Be My Bride by Regina Scott Read Free Book Online Page B

her the right to deprive her children of such an opportunity?
    As far as she could see, the only way to settle the matter was to explain her concerns to Daniel. Her courage failed her twice before she forced herself to accompany the boys on one of their visits to the Lewiston estate. Evenson answered their knock and escorted them with proper solemnity through the house to the back garden, where, he explained, Daniel was overseeing the replanting of a hedge that had been damaged in a spring storm. She tried not to let the deference shown her and the boys influence her determination to get answers to her questions, but when Daniel was so obviously glad to see them and quite willing to listen to her, she found it even more difficult to begin.
    “Now then,” he said with a smile when he had led her to a secluded stone bench away from the gardeners but within earshot of the scampering boys, “what can I do for you?”
    She could smell the aroma of the nearby rose gardens, which ought to have been a good omen, but she felt as nervous as he had looked the day he had proposed. “I’ve given a great deal of consideration to your proposal,” she told him. “And there are several issues we must discuss before I can give you my answer.”
    Daniel wasn’t sure whether to be alarmed or pleased that she was taking him seriously at last. He changed his smile to a solemn look. “Of course. Please continue.”
    She took a deep breath and plunged in. “First, I realize that you proposed this marriage for my sons’ welfare. I think you should understand that this is a long-term proposition. They will need to be sent to school, to be assured a place in the world. They would be assured a much greater place if you were to adopt them. I do not think their father would have objected.” It was a great deal to ask, and she knew it. But it would show her whether his intentions toward her sons were sincere.
    “I would be honored to have them become Lewistons,” Daniel replied warmly, relieved that the issue was so easily resolved. “With your permission, I’ll have the papers drawn up before we are married, and we can sign them on our wedding day. I will also have my will changed for your review, leaving everything to them.”
    “Oh, my!” She gasped at the enormity of his gesture. “Daniel, I wouldn’t dream. . .”
    “I would,” he replied. “They’ll be my sons after all.”
    “Yes, I suppose they would.” She sat for a moment stunned.
    Somehow, he didn’t think that was all there was to it. “Was there anything else?” he prompted.
    Cynthia blinked. “Yes, but it is much more difficult to discuss.”
    He leaned back on the bench. The day was warm and sunny, he could hear birds singing in the trees of the garden, and he was moments away from becoming a father. “I am at your disposal.”
    She rose and paced, making him feel a little less sanguine about the subject she was going to bring up. She seemed to realize how nervous she looked, for she forced herself to be seated beside him on the bench. “I think you know that I ran away with Nathan Jacobs because I adored him. You and I have a different relationship. I like to think we are . . . friends?”
    He nodded. “Certainly. And partners for the boys’ well being.”
    “Yes.” She tried to take strength from his calm demeanor, but her palms were sweating in her gloves. “I hope you will understand, then, that I am somewhat reluctant to resume a wifely role?” She looked at him pleadingly.
    So, he’d make an excellent father even though she couldn’t bear the thought of him as a husband. That was really the heart of the matter. He couldn’t compete with the dashing Nathan Jacobs when the man was alive, and he couldn’t compete with him now that Jacobs was dead. Yet, if she could be so forthright about her feelings, so could he.
    “You’ve had more experience being a wife than I have being a husband,” he replied. “But isn’t marriage supposed to be about