn’t informed we had such delectable beauty in the village, Mr Parker.”

“Have you not been informed that Miss Bentley’s niece has come to stay with her? It is all about the village at the moment. Of course, I am sure that most people are merely arrested by the beauty.” There was a slight hint of teasing in his voice that made Georgiana blush.

She laughingly tapped his arm. “You are such a tease,” she chastised.

“Please allow me to introduce Lord Appledore,” Henry murmured obligingly.

“Simeon Frazeley-Jones, at your service,” Simeon declared. “Please call me Simeon.”