Threads of Time by Elizabeth Jayne

Author:Elizabeth Jayne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2012-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

“Excuse me?”

“I can quite understand your happy surprise, my dear, for you can be certain I mean to see you quite often.”

Mr Crofton stood in front of her, his hat in his hand, a smile on his face. Julianna could only stare in disbelief. They had driven to a nearby park and slowly cruised around it for a couple of hours. The whole time she was polite but very cool, did not encourage any long conversations, and made it pretty obvious that she wasn’t interested. Or so she had thought. Apparently she had thought wrong.

“Your reserve during our outing is natural following such familiarity during the ball last evening. In fact, it is of necessity and what one would expect from such a well brought up young female. I would have been quite surprised had your behaviour been as forward as it had been during our dancing but we are both of a higher class that understands that accepted behaviour at a ball is quite different from that which is favourable during an expedition to the park. Oh, I am even more sure of the high standards of character which I knew you possessed. It pleases me greatly to know we are so well suited, my dear Miss Edwards.”

Julianna continued to stare. Her hand was being squeezed by Mr Crofton and he looked at her with an intensity that was a little unnerving.

“Mr Crofton.” She stopped. How was she going to convince him she really wasn’t interested? She tried again. “Mr Crofton. Thank you for driving me today, however, while I did enjoy our dancing last night and you have been very pleasant, I do feel that perhaps it would be best if we did not pursue this further.”

“Of course you do, my dear, and quite understandable that our closeness would have you feeling overwhelmed. Let me assure you that I will be gentle and caring and at no time will you feel the need to be anxious in my company. We will go driving, take picnics in the fields, and enjoy all manner of pleasant activities. Does this please you?”

No, it does not! Julianna realised he wasn’t going to take the hint and was beginning to feel out of her depth. The whole etiquette and customs of this time were so different to hers that she didn’t know how to make him understand without causing a big backlash on Bernice’s family. She pulled her hand out of his and stepped back. If she didn’t make another date with him and ignored any letters or whatever he sent, then he might get the hint and then she would be gone anyway and it should be good. It should all work itself out.

“I should go inside,” she said quietly. “Thank you for the drive, Mr Crofton.” She turned to walk away but he stopped her.

“I shall call for you tomorrow at the same time,” he informed her.

“I am sorry but I am already engaged for tomorrow,” she told him, hoping her lie was believable.

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