Seeds of Love: Prequel to Lily in Bloom (10 page)

“He is talking about Charles, James. My family will be ripped to pieces if that happens and so will you and Charles. We have to stop this,” she whispered.

“I will convince your father. I have to go home and get these contracts I have procured started. I have men counting on me for work and,” he gave her a soft smile, “a soon-to-be wife I need to take care of. But I will come back in a week and convince your father that I am the man you should marry.”

“I don’t want to wait that long. My father can be tricky, he is stubborn about getting his way.”

“Regina, he will not marry you off in a week. I promise to take care of it.” His hand touched hers. She sighed inwardly. Apparently James could be as stubborn as her father. Well, she was finding her own stubborn streak and she was not going to wait for either of them to act. She knew what she had to do.

Over the course of the next three days, Regina began stashing clothes in a sheet. Nothing fancy. She packed serviceable clothing only. James visited her every day. She knew he was worried by her silence but she couldn’t help it. If she told him what she was planning, he might try to stop her and she wouldn’t have that. It was going to be her way now.

He came on Wednesday and instead of inviting him into the library, she brought him to the music room. She played several pieces of music on the piano to avoid talking. Finally, his hands covered hers on the key board. “You are angry with me.”

“No, I’m not.”

“You still want to marry me?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Then why do you grow more silent with each passing day?”

Regina looked into his eyes. “Now is not the time for words. It is the time for action.”

His pierced back into hers, “What do you mean?”

“Regina,” her mother called. “We must leave for tea soon.”

“When does your ship sail?” She could only hope it was later. That would make it easier.

“Ten tonight, so that we might catch the tide.”

“When will you return?” She looked away then.

“A week from today. Try not to worry.” His hand brushed hers.

She grabbed both his hands and gave them a squeeze. “I’m not worried. Have a safe journey.”

“Regina, you will wait for me won’t you?” Worry tinged his voice.

“I’ll marry no one else, I swear it.”

He smiled then, relief relaxing his face.

He left shortly after and Regina went to tea with her mother. She ate dinner with her family and played the piano before retiring at eight o’clock.

Her maid helped her undress and then braided her hair. Regina dismissed her saying she was tired. Quickly, she shimmied into a pair of breeches and a shirt she snitched from the stable that must have belonged to one of the stable boys. Regina crammed a hat on top of her head. She fastened the bundle of clothes around her back and headed out onto the balcony. She climbed down the lattice, finding it exceedingly easy in the pants. She headed for the back alley, nerves fluttering in her chest. She had written to a hansom company, offering a double wage to have a carriage waiting for her. If it wasn’t there, she would have to try to flag one on the street. She didn’t want to miss the boat.

She breathed a sigh of relief when the carriage stood waiting at the back gate. She handed the driver the normal wage. “I’ll give you the rest when we reach the docks.”

He gave her a suspicious look. She had tucked her hair in her shirt and pulled the hat low but he must still suspect she was a woman. But she climbed in, and he snapped the reins.

They reached the boat in less than fifteen minutes and she handed the driver the rest of her fare. Now she needed to get on the ship unseen.

She climbed up the plank just behind four other sailors. The ship was a bustle of activity with cargo being loaded and sails being rigged. It was far easier than Regina expected to slip through the crowd. No one noticed one small woman dressed as a boy.

She saw James standing, talking with the captain. Her heart fluttered wildly. What would he do when he found out he had a stowaway? The question now was where to hide? She stood out of the way and watched the scene for fifteen minutes before one of the sailors called. “Take that there to Mr. Carter’s quarters.”

Regina smiled to herself. She knew exactly where to hide. She followed the men at a distance and watched as they brought the small crate below deck and then to a room at the end of the hall. She doubled back down to other end of the hallway and pressed herself against the wall to not be seen until they left. Then she zipped towards his room closing herself in the darkness.

Fumbling around, she found a candle and lit it, casting a soft glow. She took a breath and then sat on the bed. There was a wardrobe against the far wall. She walked the path back and forth to it. If someone came she would blow out the candle and hide in the large piece.

Regina heard the sails unfurl and felt the boat begin its journey out to sea. Her own body jumped with anticipation. She removed the hat and pulled out her hair. She unplaited the mass, shaking it out around her shoulders. She took a deep breath and stripped off her clothing, folding it neatly in a pile. Then she slipped beneath the covers.

It felt like an eternity passed but she finally heard footsteps in the hall. She blew out the candle and lay silently in the bed. It took several minutes but finally the steps neared the door and she heard it creak open and then softly close.

It hadn’t occurred to her until that very minute that it could be someone other than James. The flint struck and the candle was relit. Regina felt a rush of relief as his profile came into view. She lay there for a moment just looking at him. She would never tire of his features. She had no idea if she should alert him of her presence. What if she frightened him?

