Mrs. Dawkins (The Artful Dodger) [TBS]

Part 25

My father took the seat at the head of the table, of course, I sat beside him and Jack sat across from me.

The conversation began very simply and normally about not much of real importance as the meal slowly pressed on often when we could Jack and I would catch glances across the table and I savoured them so much, 

"You know I must thank you, Dr Dawkins, I am not sure I have seen my Y/n so happy for a good long while," My father chuckled,

"Yes well, she makes me very happy too," He smiled and as we made eye contact across the table I felt so warm and fuzzy inside, 

"It makes me only wish your mother was here..." My father said as he tapped my hand, 

I nodded and forced a smile before I sipped my drink,

"I suppose we should turn more to the matters at hand." My father chuckled, "I know of your formal intentions with these small meetings Dr Dawkins."

"I Imagine you do sir,"

"I am a businessman, I think plainly about these types of things so do excuse me if my language may be blunt." My father explained as he finished the last of his food for this course only dessert now left to arrive at the table, "Do you wish to court my daughter?"

The silence of the room was thick and I could hear my heart beating almost afraid to look up from my glass, each second felt like hours until the words came from his lips.

"I would very much like to court your daughter if you would give me such permission," 

I felt so giddy, so delighted, so joyous I wanted to kiss him! to cuddle him! to marry him that moment if my father let me! 

"I see," My father nodded, "I do not know your familiarity with the rules of courting but I shall repeat them nonetheless."

"Of course sir."

"If I allow you to court my daughter, I expect a courtship no shorter than six months and already I feel that is being very lenient. The courtship may last as a year however if progress has not been made within a year you must accept I will look into other options for her."

"Yes, Of course." Jack nodded, 

I did my best not to blush at their discussions, 

"But six months is of course the earliest I'll allow an engagement," He nodded, "But as far as courting, the rules would be very simple you do not agree to court my daughter if you do not plan on marrying her I know circumstances can change but it should be your intention,"

"Yes absolutely."

"You are not to be alone with my daughter, you may not visit the house unless someone else is present to watch over her, you are not to go out without a chaperone, and of course absolutely and utterly no physical intimacy." 

"Yes, of course, sir." 

"However... as I am feeling sporting, I will allow you to hold her hand as I feel that is a fair agreement." 

"That is very fair sir,"

"Once you're engaged I'll allow you to be alone, go out together, enjoy the intimacies of engaged life. Do you find this agreeable Dr Dawkins?"

"Yes, completely agreeable." 

"If you break any of these rules your courtship will end. and I will forbid you to see my daughter."

"Understood sir." 

"Alright then, now personally... I do not much have a given for the rules and ways but it will make all our lives simpler if etiquette is followed, all I care about is that you take care of my daughter, and you make her happy."

"and I have every intention of doing so sir." 

"Well then, I gave you my terms the ball is in your court as it were Dr Dawkins."

"Yes of course." he nodded, and for a moment our eyes met across the table and he smiled at me, I smiled back before he cleared his throat and spoke to my father, "Mr Everset, if you may please grant me permission to Court your daughter, I promise I will follow your rules, I promise to keep her happy, care for her, and that I will happily propose after a decent time of courting." 

My father was silent leaving this complex silence in the room before finally, "I am very happy to grant you permission to court Y/n."

"Thank you! -Uhh yes, thank you, sir," Jack nodded,

"Thank you, Father!" I smiled, 

"You're both very welcome, now... where is that cheesecake?" He asked more to the maid more than anyone else as they rushed off to get dessert, 

I smiled so widely blushing hard moving my foot a little to gently stroke across Jack's, he smiled back unable to hide his joy moving his foot closer so we could sit and play footsie under the dining table.