Trusting the Rogue by Danielle Lisle Read Free Book Online

mere thought of offering her companionship in her bed seemed cheap in comparison to what they had just witnessed. In truth, he wasn’t sure that was all he wished from her. His mind had yet to make sense of it all.
    “Twins,” he said, in an attempt to engage her company and distract him from his own thoughts. “No wonder she was so large.”
    Hannah offered a tight smile in reply. “Indeed. She did well.”
    “Quite.” Silence followed his words. She did not seem eager to converse. Disappointing.
    Andrew had never been one to force conversation, and quite admired a woman’s ability to be silent, in reality—especially when all most women seemed to converse over was fashion or gossip. Even the weather at times became a dreary topic. He and Hannah had never conversed regarding any of that. Another oddity where she was concerned. A pleasant one.
    Hannah shot lingering glances his way during the all too short ride to her home, but she never held his gaze for long. The idea of being alone this night, after witnessing such a gift at Dicky and Anna’s with the birth of their twins, made Andrew doubly eager to prolong their encounter, not that he hadn’t already been eager beforehand.
    The carriage came to a halt outside her home. A pang of disappointment lodged in his chest as his mind worked in an effort to find a reason for him to stay. Sadly, he found none.
    He exited and held out his hand for her. She took it and slid gracefully from the bulky but slightly rickety carriage. Because she had seemed not to welcome his contact in the past, and had tolerated it only when necessary, he expected her to withdraw her hand as soon as her feet touched the pavement. However, she did not. Instead, she threaded her arm through his, as if expecting him to accompany her to the door. A smile threatened to lift his lips. Perhaps she was warming to him after all?
    “Good evening, governor,” the driver called, as he pulled away from the kerb. Andrew had only offered Hannah’s address and had paid the driver, thinking he could negotiate his travel once he’d assisted her home—though, it seemed, he need not worry at this point.
    He watched the outline of her features from the corner of his eye while they proceeded to her door. Her butler appeared before they reached it.
    “Good evening, your Grace. Is there news regarding Lady Anna?” he asked on a bow.
    “Indeed, Morris. They welcomed twins, a boy and a girl. All are quite well.”
    The butler nodded, pleased. “The staff will be happy to hear it.”
    “Um, yes. I am sure they will,” she said. Andrew watched her gnaw on her bottom lip.
    “Do you require anything further?” her butler asked, offering Andrew a curious glance.
    “Um, no. Thank you, Morris. That will be all. Please feel free to retire for the evening.”
    The man blinked once, then nodded. He took Andrew’s jacket and hat and placed them on a small side table as he departed the room.
    Hannah moved her hand back to Andrew’s arm, before she laid her palm in his. She raised her gaze to meet his, but said nothing. Only her curious eyes—eyes that seemed filled with questions—stared back at him.
    He wanted to speak questions of his own, but ruining what he longed for—something he’d wished might grace him but had never dreamed of, which might be happening with her at that moment—was not something he was willing to risk. Was she offering what he thought she was?
    She tightened her hand around his and Andrew felt his lips lifting slightly in a pleased tilt, in a way he hoped was also reassuring. Hannah took a deep breath and turned, leading him up the stairs, taking him willingly along with her.
    On the second level, she paused at a slightly ajar door. Hannah toed the door open and stepped inside the room, dropping his hand in the process.
    A small lantern glowed dimly on the side table. Hannah approached the bed. Harold lay in the centre of the undersized bed, his sheets kicked down in disarray. His