With the stony look that blanketed his features at her words Caroline realized the truth of his words. Yes, Mr. Darrow, would worry regardless. For a moment she could see a window into their conversations and wondered how much he truly worried over them. Perhaps the depth of his feelings was not entirely unlike her own. That reassurance was similar to the reassurance she felt when a new letter arrived from him or she saw him at an event. A moment of clarity before she found herself wondering. She had never wondered over any man in such a way before, it was rather unlike her. And it was rather unlike her to be so foolish as to unnecessarily make anyone worry. Caroline knew better, knew how to school her features and put on a good face. The fact that she hadn't been able to, or was it that he had seen past them? Whatever way it had been spoke to the situation between them.

With such a pointed question Caroline could hardly avoid delving into the truth of the matter. "I've received a letter from my father." She started, her mouth hovering between a frown and a smile as if they couldn't figure out what emotion better suited them. Caroline wanted to reassure Mr. Darrow with a smile, but then again, she didn't wish him to think this good news. In her opinion it was very much not good news. "He has entered into talks with a gentleman," She started, watching Mr. Darrow's face for the sightless change in emotion so she could change track as needed. Adding in a rush, a statement she hoped would make him understand her own feelings were not behind this, "From a rival company." The frown had won out on her lips now as her green eyes took in Mr. Darrow. "For my hand." The words almost stuck in her throat as she spoke them, no longer did she even attempt to mask her feelings, allowing the disappointment to be written entirely over her face.

She had so hoped that Mr. Darrow would make his intentions clear long before her father felt he needed to take this step. But he hadn't. Instead she had been left wondering if she had imagined the whole thing. When she saw Mr. Darrow it felt clear her returned her own attentions, and in moments of clarity she felt as if they shared the same depth of emotion. But he had never spoken to her of the future, never discussed anything relating to their own relationship. To some degree her pride was wounded, she had never had a man dawdle over her, never pursued a man who had not felt similarly. Yet here she was lost wondering, caught in a dream that was only her's, speaking her deepest fears to a man who had seen a window of them nearing a year ago. Surely there was no way he could not touch on the subject now. But then again, she had thought so before, when they danced so close to the topic only to be spun away in hasty statements that left her wondering.