Obediah did not respond and Regina felt her shoulders slump. Any hope she had for the future was dashed in that moment. Obediah wouldn’t even argue this simple matter on her behalf.
She stood from the piano, playing anymore seemed pointless. The men also rose to retire to the study.
James nodded to Regina, “It was a pleasure, Miss Lafayette.”
“Thank you again for your help today.” She gave him a small curtsey and then with a smile, he turned and left the room.
Margaret sat down with her wine, allowing one of the dogs to drink from her goblet. The animal splashed red liquid over the white settee Margaret was sitting on and Regina could see her mother stiffen.
“Should we get the dog a bowl?” her mother suggested. Clarissa stifled a giggle while Macie rolled her eyes. A bowl of wine for a dog was ridiculous.
“No, but thank you. He never drinks from bowls and besides, that would be far too much wine for him.” The dog continued lapping away.
After an hour spent in a similar fashion, Regina excused herself. She was exhausted and she wasn’t sure she could hold her tongue another second. She left the music room and started down the hall when she heard the soft click of a door.
She turned to see James coming down the hall. She froze, unsure of what to do. Her parents would not approve of them conversing alone but it was by pure chance.
He smiled as he caught sight of her. “Hello again.”
“Hello,” a blush was already creeping up her cheeks. “How was the meeting with Papa?”
“Very good, he is interested in buying my ships.” His grin spread from ear to ear. It only made him more handsome.
“How exciting for you.” She returned his smile.
He stepped near to her. “It is very kind of you to ask after me when your evening seemed rather tedious.”
She looked down at her feet. “It was fine—” she stopped as his finger gently touched her chin, tilting her face up to look at him. Her breath caught. His warm brown eyes were liquid pools of compassion.
“You can tell me. No one will know if you say to me how you really feel.” His hand came to her waist as he spoke, his other hand still tilting her chin.
She didn’t mean to, but her fingers reached up to brush his now smooth jaw. She remembered the stubble it had carried this morning. She had liked it. That had never occurred to her before today. “It was dreadful. Not just because of what happened tonight but because of the promise it holds for what is to come. Ten thousand nights like this one.” Her voice was a whisper.
His hand slid up her chin, his fingers skimming along her skin until it cupped her face. “What shall you do about it?” Shivers of pleasure raced along her skin. No man had ever touched her like this and if they had, she was absolutely certain it wouldn’t have felt this good.
She shook her head. “I don’t know what to do. My father will disown me if I disobey him.”
“Regina,” he leaned down and whispered close to her ear. “In all my life, I have never met a woman more beautiful than you.”
She could barely breathe and her eyes searched his to see if James was telling the truth. His stared unblinking back.
“There is no option that isn’t open to a woman such as yourself.”
“What do you mean?” Her hands rested on his chest. She almost pulled them back; it was so daring. Their light embrace, incredibly intimate.
He settled her a little closer. “I think you must answer that for yourself but when you do, I hope I will be the first person you tell.” His cheek brushed the top of her head.
She breathed in his scent, so masculine and clean. “I still don’t understand.”
He gave her waist a squeeze and then slowly stepped back. “I hope you will. Goodnight, Regina.” He turned to leave.
“I have one more question,” she called softly. He turned back to her. “If you will actually answer it.”
He chuckled, returning to her. “Fair enough. Ask and I will answer.”
Her hand came to her hip, her chin tilted up. She could feel his strength and there was something in him that made her feel treasured. It brought out a braveness in her she had never felt before. “I have not even known you a day. Why does it feel so comfortable to have you touch me?” Her hands came to her cheeks. It was an embarrassing question.
He stepped back to her. His hands came around her waist again pulling her close. Dropping his head close to her ear one more time he whispered hurriedly, “I should tell you that it is because I saved you. That I have touched you already. Your father could mean a great deal to my business and I should stay away from you but I will tell you the truth. We are drawn to each other.”
As soon as he said the words, Regina felt their truth. She closed her eyes and pictured being married to a man like James. Being held in strong arms. Cherished and treasured rather than what she felt with Obediah.
“I wish…” she let her words trail off. She couldn’t say it because she couldn’t marry James. The decision had already been made.
He sighed and stepped back, but the back of his fingers trailed across her cheek. “Find me when you are willing to finish that sentence.” Then he turned and left.
Regina stood there and watched him walk away. She remained long after the door had closed and he was gone.
What options did she have? Did any of them include him? Regina was the oldest daughter and had always done what the family asked of her but she wondered if she could really marry Obediah. What woud happen if she didn’t? Would she ever see her family again? Well, Obediah wanted to move her to Virginia where she was unlikely to see them anyway.
Regina started up the stairs and headed to her room. Her maid removed her gown and unpinned her hair.
“Will there be anything else, miss?”
“No, thank you. Good night, Mabel.” Regina sat at her dressing table. She put her hair in a simple braid and looked at her reflection. She turned her face from side to side, assessing her appearance.
James had called her beautiful. Actually, he had said she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She hadn’t really paid attention, but she supposed she was pleasing to look at. He was certainly handsome. He sent her heart racing every time she looked at him.
