“Daniel, what do you think of Emmaline Bouchard? She’s beautiful, don’t you think? She’s the talk of Savannah, and she’s even known in Charleston. I saw her with Taylor at the Magnolia Festival last spring. I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman. Those violet- blue eyes are enchanting set against that long black hair. She’s divine. I intend to have her. What do you think?”
“James, you have got to be kidding. A beautiful face does not translate into a beautiful woman. As your mother would say, ‘Beauty is only skin deep.’ Emmaline fits that description perfectly and you damn well know it. She’s a flirt, James! She’s all over Taylor and Garrison. I’m sure she would like nothing more than to catch the heir to Taylor Shipping or Garrison Industries—either one would do. It’s all the same to her. Leave her alone, James! She’s mercenary.”
“Perhaps she is, but then aren’t all women to some degree? Come on, Daniel, she’s the most beautiful woman in the South. She won the Miss South Carolina title, was third runner-up in the Miss America Pageant, graduated cum laude, and she’s modeled in New York. You know I’m far richer than Taylor or Garrison. And I’ve never had a problem picking up women. Emma’s no different. I didn’t say I was going to marry her, only that I intend to have her.”
“James, I am telling you the truth! That woman is dangerous. You may not intend to marry her, but once she finds out what you’re worth, she’ll be intent on marrying you. And you’re just fool enough to do it!”
Daniel raised his eyes from his notepad and leaned back in his chair as he recalled their conversation. He thought about what could have been…what should have been, had James not made that one fatal mistake so many years ago. James, well known in both the business world and the prestigious historical societies in the upper classes of the South, had much to offer, and so much more to lose.
James, James…my old friend…why, James, why…you were rich, coming from a family with old money, and one of the most handsome men in both Charleston and Savannah…You had it all… my friend…six feet, three inches tall with sandy blonde hair and those clear blue eyes no woman could resist…How many times did I see the girls swoon over you… Together we were skirt chasers in our day… the world was in our hands, but you always knew you needed to marry and produce an heir… Daniel sighed as his mind wondered on. …You were the last of the Lawtons—the last of a long line from one of the most prestigious and influential founding fathers in Charleston’s history. You could have done better, James…so much better…
As Daniel had predicted, Emmaline was instantly attracted to him when she realized who he was and had set her mind to marry him, but not because she loved him or even respected him. Her love was for something much more material—his money and social standing in both Charleston and Savannah. And as Daniel had warned, after three months in her company, James was totally besotted with her, taking every opportunity he could to be in her presence. But as much as he tried, she would not let him touch her—not without a wedding ring on her finger, and James could resist neither the challenge nor the beautiful face. So James Lawton fell to the beauty and charms of Emmaline Bouchard, and the wedding of the decade was announced.
It was one of the most outlandish and celebrated weddings of its time. Everybody who was anybody was invited, including the governors of both Georgia and South Carolina. Emmaline’s father went to great lengths to provide his only child with a society wedding, for which James paid for. But a large and expensive wedding could not guarantee a happy marriage. And it was not too long afterwards that James discovered the reality of another old saying—charms are deceitful, and beauty is fleeting.
“Daniel, you were right. I’ve made a terrible mistake. She’s as cold as ice, and now that she’s pregnant, Emmaline won’t even let me touch her. What am I going to do? I don’t believe in cheating. Once you’re married, that’s over. What am I to do?”
“Damn it, James, divorce her! Find someone else. You’re young, good-looking, and as you used to say, you can have any woman you want. This time pick one who will love you for you, not for what you have.”
“I can’t leave her. She’s carrying my child. You know how badly I want that child, and I’m afraid the mother comes along with him. Besides, I love her. I’ll simply have to find a way to win her love for the sake of my child. You know how important it is to me to have a family.”
Daniel put down his pencil and rose from his desk to get another cup of coffee. After pouring a cup, he strolled over to the large window overlooking Meeting Street and gazed down. A slight smile lightened his features. A child with long blonde pigtails laughed and danced along as her mother pulled her into one of the stores. He shook his head, his mind once again recalling the past…
Since the War Between the States, Carlton House had not known the joy or laughter of children. Throughout the generations, people had whispered that a curse had been placed on the family. The supposed curse began when Samuel Lawton lost all of his sons in the war, save one. The pattern continued to the present day, but James had never believed in old wives’ tales, and he fully intended to break the long-standing occurrence. However, after the birth of Cecilia, Mrs. Lawton not only refused to give him any more children, she had also taken a separate bedroom, locking him out. Society functions and flirtations, along with James’s money, were all she cared for.
Yet, in spite of it all, Emmaline had become pregnant once more when Cecilia was seven. She was not pleased at first, but Daniel later thought she had accepted it. And then the accident occurred, causing her early delivery of a stillborn son. James was devastated, and from that day forth, they never spoke again.
Emmaline died in an accident a year later, with James blaming himself and taking on the guilt for both deaths. Daniel remembered the mess he walked into when he went to pay a visit six months later.
