The Engagement - Regency Brides 02 Read Online Free PDF Page B

her cousin called after her.

    Katherine walked across the small park to where the lady was now watching the child play with a ball while sitting on the grass.

    “Hello,” Katherine greeted her. Now that she was closer, she saw the lady was dressed in conservative black like that of a nanny or governess. “I couldnʼt help but admire the child and had to come over for a closer look. “

    The woman peered up at Katherine, and her eyes grew big with recognition. She stood at once and bobbed a curtsy. “My lady! It is a stupendous honor to make your stupendous acquaintance. Just stupendous!”

    Katherine was momentarily nonplussed, but she recovered.
    “Well-I see you know who I am. May I have the honor of knowing your name?”

    She was presented with another of the womanʼs incredibly big smiles. “Indeed, my lady. I am Mrs. Sanborne, employed as a nanny for the young Master Tyler Thornton.”

    Katherine was glad the woman chose that moment to bend down and pick up the child because, for an instant, she could not speak-so shocked was she from that bit of news.

    “Would his father perchance be Mr. Thomas Thornton, rnaʼ am?” she asked breathlessly.

    “Yes, he is, my lady.” She hugged the smiling child to her, and for the first time, Katherine got a good look at the boy.

    Of course, he was Thomasʼs child. There was no mistaking his
    “Thornton” blue eyes.

    “I know Mr. Thornton, but this is the first time Iʼve met his son,” she told the lady, still gazing upon the sweet child.
    Every maternal feeling in her body reached out to the boy who was now motherless in this world with only his father and nanny to care for him.

    You could be his mother, a voice whispered in her head, and for a moment, she let herself think about how it would be.
    How lovely it would be.

    “May I hold him, do you think?” she asked impulsively.

    Mrs. Sanborne was taken aback briefly. “Of course, my lady.
    But watch those pretty pearls you are wearing. Heʼs broken a necklace or two of my own!” .

    ʻʼYou wouldnʼt break my necklace, would you, dear boy? Oh, my, you are a handsome young man!” she crooned and was startled when Ty did reach out to grab her necklace. She caught him just in time. “Why, you are a little scamp!” She kissed his soft curls. ʻʼAnd you are so much like your father,” she added.

    “Are you saying I am a scamp also, my lady?” A deep, teasing voice sounded behind them, and she turned to find Thomas standing there, dressed handsomely in brown and light beige, his feet shod with his black shining Hessians.

    With both the piercing eyes and his brilliant smile focused solely on Katherine, she found it very hard to answer without stumbling over her words. “I think you can be a scamp on occasion, Mr. Thornton,” she said slowly, thankful she was holding on to her composure.

    Thomas threw his head back and laughed. “If you ask my brother, he will agree with you!”

    His words were like a shower of cold water suddenly thrown on them. Only young Ty seemed not to be disturbed by it as he laughed at his father, clapping his little chubby hands together.

    Thomas reached out and fluffed his sonʼs hair affectionately.
    “I did not mean-“ he began.

    “No, please,” she interrupted. “I do not want you to feel as if you cannot mention him when we are together. I am quite over our breakup, I assure you,” she lied, all the while wishing her words were the truth.

    He smiled, but his eyes told her he wasnʼt quite convinced.
    “Well, I see you have become acquainted with my son,” he said, changing the subject. “What do you think of him?”

    Katherine smiled down at the little boy, who was once again trying to reach the pearls around her neck. “I think heʼs quite the little gentleman.” She paused for effect while glancing up at Thomas. “Despite having a father who loves to tease defenseless women!”

    Thomas put a finger to his lips. “Shh-he thinks Iʼm the perfect father.