Handpicked Husband (Love Inspired Historical) Read online

  “Best party I’ve attended in the last six years,” he replied dryly.

  She arched a brow, but didn’t take advantage of the opening he’d handed her.

  So, she really was going to let the subject lie. Was it consideration for his feelings?

  He grimaced. More likely she held off because she knew any public notoriety heaped on him would reflect on her.

  Adam turned and motioned toward the crowd with his glass. “Quite a turnout for such short notice.”

  He had to give her credit, her plan had worked masterfully. In one bold stroke, she’d introduced the men to the town, explained their purpose for being here in a way that seemed perfectly logical and actually had the townsfolk excited about the addition of three relative strangers into their community.

  “I can tell you’re not familiar with small town life,” she said with a smile. “The arrival of not one but four strangers is news. The fact that three of you are considering moving here and that you went to such lengths to seek me out immediately is downright gossip-worthy.”

  She took a sip from her cup. “Why, there’s not a soul in town who wasn’t already dying to meet the four of you before we even showed up.”

  Her knuckles whitened as she tightened her hold on the glass. “Even if I’d given only an hour’s notice, the turnout would have been the same. In fact, this will probably go down as the social event of the year.”

  Her bitter tone reminded him just how little she wanted them here. He’d forgotten for a moment she was doing this because she had no choice, not because she wanted to.

  “Isn’t that every hostess’s dream?”

  Regina shot him a look that would have chilled a flame. Then she produced a mock-sweet smile. “Now, let’s see. Who haven’t I introduced you to yet?”

  He groaned inwardly, knowing she’d just put an end to his attempt to remain on the fringes of the gathering. She definitely wasn’t afraid to attack a man’s weak spots.

  “Ah, yes,” she said with suspicious glee, “there’s Thomas Pierce. You’ll definitely want to meet him. Thomas and Lemuel shared ownership in the bank, and he’s currently seeing after Jack’s interests.”

  She placed her now empty glass on the far end of the table. “As Grandfather’s agent, you’ll want to have Mr. Pierce open the books to you, something he’ll be more than happy to do.” She gave him a sugary smile. “You’ll find he’s quite enthusiastic when it comes to explaining the finer points of the bank’s operations. Why, I imagine he’d be glad to give you hours of his time discussing it.”

  She placed a hand over her heart. “And, after all, a mere woman like myself can’t be expected to understand such matters.”

  There it was, the burr under her saddle, the thing she couldn’t let go. He knew his comment had only exacerbated her irritation. But why couldn’t she believe the judge was concerned for her welfare, not doubting her abilities?

  Regina brushed at her skirt as she turned to face him. “Now, take my arm and smile as if you’re having a grand time.”

  “How about I just take your arm and try not to glower?”

  “An improvement, to be sure.” With that, she placed her hand on his arm and faced forward with a polite smile.

  Moving across the lawn, she paused twice to greet guests along the way, before finally leading him to a rotund, balding man with a sonorous voice and a commanding presence. “Mr. Pierce, I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Adam Barr.” She released Adam’s arm. “I was just explaining to Mr. Barr that you and Lemuel were partners and that you’re helping me watch out for Jack’s interests.”

  “Mr. Barr.” The banker offered his hand with a jovial smile.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Adam let the man pump his hand enthusiastically twice and then firmly withdrew it.

  “What do you think about Turnabout so far?”

  “Seems a nice, friendly town.” One he’d be glad to shake the dust of from his feet as soon as possible.

  Pierce beamed as if Adam had just praised him personally. “Oh, it is that, all right. Although I imagine it seems small and provincial by Philadelphia standards.”

  Before Adam could respond, Regina spoke up. “I’m sure Mr. Barr will agree that Turnabout has a certain charm all its own.”

  Pierce nodded. “Quite right. And don’t let looks fool you. We’re a very forward-thinking community.” He leaned back on the heels of his feet. “Ever since the railroad came through here we’ve made all sorts of improvements. Did you notice the fancy streetlights on Main Street?”

