It had been nearly a month since Caroline had last seen Mr. Darrow. Their letters had continued as always, but he never even hinted at what they had spoken of that last evening. She’d done everything in her power to be patient, attending parties and balls with a frivolous abandon as if she didn’t care a whit that Mr. Darrow wasn’t there. But tonight, no matter how hard she tried to make it seem like she didn’t care, no matter how many other men were on her dance card, she couldn’t help her gaze seeking for Mr. Darrow.
When at last he approached her stomach was knotted in such a manner that she was nearly beside herself. Caroline let herself be led outside, where the salty air of the ocean breeze reassured her more then anything.
This was it. She was sure it. The moment that would determine her fate. She had done everything she could to steer it, but now she could only hope a storm hadn’t set it off in another direction.
Her name, her formal name, on his lips was enough to concern her. Before he spoke her Christian name. It was like the waves on the beach, this nervousness she felt. One moment fear and the next excitement. “Mr. Darrow.” She murmured politely, keeping her face as calm as a placid lake, rather than a stormy ocean she felt.
His next words though caused Caroline to draw a breathe in, almost forgetting to breathe altogether. “Oh.” Even to her her voice seemed quiet and unsure. It seemed Mr. Darrow’s attentions had been entirely what she hoped and now the matter lay with her father. Or rather, in Mr. Darrow’s own hand as he drew out the letter. Even in this light she could recognize her father’s hand writing.
Caroline’s fingers were shaking slightly as she took the letter from him, her eyes rather fixed on him for some clue of the contents, it was unsealed so it was safe to say he already knew. Was that a slight lift of his lips or merely her imagination.
Looking down at the letter in her hand she read, carefully following her father’s handwriting across the note. Oh. Oh! A gloved hand came up to Caroline’s mouth in surprise. Until this moment she had half expected her father to say no. After all she had come here for a better match, not merely a suitable one. But her father, it seemed held no opposition to the couple.
Looking up from the letter Caroline sought Mr. Darrow’s gaze. They had her father’s permission, but the decision still lay with Mr. Darrow. She certainly hoped he didn’t believe this would count for a proposal. “I see.” She said softly, excitement winning over her nerves, a smile playing on her lips as she fought to remain composed until he could actually ask her what they had been dancing around all these months.
When at last he approached her stomach was knotted in such a manner that she was nearly beside herself. Caroline let herself be led outside, where the salty air of the ocean breeze reassured her more then anything.
This was it. She was sure it. The moment that would determine her fate. She had done everything she could to steer it, but now she could only hope a storm hadn’t set it off in another direction.
Her name, her formal name, on his lips was enough to concern her. Before he spoke her Christian name. It was like the waves on the beach, this nervousness she felt. One moment fear and the next excitement. “Mr. Darrow.” She murmured politely, keeping her face as calm as a placid lake, rather than a stormy ocean she felt.
His next words though caused Caroline to draw a breathe in, almost forgetting to breathe altogether. “Oh.” Even to her her voice seemed quiet and unsure. It seemed Mr. Darrow’s attentions had been entirely what she hoped and now the matter lay with her father. Or rather, in Mr. Darrow’s own hand as he drew out the letter. Even in this light she could recognize her father’s hand writing.
Caroline’s fingers were shaking slightly as she took the letter from him, her eyes rather fixed on him for some clue of the contents, it was unsealed so it was safe to say he already knew. Was that a slight lift of his lips or merely her imagination.
Looking down at the letter in her hand she read, carefully following her father’s handwriting across the note. Oh. Oh! A gloved hand came up to Caroline’s mouth in surprise. Until this moment she had half expected her father to say no. After all she had come here for a better match, not merely a suitable one. But her father, it seemed held no opposition to the couple.
Looking up from the letter Caroline sought Mr. Darrow’s gaze. They had her father’s permission, but the decision still lay with Mr. Darrow. She certainly hoped he didn’t believe this would count for a proposal. “I see.” She said softly, excitement winning over her nerves, a smile playing on her lips as she fought to remain composed until he could actually ask her what they had been dancing around all these months.