He stared down at the contract again, his mind whirling over the implications. “I suppose one could argue in favor of that interpretation,” he said slowly. That was the closest he could come to admitting she was right.
“Which means my choice stands,” she said, pouncing on his admission.
“What does this mean for us?” Chance asked.
“It means,” Everett responded dryly, “that our prizes are at the mercy of Mr. Barr’s response.”
Adam noticed Regina had the grace to look sympathetic.
Four pairs of eyes focused on him, waiting for his answer. The same way they’d focused on Regina while she took her time announcing her selection.
He straightened his shoulders. This might not be the duty he’d had in mind when he gave the judge his promise, but that didn’t mean he was any less bound by his word. Feeling his well-laid plans crumble around him, Adam knew he didn’t have any choice.
He turned to Regina and trapped her gaze with his for a long moment. Slowly her smile faded.
“Very well,” he finally bit out. “I accept your proposal.”
It gave him only the tiniest jot of satisfaction to see the look of horror on her face.
* * *
Reggie felt the blood drain from her face. For a moment she couldn’t see anything. Her eyes just plain refused to focus.
She hadn’t heard right.
He couldn’t have agreed.
He didn’t want to marry her.
He wanted to get back to Philadelphia right away.
She blinked, trying to focus on his face. His tight, I-called-your-bluff expression erased any lingering doubts she held.
No, no, no! This was a disaster. Somehow she had to undo this, had to call her words back. If she had to get married, any of the other three would be better. She could not marry Adam. Not like this, not under these circumstances.
She could read in his eyes that he hated her for doing this to him. Mercy, she’d made a royal mess of things.
He finally released her gaze and turned to the others. “Rest assured, you’ll all receive the bonuses the judge promised you. Now, if you’ll excuse us, Miss Nash and I have matters to discuss.”
Reggie watched the men spring up from their chairs like prisoners suddenly released from their shackles. She wanted to call them back, to tell them it had been a mistake, that she was prepared to select someone else.
Don’t leave me here alone with Adam, not while he’s looking so cold and forbidding.
But the words stuck in her throat. She watched helplessly as the door closed behind them, leaving her alone with the man who, unbelievably, was now her fiancé.
She stared at her hands folded in her lap, suddenly fascinated by the tiny scratch on her right thumb.
“Miss Nash.”
His voice was calm. Too calm.
“Yes.” She didn’t quite meet his gaze. How could she? What would she see there?
“You are many things, but I never figured a coward to be one of them.”
Reggie’s gaze snapped to his, outrage stiffening her spine.
“That’s better.” His smile was anything but warm. “Let’s be honest. Neither of us is pleased with this situation. You picked me because you thought I’d say no.”
He raised a cynical brow. “Whereas, if you really knew me as you once assured me you do, you’d understand that I don’t renege on a promise, even one given unwittingly.”
Reggie tried to control her panic. He was angry, but he was also being realistic. Perhaps she could find some way out of this yet. “You’re right. Neither of us wants this. If we put our heads together, surely—”
His eyes narrowed. “You weren’t listening. I said I don’t renege on promises. And I certainly don’t intend to start with a promise made to your grandfather. Whether either of us wants this is now irrelevant. You’ve made your choice and we’re both going to have to live with it. So start planning the wedding. It appears we’re getting married within the week.”
With that, he gave her a curt bow and exited in long, swift strides. It seemed he couldn’t get away from her quickly enough.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Reggie folded her arms on the desk and plopped her forehead down against them. She’d taken a bad situation and made it worse. The man she still thought of as a slightly flawed but nonetheless heroic white knight, now hated her.
And unless she did something quickly, he would soon learn her deepest, darkest secret.
* * *
Adam walked to the livery stable, looking neither left nor right. He needed to work off the pulse-pounding emotions churning through his gut right now. A breakneck gallop sounded like just the thing.
In a matter of minutes he had Trib saddled. Another minute and he was mounted and headed out of town. There was an open field just outside of town. That ought to do the trick.
Trib tossed his head and strained at the bit, seeming to sense Adam’s restlessness. Adam patted the animal’s neck. “Easy, boy. We’ll be there in just a minute.”
His hands tightened on the reins as his mind replayed that scene in the study. How could matters have turned out so horribly wrong?
Engaged, and to the judge’s granddaughter no less.
It might be easier to swallow if she hadn’t looked so horrified when she realized he was going to call her bluff.
She didn’t want him for a husband. In fact she’d seemed ready to change her mind and choose one of the others, any one of the others, rather than actually marry him. She’d actually looked physically ill before he marched out of the room.
Why? What was he lacking that made women shy away from him so forcefully?
He grimaced at the turn his thoughts had taken. Why was he so concerned with that aspect? He should be thinking about what this meant for his plans to clear his name.
He could move back to Philadelphia after the wedding, he supposed. He was certain Regina wouldn’t have any objections to that arrangement. They could put it out that he had some business to take care of before moving here permanently—not a lie.