As if he could sense her thoughts, his head turned towards the bed. His eyes found hers and grew wide at the sight of her. She had the covers pulled just over her breasts but her shoulders and arms were bare.

“Regina?” he breathed out in a ragged whisper.

“Hello,” she gave him a glowing smile.

“But your father, he…”

“This isn’t about him. I don’t want to wait. I want you to kiss me.”

“I should take you back,” he started even as his eyes roamed all over her.

“It’s too late. Now he will never trust me again. I’ve made my choice.” Regina reached out her arms to him. He looked at her for the briefest second and then he moved towards the bed in one motion.

His arms pressed on either side of the mattress, pinning the covers on both sides of her. His lips came down on hers in a fierce, yet gentle kiss. She lifted her chin, to meet him and he slanted her lips open, teasing her tongue with his.

Sensation shot through her body as she let out a gasp and wound her arms around his neck. He gathered her closer, lifting her off the mattress.

His lips left hers and began to pepper kisses all over her face and down her neck. Tiny bursts of sensation travelled through her body as his lips blazed a trail down her chest. When he took a nipple in his mouth, she moaned and pressed closer.

“Regina, we should stop but I simply…” he said and for a moment Regina feared he would stop. He set her back down on the mattress but her protest died on her lips as he shrugged off his shirt and then gathered her in his arms again.

His lips found hers again as he gently pulled the covers down her body. His hands touched her shoulders then slid over her breasts, teasing them until she felt faint. Then his fingertips brushed down her abdomen until they settled in the soft juncture of curls.

The gentle touch of his fingertips made her moan again and arch in desire as waves of pleasure rippled throughout her entire body. “Ooohh,” she breathed.

He smiled against her lips but his fingers continued their ministrations until Regina was sure she would explode from the pleasure.

James stopped and Regina groaned in protest. He gave a small chuckle. “Not to worry, my love.” Then he stood and stripped off his pants.

Regina’s eyes widened at the sight of him naked. A sudden flutter of nerves filled her chest. “I…I’m…I’ve…” she tried to speak but failed.

He climbed into the bed next to her, gathering her in his arms. The feel of his skin against her own sent delicious shivers along her skin. His lips gently kissed hers. “You are mine now, Regina. Don’t be afraid.”

“I’m not. I’m ready.” She meant it. She wanted to be his in every sense of the word.

She wound her arms around his neck and he rolled her onto her back, settling between her legs. Slowly he pushed her folds open and then thrust inside her with one quick motion.

Pain burst through her lower regions and she gave a whimper. James gathered her closer, kissing her face. “I am so sorry, my love.” He stayed stock still but Regina could feel his body taut as a bow waiting to release an arrow.

She took a few deep breaths, “I am all right.” She kissed his lips.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

She nodded and he began to move slowly inside of her. The pain subsided and a deep pleasure replaced it. She moaned as she held him closer.

“Regina,” he groaned out as she gasped in aching need.

“Don’t stop,” she pulled him even closer, meeting each thrust. The pleasure continued to build inside of her until Regina felt she might burst from the joy of it. Finally, they both fell over the edge.

Regina lay panting in James’ arms. He gathered her tightly to him. “I love you, Regina Lafayette.”

She snuggled her face into the crook of his neck. She had never felt closer to another human being. “And I love you, James Carter.” She giggled. “The only question is when do I become Regina Carter? You do plan to make an honest woman of me don’t you?”

He chuckled. “Your father is certain to hunt me down either way but I best marry you so that he doesn’t murder me. I think we can have the captain take care of that tomorrow.”

“Oh, how wonderful! Marrying on the
Four Winds
is a perfect idea.” She kissed his nose, his cheeks, and his chin.

“And then, my love, we will never have to be apart again.”

She exhaled, sinking into his arms. That sounded heavenly.

SEEDS OF LOVE

CHAPTER NINE

The wedding was
everything she could have hoped for. She looked into James’ eyes in the evening sun, feeling like the luckiest woman who had ever lived.

When the ceremony was over, they stood at the rail and watched the waves in the setting sun. Just as it was about to get dark, land could be seen on the horizon. The boat cut towards the shore and Regina gasped as the pristine beach came into view. Up on a cliff stood a proud two-story house, surrounded by forest. “There it is,” he pointed.

Regina held her breath, “It is everything I ever dreamed of.” She gave him a glowing smile.

“Since the moment I met you, I knew you were perfect for me.”

“That is so strange, I felt the same.”

“Let’s go home.”

As the boat docked, James swung her into his arms, carrying her up a long winding trail to the house.

She barely noticed as he kissed her all the way up the path.

He swung open the front door and four staff members stood at attention. “Hello, sir,” the housekeeper greeted him cheerfully. Her glance flitted across Regina, surprise lighting her eyes.