  Regina met Adam’s gaze with an amused glint in her eye. “Mr. Pierce was the driving force behind many of our town’s recent modernizations,” she said in an ingenuous tone.

  Adam took her cue and made the appropriate “very impressive” noises.

  Which seemed all the encouragement the banker needed. “I think you gentlemen will be wonderful additions to our community.”

  Regina nodded solemnly. “My grandfather assures me that to him, they’re like part of the family.”

  Adam bit back a smile at her dry observation. But the undercurrents seemed to sail right over the banker’s head.

  Pierce nodded affably. “Well, that’s a good enough endorsement for me. A newspaper is just the thing our town needs. And the Blue Bottle Saloon has been closed down for far too long. It’ll be good to inject new blood, not to mention new businesses, into our town.”

  “That’s very welcoming of you, sir,” Adam said, trying to stem the gentleman’s effusiveness, “but I’m afraid I’m just visiting, and none of the others have made up their minds to stay just yet.”

  The older man clapped him on the back. “Just give us time, son. We’ll win you over, I’m certain of it.”

  “And you’re the man to do it,” Regina said enthusiastically. “Mr. Barr just needs the right kind of encouragement.”

  Adam shot her a warning look.

  But she smiled and turned back to the banker. “Adam is also here as Grandfather’s agent.”

  Surely she wasn’t planning to tell this man about the judge’s marriage scheme? Not after her repeated insistence that they all keep it secret.

  “He’s going to be taking a look at how the construction on the schoolhouse is coming along,” Regina continued.

  “Excellent.” Mr. Pierce gave Adam a beaming smile. “I’m confident you’ll like what you see. As a member of the town council, I had a hand in approving those plans myself.”

  “I’m certain everything is in order.” Adam gave Regina a pointed look. “But as a businessman, you know how important it is to follow up on these things. Judge Madison didn’t want Miss Nash to have to bother trying to keep up with all the nagging little details.”

  She took a sip from her cup. “Grandfather is so very thoughtful of my welfare.” She smiled at Mr. Pierce again. “I was thinking it might be a good idea for Mr. Barr to take a look at the books while he’s here. I’m sure Grandfather would rest easier if he had another man’s word for their soundness rather than just mine.”

  Mr. Pierce’s smile stiffened a bit as he looked at Adam. “Does Judge Madison believe there’s some problem with my handling of the funds? If he’d prefer to have his own man come in and act in Jack’s stead—”

  “No, no, nothing of the sort,” Adam reassured him. “Again, just good business practice.”

  The man relaxed. “Of course. We’ll have to make an appointment for one day next week.”

  Before Adam could respond, a young woman strolled up. She was pretty in a flashy sort of way, the type of woman Adam thought of as a socially acceptable Jezebel. While there was nothing overtly immodest about her, she dressed and moved in a way calculated to command the attention of every man there. And she had a pretty, pouty smile. Her artless appearance was likely the result of endless hours of practice.

  No doubt her words would drip honey when she spoke. Emma, his former fiancée, had been just such a woman.

  Too bad he hadn’t seen th
rough her facade sooner.

  “Thomas, dear,” she said, claiming the banker’s arm, “you mustn’t hog the company of one of Reggie’s honored guests.”

  Yep, her voice was as sweetly pitched and the words as flirtatiously delivered as he had guessed.

  The banker’s chest puffed out visibly as he patted the woman’s arm. “Sorry, my dear.” He turned to Adam. “Mr. Barr, allow me to introduce you to my wife, Eileen.”

  This was Pierce’s wife? Why, she must be a good fifteen years younger than her husband. “Mrs. Pierce.” Adam bent over her proffered hand, as much to hide his reaction as to be polite.

  “How do you do, Mr. Barr?” She flashed a coy smile. “I do hope my husband hasn’t bored you by extolling the virtues of our little backwash version of paradise.” Her gaze studied him like a cat eyeing a bowl of cream.