“James, what the hell do you think you’re doing, lying around drunk? Women in and out of the house like some sort of downtown brothel. Pull yourself together, man! You’ve got a daughter to raise. You cannot bring your whores into the house with an eight-year-old little girl living with you. You need to marry and give Celia a mother. She needs a woman’s touch.”
“Daniel, I have no intentions of marrying. I will not go through that hell ever again.”
“What about an heir, James—a son? You need a son!”
“Cecilia will be my heir. I’ll teach her everything she needs to know. I’ll teach her how to run Lawton, how to handle herself in society, and the importance of our heritage. She’ll have it all, and I’ll teach her how to handle men, too. She’ll be nobody’s fool. But you are right about one thing. The whores need to go. I’ll take a mistress.”
“James, once again, let me warn you, this is foolish…you need a wife, and Celia needs a mother!”
James did take a mistress, many of them, in fact, but there was one who stood out among the rest—Anna Carrington, a well-bred lady from Atlanta, whom he called Annie. She’d loved him with a deep, abiding love, but sadly, unable to commit, James had let her slip away.
Daniel rubbed his brow as a small tear escaped his eye. A headache was forming. I tried to warn you, James, I tried… His memory continued on…
After Anna left, James grew even harder, taking Cecilia everywhere he went—to his gambling haunts, private drinking parties, the race track, and eventually allowing his mistresses to live with them. While other young girls were enjoying dolls, games, and childhood friendships, Cecilia was learning how to run a corporation and manage a historical society. She was also caring for a father who’d often had too much to drink. Many were the times when Cecilia had had to put her father to bed with the help of a servant, and then care for his hangover the next morning.
As the young Cecilia grew older, the colder she became. She witnessed not only how her father treated his mistresses, but how, while in high school and later in college, other young men treated their girlfriends. Only those in her closest circle knew the true side of her—that she did have a heart,
and she could care. But she was very cautious, never allowing herself the opportunity to be used as she saw others used.
Instead, Cecilia, led by her father’s example, learned to use men like they used women. Only once had she considered caring for a young man, and that had not gone well. Afterwards, Cecilia’s emotions and heart were not easily touched. In fact, they were never touched. The few men who’d made the mistake of falling in love with her had been left brokenhearted when she discarded them. She didn’t care how much they pleaded, how much they begged. Their anguish left her as cold as stone.
Daniel sighed once more as he recalled the last, and perhaps most painful, of all his memories—the death of his boyhood friend. James Lawton had recognized his mistakes too late to affect any significant change in his daughter, and so, on his deathbed, he’d asked Daniel to watch over her. Daniel thought back to that day as James lay there dying in the CCU…
“Daniel, I worry for Cecilia after I’m gone. She’s not right—too much like me.”
“James, Celia will be fine. You’ve given her everything—love, money, education.”
“Everything except a normal home life! You were right, I should have married… I should have married Annie. She loved me…and I cared for her, but my pride would not allow me to go after her when she left…I wanted to… I almost did… I was a fool.”
He’d drawn a labored breath as he pressed his last request. Daniel remembered it well. “Promise me you will watch over Cecilia…I’ve made such a mess of things. Promise me, Daniel. Promise me you will take care of my baby…See to it that she marries a man who will respect and love her. She’s the only good thing I’ve ever had… The only one, except for maybe Annie, who loved me in spite of myself.”
“I’ll take care of her, James…I promise…
So after James’s death, Daniel took the promotion to senior vice president in his friend’s company. He wanted to retire, but he stayed on to watch over Cecilia. Daniel took his commitment to James very seriously, intending to fulfill the promise he’d made to his old friend to the best of his ability. But there was a problem. Although he knew the softer side of her, Cecilia’s attitude towards men worried him excessively. He, like her father, wanted her to find happiness in marriage since she had never known it as a child. But he also knew that she was the last in the line of the Lawtons. If she did not marry well and produce a child, the Lawton family would die with her.
Daniel reached across his desk and picked up a picture of a chubby little girl with blonde pigtails, about three years old, sitting on a Shetland pony. He sighed, placing the picture back in its place. Shaking his head once more, he lifted his pencil and jotted down another note.
Daniel wanted Cecilia to marry for love. But he understood, probably better than she did, that she must marry someone who comprehended the importance of her family heritage, her position in Charleston’s society, and most importantly, someone who would love her for her and not for her money. She needed a man with wealth and social position all of his own, apart from her but equal, so therefore, he had formed a plan to help her along in that direction.
He had taken notice of a certain gentleman, David Darcy from England, who came from time to time on business. Daniel sensed Darcy’s attraction to his goddaughter, and had also sensed that she was not unaffected by it. Whenever he mentioned Darcy’s name, she would overreact. He also knew of the Darcy legacy and family linage and had gone to the trouble of discovering David’s character through both talking with him and research.
Through his contacts in London, he had learned not only of the younger Darcy’s reputation, which was much like James’s had been, but also of the family situation. Realizing that Darcy and Cecilia were very much alike, he felt that with a little encouragement there might be a possibility of something developing between the two of them. It would take a man like Darcy to handle her—perhaps even make her happy. Mulling it over one more time, he had now firmly decided to go ahead and take matters into his own hands. That was why he was canceling his long-standing duty to escort Cecilia to tonight’s gala.
