dancing with the same partner, he planned to find a way to prolong their time together.
“Whose idea was this party?” Light from the chandeliers caught the flecks of gold in Rebecca’s eyes as she posed the question.
“Originally the idea was mine.” Luke drew her slightly closer. “My mother would never have arranged something like this for herself. I’d wanted to surprise her with a few friends over, but those friends, deciding it was a wonderful idea, took matters into their own hands. Before I knew it, half of Boston had been invited.”
Rebecca’s soft laugh chimed like one of his mother’s crystal pieces. “And the surprise part?”
Luke grinned. “Mother found out about it weeks ago. It’s impossible to keep a secret from her.”
“Why is it that mothers never seem to miss a single detail of what’s going on around them?”
The musical piece would come to an end soon, and he knew he had to talk to her. Ignoring the reality of the situation wouldn’t change anything. In fact, it would only make matters worse. He’d realized that when he’d introduced her to Raymond, who’d almost given the situation away when he brought up the Liberty . He was thankful he’d been able to distract her by asking her to dance. She’d never forgive him if she found out the truth from someone else. And he’d already waited far too long to tell her.
Still, his heart told him to pull her closer in his arms and beg her to wait for him until he returned. But he’d never do that to her. If only things were different and he wasn’t leaving. If only he wasn’t facing months of solitude at sea without the sweetness of her face to brighten his day.
“Rebecca, there’s something I need to talk to you about. I was wondering if we could stroll in the garden for a few minutes.”
Her eyes widened. With interest? He hoped so.
“You’re the host tonight. What if your guests need you?”
“I’m sure they can spare me for a few minutes.”
“All right, then.”
Rebecca took Luke’s arm and let him escort her across the floor. With scores of beautiful women filling the room, she couldn’t help but feel a thrill that he wanted to spend time with her. And a walk in the garden meant he wanted to prolong their time together. Aunt Clara had been right in her advice. Rebecca couldn’t let what Jake had done stop her from finding love again. It was certainly too early to know if Luke was the one God had chosen for her, but it was time to take a chance and find out.
And if he wants to ask if he can call on me formally … Rebecca glided beside him toward the open terrace doors and smiled at the thought of getting to know him better.
An older woman, dressed in a fashionable navy and cream pin-striped silk, stood in the breezeway and greeted them with a pleasant smile. “Luke, darling, let me compliment you on the party. What a wonderful occasion this is for your mother.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Lewis. May I introduce you to Rebecca Johnson. Her grandparents have been longtime friends of my mother.”
“So you’re the young lady in the room who has managed to steal the attentions of our host.”
“Knowing Mr. Hutton the little that I do, I’m certain he will strive to make everyone feel at home tonight.” Rebecca laced her fingers together, unsure of how else to respond to the woman.
“Don’t worry, my sweet. Just be sure to enjoy his company before he leaves.”
“Excuse me?” Confused, Rebecca turned to Luke, whose face had paled whiter than a Boston winter.
“Luke,” Mrs. Lewis continued, “don’t tell me you haven’t yet informed this young woman that you set sail in a few days.”
Rebecca stood speechless at the announcement, and Luke didn’t seem to be faring any better if she was reading correctly the horror-struck expression on his face.
“We’re all proud of him. As one of the top officers of the Liberty , he’s destined to become the captain of his own vessel one day.”
Rebecca choked
“Whose idea was this party?” Light from the chandeliers caught the flecks of gold in Rebecca’s eyes as she posed the question.
“Originally the idea was mine.” Luke drew her slightly closer. “My mother would never have arranged something like this for herself. I’d wanted to surprise her with a few friends over, but those friends, deciding it was a wonderful idea, took matters into their own hands. Before I knew it, half of Boston had been invited.”
Rebecca’s soft laugh chimed like one of his mother’s crystal pieces. “And the surprise part?”
Luke grinned. “Mother found out about it weeks ago. It’s impossible to keep a secret from her.”
“Why is it that mothers never seem to miss a single detail of what’s going on around them?”
The musical piece would come to an end soon, and he knew he had to talk to her. Ignoring the reality of the situation wouldn’t change anything. In fact, it would only make matters worse. He’d realized that when he’d introduced her to Raymond, who’d almost given the situation away when he brought up the Liberty . He was thankful he’d been able to distract her by asking her to dance. She’d never forgive him if she found out the truth from someone else. And he’d already waited far too long to tell her.
Still, his heart told him to pull her closer in his arms and beg her to wait for him until he returned. But he’d never do that to her. If only things were different and he wasn’t leaving. If only he wasn’t facing months of solitude at sea without the sweetness of her face to brighten his day.
“Rebecca, there’s something I need to talk to you about. I was wondering if we could stroll in the garden for a few minutes.”
Her eyes widened. With interest? He hoped so.
“You’re the host tonight. What if your guests need you?”
“I’m sure they can spare me for a few minutes.”
“All right, then.”
Rebecca took Luke’s arm and let him escort her across the floor. With scores of beautiful women filling the room, she couldn’t help but feel a thrill that he wanted to spend time with her. And a walk in the garden meant he wanted to prolong their time together. Aunt Clara had been right in her advice. Rebecca couldn’t let what Jake had done stop her from finding love again. It was certainly too early to know if Luke was the one God had chosen for her, but it was time to take a chance and find out.
And if he wants to ask if he can call on me formally … Rebecca glided beside him toward the open terrace doors and smiled at the thought of getting to know him better.
An older woman, dressed in a fashionable navy and cream pin-striped silk, stood in the breezeway and greeted them with a pleasant smile. “Luke, darling, let me compliment you on the party. What a wonderful occasion this is for your mother.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Lewis. May I introduce you to Rebecca Johnson. Her grandparents have been longtime friends of my mother.”
“So you’re the young lady in the room who has managed to steal the attentions of our host.”
“Knowing Mr. Hutton the little that I do, I’m certain he will strive to make everyone feel at home tonight.” Rebecca laced her fingers together, unsure of how else to respond to the woman.
“Don’t worry, my sweet. Just be sure to enjoy his company before he leaves.”
“Excuse me?” Confused, Rebecca turned to Luke, whose face had paled whiter than a Boston winter.
“Luke,” Mrs. Lewis continued, “don’t tell me you haven’t yet informed this young woman that you set sail in a few days.”
Rebecca stood speechless at the announcement, and Luke didn’t seem to be faring any better if she was reading correctly the horror-struck expression on his face.
“We’re all proud of him. As one of the top officers of the Liberty , he’s destined to become the captain of his own vessel one day.”
Rebecca choked
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