She hitched a breath, praying nobody heard.
“Things between us are complicated right now for reasons I cannot disclose. However, once I’m able to tell everyone, you and Mother will be the first to meet her.”
“Ah, my boy.” The elder Mr. Worthington walked further inside the lobby. “It does my heart good to see you smiling. I can tell you put her in high regard. It should come as no surprise that I’m happy to see you have finally given a woman your heart.”
His heart?Regina’s breathing quickened. But Wayne was engaged to Jane. Why hadn’t his father noticed the different look on his son’s face when he proposed to Jane? Unless…
She released a small groan. Could it be true that Wayne had only gone after Jane because of her father’s money? Yet Regina didn’t have money, so why was the elder Mr. Worthington noticing his son had finally given his heart to a woman?
The pitter-patter of her heartbeat changed. Could Wayne possibly enjoy her company more than Jane’s? Regina didn’t know how many times Wayne had passionately kissed Jane, but was it even imaginable that he enjoyed Regina more?
“Well, son.” Footsteps shuffled toward the corridor. “I’ll leave you alone now. I’m sure your mother is worried sick about what I found here. I promise not to tell her you were meeting a woman.”
Wayne laughed. “I would appreciate that. I don’t need her thinking any less of me.”
“No, you do not. Walk with me to the back door.”
“Yes, Father.”
Both men’s steps echoed through the store as they walked to the back. Regina’s heartbeat calmed slowly, and yet her mind raced. The endearment laced in Wayne’s voice when he mentioned her would stay in her mind forever. Could he have come to care for her so soon?
Although confusion continued to stay inside her, she almost hoped Wayne was the decent, kind, and loving man he appeared to be.
Chapter Nine
Wayne was gratefulhis father didn’t ask more questions. It was bad enough that he and Regina were almost caught in a passionate embrace. Yet his father knew well what Wayne and a secretive woman would be doing tonight but didn’t try to talk some sense into him. Then again, Father had never convinced Wayne to follow the right pathways in life.
“Son,” his father said as they stopped by the door, “I have a feeling your lady friend is already here.”
Heat crawled up Wayne’s face, and he nodded.
Scrubbing a hand over his chin, his father shook his head and frowned. “Unless she is a woman of ill repute, you can ruin her name.”
“Father, I’m well aware of that. However, things are complicated, which I told you earlier. You must believe me.”
His father arched an eyebrow. “I believe you, and I trust you know what you are doing. I just do not want to see you get tangled up in a scandal that could ruin your name, as well.”
Wayne nodded. “I’m being very careful, I assure you.”
“Being careful would mean you and the lady would meet in public and not in private.”
Sighing in frustration, Wayne folded his arms. “Yes, Father. You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know.”
“Son, because of who you are, your decision will affect both families.”
“I know that.” Guilt crept into Wayne’s chest. His father always knew how to do this.
“I understand that you enjoy being a Bow Street Runner, but your duties as my son—”
“Father, please,” Wayne interrupted. “I beg you, do not try to talk me into coming back. I do enjoy my job, and I wish to stay as a Runner.”
His father expelled a deep breath and nodded. “Then I shall let you attend to your lady friend. But please, make certain she gets home safely and that nobody spots her with you.”
“I will.”
Once his father walked out the back door and closed it, Wayne sighed and rubbed his aching temples. He truly didn’t want to ruin Regina’s name or cause humiliation to his family, but discussing what had happened between him and her was imperative. It couldn’t be put aside.
He moved back to the lobby and around the counter. Regina was still crouched low and had a slight shake to her body. His chest squeezed with guilt again. He truly hadn’t meant to put her through this.
