Winning the Heiress' Heart

by Susanne Bellamy

  “Ah, yes. Sorry I left before we had time to talk it through. That’s why I called today. My rules for the boys are simple. They turn up every day, on time, pull their weight, and stay out of trouble. No alcohol allowed in their quarters for those who live in, even for the ones who are old enough. It’s too tempting for the younger ones.”

  “Absolutely. Seb’s a good lad. I would expect nothing less from him.”

  “And if he rides over on that bike of his, he can put in a couple of extra hours in the workshop each day fixing it.”

  Her eyes widened before she narrowed them, shaking her head slowly. “I don’t know if I should let him keep it. It’s awfully dangerous.”

  Better tread more carefully. “Have you thought more on what we were talking about last night? About compromise?”

  She nodded but her shoulders hunched and she broke eye contact.

  “Consider it. Seb keeps the bike if he commits to working hard with me. He’ll have to pull his weight and study to earn the reward.”

  She shook her head again. “I can drive him or he can walk down, can’t he? You walked here last night.”

  “True, but I wouldn’t recommend taking the track on foot in the dark.”

  “But if you can do it—”

  “It can be dangerous in the dark. Tell me, does Seb want to be a plantation manager? Is this his choice or yours? It is a huge commitment.” There was hope for him to purchase the property if the boy was unwilling to go along with her plans. He watched her closely but she didn’t blush with guilt, only became thoughtful.

  “I think he’s happy. We talked about it a lot before we made the decision to sell up. He rather liked the idea that some of our ancestors had been here before us. It made leaving Bellerose a little less traumatic. Only”—she clasped her hands together and her focus dropped to her tightly interlinked fingers—“I did wonder about the wisdom of investing in a pineapple plantation. Seb has so much to learn but our family solicitor recommended this purchase after—”

  She turned to the field of pineapples. Row upon row marched down the slope just visible between the trunks of the palm grove. “How long before they’re ready for picking?”

  He followed the direction of her eyes. “That particular field, three or four weeks. Benson planted it not long before he fell ill and had to put the place on the market. Second and subsequent crops take fourteen to fifteen months from planting to harvesting but it’s not an exact science.”

  “Do you mean other fields might be ready sooner? How will we know when to pick them?”

  Luc frowned. “Good grief, Eva. I knew you were a novice but did you buy this place knowing nothing about pineapple growing?”

  She sat ramrod straight and a muscle quivered in her jaw. “We had an ancestor who owned a plantation in the Islands a couple of centuries ago. Besides, with the recommendation of our family solicitor, I worked out a plan with our accountant. It’s a good investment. Minor details can be worked out as we go.”

  An idea blazed to life and took root in his brain. Like a gift from the gods, her inexperience answered his prayer. Self-sufficient and independent. Seb’s description of his aunt circled in his mind like a merry-go-round.

  All he had to do was enumerate the difficulties of a lone woman and a teenage boy trying to run the plantation. By the time he’d shown her the amount of work and the variety of problems awaiting an amateur grower, Eva Abbott would be only too happy to sell him the property.

  If he could find her family plantation, that could tip the balance in his favor.

  For a heartbeat or two, he contemplated her vulnerability. She needed him. She needed his knowledge and experience and contacts. And someone owed him for stealing his dream. One way or another, he was going to acquire this property but until he figured out the how, he’d play the obliging neighbor.

  “I have so much to learn. I don’t even know how pineapples are harvested.”

  Before he knew what he was doing he was out of the chair and raising her to her feet. “Come with me. We’ll take a drive and check on the other fields.” He offered his arm and led her to the Jeep then headed off towards the closest field. They bounced along the track until, at the highest point, he pulled up and climbed out.

  Eva followed him to the nearest row of plants.

  He scooped up a handful of dirt and held it out, his thumb breaking apart a clod. “See how red the soil is? It’s decomposed volcanic ash. Pineapples love it. You’ve got over twenty-eight thousand plants in this acre alone.”

