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“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 are meeting a woman here.”
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. Her 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 9
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 knowingly knew what Wayne and a secretive woman would be doing tonight but didn’t try to talk some sense into him. Then again, his 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, Father.” 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—”
