Read The Engagement - Regency Brides 02 for Free Online

Wouldnʼt want to spoil the illusion, you know,”
    he added with a wink.

    Ty suddenly wanted his father and, giving a disgruntled cry, held out his chubby arms to Thomas. Katherine was startled when Thomas plucked the toddler out of her arms and swung him up in the air making “da-da” noises, causing his son to laugh with glee.

    She had never seen a gentleman carry on like that with a baby. Not even her own father. Most left the rearing to the mother or nannies until the child was of age to learn, and then it meant hunting or schooling.

    She was ... enchanted …

    Thomas found himself intrigued with the elusive Katherine.

    When heʼd come up and seen her holding his son with that much affection, heʼd hardly been able to bear it.
    It had been his main worry—whether Katherine would accept his son. Heʼd even worried she might not care for children.

    But all those fears had dissipated the moment heʼd walked up and found her holding Ty as if he were her own.
    Thomas had missed her in the three days they had been apart, but heʼd been so confused at her odd behavior. He wanted to pursue her but sensed a strong pull inside him urging him to be careful.

    Heʼd been praying lately about the course he should take and where God was leading him. It was the reason heʼd stayed home at Rosehaven. Until he knew what God wanted him to
    -do, he did not want to chance meeting Katherine, letting his attraction to her override Godʼs will.

    The more he sought Godʼs council, however, the more he felt God had brought Katherine into his life and he should try to discern her true feelings for him.

    So, with the latter thought in mind, heʼd finally ventured out and journeyed into town on the sincere hope of seeing Katherine there.

    His hopes had soon become a reality.

    There, under the cover of the large elms, she stood out like a glistening gem in her pale green dress and her hair swirled up in curls with some falling about her face. He knew the moment she looked up at him with her mysterious golden eyes that heʼd fallen in love with her.

    It stunned and humbled him all at once.

    He hardly knew her. Heʼd known her only as his brotherʼs fiancée, then the few moments heʼd spent with her at the ball and at her parentsʼ home.

    But he so much ʻwanted to know her better.

    If only she werenʼt so ... elusive! If only she were consistent with her actions and outward emotions, then he might not hesitate to ask for her hand, even at this early stage.

    It wasnʼt uncommon, even for those couples who had met only once, to enter into an agreement of marriage. Heʼd done it himself with his first wife.

    But he wanted this marriage to be different. He knew he loved Katherine and would do all he could to show his love to her, but he couldnʼt be sure of her feelings. He wouldnʼt enter another marriage where love was only one-sided, as his first marriage had been. It wouldnʼt be fair to either of them.

    After Thomas had taken Ty from Katherineʼs arms and had him settled onto his side, he noticed she was smiling at him in wonder.

    “What?” he asked curiously.

    She shook her head. “Iʼm just amazed at your freedom of expression with your son.”

    “You donʼt like it?”

    She smiled a smile that made his heart ache. “I think itʼs quite wonderful. Iʼd love to know the father of my children would treat our children the way you do yours,” she explained, her voice wistful.

    Thomas took a chance. “Perhaps you will have what you desire after all.”

    A strange moment passed between them when he spoke those words. A million emotions seemed to play across her expressive, dainty features. Thomas thought among them were happiness, wonderment, and—uneasiness? But that made no sense. What would cause her to feel uneasy with him?

    “Perhaps,” she finally answered, her eyes no longer focused on him but on his son, instead.

    Thomas wanted to shake her as he realized sheʼd once again distanced herself from him.

    “It