There was no doubt whatsoever in her answer, nor in the keenness with which she said it; Evander could not help feeling more flattered than he ever had, and indeed more fortunate than he ever recalled. So very happy, she said, and although he suspected it was an American’s way more than anyone’s to exaggerate, he also had the nagging suspicion that, in her candour, she really did like him.
Quite miraculous, really. Although he was trying ever so hard to keep to his usual manners, the sedateness and sternness, it was far more difficult to keep such things in check when his heart was racing a mile a minute and nearly all she had said was yes! Perhaps it was in her smile, too, wider and more guileless than what he had been accustomed to seeing on her face. He would say it made her look even younger than she was, but then he would also have to admit how much younger he felt at this moment too, equally unprepared for whatever changes they had now invited in.
He scarcely knew how to broach any of that, and for another moment just drank in the sight of her. One change was easy to implement, of course, and probably already overdue. He tried and failed to stifle a chuckle, feeling lighter than he had in months already. “Then I really think you should call me Evander,” he protested, almost teasing, “for I will feel a fool calling you Caroline if you don’t.”
Quite miraculous, really. Although he was trying ever so hard to keep to his usual manners, the sedateness and sternness, it was far more difficult to keep such things in check when his heart was racing a mile a minute and nearly all she had said was yes! Perhaps it was in her smile, too, wider and more guileless than what he had been accustomed to seeing on her face. He would say it made her look even younger than she was, but then he would also have to admit how much younger he felt at this moment too, equally unprepared for whatever changes they had now invited in.
He scarcely knew how to broach any of that, and for another moment just drank in the sight of her. One change was easy to implement, of course, and probably already overdue. He tried and failed to stifle a chuckle, feeling lighter than he had in months already. “Then I really think you should call me Evander,” he protested, almost teasing, “for I will feel a fool calling you Caroline if you don’t.”
