1896

"Josephine Mardle!" the young man called as he checked off another name on his clipboard.

Josie Mardle was a fairly pretty girl of twenty-two. Her father had died and left the house, the money, everything to her brother who was leaving for India within the week. She had no intention of joining him in that foreign place nor did she have plans to live off his charity while he traversed the globe. She loved her brother dearly, but she wanted independence. She needed work and quickly. That is why she found herself in the crowded waiting room of the Samson & Grove employment offices.

Hearing her name, Josie stood and followed the young man into the small office. He offered her a chair and, after taking his own seat behind the large mahogany desk, began the routine examination.

"Any work experience? Former employers? References?" He asked, instantly beginning to write notes on his clipboard, which he never once looked up from.

Josie answered his questions, but when he continued to drill her, she stood to her feet in outrage.

"I beg your pardon, but I would much prefer to be treated like a person rather than a name on a list," she stated firmly, but quietly. Her voice was small and fragile, but no one would go so far as to suggest she was a timid person. She could command an entire room if she had the desire and, at that moment, she did.

The man looked up, startled by her sudden outburst, "Do forgive me, miss," he looked hesitantly over his shoulder into the hallway then turned to her, whispering, "But I, too, am being examined and I would appreciate - "

"Is everything alright in here, Grove?" a rather portly man asked as he stepped into the office. The young man practically jumped to his feet, "Everything is perfectly fine, Mr. Samson," he stammered.

Mr. Samson eyed him suspiciously and then turned to Josie with forced joviality, "Is everything fine, miss?"

Josie glanced over at the young man, who pleaded with fearful eyes. She returned to look at Mr. Samson and slowly nodded, "Yes, sir, everything is perfectly fine."

Mr. Samson smiled flatly but then glowered at the young man, "It better be perfectly fine, Grove," he chided under his breath, "...or I will have to speak with your father about this."

"But, sir!" he cried in protest, but Mr. Samson had already left.

The young man slowly turned and gestured to the door as he spoke to Josie, "Well, now look what you've done."

"I am terribly sorry, sir," Josie apologized from the bottom of her heart, "I had no idea-"

"You're fine," he said, reassuringly, "I had it coming."

He sat with a disheartened sigh, put his elbows on the desk, and his head in his hands.

"So, you're not the Grove of Samson & Grove?" Josie asked quietly, not quite sure what to do.

His head snapped up, "You thought I was..What? Goodness, no!" he laughed and leaned back in his chair casually, "I'm just Roger Grove, the incompetent second son, incapable of impressing anyone but who desperately wants to make his way in the world. And that isn't going well, as you have come to witness yourself."

Josie smiled sympathetically and Mr. Grove smiled in return. Their eyes met and Josie felt a sudden chill. But it was Mr. Grove who shuddered. He straightened his posture and quickly began sifting through the papers on his desk as he regained composure. It made Josie blush to think she had caused his flustered state.

"Pardon me," Mr. Grove cleared his throat as he opened her folder, "Shall I continue with my questions or have I made too poor an impression?"

"Oh no!" Josie cried. Mr. Grove raised a brow and she continued softly, "Please, do continue."

He nodded and the interview resumed.

As he asked more questions and made notes in her file, Josie watched him. She judged that he was about 25 years old, perhaps younger. He was rather handsome but in a strictly traditional sense. There was nothing exotic or remarkable about him, save his fiery red hair. He was simply a decent looking fellow.

Every so often, Josie noticed that he snuck glances at her. It was rather odd, she thought. He had no reason to take notice of her. Perhaps he was seeing how she reacted to the stress. She decided to take it as a challenge and was determined not to show any sign of anxiety.

The interview dragged on for ages, which surprised Josie, but she never gave in. She answered the most bizarre questions without batting an eye. Her professionalism faltered, however, when his line of inquiry took an unexpected turn.

"Your paperwork says 'Miss'. Am I correct in assuming you are not married?" He looked up expectantly.

Josie blinked in confusion but smiled, "Yes, of course, that's correct, Mr. Grove, but-"

"Engaged then. Alright," He said to himself and started to write.

"No, I am not engaged," she answered, startled by his blunt conclusion

He look at her, his gaze lingering for a moment, "Oh...Right," A quizzical smile spread across his face, "Are you seeing anyone?"

Her eyes widened and her mouth gaped open, "Mr. Grove, I find it very hard to believe this is the sort of questioning your superiors would approve of," she said exasperatedly.

