Miss Dower's Paragon Read Free

opportunity.
    Finally, Evelyn could stand no more of the way that Mrs. Dower dragged herself about from room to room, sighing and sending reproachful glances in her daughter’s direction. Mrs. Dower had even eschewed her usual social calls and denied herself to her friends, insisting to Evelyn that she was too heartsick to bear any entertainment and that she dreaded the possibility of receiving word of Lady Pomerancy’s displeasure.
    In the end, Evelyn reluctantly agreed to receive Peter Hawkins.
    At once, miraculously, Mrs. Dower’s tears dried, her woebegone countenance brightened, and she tucked away her damp handkerchief into her sleeve. “Now I may be comfortable again. You are such a good daughter to me, dearest Evelyn.”
    Evelyn eyed her parent in some resentment. A martial light flashing in her eyes, she said, “I warn you, Mama! I have agreed to receive Mr. Hawkins, but that is all.”
    “Yes, dearest, I do understand,” Mrs. Dower said reassuringly. “Now I shall just send round a note to Mr. Hawkins.”
    Evelyn sighed and shook her head, even as the smallest of resigned smiles touched her lips. It was useless to remain annoyed with her mother when that lady was completely oblivious to one’s aggravation.
     

Chapter Two
     
    Thus, Evelyn came to be in the garden reluctantly awaiting the approach of Mrs. Dower and Mr. Peter Hawkins. Ever since she had agreed to the meeting, she had had grave reservations of the wisdom of it. However, she had pledged her word and there was no possible alternative now, she thought, as the couple reached her. However, she had not bound herself to be pleasant.
    “Oh, here you are at last, Evelyn. Only see who I have brought to see you,” said Mrs. Dower.
    Evelyn inclined her head in a manner reminiscent of an uppity dowager. With a cool smile, she gave two fingers to the gentleman and acknowledged his existence. “Mr. Hawkins.”
    The young lady’s glacial tone could not be considered to be encouraging or welcoming, but, despite Mrs. Dower’s patent dismay, Mr. Hawkins did not appear to notice anything amiss in his reception. He bowed gravely over Miss Dower’s hand.
    Evelyn was disgusted but unsurprised when the gentleman did not retain his hold on her hand for an inappropriate length of time, but instead immediately released her fingers. She certainly could not have expected anything more imaginative from a gentleman who had come to offer his suit in obedience to his grandmother’s wishes, she thought waspishly.
    Mr. Hawkins looked down into Miss Dower’s lovely face, his gaze both searching and hopeful. “Miss Dower, I find you in pleasant surroundings, indeed. It is a fine day to be out of doors in all nature’s new splendor.”
    Evelyn sniffed but did not deign to reply. At the last moment she had fled to the garden, preferring to receive Mr. Hawkins there rather than in the small parlor. She had thought she would burst with her seething emotions, and even though she had ignored the beauty of the garden, it had nevertheless provided a soothing balm to her exacerbated spirit.
    After throwing her daughter an anxious glance, Mrs. Dower said hurriedly, “Yes, indeed! The garden is already giving promise of the fine flowering to come. I am sure the good reverend has mentioned to me a score of times his opinion that it is to be an excellent year for his roses.”
    Mrs. Dower threw another glance at her daughter, taking particular note of the mutinous light smoldering in the girl’s eyes. It obviously would be for the best to have the matter done with as quickly as possible, and she rushed on. “But we shall not spend another moment idling on about gardening, if you please, Mr. Hawkins, for I know that you are anxious to speak to dearest Evelyn on a particular topic. I shall step aside for just a few moments to give you privacy.”
    Mr. Hawkins looked faintly surprised and even a shade disapproving. “I am sure that is not at all necessary, Mrs. Dower. What I am