Free Regency Christmas Pact 02 - A Gentlemen's Pact by Jerrica Knight-Catania Page B

of fact, most would describe her as downright timid. But didn’t the Bible say, “Ask and ye shall receive?”
    Well, it was time she asked. She wanted him to stay. She wanted him to be her husband, and the father he’d never had the chance to be before. He’d shown interest in her, hadn’t he? Even if only physical, wouldn’t that be enough?
    Movement out the window caught her eye and she rushed to the window seat and pressed her nose against the glass like a child. A well-appointed black carriage ambled up the drive, a stark contrast to the lovely white snow. Olivia wanted desperately to run from the room and meet him at the door, but she held back. He needed time to greet his family and get settled. She’d speak to him later.
    Trying to put Rowan from her mind for the time being, she checked on Marcus again. She smiled when her hand touched his cool forehead. Then she paced again, because really, there was nothing else to do while trapped in this room. Perhaps she should go for a walk in the corridor. Yes, that would do her good.
    She padded to the door, flung it open, and nearly jumped out of her skin at the human figure standing on the other side.
    “Good heavens!” Olivia clutched her heart and staggered backwards a few paces, before she finally dared to look at whom the figure actually belonged to. “Rowan?”
    His lips twitched at the corners. “I’m sorry to have frightened you,” he said. “I was just coming to check on Marcus.”
    “Oh.” Of course he wanted to know how Marcus was doing. Such thoughtfulness warmed her heart. He really did care about him. Now if only she could find out if he cared about her. “His fever broke near dawn,” she said. “He’s been awake a couple of times, but he’s still very weak.” She smiled tentatively at Rowan. “He was most worried he’d missed Christmas.”
    Rowan gave a little chuckle. “A man after my own heart,” he said. “And you? Are you well?”
    His chocolate brown eyes bored into hers, and Olivia was certain he could read every word she was thinking. “I-I finally got some rest this morning, thank goodness. And Clara brought me a hearty meal this afternoon. So, yes…I am well. Thank you for asking.”
    Rowan shut the door and then moved further into the room, until he was standing directly in front of Olivia. She held her breath, trying to remain in control of herself, her emotions, despite the fact he stood so close she could smell clove on him. Unable to look into his eyes, she stared straight ahead at his neatly tied cravat. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths. Had he run up the stairs to get here?
    “Olivia,” he said, and she couldn’t ignore the deep, meaningful way he intoned her name.
    She raised her eyes to meet his. He blinked a few times and then held her gaze. What was that expression? Amusement? Desire? She was horrible at interpreting. “Yes?”
    “I have something very particular I’d like to ask you.”
    Olivia’s heart was going to leap out of her throat, it was beating so fast. He was waiting for her to respond, but she couldn’t speak so she simply nodded.
    He reached into his pocket and procured something, though he kept it concealed in his hand, so she wasn’t quite sure what it was.
    “Olivia Morgan Edwards, I would like to ask…do you like sapphires?”
    Olivia looked down at the ring he held out to her, then back up at his face. This went on for what felt like ten minutes, until Rowan clearly felt the need to clarify.
    “Olivia,” he said, laughter in his voice. “I’m asking you to marry me, dear girl.”
    She looked up at him, unable to believe that her prayers had been answered, just like that. “You are?” she asked, to make sure she hadn’t misheard.
    Now Rowan laughed in earnest. “Olivia, I haven’t stopped thinking of you since you walked back into my life at that dinner party. I made a vow to never, ever marry—to remain a bachelor for all my days—but the more I thought about it,