Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

Jemma hadn't anything against religion, but ever since Miles had become the vicar, she had stopped attending services in Brookeside. It had turned from a place of worship into a gathering place for Miles's admirers, and she couldn't stomach the disgusting scene. Today, however, she'd decided to make an exception because Lady Kellen had stopped by for a visit Friday morning and had not so subtly invited her to church, where she might bump into Mr. Bentley.

Since he had mentioned how he supported religion, Jemma had decided she would indeed attend. As a fan of practicality in everything but perhaps fashion—although she would vote some exception there too—Jemma had begun to see the opportunity to go to church as a way of accomplishing her exercises from lessons one and two. She would prove that she could listen and sacrifice.

Seated next to Lisette on the Manning pew, Jemma quietly observed the service. It was as bothersome as ever to see a congregation primarily made up of women and how everyone became excited over everything Miles did and said. However, it was not quite as bad as she remembered. She heard only one or two sighs of longing coming from the row opposite hers.

Rebecca Hardwick, with her too-big hair and hungry eyes, needed a hobby besides husband hunting. Jemma speared her with a glare.

Despite her preoccupation with her annoyances, Jemma found her gaze inevitably carrying again and again to Miles. He was reverent and steady and had the look of a brooding poet. Could she blame anyone for coming to watch him? She really couldn't. Not everyone was immune to Miles Jackson as she was. In truth, it had taken substantial effort to get to that point, but now that she was there, all it took was one look at Lisette next to her to remember her resolutions.

Where was Mr. Bentley? She looked around for him, finally spotting him in the back. When the service ended, Louisa and Paul stopped her for a moment, and by the time she reached Mr. Bentley, he was outside speaking to Lady Kellen in the church's front garden. Jemma hastily moved to join them.

"Miss Fielding," Mr. Bentley said, dipping his head to acknowledge her. "It was a beautiful service, was it not?"

"Very beautiful."

"I haven't found an equal to Mr. Jackson's sermons," Lady Kellen said.

"Yes, he was quite good," Mr. Bentley agreed. "His parishioners seem to care for him a great deal." Mr. Bentley lifted his eyes toward the church, and Jemma followed his line of vision.

Miles stood at the door, surrounded by half a dozen children. Jemma spotted Tom and Cassandra's young Alan with them, his feet bouncing with excitement. It was nice to see him fitting in with the other children and his new family. Miles waved at all the little ones until they formed a decent line.

"What are they doing?" Jemma asked.

"Didn't you know about Mr. Jackson's weekly tradition?" Lady Kellen asked. "If the children tell him one service they've done during the week, they earn a sweet."

"He does this every week?" Jemma put her hand to her heart. Each child beamed up at Miles like he was their hero. After each child exchanged a few words with him, Miles dug a little sweet wrapped in paper out of a purse and gave it to them, and the little one would skip off to their mother.

"Yes. Miss Manning occasionally assists him," Lady Kellen added.

She swallowed. "Truly?" Why did the image of Lisette beside Miles cause a sinking sensation in her middle? Normally such thoughts comforted her and gave her renewed resolve, but this time her body would not cooperate. She wanted to be content with further proof that Lisette and Miles were perfect for each other, but instead, it depressed her. Where was her perfect half?

She remembered her purpose for attending service today and turned back to Mr. Bentley with greater intent than before. He was watching her curiously. What did he see in her? Someone of interest? Or a distracted, desperate woman?

Mr. Bentley's words were careful. "You and Mr. Jackson seem to be quite good friends."

She swallowed. "Childhood friends, nothing more." Had she spoken too quickly?

"I'm merely surprised Mr. Jackson does this frequently and you've never noticed."

She was caught. The last thing she wanted was to explain why she didn't attend church in the summertime. It was better to evade the comment. "Mr. Jackson does a number of kind things, but I don't always pay attention to them. In fact, he's liable to spoil the children's appetite." She glanced back. "The parents must be concerned."

Despite her words of censure, she saw only the sweetness of the moment. No wonder all the women in town were in love with him. The thought made her scowl. What could Miles possibly be thinking? And with Lisette being forced to witness it week after week. No wonder her cousin felt compelled to help on occasion. "Someone ought to caution Mr. Jackson, don't you think?" she asked.

Neither Mr. Bentley nor Lady Kellen could answer before Jemma retreated a few steps and whirled around to walk the remaining distance to Miles. She passed Miss Hardwick, whose open fan did not hide yet another sigh of longing when she looked toward Miles. For heaven's sake! It was a good thing Jemma had decided to attend church today. On a whim, she stepped in the back of the line, since there were all but two boys left.

Miles briefly acknowledged her with a tip of his head before addressing the first boy, a pale redhead. "Ah, Mr. Kenworthy, what good deed did you do this week?"

"I picked wildflowers for my mum."

"How has one so young already learned the secret of pleasing a woman?" Miles winked and drew out a peppermint for the lad. The young Kenworthy thanked Miles and ran off toward his family.

"Mr. Jeeves, what about you? What kindness did you enact?" The black-haired boy rubbed his hands on his too-small trousers. "I played with the baby while Mama napped."

"What a kindness, indeed! Well done, Mr. Jeeves." Another sweet came out of the purse, and the boy barely had it in his hand before it disappeared into his mouth.

Notwithstanding her frustration with the scene Miles was making, Jemma silently laughed into her hand as the Jeeves boy skipped away.

"Miss Fielding? Did you do something exceptionally good this week?"

Jemma cleared her throat. "Yes ... well, I plan to. I am about to set a man straight. It won't be easy, but it will be for his benefit."

Miles's forehead creased. "Why do I have a feeling that man is going to be me?"

"However did you guess?" Jemma stepped closer so no one passing might overhear. "What are you thinking, doing something as adorable as this?"

His eyes were far too playful. He ought to look chastened, at the very least. "Is it wrong to be adorable?"

"It most certainly is! And you wonder why the women flock to you. Please, Miles, you must exercise self-control."

Miles folded his arms. "You're asking me to stop promoting acts of kindness?"

She could not fault his motives, but honestly, did the man not know the affect he had on women? "In public, yes. You must be more discreet, for Lisette's sake."

"What does she have to do with this?" He frowned, not angry but certainly displeased.

"As if I have to tell you." If Jemma was flustered with heavy sighs from the likes of Rebecca Hardwick, what must Lisette be enduring?

"You can tell me all about it at our next lesson."

"What?"

"I noticed you're still struggling to connect with Mr. Bentley."

She wasn't so pathetic. "I'm not struggling with Mr. Bentley."

"Then, why are you here with me instead of over there with him?"

She sputtered, not liking at all how he'd turned this around on her. "I was just talking to ..." She looked around and realized she no longer knew where Mr. Bentley was. Had he left already? "Oh bother."

"We ought to meet again. Soon. Come tomorrow—our usual spot—and don't be late." He paused, then add, "And I will do my best to leave my adorable self at home." Miles slipped away from the door and moved toward an older gentleman before Jemma could argue.

She folded her arms and grumbled under her breath. If she needed another lesson, it was because of him . If things had turned out differently in their childhood, Jemma might not have been so against marriage. She might have paid attention to the natural course of love instead of fighting so hard against it.