Mrs. Dawkins (The Artful Dodger) [TBS]

Part 18

I barely slept, I had been crying all night.

I didn't eat, I didn't want to.

Still in my dress from last night at the breakfast table,

My father noticed at breakfast but didn't speak about it, Miss Hardcastle could tell something was wrong but I didn't answer any of her questions.

After enough of showing my face I got up and went back to my room, as I left I heard my father quickly ask.

"What's going on with her?"

"I don't know sir..."

"Well, find out." He demanded,

And of course, she began to follow me all the way back to my bed.

Once I collapsed on my tear-stained pillows, she shut the door and locked it, she came to stand by my bed patiently.

"Something you wish to speak about Miss Everset?"

"No."

"Y/n?" Her tone softened,

I peeked out from my pillow, "Yes?"

"What has gotten you so upset today?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

She rolled her eyes and sighed, "Let me take a guess this has something to do with Dr Dawkins?"

I nodded

"I thought as much." She said, "What's happened?"

"You won't tell father?"

"No. Unless I need to..."

"Need to?"

"Only if I have to start measuring your waist?"

"No."

"Then I won't tell him."

I opened my drawer and handed her the note from last night, she took it and read it over,

"This from your ball?"

I nodded,

"So what happened last night?"

"He never came."

"He what!" She said but then stiffened herself, "He what?"

"He never came, I went out as soon as darkness fell last night."

"I remember you leaving yes,"

"And he never came, I waited for hours. He didn't show."

"I see, I can whisper this to your father and have him send a man to bootkick the doctor down a stairwell."

"No, it's fine I just want time alone."

"Understandable, I will tell your father your monthly sickness is causing trouble so he does not pry," she said going to my door, "Do try not to let your heart shatter over him Y/n,"

She left and shut my door but I couldn't help but be snarky, "Easy for you to say."

I spent the day in bed unable to really feel like existing.

I had read books that told tales of heartbreak and heard people talk of the pain, but I suppose a part of me never truly believed them. I didn't believe my heart's foolishness could cause me physical pain.

Every so often Miss Hardcastle would check on me or bring me food, often taking it away again on her next visit, but late in the afternoon, she came in with a small but sweet bundle of flowers in a grubby tankard.