Regency Romance Ultimate Bundle Volume 2

“Did you decide?”

“On what?” His gaze lifted back to
her face. He’d known this was a bad idea. No woman had had this sort of effect on him in a long, long while.

“Whether you’re knocking? I can
close the door again if you need more time to decide.”

The smallest thrill of pleasure
coursed through him at her words. “You are cheeky.”

“Thank you.” She gave him a beaming smile. “My mother has always insisted on obedience, so I take it as a personal compliment that I am finding my own voice despite her daily haranguing.” And
then she moved back, sweeping her hand toward the entrance. “Are you coming in?”

He frowned as he stepped through
the door. “Do you always open the door for guests or am I special?”

“Oh no,” she replied and then
blushed, gesturing toward the sitting room just to the right. “I mean, oh yes, I’m sure you are special. But I was just there, waiting to see if you’d come. After a bit, I decided it was best to just move this meeting along and answer the door.”

Had she seen him the entire time
he’d been standing on the front stoop debating? There was little point in denying it. “I’m not certain coming here was the best decision.”

“I disagree,” she replied
cheerfully, gesturing toward the stairs. “Shall we?”

Automatically, he offered her his
elbow and she slid her hand into the crook. They started up the stairs, but she stopped on the second step. He turned to look at her, his brow furrowing.

“Forgive me,” she said, seeming to
struggle to breathe. “I had in infection. It’s left me…” She drew in a deep gulp of air.

“How long have you been like this?”
he asked, concern unexpectedly tightening his muscles.  

“A year.”

“A year?” That was too long. She
ought to have recovered by now.

“The doctors don’t think…” and then
she waved her hand as if swishing her words away. “I’ll be fine in a moment.”

He waited until her breathing
slowed and then they finished climbing the stairs. He once again found himself unsure of how to proceed. Did he ask more about her health or focus on the
reason that he’d come? And why was he torn?