A Touch of Charm: A Regency Historical Romance (Miracles on Harley Street Book 3) by Sara Adrien

Author:Sara Adrien [Adrien, Sara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2025-04-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Andre didn’t want to be the next bad choice in Thea’s life. The weight of her past, the quiet pain that lingered in her words, was enough to make him tread carefully. Yet care wasn’t something he could give sparingly, not to Thea—or her family.

After their conversation in the orangery the previous night, Andre couldn’t sleep and stayed with Stan, who’d been shivering beneath the thin covering, his skin pale and clammy. Andre knew hesitation had no place there. The fever had worsened, and the wound—raw and angry looking—had deepened its hold. Any delay was a risk he could not allow.

Thea came to look after her brother in the morning when Andre stepped out to get the post, and more ice for Stan’s wound. Returning to Cloverdale, he went to call on Stan.

“I sent a message to the others. Soon, we will have a backup at Cloverdale House and the practice. I’m not going to let Thea out of sight,” Andre told his friend when he woke up.

“Did Alex send word? Is he coming?” Stan asked. Beads of sweat from the fever ran down his forehead, but he shivered through the cold chills.

“Indeed, there’s a letter for you.” Andre handed him the note and watched Stan scan the words.

“He’ll be here soon,” Stan said with palpable relief and plopped his head back on the pillow.

There was a commotion outside and within a few seconds, Thea and Mary appeared with solemn faces.

“How is he?” Thea had been so strong, so composed, but the strain in her eyes had betrayed her fear. She bore it well, as though she’d carried far heavier burdens before. But Andre could see now—this, Stan’s suffering, her family’s shadow—it wasn’t a weight she should carry alone.

“I’m here for whatever you both need,” Andre said when he watched Stan hand Thea their brother’s note.

For Thea’s sake, for her peace more than her gratitude, Andre resolved to look after Stan with all his might. Whatever it took, he’d give her one less thing to fear, even if it meant risking being too close, being another piece of her life she might one day regret. Sometimes, doing the right thing wasn’t about avoiding mistakes but about showing up when needed most.

And today, Thea needed him, whether she realized it or not.

“Nurse Shira will be here momentarily,” Andre said when he glanced at the clock.

“We are going shopping,” Thea declared when Andre eyed the notes for the Bavarian and French lords who would need his care, too.

“I beg your pardon?”

“She’s right. There’ll be a ball for Alex’s engagement. We need to be a united front,” Stan said, his teeth clattering under the cold chills.

Andre cleared his throat. “You are planning for a ball while he has a dangerous fever, and Baron von List is out there threatening your—”

But Thea didn’t let Andre finish. “I can’t spend another day in the same dress. It’s time for a change. Let’s go!” Thea didn’t let go of the doorknob and stood in Andre’s way.

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