Seeds of Love: Prequel to Lily in Bloom (8 page)

Regina laughed. “Me too.” She was glad her sister was not too upset over Obediah.

“James is handsome. My goodness. Do you think Papa will let you marry him?”

Clarissa’s comment was innocent enough but Regina felt her spine straighten. It didn’t matter. She would marry James with or without her father’s permission. Of that she was certain. “We’ll see.”

Clarissa nodded. “Let’s go down now. I can’t stand waiting any longer.” With that she flounced out the door.

Regina wasn’t trying to keep secrets from her sister. But this was between her and James and she wanted to keep it that way.

When Regina reached the top of the stairs, her sister had already begun her descent. Her mother was speaking with their guests. The man next to James was indeed handsome. Dark, nearly black hair and eyes. He was tall and muscular but her eyes found James and then she saw no one else.

She floated down the stairs toward him. He reached out his hand for her to take and she slipped her fingers into his warm grasp. His lips settled on her gloved hand but it still sent shivers racing through her. “Hello,” she managed to breathe.

Next to her, someone cleared his throat. She tore her eyes away from James to see the dark-haired man assessing her with a questioning glint to his eye. “Pleased to meet you. James has told me a great deal about you.”

She gave the man a glowing smile. “Mr. Baker, I presume.”

“Indeed, I am.”

“This is my sister, Clarissa Lafayette.”

He chuckled. “We were just introduced.”

Regina flushed pink. She had been so focused on James, she missed the introduction. “Oh, my apologies…I…”

James was still holding her hand and he gave it a squeeze. “Shall we go? We must pick up Miss Worthy yet. I hope you don’t mind, I have taken the liberty of packing a picnic basket for us.”

“How delightful.” Her mother waved goodbye. “Have fun and be safe.”

“Yes, Mama,” the girls chorused as James tucked her hand into his arm. Mr. Baker did the same with Clarissa and gave her sister a long look before heading for the door. Clarissa blushed under his gaze and Regina raised her eyebrows.

The group settled into the carriage and Regina found it extremely pleasant to be next to James as the carriage bumped along. Clarissa and Charles chattered enthusiastically but Regina was content just to be close to James.

His hand grasped hers. “How do you fare?”

“Never better.” The heat of his body seeped into hers, warming her and causing her cheeks to flush.

He put his arm across the back of the seat, cocooning her closer to his body. Regina glanced to see if Clarissa had noticed but she was deep in conversation with Charles. She had lost the somewhat childish tone she often spoke with and sounded very grown up.

“Has your father come to any decisions?” his voice was barely a whisper.

“No yet,” she whispered back.

A small frown flitted across his face. “I must return to Maine in a few days but I will be back by the end of the month.”

“You’re leaving?” her voice sounded desperate, even to her own ears.

He patted her shoulder. “Regina, I have to prove to your father that I can be a success so that he will allow us to marry.”

Regina sat up straighter. “Of course I understand, but I don’t want to be apart from you.”

“It will only be for a few weeks and then I will return.”

Regina rested back on the seat again. She simply must find a way to convince her father before James left.

The carriage pulled up to the Worthy’s hotel and the entire party got out to greet Abigail. Regina felt a pang of jealousy when she looked at the other woman. Abigail looked divine with her dark curls pulled artfully back with a pink and cream colored dress that highlighted her perfect skin.

Abigail bounced with excitement as they all climbed back into the carriage and headed for the Pleasure Gardens to picnic. Regina took her former seat and James sat next to her. Abigail scooted herself next to James and Regina’s teeth clenched. It was going to be a long afternoon.

They reached the Pleasure Gardens and James began setting up a picnic. Abigail talked while Regina helped to put out the food. “Who cooked all of this?” Regina asked.

“The ship’s cook.” He grinned. “He was none too happy about having to put out a spread for ladies.”

She giggled, “We could have packed the picnic.”

“This is my responsibility, but thank you.”

“What are you two giggling about?” Abigail flounced over to them.

“Tis nothing.” James winked at Regina.

“After we eat, we should go for a walk.” Abigail eyed them both, eagerly leaning forward. There was something strange in her behavior but Regina couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

“Oh let’s,” Clarissa chimed in. “The gardens are beautiful in the spring.”

Everyone agreed and they began to eat. Regina cocked an eyebrow to see Charles and Clarissa sitting so close. They were lost in their own world. Regina was very happy for her sister.

Once done, James packed the remaining food in the basket and the group set off.

“When will it bloom in Maine?” she asked idly as they strolled.

“Not for a few weeks yet. It is nice to visit more southern locations this time of year.” James gave her a wink as they walked.

“The advantage of owning a shipping company.” They shared another smile.

“That is why you should move south.” Abigail stepped on the other side of James, lacing her arm through his.

He gave her a patient smile. “Maine is my home and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. But it is nice to escape every now and then.”

Abigail made a face at him. “You must come visit us so that I can change your mind.”

“Perhaps,” he murmured.

“Clarissa loves the South, don’t you…” The words died on Regina’s lips. Her sister and Charles were not behind them as she’d thought. “We’ve lost some members of the party.”

James stopped and turned. “We should find them, your father…”

“Good idea,” she said.

“No!” Abigail shouted rather loudly. “That is, I saw them pass us. They are just up ahead. Come James, I will show you.”

“We will all go,” he replied and they picked up the pace.

They did not find them as they moved down the trail and after five minutes of searching, Abigail disappeared around a corner. “James, over here.”

He motioned for her to follow and he sprinted towards Abigail’s voice. Regina knew what he was worried about. Her father would blame him if Clarissa was compromised in any way.