  “Not at all. I find your husband’s enthusiasm quite refreshing.” Adam took Regina’s arm. “I hope the two of you will excuse us, but there’s a matter I need to discuss with Miss Nash.”

  Mrs. Pierce’s eyes flashed with surprised displeasure. Apparently she was used to a very different reaction from the men in her circle.

  Her husband, however, smiled and waved a hand. “Of course. But I insist on having you and your friends over to our home for supper soon.”

  Adam bowed again. “I’m sure I speak for my friends as well as myself when I say it will be our pleasure.” With that he gave Regina’s arm a squeeze and turned her firmly toward a less crowded part of the lawn.

  * * *

  Reggie allowed Adam to lead her toward the large oak that shaded a quiet corner of her backyard. The determination in his expression hinted at some pent-up emotion. What was it? Irritation? Outright anger?

  Deciding not to let him get in the first word, she stopped and turned to face him. “What was it you wished to discuss?”

  His smile was polite, but his eyes conveyed a different emotion. “I wanted to make certain you fully understand I’m not one of your suitors.” He enunciated each word with a chisel-hard precision, echoed by the flinty glare in his eyes. “I am under no obligation to jump at your bidding.”

  That’s what he thought. If he was trying to intimidate her, he had failed miserably. She lifted a hand to her heart. “Why Mr. Barr, is that what you were doing—jumping to my bidding? I had no idea.”

  He didn’t seem amused by her light treatment of his attempted scold. It was fascinating to see how the dimple in his chin deepened when he clenched his jaw.

  “Miss Nash, why do you insist on treating me like I’m the enemy? I assure you, I’m not.”

  Reggie’s own amusement died. “On the contrary, sir,” she said grimly, “I consider any person who has both the power and the resolve to take Jack from me my enemy.”

  He raked a hand through his hair. “You know perfectly well that isn’t the outcome either your grandfather or I wish for.”

  “But I also know you, Mr. Barr, and I know that you’ll do what you believe to be your duty, whether you wish to or not.”

  He stiffened and his face reflected some dark, bitter emotion. “You know me? I think not. Until two days ago we hadn’t even seen each other for seven years. Before that, you were barely out of the schoolroom and I was an adult. I doubt we spoke two words to each other during any of your many visits to Philadelphia.”

  His jaw tightened. “And even if you had some inkling of who I was back then, that man no longer exists.” He turned his glower full on her. “No, Miss Nash, you might know something of me, but you don’t know me.”

  She met his gaze levelly, her own emotions rising. “I may have been little more than a schoolgirl, but I spent many hours eavesdropping on the conversation in my grandfather’s parlor. You and your friends debated everything from law to politics to social issues.”

  She saw he still didn’t believe her. Very well. “I know you are passionate about not just the law but about seeing justice done. I know you pride yourself on owing nothing to anyone. I know you set high standards for yourself and for those around you.”

  She placed her hand on his arm again, looking straight ahead as they resumed their stroll. “You have a soft spot for strawberry teacakes, you show the same consideration to servants that you do to peers and you don’t really like Grandfather’s favorite port, though you drink it anyway to be polite.”

  She felt him looking at her. Did he believe her now? “I know you place great store on loyalty, but like most men you set a different standard for women and can be taken in by a sweet face and honeyed words.”

  She lifted her chin. “I also know you view things as either right or wrong, black or white. You don’t have much use for the middle ground. You would rather take a bullet than compromise your values or beliefs. And because I know all of this, I know you could not have committed the crime you were convicted of, because no amount of money would tempt you to break the law.”

  His step faltered the merest bit at that, but he recovered quickly.

  She turned and met his gaze once more. “And that, sir, is why I fear you. Because my world is filled with compromises and shades of gray, which you will never understand or accept. And also because I know with absolute certainty that you will take Jack from me if you feel you must in order to keep your word to my grandfather.”

  Please tell me I’m wrong, that I have nothing to fear from you.

