Miss Dower's Paragon Read Free Page B

touch of his lips, Evelyn felt a tingling sensation that sped from the tips of her fingers to her heart. She snatched free her hand. Pink flags flew in her cheeks. She was furious with herself. How could she be so affected by this mawkworm, this handsome pattern card!
    Of course, it was true that she had thought herself in love with him for years, and particularly in the past twelvemonth. Mr. Hawkins was everything a young lady could desire in a gentleman. He was tall and well set-up, with a breadth of shoulder and an athletic build that were the envy of lesser men. His countenance was pleasant and his voice was pleasing to her ears. Whenever they had chanced to converse, she had been struck by his thoughtful intelligence.
    If Mr. Peter Hawkins had applied to her under any other circumstances, she would gladly have accepted his suit and counted herself fortunate above all others.
    However, that had not been her happy fortune. Instead, he had offered for her hand at his grandmother’s bidding, thus killing any romantic standing that he had once held with her.
    Mr. Hawkins apparently mistook the outward signs of her fury for maidenly blushes, for he said contritely, “I have presumed too much. I apologize for my forwardness, Miss Dower.”
    Evelyn all but ground her teeth. She did not look at him for fear he would read the contempt in her eyes too soon. She pleated her skirt between her fingers. Her voice trembled. “Mr. Hawkins, may we please come to the point of your visit?”
    “Of course, Miss Dower. I understand completely your wish to be done with what must be a most uncomfortable business,” said Mr. Hawkins. He gently recaptured one of her hands, forcing her to raise her eyes in a quick glance. “Miss Dower, I have conveyed a formal offer for your hand to Mrs. Dower. Your delightful parent has given me encouragement to hope that such an offer is not entirely distasteful to you.”
    Evelyn faced the gentleman seated beside her, intending to reject him without mercy. But when she met his eyes she found she could not be as brutal as she had intended. There was a shyness in his hopeful expression that made him look very much like an expectant puppy. Evelyn hesitated, then said quickly. “Mr. Hawkins, I do not think I can accept your suit.” She drew back her hand and laced together her fingers in her lap. Despising herself for cowardice, she yet glanced up to gauge his reaction.
    Mr. Hawkins appeared so crestfallen that she took even greater pity on him, though she did not understand why she should do so after being the recipient of such an insult. “Actually, I am not interested in anyone’s suit at the moment. I—I am just come out of the schoolroom, you see, and I have not been presented yet...”
    Evelyn let her voice trail off, wondering at herself. She had not meant to excuse her rejection in any way, and yet she had done so. She frowned, worrying at her lip as she reflected upon her inexplicable behavior.
    “I understand you, of course.”
    Her eyes flew to his face. “Do you?” she asked, startled. How he could do so when she did not understand it herself was beyond her comprehension.
    Mr. Hawkins smiled down at her, a little wistfully, she thought. “Your honesty does you much credit. Miss Dower,” he said. “You have enjoyed a most sheltered existence. It is only natural that you should wish to try your wings and see a bit more of the world before entertaining such a serious suit. I should have thought of it myself. I respect your wishes, of course. Nothing more need be said at present. I shall take my leave of you now in hopes that I may call again at another time.”
    He had risen as he spoke and now he bowed formally to her. Mistaking her astonished expression, his mouth quirked a little. “Never fear, I shall not press you.”
    Mrs. Dower, who had been hovering anxiously in the background, took Mr. Hawkins’s rising as her cue. She rushed over, already speaking before she reached the couple.