Seeds of Love: Prequel to Lily in Bloom (2 page)

Her dress had highlighted every asset she had while being the perfect example of decorum. His hands could have easily spanned her tiny waist.

But as much as he wanted her, he had to keep his distance. First, he knew the Lafayettes. They were the aristocrats of America. Second, her father was interested in his ships. He knew that. And he wanted this contract. He would have to keep his hands and his eyes to himself tonight at dinner.

Besides, the other man was most likely her intended. He had heard him chastise her about clumsiness. His fingers clenched into a fist. They itched to land on the other man’s hawkish nose. In addition to the fact that it had completely been the dog’s fault, a woman like Miss Lafayette should be worshiped. That man was a fool.

SEEDS OF LOVE

CHAPTER TWO

Regina sat at
dinner, gritting her teeth. First of all, her younger sister, Clarissa, was making not-so-subtle eyes at James Carter. Secondly, her mother had sat her next to James, so she could not look at him without being completely obvious. Third, she was sitting across from Cousin Margaret, who was feeding her dogs at the table.

Because she couldn’t unclench her teeth, she had largely remained silent for the meal. This normally would have pleased Obediah, but tonight he was shooting glares in her direction.

She sighed to herself; she would have to make conversation with Margaret and the dogs. “Mrs. Stillwater, how was your journey?”

“Dreadful, the ocean is simply awful to travel upon and the weather here is beyond repugnant. How do you stand the cold, Obediah?”

James shifted in his seat and his knee brushed hers. A tingling sensation shot through her leg and she shuddered slightly. It was a delicious feeling but Obediah’s eyes narrowed at her movement.

That was the fourth reason she had remained silent. James’ presence next to her was completely and utterly distracting.

“I count the days until I can move to the South.” Obediah shook as if he were chilled.

“Move to the South?” Obediah had her full attention now. No one had mentioned leaving her family.

“Of course, dear.  You’ll live with me. I’ll need to see how Obediah is using my inheritance to build the next piece of your father’s business. Besides, it is a wife’s duty to go where her husband commands.” Margaret waved her fork, and the dog snapped at the meat as the fork went by.

Regina’s eyes sought her father’s. Was he really going to send her to live with Margaret and Obediah to build a southern shipping hub? It seemed a fate worse than death. His eyes met hers, but his face was an unreadable mask. Next her eyes traveled to her mother. Her look mirrored Regina’s feelings.

“I’ll want full reports, Obediah. And…” Margaret turned to her father, “some additional information on your business would be helpful. Truthfully, I expected your daughter to be of sturdier—”

Her father’s voice cut the conversation short. “We do not discuss these matters at the dinner table.”

Regina’s cheeks flamed with color. She was going to spend every day with this odious woman and her sniveling nephew.

“Before the gentlemen retire, I would request we all join the ladies in the music room. I would love for Regina to play the piano for all of you.” Her father’s voice did not hold a question. It was a command.

Clarissa, who had just turned seventeen, smiled at James. “Is it true you rescued my sister today?” She batted her eyelashes.

“I don’t know if I would call it a rescue, but I did break her fall.”

“How divine,” Clarissa murmured coyly. Regina instantly knew her sister was teasing her. Since Regina was so careful to follow the rules, her sister delighted in being outrageous. Her youngest sister, Macie, smirked and then quickly covered it with her napkin. She was also well aware of Clarissa’s antics.

“Felix will not come out of my room after the incident.” Margaret held her hand to her forehead, looking as though the world had ended. Regina, however, was thankful that one less dog had joined them for dinner.

Regina saw her mother give Clarissa a pointed glare. Regina wanted to hide in her chair. This dinner could not be anymore humiliating.

As dinner finished, James stood and pulled back Regina’s chair as she rose. It was a small gesture, but one of grace. Obediah often lacked them, and Regina appreciated it now.

Her fiancé came around the table and offered her his arm, which she accepted. His touch sent a different type of shiver skittering across her skin. It was not at all pleasant.

Regina smoothed her dress as she went to sit on the bench of the piano. She was rather fond of the gown. It was the perfect shade of blue to match her eyes. It fit her well and seemed to accentuate her tiny waist. It showed just a hint of cleavage, which was all her father would allow.

Her skirts rustled slightly as she settled herself on the piano bench. She flipped through the music as the group chattered and dogs barked. She wanted to pick the perfect piece. Her father often asked her to play at gatherings and she took great joy in it. She glanced at James. Would he like her playing? Finally, she settled on a light popular piece of music that suited the mood of the group. Obediah came to stand next to her. “Shall I turn the pages for you?”

“Please,” she murmured as her fingers perched over the keys. In truth, she barely needed the sheets of music. She knew the piece by heart.

She struck the keys and the music began to flow from her fingers. The happy notes jumped about the room and her sister Clarissa began to clap along. She was always eager for fun.

She couldn’t see James, but she could actually feel him moving closer as her fingers danced over the keys.

Obediah turned the pages, leaning in close to her every time he did. She felt his cheek brush her hair and she resisted the urge to pull away. Her sister stepped next to Obediah. Regina nearly missed a key when Clarissa’s hand rested on Obediah’s shoulder. Was Clarissa being outrageous again?

As the song began to crescendo, Margaret’s dogs started an ungodly howl. Whether they enjoyed the music or not, Regina couldn’t say, but their racket nearly drowned out the piano.

Halfheartedly, Regina finished the piece. The group clapped in a distracted manner; everyone was shooting curious glances at Margaret. The other woman hadn’t said a word.

Finally noticing the glances, Margaret cleared her throat. “They can’t abide the music, I don’t have any in my house.”

Regina stared at the woman. She absolutely could not live in a house without music. “Surely, you have a piano?”

“No, I do not.” Margaret stood and crossed the room to pour herself a glass of wine. The dogs followed.

Regina looked over to her mother and father. She needed to speak with them. Despair was rising inside of her. She simply could not marry Obediah. Neither parent made eye contact, their eyes were on Margaret, who had poured herself a liberal glass of wine.

Even Obediah was looking at Margaret. “Surely we can get Regina a piano while she lives at the house.”

Regina turned to her intended, slightly amazed. It was the first time he had spoken up on her behalf.

“I don’t think so,” she took a swig of her wine. “As I said, the dogs can’t abide it.”

Regina’s mouth hung open. It was as if this woman was attempting to make her as miserable as possible.

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.