  Chapter Eight

  Adam stepped through Regina’s front gate, the need to escape her perceptive gaze driving him forward.

  He felt as if she’d stripped him bare and flayed him for good measure. His mind was spinning in an attempt to take in all she’d said. He only hoped whatever excuse he’d given before he made his exit had been coherent.

  She had been that intuitive at fifteen?

  She’d even figured out what a blind fool he’d been when it came to sweet-mannered, lovely, fickle Emma.

  It wasn’t enough Regina had reduced him to a set of faults and virtues. Within a space of seconds she’d graced him with her belief in his innocence and cursed him with her fear of his intentions.

  How in the world was he supposed to respond to such a speech?

  Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Adam turned left, toward Turnabout’s Main Street. Might as well do a bit of exploring, scout out whatever there was to see here.

  Thirty minutes later he found himself on the edge of town, near the railroad depot. He had studied every storefront, explored every side street the town had to offer.

  He shook his head at the sparseness of the offerings. For most people here, Turnabout was all they knew of the world. But Regina had spent a great deal of time in Philadelphia. She’d experienced theater, libraries, elegant shops, museums. How could she willingly choose to live here when she knew how much more the world had to offer?

  Was the freedom to live her eccentric lifestyle so important to her? What about the cultural experiences she was denying Jack?

  What had she meant when she said her life was filled with compromises?

  Adam shook off his musings, not wanting to think about that conversation just yet.

  What decision she made or why she made it wasn’t really his concern. He was just here to carry out Judge Madison’s wishes.

  Adam rubbed the back of his neck. Now what? He was tempted to saddle Trib and head out for a good gallop. Might clear his head a bit. But he probably should return to the party, just to make certain everyone was still playing their parts properly.

  Not to mention that he’d been one of the guests of honor.

  Squaring his shoulders, Adam turned and retraced his steps. In much too short a time he had Regina’s house in sight again.

  “Hello.” Eileen Pierce, her arm linked through her husband’s, stepped through the front gate. “We wondered where you’d gotten off to.”

  Adam assumed the easy smile that had once been second nature to him. “I needed to stretch my legs a bit.” He included Thomas Pierce in his glance. “I took the oppor
tunity to make a tour of your fair town.”

  “Well, I certainly hope you liked what you saw,” the banker responded. “I haven’t given up trying to convince you to make your home here.”

  “Yes indeed.” Mrs. Pierce looked up through her lashes. “We would all be very happy to welcome you into our midst.”

  “That is most kind of you both, but as tempting as it sounds, I’m afraid that won’t be possible.” Adam shook his head as if disappointed. “I’m afraid there’s just too much business I left unfinished back in Philadelphia.” He stepped aside to wave them on. “Please, don’t let me hold you up.”

  Adam nodded a farewell and strode forward. He paused to exchange pleasantries with another group of departing guests before he reached the back lawn. Perhaps the party was finally breaking up.

  He rounded the corner of the house to discover he was in luck. The only people in sight were Regina’s household and her “suitors.”

  Regina had her back to him and was busy handing out assignments.

  He paused, watching the commander address her troops.

  “Since you three are like members of the family now,” she said, “I’m sure you won’t mind helping clean up.”

  Mitchell rolled up his sleeves. “Of course not. Just tell us what you need done.”

  Adam noticed Everett and Chance didn’t look quite so agreeable, but neither did they refuse.

  “To start, the three of you can move the chairs back inside. Mrs. Peavy will show you where everything goes.”

  She turned to Ira. “Would you take care of the punch bowl and tablecloths please?”

  Then she looked at Jack. “And as for you, young man—” her voice softened as she ruffled the boy’s hair “—you can help me gather up the glasses and the napkins.”

  Adam stepped forward. “And what job do you have for me?”

  Regina turned and her gaze searched his warily. But she gave no other sign she remembered their earlier conversation. “So, you decided to grace us with your presence again.”

  He shrugged. “It’s my job to check in on the players of this little game periodically.”