Honor and Desire (Gold Sky #3) - Rebel Carter Page 0,30

leaned into her mother. “I have a feeling you’re quite right. Thank you for this.”

Julie sighed and rested her chin on her daughter’s head. “Oh, I had nothing to do with it.”

“Don’t lie. Mrs. Rosemary had an accomplice and I’m certain it was you.”

Her mother laughed. “It was for a good cause, so I’m not too terribly sorry. And besides, what’s this I hear about a man courting you?”

Seylah’s eyes drifted closed in exasperation. “It’s only a picnic,” she said in what was fast becoming a well-versed mantra.

Over the past two days, Seylah had done nothing, but deflect the well-intentioned excitement and well wishes from the townsfolk who were pleased as punch to see Seylah on the receiving end of attention, and from such a handsome and well to-do man to boot.

“I heard he’s a banker. That’s a quite stable and profitable profession,” Julie said, giving voice to the echoes of Gold Sky’s townsfolk. There was no escaping it, not even when the horde of folk were absent they managed to worm their way into Seylah’s ear.

She sighed heavily and pulled away, catching the hat box before it fell to the floor. “Already planning our engagement are you?”

Julie held up her hands. “All I am meaning to say is a man in possession of dependable work makes for an eligible suitor.”

An eligible suitor.

Seylah raised the hat box accusingly at her mother. “I don’t believe that’s all you meant, Mama.”

Her mother pursed her lips and brushed her hair away from her face. “Can a mother not be excited for her daughter to keep company with an eligible, and dare I say, handsome young man?”

Seylah blushed at the words. It was true that Elliot was handsome, she had seen him once in passing since he had asked to take her to the picnic, but she had scarcely managed a few mumbled words and a strained smile in his direction.

Who knew it was so difficult to keep one’s composure when faced with an attractive man, an attractive man that had not only saved her but promptly asked her to a picnic. If only she’d had more practice in her formative years, she might be putting on a better showing now that she was presented with the opportunity to enjoy a man’s company.

Seylah looked at her mother and saw that she was gleeful, her face shining with a bright smile. The urge to keep it there seized her. The pair of them set about, transporting Seylah’s new wardrobe to her room, an endeavor that was only made possible by the giddy energy of her mother. In no time at all, Seylah found it had rubbed off on her, and before long, she was in similar spirits. It was difficult not to smile when her mother danced about with each new day outfit, or riding jacket with a delighted smile.

“You’re going to look so lovely! And look, you can still fit your single shot pistol here. There’s room in this jacket!”

“That color is perfectly suited to your complexion!”

“I’ve heard from maman this cut is all the rage in New York!”

The time passed with such excited statements, and by the end of it, Seylah found that she believed her mother’s words. She would be lovely, she would be intriguing, and she would, above all things, carry herself as if she deserved the world.

“Which will you choose to wear?” Julie asked, clasping her hands in front of her and practically bouncing on her toes.

“For the picnic?”

“Of course, for the picnic, you goose. What else?” She turned to the wardrobe and ran a finger along the new collection of sumptuous fabrics in all manner of cuts and patterns.

Seylah tapped her chin and considered the assortment of clothes. “I’m not quite sure,” she said after a moment, “it’s all a bit overwhelming. Would you like to pick it out, Mama?”

Julie clapped. “Oh, I thought you’d never ask. I know just the one!” She turned to the wardrobe and pulled out a dress of light blue silk and lace. Seylah’s eyes widened at the sight of the piece and she cleared her throat.

“Don’t you think that’s a bit much for a picnic, mama? It’s very casual, you know that.”

Her mother waved a hand and strode forward with the dress in hand. “You can never be too overdressed, and this would look just lovely with the white parasol and those beautiful boots we bought you for Christmas.” She pushed Seylah forward, depositing the dress into her hands. “Go on and get