Mrs. Dawkins (The Artful Dodger) [TBS]

Part 16

I woke to the sound of the adult bird in the nest outside my window singing sweet songs. I couldn't help but smile as I lay in my bed, my legs knotted with my sheets, Jack's note still clutched to my breast. I lay enjoying the shadows cast by the sun for a good few minutes before I forced myself out of bed. I refolded the note along its lines and kissed it before I hid it in my bedside drawer.

I got up and began to dress for the day ahead, into my light blue day dress as I wasn't planning on going out today. I began to sing with the bird and sang the same sweet, beautiful song as I dressed.

"Good Morning Miss Everset." Miss Hardcastle said as she arrived to my room,

"Good Morning," I smiled as I sang,

She chuckled, "Who'd have known a boy would be the best way to get you to practice your vocals,"

I giggled a little as I finished my dress and put a brush through my hair,

"Breakfast is ready and your father is waiting." She said,

"Lovely," I smiled as I set my brush down and followed her down to the dining room, where my father sat in his usual seat eating his breakfast, he looked up, saw me and smiled.

"My, My, been a while since I saw you smile so widely,"

"It's a good day," I smiled,

"It certainly is my sweet." He chuckled,

The maid then brought my breakfast and I had a plate of fried eggs, hashbrowns, french toast and even some bacon. I thanked her and looked at my father questionably, He smiled.

"You don't have a debutante dress to fit into."

I blushed but happily tucked in after so long of waiting for some good food, We sat and ate in silence and once my plate was empty he got up from his heat and came to me, he offered his hand.

"Come my sweet." He cooed,

I took his hand and followed him to his office, He took a seat at his desk before he took one out of his desk drawer. I giggled and paced the room playfully.

"Now once you went to bed I made myself a list of all of the gentle boys I think would be good suitors going forward and I couple did whisper of potential intentions last night but I promised you I would not speak on your behalf and I did not say a word my sweet." he explained, "I'm sure you must have a list of your own those we agree on we can take steps, now to keep it simple Yes, perhaps and No."

"Yes Father," I nodded,

"Good girl, Now we shall begin, Lord Arthur Lindsey?"

"Remind me?"

"Very tall chap, smelt of roses."

I was reminded

"Well..."

"Y/n, I do not want you to lie to me, I don't care who you marry so please just be honest with me."

"No,"

"Alright, Mr Damiris?"

"No, too old."

"I see, Mr Small?"

"Too Tall, Ironicly."

"Mr Ryan?"

"Perhaps."

"Ohh our first perhaps?"

"He was pleasant enough,"

"Good, Mr Sapping?"

"Stank of fish?"

"Yes, the fishmonger's son."

"No."

"Alright, Interesting those were my top five candidates." He chuckled as he made notes, "Clearly I am not up to date with the things ladies like." He laughed,

"Perhaps not Father,"

"Well we push on," he said,

This went on for the rest of the morning, him listing names and us discussing them, I did my best to not be so tunnel-visioned and I did allow him to make up a small list of men I would allow us to continue to keep on the back burner as it were, just in case things do not go as I wish them too.

I even gave my father some names making sure I mixed a few others into my list. I didn't want to make it seem like my mind was already made up given I still didn't know truly where Jack stood, and I wouldn't know until I saw him tonight, if that would even be discussed at all tonight. I didn't want my father to think I was ignoring others, or focusing too much, and of course not letting him in at the fact I had all but decided before even my ball would only make him wonder why such an expense was necessary. Even if I was wondering that myself now.

"That is all?"

"There, is one more father."

"Ahh perfect last one then for my list, He a perhaps?"

"Uhh no. He's a yes."

"A yes? My goodness our one and only yes. Well let's hear it then who is the chap who's bewitched my sweet into giving out her one and only yes?"

"Dr. Dawkins," I did my best not to blush, fiddled with my fingers in the few seconds I waited for his response.

"Dr. Dawkins?"

"Yes, Father,"

"Alright," He nodded adding him to the list, "I take it he... amuses you?"

I blushed, "He does amuse me," I forced back laughter, I knew what my father wanted to ask but given society, our time, and our lifestyle, such a thing cannot be said between us even if he is my father.

"Will you allow me your ear?"

"Of course Father,"

"Money." he said, "Doctors don't make much money,"

"I'm aware."

"Your life would change, your lifestyle would be different, he it's very unlikely he'd be able to keep you in the lifestyle to which you have become accustomed."

"That's true," I nodded, "I thought you said I could marry whomever I wanted? a Lord, a butcher, a baker, a doctor?"

He smirked, "So already you think of Dr Dawkins in the terms of marriage."

I blushed and realized my error, "I think of all men who may wish to court me in the terms of marriage, one should not enter a courtship without seeing marriage."

"Good girl," he nodded, "Alright, I do say you can marry whomever you like I am not going to stop you marrying a poorer if that is your choosing but I just wish to discuss as we have the other men." He said,

"Thank you, father,"

"But still, I want you to know these things before any sort of decisions are made, as I said doctors don't make much."

"I am sure a humble life is one that I could return to."

"Doctors work often, weekends, weekdays, time off its not much to them. You'd be alone a lot, he would not be able to spend all his days with you."

"No, but we would simply be forced to savour every moment we are together."

"Doctors often are cynical, emotionless, it comes with the job you witness such horrors, such death."

"But you also witness life, the spark and fight of true humanity. And I imagine it gives them such a drive, such an unstoppable determination for each moment, to survive above all else."

He nodded, "Dawkins." He chuckled, "Mrs Y/n Dawkins, it has a ring I can't deny. Very good, He is your one and only yes. But we shall proceed with all as discussed and we shall we how the fruits fall."

"Thank you, father," I smiled going to leave,

"Y/n?"

"Yes?"

"If he comes to see me, and does all as he should." He said, "The shortest courtship I'll allow is six months."

"Good to know, Thank you, father." I nodded before I scampered away.