The look of surprise on Mr. Darrow’s face at her response seemed truly unaffected and Caroline had to refrain from a laugh. The poor man looked as if she had rather tortured him, indeed she must have played her part too well this evening. But the smile that spread over his features as they headed out had Caroline reassured that it was indeed a good sort of surprise for Mr. Darrow.

He was polite enough as they set off into the evening, her chaperon trailing behind them, their steps easily matching together. As they began down the sidewalk Caroline was grateful the crowds of the day had melted away. While the streets weren’t deserted and couples passed sporadically by them, there was an element of privacy around them. Caroline didn’t mind the silence, she had the impression that Mr. Darrow was not a man of many words, and she had half a mind to make it easy on him and allow herself to be the first to speak, but Mr. Darrow was the one who had asked her on this venture and she felt it only fair to allow him the chance to speak first. He remarked the party and it was with ease that Caroline agreed before they fell back into silence, allowing Caroline to further take his measure for a moment.

“Well enough, I believe. He has yet to return from Boston, but mother writes that the couple seem very happy.” Caroline a tad put out that Shawn had gone and married without her in attendance, but with the speed in which it had been planned she could not fault them. Besides, she had worried if she had returned home that her parents might not allow a return voyage. “Do you have siblings, Mr. Darrow?” It had occurred to her with some surprise just how little she knew of him something she had been hoping to remedy this evening.