Frederic was nearly shaking by the time Karen finished speaking and he knew this new guilt he felt wasn't about to go away anytime soon. He should have considered the consequences better before succumbing to his desire, he scolded himself mentally, and the frown on his face didn't fade in the slightest. Karen was looking down, and he felt awful that he'd caused her to do this when she wasn't fully ready. "I love you, too, Karen," he murmured, and his voice broke when he added, "and I'm sorry. I really am."