A/N: Sorry it took so long to get out! Mid-length this one, it's sister chapter will hopefully be out soon!

Much love to AGoodOmen, DrawnToDarkness, emilyjay, SandyLee Potts, Mijo54, FLUFF-N-UTTER-1, Rubytronix, JustEllee, Prawn Crackers, WittyWallflower, and L. C. Doyle. Can I just say, you guys completely blew me away with the response to the last chapter. I hope this next lives up to your expectations! :)

V. The Spring Fair - Part 1.

Primvale, was, in it's essence, one of the prettiest areas in all of Chestchire. The meadows were filled with long soft grass, and flowers of all sorts in every imaginable colour. The day was perfect for the Spring Fair, the wind brushing gently against the leaves of the trees and freshening the air. The sun was out in full shine, it's rays dappling the ground in a multitude of colours, both shaded and bright.

The Spring Fair was nearly in full swing by the time Jess arrived. She had never seen anything quite like it. Several younger girls danced around a maypole, colorful silk ribbons fluttering in their hands as their parents looked on and clapped.

In the center of the meadow, the town council had erected a flat, wooden dance floor, which was currently being used rather enthusiastically by several couples. A five piece band played music off to the right of the dance floor, and to the left, was a tent, long tables laid out for the luncheon that was soon to come.

Jess decided that this was to be the defining moment of her life. The tea parties and such she had attended in the city were nothing like the unrefined joy that seemed to emanate from these people in their simple country lives. There was no way she was going back to London after this, not even if Lester dragged her.

...oOo...

Abigail Maitland walked into the Spring Fair with a sense of purpose. She and Claudia were a little more interested in the new arrivals to Primvale than they cared to admit. In particular, she wished to meet this 'Miss Parker' who had captured every farm hand and bachelor's attention within several miles.

Even her younger brother Jack (who wasn't the most attentive of siblings and who had only been home from school for a week) would rave about her whenever he got a chance . The woman's feats must be truly marvelous she decided if they were to attract such an amount of focus. One problem with these accounts seemed to be their inconsistency. One would say she had blonde hair, the other would tell of her lovely black hair. One said blue eyes and another said brown.

It was beginning to grate on her nerves, this exaltation of a person without any particular idea of character or anything else. As far as she was concerned, none of these people had any idea whatsoever; so she planned to find out for herself.

"Now Abby," Claudia was saying, "You positively must meet Mr Temple. He really is quite lovely and not at all what we expected!"

Abby sighed melodramatically, linking arms with her friend, "Claudia, if you so much as TRY to matchmake today - ESPECIALLY with this 'Mr Temple', I will leave you at the mercy of every dull and boring conversationalist for the entirety of the day."

Claudia laughed in reply, "Alright then...but you still should meet him." she said, eyes dancing at the distasteful look on Abby's face.

Suddenly, as they entered the clearing where the Spring Fair was already in full swing, Abby noticed something; "Claudia," she whispered covertly to her friend, "Do you think that's her?"

The other woman raised her brow "If the number of men standing around her is anything to go by, it must be."

Abby laughed at Claudia's wry humor and studied the elusive Miss Parker standing several meters away from them - surrounded by gentlemen. Well, she was pretty, she'd give her that. Abby could easily see why so many men would fall all over her. Miss Parker was a pretty little thing with an emphasis on little, (although she wasn't much of one to talk) and Abby snorted. What was it with men and fawning over small petite women?

"Uh-oh Abby, look." Claudia whispered, nudging her friend in the ribs and jerking her head in the direction of the tables where a snobbish-looking, blonde woman strutted in the young woman's direction - followed by several other young ladies. "It's Miss Leonard and her cronies."

Abby grimaced, "Poor girl. I almost feel sorry for her." she said, glaring at the blonde woman. Miss April Leonard had earned a reputation for herself amongst the residents of Primvale (particularly amongst the sensible young women) as a rather unsavoury person. She was the type that would be sweet and charming at first, but behind ones back whisper and spread gossip. She was a Queen of manipulation, pressuring men and women alike into doing her bidding. The three had more than a little animosity towards one another - especially Abby. Polar opposites; Abby and April detested one another entirely. "Do you think we should rescue Miss Parker?"

Claudia pursed her lips in distaste, "Most definitely Abby, it would simply be cruel to leave her at the mercy of such a horrid woman."

Quickly, the pair set off towards Miss Parker, as fast as they could without appearing like they were actually intending to cut the other woman off. "Miss Parker." Claudia smiled at the pretty auburn-haired woman, when they reached her, "It's a pleasure to meet you. We've heard so much about you and have decided we should very much like to meet you in person."

The younger woman blinked in surprise at first, but then beamed in response. "Oh how lovely!" she said, clapping her hands together excitedly, "But I feel at such a disadvantage not knowing your names!"

Abby almost smirked when she caught the sight of April scowling at the trio and turning on her heel with a huff, out of the corner of her eye; "I am Abigail Maitland, but please call me Abby - none of my friends use my full name if I can help it! And this is Claudia Brown." she said with a smile. Perhaps her first judgement had been a little too hasty, she really did seem quite nice actually, "A pleasure to meet you."

"Well please, call me Jess - Miss Parker makes me sound like an old spinster, and Jessica is far to formal." Jess said with a radiant smile, "Might we be friends? There is so much about Primvale that I want to learn about! It really is the most beautiful county! I'd so like to meet everyone, do you think you could introduce me?"

The two smiled at her exuberance, no, Miss Parker - Jess; didn't seem quite so bad at all.

...oOo...

She stole his breath the first moment he saw her; talking animatedly with Miss Brown and the infamous Miss Parker. He didn't notice the slight shabbiness of her dress, or the defensiveness to her posture. He didn't notice the glances other women at the fair were sending in his direction. All Connor Temple saw was the woman on the other side of the dance floor; and in that single moment, he fell. Never to recover. She was the one.

...oOo...

Captain Becker watched the entrance of a certain Miss Jessica Parker to the Primvale Spring Fair with feigned disinterest from across the tent (he was, after all, very interested). In the end, on the day they had first met, he had decided that it would perhaps be prudent of him not to stay with Mr Lester and Miss Parker, for all their kind invitation; and as such, had moved into the house of his recently deceased aunt.

At first Jess - Miss Parker, had seemed a little upset by his refusal, but cheerfully asked not a moment later if he would attend dinner the following evening (an event which had only left him more than interested in her - despite his own mental beration of himself.) She looked quite lovely today, (almost moreso than usual) her blue skirts whirling about her, matching her bright eyes; and making her cheeks flush with excitement. She had been talking with several other women, before returning to her guardian when he called for her.

Becker was just about to give into his inclination to stride across the room and ask for a dance; when two gentlemen approached Mr Lester and his ward. The first was a blonde man, wearing the traditional black garb of a doctor, and he immediately placed him as Dr Cutter, one of the other new residents of Primvale.

Dr Cutter shook Lester's hand and nodded politely to Miss Parker, but Becker's eyes narrowed as he watched the other, younger man; his muscles tensing. In one move, he spun on his heel and stalked out of sight.

...oOo...

Jess was sure she blushed most profusely when the tall, dark haired man pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles; she could practically feel the heat emanating from her cheeks. "Charmed, Miss Parker." he said, his grey-blue eye twinkling in amusement.

Jess cleared her throat awkwardly, and smiled. She was so preoccupied that she didn't notice the Captain on the other side of the food tent whirl out of sight "A pleasure to meet you Mr Hart."