Seeds of Love: Prequel to Lily in Bloom (7 page)

“You are right. Our marriage would have been a disaster. I could never have been married to you.” He spit the words.

“That is just fine with me.” She stomped her foot then crossed her arms. She was acting a bit like Abigail but she couldn’t care. It felt so good to vent her frustration.

“That is enough Regina,” her father spoke from the doorway. “Obediah, I hope we will continue to have a good working relationship.”

“If you want us to continue to have a relationship then why—”

Her father’s voice boomed from the doorway. “I will not tolerate cruelness towards my daughter.” Her father stopped speaking. He took a deep breath. “Now if you will excuse us, my family and I have some things to discuss.” Her father’s voice held a finality that few men could argue with.

Obediah gave them all a final glare before he stomped towards the door.

Her father walked into the room and threw himself into a chair. “Are you thinking of marrying him, Clarissa?”

“He didn’t even say goodbye or look at me for that matter. He only cared about Regina.” Her sister sniffed. “No, I have no intention of marrying him.”

“Thank goodness.” Her father sighed.

Her mother cleared her throat. Her father glanced up at her and a small smile touched his lips. “Go ahead, dear. Tell me that you were right all along.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Her mother’s smile was soft. “But now we must discuss Regina’s future.  At nearly twenty, she must marry soon.”

“Are you proposing anyone?”

“James Carter.” Her mother sat a little straighter. So did Regina.

Her father shook his head. “While he knows something about the import and export business, I cannot see him running a great company like this.”

Regina would not sit idly by for this discussion. “I think he can do whatever he sets his mind to but why does he have to take over this business?”

Her father’s eyebrows rose until they nearly touched his hair line. “He can, can he?”

She straightened her shoulders. “Yes. But why do you want him to?”

“Someone has to Regina. I would like to remind you that you have only known Mr. Carter for a few days. How do you know his feeling are genuine? He could just be trying to capture an heiress.”

Regina took a breath. “I just know. But, I will offer up some proof. Did you see him asking any other ladies to dance at last night’s ball?”

Her father gave her a level stare. “No. Only you.”

“He spent the entire night talking to men who might be interested in buying his ships. If he were wooing heiresses he would have spent the night dancing with them. And if he thought my money was the answer to his business then he would have been giving me his attention instead of his ships.”

Her father’s mouth hung slightly ajar. “I must admit, you make a compelling argument. And I have to agree with you. He appears to be a man committed to making a success of himself with his own merits.

“Will you allow him to court me?” Hope fluttered in Regina’s chest.

“I will think on it.”

“Who will court me?” Clarissa pouted. “I am seventeen with no prospects.” Her sister gave a decided sob.

Regina got up and crossed the room to wrap her arms around her sister. Clarissa looked up at her with eyes so like her own. “I am so sorry. I am sure someone exceptional is waiting just around the corner.”

Clarissa gave her a watery smile. “Do you really think so?”

“I do.”

Their father interrupted, “When Mr. Carter comes tomorrow, I would like to speak with him first and then you are both to stay in plain sight. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Papa,” Regina nodded but her insides jittered with excitement and hope.

Regina paced around all that day and could barely sleep that night. She desperately wanted to see James again.

The next morning she was up with the sun. She spent in inordinate amount of time dressing and admired the lovely grey-blue gown she had finally chosen. It made her blue eyes appear like the sea when storm clouds rolled in, which was fitting since she felt like a storm was brewing inside of her. A nervous energy filled her every move. She was sure she would only rest when she was in James’ arms.

The morning dragged by and Regina paced in the library. She glanced at the large grandfather clock to see that it was just before ten. Calling hours would begin in a few minutes but how long would she have to wait.

At promptly ten o’clock, the front bell chimed. Regina jumped and turned towards the library doors. Her father’s study opened and she watched as he passed down the hall.

“Good day, Mr. Carter,” her father’s voice called smoothly.

“And to you, Mr. Lafayette,” she heard James return.

Regina held her breath. What would her father say?

***

James stared at the man he hoped would be his father-in-law. This meeting was perhaps the most important of his life. He somehow had to convince Mr. Lafayette that Regina should be his wife. He could clearly see where the man was coming from. He had only known Regina for a few days. But holding her in his arms, looking into her eyes, something had shifted inside him. He had fallen in love in that instant.

Mr. Lafayette was likely to be skeptical. His daughter was an heiress while he was a fledgling business owner.

“Son, step into my office. I have a few things I would like to discuss.”

“Of course.” James inclined his head and followed the other man towards his study.

Mr. Lafayette clicked the door closed behind him and directed James to take a seat. James did, though he would have much rather paced around the room. He forced himself to be still. This room was one of the most beautiful he had ever seen. It spoke of power and wealth with its rich perfectly polished mahogany.

