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Authors: Diane T. Ashley
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uncomfortable than you already have.”
The tense moment stretched out until Camellia thought it would never end. Then Jonah nodded at his sister. “You’re right. I apologize, Father. My passion for those who cannot protect themselves overcame my good sense.”
As apologies went, it left a lot to be desired, but it seemed to appease Mr. Thornton. Without another word, he brushed past Jonah and left the parlor.
For a moment, Jonah’s troubled gaze followed his father’s exit. When Sarah threaded her arm through his, however, he smiled down at her. “One of these days, he will have to realize he cannot control me.”
“No matter how old you get, Jonah, he will always be your father.” She glanced around the room.
Mrs. Thornton resumed her needlework. “Weren’t you planning a shopping excursion?” Her practical question gave everyone a new focus.
Sarah separated herself from her brother and shooed Camellia and her sisters out of the parlor.
For the first time she could ever remember, Camellia didn’t want to go shopping. It wasn’t because she already had the necessary items for beginning the school term, nor did her eagerness to get to La Belle Demoiselle play into her reluctance. She wanted to spend more time with Jonah, regain the admiring attention he had showered on her during the trip from Memphis. He was so intense, so exciting to be around. Even when his eyes seemed filled with green lightning, she found herself drawn to the man.
Of course nothing could ever develop between them beyond a light flirtation. She had her sights set on a much bigger prize than Jonah Thornton. He had neither job nor military rank, proving his lack of ambition. She adopted a pleasant smile even while scolding herself for her reluctance.
As she and her sisters donned their cloaks and gloves, Camellia made a mental list of the reasons she could not be attracted to him. Jonah had no plantation and no prospects other than running his parents’ shipping business. She wanted someone of deep conviction who believed in a cause and was ready to risk everything for it. Not someone who stood on the sidelines and pointed a finger of blame at the men who were fighting for their beliefs.
Satisfied with her logic, Camellia pushed Jonah from her mind. She couldn’t wait for La Belle Demoiselle to open its doors.
Chapter Six
C amellia’s excitement collapsed like an unstarched petticoat when Lily suggested Papa might want to accompany them to La Belle Demoiselle. She would rather be scalded with a pot of boiling water than have to face the ridicule of her peers and the teachers at the school when they realized what a character the man was. She cast a desperate glance around the breakfast table, but no one seemed aware of her consternation. “Perhaps I should go alone.”
Lily’s jaw dropped open. “What?”
If she had been trying to be the center of attention, Camellia had succeeded beyond her wildest dreams. Everyone was staring at her as if she had grown an extra head. “I … I don’t want to be any trouble.”
Blake raised an eyebrow before returning his attention to the food on his plate. “I doubt your sister will send you off by yourself.”
“Of course not.” Mrs. Thornton smiled.
“I saw them loading your trunks into the wagon as I came through the courtyard.” Jonah added the information with a hint of mischief in his voice. “Perhaps you could ride on it instead.”
“Jonah!” Mrs. Thornton shook her head at her son. “You are being ridiculous. Of course Camellia will ride with the rest of us in the carriage.”
When Camellia saw the moisture in Jasmine’s expressive eyes, she felt even worse. Why did everything have to be so difficult? Her family seemed determined to punish her for wanting to break away, wanting to have a life of her own. She pushed back from the table. “Thank you for the delicious breakfast.”
“And for your wonderful hospitality.” Lily put her napkin on the table next to her
The tense moment stretched out until Camellia thought it would never end. Then Jonah nodded at his sister. “You’re right. I apologize, Father. My passion for those who cannot protect themselves overcame my good sense.”
As apologies went, it left a lot to be desired, but it seemed to appease Mr. Thornton. Without another word, he brushed past Jonah and left the parlor.
For a moment, Jonah’s troubled gaze followed his father’s exit. When Sarah threaded her arm through his, however, he smiled down at her. “One of these days, he will have to realize he cannot control me.”
“No matter how old you get, Jonah, he will always be your father.” She glanced around the room.
Mrs. Thornton resumed her needlework. “Weren’t you planning a shopping excursion?” Her practical question gave everyone a new focus.
Sarah separated herself from her brother and shooed Camellia and her sisters out of the parlor.
For the first time she could ever remember, Camellia didn’t want to go shopping. It wasn’t because she already had the necessary items for beginning the school term, nor did her eagerness to get to La Belle Demoiselle play into her reluctance. She wanted to spend more time with Jonah, regain the admiring attention he had showered on her during the trip from Memphis. He was so intense, so exciting to be around. Even when his eyes seemed filled with green lightning, she found herself drawn to the man.
Of course nothing could ever develop between them beyond a light flirtation. She had her sights set on a much bigger prize than Jonah Thornton. He had neither job nor military rank, proving his lack of ambition. She adopted a pleasant smile even while scolding herself for her reluctance.
As she and her sisters donned their cloaks and gloves, Camellia made a mental list of the reasons she could not be attracted to him. Jonah had no plantation and no prospects other than running his parents’ shipping business. She wanted someone of deep conviction who believed in a cause and was ready to risk everything for it. Not someone who stood on the sidelines and pointed a finger of blame at the men who were fighting for their beliefs.
Satisfied with her logic, Camellia pushed Jonah from her mind. She couldn’t wait for La Belle Demoiselle to open its doors.
Chapter Six
C amellia’s excitement collapsed like an unstarched petticoat when Lily suggested Papa might want to accompany them to La Belle Demoiselle. She would rather be scalded with a pot of boiling water than have to face the ridicule of her peers and the teachers at the school when they realized what a character the man was. She cast a desperate glance around the breakfast table, but no one seemed aware of her consternation. “Perhaps I should go alone.”
Lily’s jaw dropped open. “What?”
If she had been trying to be the center of attention, Camellia had succeeded beyond her wildest dreams. Everyone was staring at her as if she had grown an extra head. “I … I don’t want to be any trouble.”
Blake raised an eyebrow before returning his attention to the food on his plate. “I doubt your sister will send you off by yourself.”
“Of course not.” Mrs. Thornton smiled.
“I saw them loading your trunks into the wagon as I came through the courtyard.” Jonah added the information with a hint of mischief in his voice. “Perhaps you could ride on it instead.”
“Jonah!” Mrs. Thornton shook her head at her son. “You are being ridiculous. Of course Camellia will ride with the rest of us in the carriage.”
When Camellia saw the moisture in Jasmine’s expressive eyes, she felt even worse. Why did everything have to be so difficult? Her family seemed determined to punish her for wanting to break away, wanting to have a life of her own. She pushed back from the table. “Thank you for the delicious breakfast.”
“And for your wonderful hospitality.” Lily put her napkin on the table next to her
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