A/N: Hello hello! Only a short one today. Haven't had much time lately, and soon I'll have even less I think.

Anyway BIG thanks to my reviewers for sticking with me, especially auntineenah. Thanks also to L. and Prawn Crackers for favouriting/following. Your support means a lot!

Enjoy!

IV. Of Ribbons and Other Important Matters

The town of Primvale was aflutter with activity as the day of the Spring fair fast approached. The husbands had already set up the large tents down in Mr Mason's fields (as they did every year); and their wives were already preparing to cook the spread that would adorn the tables beneath them.

The young folk were also anxiously waiting the day - the women of the town excited that three (fairly young), eligible males, who did not seem to have any prior engagements, would be attending; and the men likewise - as they were yet to meet this new young miss from up at the manor (after all, the servant had said she was very pretty).

There hadn't been this much excitement in the village about new arrivals since John Gooding had introduced his new bride four years ago (and that had barely lasted two days - Mrs Gooding was decided to be utterly un-invigorating).

Claudia Brown was just as interested as the other young ladies of Primvale (although she would never admit it); and listened carefully to discern whether or not any of them shared her interest (although she would not admit that either) in the new Doctor. To her consternation, it seemed that they were.

Whilst she was walking down the main street, she just so happened to hear a conversation occurring between two young women walking ahead of her. "I heard that he was educated in the finest college in London." one said, only to be countered by the other with another, gossiping question.

"And that accent of his is simply divine - where do you suppose he's from?" the other woman asked. Claudia couldn't help but roll her eyes, honestly, these women were simply incorrigible.

The first nodded wisely before replying, "Oh Yorkshire, definitely. I have a cousin who lived down there for a time." she said, "The local people down there all speak like that."

Claudia couldn't help but listen incredulously. Yorkshire? Really? Could these people not hear, quite clearly that Dr Cutter was from Scotland? The woman continued talking, "Yes, I plan to snag the first dance with Dr Temple on Saturday." It was then that Claudia relaxed, for they weren't talking about Dr Cutter at all, but about some other man.

He must be one of the other two to enter Primvale, and in fact, quite truthfully, she felt a little sorry for him and the Captain that had come to their little town. They probably weren't even aware that they were to be set upon by a rather large group of desperate, unmarried women (and little did they know that the first dance of the night was always the most important; in terms of society). In fact, she pitied them greatly. No part of her would ever wish to be the subject under the attention of the women of Primvale.

The bell to Mr, and Mrs Greene's General store let out it's usual happy jingle as Claudia stepped inside and cast a sweeping glance about the room. Apart from one gentleman standing in the corner, there was no one else in the store.

Abby, for all Claudia loved her like a sister, could really be quite stubborn sometimes. On this particular day, her mother had insisted she needed a new ribbon for the Spring Fair. Abby, had then countered that she had absolutely no need for a new ribbon, she had quite enough as it was, and besides she had no taste in clothing apparel anyway. Her mother, horrified, told her daughter that she needed to look her best for this Spring Fair in particular, because she had already been marked as one who could quite possibly become the town spinster. Five and twenty, and completely ignoring the advances of any young gentleman that came her way? It was unheard of (and so her mother fretted). Abby then replied that she would NOT need to look her best, because she, as state had not interest in anyone would be there. In fact, she had no interest in marriage at all.

That was where Claudia came in - just in time to avert a full scale (rather heated) argument between mother and daughter. Soothing the tension in the room, she suggested that instead of Abby going, she would go to the general store to sort through ribbons and such, (after all, it was she that normally chose Abby's things anyway). Then, they could both do the finishing touches on their dresses when she got back.

So there she was, standing in the General Store, looking for a new ribbon (preferably blue to match the striking colour of Abby's eyes) when the edge of her skirt brushed the counter. The ribbon box on top of it, decided to take the opportune moment to fall to the ground with a crash.

"Oh bother," Cursing inwardly at her bad luck (her mother really would have been horrified at the words she was thinking) Claudia was just about to reach down to retrieve them, when someone else beat her to it.

"Here Miss, let me." The man that had been in the store when she arrived made quick work of scooping the ribbons back into their box before depositing them on the counter, "There, good as new. No one would even guess there'd been anything amiss." His accent was just as noticeable as Dr Cutter's had been, and immediately, Claudia knew that this was the much-talked-of Dr Temple. The Yorkshire accent was unmistakable.

When she looked a little closer, Claudia noticed a few more little details - he was wearing the most ridiculous looking combination of red cravat, brown woolen vest and fingerless gloves that she almost laughed out loud. He wasn't unattractive by any means, but the man practically screamed boyishness with his sweet, puppy-dog eyes and dark hair. If the women of Primvale were looking for the dark and mysterious doctor, they were searching in the wrong direction, and she looked forward (with a most inappropriate, wicked delight) to that particular discovery by the others (simply so she could see the looks on their faces).

Oddly enough, through all this, the man wasn't paying much attention to her, instead, rummaging around in the ribbon box. "Ahh, got it!" he said, pulling a ribbon from the box with a flourish, "I believe that this is what you were looking for."

Claudia laughed, it was the elusive blue ribbon she had been searching for. "Thank you sir!" she smiled, taking the fabric from him, "However did you know that?"

"It was easy enough really." he replied eagerly, as if it wasn't every day someone asked him a question, "When you walked in, your eyes skimmed through the fabrics - looking for one in particular. Your eyes stayed on the blue over there - and I knew you had made your decision. Then, you came here to the ribbon box and began sorting through - therefore, you would logically be looking for a ribbon of the same or similar colour to that fabric."

Claudia stared at him in amazement, "That is quite extraordinary!" she exclaimed, "Well done Sir? You are Dr Connor Temple I presume?"

"Lord no, I'm not a doctor...well, not yet anyway" Connor said with a laugh tinged with embarrassment, "But yes, I am Connor Temple. Just Mister, though, no Doctor. I am however, trying to get an apprenticeship your resident doctor to Primvale - Dr Cutter, perhaps you know him?"

"I have met him once or twice, yes." Claudia replied with a smile, thinking back to the tea they had shared a few weeks ago. The had man practically exuded intelligence, and quite startlingly, she found herself drawn to him even more.

It seemed that regulations of society kicked in then and Connor shook his head a little, as if to clear his train of thought, "I must apologise - where are my manners? May I inquire after your name Miss?" he said with a smile.

Claudia returned it easily, "Claudia Brown." she said, with a small incline of her head. Suddenly, she remembered something, "I must ask you Dr- Mr Temple, will you be attending Primvale's Spring Fair? I am quite certain that many young women are dying to have you attend; if you don't think it is too forward of me to say so."

Connor laughed again nervously, (really, it did seem he was in a state of perpetual embarrassment) "Well, that's ahhh..." he managed to say finally, "errrr...I'm not quite sure what to say really."

"You could say, 'I most certainly will be attending'." Claudia offered, observing him with a small smile (after all, it would not be proper for a lady to 'smirk' would it?), "We would love to see you there."

This time it was a genuine laugh and smile that she received, "Very well Miss Brown," Connor said, tipping his hat in goodbye, "I most certainly will be attending, thank you."

"Good day Mr Temple." Claudia said, dropping a small curtsey.

"Good day, Miss Brown." Connor replied, and with a parting smile, the two went in opposite directions. She quite liked Mr Connor Temple, Claudia decided on her way back to Abby's home. A genius obviously, but utterly unsure of himself. It was quite a comedic mix actually.

A/N: As you can see, lot of Claudia and Connor this chapter...Next chapter: Spring Fair. SUPRISE APPEARANCES! Be prepared... ;)