But that meant facing the judge, a friend who’d trusted him to see that his granddaughter and great-grandson had a husband and father at hand to look out for them. He couldn’t disappoint him that way.
It appeared he was stuck here for the foreseeable future. What was he supposed to do in this bucolic backwater? Take care of Jack’s interests certainly. But would that be enough to keep him occupied, make him feel useful and valued?
Or would it merely be a prison of another sort?
Adam finally reached his destination and nudged Trib with his knees. It was all the encouragement the spirited horse needed. They made two circuits around the field, riding as if the devil’s own hounds were on their heels.
He gradually slowed the lathered horse to a more sedate pace. His mood hadn’t lifted, but he knew the time for railing at his fate was over.
Besides, there was Jack to think about. Regardless of how he and Regina felt about each other or this marriage, he was certain they would agree on one thing. Their feelings should not spill over onto Jack.
The boy deserved a home with parents who cared for him and would look out for his welfare. He’d make sure Jack’s childhood would in no way mirror his own.
Adam turned Trib back toward town. Judge Madison would expect a telegram from him today.
How would Regina’s grandfather feel about the unexpected outcome of his little matchmaking scheme? Would he be disappointed that his granddaughter hadn’t chosen one of his handpicked suitors? Would the judge welcome him into the family, or would he feel his former protégé had overstepped his bounds?
Adam admitted his life had been a mess before, but at least he’d had a focus, a goal to keep him going. Now that had been stolen from him as well.
* * *
Reggie pulled the covers up to Jack’s chin. She’d dreaded this moment all evening. But she had to tell him.
She still clung to the hope th
at she could turn the situation around. If she succeeded, then telling Jack now and recanting later would upend his world twice in one week.
But word was spreading. Already, two callers had dropped by this evening to find out if the “happy news” they’d heard was true, and to offer congratulations. By now the rumors would be all over town.
Better for Jack to hear the announcement from her than from someone else.
She smoothed the covers and took a deep breath. “I have some news for you,” she said, forcing a light tone.
“Something good?”
“I hope you think so. How would you feel if I got married?”
Jack squirmed into a sitting position. “Would I still live with you?”
She gave him a fierce hug. “Of course. No one is ever going to take you away from me.”
“Is it one of those men from Philadelphia?”
“Uh-huh. Mr. Barr.”
“Oh.” Jack looked thoughtful for a minute. “Will that mean we have to move to Philadelphia?”
Reggie shook her head. “We wouldn’t even have to leave this house. He would move here to live with us.”
Jack gave an approving nod. “Then, if you like him, that’s okay. Mr. Barr seems like a nice man. He’s not fussy like Mr. Fulton, or sad like Mr. Parker.”
He snuggled back down. “And I really like his horse,” he added as if that settled the matter.
“We’re still talking it over,” she said, preparing him for what she hoped would be the outcome. “But if we do decide to get married, it will be pretty soon.”
“Okay,” he said with a yawn. Then he opened his eyes wider. “If you marry him, do I still call him Mr. Barr?”
“I suppose you could call him Uncle Adam, if that’s all right with him.”
“Uncle Adam,” Jack repeated. “I like that. I never had an uncle before.”
Reggie tousled his hair. If only things were different...
Planting a kiss on his cheek, she left.
She had to start planning how to derail this wedding scheme before she became Mrs. Adam Barr.
Chapter Thirteen
Two days later, Reggie sat beside Adam in the surrey, a picnic hamper at their feet. The Peavys and Jack sat behind them, and Buck trotted alongside.
She hoped her smile looked more genuine than it felt, because their party was getting a lot of notice as they drove through town.
Her neighbors were still abuzz with the news of her engagement. Though no one said it to her face, she’d heard enough talk to know folks were surprised that an eccentric woman like herself, well on the way to spinsterhood, had snared such a prize catch.
But her neighbors’ opinions were the least of her concerns. In fact, she was getting downright desperate. Nothing she’d tried had worked. Though Mitchell, Everett and Chance had put an end to their evening visits, Adam had continued to join them for supper. After all, even though neither of them was happy with the situation, they had to maintain appearances.
She’d used the after-supper discussions with Adam to try to change his mind. Her broad hints that she wouldn’t be opposed to his returning to Philadelphia after the wedding had met with an outright refusal.
Then she mentioned perhaps her grandfather would wish to rethink his plan since she’d found a loophole in the contract. Adam responded by showing her a telegram he received from the judge welcoming him to the family.
All her other stratagems had met with similar fates. Only one option remained. But could she pull it off without turning into a stuttering puddle of red-faced embarrassment?
Reggie squared her shoulders. They would soon find out.
This picnic had been Adam’s idea. To give him credit, he was trying to make this as easy as possible on Jack. He’d come by every day, like a true beau, and had included time with Jack during his visits.
It both warmed and broke Reggie’s heart to see how well they were getting on. Adam would make a fine father.
Too bad she had to try to make sure he never assumed that role with Jack. The boy’s future, as well as her own, was at stake.