She followed behind as he disappeared around the corner. A prickle of fear skittered down her spine and she turned to look behind her. A man was there and before she could even scream, his hand clamped over her mouth and he grabbed her, dragging her off the trail. She fought with everything she had but she was losing.

***

James raced to Abigail to find her standing in the middle of a secluded garden. “What did you see?”

She shrugged. “I guess it was nothing.” She gave a nervous giggle.

James narrowed his eyes. There was something strange in her behavior today. He found her terribly annoying to begin with but today she seemed almost devious. A strange noise caught his attention. It sounded like the rustling of clothes or a struggle. “Regina!” He began sprinting back down the trail.

“Wait, we are finally alone. Don’t go.” He ignored her. “Wait for me at least.”

James didn’t slow his pace as he raced back towards Regina. He reached the spot where he had left her and drag marks led into another garden.

He followed them at a sprint, not stopping to breathe as he ran. He couldn’t let anything happen to her.

He rounded a corner and there before him was Regina, her back pressed against a shabby looking man, struggling with everything she had.

He didn’t pause as he hurtled himself at them both, fist drawn. He knocked the other man square in the jaw, sending both him and Regina to the ground.

Quick as he could, he reached for Regina pulling her up and into his arms. Her eyes were wide as saucers. He gave her head a quick kiss, squeezing her in his arms for a second. “Thank God, I made it to you.”

A little sob escaped her chest. He wanted to hold her in his arms and never let her go but he needed to tie this man up and find out why he had grabbed Regina. “I’m sorry, my love, but I need to tear some strips from your petticoat.”

She nodded taking a deep breath. James’ heart swelled with pride. She was beautiful and selfless and he could add brave to the list. He bent down, his head level with her abdomen. He desperately wanted to bury his face into her stomach and wrap his arms around her waist, but instead he placed his hands on her petticoats and ripped long strips. Her shaking hands rested on his shoulders. He looked up at her and gave her an encouraging smile. “You’re all right now. Just another minute.”

She gave him a tiny nod. Having several strips, he returned to the man he had knocked unconscious. He quickly bound his hands behind his back and tied his ankles together.

He returned to Regina, wrapping her in his arms. “You were so brave.” His lips found hers and she turned her face eagerly up to his, pressing closer to him. Her arms snaked around his neck, pulling him closer still as her soft lips responded to his kiss. God’s blood, she set him on fire. He gathered her body up against his.

“What the hell happened?” Charles’ voice boomed across the garden.

Reluctantly James pulled his lips from Regina’s. Her face held the same regret he was feeling. One thing was clear, Regina was his. He had known it before but now he was absolutely certain that no man would ever touch her but him. He turned to his friend. “Where were you?”

Charles stopped. James could have sworn that a blush crept up his friend’s cheeks. “Clarissa wanted to see the statues—”

“Clarissa?” James slowly removed his hands from around Regina. “Later I will introduce you to Miss Lafayette’s father. Right now, I need you to get my carriage and find another for hire. I’ll not have the ladies ride with this thug.” James peered around Clarissa and Charles to see Abigail hiding behind them. “Miss Worthy, I would like a word.” Charles ran in the other direction as James stared intently at the woman.

Abigail stepped from behind Clarissa, crossing her arms over her chest. Her chin held a defiant tilt. “I only wanted a moment alone. Look at the way you’re holding her. You’re not even giving me a chance.”

“Did you know that Regina would be attacked?” James watched her carefully. Her eyes darted everywhere but him. She had known. “Of course I didn’t, I—”

“Who is responsible, Miss Worthy?” He reluctantly let Regina go and walked over to the other woman. He needed to know and she wasn’t leaving until he found out.

“How should I know, I only…” she stopped talking because the man on the ground moaned. Her eyes rounded as she peeked around James. He ground his teeth together, trying to be patient with this fluff of a girl.

“People are getting hurt, please tell me the truth.” He stepped closer to her and she attempted to look anywhere but him. “Look at me,” his voice ground out. He was losing his patience.

She started at the rough sound of his voice.
Good
, he thought to himself.

“Mr. Stillwell told me to get Regina alone.” He heard Regina gasp. “But he said he only wanted to talk to her to convince her to marry him and then I could be alone with…” her voice died off.

“Do you know how dangerous that was?” His voice was ragged. His breath coming in short gasps.

“You wouldn’t pay attention to me!” she huffed.

The sound of wagon wheels on the dirt path snapped James’ head up. “Come on, all of you.”

“I don’t have to…”

“Go,” he snapped. He didn’t care if he lost the Worthy contract anymore. He couldn’t bear another word out of her mouth.

James grabbed the kidnapper by the arm and dragged him along as the women walked ahead. Regina looked back at him several times and he tried to tell her with his eyes that it would be all right. Charles hopped out of the carriage door and hustled back over to James. Then he grabbed the assailant’s other arm. Together, they tossed him into the carriage. “I will take him to the Lafayette house. Bring Miss Worthy to her hotel and then follow me back to the Lafayette home.”

“James, I am so…”

“We will talk about it later.”

Charles gave a quick nod and then raced off again to procure a hansom. James turned to look at Regina. Clarissa was holding her sister’s hand, stroking it as she murmured. Clarissa looked positively tortured.

“Miss Lafayette, don’t look so distressed. It wasn’t your fault,” he tried to soothe her.

“But it’s mine,” Abigail spit out.

He sighed. Abigail was guilty of being a silly, selfish, thoughtless girl. But he doubted she knew Regina would be hurt. “Of course not, it is Mr. Stillwell’s.”

Abigail gave him a glowing smile. He bit back the need to tell her she was a little fool.

He walked back over to Regina. “We will work all of this out, I promise.”