Mrs. Dawkins (The Artful Dodger) [TBS]

Part 11

I woke to a loud bang as my bedroom door was forced open, 

"The time has come Miss Everset." Miss Hardcastle said as she shut my door behind her, 

"For?" I yawned very confused about what was happening and why she was in my room,

"For your ball."

"Yes? At starting at nine-thirty this evening." 

"But guests will be arriving from nine onwards."

"Yes? I fail to see why you are in my bedroom" I began as I glanced at my clock "Nine O'clock in the morning." 

"To begin preparations miss,"

"I will not take twelve hours to prepare." 

"Please Miss, You are going to miss breakfast."

I rolled my eyes a little and simply slipped my robe around my shoulders and followed her down to the dining room where my father sat with his breakfast. 

"Morning My sweet, you excited?" He asked,

"I'm tired." I yawned,

"Well don't overwork yourself making yourself look beautiful you'll be up a good while at your party."

"I know," I nodded, as my breakfast arrived just some toast and jam, "Thank you," I nodded to the maid who brought it, and I began to nibble at it in my sleep state. 

"You may go Miss Hardcastle Wait in her room," My father told her, 

She nodded and closed the door behind her which left me alone with my father, 

"Hello My sweet," He smiled finishing his breakfast and looking at me so I had no escape, 

"Hi, Daddy," 

"You're not in trouble." he said, and I breathed a sigh of relief, "I just... want to talk to you, One last time."

"One last time?" I asked fearfully

"Tonight, you debut. And you are an eligible young lady in all eyes. I want to talk to you, one last time. As just my little girl." He smiled, 

"I'll always be your little girl father,"

"No. You won't. Tonight women will look at you with envy, tonight men will look at you with desire, that believe me my sweet. That is an intoxicating feeling. You will be Miss Y/n Everset, Artist, dancer, and beauty known across this country, part of me will lose you forever but I know it is what must be done." He said, "I wish to pass on some advice that only age can bring whether or not you listen to it. That's your own business" He said, 

"Yes Father," I nodded,

"A Man is a very basic animal, he thinks straightforwardly without contractual, A man has three minds the first in his head the second between his legs and the third snuggled with his ribs, and yes that is the order they think in. When matters of relation are at play, his heart will yearn, his dick will burn, and his mind will always be stern. For the mind what's a lady of status and coin, the dick wants a lady whose body he may adore, and the heart what's a lady only to bring him joy. The issue is every man is different."

"What sort of man would you recommend then?"

"I recommend a man, who thinks you are all three." He smiled, "But..." He began "A woman who thinks with her heart, will run and race, and be led astray, for a flirty glance can cause a heart to flutter but when the flutters fade the mind regains, She'll see her error all her days." He said, "Yet a woman who thinks with her mind will find, logic and wisdom very kind, but always she will be trapped in her mind, wishing her great mind denied" 

"I see," I nodded, "So what should a woman think with?" 

"A good woman knows to let her heart lead her first but her mind to be the answer most." 

"Thank you, Father," I nodded,

"You're welcome Y/n." He smiled, "But... I'm just an old man, the world has changed. All I can truly tell you is, when you see him, when you speak to him, when you and him touch hands, there should be this... spark that makes you believe you're the only two people in the world." 

"Was it like that for you and mother?"

"Ohh yes" he nodded, "I met your mother at her ball, and when I saw her dance, the world slowed, when I touched her hand I felt like I was a king, when your mother kissed me I would have plucked the moon from the sky for her." He explained, "And if you meet a man, tonight or any other night that makes you feel that way, whether he's a lord, a count, a kitchen boy, a urchin, or a doctor. He is your choice and I will support it, always."

"No matter who?"

"No matter who. So long as he comes to me and he does things properly." He nodded, "Go on Miss Hardcastle will ensure your ready, I'll see you tonight."

"Thank you, Father," I smiled, I got up from my seat I was just going to leave but I went over and hugged him wrapping my arms around his shoulders and kissing his head "Thank you, Daddy." 

He smiled and kissed my hands patting them, "You're welcome, Go on now."