Mrs. Dawkins (The Artful Dodger) [TBS]

Part 24

I smiled so widely as I stood getting ready for this evening fresh out of my bath, my hair done, and my dress slowly but surely being slipped onto my body, every time I heard anything downstairs I got excited, almost jumping each time I heard anything. 

"My goodness, you're excited." Miss Hardcastle sighed as she finished lacing my dress, 

"Can't a lady be excited to see a boy," I giggled doing a little spin in my sweet blue dress giving my ribbon an adjust as well as my pearls, 

"Yes, but a lady shouldn't be this excited." She said, "It appears too willing."

"Yes, yes too willing," I answered spritzing my perfume, 

"Yes. Too willing." She said, "I rather think you're having issues with that..."

"Issues?" 

"With appearing too willing, where Dr Dawkins In concerned." she glared,

"A lady is excited," I smiled, "A lady is in love..."

"Yes, but love can be foolish, the heart does not often think before it acts." She explained, 

"I know," I rolled my eyes and I heard the door, "He's here!" I yelped trying to scamper but she stopped me, 

"Go wait in the parlour with your father, if it's Dr Dawkins then we'll get you all in the dining room for dinner," She said as she headed down herself, I sighed but did as she told me going down to the parlour where my father was waiting, 

"Aww there you are my sweet, don't you look beautiful" he smiled taking my hand and kissing my forehead,

"Thank you, father," I smiled,

"Dolled up for your doctor I suppose?" he chuckled, 

"I suppose so," I blushed, 

"Well I look forward to this evening, I'm sure you do too."

"Very much."

Soon enough the maid came though, "Dr Dawkins is here Mr Everset."

"Good, bring him in then." My father laughed, 

And I smiled so widely as Jack came though dressed as well as last he visited my father and immediately I blushed to think of what would be discussed tonight, 

"Ahh Dr Dawkins, Pleasure to see you once again."

"The Pleasure is all mine sir, thank you for inviting me." he smiled as he and my father shook hands as usual,

"Of course, besides we have much to discuss."

"Indeed we do Sir." He nodded, "And of course, Miss Everset," he smiled, he took my hand and gave it a sweet kiss holding it longer than he maybe should have, "I feel so very blessed each and every time I am able to see you."

"Ohh," I cooed, "Yes as do I Dr Dawkins," I smiled trying not to melt into his words and throw away all social rules and simply cuddle into his chest and kiss him, 

"Well come along then dinner is a calling us." My father smiled as he headed to the dining room and for a moment however brief Jack and I were alone,

"You look devilishly handsome Jack,"

"Aww, thank you. I did my best to clean up given what I am to ask your father tonight, but you have outdone yourself you look exceptionally beautiful My darling,"

"ohh Jack," I cooed and I couldn't wait a moment longer I kissed him and he happily kissed me back wrapping his arms around my waist, but we quickly pulled away "That's enough we uhh... we don't wanna get in trouble." 

"We can get in a little trouble." He shrugged, "So much trouble," he smirked kissing me again, I smiled but pulled back, I took his hand and happily lead him with me to the dining room.