Mrs. Dawkins (The Artful Dodger) [TBS]

Part 13

I held my breath looking out to the glittering ballroom, to the many people who stood watching me, judging me, taking in everything about me like I was a prized pig at a fair. I tried not to panic or to look too breathless. Once I had stood for a good few seconds I walked down the rest of the stairs and took my father's hand. He kissed my hand and smiled widely, 

"You look so beautiful my sweet," he smiled, 

"Thank you, Father," I smiled as I dipped my knees to slightly curtsy,

"From this moment on, you're an eligible lady." He smiled, 

"I will do my best to do you proud father," 

"You're so perfect," he smiled, He led me to the centre of the floor where a space had cleared people filling to the sides, to make a dance floor in the centre of the room, 

I held my father's hand and gripped his shoulder lightly, as he took my waist and gently and slowly began our dance. The music was delicate and soft, our movements slow and dignified, I wanted to do him proud in, our this debutant dance, but I knew my father's abilities were not grand due to his age and health along with me being unsure the last time he danced. But I merely held my father close and danced with him enjoying what may very well be the last time I would dance with my father, as now I was a young lady and spending time let alone dancing with my father would from now on not come often. I smiled and enjoyed every moment of our dance, Until he moved away and kissed my hand once more. 

"Be a good girl, My sweet." 

"Yes Father," I nodded, 

He squeezed my hand and went to get a drink. 

For a moment, I stood completely alone surrounded by a sea of men, the music loud enough to let me know of time passing but not loud enough to concern myself, the glow of the chandelier hung over me as I waited for what felt like forever. 

The first man to approach me I didn't know his name, but he wore an impressive suit of black with a head of greying hair, I immediately I thought he was too old for me but I didn't react to my face,

"Miss Everset," he greeted, and I smiled in return, He bowed so I curtsied, he offered his hand so I allowed him to take it, and he pressed a kiss to my hand and we began to dance, he was gentle and careful with me, as if scared to touch me or tread on my toes, and as soon as the song finished he smiled and kissed my hand "Thank you, my lady," He nodded before he left and he was soon replaced by another man, 

My night went on like this being passed from man to man like some grand artefact for everyone to take a grander at, dancing in circles on the floor surrounded by the other guests, most of the men didn't interest me in the slightest a couple were handsome I couldn't deny and I did my best to keep an open mind to them all. 

I tried as my father suggested to to let my heart lead and my mind question but my heart only had one thing to ask, 

Where was Dr Dawkins? 

I didn't want to look for him, as it would only fuel talk, but still, no matter how handsome or kind a man was I couldn't help but think of him. 

When this man kissed my hand leaving me alone once again, but then I saw him. 

In front of me stood Dr Jack Dawkins, in a well-shined pair of black oxford shoes, some pressed black trousers, a crisp white shirt, a white tie looped twice around his neck, a cream waistcoat over him buttoned up tight, a black jacket over him, and his hair well fixed and brushed down. His smile wide as he approached me, he made a show of his bow to me which made me giggle so I did a bit of an extravagant curtsy back to him. 

"Miss Everset," He smiled as he took my hand and kissed it,

"Dr Dawkins," I smiled doing my best not to smile too wide even if I couldn't help the blush flooding to my cheeks, 

"If I may have the pleasure?" He asked 

"You may," I smiled, "Gloves must be on when dancing with a lady Jack," I whispered,

"Ohh, Do excuse me I do not have mine tonight do you think you may make an exception for me?" 

"For you," I nodded,

"Thank you Y/n," He smiled as he took my hip bringing us closer which made me blush a little,

"I get the feeling you are going to break all the rules this evening Dr Dawkins." I smiled resting my hand on his shoulder not his jacket 

"Ohh I plan on it," he smirked, "Do tell me if I miss one," he winked, 

As soon as our dance began I felt swept off my feet, he led me not like I was fragile and gentle but like he and I were one, limbs of the same creature, he was so attentive and his sweet smile never left his lips, I felt so safe, so protected but not unchallenged so, as at times I had taken charge to lead us in other directions or into spins and he happily let me do so, our dance would have been show-stopping is anyone had been watching us but most far too interested in the other couples who had taken the floor with us. 

"Oh- Sh- sorry." He muttered as he accidentally trod on my dress,

"It's fine, accidents happen," I giggled, 

"You forgive me?" he whispered,

"I do, as it's you," I whispered back, 

"You do seem to allow me far more liberties than your other suitors?" He smirked, 

"I wasn't aware you were a suitor of mine?" 

"I'm dancing with you aren't I?" 

"That's true," I blushed, "We should... probably stop dancing now," I said as we had been dancing twice as long as I had danced with anyone else, 

"Do you want to stop dancing?"

"No," I giggled, 

"Then we won't." He smiled tugging us a little closer, and we continued our dance.

I felt so happy like I was dancing on a cloud, like he and I were the only people in the world, like I could have stayed here in this moment, in his arms forever. 

But I caught a set of eyes, Miss Hardcastle, who was watching me.

So I put space between us and finished our dance, He looked surprised but the noticed her too,

"Ohh, Course. I don't want to get you in any trouble." He smiled, "It was a delight Miss Everset."

"It truly was Dr Dawkins," I smiled he took my hand and gave it a delicate kiss before he whispered, 

"Come for a walk with me,"

"I - I can't" I stuttered, "I am not to leave the ballroom unaccompanied and even my father is meant to escort me across the room." I blushed

"You won't be unaccompanied I'll be with you," 

"Accompanied by my family, not a suitor."

"So I am a suitor?"

"I think so," I nodded, "I'm sorry Jack, I would but-"

"It's alright, You want to?"

"I would if I could."

"Well, Play along." He winked, before taking me in his arms acting like he caught me, "Ohh my! she's exhausted." He said, 

I blushed but acted up using my blush to act flush and began to fan my face, My father and Miss Hardcastle ran over of course, 

"Ohh my goodness, Y/n are you alright my sweet?" My father asked very worried "She has been dancing all night."

"Ahh that'll be it, it's fine just simply the heat getting to the sir. I'm a doctor I'll take her outside and get her some air."

"Of course," He nodded, "Of course, see to it she gets some air doctor." 

Jack smiled and held me in his arms gently walking me out onto the porch, he sat me on the stone porch railing and then closed the door behind us. 

"Shall we then?"