Regina held up the bottle. “To celebrate, of course.” She grinned excitedly. “Yesterday, when I was with your father and Mr. Worthington, I was able to get to know your fiancé better. Please forgive me for doubting your judgment before, Jane. I now know what a wonderful man Mr. Worthington is and how much he loves you.”
She glanced briefly at Wayne. Confusion was written all over his face. Of course he would be confused, and she prayed he would stay that way until all of this was over.
“Oh, Reggie.” Jane shook her head and giggled. “You really shouldn’t have come so early just to bring a bottle of wine.”
“Indeed, I did.” Regina met Jane’s stare again. “Because the rest of the day we will spend getting everything ready for your wedding. In fact, I couldn’t sleep last night just thinking about how I wanted to help you.” She gave her “friend” a meaningful smile. “After all, we are best friends, are we not? I am here for you.”
She pulled away from Jane and stepped to the liquor tray and the glasses. She popped out the wine cork, hoping that the others couldn’t tell that the bottle had been previously opened. She poured a drink for each person in the room, including herself. Thankfully, Jane came to assist and handed out the glasses, even giving one to Wayne.
Regina took her glass and moved closer to Wayne, who still sat in the chair. “Mr. Worthington, are you ill? Why are you not standing?”
He smiled, even though she could see the pain behind it. Her heart wrenched. She would do anything to get him out of this mess.
“Forgive me, Miss Taylor. But indeed, I have become ill since arriving at the estate. In fact, Gilbert was just about to take me up to one of the rooms to lie down before you came.”
She nodded. “Then I shall forgive you for not standing, and I pray that you will feel better soon.”
He lifted his glass. “And I thank you for the wine.” He lowered the glass and sniffed. His eyes widened, and his gaze jumped back to her eyes. “Pray, how did you know this was my favorite?”
“I didn’t, but I’m very happy it is.” Regina looked at Jane. “You must remember that for after you two are married.”
“Indeed, I shall.” The tone of Jane’s voice was one of annoyance.
Regina lifted her glass. At first, nobody else followed her example, but when Wayne raised his, the others followed. “To the happy couple,” she began. “May your marriage be filled with love and laughter, and your lives be cleansed from all the toxins in the world.”
Wayne’s lips lifted as if he were trying not to laugh. “Hear, hear.”
The others chimedhear, hearbefore lifting their glasses to their lips and drinking. Although Regina placed the glass on her lips, she wasn’t about to drink. Instead, she kept an eye on the others, especially Jane and Harold, to make sure they drank every last drop.
Wayne quickly lowered his drink and tossed it in the hearth. Regina was grateful nobody saw him and that the liquid hadn’t disturbed the fire.
“Regina,” Harold said loudly, “we all thank you for the wine, and although I would love for you to stay and visit, the boys and I have things to discuss.”
“Of course, Lord Penrose.” Regina clasped her hands together. How long would it be before the poison took effect?
“Jane, my dear,” Harold continued, “please go with Regina.”
“Yes, Father.” Jane hooked her arm with Regina’s, led the way out of the room, and closed the door.
Regina wished she could have looked back at Wayne once more, but she didn’t want to make anyone suspicious. It was horrid enough that her nerves would jump until everyone in the room and Jane fell prey to the poison’s drugging effect.
“What should we do first?” Regina asked. “I fear I have never been so excited about a wedding before. I don’t think I will know what to do.”
Jane patted her hand. “Reggie, as much as I would love nothing better than to make plans with you, I’m feeling exhausted right now. I shouldn’t have woken up so early thismorning just to ride.” She smiled, but there was no light in her eyes.
Regina pulled her into the music room. “Before you return to your bedchambers, I hope you don’t mind if I talk with you first. This cannot wait, I assure you.”
Jane rolled her eyes. “Fine. What is it you wish to say?”
Regina made certain the door was closed to anyone who might wander by the music room. She didn’t want anyone to stop her from what was about to happen.
Jane walked to the loveseat and sat. She drummed her fingers on the armrest.
“I want to know why you think so little of me.” Regina’s throat tightened, and she cleared it. This was not the time to show the other woman how emotional this moment was.
Jane arched an eyebrow. “Whatever are you talking about? You are my best friend, Reggie.”
“Actually, I’m not.” Regina kept her shoulders straight. “Because if I were your best friend, you would have stopped calling me Reggie when you knew I didn’t like that name. If you recall, when we were in our tenth year, I told you that I didn’t like it. After that, you called me that name more and more.”
