Read Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller - [Lights of Lowell 01] for Free Online Page B

still on board ship returning home from their visit to The Willows, but he waited to mail it. He knew the girl would want to hear word of her grandmother. He hoped to woo her in a slow yet deliberate fashion. She was young for him, a closer match in age for Nolan, but she would fit perfectly into his own plans. Besides, women were more easily controlled if they married at a young age—before they developed a mind of their own. The fact that Jasmine was beautiful had been a pleasant surprise, but he also realized her beauty might prove an additional challenge in winning her hand. With that thought at the forefront of his mind, he had also been corresponding with Malcolm Wainwright. Once he had Malcolm as an ally, achieving his plan to marry Jasmine should prove uncomplicated.
    A knock sounded, and the front door opened as Bradley finished reading the letter. ‘‘Bradley?’’
    ‘‘Nolan! I wasn’t expecting you in Lowell. What brings you here?’’
    ‘‘Nathan Appleton convinced Henry and Fanny to accompany him to Lowell for a meeting of the Associates this evening. Since Nathan plans to stay in Lowell for several days, Henry thought I should join them and we could take a canal boat and reminisce about the leisurely summers that have long since passed.’’
    ‘‘Henry Longfellow remains the constant romantic. I can’t imagine how Nathan, the ever-vigilant businessman, abides a son-in-law with no business acumen whatsoever,’’ Bradley said.
    ‘‘He seems quite fond of Henry—perhaps because his daughter is so obviously happy in her marriage to him. I thought we might have supper together before your meeting with the Associates.’’
    ‘‘I’d like that. We’ll have sufficient time to dine at the Merri-mack House if we leave now. I can go on to my meeting from there.’’
    Once they were seated at a small table in the Merrimack House restaurant, Nolan said, ‘‘Nathan mentioned you’re planning to buy the Hinch estate. Is that true?’’
    ‘‘Word does travel quickly, doesn’t it? I’ve made an offer to Hinch’s widow. She’s anxious to rid herself of the place, and I’d like a home that has some acreage surrounding it. It’s become more and more difficult to find such a place, and even though it’s a short distance from Lowell, I believe it would serve my needs very well.’’
    ‘‘Serve your needs? That place is huge, Bradley. Why would a man with only one servant want to live—’’ Nolan stopped mid-sentence and stared at his brother. ‘‘Are you planning to wed in the near future?’’
    Bradley cleared his throat and tugged at his collar. ‘‘It is my hope, but I don’t know if my proposal will actually be accepted. I hesitate even to discuss the matter for fear she’ll reject me and the whole of Massachusetts will know I’ve been turned away.’’
    ‘‘You can confide in me, brother. Ever since Nathan made mention of the matter, I’ve been attempting to determine if a woman might well be involved, and if so, who the woman might be. I’m thinking she’s likely someone I haven’t met. I promise I’ll not breathe a word to any of the local gossips,’’ Nolan said with a genial laugh.
    ‘‘Actually, you have met her. When the time is right, I’m planning to ask for the hand of Jasmine Wainwright.’’
    Nolan’s brows furrowed as he placed his coffee cup on the white china saucer. ‘‘You jest!’’
    ‘‘No. I found her appealing.’’
    Nolan leaned back in his chair and gazed at his brother, his eyes narrowed to thin slits. ‘‘Was it Jasmine you found appealing or her father’s cotton plantation?’’
    ‘‘You believe me to have an ulterior motive?’’
    ‘‘Have you ever done anything in your life without an ulterior motive?’’ Nolan asked wryly. ‘‘I observed your enthusiastic efforts to impress the Wainwright family. You utilized every available moment to your advantage, plying them with the benefits of selling their cotton to you rather