dressed or what he did for a living, or why her sister had married a former gambler.
But none of her dreams would come true until she attended the finishing school. Camellia’s eyes popped open, and she raised her head. “When can we leave for New Orleans?”
A laugh slipped from Lily’s mouth. “Don’t be in such a hurry, dear. You’re going to need new dresses. I thought we could go shopping this week.”
Camellia straightened and rose from the footstool. “I know how much you dislike shopping, Lily, so I’ve already asked Aunt Dahlia to take me.”
“Oh.” A world of hurt filled her sister’s voice with the single syllable.
A blush burned Camellia’s cheeks. How was she supposed to know her sister would volunteer to help her? Lily had never been interested in shopping. “I’m sorry. I can tell Aunt Dahlia you want to go along.”
Shaking her head, Lily stood. “Blake was telling me this morning we need to make a quick trip to Greenville and pick up some furniture and deliver it to a plantation in Tangipahoa Parish.”
Relief at Lily’s words eased Camellia’s discomfort. “So you can go with him instead of staying here to take care of me.”
Lily’s smile was a little shaky, but it solidified as she nodded. “You’re right. But I want you to make plans to travel with us the following week for our scheduled trip to Memphis.” She walked over to Camellia and put an arm around her waist. “I want you to spend a little time with us before you go off to school.”
Normally Camellia would have refused to go along with her sister’s plan, but she needed to focus on the greater goal. A few boring days spent aboard the steamboat was a small price to pay, even though she’d much rather stay here and get ready for her escape. As long as she and Aunt Dahlia finished the fittings next week, her clothing should be ready in time for the beginning of the term.
“You needn’t be anxious. The school won’t open for almost two months.”
Camellia knew it was important to keep her tone cool and logical. “I don’t see how you can blame me. Not after missing out last year.”
“I wish we had gone ahead and enrolled you at La Belle.” Lily’s brown eyes seemed to be focused on the past. “But I didn’t want to take a chance at putting you somewhere until I had the opportunity to thoroughly check Mrs. Dabbs’s reputation in New Orleans. Besides, you were so anxious because of the classes you had already missed.”
Hanging on to her temper with difficulty, Camellia pulled away from her sister’s loose embrace. She didn’t remember the events in the same way her sister did. Lily was the one who had been anxious. But she wasn’t going to argue the point. It was ancient history, and she didn’t want to roil the waters.
“Shall we go outside and tell the others?” Not waiting for an answer, Camellia floated across the parlor. At least she hoped she appeared to be floating. What was it Aunt Dahlia said?
“The road to a lady’s success is trod with tiny footsteps.”
Holding her head high, Camellia forced her feet to a deliberate pace. If she was going to succeed at La Belle Demoiselle, she would have to remember everything she had ever been taught about deportment and etiquette.
She preceded her sister into the hallway and out onto the porch. Blake and Uncle Phillip rose from their rockers as they arrived. Camellia met her aunt’s concerned gaze with a tiny nod. Aunt Dahlia sat back, a satisfied smile on her lips.
Grandmother beckoned her to the empty chair beside her. “You have missed a fine rendition from Jasmine and David.”
“Never fear, I’ve heard that scene several times.” Camellia perched on the edge of the rocker, her spine as straight and rigid as a broomstick. “In fact, I have even been known to read the part of Ivanhoe when David is not available.”
Poor David. He followed Jasmine around like a puppy. Camellia had no doubt he would lay down his life for the dark-haired
But none of her dreams would come true until she attended the finishing school. Camellia’s eyes popped open, and she raised her head. “When can we leave for New Orleans?”
A laugh slipped from Lily’s mouth. “Don’t be in such a hurry, dear. You’re going to need new dresses. I thought we could go shopping this week.”
Camellia straightened and rose from the footstool. “I know how much you dislike shopping, Lily, so I’ve already asked Aunt Dahlia to take me.”
“Oh.” A world of hurt filled her sister’s voice with the single syllable.
A blush burned Camellia’s cheeks. How was she supposed to know her sister would volunteer to help her? Lily had never been interested in shopping. “I’m sorry. I can tell Aunt Dahlia you want to go along.”
Shaking her head, Lily stood. “Blake was telling me this morning we need to make a quick trip to Greenville and pick up some furniture and deliver it to a plantation in Tangipahoa Parish.”
Relief at Lily’s words eased Camellia’s discomfort. “So you can go with him instead of staying here to take care of me.”
Lily’s smile was a little shaky, but it solidified as she nodded. “You’re right. But I want you to make plans to travel with us the following week for our scheduled trip to Memphis.” She walked over to Camellia and put an arm around her waist. “I want you to spend a little time with us before you go off to school.”
Normally Camellia would have refused to go along with her sister’s plan, but she needed to focus on the greater goal. A few boring days spent aboard the steamboat was a small price to pay, even though she’d much rather stay here and get ready for her escape. As long as she and Aunt Dahlia finished the fittings next week, her clothing should be ready in time for the beginning of the term.
“You needn’t be anxious. The school won’t open for almost two months.”
Camellia knew it was important to keep her tone cool and logical. “I don’t see how you can blame me. Not after missing out last year.”
“I wish we had gone ahead and enrolled you at La Belle.” Lily’s brown eyes seemed to be focused on the past. “But I didn’t want to take a chance at putting you somewhere until I had the opportunity to thoroughly check Mrs. Dabbs’s reputation in New Orleans. Besides, you were so anxious because of the classes you had already missed.”
Hanging on to her temper with difficulty, Camellia pulled away from her sister’s loose embrace. She didn’t remember the events in the same way her sister did. Lily was the one who had been anxious. But she wasn’t going to argue the point. It was ancient history, and she didn’t want to roil the waters.
“Shall we go outside and tell the others?” Not waiting for an answer, Camellia floated across the parlor. At least she hoped she appeared to be floating. What was it Aunt Dahlia said?
“The road to a lady’s success is trod with tiny footsteps.”
Holding her head high, Camellia forced her feet to a deliberate pace. If she was going to succeed at La Belle Demoiselle, she would have to remember everything she had ever been taught about deportment and etiquette.
She preceded her sister into the hallway and out onto the porch. Blake and Uncle Phillip rose from their rockers as they arrived. Camellia met her aunt’s concerned gaze with a tiny nod. Aunt Dahlia sat back, a satisfied smile on her lips.
Grandmother beckoned her to the empty chair beside her. “You have missed a fine rendition from Jasmine and David.”
“Never fear, I’ve heard that scene several times.” Camellia perched on the edge of the rocker, her spine as straight and rigid as a broomstick. “In fact, I have even been known to read the part of Ivanhoe when David is not available.”
Poor David. He followed Jasmine around like a puppy. Camellia had no doubt he would lay down his life for the dark-haired
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