Her mother stepped into the room. “Regina,” the other woman’s voice held worry.
Regina stood and crossed the room. Her mother held her arms out to her and she stepped into them. “Oh, Mama.”
“I know.” They held each other.
“What is to be done about it now?” Regina’s voice caught as she spoke.
“You aren’t married yet. The announcements haven’t even gone out. We will fix this. We have to.”
“Oh Mother, please. I beg you. I can’t love Obediah. I don’t even like him.” Regina felt tears prick her eyes.
“I know. I don’t think there is a less lovable man in the whole of the country.” Her mother shook her head.
“But Papa,” Regina started but paused as her father walked into the room.
“What is wrong with the two of you?” His eyes traveled up and down the two of them embracing.
“We were discussing Obediah and his dear cousin, Margaret.” Her mother straightened her shoulders.
“What about them?” He straightened as well. Battle lines were being drawn. Regina’s parents loved each other, but they could disagree terribly. Usually, Regina was the peacemaker.
“They are odious. And Obediah is even worse with her here. And he plans to move our daughter in with them both. It can’t be done.”
“It has to be done. Contracts are being signed. Agreements have been made.”
“Our daughter is not a business deal. She is a person and her happiness matters.”
“I have given my word, I won’t go back on it.” Her father’s voice was rising.
“You will. My daughter will not marry that man.” Her mother was now nose to nose with her father.
“It is my right to arrange a match for
my daughter.”
“It was my father’s right as well. But that didn’t stop me from marrying you instead. He was wrong. I was right. Look at the life you have built for us.”
“And I wish to continue that life for us through this match.”
“Obediah will never be what you are, no matter how smart he his. He won’t even stand up to his cousin, who now wants to look at your books. Don’t think I didn’t catch that. He will never sit atop a great empire. Once you are gone, it will crumble in his hands.”
Her father threw up his hands and stomped out of the room. Regina’s mother followed, continuing her tirade. Regina realized that her hands were clutching her nightgown at her neck. She slowly relaxed them. Was this one of the options James had talked about? Somehow, she didn’t think so.
He had said she was beautiful. She knew her family was wealthy. But without her father’s approval, her wealth didn’t mean much. She had breeding. Her maiden name would lend a man credibility.
She had love to give as well. James’ face rose in her mind. The feel of his strong arms around her.
Was he one of the options? That made her smile and she realized it was the first real smile she could remember in weeks.
He had said that he should be the first one she told. While she couldn’t imagine telling her father all of this she could picture being held in James’ arms in vivid detail. Was that enough for her to defy her father’s wishes?
SEEDS OF LOVE
CHAPTER THREE
Regina hurried down to breakfast the next morning, anxious to hear what decision her parents had made. Her skirts billowed behind her as she rounded the corner to the dining room. She stopped abruptly at the sight of Obediah and her father deep in conversation. Her mother sat stiffly at the other end of the table.
Her mother had lost the discussion, that much was obvious. Regina’s shoulders slumped. Obediah stood and came around the table. “Stand up straight, Regina. You are far prettier when you don’t slouch.”
“Good morning, Obediah. It is always a pleasure.” She walked past him to take her seat at the table. She glanced at her father, who was staring absently at her.
Regina picked at her food as her father and Obediah reviewed the prospective costs of their South Carolina-based business.
Clarissa flounced into the room and grinned at Obediah as she took her seat. “Are you two talking about business again?” She pouted her lips as she heaped food onto her plate.
Regina watched in fascination as Obediah pushed the papers away from him and smiled at her sister. “Too true.”
Regina cocked an eyebrow. Had she said that, Obediah would have surely chastised her for interrupting. Or he would have said she didn’t understand the importance of what they were doing.
She took a few more bites of her food. Perhaps Obediah was as unhappy marrying her as she was him. There must be another way.
“Regina, let’s go shopping this morning. Shall we?” Her mother gave her a stiff smile.
“Of course,” she replied. Time away from the house would help clear her head.
“Oh I want to come too,” Clarissa called from her chair.
“Not today, dear,” her mother stated but her father’s sharp eyes rose from the paper he was looking at.
“We’ll leave after tea. If you’ll excuse me, I have some correspondence to attend to.” Her mother rose from the table.
Regina nodded. She took a final bite of her food and then she too stood to leave the table.
“Regina, I want to talk to you later,” her father called as she parted.
“Yes, Papa.” Regina sighed. Those were never fun conversations.
Two hours later, she and her mother stopped for a bite to eat after two hours of trying on dresses in stores. It wasn’t that Regina didn’t like to look pretty. She did. She just normally found staring at endless bolts of fabric rather tedious. But it hadn’t been like that today. Today she had pondered how each matched her eyes or the color of her skin. Did it complement her hair? Would James Carter think it attractive on her?
She blushed as tea and cakes arrived for her and her mother. She must stop thinking about him. Her father wouldn’t bend and she just couldn’t go against his wishes.
