Honor and Desire (Gold Sky #3) - Rebel Carter Page 0,61

to her and made to turn towards Seylah but Elizabeth reached out a hand and touched his arm, it was just a brush of her fingers, August most likely barely felt it but even so, Seylah felt her blood boil at the sight.

“If you’re amenable, I would greatly appreciate you taking the time to escort me through town.” She flashed him a smile and took another step but August was clearing his throat and stepping away from her. Seylah did her utmost to not take offense at the fact that Elizabeth hadn’t so much as glanced her way. If she did, it would cause Seylah to give in to her baser urges and insecurities, and that was not something she was content to do any longer.

“I apologize, Elizabeth. I’m not free to take you on a tour of the town, but I am more than happy to have another of the deputies take on the duty of a tour.”

Elizabeth’s frowned. “A tour?”

August nodded. “That is what you wanted, isn’t it?” This was not a simple question or clarification, there was more in August’s tone than that. They all heard the unasked question concerning her request, it was a request for more, it was the woman expressing her interest. And August was declining the offer in the gentlest way possible. Seylah felt a swell of pride for him. The man was kind, if anything, and she was happy to be in a courtship with him.

Perhaps this conversation would not be as painful as she had anticipated.

Elizabeth cleared her throat. “Yes, it is. I would love an appointed escort for a town tour. I’ll be staying at the Ms. Alice Stanton’s boarding house if you would send them that way?”

“I’ll be sure to send them along. It was a pleasure meeting you, Elizabeth.”

The woman smiled warmly at him, and then she was turning away and making her way towards the boarding house. The pair of them watched Elizabeth walk away in silence, Seylah so intently and entirely unsure of what to say or do next that she jumped when she felt August’s hand brush hers.

“Follow me,” he said, gesturing at her. Wordlessly, Seylah fell into step behind him, her eyes landing on the spot in front of her, the space between his shoulders and she had the urge to reach out and touch him, to let her palm smooth itself over his muscled back. She would wrap her arms around him, chest pressed flush to him, her cheek against his back, hands exploring his body as she slid them across his sides and chest. August would not let her touch him in peace, not for long, she knew that. He would turn towards her, his own hands warming the curves of her body before he would claim her mouth in a heated kiss that would leave her gasping.

It would be so easy to do, to be close to him, but that was not what she had been sent to do.

She had been sent to talk, not touch.

And there was also the matter of their being out in the open with what seemed to be the entire town bustling by. Such intimacies as she was suddenly imagining had no place on the avenue in broad daylight, especially not if she wished for her fathers to let August see another day. What was the use in a courtship if her actions resulted in an outright duel. The town had not witnessed one in fifteen years, and she would not help revive the practice.

On they walked until they were standing at the stables housed beside the sheriff’s building. She gave him an inquisitive look.

“What are we doing?”

“Talking,” he answered, walking into the stable and towards his horse. A well-tempered cream mare. He paused in front of her, reaching out run a hand over the animal’s velvety muzzle. “Well, for now, then a ride. Does that appeal to you?”

She nodded, walking into the quiet of the stables and suddenly felt nervous. “It does.” She crossed her arms and made to go for the horse but August stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm.

“But first, you wanted to talk,” he reminded her and Seylah nearly swore at nearly forgetting the sole reason she had asked him to be alone.

“That’s right,” she nodded, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear and giving him a weak smile. “I did.” She wasn’t thrilled about the prospect of talking, even with his show of support and interest