Read Love Comes Blindly (book 5) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) for Free Online

she said.
    “I do. I also want to tell you I’m sorry.”
    The wheelchair slowed. “Thank you.”
    “Do you know what I’m apologizing for?”
    “Yes.”
    “Sister Mary? May I ask you another personal question?”
    “No.”
    He chuckled. Her reply came too quickly. “Have you let other men touch you like that since...you came to live at the Abbey?”
    She expelled her breath and it blew across his neck. He grinned. Yes, he disturbed her, to be sure.
    “Mr.—um, I mean Gregg, I’ve made many mistakes in my past. I’m not immune to a man’s touch.”
    “But you haven’t allowed a man to touch you since?”
    “No.”
    “Is that why your heart was racing?”
    “Yes. But, Gregg, you can never do that again. Do you understand? I...cannot have those feelings.”
    He reached back and grasped her hand, pulling it down to rest on his shoulder. “My apologies again, Sister Mary. I hope you will forgive me.”
    “I will, but only if you promise never to touch me like that again.”
    Could he make the promise? He was labeled a rake in London and he wore the title proudly. After all, it was his duty to please women. Although he didn’t know Mary, he knew she could not be a nun. Passionate women like her had no business giving their lives to God, and he’d try to convince her to change her mind about that decision.
    “I cannot make that promise, but…I assure you I shall think really hard about your request,” he said with touch of humor.
    * * * *
    Once Madeline had Gregg back in bed, she hurried to the chapel to pray. As she clutched her rosary and said the words, tears streamed down her cheeks. It had been too long since she’d felt those emotions heating her body. Why now?
    And why with Gregg?
    She shouldn’t have told him about the baby. Yet…in a way she hoped he would know it was her and voice his thoughts so she wouldn’t have to be the first to bring up the subject. It certainly didn’t happen the way she’d wanted. But Gregg had the ability to control her mind and body. Just one touch from him made her body sing with passion. Even when she thought she was in love with her sister’s husband, Gregg was still the man who made her quiver with desire. He was the only man to make love to her, and just now when his intimate touch stroked her face and neck, her body recalled every moment in the past when he’d made her burn. Now, three years later, she ached for his loving touch once again.
    But if he knew who she really was—his touch would not be loving at all.
    She silently scolded herself. Falling back to the old Maddie was not going to happen. The only way to stop this insanity would be to tell him the truth. Once he knew she was Madeline O’Neil, he’d leave the Abbey and her behind as quickly as he came.
    Tears continued to flow, and she couldn’t control them. Her heart broke from knowing Gregg would always hate her. If he didn’t forgive her for her past mistakes, he’d definitely not forgive her when he discovered who his angel had been all this time. She didn’t want to hurt him any longer. She wanted forgiveness so she could move forward into her new life.
    A hand rested on her shoulder and Madeline snapped her gaze up to meet the worried stare of the Reverend Mother. Madeline’s heart plummeted. She knows!
    The older nun motioned for Madeline follow. Holding her rosary tightly against her bosom, she trailed behind the Reverend Mother until they reached the Mother’s office.
    “My child, I’ve been watchin ’ ya closely, an’ I see confusion in yar eyes,” she said in a strong Scottish accent.
    Madeline crumpled onto the chair, rested her head in her hands and sobbed. “Oh, Reverend Mother. I don’t know what to do.”
    “About what?”
    “I...have sinned.”
    The Reverend Mother lifted Madeline’s chin until she met her eyes.
    “Madeline, I’m not the person ya should confess yar sins to. ‘Sides, I dinna ken yar sins are of the flesh, just in yar heart.”
    Madeline