Page 57 of The Gentleman's Confession
“Yes, and grateful for fresh air.”
The morning was crisp and the shadows cool, all traces of the flash storm from the day before gone. They took the long way around the perimeter of the estate before heading toward the road. The sparrows flitted about, chirping their greetings to them and making Lisette sigh with pleasure.
“The weather is perfect for a walk, is it not?” Jemma asked.
“Actually, I was thinking about how nice it was for Miles and Mr. Bentley to visit me while I was sick.” Lisette pushed a large rock out of the way with her boot.
“Mr. Bentley has proven himself to be quite a gentleman.” It took some effort not to talk of Miles and to focus on Mr. Bentley instead, but Jemma forced herself to expound. “I want you to know I was the picture of a lady and did not say or do anything capable of censure. You will never believe this, but I did not want to run from the room when he was with me, and I believe, neither did he.”
Lisette’s soft laugh caught on a breeze, muffling it. “I am happy to hear it. I am always pleased to see Mr. Bentley, but I admit I enjoyed Miles’s visit particularly.”
Jemma swallowed. “Oh?”
“It has been a while since I have felt close to him.”
Jemma’s stomach clenched. This was what she had wanted, but envisioning it did not settle well. Miles had listened to her wishes, despite his cryptic note. The words rang in her mind:May I correct one mistake in your accounting? I did not fall in love for the first time that day on the ice.
She shook her head to block out his puzzling words. He had already begun to transition his feelings back to Lisette since she had done everything to reject him, so it did not matter. And yet, no sense of satisfaction bubbled up inside Jemma; instead, her eyes pricked with tears. “We should turn around now.”
“We haven’t made it very far.”
She kept her voice steady. “You promised, remember?”
“Very well.” Lisette groaned, turning about. “You truly appreciate the change of scenery and the beauty of nature when you cannot have it, but tomorrow, it will still be here.”
Jemma kept her head averted; her watery eyes trained on the field dotted with sheep on the side of the road. “And you will have even more energy to enjoy it if you are careful today.”
They both had need of being careful.
Lisette smiled, oblivious to the pain Jemma felt. “You are very right.”
Jemma was happy to see the color back in Lisette’s cheeks and her strength returning, just like shewouldbe happy to see Lisette with Miles. Though the thought was far more forced than ever before. Her willpower had to last only a little longer before her engagement was announced. Mrs. Manning thought that after the cricket match would be best, while everyone was gathered. Once it was official, everything would fall into place, including her and Miles’s misplaced feelings.
y
Tuesday and Wednesday, it rained again, leaving the ground soggy and damp Thursday morning. Jemma was about to forgo her walk when Mrs. Manning came into her bedchamber, carrying a small basket.
“Good morning, Jemma. I am so glad I caught you before you left on your walk. Could you deliver this to the church for me for Mr. Jackson? I believe you walk that direction on occasion.”
She did walk the route fairly regularly. But deliver something to Miles? With some hesitation, she peered into the basket to see at least a dozen chocolate biscuits the size of walnuts. They were stamped with a pretty heart and dusted with sugar—obviously made with particular care. Mrs. Manning carefully folded a tea towel over the top.
Jemma chewed on her lip. She had hoped to avoid Miles until the cricket match. If she visited him now, it might give him the wrong idea. “Actually, I—”
“I was so pleased by his visit to Lisette,” Mrs. Manning cut her off. “Mr. Jackson does so much for the community and, yet, on his busiest day, came here to see to Lisette’s welfare. Of course, I did want Lisette to deliver this, but I do not want her out in this damp air, and I have a meeting with my musical club today.”
After all the Matchmaking Mamas had done for Jemma, the delivery of biscuits was the least she could do in return. Especially if they were said to be from Lisette. Besides, Miles deserved to have them, even if Jemma was reluctant to see him. The Mannings’ cook was one of the best she knew, and Miles had such a liking for sweets.
“I would be happy to take it to him.” She said it without enthusiasm, knowing she would likely regret her decision.
“Thank you, dear.” Mrs. Manning handed her the basket and left the room.
Jemma stared at the basket before setting it on her writing desk. If she was going to see Miles, it would do good to safeguardher heart first. Her intentions had to be clear to the both of them. In fact, this would be a good chance to send him another written lesson. She pulled open the desk drawer and fingered the stiff, folded letter he had dropped on the library sofa several days before. She didn’t have to open it to know what it said. The words hadn’t left her alone since she had read them earlier.
I did not fall in love for the first time that day on the ice.
No signature or a single detail more. He knew her curiosity would drive her mad, but she would not ask for clarification. He was baiting her, she was sure. But why? No, it did not matter. She was to blame for insisting on Miles’s coaching her through her courtship.
She shut the drawer with too much force, the sharpness of wood against wood reverberating in her ears. Determined to forget a few puzzling words and even more complicated feelings, she picked up her pen and began composing her response.
