Seeds of Love: Prequel to Lily in Bloom (5 page)

“I like them both fine but tonight is about my business. I must use this opportunity to secure more contracts if I am to build a successful ship building company.” He patted her hand. “Your mother did me a great service tonight.”

“Of course,” Regina nodded, a little disappointed. Her plan required time with James.

As they stepped inside, her father called James over to a group of men, he said his goodbyes and then left to speak with them.

Regina took a deep breath. Obediah stepped up next to her. “Would you do me the honor of the first dance?”

“That would be lovely.” She attempted to mask her disappointment as she took Obediah’s hand.

Three hours later, Regina was worn out from dancing with a parade of men. She had seen neither James nor Obediah in hours. While she cared not about the latter she had desperately wanted to see the former. With that in mind, she set out to find James.

She searched several of the party rooms and then peeked into the library and the study, though hushed voices of men and women had her closing the door again quietly. Finally she stepped out onto the veranda.

She stood, allowing the night air to caress and cool her skin. She had told her mother that she was looking for Clarissa, who had also been gone most of the evening. She would have to head back in soon but she would delay as long as possible. Every eligible man hoped to match with her family. As the oldest sister, she was most likely so they pestered her all evening. She would take advantage of this reprieve for as long as she could.

“Hello,” James’ voice whispered softly behind her.

A smile spread across her entire face. She turned and stepped toward him, snaking her arms around his neck. “Hello.”

His hands came around her waist. He pulled her towards him. “Did you miss me this evening?”

“Very much. Has it been successful?”

“I believe it has.”

“That is wonderful news!” Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she bounced slightly.

“Regina,” he breathed. “Do you know how many women would have been angry with me instead of happy for me? Do you always think of other people’s feelings?” His fingers came up to caress her cheek.

“I hadn’t really thought about it. It is important for you. Why wouldn’t that make me happy?”

“How am I going to make you mine? The very things that make you so stunning, keep you at your family’s side.”

“Kiss me,” her eyes dropped to his mouth as she spoke, her heart fluttering in her chest. She knew once his lips claimed hers that he would claim her very soul, that she would have to defy her father. This was her plan.

Ever so slowly, his head bent down until his lips almost touched hers. Her eyes closed and softly, his mouth met her own. Regina gasped at the feel of it, so soft and exciting.

His lips touched hers again and again. Pulling him closer, Regina met each kiss eagerly until he slanted her lips open and his tongue gently probed into her mouth. Heat raced through her body and Regina attempted to move closer still as their mouths locked together.

His hands roamed up and down her back. His lips broke from her mouth to begin trailing kisses down her neck. “Tell me you are mine, Regina. From the moment your eyes met mine I knew that you were meant to be mine.”

Shivers ran across her skin, “Yes, I am yours. Are you mine?”

“Always.” His lips found hers again.

“What should we do? My mother is trying to reason with my father, it isn’t working.”

“Whatever we do, it has to be your plan, Regina. I can’t suggest you distance your family.”

Regina pulled her lips away from his. He was right. She was running the risk of never speaking to her father again. He was being pigheaded but that was beside the point. It was her decision to make and she had to be decisive and strong. If James was going to be hers, she would have to defy her father for the first time in her life.

“I don’t think I can reason with him. My mother has been trying…” She bit her lip.

“He thinks Obediah is part of the future for your family.”

Regina shook her head, “It’s more than that. Obediah loves Clarissa, he could marry her. But my father won’t listen. He…” she paused. “We will have to run away.” The words sounded strange but she could feel her own resolve.

His knuckles brushed across her cheek. “You are probably right but I would like to try speaking with him first. I don’t want to ruin my relationship with my future father-in-law.”

Regina grinned at his statement.

“Let’s head inside, I haven’t gotten to dance with the most beautiful woman here.” His arm held her waist firm as he moved her back inside towards the dance floor.

SEEDS OF LOVE

CHAPTER FIVE

Regina woke up
the next morning still dancing. It had been the most wonderful dance of her life. She floated down the stairs and into the dining room.

Her father and her mother sat quietly talking but her mother gave her a large grin as she walked into the room.

“Tell her what we are doing today.” Her mother poked her father.

“You are getting her hopes up.”

“Posh, things will work out as they should. Just tell her.”

“Mr. Carter has invited us along with some other potential customers to go for a sail.”

Regina felt her insides jump. “How wonderful.”

“Papa, did you say we are going sailing?” Clarissa bopped into the room with Macie hot on her heels.

“Yes dear, but we are leaving shortly. It will be brisk on the water so change into something more serviceable.”

The girls sat down to eat. Excitement thrummed through her as she tried to force some food into her stomach. Would James talk to her father today?

