He supposed she made a good point, aside from the outside being 'freeing' part. The often unpleasant outdoor aspect aside, picnics had a certain informality about them which ordinarily he might find distasteful but in the specific context of Miss Lestrange he could certainly see some advantages. "I must confess I've never thought of it that way before." Here was another opening, a more obvious one than before that might give the impression he wasn't interested if he failed to extend an invitation. However it felt like he'd be showing too much interest if he, in the heat of the moment, seemed to decide he'd hold a picnic to which she was invited. The last opening would have been better, he could have more subtly claimed he'd already been planning one with family and casually extended the invitation.
Damn it.
Why didn't he have any sisters he could hassle into hosting a picnic?! Even in this way Edward and Elmer were utterly useless to him. Oh, his brother had just gotten married, perhaps his cousin could assist? It might be his best option although he now saw Minnie Pendergast as loyal to Edward above all others which meant it'd be like asking his brother for a favor and who knows what else she'd tell him. No, that had to be a last resort. There was Cousin Emma... That also felt a bit odd though, he was accustomed to asking women for favors and he wasn't sure he was ready for anyone's prying questions. Perhaps his mother would want to play hostess? No, she'd probably have Althea there and he simply refused to have the brat compromise this for him.
Shit, he couldn't do it. He just couldn't. It was too obvious, he was going to look like a soppy fool! Suddenly he was imagining Miss Lestrange in a summery white frock sat beneath a tree looking resplendent and it would be his own fault if he never got to see such a thing. "I should bear it in mind when I next attend a picnic." He was already kicking himself but he simply could not bring himself to ask the question.
Damn it.
Why didn't he have any sisters he could hassle into hosting a picnic?! Even in this way Edward and Elmer were utterly useless to him. Oh, his brother had just gotten married, perhaps his cousin could assist? It might be his best option although he now saw Minnie Pendergast as loyal to Edward above all others which meant it'd be like asking his brother for a favor and who knows what else she'd tell him. No, that had to be a last resort. There was Cousin Emma... That also felt a bit odd though, he was accustomed to asking women for favors and he wasn't sure he was ready for anyone's prying questions. Perhaps his mother would want to play hostess? No, she'd probably have Althea there and he simply refused to have the brat compromise this for him.
Shit, he couldn't do it. He just couldn't. It was too obvious, he was going to look like a soppy fool! Suddenly he was imagining Miss Lestrange in a summery white frock sat beneath a tree looking resplendent and it would be his own fault if he never got to see such a thing. "I should bear it in mind when I next attend a picnic." He was already kicking himself but he simply could not bring himself to ask the question.
