Page 26 of Charming the Accidental Suitor
Or maybe she followed him. He had no idea how much time passed or how the words kept flowing, but he could have happily kept it going all night long.
Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately, he had no sense of right and wrong any longer—the sound of one of the townhome’s side doors opening and closing brought a swift end to their conversation.
Felicity moved first. She grabbed his shirt and tugged him with her as she dove behind the tree trunk. Holding him as she was, he found himself pressed against her.
Or rather, he had her pressed against the tree.
And he couldn’t move. His heart thudded painfully and his senses became so acutely attuned to her, he nearly forgot they could be caught.
But her eyes were wide with fear so he moved in even closer, and she gripped his shirt even tighter. They fell silent but theireyes locked, and Albright could have sworn they held entire conversations as they waited for…something. Anything.
Finally they heard a low voice and then a high giggle. Some whispering followed before they heard the male voice call out a farewell to his lover.
The door clicked shut once more, and Albright…didn’t move.
Felicity’s breaths were coming in short bursts and this close he could feel the warmth of her skin.
“I…” He started and stopped.
Her lips quirked up. “I think the danger has passed.”
“Yes.”
She’d said what he’d meant to say.It’s all clear. We’re out of danger.
And he could move. But he…really did not want to move. And she seemed in no hurry to push him away.
“It’s a good thing we weren’t caught,” she whispered.
“Yes.” Wonderful. He was only capable of saying one word, it seemed.
“Well, it was good for you,” she added.
He had to blink a few times and then he finally backed up a step. “Pardon?”
Her smile returned, but there was something off about it. An edge he did not care for. “If we’d been caught,” she said. “I’d have been ruined.”
“No,” he said quickly. His brows came down as he took another step back. Did she really think that little of him? “I would have done right by you.”
Her smile faltered a bit, and when it flickered back to life, he got the sense that she was trying not to cry.
“Felicity?” He reached a hand out and touched her cheek.
She pulled away. “I’m all right. Do not mind me. I’m being silly, that’s all.” She looked around as if only now realizing thatshe was still alone, outside, in the dark… “It’d be best if I go inside.”
He wasn’t entirely certain what had caused this shift in her, but he suspected it had to do with the thought of being caught. Did she really think he’d leave her to face the consequences on her own?
“I would have done right by you, Felicity,” he said again. “Your reputation is no trivial matter. I’d?—”
“Yes, I know.” She stared up at him for a long moment. “You would have married Ann.”
He frowned. What did Ann have to do with anything?
An uneasiness filled his stomach at the mention of her friend. Not that he missed her or felt regret or guilt, no…
It was just that Ann was the type of woman he’d thought he’d marry if he were to marry again. Someone soft spoken and compatible. Someone who would be a friend…
And only ever a friend.
