Page 39 of Regency in Color

He’d not seen much of Mary, other than that morning, as she’d joined the Yarnsby and Father Matthews for dinner in the family dining room.

Thomas wanted to search her out, but his body protested quite vigorously to moving about so much. Reluctantly, he trudged to his bedroom stopping at the end of the hallway to wait for his ribs to stop aching.

“If you faint, you will only cause more harm,” Mary’s voice fell over him like a warm breeze. The slight accent coupled with a natural hoarseness was like a soothing balm to Thomas’ senses.

He looked up to meet her gaze. “I overdid it today. Once I got out of the bedroom, I didn’t rest once.”

“Mmmm.” Mary studied him for a moment. “I will help you get inside.”

* * *

He didn’t requirehelp getting into his room, in actuality, her putting her arm around his back hurt. The need for her touch pushed away all good sense and he leaned into her. “Thank you.”

They walked clumsily into the room and he walked to a chair. “I’d rather sit than spend more time than necessary in bed.”

“Very well, but you seem a bit weak. Are you sure?” Mary asked, her face much too close for comfort. If it wasn’t for the fogginess in his brain from her proximity, he would have taken a bit longer to consider his words and actions.

“Why did you allow the kiss?” Thomas asked. “I don’t look my best at the moment.”

Seeming to be taken aback by his directness, Mary looked away frowning. “I wanted it to happen long before your attack.”

This time it was Thomas who was startled. “You did?”

“Yes,” she said with a mischievous sparkle in her eye. “Perhaps your aloofness and the fact you are constantly in a bad mood caught my attention.”

She’d called him aloof, which in his mind meant unapproachable, exactly the façade he’d been hiding behind since leaving his home.

“Sometimes there’s a reason why a man must keep others at bay.”

Her lips pursed in thought, taking his full attention. “I understand that perhaps the past has brought you to make certain changes in your life. I hope that you will find peace once the attackers are brought to justice.”

Instead of lowering to the chair, Thomas remained standing. “I am not sure they should be punished. It is punishment enough to have lost their sister.”

“It is a decision they made knowing the possible consequences. The fact they remained nearby attests to it. Why didn’t they leave?”

He’d wondered the same thing himself. “Perhaps they wished to ensure I had indeed died.”

“If not captured, they would have probably returned to kill you. Think about it Thomas. I know it’s hard. Father Matthews told us you’ve known them since childhood. I cannot imagine how you feel.”

Thomas studied Mary. “You are so different from any other woman I’ve met. Intelligent, well-spoken and kind.”

“Thank you,” Mary replied, her cheeks reddening. “Now you should get some rest.”

“I don’t deserve to even ask, but would you consider the possibility of me courting you?”

Her eyes rounded and mouth fell open. “I thought...”

Before she could finish the thought, Thomas pulled her against him, once again taking her mouth with his. The bandaging of his jaw annoying him because it kept him from kissing her in a way to let her understand his desire. Soon it became painful, so he pulled back just a bit so to not moan in pain and break the spell of how wonderful she felt against him.

Her arms circled his waist, and she pressed her forehead to his chest. “I would very much like to get to know you better.”

After pressing another light kiss to her lips, Thomas released her. “I suppose it won’t do for someone to walk in and find us together.”

She gave him a playful smirk. “Especially Father Matthews.”

At the mention of the priest’s name, Thomas winced. “I must speak to him first thing in the morning.”

* * *