A/N: Yes I know it's been so long! So sorry! I didn't even actually realise how long until the other day...anyway, enjoy! Thanks to everyone that reviewed! :)
FYI The dance music I have in mind can be found here (type youtube . com in front of the following) /watch?v=VL2XC-RyL7Y&kmdom=youtube - I love Irish Jigs! XD
Almost half an hour after being whirled away by Mr Hart into conversation about something or another; Jessica Parker found herself tuning out. It wasn't that he wasn't particularly endearing, or flattering - in actual fact, he was both and constantly managed to make her blush (when she was actually listening to what he was saying that is). But Jess found herself unable to stop casting her eyes around the food tent in search of a tall, dark haired soldier instead of actually listening to what Mr Hart had to say.
Jessica's saving grace appeared when she spotted Abby and Claudia huddled close together in the corner of the tent; whispering and laughing. "Mr Hart," she said immediately, cutting the man off mid-sentence; "I have some friends I would like you to meet."
Stephen blinked, but smiled almost immediately; "But of course," he replied easily, "Any friend of Miss Parker's is a friend of mine."
As quickly as was polite, Jess glided across the room to her two newest friends. That was always something she had taken great pleasure in ever since she was a small child - making friends. When Jess thought about it; her skill at making friends was probably what helped her 'rise to grace' and prevented her becoming a street urchin. Fate had been more than kind to her.
"Miss Brown, Miss Maitland;" Jess said cheerily catching the older women's attention."This is Mr Steven Hart, a friend of Dr Cutter's."
The two women hastily got to their feet and rearranged their shawl's about their shoulders. Jess bit her lip to keep back a giggle at the look of surprise on their faces. "Miss Brown," Stephen said, inclining his head to the taller of the two before turning to the shorter, blonde woman, "Miss Maitland. A pleasure to meet you."
Jess didn't miss the way the man's eyes lingered on Abby for a moment longer than propriety dictated, and neither did Claudia. The two smiled conspiratorially at one another, Miss Maitland was going to have a lot of explaining to do the next day - judging by the slight blush that was spreading across her cheeks.
Jess suddenly thought of something so profound it made her face immediately morph into a delighted smile. "Why Mr Hart, I don't believe Miss Maitland has yet had the chance to dance tonight." she said, batting her eyelashes at the man beguilingly. "Perhaps you..."
"Why of course, although I do not understand how such a pretty lady could not have yet had someone ask." Stephen said smoothly
Abby blushed as he took her hand and led her to the dancefloor; casting a warning glare over her shoulder at the other two women as she went. Jess and Claudia merely waved at their friend happily before turning to one another.
"Jessica Parker you are incorrigible!" Claudia chided half-heartedly as she barely held back a laugh.
Jess smiled impishly at her friend, "I know."
..oOo..
"Dr Cutter...Dr Cutter!" Connor called out as he pushed through the steadily milling crowds of people. "Dr Cutter!"
He was so enthused about finally finding the doctor that he didn't even notice the way the blonde-haired man's shoulders slumped in defeat (after two hours of narrowly avoiding the exuberant young man, it seemed he had finally been caught).
"Dr Cutter! Thank goodness, I've been lookin' for you everywhere Sir!" Connor panted as he finally approached the other man. "I've been meaning to ask you-"
Dr Cutter sighed and turned around cutting him off, "If you've come to ask me if you can be my apprentice, the answer is still no boy."
Connor's face immediately fell but he pursed his lips in determination and continued on doggedly. "You haven't actually heard what I have to say yet!" he exclaimed, a tinge of annoyance creeping into his voice.
Cutter's eyebrow's raised, and he crossed his arms over his chest, "Well does it have to do with becoming my apprentice?" he asked, blue eyes unwavering.
"Uhhhh...well yes..." Connor began, "but if you would just listen to what I have to say!"
Cutter shook his head, "Well then I don't want to listen to what you have to say! How hard is that for you to understand!" he said emphatically, "I don't need an apprentice! I would have no use for some, filthy-rich boy who's only in it for the money and who wouldn't know the blunt end of a scalpel from the sharp end!"
With that, he turned and began to continue on in the direction he had been going watched him go, his heart sinking further when he cast a quick glance in the direction of the dancefloor only to see the lovely blonde woman he had seen before dancing with another man (another man who was much taller, broader, handsome and...well...more manly than he was).
With a sigh, Connor thought to himself that perhaps he should quit while he was ahead. Just as he turned to quit the tent, he stopped. All his life he had been avoided by others for more reasons than he could poke a stick at, but in that moment, something switched, and he spun on his heel to follow the steadily disappearing black cloak out into the night. Perhaps it had been the sight of her, dancing with another man - it was absurd, he didn't even know her name - but something made hm turn back.