The older man seated himself behind his massive desk. James hadn’t noticed before that Regina’s eyes came from her father.

“I would like to get right down to the point and ask what your intentions are towards my daughter.”

“My intention is to marry her, sir.” James cleared his throat.

The other man gave him a long look. “What is it about Regina that has made you decide so quickly?”

James cleared his throat again. He had not anticipated how difficult this would be. “I am not sure what invisible force initially drew me to your daughter but I can tell you that everything about her reaffirms that feeling. She is the kindest, most selfless, beautiful woman I’ve ever met. She brings out in me the need….” He stopped, afraid he was saying too much.

“Go on, son.” Her father gave him a little jerk of his chin.

“The need to protect her and keep her safe. I don’t care about her inheritance. I will provide for her. I will make a success of my business. I just…” He stopped again.

“I understand. And I will consider your offer of marriage. I appreciate your candor. Regina is waiting for you in the library.”

“Thank you, sir.” James stood and turned to leave.

“James,” Mr. Lafayette called. “Whatever happens with Regina, the contract for the boats stands.”

James nodded and opened the door. He closed it behind him and then moved down the hall to the library. Regina stood in the middle of the room with her hands clasped in front of her. She looked terribly nervous. Every line in her body was taut.

She also looked stunning. Her blond hair was pulled loosely from her face elaborately twisted and curled. He would love to see that hair hanging down her back. Her blue eyes pierced his heart while her soft full lips begged to be kissed again. Every time he saw her, he grew more certain that she must be his.

“How did it go?” Her voice was tense and she bit her lip.

“Well, I think. He is considering my offer of marriage.” He stepped close and clasped her hands. She wasn’t wearing gloves and her fingers were so soft to the touch. His thumbs rubbed the back of her hands. “But I told him that I didn’t want your dowry. I meant it. We may have to live simply for a few years.”

“I don’t care about that. I don’t need dresses or parties. I only want—” she looked up into his eyes. He lost himself in that blue gaze. “You,” she finished.

“We will find a way.” He gave her hands a gentle squeeze. “Let’s sit.”

They sat next to each other on the settee. “Tell me about your home in Maine.”

“It will be yours too.” His thumb brushed her cheek. He couldn’t seem to resist touching her. “I already told you we sit on a bay. The house is up on a cliff overlooking the ocean. You can see the water from almost every room.”

Her eyes lit, “Is that where we will live?”

He gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Of course. I’ve only finished constructing the interior of half the house but it will be more than enough room for us. We’ll finish it soon.”

She waved his comment away. “What do you see out the windows that don’t face the ocean?”

He grinned. “The forest.”

She inhaled as if she were breathing fresh air. “I have always preferred that to the city. You can hardly take a breath here some days.”

He laughed, “I agree. My friend, who joins us tomorrow, Charles, has always preferred the city. I could never understand it myself.”

“What does your friend do?”

“Should I be jealous?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her to show he was teasing.

“You know you should not.” She rolled her eyes.

“He’s going to Harvard Business School. But he was my friend and neighbor in Kennebunk.”

“I cannot wait to meet him.”

“It will be wonderful.” He gave her another squeeze. “I have to go Regina. I have much to finish before I leave New York but I will see you tomorrow, my love.”

“Of course.” Regret tinged her face, he could see it. He consoled himself that they would see each other every day soon enough but he hated to leave her. He was torn between spending time with her and proving to her father he could be a success.

“I will be here at eleven o’clock to retrieve you and your sister.” His hands clasped hers as her large eyes searched his. James longed to kiss her lips, to pull her in his lap and tell her everything would be all right. “Don’t worry.”

“I won’t.” She gave him a smile. He knew he shouldn’t but he leaned over and placed a light kiss on her lips. A jolt shot through him, tightening every muscle in his body as her lips responded to the light touch. They clung to his as he slowly pulled away. It took every ounce of his strength not to dip his head back down and taste her lips again.

As he looked into her eyes, he knew without a doubt that he would make Regina Lafayette his own.

SEEDS OF LOVE

CHAPTER SEVEN

Regina and Clarissa
stood in a room at the top of the stairs. Clarissa had assured her that it was far better to make an entrance and keep the gentlemen waiting.

Shaking her head, Regina did as her sister bade her. Clarissa had always been bolder and more flirtatious than Regina. Except when it came to James. With him she wanted to hurl herself into his arms and forget the consequences.

They heard the front door chime and both girls jumped. “Steady,” Clarissa murmured. Regina looked at her sister. She was lovely. She had been chubbier as a child but somehow, she was transforming into a beautiful woman. “I hope he is handsome.”