Free Hyacinth (Suitors of Seattle) by Kirsten Osbourne

whispered.
    Walking through the cold, empty street alone, he arrived home to silence.  He'd given his two servants the day off to spend time with their families.  He went to his office to work, not really caring that it was Christmas Day.  He wondered if his mother was happy for a moment, but he knew she was.  He'd sent her a gift weeks before to insure that it arrived on time.
    He remembered the gift Hyacinth had given him a s he left her aunt's house, removing it from his pocket and opening it.  He smiled when he saw the pen with his name engraved on it.  It was beautiful.  He dipped it in ink and began his writing for the day.
     

 
    Chapter Five
     
    Every woman feels like she has attributes that men don't really appreciate.  Does she have a perfect smile?  Are her eyes the color of violets?  Tell her about it.   Women love to be complimented.  Tell her she's smart, or that you like how she does some little thing in a way that fascinates you.  Remember, you love her, and if you don't compliment her, she'll never know, and some other man may swoop in and marry her instead of you.  William Livingston, Advice Column to Lonely Men published in The Seattle Times, December 29, 1896.
     
    Lawrence reread his mentor's words before thinking about what he liked especially about Hyacinth that he didn't think other men thought to compliment her about.  He thought she was perfect in every way, of course, but that didn't mean that she felt the same or even that other men did. 
    He knew she must be complimented all the time on her beautiful brown eyes and her lovely long dark hair.  He didn't think other men would compliment her on her body, though, so that's exactly what he would do.  He would make it clear to her how utterly irresistible she was.
     
    *****
     
    Hyacinth wen t to the door to respond to the insistent knocking the following Tuesday just before lunch time.  She'd spent the morning with her mother, as she did every Tuesday, but since her conversation with Violet the week before, she had been waiting for Lawrence to show up and do something crazy.  She took a deep breath as she turned the knob, knowing who would be there.  "Lawrence.  What a surprise!"
    "Come for a walk with me."  
    Hyacinth peered out the door.  There was snow covering the ground, but it wasn't too terribly cold.  She could probably walk with him.  "I suppose so."   She was reluctant to leave the house, though, because she knew he would do something odd.  It was Tuesday after all.
    "I'll take you to lunch at the diner if you haven't eaten yet."  He waited as she got her coat, wondering why she'd seemed hesitant to accompany him.
    "Let me just tell my mother."  Hyacinth rushed to the parlor where she'd been working on piecing a quilt with her mother.  She hated quilting and felt that she was all thumbs at it, so she was pleased to have the distraction.  "Mama, Lawrence is here.  He wants to take me for a walk and to the diner for lunch.  Would that be all right?"
    Mary nodded, her eyes twinkling.  "That would be fine.  You sure are seeing a lot of Lawrence lately."
    Hyacinth blushed.  "Hush, Mama!  He'll hear you!"  Why did her family always have to say things to embarrass her?
    Mary laughed softly.  "It's a good thing your sister Jasmine was already out of the house before you started courting.  She'd have mortified you."
    Hyacinth nodded emphatically.  "I'm so glad she lives in Montana now!  I'd probably have been the one to actually follow through on my threat and strangle her."  She wasn't easily bothered, but thinking back to some of the things Jasmine had said to their sisters made her cringe for them.
    Mary grinned.  "Have a good time."
    Hyacinth hurried back to the door, getting her coat from the closet.  As Lawrence helped her into it, he whispered into her ear.  "It's a pity to cover up those pretty breasts, but I suppose we can't make you stay cold all day." 
    Hyacinth blinked a couple of times