Had Caroline known that Mr. Darrow might be visiting that afternoon she would have worn her favorite celadon gown, the one that brought out her eyes, in hopes she might entice a proposal from her beau. She had almost thought he would propose during his visit on Christmas Eve, on reflection she wondered if is odd behavior was because he had intended too and had lost courage - she would have rather thought that with the kiss they shared he wouldn't have had any reservations. Yet he hadn't proposed. Nor had she seen him since that afternoon. There had been letters of course, there were always letters between the two of them, but nothing had hinted of his arrival this afternoon. Internally she had regretted the light blue gown and the fact that she had styled her hair in a simpler fashion than normal. But she'd have to make do.
She was relieved to hear that his health was improved and as conversation drifted in the patterns it so often did in visits such as this, Caroline found herself watching him. He had brushed aside the offer of chair and stood as they spoke, although the conversation seemed rather one sided, as if Evander weren't quite in the mood to discuss. Did he have something on his mind? Had he determined that he ought to call off thier courtship? But no, she still remembered the promise in that kiss, in his eyes when he had looked at her. Perhaps she didn't need her best tea gown after all. Caroline had determined she would need to do something about this, just as soon as she finished relating the story of Miss Fisk and herself at the Minister's tea just the other day, when Evander interrupted her.
Surprise jolted through Caroline, her green eyes blinked as she took in his question. He had finally asked her, although she couldn't help but note the frustration and impatience in his voice. "Of course." She heard herself answering as if he had asked if she might attend a dinner party. But then realization fully dawned on her and a grin inched across her face. She couldn't have controlled her features in that moment if she had tried.
From her seat near the window Hope had discreetly looked out at the street below, giving the pair a moment of relative privacy, not that either of them were apt to notice.
Caroline didn't remember standing up, taking the few steps toward Mr. Darrow, capturing his hand in her own and tilting her face up toward his so he could see the very truth of her intention written in her features. "Of course." The word was whispered fervently, truthfully, as her hand gently squeezed Evander's. In that moment any other dreams she may once have had faded to a singular point that focused entirely on Mr. Evander Darrow. The very thought of being his wife seemed as if it might hold enough happiness to satisfy her every day of her life from here on forth. There were no doubts in that moment, perhaps there ought to have been, perhaps certain things should have been carefully taken stock of, but Caroline didn't think of them at all as she grinned up at her fiancé.
She was relieved to hear that his health was improved and as conversation drifted in the patterns it so often did in visits such as this, Caroline found herself watching him. He had brushed aside the offer of chair and stood as they spoke, although the conversation seemed rather one sided, as if Evander weren't quite in the mood to discuss. Did he have something on his mind? Had he determined that he ought to call off thier courtship? But no, she still remembered the promise in that kiss, in his eyes when he had looked at her. Perhaps she didn't need her best tea gown after all. Caroline had determined she would need to do something about this, just as soon as she finished relating the story of Miss Fisk and herself at the Minister's tea just the other day, when Evander interrupted her.
Surprise jolted through Caroline, her green eyes blinked as she took in his question. He had finally asked her, although she couldn't help but note the frustration and impatience in his voice. "Of course." She heard herself answering as if he had asked if she might attend a dinner party. But then realization fully dawned on her and a grin inched across her face. She couldn't have controlled her features in that moment if she had tried.
From her seat near the window Hope had discreetly looked out at the street below, giving the pair a moment of relative privacy, not that either of them were apt to notice.
Caroline didn't remember standing up, taking the few steps toward Mr. Darrow, capturing his hand in her own and tilting her face up toward his so he could see the very truth of her intention written in her features. "Of course." The word was whispered fervently, truthfully, as her hand gently squeezed Evander's. In that moment any other dreams she may once have had faded to a singular point that focused entirely on Mr. Evander Darrow. The very thought of being his wife seemed as if it might hold enough happiness to satisfy her every day of her life from here on forth. There were no doubts in that moment, perhaps there ought to have been, perhaps certain things should have been carefully taken stock of, but Caroline didn't think of them at all as she grinned up at her fiancé.