  “Oh, my. That’s a lot of plants.”

  “It is, especially when you factor in they are picked by hand.”

  “But there’s a team here already, isn’t there? My solicitor said everything was included in the sale price, and there was an onsite manager although we haven’t met him yet. We bought it as a profitable and going concern.”

  He shook his head and watched her dismay deepen. “Benson managed his own property. Most planters do. And pickers usually move from one plantation to another. Managers look after the booking of them.”

  She was quiet for several seconds. “So without a manager, I’ll have to organize a team until Seb learns where to hire pickers and so on.”

  “Even if he’s a quick learner, it’s going to take a couple of years before he knows enough to even begin looking after this place.”

  Her shoulders slumped and a soft sigh slipped between her lips. “A couple of years? But I thought— Never mind.”

  “You’ll need help. It’s not something you can undertake alone.”

  “Naturally. I’ll need to employ an overseer to manage the place until Seb’s able to. Can you recommend anyone?”

  “I’ll give it some thought.” Seeds of doubt sown, he helped her back into the car. They bumped along the track above the fields. Skirting a stand of palms, he pulled up on a bluff. Overlooking the sea, the far edge of her property joined his. Waves crashed on the rocks below creating miniature rainbows.

  He turned to her. Hair windswept and cheeks pink from the drive, she looked approachable, not distant. Less the cool heiress and more like the warm, enticing woman he’d held for seconds last night. Distracted by her scent and proximity, he almost forgot why he’d driven to the lookout. Making out wasn’t on the menu. He looked toward the horizon and marshalled his errant thoughts.

  “I’m curious. Why did you choose to follow in your ancestors’ footsteps?”

  “It does seem a bit of an odd choice for a pair of Brits like us. Actually, there’s a family story that Sebastien le Clerc was a pirate who fell in love with my great, great, however many times removed grandmother, Madeleine, and settled here on a plantation. I’d love to find out which one.”

  “You bought this property without checking your family history?”

  She slipped a glance sideways at him before studiously focusing on the scene in front of them. “It seems like a silly, romantic notion put like that. I should have done more research before making an offer. My solicitor told me about this place as Bellerose was being sold and somehow, it seemed like fate.”

  “Why didn’t you stay on there?”

  “Two words—death taxes. On an estate the size of Bellerose, one lot of taxes is difficult, two nearly wiped us out.”

  “Two?”

  “One when my parents were killed in an air raid on London and Bellerose passed to Phillip. The second—”

  “—when your brother died. I see.” If she’d sunk most of their sales proceeds into the Benson estate, he just had to make sure his offer was too tempting to refuse. His. She had his plantation and he was going to get it back.

  “I have a proposition for you. A business proposal.”

  “I’m listening, though I should tell you up front I—I don’t have a cash flow yet. I—can’t pay you for Seb’s training until—”

  “You want Seb to learn to manage the plantation but it will take time you don’t have. My proposal is to oversee operations on your place and train Seb.”


  She appeared to consider his offer. Hardly daring to breathe, Luc’s chest tightened as he waited for her answer.

  “That will be a lot of work. Since I can’t pay you, I imagine you have some alternative idea for payment? What do you want in return?”

  Several ways of making love to her flashed through his mind. He shut them down and zeroed in on the business.

  “A ten percent share of the plantation and first option to buy, should you decide to sell.”

  Lips parted, Eva’s eyes widened then abruptly, she closed her mouth and looked away, a frown wrinkling her forehead.

  He should have set up the moment, led into it and given a carefully rehearsed and fully prepared speech. Lord, why hadn’t he thought through that half-baked idea before blurting it out?

  Because he wanted this property too much not to fight for it. And because, in spite of his disappointment over the sale, he did want to help Eva and Seb. They touched something in him, perhaps some tattered remnant of honor rooted deep within.

