CHAPTER 1
May, 1773
Paradise Retreat
Near the James River in the Virginia Colony
"Ethan, dear, quit fidgeting with your cravat. You will ruin it before our guests arrive."
Ethan watched his paternal grandmother, Sarah Huntington, tuck in the ends to his neck cloth. He struggled not to roll his eyes. He would have pushed her away, but she was not a person to upset. She had been by his grandfather's side and assisted him in building their shipping company. Her visits to the dock taught her how to handle a man, and she could curse better than any sailor when she was riled. He knew this party was important for them, but he was not interested in finding a wife. This event was arranged for him and his cousin to meet the ladies of the surrounding area around Williamsburg. He felt it was a waste of time. He would have preferred discussing politics in a tavern or wandering around a ship building business instead of this humiliation. He glanced down and held his frustrated sigh.
She patted his face. "There, there. You have no need to panic. Your grandfather and I are here along with Jeremiah. We can assist you in picking out the perfect wife."
The gleam in her eyes told him she was up to something and she had an uncanny way to read his thoughts. Ethan blew out his breath and rubbed the back of his neck to remove the pressure building there. "I am not upset about the guests, Grandmother. I am perfectly capable of finding my own wife." He gave her a pointed look. "Without assistance." He grinned and kissed her cheek. "Anyway, no one can compare to you, so your plan is doomed to fail before it begins." He winked at her. "I am also not interested in anyone who is perfect."
"You are a naughty boy." She smacked his hand. "Behave or I may pick her out myself." She searched his face. "There truly is no need for concern, Ethan. A wife will be good for you. You will see the benefits."
Ethan knew he had to steer her thoughts in another direction or she would realize he did not want to marry yet. He hated disappointing her especially when she was so happy being on the plantation. "My concern revolves around Mother and Father." Which was close to the truth. "They should have arrived from Maryland hours ago." He hoped this would keep her busy for a few minutes. He walked to the window and looked out. "Father sent a note stating they would arrive yesterday. It is not like him to be late." He turned quickly when he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. It was his cousin, Jeremiah, and the other person condemned to finding a wife at tonight's ball.
Jeremiah, dressed in his formal attire, looked grimly at Ethan. He held out a folded piece of paper. "Marshall gave me this note a few moments ago."
"What is it?" Sarah peeked over his arm and gasped. "Are you certain?"
Alistaire Huntington, paternal grandfather to the boys, walked in briskly which was amazing considering his age of sixty five. He rubbed his hands together. "Why is everyone standing around? We have guests arriving in the carriages." He stopped and scanned the faces of his loved ones. His handsome grandsons, with similar looks to his lovely wife, did not seem happy at the moment. "What happened?"
Ethan held out the letter and rubbed between his eyes. "This was delivered recently." He felt the pressure increasing behind his temples even after massaging them.
Alistaire snatched the paper to read. "What is the meaning of this?" He reached for the door and bellowed. "Marshall!" He turned and noticed his wife reaching blindly for a seat behind her. He rushed
