IX. Unexpected Events

Claudia Brown was in her parlor when the letter from Jessica Parker came. She hadn't heard from her young friend in several days and even then, the young woman had been less friendly and bubbly than usual. Claudia couldn't help but wonder if perhaps it had anything to do with that tall soldier-man who had been tramping about the small town of Primvale with his tail between his legs for the last week.

If she remembered correctly, Jess had seemed quite enamoured with the tall, dark haired man ever since the Spring fair. Now, receiving this letter came as a surprise. Especially since it was less of a letter and more of an invitation. To a picnic. Apparently it was to be quite a party and almost everyone in the village was invited (although Claudia had the feeling that this was perhaps because Jess didn't want anyone to feel left out).

The fact that a certain Captain was the only name absent from the list, brought evidence to the idea. With a small smile at her lips, Claudia quickly wrote a short reply detailing her acceptance, grabbed her bonnet and headed straight for the post office.

..oOo..

Doctor Nicholas Cutter let himself smile as he posted the letter that finalised the sale of his old home. It was more than relieving, finding himself free of everything that ties his to his old life. Except Stephen of course, but then again, the man had been his closest friend for many years and he would be nothing without him. The familiar crunch of boots upon gravel jerked him from his musings and Cutter turned to find himself face to face with the one and only Miss Claudia Brown.

"Miss Brown," he greeted her with a smile and tip of is hat, "What brings you here on this fine morning?"

Claudia smiled, "Good day Dr Cutter," she replied, "I also have a letter to post. Speaking of which, have you yet answered Miss Parkers picnic invitation?"

"No Miss Brown, as of yet I have not had the pleasure of receiving her invitation," he said with a twinkle in his eye, "But no doubt that is only because I had left this morning before the post was delivered to my door."

Claudia smiled a little, only the corners of her mouth raising in good humor, shyly she looked up at him with those big brown eyes of hers (which he was beginning to grow quite fond of). "May I enquire then, if perhaps," she began, her cheeks tinging pink, "You will be attending?"

That was another thing about Primvale and to be more exact, the persons (or person in particular) in it - had had almost no cause to stop smiling since he had set foot in it. "Why yes Miss Brown," he said, one of those smiles once again ticking at the corner of his lips, "I do believe I shall."

..oOo..

Abigail Maitland was heading over to Claudia's house when suddenly, she spotted the woman in question heading in her direction, deep in conversation with Dr. Cutter. Quickly, Abby ducked around the nearest corner and watched the pair as they made their way down the street. Abby let herself smile a little as she watched her friend. The other taller woman had that smile on her face that only came when she was secretly, truly pleased about something. When she looked over tot the normally stand-offish Scotsman, he too was smiling easily.

With a nod and a thought on both, how happy her friend looked and what fine a pair they made, Abby turned to make her way back the way she had come, and ran face-first into a very bashful Connor Temple.

"Oh I am so sorry!" she gasped out, pushing herself away from him and dusting her hands off on her skirt, "Forgive me, I was not looking where I was going."

Connor grinned at her, his cheeks a slightly pinker tinge than normal. "Absolutely fine Miss, happens all the time."

Abby's brow immediately rose at that. "Really?"

Connor's smile only grew wider and he laughed nervously, "Errr...no, no not really, in fact you would be the first."

Abby blinked and controlled the smile that threatened to appear. "Well then, Dr Temple, I really must be on my way-"

"You wouldn't have seen Dr. Cutter anywhere would you?" Connor cut in quickly. Almost as soon as he had spoken, his eyes moved from her face and drifted behind her. Abby turned just in time to catch a glimpse of Cutter and Claudia walking side by side, across the road.

"Well, that's new." Connor's slightly awed voice spoke up, making Abby face him once more. When he realised her eyes were on him, he looked down at her and blushed at the expression on her face, "Well it is new." he said defensively.

Abby couldn't help it. She laughed, and Connor looked rather pleased with himself. "I think, that perhaps we should just...let things run their course," she said, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him after her with a tug. "Perhaps you might like to join me for a pot of tea."

..oOo..

The man standing nearby, took off his black, top hat and ran a hand through his dark hair. His eyes followed the pair, Miss Abigail Maitland, talking cheerfully and laughing animatedly; arm in arm with the young doctors apprentice.

With a small sigh, Stephen Hart brushed a little lint off his hat and returned it firmly to his head. With a final glance in their direction, he spun on his heel and set off down the street.

..oOo..

James Lester was perhaps, having one of the worst days in his entire life. Firstly, he had woken up half an hour past the time that he normally did, then, by the time he had appeared downstairs, his breakfast had been cold. Apparently, the important meeting for a merger he was conducting, (which was supposed to occur in a weeks time) had been cancelled due to 'unforseen circumstances' (which he animatedly defined as a load of rot) and was, as of yet, not yet rescheduled for a later date.

To top it off, Jessica had been moping about the house for a week - even after her picnic had been planned to perfection; and it was all beginning to get to him. And then there was that letter...

In his youth, Lester had been one of the more reserved types of young men. He rarely smiled and when he laughed, he was more likely to be laughing at someone, than with them. He had, however, made a name for himself as one of the best businessmen in London. Of course, when you're only five-and-twenty, yet still seem to make more money than businessmen three times your age, one is more likely to make enemies than friends. So that is what James Lester did. Not that he cared very much either way, that was, until the day of July the first, 1821.

Lester and another junior businessman with whom he had the unfortunate opportunity to work closely with on a daily basis (the man really had been the Empire's most annoying brown-noser) were in charge of the finances of a particular business. Said business had prospered and grown throughout the previous year, yet when the half yearly evaluation of business was analysed, the return on funds did not entirely add up. Several thousand pounds was missing.

All eyes immediately turned to the two finance officers. The inquest that followed was not something Lester wished to ever repeat. Three and a half weeks later, and he was released from charges on lack of evidence (if there was one thing he had always been careful in - it was the state of his affairs). His offsider too, was released, but, instead of 'weathering the storm' as Lester chose to do...the other man decided business was not exactly where he wished to be and made a run for it.

Lester had always kept the fear that this little piece of his history would come back to metaphorically bite him on the Gluteus Maximus, and it seemed that perhaps it had.

"A visitor for you Sir." The entrance of the servant startled Lester from his troubled reverie and he frowned as he looked up, entirely aware of who this 'visitor' would be.

Lester sighed, "Show him to the parlour will you Jones. Tell him I'll meet him there." he replied dryly as he continued to look busy with his paper and pen (which he was in fact, not).

"Very good Sir." The sound of the door closing made Lester look up and with a grumble, he stood up, setting his stone-face in place as he headed for the parlour himself. The sound of voices inside immediately set in the scowl and he opened the door to find Jessica talking animatedly with the man himself.

"Lester!" she exclaimed happily when she spotted him (apparently oblivious to his thunderous expression), "You never told me we were having a visitor today! I would have invited you to this morning's picnic if I had known!"

"That will not be necessary Jessica, thank you." Lester replied, more curtly than he had intended, "You should run along now though, wouldn't want you to be late for your own party now would we? This gentleman and I have some business to attend to."

The 'gentleman' in question grovelled and pressed a kiss to her hand as his ward left for her party. "Well, well, well, if it isn't my not-so-esteemed once-colleague, Oliver Leek." Lester said dryly, circling the man, like a predator would prey. "I would never have guessed you would be one to have taken up the cloth."

A/N: Sorry it's been so delayed, and that this chapter's a bit short! But it was long overdue. A million thanks to all my lovely reviewers! Enjoy :) x