He held up his hands defensively, "I am sorry Miss. Mardle, but there are some employers who request we ask such things. It makes it easier for them to sift through the possible hires."

Josie sighed indignantly, "Well, if you must, you must."

"And…" he said standing and walking around to sit on the edge of the desk facing her, "I was curious."

"Curious?" she gave a soft chuckle, "Whatever for?"

He smiled and tilted his head, "You are very attractive, Miss. Mardle," he asserted, his eyes trailing over her, "And I can't say that about every young woman who has walked through that door."

Josie felt her face redden and she looked away from his intense stare.

"I find it hard to believe a lady such as yourself does not have hundreds of suitors at her beck and call," he said, still watching her, "I, for one, would be honored to have a woman like you on my arm."

Josie's cheeks were rosy from blushing but the sincerity of Mr. Grove's sycophancy turned them an even brighter pink. She had never before received such an earnest expression of interest from a man and she was speechless.

"Well, I...er," she was stunned into fumbled mutterings, "Th-thank you, Mr. Grove."

"Please," he begged with a smile, "Call me Roger."

"That would be highly inappropriate, don't you think?" she asked, delighted by his flattery but not so much as to forget the nature of their meeting.

Roger shrugged and stood to his feet, "If that's what you think, Miss. Mardle," he reasoned as he straightened his suit jacket, "Although I would much prefer to be treated like a friend rather than a business acquaintance."

Josie gasped out of surprise and amusement and Roger laughed at her shocked expression.

"Got you there, haven't I?" he joked, pointing a finger playfully.

Sadly, Roger's flirting was interrupted by Mr. Samson, who burst into the office from the waiting room.

"Grove!" he barked, "Are you aware you have spent over an hour on one interview?"

Roger's playful attitude faded, "Has it really been that long?" he skeptically looked at his pocket watch, "Oh my god!" he cried, closing the watch frantically, "I do apologize, sir! I did not realize-"

"You have managed to disappoint me in every other way, Grove," Mr. Samson's veins popped from his neck as he shouted, "I thought I could at least count on your ability to tell time!"

"I am sorry, Mr. Samson," Roger muttered ashamedly, "It will never happen again-"

"I'm going to make sure of that," Mr. Samson stated and pointed a meaty finger in Roger's face, "Pack your things and leave!" With a loud slam of the door, Mr. Samson stormed out, leaving a hurt and hopeless Roger in his wake.

Josie was silent. She felt horrible, but she did not know what to say. She slowly stood to her feet and began towards the door, "I should go. I am terribly sorry about all this - "

"Oh, please don't go!" Roger pleaded, stepping forward, "You've done nothing but bring about an inevitability."

Josie shook her head, "I'm afraid I must leave. I am expected at home shortly."

Roger perked up, "Then at least let me walk you home."

"Do you not have other interviews?" she began to ask, but Roger only laughed.

"I was dismissed! You saw it all for yourself!" he chuckled as he grabbed his coat and hat, "You hardly think Mr. Samson would expect me to stay and finish today's bookings, do you?"

Josie grinned to herself as Roger opened the door and offered her his arm. She accepted it and the two of them walked, arm in arm, through the crowd of confused and curious eyes in the waiting room.

They spoke of many things as they walked through the busy streets of London. They learnt they had profoundly similar tastes in music and literature. They had so much in common and so much to talk about that they hardly seemed to notice time pass. Before they knew it, they had reached her street.

"I should probably walk alone from here," Josie surmised. Her neighbors would have a field day if they saw her with Roger. They'd ask after her 'new gentleman friend' and there would be no end to the teasing.

"Might I meet you again?" Roger asked, "We've had such interesting conversation and it would be a waste to let such a friendship die away."

Josie blushed and looked at the ground, "I hardly know what to say, Mr. Grove - "

"Roger!" he interrupted with a smile, "Please, it's Roger."

"We've only met today!" she laughed, shaking her head with embarrassment, "But yes. You may see me again."

"Where? When?" Roger took her gloved hand in his own and pleaded dramatically.

Josie laughed even more at his exaggerated manners but agreed to meet him at a park the next day at noon. He kissed her hand and then bid her a farewell before turning and walking away, a light skip in his step.

Josie's heart fluttered as she watched him leave.

Was that what love felt like?

Nonsense, she told herself. They'd only just met. It was not love.

But it could be. One day.

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