  “I won’t give it away.” Hands fisted in her lap, her voice remained calm and steady. “What makes you think I’d want to sell?”

  Luck might be with him. She hadn’t given him an outright ‘No.’

  “You retain full control, other than decisions necessary to the efficient operation of the plantation, which would be in my hands. And you gain immediate access to funds through selling me a ten percent share.”

  “And I can buy back that share from you at anytime?”

  Ten percent share in the Benson estate would be enough to convince the Board of the viability of his tourism proposal. Ten percent was a foothold, a starting point for negotiations. It would make his next offer to buy that much easier to accept. He hesitated a fraction too long before answering. “Of course.”

  “Luc, I’m sure it’s very fair, and I appreciate the offer. But this will pass to Seb one day and that’s all there is to it. I appreciate you taking him on. Really, I don’t expect more.”

  He breathed in a long, calming breath while his heart slowed to a pace as sluggish as a lava flow. So close. She’d come so close to agreeing.

  So many things were stacked against Eva succeeding that he only had to bide his time, but he couldn’t afford even that delay if he wanted the tourism contract.

  My ancestors once owned a plantation here. “You said your family once owned land somewhere in the islands. If we locate it and it’s a good prospect, I’d be willing to buy the Benson place so you could buy back your ancestors’ property.”

  Her gaze narrowed on him. “You seem awfully keen on purchasing my land. Why?”

  Maybe part of the truth would be enough to satisfy her. “The more land I own, the more boys I can take into the program.”

  “So your motives are purely philanthropic?”

  “In part, yes. Of course it will also generate more income. As a long-term business strategy, I would like to increase my holdings but the important thing right now is to expand the community youth program.”

  She tipped her head to the side and watched him, assessing and thoughtful. “If not my land, would you look elsewhere?”

  He’d wanted Benson’s place for so long, the thought of alternatives hadn’t crossed his mind. “Eventually. Naturally my preference would be to have further acquisitions nearby. More economical. The arrangement I proposed would be mutually beneficial. Will you consider my proposal?”

  “I need time. Let me think about it.”

  At least she was still open to the idea. For now, it would have to do. “Fair enough. I’ll see Seb tomorrow morning. He can start out with the other boys checking ripeness and sugar content. Might as well throw him in the deep end.”

  “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

  He started the engine and reversed until they reached a clearing where he could turn around. As he changed gear and they headed down the track, he glanced over at Eva. Her clear green gaze fixed on him. Was she was sizing him up? Truth would always be the best choice with Eva. Truth was, he wanted to get to know his pretty neighbor better. Much better.

  Chapter Four

  As he drove to Eva’s place less than a day after making her the offer, Luc considered his new plan. It was neat, and easy, and so simple he was hopeful that Eva would agree.

  Memories of pre-teenage pirate games with Jack had twined with Eva’s story of her pirate ancestor and kept him awake into the early hours. Jack had played first mate to his pirate captain as they ran wild on a long-abandoned plantation a few miles’ bike ride from home. Could that have been the land owned by Eva’s family long ago? Gut instinct might only be hope in disguise but he would work with the idea.

  He pulled up and looked over the ripening pineapples. Today, he planned to woo Eva with a lot of charm and the enticement of her romantic family history being real.

  The front door opened with a squeak before the screen door pushed wide and Eva stepped through, looking cool and elegant. “Luc. I heard your car. How nice to see you.”

  He plunged head first into his plan without greeting her. “I’ve got a surprise for you. Are you game?”

  Her face lit up in a smile that lightened the tension knotting his stomach. “I love surprises. What is it?”

  “We’re going for a ride. Do you have time now?”

  “Where to?” She reached inside, and returned a moment later with a broad-brimmed straw hat and sunglasses.

  “You’ll see.” He settled her in the Jeep and climbed in and started the engine. “It’s not far from here.” Before he spoke again, he negotiated the winding driveway. “By the way, I’ve organised a team of pickers for you. Lucky to get them at short notice.