As if he materialized from her mind, Regina looked up to see James stride through the door. He looked so handsome and strong. Several ladies smiled at him as he passed and Regina felt niggles of jealousy rise in her chest. She shook her head. She couldn’t think like that. James was not hers.
His eyes caught hers and he approached their table. Regina found herself breathing rapidly. As he reached the table, her mother stood in greeting and she followed suit.
“Lovely to see you, ladies.” He smiled at both of them, his eyes lingering on Regina. She blushed in response.
“Please join us,” her mother offered.
Regina’s eyebrows went up. Her mother didn’t seem at all surprised to see James.
“Thank you, Mrs. Lafayette.” He took the empty chair, and everyone sat.
“What will you do while you stay in town?” her mother asked.
“I will conduct business as needed and then return to Maine.”
“How long will that be?”
“Perhaps a week.” He shrugged.
“That soon.” Regina spoke before she could hold it in and she clamped her lips together. It was unlike her to speak so rashly.
He gave her a warm look. “My business does best when I am there to run it.”
“Of course.”
“If you are not leaving till next week, you must join us at Senator Graham’s ball tomorrow night. There will be lots of perspective clients for you and I know my family would love to have you in attendance.”
“Oh, I couldn’t—“ he started.
“Don’t be silly. You will be my personal guest. The senator won’t mind at all.” Her mother gave James a bright smile. “Come to the house by six and we shall all travel together.”
James nodded and Regina’s insides did a funny flop. Would he ask her to dance? She imagined what it would be like to be held in his arms on the dance floor.
James’ voice snapped her out of her daydream, “Perhaps I will see you later this afternoon.”
“What?” Regina looked blankly at him. She had clearly missed some of the conversation.
“I am meeting with your father today.” He gave her a patient smile.
“Perhaps,” she whispered a slight flush staining her cheeks. She did not normally see her father’s business guests but somehow she would find a way to see James later today.
His knee gently brushed against her own. Jitters skittered all over her skin. Her mother cleared her throat. “Do you like Maine, Mr. Carter?”
“Very much. We live just south of Portland, so not too far from the city. But we are right on the ocean. The house is just on a bay and we have an amazing view of the water.”
“It sounds lovely.” Regina beamed. She had always loved their trips to the water. They were some of her favorite times. While she enjoyed New York, she had always preferred the quiet of the country.
“You like the ocean?” His gaze was intent upon her.
“Very much. Sometimes, the only sound you hear is the rushing of the waves. It drowns out every noise and then it is just you and your thoughts.” Regina bit her lip. “But I don’t need to tell you about the ocean.”
His gaze was unwavering. “Your voice, your thoughts are unique. I have felt that way about the ocean too but never expressed it so eloquently. Thank you for sharing.”
She gave a single nod, and as she looked up, she caught her mother smiling softly. “Regina has always been happier with a quieter life. Much as I will miss her in New York, I know she will enjoy being out of the city.”
“And down in South Carolina?” James added leaning back in his chair.
“That remains to be seen.”
Regina nearly choked on her cake. To be so obvious was not usually her mother’s way.
It was not lost on James either. His eyebrows rose but he did not comment. Instead, he pushed back his chair. “Ladies, this was a wonderful treat, but if you will excuse me, I have a meeting I must attend before I travel to your home. But, perhaps I will see you later.”
They stood as he stood and Regina watched his broad back as it headed for the door. Suddenly, it occurred to her that James had ordered nothing. “How curious. He came into the restaurant but had nothing to eat or drink. Why was he here?”
“Curious,” her mother repeated and sat down to eat her cake.
Three hours later, Regina lurked in the music room. There was no other word for it. She had tried to play a few times. She couldn’t concentrate. She had tried standing by the door to watch her father’s study, but it felt strange. She had opened a book but snapped it closed again.
James had been in her father’s study for the better part of an hour. Her hands fluttered to her chest as she wondered how much longer until he came out. She turned back to the window when she heard the door to her father’s study open.
She raced to the entrance of the music room, peeking her head out. Her father faced away from her but James was looking in her direction and their eyes locked for a split second before he turned his focus back on her father.
“I am looking forward to doing more business with you.” Her father reached out to shake James’ hand.
“As am I,” James’ masculine rumble sent excitement racing through her.
“I trust you can see yourself out.” Her father turned back into his study as James headed for the door.
Regina let out a breath of disappointment. But as her father’s door closed she simultaneously stepped from the music room as James turned back around.
Regina gave him a glowing smile as he approached and he quickly moved down the hall. His hand came to her back and he ushered her back into the privacy of the music room.
James returned her smile and his other arm came around her waist. His face dropped so that it was next to her ear. “Perhaps?”
She gave a soft giggle, not wanting to be heard. Her hands rested on his chest. She wanted to slip them over his broad shoulders and around his neck, but she didn’t dare be that bold. “I was in front of my mother. I didn’t want to be too obvious. I should have stayed away, I just…” she stopped talking, afraid to reveal too much.
Seeds of Love: Prequel to Lily in Bloom Page 2
