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Obediah.
    The other man’s shoulders slumped. “I didn’t mean... It was an accident. I only wanted her to listen. She is looking at him when…” Obediah’s head slumped.
    “What about me? You were going to marry my sister this entire time? I thought you…” Clarissa’s voice trailed off.
    “Obediah, you will accompany us home where we can speak privately. Right now we are looking to purchase some ships.”
    Her father tucked her hand into his arms and began to lead her away. “Come Regina, you must see how this boat tacks in the wind. It is remarkable.”
    “Yes, Papa,” she murmured as she looked back. Clarissa looked close to tears, Obediah was slumped in defeat, and James was staring intently at her as they walked away.
    Once they were out of earshot, her father turned his head toward her. “Is your hand terribly hurt?” His tone was much softer than normal.
    “It will be fine.” She bit her lip. She didn’t quite know how to start the conversation she needed to have with her father. “But Obediah…”
    Her father gave one quick nod. “I agree. The marriage will not work. It’s not that his feelings are unrequited and yet he expects you to have more feeling for him and he is angry that you don’t. He has grown increasingly hostile. Your mother is going to enjoy a great laugh at my expense. She has been trying to tell me.”
    “He isn’t going to take it well. And what about Clarissa?” A light joy filled Regina’s chest despite the worry she held for her sister. Clarissa had truly cared for Obediah and he had publicly snubbed her.
    “I will discuss it with Clarissa but my recommendation is that she find another beau. Obediah has proven himself to be callous with her feelings and violent when pushed. What will he do when the pressures of a business begin to bear down on him? I cannot have him taking that out on one of my daughters.”
    “I am sorry, Papa. I know you wanted Obediah to be the man who took over for you…” Her father waved his hand and she allowed her voice to trail off. They were approaching her mother and other sister.
    “We will finish this conversation when we are alone. We’ve yet to discuss the ship builder.” A nervous flutter beat around her chest. The fact that her father had not called him James or Mr. Carter but the ship builder , did not bode well.
    “Where are Clarissa and Obediah?” Her mother asked, eyes narrowing.
    “Coming momentarily,” her father gave her mother a meaningful look. “They have a few things to discuss, I suspect.”
    Her mother’s eyebrows shot up but she said nothing until Regina’s father joined the other men. Then, she turned to Regina, “Are you still marrying Obediah?”
    Regina gave her head a small shake. Her mother smiled brightly. “Well now, what happened?”
    “I shall tell you all about it later, but I don’t think Clarissa and Obediah will marry either.” Her mother’s eyes bulged out as Regina spoke.
    “Oh dear,” her mother murmured. “We shall need to have the handkerchiefs ready for this evening.”
    Regina nodded in agreement, “But Papa wants to speak with me later about ‘the ship builder.’” Her mouth pinched in worry. “It doesn’t sound promising.”
    “I will talk to him and see what I can do. Your father is pigheaded and stubborn to the last but he loves you and he comes around to good decisions eventually. Have faith, Regina.” Her mother patted her hand.
    Regina did not answer, but something was building inside of her. She didn’t want to wait for her father to come around eventually. She wanted to marry James now. She wanted him to kiss her again and be held in his arms and to know what wives knew. She kept picturing what he might look like without his clothes on and she ached to run her hands along his skin. She took a shaky breath to steady herself.
    He must have followed her and her father because she could see him approaching. She tried to compose herself as he stepped next to her.