Mrs. Dawkins (The Artful Dodger) [TBS]

Part 22

I smiled as I did some drawings before bed, still in a frenzy from this afternoon. 

When I heard a stone click as it graced my balcony glass. 

I didn't want to believe it at first but I so hoped it to be true, I went to the window just as another stone found its way to the glass. Quickly I opened the door and scurried out onto my balcony a small ledge only just large enough to stand myself, beside the tall tree where the bird's nest sat. 

I looked across the darkness and saw a figure in the grass,

"Y/n! My darling!"

"Jack!" I hushed, "Quiet! My governess is merely two windows down and even father is not far, You cannot be so loud, we both know the trouble if someone found you here."

"I know, I'm sorry. But... I couldn't stay away." 

"Ohh My sweet Jack," I cooed sitting on the stone and making sure my nightie hid me away, "You did so well tonight, I am so proud of you."

"Thank you, I did my best to... Impress your father, I'm not so sure he liked me."

"He likes you very much, He wouldn't have invited you to dinner if he hadn't"

"I suppose not, I look forward to it so much."

"As do I."

"I assume he has spoken with you?"

"He has, at dinner things will be discussed and after that, if you come to him, our courtship will be permitted."

"Truly?"

"Truly. He seems rather taken with you."

"I'm glad I could impress him enough to make him think I am worthy of his daughter." 

"He thinks so, he says he sees a look in you that he saw in himself back when he saw my mother."

"I don't doubt it, I know I... struggle not to look at you, to hide my feelings for you. I hope if we are to court soon my feelings do not need to be such a secret."

"I hope so too." I smiled, 

"Will you... allow me to see you again? between tonight and Thursday dinner?"

"I will Jack," I blushed, "I admit... it was hard this evening to see you in my home and yet be forbidden to hold your hand."

"You have no idea, seeing you across the room. I could barely keep my eyes off you. Knowing all I wanted was to go over take you in my arms, kiss you and tell you how I adore you my darling."

"I hope soon, we will be able to do so."

"I'm sure we will, but until then I do not mind visiting my darling as she sits bathed in moonlight," He smiled, "Bright angel, for thou art, As glorious to this night, being o'er my head, As is a wingèd messenger of heaven. Unto the white upturnèd wondering eyes Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him"

I couldn't help my giggles, "Dr Dawkins? I do believe you are reciting that of Romeo and Juliet." 

"well, How could I not? when I find myself below your balcony?"

"I would not for the world they saw thee here."

"I have night's cloak to hide me from their eyes, And but thou love me, let them find me here. My life was better ended by their hate, Than death proroguèd, wanting of thy love."

"Ohh Jack," I blushed, "I did not imagine you as one to have read Shakespeare much less Romeo and Juliet. At least not to this familiarity." 

"You'd be surprised what you find time for on a ship for ten years." he chuckled, "You seem to know it fondly?"

"A young lady was always encouraged to read the plays,"

"I shall have to re-read, so I may dazzle you with words."

"You have no need to Jack, You're words already dazzle me, and cause me to blush beyond measure."

"You are far too sweet to me my darling," He smiled before he blew me a kiss, 

I blushed but blew him a kiss back, 

"I cannot explain how beautiful you look, sat on your balcony for me."

"I admit, there is a handsomeness to you in the darkness below my window."

"Ohh I'm more handsome in the dark am I?"

"You know what I meant Jack," I laughed,

"I do, I think it's something of us being alone. Or perhaps that we know we are doing something we shouldn't be."

"I do think that's true." I nodded, "But... it's getting late, you have work tomorrow I do not wish to keep you up longer into the night,"

He smiled a moment but came as close as he could almost whispering in the darkness, "O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?"

I giggled and acted up my best formal tone, "What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?"

"I think we both know the kind of satisfaction I would want, be it something we could do."

"Ohh My..." I blushed, "Doctor Dawkins..."

"But for tonight I will be satisfied with just one kiss." 

"...I think I can allow that," I blushed, 

He wasted no time, climbing the tree, I admit I worried for him but also was impressed by his agility, he climbed onto a branch a little too low to make the jump onto my balcony but he was close enough, so I held the stone and leant as far as I could before my feet would leave my balcony and he stretched up as much as he could which was enough for our lips to meet.

It felt like the sweetest kiss we had shared, when we pulled back I felt like I was flying.

"Whoa..." he gulped, "I don't know how but every kiss keeps getting better."

"I feel the same," I smiled, "Goodnight Jack,"

"Goodnight Y/n, sleep well my dearest. I will see you soon I promise."

"I will wait, for my Romeo to return, Impatiently" 

He chuckled, "I promise it will be as soon as I can, How could I ever leave my Juliet all alone too long" he smiled giving my lips a sweet kiss before he climbed down the tree and blew me a kiss, I blew him a kiss in return before he headed away disappearing into the night.