Chapter 192

Clenching her teeth, Carissa said to Lilly, “Starting tonight, I want you to teach me embroidery. I need to make a perfect handkerchief.”

Mistakes made in youth must be corrected. Carissa could accept her own imperfections, but she could not accept that she had given everyone subpar work. However, she was puzzled. While she understood why her mother had kept her handkerchiefs, why would Rafael want not only to keep them but also carry them around?

A fleeting thought she couldn’t quite grasp occurred to her. Did Rafael have a fondness for unattractive things? What peculiar taste he had!

As the two senior maids organized the storeroom, Frederick took the opportunity to tell Carissa that Jason had sorted the account books and wanted her to review them.

“Alright, leave them in the study. I’ll look them over tonight,” Carissa said.

Frederick nodded. “The accounts for the farms and shops have also been organized. Jason has summarized the totals and provided detailed breakdowns. I glanced through them and found them to be well done. The people Mr. Sinclair hired are indeed reliable.”

The accountant had been recommended by Solomon, and since the Sinclair family did well in business, Solomon’s recommendation was trustworthy.

Lulu, Pearl, and the others were arranging outfits for Carissa. With so many people expected at tomorrow’s event, Carissa needed to stand out.

Just then, Luke arrived to ask if Carissa would be attending Eleanor’s birthday banquet the next day, so she went out to respond personally.

“Please inform His Highness that I will be attending.”

Luke nodded. “Understood, my lady.”

Knowing Rafael had sent Luke to gauge her intentions, Carissa added, “Tell His Highness that if he doesn’t wish to attend, he needn’t worry about it. I can handle things on my own.”

Luke chuckled. “My lady, you misunderstood. His Highness sent me to inquire about what gift you’ll be bringing if you attend.”

Carissa looked at the plump, kindly steward and replied, “A painting—one painted by my senior, Kyle Spencer.”

“Oh!” Luke’s voice was filled with a mix of emotions, tinged with regret. “Then… I see…”

Kyle’s paintings were rare and valuable. To give one to someone like Eleanor, known for her pretentious taste, seemed like such a waste. Luke was visibly distressed by the thought of such a precious artwork being squandered.

Carissa noticed his pained expression and smiled. “My senior’s works include both his proud masterpieces and some he casually discarded. I’m a bit of a hoarder, so I’ve collected both his treasures and his cast-offs. If you’d like, I can give you one of his masterpieces.”

Luke’s expression brightened instantly, and he waved his hands vigorously. “No! I wouldn’t dare take a masterpiece. I’d be very grateful for one of the cast-offs you mentioned, though. I promise to treasure it.”

“Very well,” Carissa agreed without hesitation.

Beaming with joy, Luke bowed with gratitude and hurried off. His short legs moved so quickly that they almost seemed to produce a whirlwind.

Back at the estate, Lulu had selected several outfits, but they were all quite plain. Due to her period of mourning, Carissa rarely wore bright colors. The pink outfit she had worn previously was the only exception; it was the only relatively vibrant outfit she had worn recently.

Lulu was worried. How could such plain attire possibly showcase Carissa’s stunning beauty to its fullest?

“Perhaps the moonlight white blouse and pleated skirt will do,” Carissa suggested.

The sheer pink outfit would remain unworn. It was a keepsake her mother had made for her wedding, tucked away and never worn at Valor Estate. For Eleanor’s birthday banquet, something plain and simple would suffice.

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