Daniel knew it was a gamble, but it was one he felt compelled to take. Now to set his plan into motion. Picking up the phone, he made his interoffice call.
“Celia.”
“Daniel?”
“I hate to disappoint you darlin’, but I cannot make tonight’s function.”
“What? What do you mean you can’t make it?!”
“I’m sorry, Celia. I know how important this is, but I’m just not feeling well and would be poor company.”
“Daniel, you can’t do this!”
“Celia, it cannot be helped. Hopefully, with a little rest, I’ll be recovered in a few days.”
“But Daniel! Just what am I supposed to do? The dinner is in four hours! I can’t find another escort on such a short notice.”
“Why don’t you ask that English dandy sitting in your office? You’ve gone to dinner with him before. In fact, were you not out with him a few months ago? I’m sure he would be more than pleased to escort you. I’ll call you later on. I’m leaving for home now as I am feelin’ very poorly.”
With a sly smile, he hung up the phone. Daniel knew he had unnerved her. He could hear it in her voice. He had disturbed her equilibrium and set the stage for what he hoped would follow. In this mind, Darcy was the man for his goddaughter. Having done his part, the rest would be up to them. He smiled to himself. …Yes, James, he’s just like you. He cannot resist a pretty face any more than you could. And Celia? She’s like Emma. She’s got what it takes, and she knows how to use it. Chuckling, Daniel picked up his briefcase and headed for the house.
~*~
David and Cecilia were almost finished with the negotiations, which were not going as well as he would have liked, when David noticed Cecilia’s annoyance. He mildly wondered what had affected her. When she hung up the phone, she turned and looked him straight in the eye.
“David, I have a special request—a favor, more like it.” She released a sharp breath. “My escort for tonight’s dinner party has had to cancel, and I have no one to escort me. This is very important to me, as I’m hosting the event. In short, I need a date. Would you consider?” she coaxed. “It’s a black tie affair.”
David could clearly see she was flustered by the change in plans, and by the pretty red blush spread across her features, he suspected she was flushed with embarrassment at having to ask him for a date. But he also recognized an opportunity when he saw one, and he fully intended to take advantage of the one that’d so eloquently dropped into his lap.
A roguish grin split his countenance as he caught her gaze and held it. “Yes, I will, on two conditions. One, you give me another five percent on the deal we’ve been negotiating, and two,” his gaze deepened as he pressed his advantage, “you won’t tell me you’re not in the mood …not again…not tonight.”
She inhaled sharply. “David, that’s not fair. You know I’m in a lurch.” She paused for another breath. “But I’ll tell you what I will do. I’ll give you three percent and,” she said with a wry grin, “we’ll see about your other stipulation. Pick me up at 6:30.”
“You drive a hard bargain, Lawton, but I’ll take your odds. And,” he paused to drive his point home, “all’s fair in love and war, Miss Lawton.” He winked. “And you don’t have to remind me. I won’t be late.” …So now we play, Cecilia…now we play. I won’t take no for an answer this time. I, too, have a way of getting what I want…and love, what I want is you!
~*~
David left her office whistling Dixie. With the coffee deal in hand and a smile on his face, he was looking forward to tonight’s dinner engagement. Normally he didn’t enjoy formal society, but tonight held a promise. He’d been thinking about Cecilia ever since that night one year ago when she had flung that vase at him. His last attempt at getting what he wanted still stung, but his resolve was firm. She taunted and teased, denying him what he wanted, driving him to distraction, but he was determi
ned to have her, and have her he would.
When he entered his hotel room, David threw the folder with the coffee contract on the table and went to the closet. He had several sets of clothes with him, as he never knew just what he might need. Perusing through his dinner suits, he picked out his attire for the evening and tossed it on the bed. Smiling, he went for a quick shower and shave. “Tonight’s the night, Darcy,” he spoke aloud.
Dressing for the event, his thoughts turned to Cecilia. For some strange reason that he didn’t quite understand, he found himself determined to please her. He took extra care with his preparations to look his best, planning to play the part of her escort to the very best of his gentlemanly ability. He wanted to please her in her own society, and if he got the chance, he would take the extra trouble to please her even more. He smiled. …She’s one of the most beautiful and fascinating women I’ve ever met. Yes, I’m looking forward to this night, Cecilia. I wonder what you’re like in bed. Hopefully, I’m about to find out. You won’t tell me no this time. …No, not this time. He laughed out loud.
~*~
David arrived at the Lawton Hotel promptly at 6:30. Entering the lobby was like stepping back in time. It was a five-star luxury Inn with uniquely fashioned antebellum rooms in a prettily restored historic building. The atmosphere of elegance far exceeded that of most hotels where David had stayed, and he rather liked its style and refinement, thinking it reflected well on its owner. As he glanced around, he resolved that next time he would stay here. There was something nostalgic about this place.
He took the lift up to her eighth floor suite. The door opened. A few more steps and he would be there. He wondered how she’d look tonight. Probably stunning.
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