Thread: Secrets and Lies (Sync & Mali)

No, it is not the proper course in earning the favor a woman, but perhaps alongside the fact I shant be so selective, men must see me as a desperate opportunist rather than a fair match. That because of her reputation and the questions regarding many things of her, mainly her virtue, she was deemed not to deserve a proper courtship. That she should be so lucky to count her blessings that a man of good stature would even think of taking a woman of poor stature as his wife in high society. It was the hypocrisy of it all. If it was public knowledge, one was doomed. If it was kept private, then they could continue with their noses in their air and the judgment so high above breathing levels, especially so long as no one suspected. And with her being a desperate opportunist in the market for procuring a hasty but advantageous marriage nonetheless, she reckoned her mother would have something to do with that. How else would she do damage control? More money in her dowry must smell of obvious desperation. Looking up at him when she stopped, he turned her way as well and her eyes did a slow reveal of surprise, widening at his suggestion. She swallowed hard, a noticeable gesture with the way her lips, albeit closed, moved and the slight poking of her neck forward indicated as much. C-Call...on...m-me? And that same shock, awe and surprise was evident in her voice. His offering had taken her so off guard, she wasnt even sure what to do. Her natural inclination was to say an immediate yes and grant her approval of the very notion but that would make her seem far too eager. She didnt want to appear eager or desperate in front of Mr. Hawthorne. Though it was clear of what she was seeking, especially after what she said about Mr. Abernathy and her mothers insistence upon keeping an open mind of every man who showed even a sliver of interest in her, there was something about Mr. Hawthorne that she gravitated toward. Well it wasnt a mystery of what that was. So far on this night, he was the first man to talk to her like she was still a worthy woman of proper conversation and not assume the worst of her based on reputation alone. That stacked the cards in his favor tremendously. And the fact he wanted to call upon her, it put all her doubts about what he may or could think of her--or even feel for her--to rest. At least momentarily. If he wanted to see her again, she must have done something right, yes? My apologies, Mr. Hawthorne, once more. I do not mean to sound so shocked, I just-- She cut herself off before she could stick her heeled foot into her mouth. The point I am attempting to make and rather poorly that is, is yes, you may call upon me after this night, on any day you wish. I would never turn you away. My parents may be a different sort but please do not let them slight you if they greet you first. I tell you this now that I would be truly honored if you were to call upon me after this night. And then she smiled, a smile that reached her eyes, brightened her face and gave a cloud of innocence over her features. Not naive innocence but that innocence of a young lady that she still was, not fully hardened by what she had seen in the four years she had been away. Underneath all that experience and disillusionment of the world outside of high society, she was still that same young girl who had hope. And she was staring at that hope right in front of her, towering over her in an oddly comforting way. A tall man. A tall handsome man. Yes, she would look forward to the day he called on her again. If he still decided to. If he was a man of his word. If he truly meant it.