An hour later, the Lafayette family stood on the docks. Regina looked up at James’ boat. The name
Four Winds
was painted on the side. It was a majestic ship and the sight of it sent her pulse racing. James stepped up to the rail and waved down to them. Regina’s heart nearly beat out of her chest. He looked so masculine standing there, his brown hair blowing softly in the breeze.

She waved back, her cheeks filling with color. Suddenly, a woman stepped up next to him. She was attractive and well dressed. She put her hand on his upper arm and he leaned down to hear what she said. Regina could see her rise slightly to speak in his ear.

Jealousy rose like bile in her chest. “Come on Regi, you’ll miss the boat!” Macie called, using her pet name for her sister.

Regina trailed behind them, her excitement having turned to dread. She had kissed him last night, he had said he wanted to marry her, and now he was standing at the rail with another woman.

A hand at her back caused her to turn. Obediah stood behind her. “Why don’t you move a little faster?” He scrunched his face like he was smelling something terrible.

“I will move as I please. Take your hand from my back.” An anger Regina had never allowed to surface before was bubbling over. She couldn’t keep it inside. His hand dropped from her back and he said nothing further. She began stomping up the gangplank to the deck of the ship.

At the top of the plank her family stood waiting, James beside them. The brunette from the rail sauntered up next to him and snaked her hand through his elbow. James gave her a fleeting frown before he turned to say hello. “Thank you all for coming. Miss Lafayette, lovely to see you again.”

She dipped into a brief curtsey without making eye contact. She didn’t want him to see her feelings until she had sorted through them. Wild thoughts were running through her mind. Was this woman the reason she had barely seen him at the party? Was he courting her too? While he had never shown his affection for Regina publicly, he now stood arm and arm with this pretty woman.

“Thank you for having us, Mr. Carter.” Her father’s eyes skimmed over James and this other woman.

James stood a little taller. Regina could feel James’ eyes on her but still refused to make eye contact. “Thank you for coming.”

Another man joined the group. “There you are Abigail.”

“May I introduce Mr. Abbot Worthy. He is visiting from South Carolina with his daughter, Miss Worthy.” James’ face was stiff but his tone was pleasant.

“Pleased to meet you.” Her father shook his hand, introducing all of them. Then he turned back to James. “I must ask for the full tour. The deck of this boat is stunning.”

“Of course. Mr. Worthy, would you care to join us?”

“It would be my pleasure. Abigail, I am sure these fine ladies will keep you company.”

“Yes, Papa.” Her southern drawl sounded like warm honey. She was buxom with glossy dark curls artfully arranged around her porcelain face. Regina hated her.

As the men walked off, Abigail sidled up next to Regina. “My, isn’t he a vision? If I weren’t so cold, I would fan myself.”

“Have you known Mr. Carter long?” Regina tried to keep her tone neutral.

“I just met him last night at the ball.”

Relief flooded Regina’s chest. She gave the woman a sidelong glance. She had never attempted to weedle information out of another person but today was full of firsts. “He is a divine dancer.”

Regina saw the other woman’s face pinch with irritation and Regina ducked her head to hide her smile. They hadn’t danced.

Abigail wasn’t finished. “I suppose I will find out when he joins us tomorrow evening. It is just an intimate gathering but Papa has hired a lovely seven-piece orchestra to play.” Abigail shot her a glowing smile.

“Regina, let us walk about the deck,” her mother called.

Regina began walking and Abigail matched her pace. Teeth gritted, Regina attempted to admire the harbor as they made their way towards the open ocean. Macie trailed behind them but Obediah and Clarissa were nowhere to be seen.

“Did you see how broad his shoulders are and his arms are so very strong. How did he get so strong?”

“He builds ships. I’m sure it builds a man’s physique.”

“How do you know Mr. Carter?”

“Much like you, my father is interested in his ships but he did stop me from falling on the docks. It sounds silly, but it was quite heroic.”

“Oohhh, I think it sounds very heroic.” She bounced a little as she spoke. Regina was barely twenty but Abigail seemed so young to her. Younger even than Clarissa. Some might think Clarissa was youthfully impulsive but Regina knew that it was her sister’s way of getting what she wanted.

“Yes, I suppose it does,” Regina murmured.

“I bet being married to a ship builder would be very romantic.” The other woman bounced on her toes.

“Perhaps. Moving to Maine from the South might be difficult.”

“Oh I would never move. My husband will have to work near my family.” She looked assured of her ability to make this happen. Regina thought she should probably introduce Abigail to Obediah. He’d happily move south.

They tacked out to the open water and then the other sails were unfurled to catch the wind. Regina stepped up to the rail inhaling deeply. Being on the open ocean was exciting. She felt her blood sing as the vessel picked up speed. She looked back to see several of the women, including Abigail, looking a little green.

She gave them a smile of sympathy as the men rejoined them on deck. This time James stepped up next to her, his hand lightly touching her back. She grinned in return.