Mrs. Dawkins (The Artful Dodger) [TBS]

Part 20

I smiled listening to the bird's charming song, my head against my pillow, my arms around the cotton case stuffed with feathers, my nose nuzzling into the soft cotton, the sheets wrapped up around my legs, I felt so joyous, so peaceful, so utterly smitten with all things. I found myself in the half cling of sleep muttering as if my dreams and wakening were fighting for dominance over my body and mind, My sleep letting these words slip through. 

"Ummm... Ummmm... Jack... ummmm... Jack... ummmm... My sweet Jack..." I muttered between my sheets, I blushed when It truly occurred to me what I was doing and I couldn't hold back my giggles, "Ummm... How I long to be in your arms, I can only imagine how long we shall have to wait until you and I can truly lay in my bed together, locked in one another's arms, I imagine now until were engaged." I blushed my fingers stroking the cotton of the pillowcase imagining the folders and hems of his white cotton shirt, dreaming for a moment more than his chest lay below my head, "But, something tells me my sweet Jack will not be able to wait so long." I giggled,

But I forced myself up and got dressed for the day, I sang along with the sweet birds outside my balcony window, unable to stop myself from doing a little dance to the song. 

I heard the door open and Miss Hardcastle came in seeming surprised to see me this way, "My, You certainly have changed your tune." 

"Certainly, why would I need to be gloomy when there is such wonder in the world?" I smiled taking her hand and dancing with her as I sang, 

She was shocked and confused, moving away from my madness. "Well, this can surely only mean one of two things so either you lost your interest in Dr Dawkins quickly and have found another boy to ... fawn over." She said but I ignored her, "Or? am I to take it the day of you laying in bed as if the very world was ending was all for nought?"

I blushed but nodded,

"I see, so we are to take the last twenty-four hours as merely... what we hope shall be the first and last lovers' tiff." 

"I'm sure of it." I smiled finishing brushing my hair and scampering down the stairs with joy, I went to the dining room and hugged my father.

"Ohhh hello, my sweet. Someone has leapt out of bed today." He laughed,

"Of course, so much worth getting up for!"

"I'm glad," he chuckled,

I took my seat and thanked the maid for my breakfast, I ate away at it kicking my feet from excitement and struggling to even stay still in my chair which was noticed by everyone. After a while one of the maids brought my father the post, I didn't much worry over it enjoying the last of my toast as he flicked through it sorting into little piles on the table depending on the business they were regarding. 

"Humm?" He pondered to himself at one of them, he took the knife and opened the letter unfolding it and reading over the letter, He kept glancing up at me as he read it over and my curiosity grew as to why. 

"Yes, father?"

"We have received a letter."

"Oh?"

"From one of your potential suitors."

"Ohh... I see." I said trying to hide my excitement but also my concern. "Is he one from the list?"

"Yes, You're only yes." He said 

Miss Hardcastle and I shared a look, she knew, and she knew I knew, but we both had a silent agreement that some secrets are best kept from father. And my heart melted, that Jack had done as he said he would, he must have written it and sent it last night for it to arrive this morning. I wanted to know what was said but I was almost positive my father wouldn't tell me. 

"Oh... My only yes." I nodded, "What does it say pray tell?"

"He has written to express his official interest in you." He smiled, "You're first of such letters."

"Ohh my, he has?" I smiled pretending I didn't already know, 

"He has, very strongly in fact." He said, "He wishes to ask for a formal visit."

"He does, Ohhh..." I blushed trying to hide that I already knew, 

"Well... as he is your one yes? Shall we write him back?"

I did my best not to look at Egar as I answered "I think that would be lovely Father." 

"As do I, I shall write him back to arrange a formal visit. I take it the sooner the better?"

"I think so," I blushed,

"Alright, then again why waste the paper if we want sooner... I'll pop into the hospital today after my meeting." he smiled, "How does that sound?"

"I think that's perfect father."