At the moment, Ira was doing a good job keeping Jack distracted in the backseat. The conversation between her and Adam, however, was restricted to polite comments about their surroundings and the directions to Split Oak Meadow.
She’d chosen the picnic spot with care. The meadow was beautiful, with a shallow brook, lots of open space for Jack and Buck to romp, and wooded trails that offered secluded spots for private conversation.
Two hours later, Reggie stared at Adam’s back as he watched Jack and Buck play fetch.
She took a deep breath. Time to get this over with.
“Mr. Barr,” she called softly.
“Don’t you think you should call me Adam?” he said without turning. His voice was even, his tone offhand. Had he decided to call a truce then?
“Adam.” She tried matching his tone. “Would you mind joining me for a stroll?”
He did turn to look at her then, his brow quirked up in question. After a moment he nodded and extended his arm. “Of course. Lead the way.”
Reggie cast a quick glance at Ira, tilting her head toward Jack and her old friend nodded a reassurance.
Then Reggie directed their steps toward the tree line. They walked in silence. She turned before they actually entered the woods, following the edge as it curved to accommodate the brook.
Before long, they were out of sight of the others, but still Reggie kept walking. Adam kept pace, obviously waiting for her to break the silence.
At last she stopped and turned to him.
“So,” he asked, “what new plan have you hatched to prevent the wedding?”
She grimaced. “I’m afraid I’ve given up on that for now.”
“Don’t tell me that imagination of yours has finally run dry?”
She smiled in spite of herself. “Let’s just say I’m ready to pursue a new course.”
“So, you didn’t bring me here to discuss wedding plans?”
“Not exactly.” Reggie moved slightly away from him, tearing a strip of gauzy bark from a cottonwood. “I want to discuss what happens afterward.”
“Afterward?”
Reggie met his gaze with some difficulty. “We both agree that this marriage is not one either of us would go through with if we had any real choice.” She looked down, pretending to study the bit of cottonwood bark. “Well, we might not have any choice over whether or not to get married, but we do have a choice in how we conduct ourselves after the ceremony.”
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to spell things out a little plainer than that.”
Heat suffused Reggie’s face. This was even harder than she’d imagined. “What I’m saying is, we don’t have to actually...” She floundered for the right words. Just say it.
She swallowed the sudden obstruction in her throat and tried again. “We don’t have to actually consummate our vows.”
There. That should be plain enough.
The silence drew out for what seemed an eternity. Reggie shredded the bark, feeling her emotions fray along with it. If he didn’t say something soon—
“I see.” His tone had a self-mocking edge. “And here I was thinking what a fine catch I made.”
Reggie jerked her head up. She’d expected sarcasm, perhaps even anger, but not this bitterness. She hadn’t stopped to think that he might view it as a rejection of him personally.
“I...I thought you would...I mean surely you agree it would be best, at least for now...”
Her words trailed off as he stepped closer. “Is that fear I see in your eyes? I wonder—what is it you’re afraid of?” His irises darkened from blue to storm cloud gray as his gaze captured hers. Even though she heard the mocking tone underlying his words, the intensity in his expression sent a shiver through her, trapped the breath in her throat.
She should move away, put some distance between them so she could think. But her feet refused to respond.
“Is it
me that you fear?” He raised a finger to stroke her chin.
His touch was so soft, so gentle.
His finger moved to trace the line of her jaw. “Or is it your reaction to me that has you so on edge?”
Reggie couldn’t speak, couldn’t move. She was very, very afraid he’d just hit the nail on the head.
* * *
Adam saw emotion in Regina’s eyes, saw the softening in her expressive face, and suddenly he was no longer mocking.
He placed his hands on her shoulder, all the while holding her gaze captive with his. When she didn’t pull away, he slowly lowered his head, ready to draw back at the slightest indication she didn’t want this.
But instead of pushing him away, she leaned forward, as if impatient with his dallying.
Adam didn’t require further encouragement. He touched his lips to hers, lightly at first, then more fully as she responded in kind.
Truth be told, he’d wanted to kiss her since she’d stepped out onto the road that day, disguised as a sassy country miss. She’d stood up under their disdain with a mix of confidence and self-directed humor that had intrigued him and made him want to protect her.
Suddenly, she stiffened, shattering the mood.
“No!” she protested sharply. “We can’t do this.”
He loosened his hold, allowing her to pull back. “It’s okay. We’ve done nothing improper,” he said, trying to reassure her. “Engaged couples are allowed an occasional kiss.”
She took a step back. “You don’t understand. We can’t do this. I won’t have it.”
“You won’t have it?” He dropped his hands to his sides, stung by her vehement rejection. “Seems to me you were of a different mind a moment ago.”
“You caught me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting you to take such liberties.” The fear was back in her eyes, along with an almost haunted desperation.
“Do you find the thought of my touching you so repugnant?”
Her eyes widened in shock. “No! I mean, it’s not that. I just...” Her chin came up in stubborn defiance. “We just can’t, is all.”
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