"Dr Cutter! I have something to say to you!" Connor said, steeling himself as the blonde man stopped and turned towards him, his face showing no hint of annoyance...or come to think of it, any emotion whatsoever, "I am not some rich boy, I barely scraped into the selection for university by the skin of me teeth! In fact I've been completely beggared by my decision to enter the field of medicine! This is not just some job for me - it's my life. I've read your book on the possibility of using traditional medicines as a form of anesthetic and want to learn from the very man who put forward the idea. I want to learn from the best."
Dr Cutter stared at him for a moment, his expression unfathomable, before finally speaking "Well you're a persevering little bugger aren't yeh?" he said, a ghost of a smile flashing across his face.
Connor blinked in surprise at the less than polite language coming from someone he held in the greatest esteem, "Uhhh...thank you?"
"You've really read my book?" Cutter asked, studying him intently.
Connor nodded enthusiastically, "Yes and I've even done some work on my own in terms of further research." he replied,"You see. This wouldn't just be a job for me, I think there's so much I could learn from you. So much I could help you with, help other people!"
Cutter considered the young man quietly for a moment more, "Alright then." he said finally with a nod of his head, "We begin on Monday. Be at my front door at Eight AM sharp; and do yourself a favour Dr Temple, get yourself some new clothes! Lose the gloves until winter at least, you don't need them if it's not cold!"
"Really?" Connor breathed, staring at the man incredulously. "I mean, yes Sir. But really?"
A smile twitched at the corner of Cutter's mouth at the words, "Yes really," he replied, "Now I best find my associate who seems to have disappeared. Good evening Dr Temple."
Connor only just managed to stammer out a reply as blood slowly returned back to his head and the dizziness that had only moments ago threatened to overwhelm him disappeared. Just like that, he was a Doctor's apprentice. Just like that.
..oOo..
It seemed to Captain Becker that Miss Jessica Parker had been wandering aimlessly about the food tent and around the dance floor, looking for someone. She had already talked to Mr Lester and that other man who had been with the Doctor; in fact there were only a handful of people she hadn't talked to (himself among them). For the first time, Becker wondered if it was perhaps him she was looking for. Of all people; but that of course would be absurd...her, looking for him...
So far that evening he had seen her dance with no man; and Becker's eyes narrowed when he spotted several of the young men of Primvale giving Miss Parker appreciative glances from across the field. Evidently drawing their courage up to ask her for a dance.
Immediately, he shifted from his hiding place amongst the trees outlying the Fair and strode up towards her. When he was only about three steps behind her, he nearly lost his nerve, but pushed himself doggedly onwards. "Miss Parker." Becker said. He had uttered the words quietly; but the small, young woman nearly jumped a foot in the air as soon as the words had left his lips.
Jessica Parker whipped around, her blue eyes wide, and one hand delicately resting on her chest as she recovered from her sudden fright. "Oh Captain Becker! You nearly gave me heart palpitations!" she chided, blushing suddenly when his eyebrows raised at the way she had voiced her thoughts, "Oh...erm I mean, heart palpitations...palpitations of the heart? Nearly caused me to faint at being so overwhelmed? No I-"
Becker cut her off before she could entirely work herself into an embarrassed flutter. If she got too worked up there'd be no way she would be able to- "Miss Parker, may I have this dance?" he asked, tilting his head to the side a little and studying her reaction.
She positively beamed, "You most certainly may Captain Becker."
..oOo..
As Lester watched the Captain and his pretty ward dance together, for the first time in a long time, he let his face relax and a small smile slip onto his features. He had done several things in his life that he was not proud of (he was a bureaucrat after all) but there in front of him was living proof of one thing he had done right.
Living proof sporting rosy cheeks, flushed with enjoyment and exertion. Lester eyed Captain Becker analytically. Perhaps taking Jess to Primvale hadn't been such a terrible idea after all. He had always quite liked the idea of a military man for a son-in-law.
..oOo..
The Reverend sat on his armchair by the fire and stared into the flames. Tapping the tips of his fingers together, he watched them lick up the sides of the stone fireplace in a futile attempt to feast on the rest of his house. There was something about the fire that drew him in; not it's warmth, but it's power, the vengefulness of it's all-consuming nature. It was like ambrosia for his embittered soul.
Absentmindedly, he picked up the letter on the armrest and ran the paper through his fingers; watching as the dried ink shifted in the firelight. Soon he would have his just reward for patiently waiting for so long. A slow, vicious smile spread across the Reverend's features; his revenge was near.
In one swift move, he stood from the chair and moved to his room, leaving the letter where he had sat. The fire cast deathly shadows across the paper and the name signed on the bottom seemed to burn with the very same vengeance that had risen in the heart of the Reverend...
Helen.