  “Thanks. That was quick.”

  “My pleasure. I had to call in a favor but it solves one of your immediate problems.” They sat in companionable silence until, as the car rounded a bend, one of the most stunning seascapes on the island opened before them. He’d forgotten how dramatic the view was.

  Eva gasped and leaned out of her window for a closer look as Luc eased the Jeep onto a dirt shoulder. “Oh, my. That bay is incredible. It looks large enough for couple of sailing ships to moor there.”

  “True. Your pirate ancestor story reminded me of this place. Its name used to be Tallship Bay. Would you like to see more?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Overgrown and long disused, the entrance was difficult to find but at last, he spotted the tamarind tree that he and Jack had climbed when they were young boys. It towered over a riotous profusion of hibiscus and bougainvillea that hedged the northern edge of the estate. He moved aside a sweep of twiggy branches. “Through here. Mind the thorns.”

  The passage narrowed, and forced her to squeeze past him. Her floral scent teased his nose and her bare arm brushed his chest. Through his shirt, her touch grazed his nipple. He swallowed, resisting the urge to lower his arm, and pull her against him. But getting up close and cosy with his beautiful neighbor wasn’t on today’s schedule. Convincing her that this might have been her family’s land was.

  She hesitated, and half-raised her hand before hurrying through the filtered shadows and into the clearing.

  He cleared his throat and followed her. “I’d almost forgotten how beautiful it is here.”

  “Why was it abandoned?”

  “Hurricane. Followed by flooding rains and mudslides that carried the old home into the waters of the bay. The slide left this higher section of garden untouched.”

  ***

  Flutters of excitement stirred in Eva’s stomach. Was it possible she was standing on Sebastien and Madeline’s plantation?

  Safe at rest, at home. In the water, by the water, in the garden. The words in Josephine’s diary crossed the page like fine gossamer web. Light spidery writing that was almost invisible but she had deciphered it.

  Studying the landscape, she pointed out a depression in the upper slope. “Was there a well there?” Josephine had never left New Orleans and her necklace wo
uld almost certainly have been hidden there—but Eva’s heart beat faster.

  In the water, by the water, in the garden.

  Luc eyed the depression then strolled over and hunkered down to run a hand across the grassy dip. “I don’t remember one, and I doubt as a child I could have left a well unexplored. But this depression looks too regular to be natural. Maybe there was. Why?”

  “It reminded me of something.” Her gaze strayed back to the bay. “Do we have time to go down to the beach?

  Luc nodded, and kept pace with her as they wandered down the hill. “I remember playing pirates here with Jack when we were children. Our ship would be anchored in the bay. One time, we dug under the tamarind tree for a whole afternoon, convinced pirates had hidden their treasure between its roots.”

  “Are you saying this land belonged to my ancestors?”

  “It might have. I don’t know but I can imagine your pirate anchoring his ship in this bay.”

  They stopped on a large, flat-topped boulder and looked at the water. Waves shushed up the sand, and a seabird dipped low into the water before it cleared the waves with a small fish in its beak.

  Luc jumped down three feet to the sand, turned and extended both hands to help her climb down. “Shall we?”

  Eva hesitated. Brushing against him earlier in the green tunnel, she had experienced a ridiculous desire to cast off caution and continue her accidental touching of his chest. Accepting further contact with her handsome neighbor was not a good idea. The memory of his hands on her body, sliding up her thigh, and curving beside her breast at their first meeting, was all too vivid. She shook her head. “I don’t think—”

  “I don’t bite, Eva.”

  He waited, hands at the ready while his eyes challenged her to make a small leap of faith. Did he offer courtesy, or seduction? Pleasant and helpful as he’d been, Eva didn’t trust him. He wanted her land, perhaps badly enough to pursue her for it. And Luc appealed on a primal level. His body drew hers like a magnet but she was determined to resist. Never again would she be duped by sweet talk.