Unspoken Love Read Online Free

the will again. “If that happens, your marriage will stand.”
    “Marriage means a lifelong commitment, not a temporary arrangement. I am elated that Uncle James wants to will Small Timbers to me, but I feel blackmailed by his demands. What happens if I don’t comply?”
    “The plantation would go to the State of Mississippi to be used however—”
    “I can’t let the plantation slip through my fingers,” Nicholas interrupted. “I love Small Timbers . It’s my life’s blood.” He let out a deep breath. “I plan on marrying someday and raising a family but to find a wife so quickly seems impossible, even coldhearted.”
    “I understand Nicholas, but it is your uncle’s request.” He paused for a moment. “It’s the only way to inherit the plantation.”
    “Then I guess I’ll have to follow through with it.” He resigned himself to carry out his uncle’s request. He sat facing Jason, his back to the door. Drumming his fingers on the mahogany desk, he tried to plan his future, but the women he knew were not the marrying type.
    While he contemplated his dilemma, Jennifer Morgan barged into the room.
    “Oh, I am sorry, Jason. I didn’t realize you had a client already. Father wanted me to pick up some papers before I head back to the farm. He said you would know which ones.”
    “I do, Jenny, come in,” the stodgy lawyer said. “Nicholas Grant, may I introduce you to Miss Jennifer Morgan.”
    Rising from the chair, Nicholas turned and faced Jennifer. His robust frame filled the room as he extended his hand. His words were almost caressing. “Hello, Miss Morgan, pleased to make your acquaintance.”
    No doubt he is! Jenny thought, rankled by his complacent attitude. Had she not endured his ardent kisses and fiery touch upon her body? Her cheeks flushed as she was haunted by memories of his near ravishment of her. Despite the fact that he was extremely handsome and she had churned inside from the moment they met, he had taken liberties unbecoming of a gentleman. She felt Jason’s eyes upon her and knew she had to respond, lest she arouse his suspicion. With a slight nod of the head, she coolly replied, “Hello, Mr. Grant.”
    Jason smoothed back his thinning brown hair. A look of puzzlement crossed his plain features.
    “Where did I put those papers?” he mumbled. “It’s a good thing I store my files on the shelves, or they’d be saturated from the sodden floor that I had to contend with yesterday.” He gave Jenny and Nicholas a pensive look. “Perhaps you two can get acquainted while I search for the documents.”
    Warily, Jenny eyed Nicholas as Jason sorted through his files. Jason eyed them through silver-rimmed spectacles. He cleared his throat and shuffled the papers. “Ah, here they are Jenny. Tell your father I’ll be out to see him soon. I hope his health is improving.”
    Abruptly Jenny turned from Nicholas. Gathering the papers, she folded them and stuffed them into her reticule. “Again, I apologize for the intrusion, Jason.” She glanced back at Nicholas, noting how his eyes danced with amusement.
    “The pleasure was all ours, Miss Morgan.”
    Jenny’s cheeks flushed and her pulse quickened at his hidden meaning. Thanking Jason, she bid him farewell and then rushed out the door to escape Nicholas’s teasing.
    “A lovely woman she is.” Jason sighed as Jenny exited the building.
    “Tell me about her,” Nicholas insisted.
    “Jennifer Morgan lives with her father in the country. They own a small livestock farm.”
    “Is Jenny married?” Nicholas interrupted, his mind racing for more information.
    “No. Thomas Morgan wants Jenny to marry, but she won’t hear of it. She was twenty on her last birthday. Women her age have husbands and are strapped with children but not Jenny. She’s an independent filly. Oh, I reckon she’ll marry someday, but it has to be of her own choosing.” His blue eyes danced as he lowered his voice and continued, “If I were a mite younger and