to breath normally.
“August, really, is that necessary?” Seylah moaned, giving him a cross look.
“Yes. When a man kisses my best friend’s hand, it is entirely necessary that I know what he’s about.”
Seylah glared, and was quite ready to give August a piece of her mind, when Elliot held up a hand and gave them an apologetic smile. “It doesn’t offend me,” he told her and then addressed August, “a man is right to keep a close eye on who consorts with their loved ones. The world is a harsh place. To answer your questions, I’m new to town, I have no people in the area so to speak, as I am here on my own, and I am one of the new bankers that’s been brought in to help with Gold Bank’s expansion.”
It was common knowledge that the current premier, and at one time, only banking institution, could not keep up with the new influx of clients. Seylah had heard Mister Koch lamenting to her fathers about the matter, and he had told them he had sent for a few new bankers fresh from the east coast.
“How marvelous. We are happy to have you,” she told Elliot. “So very, very, happy to have you. Isn’t that right, August?” She asked, giving her friend a sidelong look. For a moment, he said nothing, but rocked back on his heels, eyes moving over Elliot’s form for a long moment before he jerked his head in a nod.
“Mighty happy,” he finally conceded.
“Not as happy as I am, but that may have a thing or two to do with my present company. Far lovelier than I could have hoped for.” Elliot bowed slightly, his eyes on Seylah, and she swore that she had never felt more seen.
“Thank you,” she demurred.
“Of course, Seylah. I am glad I was able to pay my admirations before I am woefully pulled back to the bank. I hope that we are not strangers after this.”
“No, no, not that.”
“May I call on you?”
Seylah’s smile froze, her voice silenced in her throat. “What?” She croaked. Beside her, August went rigid.
“May I call on you?” The beautiful man, built like a house, asked her once more. In her wildest dreams, men like Elliot asked her if they might call on her, but she often woke from those dreams, confused and fuzzy on the details. But, never in all of her dreaming, had one of her imagined beaus asked her if they might call on her twice.
Which meant only one thing—this was no dream. She blanched at the realization. A man was calling on her in earnest. In broad daylight, and she was awake for it.
“I, ah,” Seylah cleared her throat and willed herself to keep standing. “Yes?”
Elliot beamed at her answer. “You have no idea how much your answer pleases me. I will call on you two days from now if that is convenient. There is a picnic I was told of, would you accompany me to it?”
“She has work,” August butted in, and Seylah grit her teeth in frustration.
“I do not. Two days from now is the Sunday picnic. I am blessedly free on the day the Lord has intended for rest. And rest is exactly what I intend to do,” she said, glaring at her friend. August snorted and crossed his arms with a shake of his head.
“Splendid. I will find my way to your home. I believe I met your father this morning while at work. He mentioned where your lovely home is. Shall I call on you at three?”
“That’s perfect. I look forward to our outing.”
“Until then, Seylah,” Elliot gave her another winning smile before he nodded goodbye to August, and just like that, the man was back into motion and on his way to work. There was silence between she and August as they stood watching Elliot’s departure. A dreamy sigh escaped Seylah’s mouth and the spell of silence was broken.
“What do you think you’re doing, Seylah?”
She arched an eyebrow, the soft look on her face vanishing as she turned to face her best friend. “What do you mean?”
August gestured after Elliot. “With that man. That’s what I mean.” The disdain in his voice was evident, and Seylah found she did not care for it in the least.
“I’m going on a picnic with that man, that man, I might add, has a name,” she told him, hands going to her hips.
“Do you really think it was wise to accept an offer from him so quickly?” August asked,