Again, I don't own any of the original characters, I'm just borrowing them.
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Chapter 9
George paced impatiently in the living room of his suite of the Hotel Cartier. With the only information of Jessie's existence in NY was her employment at the very exclusive and private St. Basil's, he hired a private detective to follow her when she was not confined to the campus.
"Well?" he jumped up impatiently.
"Miss Kingsbridge has been seen in the company of a Mr. Darren Fulworth, heir to the Fulworth Banking fortune".
"Has she accepted his proposal?".
"Not yet, but perhaps soon".
"Thank you, I will call you if I need you" Pulling change out of his pocket, he paid the man.
Outside St. Basil's, Jessie allowed Darren to escort her inside.
"Thank you for a lovely evening, Darren".
"Thank you, Jessie, I never Central Park was so delightful in the evening".
"It reminds me of Hyde Park" For a moment, Jessie was lost in her memories; she was not standing in St. Basils, but in her father's house with George, not Darren, by her side.
"Good evening Mrs. Frenhard" Genevieve stepped out of her office.
"I'll see you Friday night" Darren kissed her hand and left.
"Are you attending the Bosworth ball?" Genevieve asked.
"Yes ma'am, with Darren".
"You are aware that if you marry young Mr. Fulworth, your chances of keeping your position next fall will decrease greatly".
"Yes ma'am".
"I expect you to represent St. Basils properly"
"Yes Mrs. Frenhard, good night".
"Sleep well, Jessie". Genevieve often found herself wondering about her newest teacher. Bright, cheerful and enthusiastic, Jessie's students and their parents, as well as the other teachers, had nothing but good things to say. But there seemed to be something else, a sad, faraway look in her eyes, which appeared when Jessie thought no one else was looking.
George entered the large metal gates of St. Basil's, his heart pounding. He was sure that Jessie's reaction would be the same as in London.
"Miss Kingsbridge is in class, but I will pass on the flowers to her" Gretchen, Genevieve's assistant took the flowers.
"May I help you sir?" Gretchen turned her attention to George.
"Is Jessie Kingsbridge in?".
"Miss Kingsbridge is teaching, would you care to leave a message?".
"No thank you. If you don't mind me asking, who send the flowers?" George asked.
"We have a policy of not giving out private information of our staff" Gretchen replied.
"I understand; would you do me a favor?" George handed Gretchen the box.
"Of course, who shall I say left this?".
"She'll know" George replied and walked out.
Later that afternoon, Jessie and her students filed out of the classroom.
"Jessie, you had a delivery" Gretchen handed her the card.
The flowers were from Darren, as she fully expected. From the moment she met him, he was different, even from George. Funny and interesting, he made her laugh and smile. Most of all, she felt safe and without thought to his reputation, he encouraged her work, especially the children of those less fortunate. George never even mentioned her work.
"This was also dropped off for you, are they also from Mr. Fulworth?"
"Excuse me" Jessie ran upstairs.
He had found her. She knew she should have omitted where in New York she was going. She didn't want him back, even if he got on his knees and pledged undying loyalty and love, she would never allow him to hurt her again.
"That's beautiful, who sent that?" Annelise, another teacher popped her head in a few hours later.
"No one" Jessie mumbled and shoved the box into a drawer.
"You can tell me, just between us girls" Annelise eagerly prompted.
"We were supposed to get married, but he wasn't who I thought he was".
"If Darren is not the one, there are many men to choose from. With your looks and your brains, your dance card will be full".
"Time for bed, girls" Genevieve's voice rang throughout the hall.
The entire city was buzzing about the Bosworth Ball, including the staff of the hotel. His curiosity peaked, George asked the concierge.
"It's the biggest ball of the season. I can't tell you how many marriages result from this ball".
"Who is in invited?".
"Everyone who is anyone is invited".
"And how does one receive such an invitation?" George hoped this was his chance to win Jessie back.
"To be frank, sir, one must know people" the concierge replied.
"Where is the telegraph office?" George asked.
Running as fast he could toward the office, he already knew the message he would send to Dr. Hornsby.
"You look beautiful" Darren waited for Jessie in the hallway of St. Basils.
"Thank you" taking his arm, she let him escort her to the carriage.
Inside his hotel room, George stood in front of the mirror. He knew this was his last chance to take her back, if not; he would move on and hopefully meet someone as wonderful as her.
Hours later, George stood in the ball, watching Jessie dance with Darren. She looked so happy, not like the girl he saw in London.
"Darren, really, were not married" both were in a playful mood and his hands just couldn't keep to themselves.
"We could be".
"You haven't asked me".
"Maybe I will".
"Will you now?" she teased as he led her away from the crowd.
"Good evening, Jessie" George stepped into the light.
"Darren, would you get us some punch?" Jessie asked.
"Of course" Darren stepped away.
Drama, drama, drama. Should Jessie choose Darren, if he proposes? Should she return to London with George, if she has the heart to take him back? When will this madness end? AHHHHH! Anyway, be so kind and send me a review, just one review, that's not too much to ask for, is it?