“I’m here to make some arrests.”
She sucked in a quick breath. “So, you are indeed a Bow Street Runner?”
“In the flesh.” Wayne smiled wide and proud.
A scowl appeared on Jane’s face. “How dare you lie to my father and me?”
Her statement took him unaware, and he couldn’t stop the laugh from springing up in his throat. “Is that not like the pot calling the kettle black?” Wayne shook his head. “Because from what I have overheard, you were doing some lying of your own.”He cocked his head. “Tell me, Lady Jane, what is Regina going to do when she hears you have betrayed her in the worst way?”
Jane rolled her eyes. “Reggie was never really a good friend. After all, what kind of friend won’t allow one to make their own decisions and choose their own beaus?”
“Probably the type of friend who cares.” Indeed, Regina would be heartbroken. He only prayed she would let him comfort her as her heart healed. “However, I’m sure she will recover quickly. Regina is a strong woman, and you might learn from her example.”
Jane arched an eyebrow. “When did you start using her given name, and pray, why are you acting as if you know her better than me?”
“Perhaps I do know her better.”
Jane snorted another laugh. “Mr. Worthington, if I didn’t know any better, I would think you were sweet on her. Could the outing to the boxing match have been beneficial after all?”
There was no way he would give Jane any more information about his feelings for Regina. The time for talking was over. He stepped closer, pointing the pistol at the tall man. “You are both under arrest. Sir, please turn around with your arms behind you so that I can place these wrist cuffs on you.”
The man’s eyes rolled back in his head, and he sank to the ground just as Wayne had predicted. He wanted to laugh but refrained. However, it was still imperative to place the cuffs on the man, at least until he was judged and sentenced.
As Wayne leaned over to slap the cuffs on the man, something hard and strong hit the back of his head. The sound of glass breaking ripped through the air. Immediately, he smelled the vile liquid that Harold had poured in his drink at the tavern.
Dizziness assailed him, and he sank to his knees, trying to fight unconsciousness. Why had he forgotten that Jane held abottle of her father’s poison? Of course she was going to try to gain control. The woman didn’t want to be arrested.
Yet, as he fought to stay alert, pain filled his head, sinking him in an endless sea of despair.
Chapter Eleven
Regina quickly hidbehind a stack of empty crates in the abandoned warehouse. Her heartbeat slammed against her chest as panic filled her.
Never in her life had she witnessed such a terrible act of violence. Shock kept her immobilized. She doubted she could even scream at this moment.
Her mind whirled with what she had just witnessed. She couldn’t believe any of this, even though she had seen and heard what Wayne and Jane were discussing down in the hidden room under the floor. Was Harold involved in the opium trade?
When Regina had overheard Jane telling Waynewhyshe administered the illegal substance to Regina and her parents, her world came crashing down around her.Vagabond?After all the cherished years and memories she shared with Jane, it was difficult for Regina to accept that they hadn’t meant a whit to Jane.
Tears blurred her vision, and she closed her eyes, leaning her forehead against the crate. And to think, Wayne Worthington was a Bow Street Runner and had never been in love with Jane. Unfortunately, the good news was pushed to the bottom of her feelings because right now, all she could think about was Jane’s purposeful betrayal.
“Come on, you fool,” Jane snapped from the room under the floorboards. “Wake up.”
Although Regina couldn’t see, she heard Jane slapping her new beau’s face. Moments later, a moan came from the man.
“I’m awake,” he said slowly.
“Splendid, because I need you to help me carry Mr. Worthington to my coach so that I can take him home.”
“Why?” The man’s voice lifted. “All he wants is to arrest you and your father, and apparently, he wants to arrest me just because I’m here with you.”
“Are you not listening to me? I’m going to take Mr. Worthington home so that my father can deal with him.”
Regina’s chest tightened harder. If Harold was the evil man Wayne had made the earl out to be, what would he try to do to Wayne? She didn’t want to imagine it. As much as she still wanted Harold to be the kind and loving man he had been her whole life, apparently, Wayne knew differently.
She rubbed her throbbing temples. Why hadn’t she stayed home today? Instead, the nagging thought that Jane had poisoned her had hung like a noose around Regina’s neck and tightened by the second. How could she go throughout the day without confronting Jane?
Before Regina left the house, she’d grabbed an unopened bottle of wine to take with her. This would be the reason for arriving unannounced at the earl’s estate. Regina had planned to celebrate her friend and Wayne’s engagement. Although it was a lie, Regina had thought to make her friend think that she had realized her mistake in judging Wayne so harshly.
